Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New South Wales – News

Police and paramedics were called to a report of an assault in the car park of the Noarlunga Interchange about 10.30pm on Thursday 9 October.

The patrol located the victim, a 52-year-old Huntfield Heights man, who was taken to hospital by ambulance.  His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

It will be alleged he was punched and kicked by two males armed with a long metal object.

Security guards and witnesses were able to provide a description and direction of the suspects to police, and the pair were arrested nearby.

A 17-year-old boy from Tonsley and a 20-year-old Christie Downs man were both charged with aggravated assault, affray and carry offensive weapon.

The youth was bailed to appear in the Youth Court on 26 November.

The Christie Downs man was refused police bail and will face court today.

Anyone who witnessed this incident who has not yet spoken to police can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

260844

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Severe weather conditions impacting north and north west of the state

Friday, 10 October 2025 – 6:39 am.

Severe weather conditions are impacting the north and northwest of the state now.Emergency services are currently responding to the following:-Mount Street Burnie – tree over road between Sutton and Southwell StreetMount Street Burnie – wall fallen and blocking part of the road, near Pine AvenueMassey Green Drive South Burnie – tree blocking road 1.5kms south of Bass Highway JunctionThree Mile Line Road Upper Burnie – tree over road, southern side of hockey groundMeander Valley Road Westbury – tree on road 2 kms out of Westbury on Deloraine sideWest Tamar Highway Legana, power pole snapped, extensive power interruptions expectedSheffield Road, Dalwood Road Barrington, large tree across the roadMotorists are asked to drive to the conditions and take care as the weather front crosses.

Source: Mental Health Australia

A well-connected site at Macquarie Park will become Sydney’s first purpose-built electric bus depot, with the awarding of the contract to build the facility and release of new concept designs.

Sydney’s first purpose-built electric bus depot is an important moment in the transition to battery electric buses as the Minns Labor Government plans a phased switch from the 8000-strong diesel and gas fleet over the next two decades.

Construction of the $145 million depot, funded 50:50 by the NSW and Commonwealth governments, is expected to begin early in the New Year and be operational in 2028.

Subject to final design, the Macquarie Park depot, located alongside the M2 on Talavera Road, will operate about 150 buses that will service areas from the northwest suburbs to Ryde, Parramatta and the lower north shore.

Read the full media release here (PDF, 105.67 KB).

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

We’re a smaller contingent now after the Casey fly-off, which was executed in perfect −9°C weather about 100 nautical miles from the station. With clear blue skies above and dazzling white ice all around, the helicopters shuttled cargo and 14 people from RSV Nuyina to Casey research station over seven flights, each one a two-hour round trip.

One helicopter took the Wilkins Aerodrome team, then the station’s summer doctor and the chef and Traverse team, and brought one person back. The other helicopter took cargo – including mail for Casey expeditioners. 
It’s surprising how fierce the sun is here when the clouds clear, even when the air is freezing.
By now everyone’s developed their own daily routine. Breakfast starts at seven, lunch at midday and dinner at five. Expeditioners can volunteer to help in the kitchen and many do, peeling vegetables or helping with the dishes. There’s also a cohort assisting with underway science projects like sea ice observations.
To keep active, some hit the gym, others walk laps of the ship when the weather allows it. Even if you’re not one for formal exercise, there’s no avoiding the stairs! You can hear the cursing in the stairwell when people get to the Observation Lounge on Deck 9 and realise they’ve left their book in their cabin, three or four flights down.
Quizzes are a popular pastime, and board games, and penguin spotting. All the lights go out in the Deck 9 Lounge when the light fades to avoid bird strike and it’s mesmerising, watching the ship’s spot light illuminate the ice ahead.
Science talks are held in the theatrette on some evenings and they draw both expeditioners and crew. So far there’s been one on auroras, one on the ship’s hydroacoustic mapping functions and another on Southern Ocean seabirds – useful for those of us still learning our petrels from our albatross. The bird photos below were both taken by an expeditioner on this trip. 
We hit open ocean again a few days after the fly-off and the focus has now turned to the second stage of the voyage – a ten day visit to sub-Antarctic Heard Island and McDonald Islands. Under the guidance of field leadership and the field training officers (FTOs), expeditioners have been practising putting up tents, using fuel stoves and familiarising themselves with radios and satellite phones.
We all sat and watched a video shot from a helicopter that circled Heard Island in 2008 from Australia’s previous icebreaker Aurora Australis, to get a sense of what’s coming.
Our clocks go back another few hours by the time we get there so at Heard Island we’ll be operating at UTC+6. 
This content was last updated 6 minutes ago on 10 October 2025.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

The Albanese Government today introduced legislation to strengthen the integrity of the international education sector, expand access to medical places for Indigenous students and improve information we collect about early education and care.

