Month: May 2026

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

A permanent ban on baby bottle self-feeding devices, due to the risk of injury or death, is now in effect.

The ban applies to products that position a baby bottle, or bottle teat, so an infant can self-feed without another person holding the bottle or without adult supervision. Key safety risks include injury or death from choking, aspiration or suffocation.

As a result of the ban, it is illegal to supply or offer to supply these devices in Australia. It is also illegal to manufacture, possess, or have control of a banned product.

The Assistant Minister has announced the ban on these devices. This follows a Safety Warning Notice issued in August 2024 and a subsequent ACCC investigation into the safety of these devices, which included consultation with a paediatric health expert and healthcare stakeholders.

Businesses must not manufacture, advertise or sell baby bottle self-feeding devices. Significant penalties may apply for non-compliance.

“Each year, we set our product safety priorities to target and increase awareness of high-risk unsafe consumer goods. This year, our focus has been on unsafe products sold in digital markets and product safety issues for young children,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Baby bottle self-feeding devices pose an unacceptable risk of injury or death to infants as a result of choking, suffocation and aspiration, as babies do not have the ability to regulate the flow of milk or remove the bottle from their mouth themselves.”

“This permanent ban makes clear that products which undermine safe infant feeding practices will not be tolerated in the Australian market. Suppliers should be aware that it is now illegal to supply these products in Australia, and penalties may apply for businesses that do not comply.”

“We urge consumers to stop using these devices immediately and to always actively supervise babies during feeding,” Ms Lowe said.

Products covered by the ban

The ban applies to products that are designed to allow a baby to feed from a bottle without another person holding the bottle, and which are designed to do so by supporting the position of the bottle or by means of a straw, tube or similar device. This includes:

• products that position a bottle in an infant’s mouth (bottle propping)
• products worn on a person’s body that hold a bottle used for feeding a baby
• straw-style feeding devices where the teat is connected to the bottle via a flexible straw

The ban does not extend to supplemental nursing systems used to support breastfeeding, or to ‘sippy’ cups, trainer cups and straw cups intended for drinking rather than as a baby’s sole source of nutrition.

Images of items captured by the ban, sourced from products identified as for sale online

Baby self-feeding pillows

Flexible arm device

Advice for consumers

• If you have purchased or own a baby bottle self-feeding device, you should immediately stop using it and dispose of it safely so that it cannot be used by anyone else.

Information for suppliers

• It is against the law to supply or offer to supply these devices to Australian consumers.

• It is also against the law to manufacture, possess or have control of a banned product.
• If you become aware that you are supplying a banned product, you must immediately stop supplying the product. You should conduct a product recall and let consumers know, and notify the ACCC within two days of taking recall action.
• Suppliers who fail to comply with permanent bans under the Australian Consumer Law may face enforcement action that may attract significant fines and pecuniary penalties.
• You can find more information about the permanent ban on the ACCC Product Safety website.

Source:

Issue date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation and Science will hold public hearings in Canberra on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 and Wednesday, 3 June 2026 as part of its inquiry into the current state of the Australian tyre industry, and any challenges and opportunities for the industry within the context of a circular economy.

Committee Chair, Mr Rob Mitchell MP, said, ‘Local governments not only play a central role in waste management, but also as users of tyre-derived products such as crumb rubber in roads and playground surfaces.

‘Throughout the inquiry, the Committee has heard about the disproportionate financial, environmental and health impacts for local governments and communities caused by improper storage, stockpiling and illegal dumping of end-of-life tyres.

‘The Committee will hold roundtables with local governments from across New South Wales on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. The following week, on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, the Committee will hold additional roundtables with local governments from across Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

‘At these public hearings, we hope to learn from councils about the challenges they experience with waste tyre management, and opportunities to improve tyre circularity at the community-level.’

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry webpage.

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Time: 8:45am – 10:00am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra

Date: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Time: 8:45am – 10:00am (AEST)
Location: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

More information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference and submissions, can be found on the inquiry webpage.

Media inquiries

Office of Mr Rob Mitchell MP
(03) 5716 3000
Rob.Mitchell.MP@aph.gov.au

For background information

Committee Secretariat
(02) 6277 4114
iis.reps@aph.gov.au

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The 2026 Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival which takes place from Wednesday May 27 to Wednesday June 3, during National Reconciliation Week will celebrate with a range of films, videos and other activities at venues in Bendigo, Castlemaine and Yandoit.

The festival officially kicks off at 4.30pm Wednesday May 27 at Bendigo Library with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.  There will be an official opening followed by the announcement of the 2026 Koori Youth Flick Fest winners and screenings of this year’s entries.

This year’s festival showcases an exciting range of activities, discussions and First Nations films, documentaries and videos starring and telling stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People from Central Victoria and across Australia.

