Month: May 2025

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Alice Springs general duties members arrested a 23-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident in Sadadeen this morning.

About 8:30am, police received reports of a domestic violent incident unfolding outside a residence. It is alleged the male assaulted his female partner by pulling her by the hair and throwing her against a parked car, prior to her running to a nearby residence to seek help.

A female resident successfully assisted the victim inside; however, before she could lock the door the male has attempted to pull at the door. The female resident was allegedly assaulted with a rock, before she was able to successfully close the door. The male then allegedly damaged the door and was attempting to gain entry to the premises just as police arrived on scene.

The male fled the scene and after a short foot pursuit, he was apprehended and conveyed to the Alice Springs Watch House.

Investigations remain ongoing and charges are expected to follow.

St John Ambulance conveyed a female victim to Alice Springs Hospital for medical assessment.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please reference to job number P25132376.

Source:

In an extraordinary concession, the Fair Work Commission has acknowledged labour hire firms may face millions of dollars in retrospective liabilities under Labor’s “same job same pay” laws – even leading to workers losing their jobs.

In its decision of 7 May 2025 (published Monday 12 May) relating to Glencore’s Bulga coal mine in New South Wales, the FWC considered arguments from labour hire firms Skilled and WorkPac that they would be impacted by increases in the retrospective value of annual leave and sick/personal leave entitlements of their employees, should the same job same pay order be made.

Despite ultimately making the order, the FWC found:

“… the fact that making a regulated labour hire arrangement order would increase the liabilities of each of Skilled and WorkPac for accrued annual leave and personal leave (which must be paid out in some circumstances), weighs in favour of a conclusion that it would not be fair and reasonable to make the orders sought.”

Further, in the case of WorkPac:

“… I accept that many arrangements could become wholly unviable for WorkPac’s business and it would need to consider its options to respond to those challenges, which may include terminating those arrangements which are commercially unsustainable. WorkPac’s employees may be immediately and adversely affected if those arrangements are terminated…”

And, in the case of Skilled:

“Skilled has no right to recover this increase in liability from Bulga or anyone else. Because Skilled only earns a small profit margin on the labour hire employees it supplies to the mine, the increased leave liability arising from the making of a regulated labour hire arrangement order would exceed the profit margin earned by (Skilled) under its supply contract with Bulga over the life of that contract.”

AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM said the decision confirmed long-held concerns that “same job same pay” could mean “hundreds of millions of dollars in retrospective leave liabilities”.

“In late 2023, AREEA raised concerns with the Albanese Government that its proposed same job same pay laws could unleash retrospective leave liability costs on the mining industry, potentially ranging in the hundreds of millions,” he said.

“The government paid lip service in response – implementing a partial fix that would apply only in very limited circumstances. This issue needs to be urgently revisited.

“The FWC has finally been forced to acknowledge the unfair, unreasonable and unsustainable impacts of same job same pay orders on labour hire firms in the mining industry, going so far as to admit contracts may be terminated and employees may lose their jobs.

“Evidence was accepted that labour hire firms have limited ability to recover unplanned increases in both prospective costs and retrospective leave liabilities, and their ability to commercially service contracts may be put at real risk.

“Yet, remarkably, such impacts apparently do not weigh heavily enough in the favour of a same job same pay order being “not fair and reasonable” when balanced against labour hire employees and direct hired employees having a pay differential.

“Retrospective cost increases driven by government policy is a killer for investor certainty and business confidence. How could any firm confidently invest and do business in Australia when such concerns can be cavalierly brushed aside?

“The Albanese Government said the laws would not impact on firms retrospectively. It should act to ensure this commitment is upheld and protect the sanctity of commercial arrangements lawfully and compliantly entered into under the laws of the land at the time.

“At stake are thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in investment capital and many billions more in government revenues to fund national programs and infrastructure.”

Another challenging outcome of the Bulga mine same job same pay decision is that relatively inexperienced labour hire employees will soon be paid at the same rates as their vastly more experienced direct-hired counterparts.

This outcome was accepted, but also didn’t weigh heavily enough against the making of the order.

“As a result, labour hire trade assistants with as little as 12 months’ experience will receive pay rises of up to $40,000 per annum, bringing them into parity with experienced heavy machinery operators who have been employed at the mine for more than 10 years,” Mr Knott said.

“Given the Albanese Government said the laws would not result in unfair pay parity between inexperienced and highly experienced employees, these types of outcomes may play out adversely in the marketplace.”

Source: New South Wales – News

Just before 10am Thursday 15 May, emergency services were called to Nangkita Road, Nangkita (near Willowburn Drive), after reports a cattle truck had rolled. Patrols arrived to find the truck down an embankment and in a creek.

The driver, a 29-year-old man from Craigmore was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and he will undergo mandatory blood tests. Due to the location of the truck, the number of cattle injured is currently unknown.

A heavy vehicle tow truck is at the scene and PIRSA personnel are in attendance to assist with euthanasia of the animals.

Nangkita Road is currently closed and road users are asked to avoid the area.

The investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing.

Source: New South Wales – News

Subsequently a man was arrested for serious offences relating to an ongoing investigation.

The man is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today, where prosecutors will seek a suppression order.
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Former CFA Board Chair and long-time volunteer Kerry Murphy PSM AFSM was farewelled today by family, friends, colleagues and brigade members at a memorial service at Mt Macedon Fire Brigade.

Kerry had been a CFA member for 52 years and was honoured for a lifetime of public service, dedication and achievement not only within this organisation, but by the broader community.

