Month: October 2025

Source: Australia Government Statements 4

29 10 2025 – Media release

The 2025 Digital Originals shortlisted teams. Photo credit: Teniola Komolafe.
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia are excited to unveil the 10 projects shortlisted for the first round of the 2025 Digital Originals initiative. Now in its sixth year, this award-winning program champions bold, innovative scripted storytelling from the next wave of Australian screen talent. Select series will be commissioned and premiere on SBS On Demand and NITV.
A flagship partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia, Digital Originals is central to SBS’s commitment to developing and commissioning bold and risk-taking scripted series from diverse voices both on screen and behind the camera. The initiative supports rising talent from underrepresented communities in the sector, including those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), First Nations, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTQIA+ and those based in regional and remote areas.
The 10 shortlisted teams are currently participating in an immersive development workshop in Sydney hosted by SBS, NITV and Screen Australia. The workshop features sessions with industry mentors including Alistair Baldwin (Latecomers, Erotic Stories), Hannah Ngo (Latecomers, Bird Drone), Jub Clerc (Warm Props, Sweet As), Julie Kalceff (First Day, Starting from… Now), Mithila Gupta (Four Years Later, Winners & Losers), Nicole Coventry (Sherbert Rozencrantz, You’re Beautiful, Eaglehawk) and Taofia Pelesasa (Moni, Parramatta).
The workshop gives teams the opportunity to enhance their narrative-writing skillset and develop their projects in line with the SBS Charter and SBS Commissioning Inclusion Guidelines. It will culminate in teams pitching to SBS, NITV and Screen Australia, with up to five projects selected for further development funding. From these, up to three scripted series will advance to receive production funding and premiere on SBS On Demand, SBS VICELAND and NITV.
This year’s initiative received more than 200 applications from across the nation. The strong response is a testament to the enduring relevance and impact of Digital Originals in shaping the future of the Australian screen industry.
SBS Head of Scripted Nakul Legha said, “Digital Originals continues to be one of the most impactful pathways in the world for visionary new voices to break through and tell bold, original scripted stories. It is a cornerstone of SBS’s commitment to developing the next generation of screen creatives. Selected from more than 200 applications, we can’t wait to collaborate with this talented cohort and help bring their stories to life.”
NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production Dena Curtis said, “Digital Originals is a powerful pathway for First Nations creatives to grow, develop and break into the industry. We’re thrilled to see such a broad spectrum of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects shortlisted this year, reflecting the strength of new talent coming through. We can’t wait for these bold new voices to continue evolving and share their stories with NITV audiences.”
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “Digital Originals is an important talent escalation initiative and partnership with SBS and NITV that has created tangible pathways for early career creatives from a range of backgrounds to tell bold and distinctive stories for Australian audiences. We’re excited to support 10 new teams as they develop their projects, learn from industry experts and Digital Originals alumni, and build their industry connections at this year’s workshops. I can’t wait to see what this year’s cohort create.”
Digital Originals continues to build on its legacy as a launchpad for underrepresented creatives to break into the industry and garner local and international recognition. Recent Digital Originals successes include the Series Mania selected series Moonbird (2024); Appetite (2022) which premiered at the Canneseries TV Festival and was also nominated for a Rose d’Or; Night Bloomers (2023) which won the 2024 Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) Award for Best Web Series; Latecomers (2022) which also premiered at Canneseries and went on to win the 2024 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards for Best Online Drama or Comedy and the 2023 Casting Guild Australia Awards for Achievement in Casting; and the AACTA award-winning series A Beginner’s Guide to Grief (2022).
Alumni of Digital Originals have gone on to secure key creative roles across SBS Original drama series and elsewhere in the industry, incluing Mohini Herse (Appetite) who went on to be set-up director for SBS Original Four Years Later; Latecomers producer Liam Heyen and director Madeleine Gottlieb reprised their roles for anthology series Erotic Stories; The Tailings director Stevie Cruz-Martin who later directed award-winning series Safe Home; Homecoming Queens’ Corrie Chen and Michelle Law who have both gone on to create critically acclaimed projects and filmmaker Dylan River who directed Robbie Hood.
The selected Digital Originals projects and the teams for the workshop are:

