Month: October 2025

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

I move that this Bill be now read a second time.

Today I am proud to introduce the Treasury Laws Amendment (Payday Superannuation) Bill 2025.

This Bill reforms our superannuation system to help ensure more Australians get the secure retirement they need and deserve.

From waiters and nurses –

To builders and teachers –

Aged carers and hairdressers –

This Bill makes sure their superannuation is paid on time.

Speaker,

Workers should be paid their super at the same time they are paid their salary and wages.

That’s exactly what this Bill enshrines into law.

It is a meaningful change that will take effect from July next year.

It’s a change that will strengthen Australia’s superannuation system.

And it’s a change that will help deliver a more secure retirement for millions of Australian workers.

Speaker,

Workers will benefit from more frequent and earlier super contributions, that will grow and compound over their working life.

For the average 25‑year‑old workers’ retirement balance, this is the equivalent of receiving an extra $6,000 in today’s dollars.

If a worker is missing out on their super the impact is even more significant.

In a typical unpaid super case for a 35‑year‑old, recovering their super leaves their retirement balance more than $30,000 better off in today’s dollars.

Speaker,

The need for this reform is clear and compelling.

While most employers do the right thing, some disreputable ones are exploiting their employees.

On the most recent financial year data, there was almost $5.2 billion in unpaid super that should have gone to workers.

That’s $5.2 billion that should be helping thousands of Australians in their retirement but isn’t.

This issue disproportionately affects more vulnerable Australians and women.

That’s because those on lower paid, casual and insecure work – who are more likely to be women – are most at risk of missing out on their super.

Super is an entitlement of workers, like salary or wages, and unpaid super is a form of wage theft.

This Bill will help put a stop to it.

It will also help the Australian Taxation Office enforce the law and more quickly identify employers not making contributions.

Currently, over a third of outstanding super debt is owed by insolvent businesses.

This is because unpaid super is being picked up too late.

When the ATO responds to an employee complaint, they are investigating almost 2 years of potential unpaid super, on average.

As part of this reform, we’re also investing into the ATO’s capabilities, so it can detect suspected non‑payment of super in near real time.

Speaker,

There is a productivity dividend here too.

Smaller, more frequent super contributions will help employers manage their payroll more smoothly.

This legislation also redesigns the superannuation guarantee charge to be fit‑for‑purpose and make Payday Super work.

The current charge is a blunt tool that isn’t tailored to employers’ circumstances.

And it is complicated for employers to correct late contributions and calculate their liability.

The redesigned charge will prompt employers to quickly rectify late or missed superannuation contributions.

And it simplifies the process.

Employers will no longer need to choose which period their late contribution should count towards or calculate their own liability.

This will all happen automatically.

At the same time, the new charge will deliver significant consequences for employers that repeatedly fail to pay their workers or let super go unpaid for long periods.

And it will make sure workers are accurately compensated for lost earnings if their employer is late in paying their contributions.

Speaker,

We thank the unions, industry, businesses and the broader community for their feedback, engagement and views to get to this point.

From the years of advocacy for change, through the consultation on the policy design in 2023 and more recently the draft legislation and ongoing engagement with the ATO working group.

We recognise that implementing Payday Super will require an economy‑wide transition.

Not just for employers but also software providers, clearing houses and super funds.

Because of this, the ATO has advised it intends to consult on its approach to compliance for the 12 months after the change starts.

The ATO’s approach will differentiate between low and high‑risk employers.

This approach will mean that employers who are making the effort to pay contributions in line with each pay cycle will fall into the low‑risk category.

This approach will address the feedback we’ve heard to ensure we are getting the implementation of this policy right, and workers and businesses will be better for it.

Speaker,

At the core of the economic plan we laid out in our Budget earlier this year is a simple objective.

Our government is ensuring more Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more too.

That’s what this legislation is about.

You can see that in everything we’ve done since coming to government in the superannuation sector.

It’s why we legislated the objective of super – to provide income for a secure retirement.

We’ve increased the superannuation guarantee so it has finally reached 12 per cent.

We expanded the coverage of the superannuation performance test from around 80 products to more than 800 in 2023.

We legislated to align financial reporting requirements by funds with those of public companies.

We’ve also announced mandatory service standards.

And we’re better targeting superannuation tax concessions and reforming the retirement phase of superannuation.

Our plan is making a meaningful difference, and wages are moving in the right direction again.

In the 5 quarters leading up to the 2022 election, real wages fell in annual terms.

They have now grown for the last 7.