Screenings include documentaries My Survival as an Aboriginal (Essie Coffey) and Moort: Calling Dingo back to Country at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal, Tanna at Yandoit’s Old Church in the Bush, Wash my Soul in the Rivers Flow at Bendigo Library and We are still Here  and Carriberrie both screening at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre.

Other activities taking place during the week include a Dja Dja Wurrung CBD Cultural Walking Tour and short films hosted by DUMAWUL and a number of films for children including Grandpa Honeyant Storytime, Dance with Tom and Dance with Thalu all at Bendigo Library.

The 2026 theme for National Reconciliation Week is All In. This theme is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.  It emphasizes that reconciliation requires active participation from everyone, not just First Nations People and involves commitment from all of us to truth-telling, justice, and shared history.

National Reconciliation Week continues to shape Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation.

The City of Greater Bendigo is committed to reconciliation and is looking forward to seeing everyone come together to celebrate National Reconciliation Week at the 2026 Central Victoria Indigenous Film Festival.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ith the passing of Neale Daniher, we all grieve for a great Australian.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Australia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Daniher family: his wife Jan; children Bec, Ben, Lauren and Luke; and his many grandchildren and wider family, who did so much to support the man they loved so deeply.

In 2013, after a decorated VFL/AFL career as a player and then coach, Neale Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

At that point, the average life expectancy was just 27 months.

Instead, through 13 years, Neale fought what he called ‘the Beast’ with a courage, optimism and passion that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND.

The devastating impacts of MND stole so much from Neale, but he held onto everything that people loved and admired about him: his selflessness, his bravery, his humour, his ability to look on the bright side and his fierce determination to make a difference for others.

It was a profound honour to present Neale the Australian of the Year Award in 2025. I think it is safe to say that there has never been an award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian on that night. 

Richly deserved recognition that Neale embraced, not as an accolade but as a platform, a way to continue his advocacy for a cure.  

Neale Daniher’s remarkable legacy lives all around us.

The difference he made can be measured in the national awareness and the tens of millions of dollars that he and FightMND have raised to research a cure.

It can be counted in the tens of thousands of Big Freeze beanies that will fill the MCG on the King’s Birthday weekend.

Above all, it will be carried in the hearts of everyone who found new strength and new hope in their fight because of the extraordinary example that Neale set.

May this wonderful man rest in eternal peace.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 47-year-old male on Friday in relation to drug offences committed in Alice Springs.

Following an extensive investigation that commenced in December 2025, the male was arrested on Friday morning at a town camp on Lovegrove Drive in Araluen by detectives from the Southern Drug Investigation Unit. The arrest was made in relation to the alleged supply of dangerous drugs within the Alice Springs community, including six town camps.

The offender was charged with the following offences:

• Possess and supply schedule 1 dangerous drug – commercial quantity (methamphetamine)
• Possess and supply schedule 1 dangerous drug – less commercial quantity (cocaine)
• Possess and supply schedule 2 dangerous drug – commercial quantity (cannabis)
• Possess precursor manufacture dangerous drug
• Unauthorized sale of liquor
• Unlawful possession of property
• Drive manner dangerous pursuit
• Drive disqualified
• Damage to property

He is due to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court today.

Anyone with information regarding the supply or distribution of illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source:

Issue date: Monday, 25 May 2026

Today, Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works presented the Public Works Committee’s third report of 2026 to the House of Representatives.

Report 3/2026 – Referrals made in November 2025 considers the following four proposed works:

• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority—Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Redevelopment project for a total estimated cost of $161.1 million (excluding GST)
• Department of Defence—9 Molonglo Drive, Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory for a total estimated cost of 103.9 million (excluding GST)
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Australian High Commission Staff Residential Compound Refurbishment, Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea for a total estimated cost of $37.3 million (excluding GST)
• Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts—Fit-out of New Leased Premises at One City Hill, Canberra City for a total estimated cost of $46.4 million (excluding GST).

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority proposes to deliver a major redevelopment of the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium (formerly Reef HQ Aquarium). The Aquarium has not been significantly upgraded since its opening in 1987 and has experienced structural degradation and corrosion, leaving some structures non-compliant with current building standards. The proposal includes major works on the ground, first and second floors, and works on the external façade and frontage and will be centred a new world-class Coral Reef Exhibit.

The Department of Defence has proposed office fit-out works in Brindabella Park to allow it to consolidate four existing leases in the same precinct into one. With the consolidation, Defence will reduce its total leased office space in the precinct while updating the fit-out to comply with modern building standards and Defence security requirements.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s proposed works at the High Commission complex in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, will see 39 staff residences undergo the first major upgrade since being established 30 years ago. The proposed works will address safety risks to staff and their families and rising costs associated with ongoing routine maintenance and extend the life of the facility by at least 20 years.