Bump Into You: When hard of hearing James bumps into Deaf sign-language user Frankie, it sparks an unexpected romance that challenges them both to confront their identities, family expectations and what it means to belong. Team: Nathan Borg, Sam Martin.
Durries: Jason and Vinay are two bumbling wannabe foot soldiers in the Tobacco Wars who are on the run after burning down the wrong building. Team: Kevin Han, Michaela Le, Rohan Ganju.
Good Boy: A lonely motel receptionist falls in love with a man in prison. When she copycats a crime to prove his innocence, her fantasy life tips into a criminal reality. Team: Rebecca Metcalf, Anu Hasbold.
Jellybean: As opening night nears, a Torres Strait Islander choreographer hides a pregnancy and faces the hardest decision of her life – to become a mother, or choose herself. Team: Brooke Collard, Aaliyah-Jade Bradbury.
Loops: Two mismatched brothers must put aside their tangled differences to save their crumbling family rug store. But when a corpse is discovered wrapped in their Signature Rug, their last shot at redemption twists into a knot they may never untangle. Team: Kauthar Abdulalim, Oz Malik, Noor Hoblos.
Musket: When Levi dumps a stolen colonial-era musket into Jack’s ute, two Koori best mates are forced into a tense overnight mission to return it – navigating rowdy classmates, buried memories and the silent weight of a boys’ school in a town that’s never truly seen them as equals. Team: Jack Steele, Bronte Gosper.
Rogue One: Community policing meets chaos in the Top End where justice is murky, youth are smarter than the cops and the local BBQ holds more intel than HQ. Team: Mema Munro, Cian McCue, Rebecca Parker.
SCAMMERS: After retiree Denise Reynolds loses her life savings to a scam caller, she reluctantly teams up with her young aged-care worker Anika Luthra to scam the scammers back. But as Anika and Denise get closer to each other and the truth, they uncover a greater scam much closer to home. Team: Mehhma Malhi, Xavier Hazard, Paige Wharehinga.
The Salt Line (working title): When a Torres Strait Islander detective returns home to investigate bones rising from the tidal mudflats, she’s pulled into a case where the island is being swallowed by the sea, old stories are waking and the truth may slip beneath the tide. Team: John Harvey, Walter Waia, Mariana Babia.
Womb for Improvement: Kaz just wanted to chill – until her baby-crazy girlfriend, a coma-bound Nan and a sassy Aboriginal AI dragged her into the wild ride of queer parenthood. Matriarchy meets motherboard in this offbeat comedy about making a family, Blakfella-style. Team: Tahlee Fereday, Damienne Pradier.

Digital Originals is part of SBS’s broader commitment to improving inclusion in the screen industry. Read more about this work here.
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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information regarding suspicious behaviour in Alice Springs yesterday afternoon.

Around 3pm, a male student walking home from a primary school in Gillen was approached by an adult male not known to him. The student was walking north along Milner Road, when the unknown male allegedly pulled alongside him in a ute and tried to coax him into the vehicle by offering to give him a lift.

The student immediately ran home and the male drove away from the area. The incident was reported to police by the school after being notified this morning by the student’s family member.

Police commend the quick thinking of the boy for running home and informing a trusted person of the incident.

Anyone with information, including dash-cam or CCTV footage from the area, is urged to contact police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference number P22590508.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Motorists travelling through the state’s west in coming months have been reminded to be “truck aware” and remain safe as they share the road with increased heavy vehicle movements this harvest season.

The return of the summer harvest season means increased activity on many rural and regional roads as an increased number of heavy vehicles including trucks and farm machinery travel between farms and grain receival sites.

