An Australian on holiday in Bali may never return home as he faces the prospect of being charged with drug trafficking.

Port Lincoln man Troy Smith was detained 13 days ago by Indonesian police accused of drug possession, but it can now be revealed he is accused of smuggling some into the country as well.

The 49-year-old's lawyer has told 9News that Smith attempted to flee police before being arrested, with one officer firing a warning shot at the South Australian.

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"He got the scar because he fell down," he said.

Smith has been in custody for almost two weeks and is accused of possessing more than three grams of methamphetamine in his resort room.

A smaller quantity of 0.04 grams is accused of being in Smith's possession when he arrived in Bali from Australia.

Drug possession carries a jail sentence of between one and 12 years in Indonesia, while trafficking or importation can see the death sentence imposed. 

However, because Smith was allegedly found with less than five grams, it's understood he won't be fronted with such a severe punishment, and will instead face life in prison.

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Balinese police addressed the media during a press conference, the first time authorities have spoken publicly about Smith's arrest.

"Indonesia is very strict with narcotics," they said via a translation through Smith's lawyer.

The Australian man was absent from the press conference, his lawyer saying he is mentally unwell and is expected to be admitted to hospital.

"Mentally he is not okay… he is still struggling," his lawyer said.

Smith had been holidaying with his new wife, Tracy, whose attempt to visit him in custody today was denied.

The Port Lincoln local is cooperating with police as investigations continue. 

Official charges are expected to be laid once police complete their inquiries.

The drug dealer, who was also caught with cannabis, has forfeited the cash.

The devastated parents of a four-year-old boy who drowned in a lagoon in Melbourne's south-east are calling for action to be taken to prevent another tragedy.

The parents of Ali Aminzadah, who drowned in a lagoon in Officer yesterday, have spoken to 9News off-camera and said they are furious about the way the body of water is fenced.

Their beloved little boy, who they have remembered as a "fun-loving" child with a "big smile", was playing at a family member's house in Officer when he disappeared yesterday afternoon.

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Emergency services were called to Lagoon Row about 5pm after Ali was found unresponsive in the water.

He died at the scene.

His parents have told 9News they were visiting relatives in Officer, after making the trip down from Swan Hill.

They have said they are furious about the thin wire fencing around the lagoon and have called for Cardinia council to change it.

In a statement, Cardinia Shire Mayor Jack Kowarzik extended his deepest sympathies to the child's family on behalf of the Cardinia Shire community.

"This is absolutely tragic news," he said.

"On behalf of Council and the local community, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the boy's family during this devastating time.

"The Cardinia Shire community has been deeply affected by this terrible incident happening so close to home.

"I'd also like to acknowledge the impact of this incident on first responders, and the valiant efforts of emergency services personnel who attended the scene."

Police say the death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Households have drastically cut back on non-essential spending in recent months, according to a new report from Commonwealth Bank that lays bare the differing fortunes of renters and homeowners.

The nation's biggest bank says household spending in April was 1 per cent lower than in March and had only increased by 2.6 per cent over the previous 12 months – comfortably lower than inflation, which currently sits at 3.6 per cent.

While spending on the likes of utilities and car expenses was up, the overall drop was led by significant cutbacks across all discretionary categories, according to CBA's Household Spending Index (HSI).

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"The April HSI paints a picture of a constrained consumer following an early Easter bump in March," CBA chief economist Stephen Halmarick said.

"Significantly, the annual rate of household spending has fallen from 3.9 per cent in March to 2.6 per cent in April, led by a large drop-off in discretionary spending, which is down 4.4 per cent in the month."

For the first time, the index looked at how the spending of renters, mortgage holders and outright homeowners compared.

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Renters were found to have cut back the most, while spending among people who own their home without a mortgage was found to have increased far faster than inflation.

"We can see from the new home ownership insights included in this month's report that renters in particular have cut back, with spending just inching higher at 1.3 per cent over the year," Halmarick said.

"Those who own their home outright experienced the strongest spending growth at 6.3 per cent annually."

Halmarick said the spending slowdown is set to continue for the rest of the year, leading to a probable interest rates cut in November.

"We expect weak consumer spending and below-trend economic growth to continue throughout 2024, and despite recent inflation data surprising to the upside, we anticipate the RBA will cut interest rates in November this year," he said.

He’s now resumed repayments after the Employment Relations Authority got involved.

Brown says his proposed funding will make public transport ‘better, faster [and] cheaper’.

Adesanya visited the mural today alongside the famed street artist.

Iwi group succeeds in its challenge to ruling that tribunal cannot summon minister.

The gang crackdown is set to feature a specialist anti-crime squad.

New technology is being rolled out in taxis across Australia to stop rogue drivers ripping off passengers.

But critics say the rollout doesn't go far enough to protect the majority of unwitting customers from being overcharged.

Cabcharge's new technology will directly connect the payment terminal in the vehicle to the meter.

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If a taxi has a sticker offering the service, the driver has to comply.

"A seamless experience for passengers where they know they will only have to pay what the metered fare is at the end of the trip," Cabcharge chief operating officer Gary Becus said.

"There's no reason for a driver to try and bargain or barter with a passenger."

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The new technology will at first apply only to people using Cabcharge products.

The Victorian state government said penalties were in place for drivers caught price gouging, but industry insiders say enforcing those penalties is where the real difficulty lies.

Rod Barton of the Transport Matters Party said the new technology was a good idea but a "stepping stone" to dealing with broader price gouging.

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