The proposed works by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts are Stage 2 of the Department’s precinct model consolidation. Stage 1 of the project was examined by the Committee last year and was approved by the House of Representatives in October 2025. The current proposed works will allow the Department to relocate from its current lease in the Nishi Building into new accommodation at One City Hill. The precinct model will enable the Department to reduce its Net Lettable Area in Canberra by 40 per cent.

For the inquiries into these proposed works, the Committee received submissions, held private briefings with relevant government officials and conducted public and private hearings. The Committee also had the opportunity to travel to Townsville to visit the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and see firsthand the conditions of the site and the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences to see some of the Aquarium’s marine life temporarily stored there.

The Committee has recommended that the House of Representatives approves the proposed works. Mr Zappia said that ‘in examining these works, the Committee gave consideration to the purpose, need, value for money, and present and prospective public value of each of them, as is our obligation under the Public Works Committee Act 1969. The Committee found that the proposed works have merit and should proceed.’

Please note: the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is not involved in the tendering process, awarding of contracts or details of the proposed works. Enquiries on these matters should be directed to the relevant Commonwealth entities.

Media inquiries

Mr Tony Zappia MP, Chair of Standing Committee on Public Works
(08) 8265 3100

For background information

Committee secretariat
02 6277 4636
pwc@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its www.aph.gov.au/pwc. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Strike Force Trident have arrested a 14-year-old male and a 10-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery in Durack in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Around 12:50am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a robbery in progress at a service station on University Avenue.

It is alleged a group of three youths entered the store at 12:35am and stole various items. They also allegedly threw items at a male staff member before leaving the scene.

About 15 minutes later the group returned and allegedly continued to throw items at the victim while threatening to kill him.

Fearing for his safety, the victim locked himself in the office and the offenders allegedly climbed behind the counter and stole several items as well as cash. The victim suffered minor injuries.

Around 10:35pm that same day, a 14-year-old male and 10-year-old male were arrested near the Darwin CBD by Strike Force Trident members.

The 14-year-old was charged with aggravated robbery and shoplifting and the 10-year-old was released and placed on youth diversion for robbery.

Strike Force Trident are continuing investigations and are making efforts to locate the third offender.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000. Please quote reference P26148410.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. This morning, I convened National Cabinet for an important update on Australia’s fuel security. This is the fifth time that National Cabinet has met since the conflict in the Middle East began on February 28. We know, as I’ve said before, while the conflict is a long way from home, we are not immune to its impacts. And the longer the conflict goes on, the more enduring the impact will be, the economic tail. We are very hopeful that the positive signs of a de-escalation and peace in the region will lead to a conclusion. That is in the global economy’s interests, and it is therefore in Australia’s interest as well. We’re able to report pretty positive news: 43 days of petrol, which is five days more than were there on February 28 when the conflict began. Importantly, 38 days of diesel, which is what there was most concern about, people concerned about their capacity to plant crops, et cetera, was a creating a great deal of concern particularly for the agricultural community, that’s six days more than was in place on February 28. And 31 days of jet fuel, which is two days more than was available in Australia on February 28th.

In addition, I reported last week when I was in Perth the arrangements with China for the import of jet fuel. China has placed some restrictions on exports, but after a discussion between myself and Premier Li and after, confirmed by Foreign Minister Wong’s visit to China, that we were able to get some 660,000 barrels of jet fuel, is confirmed for Australia. All of that is good news for Australia. We know, though, this is volatile and uncertain times, and I want to make it clear that when the conflict ends, that doesn’t mean that the economic tail concludes. There will be a period of time before ships are able to go through the Strait of Hormuz. It’s also the case that the ships that are stranded there at the moment have to go offload their fuel or their cargoes that can take up to 30 days, and then go back to collect more cargoes, and then go back to their place of destination. So, there’s a tail here as well, but it was a positive meeting. And supply is looking secure into July. And I do want to thank the Australian people for agreeing to do what we ask them to do, which is the hoarding of fuel has stopped. People are taking just what they need. And that means that for those sectors who rely particularly upon diesel, it is making a difference.

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Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Porepunkah Fire Brigade members joined CFA dignitaries on the weekend to officially open the refurbished fire station.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating the death of a man in Alice Springs.

Around 9:10am yesterday morning, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a man had been located unresponsive in a bed at a residence on Nicker Crescent in Gillen.

Emergency services responded and located the 44-year-old man with injuries to his head and lower body. He was declared deceased at the scene.

The cause of death is unknown; however, police are treating it as suspicious at this stage. Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances and timing of the man’s injuries.

Southern Investigations have carriage of the investigation and urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26148658. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.