Month: June 2026

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Northern Australian shipping and logistics company, Sea Swift Pty Ltd, will amend its transport contracts after action by the ACCC. Sea Swift’s services include shipping essential supplies to remote coastal communities in Northern Australia.

The ACCC was concerned that elements of Sea Swift’s contracts with customers were anti-competitive and could significantly increase the cost of living in communities, including to First Nations Australians. The company has acknowledged the ACCC’s concerns that its conduct may breach competition laws.

As a result of the ACCC’s investigation, Sea Swift has undertaken to amend its contract terms to remove restrictions stopping other suppliers of scheduled sea freight services in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland from competing for customers and entering the market.

“Sea freight is literally a lifeline for many remote communities in supplying fresh produce and medical supplies. We had significant concerns about the impact that restrictions on competition in the supply of sea freight services can have on people living in remote communities, including First Nations Australians,” ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward said.

“If remote businesses have only one supplier of essential services or goods, that supplier has few restrictions on the price it can charge, and consumers are often charged a higher price than they would in a competitive market.”

“This work forms part of our engagement with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to support remote communities having reliable access to affordable food and other essentials,” Mr Woodward said.

“The amended contract terms will give customers the flexibility to use alternative freight service providers, including the option to transport smaller, ad hoc volumes by sea or road.”

The ACCC was concerned that, by entering into long-term exclusive agreements with staggered end dates, and with some requiring customers to let Sea Swift match any competitor’s proposal, Sea Swift misused its market power and engaged in prohibited anti-competitive exclusive dealing conduct.

“We considered that these contracts could have prevented other freight service suppliers from growing large enough to viably compete, and that Sea Swift’s conduct had the substantial purpose, effect, or likely effect of substantially lessening competition,” Mr Woodward said.

The ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Sea Swift that it will amend its existing and future contracts to remove any anti-competitive clauses. The company will also inform customers in emails and on its website of the details and implement a compliance program.

More information and details of the undertaking can be found on the ACCC website.

Background

Sea Swift is a freight service provider which transports general cargo by sea on regular, scheduled services to remote communities in the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland. Since September 2025, Sea Swift has been the sole supplier of regular, scheduled sea freight services on most of the routes in these regions.

Sea Swift provides ad hoc and regular scheduled sea freight services for customers including mining companies, utilities and energy companies, local councils, schools, community enterprises, and retail customers. Sea Swift transports cargo including fresh produce, medical supplies, construction materials, mining equipment and vehicles.

The ACCC has been engaging with the NIAA to discuss its ongoing work arising from the Government response to the 2020/21 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs inquiry into food prices and food security in remote Indigenous communities. This includes the NIAA’s development of the remote stores low-cost essentials subsidy scheme.

In March 2025, the ACCC’s Supermarkets Inquiry found that grocery prices may be significantly higher in remote locations, and likely primarily a result of the higher cost to serve remote areas. The inquiry made a number of recommendations.

In 2016, the Australian Competition Tribunal authorised Sea Swift’s acquisition of marine freight assets of Toll Marine Logistics Australia on the basis of a net public benefit test, subject to certain conditions. This resulted in Sea Swift being in a near monopoly position for the supply of sea freight services to the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland at that time. The ACCC had previously opposed the acquisition due to concerns the acquisition was likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Hismile, an Australian oral and personal care company, has paid $138,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with seven infringement notices for alleged false and misleading representations in its social media advertising.

Hismile posted videos on its social media platforms, where apparently random shoppers in a public setting tried Hismile’s products and expressed their satisfaction with the results.

However, the “random shoppers” in the videos were Hismile employees. The seven infringement notices relate to these videos.

“Misleading social media advertisements can reach millions of consumers and may impact their purchasing decisions. All businesses must ensure they are not making misleading or deceptive claims on social media platforms.” ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward said.

In addition, Hismile uploaded videos to social media of its Glostik Tooth Gloss product which may have given consumers the impression that the product would remove stains on teeth.

The ACCC alleged that this was misleading, because the product only temporarily concealed stains.

“Hismile has admitted that its conduct in posting these videos to social media was, or was likely, misleading, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law,” Mr Woodward said

“As a result of these social media videos, consumers may have been misled into buying products that did not have the results promoted by Hismile.”