Integrity in international education

International education brings tens of billions of dollars into the economy each year. 

It builds friendships and long-term connections around the world.

But it is also a target for unscrupulous individuals trying to turn a quick buck.

The Government is determined to strengthen the integrity of the sector and ensure it maintains its social licence. 

This legislation will help to crack down on dodgy practices with a number of changes including:

• strengthening the fit and proper requirement for providers,
• enabling the banning of commissions to education agents for onshore student transfers,
• requiring prospective providers to first deliver courses to domestic students for two years before they can apply to teach overseas students as evidence of their commitment to quality education,
• cancelling the registration of providers that fail to deliver a course to overseas students for 12 consecutive months to help deal with ‘phoenixing’, and
• giving us the power to limit or cancel a providers’ ability to deliver courses where it is in the national interest or there are systemic quality issues.

Under the legislation, education providers will also require authorisation from TEQSA to deliver Australian degrees offshore. 

This means that students who study with an Australian provider overseas will have the same confidence in the quality of an Australian qualification as those who study here.

The TEQSA changes are light-touch, set transitional arrangements and utilise information that providers already hold.

This is about safeguarding our reputation as a world leader in education.

Boosting places for Indigenous medical students

Indigenous Australians are significantly underrepresented in our health workforce. They are 3.8 per cent of the population, but only 1.25 per cent of the health workforce in total and less than 1 per cent of doctors.

In the election the Albanese Government promised to act on the Universities Accord recommendation to uncap Commonwealth Supported Places for Indigenous medical students.

This legislation delivers on that promise.

Under the legislation, every Indigenous student who meets the entry requirements for medicine will receive a Commonwealth Supported Place.

We’ve already uncapped funding for all Indigenous students enrolling in other degrees.
 
Last year the number of Indigenous students enrolled in a university course increased by five per cent. This year it increased by a further three per cent.

Next year we will take the next step and expand this demand driven system to all Australians from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Better information in early education and care

Every year we invest more than $16 billion in the Child Care Subsidy.

The Albanese Government is committed to building a universal early childhood education and care system that is safe, affordable and accessible.

To do that we need a better understanding of the costs of delivering early education and care.

In MYEFO last year we committed $10.4 million over two years for the Early Education Service Delivery Prices project and we are backing that with this legislation.

The legislation will help ensure we have information about delivery prices that is accurate, comprehensive and representative.

Getting a better understanding of the costs to deliver early childhood education and care services around the country will help us to deliver evi
dence-based reforms.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“This legislation gives us more tools to stop unscrupulous individuals in the international education system trying to make a quick buck.

“The legislation will also help more young Indigenous people to become the doctors our communities need.

“And this is another step in building a universal early childhood education and care system that is safe, affordable and accessible.

“These are important and necessary reforms as we build a better and fairer education system.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy:

“More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors will strengthen the health system and help grow its capacity to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

“In creating more opportunities for young Aboriginal people to become doctors, we are working towards Closing the Gap in education and in health.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jess Walsh:

“To build a universal early childhood education and care system, we need the best information on how services are delivered and funded.

“This legislation will give us the evidence we need to make smarter decisions.

“When we understand the real costs, we can build a system that works better to support families.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill:

“International education has delivered profound economic, social, and diplomatic benefits to Australia for decades. It’s a $51 billion sector that Australians can be proud of—educating future global leaders, strengthening international ties, and enriching our communities.

“Australia’s future success requires a focus on quality, integrity and a great student experience.

“That’s why today we’re introducing amendments to crack down on exploitation, increase transparency, and safeguard the reputation of our sector—after previous reforms were blocked in the Senate by the Liberal and Greens parties.

“These changes will protect genuine students and support our high-quality providers.” 

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Hollybank search marks five days

Thursday, 9 October 2025 – 5:25 pm.

