Month: July 2025

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc by Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom and Interpublic are both large multinational suppliers of advertising, media and communications services, including media buying and marketing services.

In Australia, Omnicom’s key brands include DDB, TBWA, OMD Worldwide, PHD Media, Clemenger Group and Hearts & Science. Interpublic’s key brands in Australia include IPG Mediabrands, Universal McCann (UM), Initiative, 303 MullenLowe and Octagon.

The ACCC considers that the proposed acquisition would be unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of media buying services and marketing and communications services.

“Our investigation found that while the proposed acquisition would result in an increase in the parties’ combined market share, other suppliers of media buying and marketing and communications services would continue to effectively compete with Omnicom after the acquisition,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said. 

The ACCC found that the remaining advertising, media and communications conglomerates, including WPP, Publicis and Dentsu, will continue to compete with Omnicom after the acquisition, as well as smaller independent providers of these services.

Further information can be found on the ACCC’s public register: Omnicom Group Inc. – The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc.

Notes to editors

In considering the proposed acquisition, the ACCC applies the legal test set out in section 50 of the Competition and Consumer Act.

In general terms, section 50 prohibits acquisitions that would have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market.

Universal McCann, a part of the Interpublic Group, is the exclusive provider of media buying services for all Australian Government departments, including the ACCC. The contractual relationship is managed by the Department of Finance.

Background

Omnicom Group Inc. and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc are both US-based holding companies of advertising, marketing and communication services. Both companies are listed on the NYSE.

Media buying services involve the planning and purchasing of advertising space from media owners across various media types, including digital platforms and more traditional media advertising, such as television, radio, print, and outdoor platforms (billboards, public transit, etc), on behalf of advertisers.

Marketing and communications services include the creation of advertising material and determining what and how advertising is communicated. Marketing and communication services include design, consumer insights, consultancy, public relations, direct marketing, event management, brand identity and customer relationship management. Providers may offer the entire range of marketing and communication services, or they may specialise in a specific type of marketing or creative service.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

How will the ATO be addressing some of the big challenges in 2025–26?

Prevention is always better than the cure. It’s never been more important for you, as an employer, to stay on top of reporting, lodgment and payment deadlines to avoid extra paperwork, charges and penalties.

‘Good payroll governance’ may sound boring, but it’s the foundation of a well-run business, and needs to be appropriate for your entity’s structure, size, complexity and industry.

Prioritise getting your tax and super obligations right, and you won’t get caught up in costly and time-consuming errors down the track.

We have a comprehensive data-matching and risk identification process to identify where we think businesses are non-compliant with their obligations. We do try and encourage businesses to meet their obligations, and we see most businesses, after receiving a nudge, act quickly to rectify their mistakes. However, businesses that fail to act after receiving a reminder can face review or audit activity. While we’re here to help, for those employers who don’t get it right – and make deliberate choices to avoid tax and super obligations – we’ll take action.

What are the biggest changes since you started in this role?

Over the past 2 years we’ve been heavily investing in understanding the complexity of those businesses who employ staff. With nearly one million employers ranging from small businesses to large corporations, we know a ‘one size fits all’ ATO approach doesn’t work.

By better understanding what employers need from the ATO, we’ve been able to fine tune our communications and compliance work. Some businesses may just need a nudge to comply, but others need firmer action.

What should employers do to kick off the new financial year?

I know how crunched for time people are, and that paying tax and super isn’t one of the fun things about running your own show, but it’s the critical part of your business.

The overwhelming majority of businesses that end up in our audit program reached that point after falling behind with tax and super payments. Successful businesses invest time and effort in payroll governance and managing their cashflow, so check out our Cash Flow Tips.

If you’ve been in business for a while, do a stocktake of how you’re complying with your tax and super obligations:

• Is your software system up to date?
• Are you on track with your lodgments and payments?
• Are you allocating employee transactions correctly in your software?
• Do you tag employee benefits so you can calculate your fringe benefits?
• Do you need to check in with your registered agent?
• We get a large number of voluntary disclosures each year that are the result of a new person coming in and looking at the payroll and finding errors.

If you’re about to start a new business and will be employing staff, check out the range of information we have on ato.gov. For example, employers on the smaller side of the business world can find useful tips in our Essentials to strengthen your small businessExternal Link to avoid common mistakes across the lifecycle from start-up to winding down. Our information is designed to help employers get it right from the beginning.

What are you personally looking forward to this financial year?

I’m really excited about identifying different and innovative ways we can support businesses to stay on track.

We’re continuing to pilot new strategies and trial treatments, such as contacting businesses earlier to help them understand their obligations or correct common errors early to prevent a minor issue growing into a major headache.

Another really exciting approach has been to contact tax agents about their employer clients who may not have met their FBT obligations. This two-way engagement supports tax agents to have the information they need to have the right conversations with their clients.

