Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today the Albanese Government is releasing draft legislation on reforms to boost the superannuation savings of low‑income workers and make superannuation tax concessions fairer and more sustainable.

We’re boosting the Low‑Income Superannuation Tax Offset and making a number of important changes to better target superannuation concessions for large balances.

This is all about helping workers earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more at the same time as we strengthen our superannuation system.

The measure we’re consulting on from today reduces the tax concessions available to individuals whose total superannuation balance exceeds $3 million.

The amendments maintain the concessional treatment of superannuation and makes superannuation tax concessions more targeted for those with large balances.

The draft legislation introduces a second threshold of $10 million to make superannuation tax concessions even more targeted, and indexes the large balance thresholds of $3 million and $10 million. These changes will apply to realised earnings from 1 July 2026.

These changes are consistent with the objective of superannuation, to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.

The Albanese Government is also boosting the superannuation savings of more than a million low‑income workers through changes to the Low‑Income Superannuation Tax Offset (LISTO) that ensure they receive a fairer tax concession on their superannuation contributions.

The release of the draft legislation follows Treasury’s targeted consultations with the sector and reflects the Government’s intention of introducing the legislation as soon as possible in 2026.

The Government welcomes feedback from stakeholders on the draft legislation and explanatory materials.

Consultation closes on 16 January 2026.

Our economic plan is all about helping Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more while boosting living standards and modernising our economy, and our improvements to super are an important part of that.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC will not oppose Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Coles Group Limited (ASX: COL) acquiring leasehold interests to establish new supermarkets in Victoria at Mt Atkinson Major Town Centre and Deanside Central Town Centre, subject to an undertaking.

The court-enforceable undertaking accepted by the ACCC requires Coles to divest its ownership and interest in a site at the nearby Kororoit Town Centre.

The two proposed acquisitions combined with Coles’ interest in the Kororoit site would have meant consumers would have limited choice beyond Coles supermarkets in the relevant local area.

Mt Atkinson, Deanside and Kororoit are all areas close to each other, in the Melton Growth Corridor, northwest of Melbourne. Each of the relevant Coles sites in these areas is suitable for large format supermarkets.

The ACCC had concerns the proposed acquisitions would have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in the retail supply of groceries and household products within the local markets of each of Deanside Central and Mt Atkinson.

Coles has undertaken to divest the Kororoit site to Neale Deanside Developments Pty Ltd, trading as Oreana, so that it will be available for a competitor to enter the local area. The ACCC has approved this purchaser.

“Without the divestiture undertaking, the proposed acquisitions would have given Coles three supermarkets within close proximity to each other, in local areas with few alternative sites suitable for supermarkets and few existing competitors,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“In an area in which Coles already had a significant supermarket presence, we were concerned Coles would control most of the sites suitable for large format supermarkets within 5km of the target sites.”

The ACCC was concerned that the proposed acquisitions would significantly increase barriers to entry and expansion for rival supermarkets to enter the relevant local markets.

The ACCC concluded that, absent the divestiture undertaking, the proposed acquisitions would substantially lessen the overall competition in the supply of groceries in the local areas and the broader Melton growth corridor.

“The divestiture ensures that the Kororoit site is available to a rival supermarket operator. It’s important that residents of these new suburbs don’t suffer from a lack of supermarket competition, as we observed for many established suburbs around Australia in the ACCC’s recent Supermarkets Inquiry,” Mr Keogh said.

More information is available on the ACCC’s public register at Coles – proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest at Mt Atkinson Major Town Centre and Coles – proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest at Deanside Central Town Centre .

Background

Coles operates more than 800 supermarkets nationwide. Coles’ large-format stores typically offer standard grocery items, as well as a full-service bakery and deli service. Coles also operates smaller format ‘Coles Local’ supermarkets with a smaller range of grocery items. Coles operates an online grocery shopping and delivery platform named ‘Coles Online’, which allows customers to shop for groceries with either home delivery options or pick up from ‘Click&Collect’ locations at existing Coles stores. Coles Group Property Developments Limited (CGPD) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coles and was established to support Coles’ development operations.

Neale Deanside Developments Pty Ltd, trading as Oreana, is the lessor for the Deanside Central Town Centre located in Deanside, Victoria. Oreana is also a privately-owned Australian property development, construction and investment group.

Mensch Investments No. 3 Partnership is the landholder and developer for the Mount Atkinson Major Town Centre located in Mt Atkinson, Victoria.