To raise greater awareness of road safety during this harvest season the Be Truck Aware campaign will be promoted across the region by radio announcements and social media posts, as well as variable messaging signs (VMS) along key routes, reminding drivers to take extra care behind the wheel, to wear their seatbelt and to manage fatigue levels.

This important road safety initiative is supported by Transport for NSW, GrainCorp, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and state farming networks.

Transport for NSW Acting Executive Director Partnerships and Integration West Holly Davies said harvest was an extremely busy time for rural communities but also a time when safety and patience had to be key priorities for all road users.

“All motorists need to be aware that harvest season brings an increase in large and slow-moving vehicles and farm machinery on our roads, and it is every driver’s responsibility to act safely around them,” Ms Davies said.

“Because of their size and length, trucks have larger blinds spots than the average car which means the truck driver might not be able to see you.

“For the sake of everyone in your car – and other road users – always exercise extreme caution when driving next to or behind a truck and be patient if you find yourself travelling behind a slow-moving truck or farm machinery.

“Don’t take unnecessary risks to overtake just for the sake of saving a few minutes. 
“The reality is, 85 per cent of fatal crashes on country roads involve a country resident. We all have a part to play in keeping each other safe.”

Farmers and heavy vehicle operators are also being reminded to keep safe during this busy time of their year.

“Harvest is often a time where operators need to work around the weather to meet deadlines to get grain to silos, which can also mean long days operating heavy machinery or driving a truck,” Ms Davies said.

“Managing fatigue during harvest season is critical to the safety of all road users.

“Studies have shown that being awake for 17 hours has a similar effect on your performance and reaction time behind the wheel as a blood alcohol content of 0.05, so we ask all drivers to ensure you are well rested before starting your journey and allow plenty of travel time.”

The harvest campaign also aims to raise awareness of increased rail movements across the region.

“The Slow Down. Look And Listen For Trains campaign continues targeting drivers who regularly navigate regional level crossings, including heavy vehicle drivers, residents of regional communities and those who frequently travel through regional NSW,” Ms Davies said.

“Crashes at level crossings can be catastrophic and the impacts devastating for families and local communities, so we’re reminding everyone of the need to be safe every time.”

Variable message signage (VMS) has been installed at key level crossings across the region to enhance safety and awareness during this time, including:

• Maxwell Street and Warne Street in Wellington
• Bylong Valley Way in Bylong
• Saleyards Road in Trangie
• Barrier Highway in Nyngan
• Bullus Drive in Moree
• Muller Street in Dubbo
• Old Cemetery Road in Narrabri. 

These VMS boards deliver real-time safety messages to drivers, reminding them to slow down, stay alert, and give heavy vehicles the space they need, especially near rail crossings where visibility and reaction time are critical.

For more information, please visit the Transport for NSW website.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police are calling for witnesses in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred on Tuesday morning.

Around 9:20am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a male youth had allegedly assaulted two men outside a business on Baldwin Drive after stealing items from inside the premises.

The 15-year-old alleged offender was later arrested by police.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP2500107309. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a fatal crash that occurred this afternoon in Knuckey Lagoon.

Around 1:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a two-vehicle collision involving a car and a truck on the Stuart Highway at the Angliss Road intersection, travelling inbound.

Emergency services attended and located an adult male unresponsive. CPR was immediately commenced; however, the driver of the car was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The driver of the truck was assessed for non-life-threatening injuries and did not require further treatment. He returned a negative test for alcohol and illicit drugs.

The Major Crash Investigation Unit is currently on scene with members of Darwin Traffic Operations and investigations are ongoing.

The inbound lane of the Stuart Highway remains closed between Tivendale Road and McMillans Road, and diversions are in place. Delays can be expected.

Police urge anyone with dash-cam footage or information about the crash to make contact on 131 444 quoting reference number P2520600. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

The number of lives lost on Territory roads now stands at 35.