We’ve recorded the strongest annual real wages growth in 5 years.

We’re now on the longest run of real wages growth above 0.7 per cent in a decade.

And real incomes per capita are growing now too.

Speaker,

This legislation is another important step in implementing that plan.

It’s about getting your super when you get your salary.

So there’s more super savings for more Australians and more secure retirements.

And that’s why we are proud to introduce it to the House.

Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government has appointed Luke Woodward as a full‑time member of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a five‑year period.

This appointment will help ensure one of the nation’s most important economic institutions has the talent and expertise to remain strong and effective into the future.

Mr Woodward has extensive experience in competition and consumer law enforcement at both the ACCC and in the private sector, including in mergers and infrastructure regulation.

He was most recently a partner at King & Wood Mallesons where he headed their national competition law group, and was previously a partner and head of the competition and regulation group at Gilbert + Tobin.

He was previously Executive General Manager (Compliance) and General Counsel at the ACCC.

Mr Woodward’s appointment will strengthen the high level of skills and experience available to the ACCC, supporting its vital role in ensuring that key sectors of our economy are effectively regulated.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today, the Albanese Labor Government has introduced legislation to require super to be paid on payday, a reform that will benefit the retirement incomes of millions of Australians.

This legislation is all about reforming our superannuation system to help ensure more Australians get the secure retirement they need and deserve.

Our government is ensuring more Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more too.

After the passage of this legislation employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages.

This important change will take effect from 1 July 2026.

It will strengthen Australia’s superannuation system and help deliver a more secure retirement to more Australian workers.

Employees will benefit from more frequent and earlier super contributions, that will grow and compound over their working life.

For the average 25‑year‑old workers’ retirement balance, this is the equivalent of receiving an extra $6,000 in today’s dollars.

If a worker is missing out on their super the impact is even more significant.

In a typical unpaid super case for a 35‑year‑old, recovering their super leaves their retirement balance more than $30,000 better off in today’s dollars.

While most employers do the right thing, the Australian Taxation Office estimates $5.2 billion worth of super went unpaid on the most recent financial year data.

This issue disproportionately affects more vulnerable Australians and women. That’s because those on lower paid, casual and insecure work – who are more likely to be women – are most at risk of missing out on their super.

The Bill will:

• Require employers to ensure super contributions are received by the employee’s fund within seven business days of payday, or they will be liable for the superannuation guarantee charge.
• Help the Australian Taxation Office enforce the law and more quickly identify employers not making contributions.
• Redesign the superannuation guarantee charge to be fit‑for‑purpose and make Payday Super work.

The ATO has advised it intends to consult on its approach to compliance for the 12 months after the change starts. The ATO’s approach will differentiate between low and high‑risk employers.

This approach will mean that employers who are making the effort to pay contributions in line with each pay cycle will fall into the low‑risk category.

We thank the unions, industry, businesses and the broader community for their feedback, engagement and views on this legislation.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has welcomed the appointment of Luke Woodward as a Commissioner for a 5-year term at the ACCC, commencing from 10 October 2025.

Mr Woodward is regarded as one of Australia’s leading competition and consumer law practitioners. He has more than 30 years of experience spanning competition and consumer matters, mergers and acquisitions, and infrastructure regulation in a range of sectors.

Mr Woodward worked at the ACCC between 1993 and 2000 in roles including executive general manager, general counsel and senior assistant commissioner.

He was most recently a competition and regulation partner and national head of competition law at King and Wood Mallesons.

“I am delighted to welcome Luke back to the ACCC. His expertise and experience across a wide range of fields relevant to the work of the ACCC is recognised not only in Australia but globally,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Luke’s strong litigation experience will be an asset to the ACCC’s work, particularly in our enforcement program and in Australia’s new merger regime.”

Mr Woodward holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School and degrees in economics and law from the University of Sydney.

He fills a position left vacant after the departure of former ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver.

Further information about the ACCC’s Chair, Deputy Chair and Commissioners is available at ACCC Chair & Commissioners.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC will not oppose Elders Limited’s (ASX: ELD) proposed acquisition of Delta Agribusiness after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking that commits Elders to divest six Delta stores in Western Australia.

Elders and Delta both supply rural merchandise such as agricultural chemicals, seed, fertiliser, animal health products and related services, such as agronomy services, through their retail networks. Both companies also supply rural merchandise at the wholesale level.