Despite the use of extensive resources, a fifth day of searching for a 76-year-old man missing in rugged bush in Tasmania’s northeast has not been able to locate him.
Peter Willoughby went missing on Sunday afternoon, about 2km from Hollybank, when he walked into heavy bushland and became separated from the people he was with.
Extensive police, ambulance and SES search and rescue resources have been deployed since Sunday to try and locate him.
Tasmania Police will not search the area on Friday due to safety concerns of officers working in heavily forested areas during a severe weather event.
Resources deployed earlier today involved specialist Tasmania Police Search and Rescue officers, Ambulance Tasmania paramedics and SES volunteers.
No helicopter or drone resources could be used due to inclement weather and low visibility.
Tasmania Police Northern District Search and Rescue Inspector Nick Clark said conditions were again very difficult, with search teams working in thick, rugged terrain through periods of rain, hail and extreme wind gusts.
Inspector Clark said teams scoured a new search area, to the south of the Hollybank reserve.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate Mr Willoughby in today’s searching,” Inspector Clark said.
“We do, of course, hope that will be able to find Mr Willoughby, but as each day passes, there are grave concerns for his welfare.”
Mr Willoughby, pictured. was last seen wearing a dark blue jumper, blue jeans and sneakers.
Anyone who has information regarding the incident or who may have seen Mr Willoughby in the area from Sunday is asked to contact police on 131 444.

Source: New South Wales – News

The two-car crash occurred on Onkaparinga Valley Road, Verdun just before 3pm on Thursday 9 October.

Traffic is being diverted around the scene.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Source: South Australia Police

The much-loved Boo in Wanneroo returns to the Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre with more thrills, surprises and family entertainment.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has outlined its preliminary competition concerns with Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd’s proposed acquisition of Telwater Pty Ltd in a Statement of Issues published today.

Telwater is the largest manufacturer and supplier of aluminium trailer boats in Australia and has strong brand recognition throughout the recreational marine industry. Market participants have told the ACCC that a Telwater aluminium trailer boat is a very important product for many dealers.

Yamaha is a leading supplier of outboard motors. It faces competition from outboard motor brands such as Mercury and Suzuki.

The ACCC’s preliminary view is that the proposed acquisition is likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the wholesale supply of outboard motors in Australia.

“We are concerned that, following the acquisition, Yamaha would have the ability and incentive to link the wholesale supply of Yamaha outboard motors to Telwater aluminium trailer boats, for example, by requiring dealers of Telwater boats to also become Yamaha outboard motor dealers,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.

“This acquisition could make it much harder for other outboard motor suppliers to compete effectively with Yamaha, ultimately reducing the choice and competitive offerings available to consumers.”

The ACCC is also concerned that the merged entity could seek to reduce the access to dealers and customers by rival suppliers of trailer boats.

“Linking the wholesale supply of Yamaha outboard motors with Telwater aluminium trailer boats could limit how effectively existing and future rival wholesale suppliers of aluminium boats and outboard motors can compete post-merger,” Dr Williams said.

“This could ultimately lead to higher prices and reduced choice or quality for consumers seeking to purchase a new aluminium trailer boat or outboard motor.”

The ACCC invites submissions from interested parties in response to the Statement of Issues by 23 October 2025.

More information, including the Statement of Issues, can be found on the ACCC’s website at Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd – Telwater Pty Ltd.

Notes to editors

‘Outboard motors’ are standalone systems that are installed to the outside hull of the boat, as opposed to inboard motors which are installed inside the boat’s hull and used for larger boats.

Trailer boats are small marine vessels that can be fitted to a trailer for easy transportation and generally range between 2 – 9 metres in length. Trailer boats can be made from various materials, with the most common being aluminium or fibreglass.

Aluminium boats are primarily used for recreational boating in Australia. Aluminium boats are generally lighter, more durable and generally less expensive than fibreglass boats.

Aluminium boats and outboard motors are complementary products, often purchased by consumers together. The complementary nature of these products is highly relevant to the ACCC’s competition assessment.

More information on how the ACCC considers conglomerate effects can be found in section 4 of the ACCC’s Merger Assessment Guidelines.

Background

Yamaha is proposing to acquire 100 per cent of the shares of Telwater from Bombardier Recreation Products Inc (BRP), alongside a property in Coomera, Queensland used to manufacture, fit and warehouse aluminium trailer boats.

Trailer boats are generally used for leisure activities, such as fishing and cruising. Recreational trailer boats typically use an outboard motor.

Yamaha Motor Company Ltd (YMC) manufactures outboard motors in Asia, primarily in Japan, and imports them into Australia by its wholly owned subsidiary, Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd (Yamaha). Yamaha supplies the outboard motors to dealers (retailers) Australia wide. Dealers then supply the outboard motors to end-customers.

