Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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A group of brigades in the outer suburbs of Melbourne are ready for the fire season ahead with four new tankers and a newly renovated station at Chirnside Park.

The Basin, Olinda and South Warrandyte brigades officially received their new heavy tankers at an event on Sunday 15 June, while Chirnside Park received a medium tanker along with their station refurbishment.

Chirnside Park was originally built in 2004 as a satellite station of Lilydale, it became a standalone brigade in 2015.

The renovations provide a new multi-purpose room and kitchen as well as a new workshop, entry and turnout area. Further alterations include upgraded bathrooms, breathing apparatus maintenance, a drying room and two new offices.

Chirnside Park Captain Ben Cash said the renovated station will assist with growing membership numbers and will improve their ability to respond to emergencies.

“The extension also gives us increased room to expand our training and improve the skillset of our dedicated members,” Ben said.

“The renovation comes at a time when our station is celebrating 10 years as a standalone brigade which is a great way to round off the decade.”

Chirnside Park also received a new medium tanker, further boosting their service to the area.

The medium tanker is equipped with a 2,500 litre water capacity that allows for rapid and controlled suppression of fires directly from the vehicle.

“This new tanker is a great asset for us, it is four-wheel drive and comfortably seats a crew of five,” Ben said.

“Our previous medium tanker served us well but this new tanker provides double the pumping ability which is more beneficial for our growing urban population.

“The new tanker has already been in good use, responding to the Montrose fire earlier this year.”

Deputy Chief Officer Gavin Thompson said the renovated station and four new tankers are welcomed resources for the region.

“The four tankers have state-of-the-art features and will be well utilised in their new homes,” Gavin said.

“The heavy tanker holds 4,000 litres of water, has automatic transmission, four-wheel drive and crew cab to provide firefighters with greater on and off-road capability, safety and comfort. 

“It also features improved firefighter operator interface and features to reduce fatigue and improve safety and ergonomics, including crew protection systems, electronic monitors, and electric rewind hose reels. 

“Each brigade will greatly benefit from their new trucks and Chirnside Park’s 37 members will also enjoy their refurbished station for many years to come.”

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man in custody on firearms charges

Monday, 16 June 2025 – 11:35 am.

A 28-year-old man is in custody facing several charges after an incident in Hobart on Sunday afternoon in which police allege he threatened a person with a firearm at a city hotel and attempted to dispose of two additional firearms in the CBD, while trying to outrun officers.
A quick police response is being credited with the Hobart man’s timely arrest, without incident, in the Liverpool Street area when uniform police officers successfully chased him down on foot.
Following the man’s arrest, a search was conducted of a property in Campbell Street, Hobart, where police seized another firearm and ammunition. In total, four firearms (including a stolen firearm), a quantity of ammunition and prescription medication have been seized.
The man from will appear in Hobart Magistrates Court today charged with:
• Aggravated assault
• Possession of a stolen firearm
• Possess a firearm when not the holder of a firearm licence of the appropriate category
• Possess a firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued
• Possess ammunition when not the holder of the appropriate firearm licence
• Possess a controlled drug. (minor offence)
• Possess thing used for administration of controlled drug. (minor offence)
Anyone that may have witnessed the incident, or may have information that can assist police can call 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Australian National Party

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man arrested following Hawks v Crows Match at UTAS Stadium

Saturday, 14 June 2025 – 9:15 am.

A 42-year-old man from Launceston was arrested following an incident at UTAS Stadium on Friday night.
Shortly after the final siren of the AFL match, the man entered the playing surface, disrupting post-match activities while players and umpires were leaving the ground. Security personnel swiftly intervened, but during the incident, two security guards were assaulted.
Police attended and arrested the man, who appeared to be intoxicated.
No injuries were reported. The man was charged with trespass, assault and disorderly conduct, and will appear in court at a later date.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Serious Crash at Pages Road, Moorleah

Sunday, 15 June 2025 – 4:06 pm.

Emergency Services were contacted at 11:37pm on 14 June 2025 regarding a serious traffic crash on Pages Road, Moorleah near the intersection of Cryans Road.
The vehicle, a grey 2004 Holden Calais sedan, was travelling east, has left the road and then hit trees. The occupants of the vehicle were a 44-year-old man (driver), a 26-year-old woman and a 10-year-old child. The female passenger was transported to the North-West Regional Hospital by ambulance and then flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital via helicopter in a serious condition with head injuries. The male driver and child were uninjured. It is not believed there were any other vehicles involved in the crash.
The crash is under investigation by Western Crash Investigation Services. Anyone with information, or relevant dash cam footage, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.
Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

Stronger, mandatory child safety measures have been signed off by every Australian Education Minister to strengthen child safety in early childhood education and care services.