“Our review closely considered the likely effect of the proposed acquisition on competition in each local area where both Elders and Delta have a retail store, taking into account the specifics of each local area,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“We examined the strength of competing retailers, the particular geographic features and size and type of farms, among other factors. We also engaged with a range of stakeholders including farmers, competing retailers, wholesale suppliers, buying groups and industry bodies as part of our review.”

“The nature of competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise is more localised than is the case in other retail sectors, partly due to the differences in farming in different local areas, and the importance of local relationships,” Mr Keogh said.

“Following an in-depth review, we were concerned that the proposed acquisition would be likely to substantially lessen competition in several local areas in Western Australia.”

To address these concerns, Elders has undertaken to divest six Delta stores in Western Australia, and the ACCC has accepted their undertaking.

The ACCC considered, and has approved, Independent Rural Pty Ltd as the purchaser for Delta stores in Dalwallinu and Kalannie, and E. E. Muir & Sons Pty Limited (Muirs) as the purchaser for Delta stores in Albany, Hyden, Manypeaks and Wellstead.

“The ACCC considers that the undertaking provided by Elders addresses the competition concerns that would otherwise arise from the proposed acquisition. Independent Rural’s and Muirs’ acquisition of Delta stores in each of these local areas will create a strong, independent and viable long-term competitor to Elders in those six areas,” Mr Keogh said.

The ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise in other local areas where both Elders and Delta own retail stores.

In its Statement of Issues, the ACCC also identified potential competition concerns in the retail supply of rural merchandise at a broader regional, state or national level, and in the wholesale supply of rural merchandise in Western Australia.

Having reviewed additional information and engaged in further market inquiries, the ACCC considers that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise at a broader regional, state or national level, or in the wholesale supply of rural merchandise in Western Australia.

“Ultimately, the ACCC did not consider that the proposed acquisition was likely to substantially lessen competition in any relevant market with the undertaking provided by Elders,” Mr Keogh said.

Further information, including the undertaking accepted by the ACCC, can be found on the ACCC’s public register at Elders Limited – Delta Agribusiness.

Notes to Editors

‘Agronomy services’ refer to advice provided to farmers by qualified individuals known as agronomists with specialised knowledge in soil and plant sciences. It encompasses a range of advice and services aimed at optimising crop production and farm management.

Rural merchandise is an umbrella term for agricultural products purchased by farmers as inputs into operating a farm and includes agricultural chemicals, seed, fertiliser, animal health products and other miscellaneous merchandise. Some rural merchandise stores also offer agronomic advice.

Background

Elders is an Australian agribusiness. It supplies rural merchandise through its 245 Elders-owned retail stores across the country and also supplies independent stores via its national wholesale business, Australian Independent Rural Retailers (AIRR). Elders also provides agronomic services, livestock and wool agency, real estate, financial, and feed and processing services across Australia.

Delta is an Australian retail supplier of a range of rural merchandise products and related services. Delta operates 64 retail stores, primarily in regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and also operates a wholesale business (Delta WA) in Western Australia. Delta also provides agronomic services, livestock agency, grain marketing, real estate and financial services.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is urging residents to get ready for the hot summer months by preparing their properties before the fire danger period is declared by the CFA.

The City’s fire prevention officers will commence property inspections in early to mid-October to ensure landowners are maintaining their properties in preparation for the fire season.

City of Greater Bendigo Municipal Fire Prevention Officer Darren Masters said current weather conditions will likely result in high grass growth which will dry out quickly and become a fire risk.

“According to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring, low rainfall for the past 18 months has resulted in an increase in fuel from dead plant material and vegetation,” Mr Masters said.

“Recent rainfalls will likely produce green paddocks during Spring, however with underlying dryness this could result in early curing which strongly influences ignition and the spread of a fire.”

“It’s important to start preparing your property now before the grass dries out and the fire danger period commences.

“Some key actions for residents include keeping grass low around homes and sheds, clearing gutters of leaf litter, removing flammable items from decks and verandas and cutting back overhanging branches.

“Properties that pose a fire danger risk with vegetation higher than 10 centimetres around dwellings can be issued with a Fire Prevention Notice by the City under the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria Acts.

“Property owners who receive a Fire Prevention Notice must comply by treating the identified hazard within a defined period of time.  This is typically three weeks from the date of inspection to ensure works are completed before the peak of the summer period.

“If property owners fail to comply with a Fire Prevention Notice the City can engage a contractor to undertake mitigation works.  The cost of these works plus an administration fee will be passed onto the property owner. In some circumstances an infringement of 10 penalty units ($2,035.10) will apply.”