Yamaha does not manufacture boats in Australia. YMC subsidiaries manufacture trailer boats overseas for various international markets. Yamaha and a related business have supplied a small number of these trailer boats to dealers in Australia, primarily via a third party Australian distributor. Yamaha also owns the trademarks for a small number of aluminium trailer boat and trailer brands, which were previously licensed to a third party manufacturer and are not currently in use. Yamaha does not supply trailers for boats in Australia.

Telwater manufactures aluminium trailer boats and trailers in Australia and supplies them to dealers, who then sell to end customers. Telwater currently supplies three lines of trailer boats: Quintrex, Stacer and Yellowfin branded boats.

Telwater supplies custom-fitted trailers that are sold together with its boats (branded under Telwater), or loose trailers (under the brand name “Move”) that can be used for any trailer boat. Telwater also supplies a limited number of outboard motors to dealers as part of a package with a Telwater boat and also potentially a trailer. Telwater is a non-exclusive distributor of Mercury outboard motors, with Mercury also supplying its outboard motors to dealers itself and via other wholesalers. Telwater also supplies a very small number of Rotax outboard motors (which are manufactured and distributed by BRP), as part of a package with some of its boats.

Source:

Wye River Captain Andrew Hack and Community Safety Coordinator and former Captain Roy Moriarty

Amid drought conditions, nearly 150 fire brigades in Victoria’s southwest will open their doors to community members throughout October, helping to prepare them for fire season.

With record rainfall deficits and an increased risk of fire for much of the southwest region, local CFA volunteers are prompting residents to get fire ready.

From Freshwater Creek, to Beeac, Cobden and right across to Nelson, members will base themselves at the fire station, general store or local market to educate their residents of the upcoming fire risk and ensure they understand how best to protect their families.  

Wye River Fire Brigade is no stranger to fire and will be among those getting involved. Captain Andrew Hack said town preparedness is a key focus for them in the lead up to summer, with their population rapidly rising from 100 people to almost 4000 in the peak season. 

“It’s interesting, you have a significant event like 10 years ago, but the longer the time passes from that event, people forget and can begin to let their guard down,” Andrew said.

“Whether it is cleaning up around their properties, getting their fire bag ready in preparation to evacuate, or simply understanding what their plan will be – it needs to be revisited.

“We just have to keep tapping away each year reminding people not to become complacent.

“CFA’s mantra is to be alert, not alarmed, and we just keep pushing that to people. We don’t want you to be scared, but we want you to plan and be ready.”

Recent winter weather conditions has seen a wrath of large debris needing to be cleaned up, particularly for those that live under the trees.

“Each year in the lead up to Christmas, the Colac Otway Shire Council drop large green skip bins in town and in Kennett River to allow residents to clear their vegetation,” Andrew said.

“It’s been a great way to assist people who would otherwise struggle to burn off themselves.

“Now is also the time to remove your firewood and any highly flammable items such as your doormat away from your home.”

Wye River Brigade 1st Lieutenant Tom Moore said the initiative is a great way to educate residents in understanding what an ember attack is and how they can protect their house.

Brigade members will be based at the Wye River General Store on Saturday, 11 October for their Get Fire Ready event, before opening their doors again on Saturday, 1 November for their annual community awareness forum.

As a thriving summer tourist town, the biggest challenge for the brigade is communicating with holiday goers renting houses, residing in the caravan park, or those driving in for the day.

“While we try to engage with property owners and real estate agents, it’s those who are here for one or two weeks at a time, or even for a day who are oblivious to the risks,” Andrew said.

“We understand people don’t want their holiday to be impacted, but on those stinking hot days with strong winds, this is not the place to be.

“Keep an eye on the simple signposting along the Great Ocean Road on your travels.”

Tom said it is important everyone stays informed via the VicEmergency App and listens to the local ABC. Reaching out to your neighbours is another valuable source of information.  

“For the period of time you’re coming down for a holiday, we ask you check the weather forecast in advance and see where the alerts and concerns are,” Tom said.  

“We have a lot of people moving into town who think the first thing they should do is head to the beach – but that is not where you want to be during a bushfire emergency.”

As a buffer between the firefighters and the community in the event of a big fire, the brigade has also created a community volunteer program, where members help with traffic control, disseminating information, and assisting the elderly, young people and those with pets.

“There’s lot of ways to get people involved other than jumping on the back of a truck, and they’re a really pivotal part of our response and a major help to us out on the fireground,” Andrew said.

To find out more about preparing your property, creating a fire plan or to find an event near you visit: cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready 

Submitted by	CFA media