Overview

• The Australian Defence Force has provided a military planning specialist and aerial surveillance assets at Victoria Police’s request.
• More than 400 personnel are on the ground with deployments rising, and officers have searched over 100 properties without a confirmed sighting.
• Chief Commissioner Mike Bush emphasized the complexity of the terrain, said operational costs are being tracked, and noted a potential reward is under consideration.
• Investigators say Freeman is believed to be alive and possibly helped by others, while his wife—interviewed after being present during the incident—has urged him to surrender.
• Police have outlined a surrender process and continue to gather hundreds of tips as local tourism businesses report steep losses and Mount Buffalo remains closed.