I often hear about people looking for ways to avoid the ‘tax man’, but it’s important people realise that the tax they pay goes to support the community, schools, hospitals and roads. So, those not paying what they should are negatively impacting the services that make Australia such a great place to live.

Keep up to date

We have tailored communication channels for medium, large and multinational businesses, to keep you up to date with updates and changes you need to know.

Read more articles in our online Business bulletins newsroom.

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• fortnightly Business bulletins email newsletterExternal Link
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Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has outlined its preliminary competition concerns with Acciona’s proposed acquisition of the East Rockingham Waste to Energy Project, which is currently in administration and receivership, in a Statement of Issues today.

Acciona owns 10 per cent of East Rockingham Project, is a creditor and is the engineering, procurement and construction contractor of the Project. 

The East Rockingham Project is located in East Rockingham, Western Australia and will process residual putrescible waste for energy recovery once operational.

Acciona also owns and operates a waste-to-energy facility in Kwinana, Western Australia which will process residual waste for energy recovery.

Both the Kwinana and East Rockingham facilities offer putrescible waste disposal services to municipal and commercial and industrial customers. Once operational, the East Rockingham and Kwinana waste-to-energy facilities will be the only waste-to-energy facilities in Western Australia.

“The proposed acquisition removes competition between the only two waste-to-energy facilities in the Perth and Peel region of Western Australia,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.

“Our preliminary view is that the proposed acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of putrescible waste disposal services in the region.”

Market feedback received by the ACCC has identified that the two facilities compete closely with each other, given their near-identical services and geographic proximity.

“We consider that East Rockingham and Kwinana waste-to-energy facilities are each other’s closest competitor. We are concerned that Acciona would be able to increase prices or reduce service quality at the East Rockingham and Kwinana waste-to-energy facilities following the proposed acquisition,” Dr Williams said.

The ACCC is considering whether the facilities’ capacity constraints and significant committed capacity may limit Acciona’s ability to increase prices or reduce service quality.

The ACCC is also continuing to examine the extent to which other putrescible waste disposal facilities, such as landfills, may constrain waste-to-energy facilities.

“We understand that establishing waste-to-energy facilities requires substantial time, money and regulatory approvals. This means that no other waste-to-energy facility is likely to become operational in Western Australia within the next decade,” Dr Williams said.

The ACCC invites submissions from interested parties in response to the Statement of Issues by 31 July 2025.

More information, including the Statement of Issues, can be found on the ACCC’s website at Acciona – East Rockingham Waste to Energy Project.

Note to editors

Waste-to-energy facilities receive and thermally treat residual putrescible waste (which cannot be reused or recycled and so would otherwise be disposed of at landfill) to generate electricity for wholesale energy markets.

‘Putrescible waste’ is solid waste that contains organic material capable of being decomposed by microorganisms.

Background

Acciona is a global infrastructure developer publicly listed in Spain. In Australia, Acciona has various subsidiaries and is currently developing several infrastructure projects across the transport, water and energy sectors.

Acciona holds a 10 per cent non-controlling equity interest in the East Rockingham Project, is a creditor of the Project under a loan agreement and is the current engineering, procurement and construction contractor. The East Rockingham Waste to Energy Project is located in East Rockingham, south of Perth, and is approved to process 300 kt/year of residual waste and generate 29 MW of electricity to the grid.

Acciona also owns and operates the Kwinana Waste-to-Energy facility located in the south of Perth. It is the first utility scale facility in Australia that will process residual waste for energy recovery, and is approved to process up to 460 kt/year of residual waste and generate approximately 38 MW of electricity to the grid. It is still in the commissioning process and is expected to be fully operational this year.

The East Rockingham Project and Kwinana waste-to-energy facilities overlap in the supply of putrescible waste disposal services to municipal and C&I customers in the Perth and Peel region. Once operational, they will be the first waste-to-energy facilities in Western Australia, with no other waste-to-energy facility likely to be established within the next decade.

The East Rockingham Project is currently in voluntary administration and receivers are undertaking a sale process.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

A new Regional University Study Hub officially opened today on King Island, bringing university closer for local residents.

Nearly half of young people in Australia have a degree but not in regional and remote Australia. On King Island, only around 22 per cent of young people have a degree.

The evidence shows that where Regional University Study Hubs are, university participation goes up.

This new Study Hub, co-located in the new King Island Community Hub, will provide support and facilities for students who are studying a university or VET course without having to leave their community.

Study King Island is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to more than double the number of University Study Hubs across the country.

The hub is operated by West Coast Heritage who operate the existing Study Hub West Coast with sites in Smithton and Zeehan, which has supported over 330 students since opening. 

