Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: A great initiative from the Australian Federal Government announced yesterday and that is that the Albanese Government is backing the Rugby League World Cup to the tune of the $12.4 million investment. I’m happy to say that the 31st Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese is on the line. Good morning, Prime Minister.

< ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

< HOST

< HOST

< PRIME MINISTER

Source:

Issue date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government funding will hear from the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC) and the Commonwealth Grants Commission (CGC) this week.

Mindful of the challenges faced by local governments, the Committee wants to better understand how the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner Tony Mahar manages his national role in relation to energy infrastructure whilst working collaboratively with all levels of government, industry, landholders, and community members.

The Committee will also hear from the Commonwealth Grants Commission to discuss its current roles and responsibilities, and how these have changed over time. The Committee will be interested in hearing about the CGC’s views on horizontal fiscal equalisation between states and territories and the flow on effects for local governments.

Committee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips, said “the Committee will be particularly interested in hearing about the role of the AEIC to help make the shift to renewal energy smoother and fairer. This transition can involve significant disruption and uncertainty for host communities and their local councils and needs to be managed fairly across regional Australia.”

“In regard to the CGC, the Committee has also heard from councils and other stakeholders about the importance of ensuring the distribution of funding to local government is fair and equitable. We look forward to hearing from the CGC on their role.”

Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 28 May 2026
Time: 11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

Media inquiries

Mrs Fiona Phillips, MP
Media Adviser: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 2232
rdit.reps@aph.gov.au

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

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ustralia will once again take centre stage for world sport when the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) kicks off in Sydney this October.

The Albanese Government is backing the tournament with a $12.4 million investment to support the successful planning, logistics and delivery of the event across nine host cities in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

The investment includes a strong focus on supporting the women’s competition, as women’s rugby league continues to go from strength to strength.

The RLWC will feature standalone women’s, men’s, and wheelchair tournaments, with 26 teams from 16 nations competing in 51 matches across 5 weeks.

Fans will see the men’s and women’s teams sharing the stage across a number of double-headers providing great entertainment and showcasing the very best of rugby league to audiences around the world. 

As Australia prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2026 Rugby League World Cup is another opportunity to showcase our world-class sporting culture on the global stage.

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Australians love rugby league and this World Cup is a chance to show that to the world.

“This is about packed stadiums, local jobs, children seeing their heroes up close and communities coming together around a game they love.

“The World Cup will bring communities together across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, strengthen regional ties and create memories that fans will never forget.

“Australia has a proud track record of hosting world-class sporting events and this is another chance to show the world what we do best.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

“This investment will deliver an incredible tournament in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games and will create more opportunities and inspiration for kids to hit the field.

“With women’s rugby league continuing to grow year-on-year, the RLWC provides a platform to inspire young people, grow the game further and get more women and girls into sport.

“That’s why we’re getting involved in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, to make sure it’s the best possible event it can be, and to showcase why Australia is a world leader in delivering international sporting events.”

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

A bold new Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 has been adopted by Council, setting a clear path to transform the city centre into a more vibrant, accessible and investment ready destination.

The three-year plan features targeted actions to boost economic activity and enhance the overall experience for residents and visitors. This is a highly collaborative plan with the City engaging closely with landlords, agents, and businesses.

The Bendigo City Centre Action Plan 2026-2029 brings together all city precincts to work together to achieve a high performing revitalised Bendigo city centre. It is informed by a Retail and Hospitality Gap Analysis, economic modelling and an Investment Attraction Plan developed by local firm REMPLAN.

The city centre is an important regional hub that serves a dual role as the civic and economic heart of Greater Bendigo, and as a key regional destination for a wider catchment area. Around 18,000 people work in the city centre and around three million visitors come to Greater Bendigo each year.