Source: South Australia Police

In a coordinated operation across metropolitan Adelaide and regional locations, hundreds of officers from SAPOL’s Crime Service, Metropolitan Operations Service, State Operations Service, Security and Emergency Management Service and the Operations Support Service raided 23 properties from 5am and executed search warrants.

Police also arrested six individuals at Correctional Services facilities and they were taken to the city watchhouse.

The 55 individuals are facing 813 serious criminal charges including money laundering, drug trafficking and drug manufacturing and are expected to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court today.

As part of today’s operation police also restrained more than $25.8 million in assets – including 23 properties, 70 vehicles – including two Harley Davidson motorcycles – and bank accounts holding $588,000. Approximately $142,000 in cash was also seized.

The arrests are the third tranche connected to Operation Ironside – a joint initiative between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and state law enforcement agencies – that leveraged intelligence gathered from encrypted ANOM devices that were being used by criminal syndicates.

This morning’s raids follow a review of more than 2.5 million ANOM messages that originated from devices that were being used by the individuals while the platform was live.

The review identified significant additional evidence of high-level drug trafficking, money laundering and other criminal offences.

From the commencement of Operation Ironside in 2021 SAPOL has arrested 109 people for serious criminal offending. The offences included conspiracy to murder, large scale commercial drug trafficking, drug manufacture and money laundering.

Police also restrained more than $40 million in cash and assets following those arrests.

In December 2022 several defendants launched Supreme Court action to exclude all ANOM related data, but its use was upheld in a decision by the SA Court of Appeal.

In November 2024 the High Court granted special leave to appeal the judgment of the SA Court of Appeal.

Independent of the appeal, on 10 December 2024 the Surveillance Legislation (Confirmation of Application) Act 2024 (Commonwealth) passed into law.  The intention of the legislation was to clarify that information obtained under specific warrants issued to the AFP, under either the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 or the Crimes Act 1914, as part of Operation Ironside, was lawfully obtained and not in breach of the TIA Act.

The constitutional validity of the new confirmatory law was brought into question by defence lawyers and subsequently joined to the existing High Court challenge.

On 8 October 2025 the High Court delivered its judgement and found the Surveillance Legislation (Confirmation of Application) Act 2024 to be valid. It followed that the appeal was moot and the grant of special leave to appeal the judgement from the SA Court of Appeal was revoked.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Linda Williams said Operation Ironside continued to cause major disruption to serious and organised crime networks in South Australia.

“Since the commencement of Operation Ironside in 2021 SAPOL investigations have resulted in 109 individuals allegedly involved in serious criminal offending in South Australia being apprehended and more than $40 million worth of their assets being restrained,’’ she said.

“This morning, another 55 individuals we allege are also involved in serious criminal activity ranging from drug trafficking to money laundering were arrested and more than $25 million in assets restrained.

“SAPOL is committed to making South Australia a hostile environment for serious organised crime and will continue work to deter, disrupt and dismantle criminal networks as they are identified.

“We thank our law enforcement and criminal justice colleagues who have helped us reach this resolution today.

“And we also want to acknowledge the support and hard work of prosecutors within the South Australian Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to advance these prosecutions.’’

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Credit: Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade

Upper Beaconsfield Fire Brigade has been serving their community for 100 years and this weekend they came together to celebrate the milestone.

The main event was held on Sunday 26 October with brigade members welcoming the community to their station for a day of festivities.

This included the long-awaited unveiling of the new mural that has been lovingly painted on the side of the station by artist Keira Sloetjes.

The brigade has been operating since 1925, when a group of residents formed the initial Beaconsfield Upper Bush Fire Brigade. Local resident Ulick A’Beckett was the first captain.

At this time there was no specialised firefighting equipment. Brigade members relied on horses to get to the fire and used gum boughs to beat out the flames.

In 1949, the brigade became one of the first to use radio communication to coordinate firefighting activities, and in the early 1980s they continued to make history when they welcomed women to the brigade.