This is one of the ways the Albanese Labor Government is helping more people get a crack at going to TAFE or university, including:

• cutting 20 per cent off of all student loans, wiping around $16 billion in student debt for three million Australians
• fixing the indexation formula and wiping a further $3 billion in student debt, combined this will cut close to $20 billion in student debt
• introducing a Commonwealth prac payment for teaching, nursing, midwifery and social work students
• making free TAFE permanent.

For more information: Regional University Study Hubs – Department of Education, Australian Government

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“Today, almost one in two young people have a university degree. But not everywhere. Not in the outer suburbs and not in regional Australia, or communities like King Island.

“In the years ahead more jobs will require more skills.

“The Government has set a target that by 2050, 80 per cent of workers will have a TAFE or university qualification.

“To hit that target we have to break down that invisible barrier that stops a lot of people from the bush getting a crack at going to university.

“The evidence is that where Study Hubs are, university participation goes up. That’s why we are doubling the number of Hubs across the country.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Braddon, Anne Urquhart:

“Study King Island will offer both young and mature local students the opportunity to have a dedicated study hub with support on the Island and help raise education aspirations.

“The Hub will provide support to local students studying at any Australian University or VET provider, allowing students to stay on Island and remain near their support networks while completing their studies.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested and charged a man with sexual offending against a child in Ludmilla last month.

On 14 June 2025, police received a report of a suspected sexual assault against a young child at a residence in Ludmilla.

Police and forensics attended and declared a crime scene.

Further investigation was able to confirm a sexual assault had occurred and on 15 July 2025, detectives from the Sex Crimes Unit, Fugitive Taskforce and general duties, arrested a 34-year-old man at a location in Yarrawonga.

The offender was not known to the victim. 

He has now been charged with Sexual Intercourse with a Child under 10 and remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Toby Wilson said “This has been a complex, confronting investigation that has involved a very young victim. The behaviour exhibited against this child is nothing short of horrendous.”

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://crimestoppers.com.au/.  

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Youths arrested over alleged assault in Hobart CBD

Thursday, 17 July 2025 – 9:55 am.

Police have arrested two 14-year-old boys in connection with the alleged assault of a teenage boy in Hobart’s central business district on Wednesday.
The incident happened about 2:05pm, on the grassed area of Mather’s Lane.
It is alleged a 14-year-old boy was assaulted and had his iPhone stolen during the altercation. He was subsequently transported to the Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment of facial injuries.
One of the alleged offenders was arrested on Wednesday evening and will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
The second youth remains in custody and is assisting police with ongoing inquiries.
Police are appealing to members of the public who may have witnessed the incident, or the events leading up to it, to come forward.
A group of up to eight youths was seen leaving the area via Criterion Lane immediately following the alleged assault.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Tasmania Police on 131 444 or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au (quote Offence Report 780149).

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

As millions of Australians are preparing to lodge their tax returns, scammers are actively seeking new ways to exploit personal information. If successful, they can use stolen details not only to commit fraud against the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), but also carry out broader identity theft and financial crimes across the community.

The ATO has reported a sharp rise in impersonation scams, with a 150 per cent increase over the last 12 months. 90 per cent of ATO impersonation scams are currently being sent via email.

Scammers are constantly enhancing their methods to impersonate the ATO, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to recognise fraudulent messages. Staying informed and vigilant is essential to protecting personal information.

To help keep your personal information safe and protected, the ATO’s app now has powerful new safety features designed to give users real-time control over their tax affairs through alerts and instant account locking to help stop fraudsters in their tracks.

The app enhancements bolster the ATO’s existing fraud controls that have been in place for some time to detect unusual or out of pattern behaviour on taxpayers’ accounts.

Quotes attributable to ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson 

‘This is the time of year when people are awaiting their tax returns or expecting to hear from the ATO, and scammers know it.’

‘That’s why we’ve strengthened the ATO app with new security features. It’s fast, free, and puts security in your hands, giving you the power to monitor your account in real-time and instantly lock it if something doesn’t feel right.’

‘Downloading the ATO app is a simple and effective way to stay one step ahead.’

‘If you receive a notification and something doesn’t feel right, lock your account immediately in our app, and verify and report the interaction on the ATO website or by calling 1800 467 033 during business hours to discuss any suspicious activity.’

Fraudsters are getting smarter, but so are the protective features in the app. The ATO app now includes new security features designed to help you stay protected, such as:

• Real-time messages when changes are made to your ATO record.
• Quick account locking when you receive a real-time message to prevent unauthorised access or fraudulent refunds.

These features provide peace of mind knowing your account is protected and you remain in control of your tax affairs anytime, anywhere.

The ATO works closely with the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), which operates under the ACCC, to protect Australian’s identity information from scams through awareness and education that focuses on three simple steps – stop, check, protect. This partnership strengthens our ability to detect and respond to scam threats, especially during peak periods like tax time.