“The ACCC has prioritised consumer and fair-trading issues relating to manipulative or deceptive advertising in the digital economy for several years,” Mr Woodward said.

Hismile to implement competition and consumer law compliance program

Hismile also provided a court-enforceable undertaking, committing to several actions to address the ACCC’s concerns.

As part of its commitment, Hismile will establish and implement a competition and consumer law compliance program and will publish a notice on its website and social platforms, informing consumers about the ACCC action.

Hismile has also agreed that:

• it will not represent that any of its staff is a random member of the public providing a testimonial, review, or commentary regarding any Hismile product.
• it will not represent that Glostik Tooth Gloss, or any other product, produces permanent results, when this is not the case.

A copy of the undertaking is available at: Hismile Pty Ltd | ACCC

Background: 

Hismile manufactures and supplies oral care products, cosmetic products, electric toothbrushes, lip balms, and related ancillary products.

Hismile products are available to purchase through its website, third-party e-commerce platforms and at various retail outlets. Hismile’s products are sold in Australia and overseas. The Glostik Tooth Gloss product has been discontinued.

In March 2026, online photobook business Tomsem Consolidated Pty Ltd, trading as PhotobookShop, paid $39,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with two infringement notices for alleged misleading influencer reviews it posted on Instagram.

In January 2023, the ACCC conducted its first social media sweep targeting influencers.

In December 2023, the ACCC provided an update on its work on misleading reviews on social media and published a report on the internet sweep and a report on social media testimonials and endorsements. 

More information about online reviews is also available on the ACCC website. 

Consumers who are not satisfied with the products they received from Hismile should contact the business regarding their concerns.

Source: Tasmania Police

Man charged with hooning offences

Friday, 12 June 2026 – 10:20 am.

An 18-year-old man from Lauderdale has been arrested and charged with multiple traffic offences, including hooning, after police intercepted him driving dangerously in southern Tasmania last night.
Sergeant Andy McShane of Southern Road Policing Services said the vehicle, a white Ford, was already subject to a major defect notice and was not permitted to be driven.
“The P-plater was driving recklessly in a busy carpark, showing a complete disregard for the safety of the local community,” he said.
“Police take hooning offences such as this seriously and will continue to investigate reports of dangerous driving and hold drivers to account.”
The man was charged with hooning offences as well as driving an unroadworthy motor vehicle and was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Reports about dangerous driving can be made to police by calling 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000, or at crimestopperstas.com.au.
If you can’t report it at the time but you have footage, submit it to our evidence portal at police.tas.gov.au/report.

Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA

Statement by Tara Diamond, Deputy Chief Executive, AREEA

As a result of irresponsible strike action organised by the “Offshore Alliance” targeting INPEX’s gas facilities in Northern Australia, two condensate cargoes bound for Japan and South Korea have been delayed.

Only weeks ago, Japanese-owned INPEX provided a cargo of condensate from this very facility to help supply Australian refiners during our own fuel shortage1.

Around the same time, Australia signed joint statements on energy security with both South Korea and Japan – the very partners now affected by this action. Korea is Australia’s largest supplier of diesel, and Australia is Korea’s largest supplier of LNG. As our Foreign Minister put it, “we depend on you, and you depend on us”.2

Australia supplies around a third of Japan’s energy and is its largest LNG market, while Japan is a reliable supplier of refined petroleum and diesel to Australia. In signing that agreement, the Prime Minister was explicit: energy is critical to our shared economic security, and both countries are committed to keeping the flow of energy between them open.3

These are crucial energy relationships this strike action is putting at risk. At the very moment Australia has pledged to be a dependable partner to the very countries that help keep Australian fuel flowing, union action is cutting off the supply those partners rely on and undermining Australia’s reliability.

Condensate is the feedstock used to produce refined fuels like petrol. After helping Australia out – the same product, from the same facility, is now being blocked from reaching trading partners who are managing their own fuel crisis.
Every delayed cargo is a reminder that this action reaches far beyond INPEX, to the communities and trading partners who depend on this industry.

The responsible course is to stop the disruption and return to genuine bargaining, where substantial offers are already on the table, but being ignored by the Offshore Alliance organisers.

Tomorrow, the Fair Work Commission will hear INPEX’s application to halt this damaging action and send the parties back to the bargaining table – the proper forum for a dispute of this national significance, and an opportunity we hope the Commission will take.

