Fairly common at this stage of proceedings, yes. He hasn’t formally faced court yet and it’s unusual for a name to be released prior to that. He will face court today.
In his case, his identity may remain suppressed as the court specifically instucted the media to do so in order to protect his family from potential reprisals. Again, this isn’t that uncommon with very serious crimes in order to protect innocent people associated with the criminal. It generally doesn’t last forever, but can persist through the trial process.
One media outlet has already given his name at least once - whether by mistake or deliberately, I don’t know.
Excerpt:
“...The suspect, in his home page on a social networking site, attacks his ex-girlfriend for her alleged infidelity in his opening remarks. A woman with the same name left several affectionate comments for him via the site.
She is pictured several times on her own page wearing a Country Fire Authority uniform with feathered angel wings attached. She is also pictured with a dog. The woman lists her address on the site as Gippsland, while he puts his as Latrobe Valley.
The CFA last night confirmed that the man charged was not one of its volunteers...
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25052177-5018722,00.html