The sites at Deanside Central and Mt Atkinson are approximately 3.5km apart and are both located in an area undergoing significant development, known as the ‘Melton Growth Corridor’.

On 17 April 2025, CGPD and Coles entered into a sale agreement and an agreement for lease with Oreana, pursuant to which CGPD would transfer its freehold interest in the Kororoit site to Oreana and CSA would take a leaseback of a developed supermarket at the site.  

The undertaking to divest the site at Kororoit ensures that CGPD divests the site to Oreana by no later than 31 July 2026 and CSA terminates the Agreement for Lease with Oreana.

ACCC Supermarkets Inquiry   

On 21 March 2025, the ACCC published the Supermarkets Inquiry final report. In it the ACCC made a number of findings relevant to how it will assess supermarket acquisitions, including under the mandatory merger regime commencing 1 January 2026, including acquisitions of land. The Inquiry noted that the supermarket industry is highly concentrated with Coles and Woolworths accounting for approximately 67% of share of supply in Australia. The ACCC also found the availability of suitable sites for supermarket retailers is a likely impacted by planning and zoning laws and Coles and Woolworths have advantages over other retailers in securing such sites.

Local area maps

Figure 1 and Figure 2 below provide maps of the local areas around the Deanside Central and Mt Atkinson sites. The maps show existing and prospective medium and large format supermarket sites from public information.  

Figure 1: Deanside Central local area map

Figure 2: Mt Atkinson local area map

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Healthy Loddon Campaspe has released a preliminary finding from the 2025 Active Living Census (ALC), highlighting a concerning increase in food insecurity across the Loddon Campaspe region.

The latest data shows that 18% of residents in the region are experiencing low or very low food security, meaning they have faced challenges in accessing enough nutritious food over the past 12 months. This figure has almost doubled since 2019, when 9.2% of residents reported low or very low food insecurity.

The 2025 ALC included a more comprehensive set of questions on food security than previous surveys that provides a richer understanding of the issue within the Loddon Campaspe region.

Respondents were asked about experiences such as worrying food would run out, being unable to afford balanced meals, and reducing meal size or skipping meals due to financial constraints.

Healthy Loddon Campaspe spokesperson, Jess Howard said the findings are particularly relevant as the festive season approaches.

“Food insecurity is a growing issue in our region, and this time of year can be especially challenging for families and individuals,” Ms Howard said.

“Everyone in the community has the right to access sufficient healthy, affordable food to support their health and wellbeing. These early findings give us a clearer picture of the scale of the problem and will help inform future planning and action.

“In-depth, locally relevant data like that we receive from the Active Living Census is something most regions don’t have access to. It provides a unique opportunity to make evidence-based decisions, advocate for resources, and design programs that respond directly to local needs. This is critical for tackling complex issues like food insecurity.

“The early finding highlights that food insecurity is more commonly reported among certain community groups, including females, young adults, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people who identify as neurodivergent.

“It is also more prevalent among those with lower levels of education, people experiencing financial hardship, and individuals requiring help with daily activities. Residents reporting poor mental wellbeing, poor self-rated health, current smokers and vapers, and those not meeting recommended sleep or screen time guidelines, were also more likely to experience food insecurity.”

Bendigo Foodshare CEO, Michelle Murphy said the data reflects what their 98 local food relief agencies are seeing on the ground.

“We continue to see increased demand for food relief across Central Victoria. Rising living costs mean more people are struggling to put food on the table,” Ms Murphy said.

“This data reinforces the need for strong partnerships and community support to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. It also reinforces the importance of prevention programs such as Bendigo Foodshare’s cooking and growing programs that work to build capacity in disadvantaged communities, and particularly for young people from diverse communities.”

Healthy Loddon Campaspe and other local organisations are also supporting food relief efforts and working together to address food insecurity within the region in a number of ways including local food relief programs, and community lunches, and via strategies like the Flourish Regional Food System Framework.

While this early release provides a regional snapshot, detailed findings broken down by local government area will be available in the first half of 2026.

The Active Living Census is a key part of the Healthy Loddon Campaspe initiative, which aims to improve health outcomes across the Loddon Campaspe region.

The full set of findings from the 2025 ALC will be released in 2026.

For more information about the 2025 Active Living Census, visit:

Source: Resmed Inc

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Resmed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) today announced Mick Farrell, chairman and chief executive officer, and Dr. Carlos Nunez, chief medical officer, will present at the 44^th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Monday, January 12, 2026, beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time) in San Francisco, CA.