And should the Commission’s processes fall short, the Australian Government has powers available to it to bring this action to an end. Where energy security, trading relationships and public safety are all on the line, there is a clear case for it to use them in the national interest.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Reid | 0419 153 407 | [email protected]

1Since 2019, INPEX has supplied more than 30 condensate cargoes from the Ichthys Field to Australian customers, with around four cargoes delivered on average each year.
2 https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/transcript/press-conference-seoul-republic-korea
3 https://www.pm.gov.au/media/strengthening-energy-security-japan

Source: Tasmania Police

Crime across Northern Tasmania drops

Friday, 12 June 2026 – 8:23 am.

Crime across the Northern Tasmania has dropped over the past 12 months, with significant reductions in property crime, business burglaries, motor vehicle crime, shoplifting offences and public order incidents.
Northern District Commander Marco Ghedini said today that total offences for Northern District were down by 7% for the current financial year to date – a reduction of more than 700 offences.
Targeted police operations from Northern Criminal Investigation Division have resulted in 147 illicit firearms being removed from the hands of offenders during this time.
In other key statistics: 
• Property offences are down by 10.4%
• Building burglary crime is down by 13.5% representing a reduction of 139 crimes
• Business burglary is down by 35.6% representing a reduction of 112 crimes
• Motor vehicle burglary is down by 9.6%
• Stolen motor vehicle offences are down by 7.5%
• Shoplifting crimes are down by 15.4% representing a reduction of 250 crimes
• Public place assaults have seen a slight decrease 
• Bail curfew checks have increased by just under 100% with an additional 3085 checks completed this financial year
• Public order incidents have decreased by 6.6% representing a reduction of 314 offences
“Tasmania has some of the lowest crime rates in the country, and is a very safe place to live, but we know there are a small number of people who do the wrong thing in our communities,” Commander Ghedini said.
“The Northern District has continued to focus on community engagement, intelligence-led activities and strategic initiatives to reduce crime and to ensure our community feels safe and supported by our members.
“These latest results highlight the fantastic work our police officers have been undertaking over the past 12 months to help keep our community safe. Our members are working hard, 24 hours a day, to hold offenders to account.”
Commander Ghedini said that Northern District Police used a range of measures to crack down on those who choose to commit crime, including taskforce activities, regular high visibility patrols, and proactive intervention strategies.
“Since it was established, Taskforce Raven has focused on recidivist offenders, resulting in a significant number of arrests, and prosecutions.”
The latest Taskforce Raven statistics financial year to date are:
• 218 arrests
• 153 summons
• 2027 charges laid
• 76 persons detained for court
• 439 Offence Reports cleared with $88k worth of stolen property recovered
• 23 firearms and 11 Tasers seized
“Taskforce Raven will continue to focus on recidivist offenders across Northern Tasmania. I personally thank not only the hardworking members of the taskforce, but all members across the Northern District who have worked collaboratively to keep our community safe.”
Commander Ghedini said that road safety would also continue to be a key focus across the district.
Road safety performance has been particularly high, including:
•  31.7% increase in Police Infringement Notices issued. This is particularly disappointing from a driver perspective, especially given the continuous messaging regarding road safety. This does, however, demonstrate the hard work and dedication of our members to keep roads safe.
•  Total traffic offenders detected has increased by 27%. This further demonstrates the level of interdiction by police on roads, 24 hours a day.
Commander Ghedini said he was aware that youth offending remained an active community concern. 
“Over the past 12 months Northern District has seen an increase in youth prosecutions of 14 per cent,” he said. 
“We will continue to work with our youth and communities to identify appropriate pathways for early intervention and remain proactive in our visibility and interdiction with recidivist offenders.”
Commander Ghedini said the strong positive results highlighted the fact that maintaining a safe community is a collective effort that relies on strong partnerships between police, local government, and the community. 
“We’re actively planning and remain committed to implementing proactive initiatives and collaborative approaches, to address key issues and further strengthen community safety outcomes,” Commander Ghedini said.
Community members can help us address crime by reporting illegal and antisocial behaviour to police at any time of the day on 131 444, or 000 (triple zero) in an emergency.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force are calling for information after a death in Tennant Creek overnight.

About 1:10am, police began receiving reports of a stabbing on Griggs Street.

