Month: November 2025

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

27/11/25

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Maddison Colville was one of five finalists in the Apprenticeship Employment Network, Overcoming Adversity Award.

Maddison Colville, 19, was seven days into her apprenticeship as a CFA District Mechanical Officer in Corio when tragedy struck.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government

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Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

27 November 2025

Who does this notice affect?

All airlines and aircraft operators arriving in Australian territory, their representatives and ground handling agents.

What has changed?

The department is releasing the modernised Biosecurity obligations for aircraft arriving in Australian territory (Biosecurity Obligations), immediately replacing the Guidelines for airlines and aircraft arriving in Australian territory (Aircraft Guidelines).

…

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

The Albanese Labor Government is committing $23.2 million over the next five years to support Pacific Island PACER Plus Members to maximise trade and investment opportunities and enable Pacific businesses and communities to thrive.

The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) is a regional trade and development agreement. It aims to make it easier for Pacific countries to trade, attract investment and grow their economies.

In collaboration with New Zealand’s commitment of NZ$10 million, we celebrate five years since the trade and development agreement entered into force.

The new investment was confirmed at the 2025 PACER Plus Ministerial Meeting in Solomon Islands.

Attributable to the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy:

“For the past five years, the PACER PLUS free trade agreement has improved access to markets and investment, contributing to the creation of a more stable and prosperous Pacific.

“Our investment is supporting the Pacific’s key economic drivers: tourism, forestry, fisheries and agriculture to create more and better jobs across our region.

“We have listened to the Pacific’s priorities, and are working together on Pacific-led, Australian-backed solutions.”

Attributable to Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Nita Green:

“In a time of rapid change in the global trade environment, our region can be a source of reliability, predictability, and prosperity. As the primary vehicle driving regional economic integration, PACER Plus delivers both.”

“As a collective, the region can be more resilient to economic shocks, and we share the common sentiment in calling on fellow Pacific Islands Forum Members to consider joining PACER Plus.”

Source: Tasmania Police

Northern Police intercept 477 drivers during targeted day of action

Thursday, 27 November 2025 – 10:12 am.

Police intercepted nearly 500 drivers during targeted road safety operations across the Northern District yesterday.
During the operations on Wednesday 26 November, 29 drivers were intercepted for speeding including a woman who was also found to be disqualified from driving, in an unregistered vehicle with false plates.  
The driver’s grey Nissan Skyline was intercepted at Newnham by members of Northern Road Policing Services where she returned a positive drug test. 
The 29 year old from Rocherlea was arrested and is being proceeded against for multiple traffic offences, and her vehicle has been seized indefinitely.
Overall results from the day of action included: 

Intercepted 477 vehicles 
Conducted 477 breath tests. 
Detected 2 drug drivers.
Intercepted 3 disqualified drivers.
Detected 29 drivers exceeding the speed limit – including a driver travelling at 105km/h in an 80km/h zone on the East Tamar Highway at Mowbray, and a driver travelling 99km/h in an 80km/h zone on Pateena Road at Longford in wet conditions.
3 people were issued infringement notices for not wearing their seat belt. 
6 drivers were issued infringement notices for using their mobile phone while driving. 
5 unregistered vehicles were detected. 
17 defect notices were issued during a joint operation conducted by Tasmania Police and Transport Inspectors at George Town.

Tasmania Police is out on the roads every single day enforcing the road rules, and members of the public are urged to do their part to help police keep our roads safe for all motorists.
Members of the public are encouraged to report dangerous driving incidents witnessed on Tasmanian roads, to Tasmania Police.
Dangerous driving incidents currently unfolding should be reported if safe to do so to police by phoning 131 444. In a life-threatening emergency phone Triple Zero (000). 
Dangerous driving incidents which have been recorded by dashcam or mobile phone, can be later reported via a secure online portal to Tasmania Police at – https://taspol.au.evidence.com/axon/citizen/public/traffic_complaints 

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is the first regional council and third in Australia to receive Welcoming Cities Accreditation at the Excelling Level, and the first to do so under the new national standards.  The Excelling Level Accreditation is assessed across six key areas – leadership, inclusion, economic development, civic participation, equitable access, and learning.

Welcoming Cities is a national network of cities, shires, towns and municipalities, who are committed to an Australia where everyone can belong and participate.  The network recognises that of all tiers of government, local councils are best placed to understand the complexity and diversity of their communities.