Brigade Captain Ian Pinney said it was fabulous to be able to celebrate the brigade’s history and everything they have achieved in the last 100 years.

“We have a long history and we have had many milestones and many challenges,” Ian said.

“It has been great to be able to celebrate everything we have done for the community over that time, and everything they have done for us.”

One such challenge was when the town was completely destroyed by the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires that swept across Victoria.

The Upper Beaconsfield blaze took the lives of 21 people, including 12 firefighters.

“It certainly was a challenging time, but we try to focus on the good where we can, whilst remembering those we lost,” Ian said.

Now the brigade is stronger than ever with 54 members, and 31 of them as operational firefighters. The brigade also has a non-operational auxiliary that turns 50 this year.

Ian said the mural was a celebration of the brigade’s entire history, from the first truck, a 1920s T model Ford, all the way through to their most recent one.

“It is honouring our membership past and present, and it is something to be really proud of,” Ian said.

“We are hoping that people will actually come to visit the mural like they visit the silo art in the area, and it can become something really special for the whole town.”

“We would like to thank everyone who helped us put this together, our sponsors, and of course Keira, we are really so grateful.”

Alongside the mural unveiling on Sunday, they hosted their Get Fire Ready event, helping to inform the community about the upcoming season and what they can do to be best prepared.

“With everything that has changed in the past hundred years, we are still here to help the community, that will never change,” Ian said.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

RENMARK NORTH

Issued on
29 Oct 2025 13:31

Grass Fire

Issued for Renmark North and Murtho in the Riverland, north-east of Renmark, South Australia.

The CFS are monitoring a fire burning along the Murray River corridor between Murray Marker 583 and 582, in Murtho, approximately 8 kilometres north-east of Renmark, South Australia.

The fire is burning in leaves and grass on an embankment in the middle of the river. CFS Firefighters have been monitoring this fire over the last few days as it continues to reignite. Crews worked on the fire ground yesterday to contain the fire, with Department for Environment and Water firefighters re-attending today and monitoring over the coming days.

This fire will likely continue to burn but is not posing a threat to the community, however some flames and smoke may be visible to those along the river.

Message ID 0008651

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

Well, good evening to all the distinguished guests, to colleagues, and of course, to all my friends in the audience tonight. Can I also begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and I pay my deep respects to their elders, past and present, and to all First Nations people here in the room.

80 years of the United Nations. What a timely and fitting occasion this evening for us to take stock of the history, the past and the future of the United Nations. Can I take a moment to express my gratitude to the United Nations Association of Australia, NSW, for hosting the UN80 Conference, which I hear was a smashing success today. And also, for the invitation to address you all in the room this evening. As I mentioned, it is a particularly timely moment for us to stop and take stock of the last 80 years of the UN. Because today we are operating in a world, a world that feels more volatile, more uncertain and indeed more unpredictable than ever. The rules-based international system that is underpinned by the United Nations is under unprecedented strain. In many places, it’s being challenged; in others, it’s being ignored. Yet the UN’s founding purpose remains as vital, if not more vital, I believe today, as it was in 1945 after the Second World War. That purpose, to not only prevent conflict, but to build the conditions for lasting peace.

Now, as you all know, that vision is anchored in the UN’s three pillars: peace and security, human rights, and, of course, sustainable development. And it’s in this third pillar, sustainable development, that we are reminded that lasting peace is not just the absence of war. Enduring peace can only, only be achieved in the presence of opportunity, of safety, of dignity. In years past, states and the international community have supported UN agencies to invest more than US$20 billion a year in global development efforts. And since 2015, this work has been guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. This framework agreed by all UN member states, in what was a landmark year for global cooperation, alongside the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework.