Officers attended and located a 21-year-old man with a laceration to his neck. He was declared deceased a short time later and a crime scene declared.

Police are aware there were witnesses to the incident and efforts are underway to identify and locate those witnesses.

Anyone who may have been in the area around the time, or who may have information that could assist, is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number P26167346.  Information may also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Tasmania Police

Charges laid over bottle shop robbery

Thursday, 11 June 2026 – 6:14 pm.

Police have charged a 34-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, both from Clarendon Vale, with armed robbery after an incident in Rosny last night.
Police allege the man entered a bottle shop near Eastlands about 8.40pm wearing a balaclava and carrying what is now confirmed to be a toy gun.
The alleged offender reportedly stole a quantity of alcohol before leaving the scene in a vehicle that is believed to have been driven by the woman.
No physical injuries were reported in the incident.
Police arrested the man and woman at a residence in Gagebrook this morning (11 June) without incident.
The man and woman will appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court on 21 September, 2026.

Source: Government of Western Australia

The City of Wanneroo is calling for the Tamala Park landfill to close as soon as practicably possible, amid ongoing odour concerns affecting surrounding communities.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The Federal Court has found that training provider RSA Express (trading as Express Online Training) engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations in relation to several of its online courses, in proceedings brought by the ACCC.

The courses involved certification for responsible service of alcohol (RSA) and construction industry induction (White Card).

The Court found that, at various times between 2019 and 2023, Express Online Training breached the Australian Consumer Law when it represented to consumers that they would only pay, or be asked to pay, for the relevant courses after they had passed. It was also represented to consumers they could undertake relevant courses and obtain a certificate within the same day, when this was not the case.

The misleading statements included “Same Day Interim Certificate”; “Pay Only When You Pass”; or “Best of all – with us you don’t have to pay until you pass!”. These statements were made by Express Online Training in Google and Bing advertisements or on Express Online Training’s website.

In fact, after registering, consumers had to read course material, correctly answer a lengthy questionnaire, and were then prompted to pay for the course, even though they had not yet completed it.

After paying, consumers were then notified that they must complete additional tasks, which in some cases could not be booked on the same day, or for several days.

“Many consumers paid for the course when prompted, thinking they had completed the course, when this was not the case,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said. “We understand that many consumers who paid for the ‘same day’ training couldn’t complete the course in their expected timeframe. Consumers deserve accurate information about the courses they’re enrolling in, particularly in relation to the time it takes to get the qualification,” Mr Keogh said.  

Express Online Training admitted that it had breached the Australian Consumer Law when representing that consumers could undertake relevant courses and receive their certification within the same day.

It did not admit that it had breached the Australian Consumer Law by representing that consumers would only pay, or be asked to pay, for relevant courses after they had passed. After a contested hearing in relation to this issue, the Court found that Express Online Training had made false or misleading representations to consumers that they would only pay or be asked to pay for the course after they had passed, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law. 

The ACCC’s investigation revealed that a significant number of consumers who paid for relevant RSA and White Card courses did not complete the full course. The Court found that Express Online Training earned significant revenue from consumers who did not complete the course.

“The ACCC was very concerned that many consumers who paid for an Express Online Training course prior to completion did not go on to complete the course,” Mr Keogh said. 

The Court will decide on penalties and other orders following a separate hearing at a later date. The ACCC is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties, injunctions, corrective notices and consumer redress.

Background

On 24 November 2023, the ACCC instituted proceedings against Express Online Training in the Federal Court.

Express Online Training is a registered training organisation that supplies online training courses to consumers through its website.

Express Online Training offers and supplies the RSA course to consumers in each Australian state and territory. They also offer and supply construction induction training (the White Card course) in Western Australia and Tasmania.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested and charged a 44-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday evening.

Around 11pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a female aged in her 40s had been assaulted by her male partner. It is alleged the victim was bitten to the face by the offender, which resulted in significant facial injuries that required hospitalisation.

Police responded and reviewed CCTV footage capturing the incident allegedly occurring around 9:45pm in a carpark on the corner of Bath Street and Gregory Terrace.

Earlier today, the 44-year-old offender was arrested on Gregory Terrace by members from the Southern Domestic Violence Response Unit. He has since been charged with Unlawfully cause serious harm and Engage in conduct that contravenes DVO, and is due to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court tomorrow.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.