Quotes attributable to ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe

‘If you receive an unsolicited contact claiming to be from the ATO and offering any of these options, it’s very likely a scam. Scammers may also use spoofed phone numbers, fake caller IDs, and convincing email templates to appear legitimate.’

‘Don’t let scammers pressure you. We urge all Australians to ‘stop, check and protect’ before reacting to an unexpected call or message and keep front of mind that the ATO and myGov do not use links in their messages.’

Fraudsters and scammers plan on you being distracted and thrive on weak security. Your first line of defence is the ATO app, followed by:

• Using a digital ID like myID to securely access online services. It’s unique to you and helps protect you from identity theft and fraud across platforms like tax, education, and government services.
• Knowing how to spot and report scams impersonating the ATO. It only takes a few seconds to stop and check an interaction is legitimate. Remember, the ATO will never send you a link asking for your personal information or for you to log into online services.
• Turning on multi-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Using strong and unique passwords or passphrases.
• Keeping your devices and software updated to block the latest threats.

And most importantly, never share your TFN, myGov login, or bank details even in private messages or emails. These are keys to your identity.

If you’ve received a suspicious call, SMS, email or social media message:

ENDS

Notes to journalists

A high-resolution headshot of ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob ThomsonThis link will download a file is available for download from our media centre.

ATO stock footage and images are available for use in news bulletins from our media centre.

Source: Australian Department of Communications

AUSTRAC has released its regulatory priorities for this financial year, outlining new plans to reduce the harms from money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crime. 
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said financial crime damages Australia’s financial system and this year’s focus is on preparing to regulate ‘tranche 2’ industries and targeting gaps in high-risk sectors such as cash and digital currencies.

Source:

Victoria’s fire services are issuing a strong warning about the serious risks of smoking indoors, as it remains the leading cause of fatal house fires across the state.

Half of the 18 fatal fires in Victoria in 2024 were attributed to discarded cigarettes and smoking materials, such as lighters, matches, or open flames, while smokers remain over-represented in residential fire fatalities.

Smoking in bed is the leading cause of smoking-related fire deaths, as falling asleep with a lit cigarette in hand can easily set fire to soft materials such as bed linen.

In addition to the fire fatality figures, more than 10 per cent of residential structure fires that Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) responded to between May 2024 and March 2025 were caused by smoking materials.

In May this year FRV also responded to two significant house fires in Melbourne within days of each other caused by cigarettes. On May 6, a brick unit in Moorabbin was destroyed by a fire originating from an incorrectly extinguished cigarette, with an elderly resident in a neighbouring property assisted to safety after their house was affected by smoke.

Just days later, another unattended cigarette was the cause of a significant fire in a Box Hill North weatherboard home.

FRV Commander Julian Bisbal, who led the response to the Moorabbin fire, said the incidents should serve as a wake-up call to the devastation unattended cigarettes can cause.

“It’s imperative you make sure your cigarette is disposed of in an area that cannot catch or spread fire. It was a ferocious, fast-moving fire because of the wind on that day.” Julian said.

“People think a cigarette is tame and safe, because it’s in your hand, but in reality, it can cause devastation. You’re holding an ignition source.”

FRV Deputy Commissioner, Community Safety, Joshua Fischer said the statistics reflected the gravity of the danger of cigarettes.

“The numbers don’t lie – cigarettes are dangerous when misused or used while drowsy, and must be handled with extreme caution,” Deputy Commissioner Fischer said.

“If you notice burn marks on a friend or family member’s carpet, furniture, clothing, or nightwear, speak up. Let them know the dangers and encourage them to take action.

“Quitting smoking is the safest option from both a health and fire safety perspective, but if that isn’t possible, firefighters recommend smoking outdoors.”

Country Fire Authority (CFA) Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan said smoking while affected by alcohol, drugs or medication can also increase the risk of fire.

“All it takes is a small ember from a cigarette to ignite a fire and you could be facing a life-changing event that puts yourself and others in harm’s way,” Chief Officer Heffernan said.

“We urge all smokers to properly extinguish and dispose of your cigarette in a heavy glass or metal ashtray to prevent any more major fires from occurring.

“As Victorians know, to help safeguard your family, you must have a working smoke alarm in your home. However, if smoking occurs inside your home, please have one in every room.”

Victorian fire services recommend:

• If you can, smoke outside the home in a single location.
• If smoking occurs in the home, there should be a smoke alarm in every room.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Don’t smoke when affected by alcohol, drugs or medications that may cause drowsiness.
• Use heavy, high-sided, non-combustible ashtrays to dispose of cigarette butts. Pour some water on the ash and butts to make sure they’re out.
• “Stick it don’t flick it” – never flick cigarette butts, either inside or outside.
• Never leave a lit cigarette unattended and butt out your cigarette before you walk away.
• Keep matches and cigarette lighters out of reach of children.

Submitted by	CFA media