City of Greater Bendigo CEO Andrew Cooney said in 2020 the City of Greater Bendigo was the first local government in Australia to be accredited as a Welcoming City by the Welcoming Cities Network and is delighted to receive the further Excelling Level Accreditation.

“Achieving Excelling Accreditation as a Welcoming City recognises Greater Bendigo’s considerable commitment to cultural diversity, Aboriginal reconciliation and social cohesion,” Mr Cooney said.

“This latest milestone strengthens the City’s reputation as a national leader in inclusion and raises our profile at State, National and International levels.

“It sets a benchmark for the City to continue its work to improve services and ensure Greater Bendigo is a welcoming city for all.”

The City of Greater Bendigo was also recognised for its commitment to diversity and inclusion by winning a 2023 Victorian Multicultural Award for Excellence and winning the 2024 LGPro Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

The Albanese Government continues to invest in the shared health security of our region. Through a new $48 million program, Australia will support the Pacific family to manage increasing rates of HIV infections.

This funding will assist Pacific governments to contain the spread of HIV through technical assistance, disease surveillance and co-investment in their national public health responses.

Rising rates of HIV, and co-infections like tuberculosis, place increased pressure on Pacific health systems, societies and economies. COVID has been an important reminder in recent years that communicable diseases, such as HIV, cost lives and ignore borders.

Ahead of World AIDS Day, acknowledged on 1 December each year, Australia reaffirms its support to ending the global AIDS epidemic by 2030. This latest announcement complements broader and longstanding Australian support to strengthen national health systems in our region and beyond.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“We are partnering with the Pacific to tackle the growing public health threat of HIV, including by sharing Australian knowledge and expertise and investing in community-led responses.

“Australia is continuing to work with our Pacific partners to reduce HIV transmission and support people living with HIV.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy:

“As rates of HIV in the Pacific rise, Australia stands ready to co-invest with Pacific partners to strengthen nationally led HIV responses.

“As a member of the Pacific family, we will always be ready to support local leadership and community led responses to HIV in the region.

“Australia is committed to working with our regional partners to advance strong, resilient health system capable of responding effectively to HIV.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development Anne Aly:

“Australia is proud to share our expertise in containing HIV as a public health threat, drawing on our decades of research and hard-won experience.

“By supporting resilient, equitable and inclusive health systems across the Pacific, we are investing in the shared health security of our region.”

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The Fire Danger period will commence at 1am on Monday, 15 December 2025 for the following municipalities.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Sharing important fire safety advice

CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) proudly attended the Melbourne Disability Expo on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 November 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of participation.

This ongoing commitment reflects the shared strategy of the fire services to engage with people with disability — a group at higher risk of home fire fatalities. In fact, 62 per cent of home fire deaths across Australia involve people with a disability.

Our stall was strategically located opposite the coffee cart and seating area, ensuring a steady stream of visitors. Conversations focused on home fire safety essentials, including the importance of working smoke alarms and specialised alarms for the deaf community.

The new Auslan videos about smoke alarms were a major drawcard, sparking interest and discussion about how these alarms work and the subsidies available to make them more affordable.

We met Terri, a wheelchair user living alone, who was surprised to realise her smoke alarms were more than 15 years old. We explained why replacing them was essential for her safety. 

Rachel’s smoke alarms — 23 years old — offered another striking example of how easily these devices can be overlooked, underscoring the importance of conversations like those at the Expo. Meanwhile, Mary, who charges multiple lithium-ion battery-powered devices including her wheelchair, in her garage, agreed to install smoke alarms there to add an extra layer of protection.

Disability service providers were another key audience. These professionals are well-placed to assess the fire safety needs of their clients and support them in upgrading alarms and implementing other measures. Many were surprised to learn that our fire safety online learning modules and resources are free.

After four years of attending this Expo, it was encouraging to hear comments shift from “Why are the fire services here?” to “It’s great to see you again — this is so important” and “I need to tell you what I’ve done since last year.” These conversations show the community is taking ownership of fire safety.

Looking ahead, Wednesday 3 December marks International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). One in six people in our community live with a disability. Watch this film featuring this year’s six IDPwD ambassadors to learn more.

CFA and FRV remain committed to improving fire safety for people with disability. To learn more about this work, email communityprograms@cfa.vic.gov.au. 

Submitted by	Angela Cook