His memorial service, attended by CFA members who he mentored and supported over many decades, heard of his skill as a strategic thinker and problem solver.

Colleagues recalled his leadership as brigade captain during the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 when he protected the township of Mt Macedon, and in providing a calming presence during the recovery phase. He held many roles within CFA and continued to provide guidance to members across the organisation throughout his long career as a volunteer.

Kerry’s role as CFA’s Board Chair from 2007 to 2012, and his commitment to representing the voice of the volunteer in the organisation, were recognised and highlighted, particularly in the aftermath of the 2009 fires, overseeing CFA as it implemented the changes required to improve the response to future fires.

His honours included the Public Service Medal, Australian Fire Services Medal, Centenary Medal, National Medal and CFA Life Membership.

Speakers reflected that Kerry’s legacy was of someone who was regarded as a caring, trusted and deeply respected friend who had left a mark on all who met him.

At the conclusion of today’s service, CFA members formed a guard of honour outside the Mt Macedon Station to farewell Kerry Murphy for a final time.

Submitted by	CFA News

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

What does the City of Greater Bendigo, local company CVGT Employment and a footy tipping competition have in common?  The answer is Lake Weeroona!

In 2021 CVGT’s CEO Jason Russell, won the Bendigo Advertiser’s Footy Tipping competition with the prize being 100 square metres of turf from another local company Coolabah Turf.

CVGT Employment, who also facilitate the City’s Parks and Open Space apprenticeship program, approached the City wishing to donate the turf to a local project.  The City gratefully accepted the offer and decided to use the turf on a newly irrigated parcel of land at Lake Weeroona located at the railway end of the lake.

City of Greater Bendigo Sports Fields and Reserves Coordinator Tyrone Downie said this was a terrific gesture by CVGT and the City was pleased to accept the turf donation to help grass an area at the northern end of the lake.

“Best of all the City’s Parks and Open Space apprentices will lay the turf, making this project a truly great collaboration between the City and CVGT,” Mr Downie said.

“The City has recently installed new irrigation in this area so the turf donation has come at a great time.

“Lake Weeroona is Greater Bendigo’s most visited and loved parklands and this project will help improve the northern end of the lake area.”

CVGT Employment CEO Jason Russell said trying to find a local community project to donate 100square metres of turf to has been an interesting problem to have, and why it has taken a few years to resolve.

“Coolabah Turf have been really supportive and understanding through the process,” Mr Russell said.

“We are thrilled to donate it to the City for this project that not only beautifies this open space at Lake Weeroona but also gives the City’s CVGT apprentices a chance to work on a great collaborative project. We look forward to seeing the end result.”

Coolabah Marketing Manager Josh Kerr said Coolabah Turf are passionate about building healthy communities, one green space at a time, ditching screen time for green time and inspiring active bodies and healthy minds.

“We have a great relationship with the City of Greater Bendigo and are proud to supply instant turf for the Lake Weeroona project for the community to enjoy,” Mr Kerr said.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Labor Government continues to deliver more jobs, with ABS Labour Force data today showing a record number of Australians in paid work and unemployment remaining low.

It is the only time since records began that the unemployment rate has been in the low 4s concurrently with headline and underlying inflation in the RBA’s target band.

The number of employed people in Australia has reached 14,642,700 with 64.4 per cent of the population now in a job and the participation rate is at 67.1 per cent, both near record highs.

The unemployment rate remains low at 4.1 per cent, and a total of 89,000 new jobs were created in April.

This is another very encouraging set of jobs data which shows the progress we are making together in our economy.

More than 1.1 million jobs have now been created under the Albanese Government, a higher rate of employment growth than any major advanced economy.

Full‑time work was up by 59,500. The number of women in work was up by 65,300 jobs.

Today’s jobs figures follow data yesterday showing annual real wages have grown for 18 consecutive months.

Inflation is down, real wages are up, unemployment is low, interest rates have started to fall, every taxpayer is getting a tax cut and all this means living standards are growing again.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth welcomed the jobs growth.

“Under Labor, more people are working, earning more and keeping more of what they earn,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Delivering more jobs and higher wages is one of the best ways we can support Australians with cost‑of‑living pressures.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the resilient labour market is helping us weather global uncertainty.

“Amid all the uncertainty and volatility in the global economy, our labour market remains an encouraging source of strength,” Treasurer Chalmers said.

“Low unemployment and much lower inflation is a remarkable combination and means we are well placed and well prepared for the challenges coming at us from abroad.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 43-year-old male has been arrested following a pedestrian strike that occurred this morning in Palmerston.

Around 9:55am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a woman on a mobility scooter had been struck by a vehicle while using a pedestrian crossing on Temple Terrace.

The 65-year-old woman was thrown from her scooter and suffered multiple injuries to her leg, pelvis and ribs. Emergency Services attended the scene, and she was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police established a crime scene, and the 43-year-old driver, who remained at the scene, returned a positive roadside drug test and was arrested.

One Temple Terrace outbound lane remains closed, and police urge motorists to avoid the area where possible.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25132429. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Residential aged care providers can express interest in receiving a free, onsite menu and mealtime review from an accredited practising dietitian. The review will help you get ready for the new Aged Care Quality Standard 6: Food and nutrition, starting 1 July. Express interest by 9 June.

Source: Australian Department of Communications

AUSTRAC has ordered the appointment of an external auditor to Mercedes Benz Financial Services Australia after raising concerns about the financier’s compliance with the AML/CTF Act.
Among the concerns were serious issues such as assuming most customers were low risk, a lack of systems to identify and escalate suspicious matters, and inadequate transaction monitoring.