More information about this event, including access to the live, audio-only webcast, may be accessed by visiting https://investor.resmed.com. The audio-only webcast replay will be available approximately 24 hours after the live webcast ends and will be accessible for the following thirty (30) days.

About Resmed
Resmed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) creates life-changing health technologies that people love. We’re relentlessly committed to pioneering innovative technology to empower millions of people in 140 countries to live happier, healthier lives. Our AI-powered digital health solutions, cloud-connected devices and intelligent software make home healthcare more personalized, accessible and effective. Ultimately, Resmed envisions a world where every person can achieve their full potential through better sleep and breathing, with care delivered in their own home. Learn more about how we’re redefining sleep health at Resmed.com and follow @Resmed.

Source: Resmed, Inc.

Released December 18, 2025

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The National Anti-Scam Centre is urging Australians to check twice when shopping, gifting or travelling, as scammers know Australians will be caught up in the rush of the holiday season.  

The National Anti-Scam Centre expects criminals to try to capitalise on the holiday season through shopping and delivery scams; scratchie and prize scams; and travel, and gambling scams.

Take care when searching for Christmas gifts and Boxing Day sales bargains online and be on alert for fake retail sites designed to mimic well-known brands and fraudulent sellers on social media and online marketplaces. Knowing Australians will be sending and receiving gifts, scammers issue emails or texts about missed deliveries or unpaid fees, directing people to websites created to harvest card details.

We are seeing the resurgence of ‘hard copy’ scams. Financial losses to scratching scams have increased, with scammers exploiting cost of living pressures by promoting fake travel giveaways, instant prizes and low cost ‘wins’ that promise discounted holidays. Scammers send out fake scratch-off cards that promise a prize, on the condition that the ‘winner’ pays a fee. People have reported to Scamwatch of receiving these scams addressed to them through registered post.

“We strongly encourage people to stop, check and protect before paying for things or providing personal information,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Scammers know that people are busy, distracted and spending more money at this time of year. They use messages that look routine or urgent because they know people are trying to stay organised.”

_{Example of a scratchie scam sent to people through registered post.}

With many households preparing to drive interstate for the summer holidays, the National Anti-Scam Centre is also bracing for a possible increase in road toll scams. The messages in toll scams often state there is an overdue toll payment and push people to use a link that appears official.

As many Australians enjoy spare time over Christmas and the New Year, the National Anti-Scam Centre urges people to be wary of online gambling scams, known as ‘scambling’. This emerging scam type involves scammers creating unlicensed gambling apps and websites that appear legitimate. They allow people to deposit or transfer money but then refuse to pay out any ‘winnings’. In some cases, people may be unknowingly involved in money laundering.

Australians made 21,255 reports of online shopping scams to the National Anti-Scam Centre’s Scamwatch service between January and October 2025. During the same period, Scamwatch received 5,690 reports of parcel delivery scams, 884 toll scams, 2,514 travel, prizes and lottery scams, including 314 reports of scratchie scams, and 273 reports of gambling scams.

More people lose money to shopping scams than any other scam type with $9.4 million in reported losses between January and October this year. Of the reports to Scamwatch, the shopping products with the most reported losses were vehicles, shipping containers, concert and sporting tickets, pets, and clothes.  

In this same period, there were $88,440 reported losses to parcel delivery scams, $8,392 losses to road toll scams, $842,677 to travel, prize, and lottery scams – including $201,343 to scratchie scams – and $2 million in reported losses to online gambling scams.

“We ask people to please share scam prevention information and warnings with friends and family,” Ms Lowe said. 

“As scammers ramp up their efforts over the holiday season, we also encourage people to report to Scamwatch. Every report, no matter how small, helps us build our intelligence to disrupt criminal networks, track scam activity, and protect the community.”

The Scamwatch website has resources for people to provide support to loved ones who may be targeted by scammers, including red flag signs, conversation starters and the manipulation tactics deployed by scammers.