In collaboration with key stakeholders, including landlords, real estate agents and businesses, the action plan focuses on five areas and looks to:

Secure anchor tenants and major projects:

• Attract national retailers, high-quality hospitality operators, and experience-based businesses
• Identify priority sites for anchor developments

Activate vacant and underutilised spaces:

• Collaborate closely with landlords and agents
• Target short-term leases, curated pop-ups, and flexible tenancy models
• Improve shopfront presentation and trial pilot programs
• Expand the use of Bendigo Town Hall to inject activity into the precinct

Improve access, safety, and parking:

• Reopen Hargreaves Street Mall to traffic with a one-way, 10km/h shared zone from Mitchell Street to Williamson Street
• Contribute to the Victorian Government’s Bus Network Review for Greater Bendigo in mid-2026 (the City is not responsible for public transport services)
• Enhancing the comfort, safety and clarity of walking and cycling routes to encourage greater uptake of active travel for residents, workers, and families
• Improve wayfinding signs and ensure parking is accessible, safe, and well-lit

Support business diversity and the night-time economy:

• Address gaps in the evening economy and encourage extended trading
• Attract businesses offering social, creative, and cultural experiences
• Cater to younger audiences and creative professionals

Enhance the public realm and events:

• Deliver ongoing events and activations such as live performances and the Moonlight Market (road will be closed for major events in the Mall)
• Improve amenity, comfort, and perceptions of safety (continue to work closely with Victoria Police and housing agencies)
• Strengthen the city centre’s identity and investment appeal

Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the Bendigo City Centre Action Plan provided a fresh direction for the city centre.

“We’ve heard strong community support for a vibrant city centre that delivers shopping, jobs, culture and tourism,” Cr Prince said.

“While the focus has been on reopening the Mall to vehicles, it is just one action in a broader plan. The plan outlines 26 actions and recognises there is no single solution. It is not something the City can deliver alone, as it does not own or control private properties.

“Success will depend on strong partnerships and support from landlords, agents, businesses, and a community that actively backs local traders in our city centre precincts.

“The goal is simple: more people, more often, building confidence and reinforcing Bendigo as open for business and investment.

“To achieve this, we need a compelling mix of retail, hospitality and entertainment, and a city centre that attracts people day and night. Targeted national retailers in strategic areas in the city centre can help shift perceptions and boost confidence, supporting local businesses alongside them who already provide a great service in the community.

“Activating underused sites and growing the evening economy will be key to creating a lively, welcoming destination.”

Events and arts will continue to energise the city centre. Always Live Victorian Vibes is taking place this Saturday May 30 with Matt Corby, King Stingray, Queenie, and local artist Emma Gleeson performing at different locations in the city centre.

Bendigo Town Hall will host the Bendigo Art Gallery’s off-site exhibitions in 2026 and 2027, with the first free season opening in August. Planning is underway for more events and public artworks in the city centre.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

A long-serving member of Sedgwick Fire Brigade who dedicated more than five decades to CFA has been posthumously awarded the CFA Outstanding Service Medal (OSM), recognising a lifetime of outstanding service, leadership and community contribution.

Brigade members, family and friends gathered on Friday 22 May for a presentation evening honouring the late Brendan Drechsler, whose 52 years of active service left a lasting impact on CFA and the wider Sedgwick community.

Brendan’s connection to the brigade began long before he officially joined CFA in 1972 at the age of 16. Before Sedgwick had its own fire station, the brigade’s first fire truck was housed at the Drechsler family farm, where Brendan helped prepare the appliance for incidents as a young boy.

Fire service was deeply embedded in the Drechsler family, as Brendan followed in the footsteps of his father, who helped form Sedgwick Fire Brigade in 1942 and later became its first Captain. Brendan’s brother also served as Captain before Brendan took on the role in 2015.

Over more than half a century, Brendan served in numerous operational and leadership roles, including Brigade Captain, First Lieutenant, Apparatus Officer, Brigade Secretary, Group Delegate and Junior Leader. He attended hundreds of incidents, including Black Saturday in 2009 and the large Sedgwick fire in 2013.