“The City encourages property owners to apply for an extension if they are having difficulty completing the works before the specified date.”

The City’s Fire Prevention Program is undertaken annually from October to February with property inspections commencing in the northern and western parts of the municipality, before progressing towards the southern areas.

The City will commence its annual Grass Slashing Program in November which includes rural roadsides and land that the City manages.

Greater Bendigo residents are reminded that they can dispose of their green waste for free all year round at the City’s Eaglehawk Landfill and the Heathcote and Goornong Recycling Centres.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Like to get some more movement into your day? Jump on your bike and enjoy a free Ride to Work Day breakfast and coffee in Bendigo’s Civic Gardens, Lyttleton Terrace from 7am on Wednesday October 15, thanks to Bike Bendigo and the City of Greater Bendigo.

Bike Bendigo President Nicola Dunnicliff-Wells said the free breakfast event was one of many around the country celebrating National Ride to Work Day.

“Pedalling to work is an easy way to build regular physical activity into the week – and we all feel better for that! With Bendigo in full bloom, it’s a joy to be out,” Ms Dunnicliff-Wells said.

“Ride to Work Day and the free breakfast is all about encouraging people to give it a try, or a little nudge to get back on your bike again if you’ve got out of the habit. It’s also a nice way to come together and celebrate if you already ride to work.

“If you’re looking for a safe cycling route, the cycling map on the City’s website shows Bendigo’s off-road cycling network, as well as suggested on-road routes. Plan your route in advance as the best way to ride is likely to be different from the way you’d drive.”

Information about the Bendigo Low Line which will use 4.4km of the built channel of Bendigo Creek as an active transport corridor to provide safe off-road transport in and out of the city centre will be available at the breakfast, with City of Greater Bendigo staff on hand to answer any questions.

Bring your own mug for coffee from Motherbean from 7am and enjoy egg and bacon rolls cooked by the Rotary Club of Bendigo from 7.30am. Cereal, fruit and yoghurt will also be available. There will also be live music from Bendigo South-East College’s Academy of Creative Arts.

Bike Bendigo is grateful to the City of Greater Bendigo, Woolworths Bendigo Marketplace, Woolworths Epsom, Strath Village IGA, Keans Poultry and Bakers Delight Bendigo Marketplace, and to the Rotary Club of Bendigo and Bendigo South East College for their support of the breakfast.

To view the cycling map, visit:

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Energy and Professional Sectors Lead Australia’s Job Growth

Michael Giampietro

Thu, 2025-10-09 08:08

Source: New South Wales – News

The collision occurred on the Horrocks Highway, just north of Auburn about 8.40pm on Wednesday 8 October.

The Horrocks Highway is closed to traffic between Taylors Road and Mulkirri Road.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Two youths have been arrested following multiple incidents in Darwin early this morning.

Around 12:45am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that two male youths aged 15 and 16 had allegedly robbed a man at knifepoint at a service station in Wishart. The armed offenders allegedly demanded car keys from the man and subsequently stole his white Toyota Yaris.

The offenders then travelled to Malak where they allegedly rammed a gate of a residence. The victim who resides there was known to the offenders.

Shortly after, the stolen vehicle was driven to a snack bar in Winnellie where it was allegedly used to ram the business.

General duties members, detectives from Strike Force Trident and the Dog Operations Unit attended.

The stolen vehicle was sighted in Gray, and after failing to stop, a pursuit was initiated. The offenders allegedly attempted to ram the responding police vehicles. No police were injured during the incident.

A tyre deflation device was successfully deployed, and the 15-year-old male youth was arrested at the scene.

He has since been charged with:
• Aggravated Burglary
• Deprive a Person of Personal Liberty
• Driving, Using/Riding Motor Vehicle Without Consent
• Drive Motor Vehicle Whilst Unlicensed
• Making Off Without Payment
• Attempt Aggravated Burglary – Building
• Damage to Property
• 2x Driving Vehicle Dangerous Manner During A Pursuit
• 3x Damage to Property
• 5x Recklessly Endangering Serious Harm
• 4x Ram-Raid
• Engage Conduct That Contravenes A DVO

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court at a later date.

The 16-year-old male youth was located and arrested around 7:35am this morning in Gray and has since been charged with:
• Aggravated Robbery
• Driving, Using/Riding Motor Vehicle Without Consent
• Damage to Property
• Attempt Aggravated Burglary – Building

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in court at a later date.

Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or with information to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25268881. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.