The 2030 Agenda represents a collective promise that for a development to be sustainable, economic growth must go hand in hand with environmental protection and social advancement. Growth cannot come at the expense of human rights or at the expense of the health of our planet. And no one, absolutely no one, should be left behind. The Sustainable Development Goals span the full spectrum of human development, climate action, health, gender equality, governance, oceans and more. But their importance goes beyond objectives and goals. They’re not just about objectives, and they’re not just about goals. They’re about shaping the kind of world that we all believe in, each and every one of us in this room that believe in it. A world where inclusivity, equality, prosperity and sustainability are available to all. Nearly all UN member states remain committed to this blueprint. A small number have stepped back from this vision, as we know, but Australia remains steadfast.

Two years ago, we launched a new international development policy that reflects the 2030 promise. And that policy sets out how we will work with our region in a more respectful, effective, inclusive and transparent way. We’re playing a significant role in solving global challenges with a particular focus on our region. And this year, our government is delivering a record and growing $5.1 billion in official development assistance. We’re deploying innovative mechanisms through a total finance portfolio which now exceeds $9 billion, and we’re mobilising public and private capital, including through the Australian Development Investments, the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific and the Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility.

Australia has long recognised the value of the UN development system because we know that to tackle issues facing our region and the world, we need to work together, we need to cooperate, we need to communicate, and we need to stand in solidarity with communities that are marginalised or under threat. Now, for over a decade, between 37 and 44 per cent of Australia’s ODA, or official development assistance, has been channelled through multilateral organisations. And Australians themselves give generously to UN humanitarian and development agencies. Did you know that last year Australians donated nearly $39 million to UNICEF Australia? I like to think I play my little part in that every month. And the Australian community made it to UNHCR’s donor top 40 with a direct contribution of about, almost actually, $25 million.

The Australian government partners with UN development and humanitarian agencies because they extend our reach and our impact. UN agencies are delivering life-saving services such as clean water and sanitation programs supported by UNICEF in the state of Palestine and in Bangladesh. They’re helping to advance gender equality in the Pacific through initiatives like the Pacific Women’s Resilience to Disasters program. And that one is led by UN women, and it lifts women’s participation in governance and decision- making. And they’re supporting transformative programmes like through our collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health right across Southeast Asia.

Just last week, I was in Bangladesh, and I saw the life-saving assistance being provided to more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees by UN partners such as the UNHCR, WFP and UNFPA. And I want to take a moment, if I may, before I continue in my speech, to reflect on my experience. It’s my second time to Cox’s Bazaar, to the biggest humanitarian crisis in our region. 1.1 million displaced people in a camp, 24 square kilometres. That’s half the size, not even half the size, that’s a quarter, a quarter of the size of my electorate in the northern suburbs of Perth. The last time I was there was five years ago. I had hoped that visiting after five years, some things may have changed, and some things had, but much had stayed the same, and much had deteriorated. The people in the camps in Bangladesh deserve a life. They deserve more than an existence. They deserve a life, they deserve livelihoods. They deserve hope, which they don’t have. They deserve a way to see a future for themselves, which they don’t have. So, if I may, because this is an issue that has become so close to my heart and is still fresh in my mind and has moved me so deeply. If I can make an appeal to you all tonight to not forget the Rohingya. And may I also take this moment to thank those of you in the room and to the UN and to the UN agencies that are doing vital work in Cox’s Bazaar as well.

These kinds of partnerships, such as the ones that I witnessed in Cox’s Bazaar, are absolutely fundamental to our response, to Australia’s response, in complex regional and global crises. Yet geopolitics is making action in the UN even more difficult. More money is being spent on security in Europe and Asia. And, as we know, donor funding to UN entities is shrinking. So, if the UN is to continue advancing sustainable development, it must evolve. It needs to evolve. It is at a critical moment. It must demonstrate its ongoing value position to member states. Now, built over decades, the UN is complex, as are all big institutions, sometimes cumbersome, as are all big institutions, often fragmented. Challenges which we, as member states, must also take responsibility for. Donor funding models mean development agencies such as the WHO, the UNDP and UNICEF sometimes compete for resources rather than working in concert and often resulting in duplication. What we need is more efficient structures, reduced duplication and consolidated entities that protect critical UN functions. And we must also be clear- eyed about where the UN adds value, which is by delivering economies of scale and offering global reach, its convening power and highly specialised expertise in those areas.