Brendan’s son, Ben Drechsler, said his father never sought recognition for himself.

“Dad always made it about the brigade and helping other people,” Ben said.

“He dedicated his life to CFA, the Sedgwick brigade and the local community. To see his service recognised with the Outstanding Service Medal is incredibly special for our family and everyone who knew him.

“Even in the final weeks of his life, he still wanted to help the brigade and the community.”

Brendan became widely respected for his calm leadership, dedication to mentoring younger members and commitment to community safety. He played a key role in strengthening the brigade’s capability, helping secure major improvements including a second tanker, quick-fill trailer, heavy tanker and station extensions.

He was also instrumental in rebuilding the brigade’s junior running team in the 2010s, personally coaching Sedgwick members who went on to become state champions.

Brendan continued volunteering despite battling illness, responding to incidents until just days before becoming bedridden. Beyond the fireground, he also contributed widely to local sporting and community organisations.

In recognition of his contribution and legacy, Sedgwick Fire Brigade recently placed Brendan’s name on one of the brigade’s fire trucks.

The Outstanding Service Medal is CFA’s highest internal honour and recognises prolonged service distinguished by exceptional performance and contribution to the organisation and community.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Property Crime Taskforce, Strike Force Trident, continues to relentlessly target recidivist offenders in the Greater Darwin Region.  

Trident Detectives in conjunction with General Duties officers, have attended and investigated a recent surge of incidents in the last four days and have made multiple arrests as a result including:

• The arrest of 9 offenders for stolen property and stolen motor vehicle-based offending; 
• The arrest of 11 offenders for serious violence offending; and 
• The arrest of 5 offenders for breach bail or other order breaches.

A number of stolen property items were also located and recovered, including vehicles, cash register tills, bikes, personal belongings, and a stolen trailer containing $50,000 dollars’ worth of speakers.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Christopher Humphries said investigations are ongoing into a number of the incidents and more arrests will be occurring.

“Strike Force Trident continues to proactively target property and violence offenders and urges residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police,” he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at Crime Stoppers NT.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Palmerston yesterday afternoon.

Around 3:45pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a robbery.

It is alleged that 10 minutes earlier, two teenage youths entered a minibus outside a shopping centre on Temple Terrace, threatened the male driver with an edged weapon before stealing his backpack containing cash and fleeing the scene.

The victim did not suffer any injuries, and the offenders and backpack remain outstanding.

Strike Force Trident is investigating and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000. Please quote reference P26149733.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

When a bushfire reached a planned burn area in Ross Creek State Forest in February 2024, the conditions on the ground helped make a huge difference

Prepared by DEECA

At approximately 11 pm on 13 February 2024, the familiar beep of a Vic Emergency app alert sounded for residents just west of Ballarat. A bushfire spread from private property into the Ross Creek State Forest, along Staffordshire Reef Road.

By 2 am the next morning the threat to communities was reduced, and by early the following day, the fire was contained.

The reason Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and CFA were able to control the blaze so quickly?

A multi-year planned burn operation along Careys Road, adjacent to the forest, that fire behaviour analysts from both FFMVic and CFA have been able to conclude reduced the fire’s intensity and helped halt its spread.

‘The fire ran into a planned burn area from 2023 and really dropped the intensity, basically stopping it in its tracks and enabling us to track the edge of the fire and round it up,’ said Sam Basham, FFMVic’s Manager of District Forest and Fire Planning in Ballarat.

Sam’s job is to oversee fuel management works in the Midlands District, including planned burning and mechanical fuel management like slashing and mowing.

He was one of the first on the ground at the Staffordshire Reef Road fire, witnessing embers spotting far ahead of the blaze and heading towards houses.

The Careys Road planned burn – part of a network of fuel reduction burns in Ross Creek State Forest – gave Sam and the crew a safe place to carry out a backburn.

Backburning involves lighting a new, independent fire along a designated control line – such as a road, track, or cleared break – ahead of an approaching fire front, removing fuel so that the fire has nothing left to burn.