This forms part of the significant progress that has already been made since the release of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework.

In July 2024, a new National Code and Guidelines were released that recommended only service-issued devices can be used when photographing and filming children.

From 1 September 2025, further key changes include:

• Mandatory 24 hour reporting of any allegations, complaints or incidents of physical or sexual abuse – down from the current 7 day window
• A ban on vapes in all early education and care services
• Stronger protections around digital technology use, with services required to have clear policies on taking photos and videos of children, parent consent, CCTV practice and using service-issued devices.

Child safety will also be explicitly embedded into the National Quality Standard from 1 January 2026.

ACECQA will issue new guidance and resource materials to support the early education sector implement these changes.

These changes are in addition to the further reforms flagged by the Albanese Labor Government in March this year to crack down on unscrupulous early childhood education and care providers and strengthen integrity across the care economy.

These include measures to:

• Prevent providers who persistently fail to meet minimum standards and repetitively breach the National Law from opening new Child Care Subsidy approved services.
• Take compliance action against existing providers with egregious and continued breaches, including the option to cut off access to Child Care Subsidy funding where appropriate.
• Strengthen powers to deal with providers that pose an integrity risk.

Education Ministers will meet next week to consider additional actions to strengthen child safety in education and care services.

Quotes attributed to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“The safety and protection of children in early childhood education is our highest priority.

“Australia has a very good system of early childhood education and care, but more can be done to make sure safety guidance and measures are fit-for-purpose.

“That’s why Education Ministers are acting on this key recommendation to make sure the right rules are in place to keep our children safe while they are in early education and care.”

Quotes attributed to Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Jess Walsh:

“Children’s health and safety is paramount at early childhood centres, and these changes will help to ensure that we continue to provide that assurance.

“The Australian Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that children have a positive, rewarding and safe early education experience to get the best possible start in life.”

Quotes attributed to ACT Minister for Education and Early Childhood Yvette Berry:

“The safety and wellbeing of children in early childhood education is our highest priority.  Access to quality early childhood education sets children up for lifelong learning and success.

“Valuing children and investing in their learning and development requires us also to value and invest in the early childhood workforce.

“I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Commonwealth, to strengthen the National Quality Framework.”

Quotes attributed to Victorian Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn:

“The safety and wellbeing of children is our highest priority – and here in Victoria we work every day to make sure they are safe, supported and ready to thrive.

“We welcome these new changes, and we’ll continue to work with the Commonwealth, states and territories to review and improve safety for all children.”

Quotes attributed to acting NSW Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos:

“These measures are an important first step. While we work with our colleagues on a national approach, the national law allows states to cater to their own needs.

“NSW welcomes these measures and looks forward to providing additional measures in response to our most recent review.”

Quotes attributed to Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek:

“We must all be persistent in our efforts to strengthen safety measures at childhood education and care services.

“These changes are a step in the right direction, and I welcome this national approach which will ensure Queensland kids are better protected while providing consistency across all states and territories.”

Quotes attributed to Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training and Minister for Early Education Jo Hersey:

“The Northern Territory Government welcomes the Child Safety Review, particularly its focus on strengthening supervision and improving the physical environment to keep children safe.

“As part of our commitment to addressing the root causes of crime, we recognise that safeguarding children is fundamental to long-term community safety.”

Quotes attributed to Western Australia Minister for Education; Early Childhood Sabine Winton:

“The Cook Labor Government is committed to ensuring the safety of children who attend early childhood education and care services in Western Australia.

“I know there are incredible early learning centres and early childhood educators that help children learn and thrive each and every day.

“I look forward to working alongside the Albanese Labor Government to further strengthen child safety in early childhood education services, to ensure children have the best possible start to life.”

Quotes attributed to South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer:

“I’m pleased to see all states and territories working together to strengthen the regulations around education and care services to ensure children are safe no matter where the live. 

“The Malinauskas Labor Government recently provided an extra $7 million to the Education Standards Board to increase and improve regulatory services. This has seen a 63 per cent increase on the previous year in the number of service visits.

“I look forward to meeting with my colleagues next week to discuss in more detail how we can ensure we as state and federal governments are doing everything we can to provide safe and secure environments for our youngest Australians.”

For more information

NQF changes information sheet

Review of Child Safety Arrangements under the National Quality Framework

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in the Katherine region yesterday afternoon.

Around 3:40pm, police received reports of a single vehicle collision on the Buntine Highway, approximately 45 kilometres south of the Victoria Highway intersection.

The 46-year-old male driver and sole vehicle occupant was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A report will be prepared for the NT Coroner. 

Police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25160362.

The number of lives lost on Territory roads now stands at 19.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services