Because in some cases, partner governments or regional organisations can indeed deliver better. Regional organisations provide services that leverage deep regional knowledge and institutionalised networks. The Pacific Islands Forum and ASEAN, for example. They bring together regional experts to promote regional solutions in the service of regional communities. And through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, Australia was able to provide emergency humanitarian relief following the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar. For the UN to remain relevant, it must focus on the services that only it can provide. That unique proposition and where it can deliver outcomes that no other state or no other body can deliver.

Now, where there are challenges, I always prefer to look for opportunities because I am an optimist. About two months ago I was in Spain for the Compromiso de Sevilla, and I have to say, coming away from that conference, there was also a sense of optimism. I felt a shared sense of optimism despite the challenges that we are currently facing. And so, I see that current challenges actually offer us an opportunity for bold reform. Reform to ensure the UN is fit for our times, not just today, but for the next 80 years as well. To ensure it’s capable of promoting peace through sustainable development. To ensure that protection and humanitarian assistance is provided where and when it matters most. It’s why Australia is supportive of steps towards a more impactful, efficient and resourceful UN. We know that this can happen by consolidating functions, and as I mentioned, reducing duplication and strengthening coordination across agencies. And my friends, we must be open, must be open-minded to the proposition that some agencies may be merged or folded. The goal, of course, is not to reduce the UN’s footprint, but to make sure that it’s delivering maximum value to the member states and the communities it serves. And in this process of reform, we must ensure that we do not leave UN member states behind.

Australia is advocating for the UN to maintain a focus on the Pacific and the unique challenges faced by small island developing states. The Pacific’s remoteness, high operating costs and relatively small populations must not be reasons to overlook its needs. And across the Pacific region, excluding Papua New Guinea, there are currently 31 different UN entities operating. That includes 26 resident agencies, and they are all overseen by three multi-country offices. Yeah, I see you all shaking your heads in the room. And while this reflects the UN’s commitment to our region, the UN must also work and listen to Pacific partners to avoid a delivery model that is fragmented or inefficient. The scale and the urgency of challenges that Pacific partners face, from climate vulnerability and disaster risk to economic fragility, demands, demands a UN system that is more coherent, more responsive, more streamlined. And we want to see new models that make UN engagement in the Pacific sustainable for the long term. Australia needs the UN to succeed. The world needs the UN to succeed. The children that I met last week need the UN to succeed.

We want development organisations to advance sustainable development globally, and humanitarian organisations to respond in crisis, because we want to have peaceful, just, stable and prosperous societies. Australia has always brought its own values to this mission. From our global leadership on disability inclusive development to our efforts to advance gender equality, to promoting transparent and accountable institutions, and human rights and upholding international law will continue to be central to our approach. It’s why, while we progress achievement towards the SDGs, Australia is working with partners to shape the post-2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. And we will do so in line with our national interests and values, guided by human rights, the rule of law and the principle of equality for all.

So, in conclusion, my friends, Australia will continue to be a steadfast partner of the United Nations. We’ll continue to work with partners to build a future that reflects who we are and the world that we all share a vision of. We know that change and reform is never easy. But with resolve, with partnership and vision, we can keep sustainable development at the heart of the UN’s mission. And we can keep alive the promise of a world united in peace, justice and opportunity for all. And we can give people something beyond an existence. We can give them a life.

Thank you.

Source: Tasmania Police

Tree felling fatality

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 – 1:35 pm.

Sadly, a man is his 50s has died after an incident involving a falling tree in the Huon Valley this morning.
Police and emergency services were called to the private property about 9.20am.
Initial inquiries indicate the man was felling trees at the time.
Sadly, he died at the scene.
Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.