‘The Careys Road burn is part of a broader strategy. We’ve got several burns in this location, and they all work together to create a barrier between the private property and the public and state forest interface.’

Assessing the impact

‘Following the fire, we reached out to our CFA counterparts, and our own investigators within FFMVic, to determine how much of a role this burn played in the fire’s containment,’ said Sam.

Musa Kilinic, a Predictive Services Specialist in Fire Risk at CFA, visited the fireground to assess the impact.

‘We looked at the fuels on the ground, as well as the weather patterns and fire spread forecast,’ he said.

A reconstruction of the fire by Musa and his team of scientists showed that the planned burn directly reduced the fire spread and intensity.

‘Most of the embers that landed in the planned burn area quickly self-extinguished – and that was directly related to the low fuel availability in the planned burn area.

‘If the planned burn hadn’t been done, the fire could’ve potentially spread several more hours, at rates anywhere between 100 and 300 metres per hour.

‘This means that the fire size ultimately could’ve been anywhere between 40 and 150 hectares greater than what actually occurred.’

Right across the state, planned burns like this one on Carey Road are part of a specialised bushfire risk reduction strategy that helps keep communities safe.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

When a bushfire reached a planned burn area in Ross Creek State Forest in February 2024, the conditions on the ground helped make a huge difference

Prepared by DEECA

At approximately 11 pm on 13 February 2024, the familiar beep of a Vic Emergency app alert sounded for residents just west of Ballarat. A bushfire spread from private property into the Ross Creek State Forest, along Staffordshire Reef Road.

By 2 am the next morning the threat to communities was reduced, and by early the following day, the fire was contained.

The reason Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and CFA were able to control the blaze so quickly?

A multi-year planned burn operation along Careys Road, adjacent to the forest, that fire behaviour analysts from both FFMVic and CFA have been able to conclude reduced the fire’s intensity and helped halt its spread.

‘The fire ran into a planned burn area from 2023 and really dropped the intensity, basically stopping it in its tracks and enabling us to track the edge of the fire and round it up,’ said Sam Basham, FFMVic’s Manager of District Forest and Fire Planning in Ballarat.

Sam’s job is to oversee fuel management works in the Midlands District, including planned burning and mechanical fuel management like slashing and mowing.

He was one of the first on the ground at the Staffordshire Reef Road fire, witnessing embers spotting far ahead of the blaze and heading towards houses.

The Careys Road planned burn – part of a network of fuel reduction burns in Ross Creek State Forest – gave Sam and the crew a safe place to carry out a backburn.

Backburning involves lighting a new, independent fire along a designated control line – such as a road, track, or cleared break – ahead of an approaching fire front, removing fuel so that the fire has nothing left to burn.

‘The Careys Road burn is part of a broader strategy. We’ve got several burns in this location, and they all work together to create a barrier between the private property and the public and state forest interface.’

Assessing the impact

‘Following the fire, we reached out to our CFA counterparts, and our own investigators within FFMVic, to determine how much of a role this burn played in the fire’s containment,’ said Sam.

Musa Kilinic, a Predictive Services Specialist in Fire Risk at CFA, visited the fireground to assess the impact.

‘We looked at the fuels on the ground, as well as the weather patterns and fire spread forecast,’ he said.

A reconstruction of the fire by Musa and his team of scientists showed that the planned burn directly reduced the fire spread and intensity.

‘Most of the embers that landed in the planned burn area quickly self-extinguished – and that was directly related to the low fuel availability in the planned burn area.

‘If the planned burn hadn’t been done, the fire could’ve potentially spread several more hours, at rates anywhere between 100 and 300 metres per hour.

‘This means that the fire size ultimately could’ve been anywhere between 40 and 150 hectares greater than what actually occurred.’

Right across the state, planned burns like this one on Carey Road are part of a specialised bushfire risk reduction strategy that helps keep communities safe.

Submitted by	CFA media

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.