The National Anti-Scam Centre’s holiday season checklist:

• Treat unexpected messages with caution. Toll operators, courier services and government agencies will not demand urgent payment through a text message link.
• Visit the official website or app directly rather than clicking any link.
• For interstate travel, check your toll account through your provider’s verified app or website to confirm if anything is outstanding.
• For parcel deliveries, use tracking numbers only through the official website of the courier you are expecting a parcel from.
• For online shopping, buy only from trusted retailers and be cautious of products promoted with unusually low prices or limited-time social media ads.
• For scratching promotions, be wary of offers promising holidays, high-value prizes or guaranteed wins. Check whether the promotion is run by a ‘licensed lottery operator’ in your state.
• Don’t pay a fee to collect winnings or a prize. Legitimate lotteries don’t ask you to do this.
• If a friend or family member sends you a message about a prize on social media, check with them outside of social media that they sent it.
• Never share personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited message.
• Use multi-factor authentication on your accounts and ensure your device software is up to date.
• Online gambling providers must be licensed to operate in Australia. If an app or website doesn’t exist on the ACMA’s register of licensed interactive gambling providers, it’s an illegal operation.
• Australians are urged to independently check that an organisation or charity offering financial assistance is real and never provide personal identifying information through social media or email. To confirm you’re dealing with a real charity, check the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission charity register.

Learn how to Stop. Check. Protect. To stay safe from scams:

STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.

What to do:

• Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages
• Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests
• Don’t let anyone pressure you into immediate action
• Trust your instincts if something feels wrong

CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.

What to do:

• Contact the person or organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app
• Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources like ASIC
• Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals

PROTECT. Act quickly it something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers.

What to do:

• Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve lost money or shared financial details
• Contact IDCARE (www.idcare.org or call 1800 595 160) if you want support to recover – they can help you create a plan to the limit damage of scams
• Report to Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au)  to help protect others
• Report to police (www.cyber.gov.au)
• Change passwords and security details if you think they’ve been compromised
• Monitor your bank statements and credit reports for unusual activity
• Report the scam to the impersonated organisation and platform where the scam is happening
• Being scammed can feel overwhelming. Support is available at Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NT Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an assault that occurred at the Darwin Bus Interchange last week.

On Wednesday 10 December 2025, CCTV of the Darwin Bus Interchange captured an alleged physical and sexual assault of a female by a male offender. Following the initial report, and over the proceeding days, the victim and offender were identified by police and were found to be known to each other.

On Wednesday 17 December 2025, police from the Northern Domestic Violence Investigation Unit arrested the 56-year-old male. He has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault and gross indecency without consent, and has been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court at a later date.

Detective Senior Sergeant Caragh Hen said, “Investigators from the Northern Domestic Violence Investigation Unit are appalled at the nature of the offending which occurred in daylight hours in an area that was busy with vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

“Anyone who was at the Darwin Bus Interchange on Harry Chan Avenue between 3:15pm and 9:30pm who has information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference NTP2500122815.

“Any electronic recordings such as CCTV, mobile phone recordings or dash cam footage – can be uploaded here: https://ntpol.au.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/ntp2500122815.

“Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.”

Confidential support is available through services such as 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two males in relation to an attempted robbery that occurred in Darwin early this morning.

At around 3:50am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a 41-year-old male had been the victim of an attempted robbery on Cavanagh Street in Darwin City.

It is alleged five offenders exited a white Ford Ranger and assaulted the victim with a brick and unsuccessfully attempted to steal jewellery from him before fleeing in the Ranger. The victim suffered minor injuries.

A short time later, the offenders were sighted by police CCTV operators approaching a sleeping male on Peel Street and allegedly stealing from him. They subsequently attended a service station in Fanny Bay, before leaving the scene in the Ranger.

Members from Strike Force Trident, the Dog Operations Unit and general duties responded, and a pursuit of the stolen motor vehicle was initiated after it was sighted on Dick Ward Drive.

The vehicle was brought to a stop after the successful deployment of tyre deflation devices and two males aged 15 and 24 were arrested.

The remaining three offenders are outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25342026. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Please note: Footage is available upon media request.

Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA

In The Australian, AREEA Steve Knott AM says the Federal Court has effectively extended the rights of delegates to communicate with contractors and labour hire employees at the employer’s expense, whether they are union members or not. The decision blurs the long-standing distinction between union officials and workplace delegates and creates serious risks for workplace productivity and stability.

Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA

In The West Australian, AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM says today’s Full Federal Court decision has re-enlivened the issue of significantly expanded powers for workplace delegates under the Fair Work Act, creating unprecedented new powers for unions and risks turning employees into de-facto union organisers.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Issued on
18 Dec 2025 14:30

Issued for
East Terrace, near Callington in the Murraylands.

Warning level
Advice – Stay Informed

Action
CFS is responding to a fire in the area of East Terrace and Old Princes Highway in Callington .

If you are in this area, stay informed and monitor local conditions. More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.