Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC will not oppose Allianz Australia Insurance Limited’s proposed acquisition of the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia’s personal insurance business (RAAI).

Allianz and RAAI both supply home and contents insurance and motor insurance products in South Australia.

“Our investigation focused on the closeness of competition between RAAI and Allianz and the extent to which other insurers are competing effectively to supply insurance to South Australians,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.

“We also considered how competitive RAAI is now and is likely to be in the future without being acquired by Allianz. The likely impact of the acquisition on insurance prices, coverage and service offerings were all carefully considered.”

The ACCC found that other suppliers will continue to compete with, and constrain, a merged Allianz and RAAI after the acquisition, making the transaction unlikely to substantially lessen competition.

“As well as being the two largest insurers in Australia, Suncorp and IAG also have a significant presence in South Australia. As such, both are likely to compete effectively against Allianz in South Australia even after it has purchased RAAI,” Dr Williams said.

“Mid-tier insurers Auto & General (Budget Direct) and Youi are also growing their market share nationally and will continue to compete on price in South Australia.”

“While RAAI has a strong brand reputation associated with its motoring club and membership offering, we found that competition in relation to price and coverage in South Australia is being driven predominantly by other insurers, including Suncorp through its AAMI brand, IAG, Auto & General and Youi,” Dr Williams said.

The ACCC also considered how the growing challenges facing the insurance industry are affecting RAAI, with a particular focus on the increasing numbers of extreme weather events and rising reinsurance and regulatory costs.

The ACCC’s investigation found evidence that RAAI is facing specific challenges meaning that it is likely to be less competitive than it has been in recent years.

The ACCC also considered the impact of the proposed acquisition on markets for the acquisition of smash repair services, windscreen repair and replacement services, and building repair services in South Australia.

The ACCC found that the proposed acquisition is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in these markets as Allianz is unlikely to have the ability to diminish prices or supply terms 2 after the acquisition due to its position in the market relative to other insurers and acquirers of these services.

The ACCC will also shortly be considering IAG’s proposed acquisition of RAC Insurance from RAC WA. This decision in relation to Allianz and RAAI should not be treated as being indicative of the ACCC’s decision for that transaction. The competitive dynamics and issues in each transaction are unique and the ACCC is considering each transaction individually.

Further information can be found on the ACCC’s public register: Allianz Australia Limited – RAA Insurance Holdings Limited.

Background

Allianz Group is a global insurance service provider that offers a range of insurance products to customers in Australia. Allianz distributes personal insurance products (including home and contents insurance and motor insurance) directly to customers under the Allianz and TIO brands.

Allianz also underwrites insurance products and distributes it through agreements with third party brands, including Westpac, BankSA, St George Bank, HSBC, NAB, Aussie, Newcastle Permanent, RAMS, and Catholic Church Insurance.

The Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA) is a South Australian based, member-owned organisation that offers roadside assistance products, personal insurance products, and other ancillary services to its members.

RAAI is a subsidiary of RAA and underwrites home and contents insurance and motor insurance products and distributes them directly through the RAA network via call centres, physical branches (all of which are in South Australia), and the RAA website.

RAAI’s insurance products are only available in South Australia. The proposed acquisition does not include RAA’s membership-based business, which includes its roadside assistance business.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Council extends its sincere thanks to the local community for their valuable input on two key milestone documents, the proposed Council Plan Mir wimbul  2025–2029 and the Budget 2025/2026.

Shaped by community priorities through extensive public engagement, these documents will be considered for adoption at the next Council Meeting on Monday June 16, starting at 6pm.

For the first time, the proposed Council Plan and Budget have been developed and planned together, ensuring a strong alignment between strategic goals and the resources required to achieve them.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said this combined approach marked a significant step forward in addressing both current and future community needs.

“Developing the proposed Council Plan and Budget at the same time has ensured that our strategic goals are directly supported by the projects and initiatives we’re funding,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The proposed Council Plan sets our direction for the next four years and includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan. We’re focused on creating a welcoming community and a healthy environment that supports people to thrive. It reinforces the City’s commitment to improving health outcomes in partnership with local health organisations.”

The proposed Budget 2025/2026 outlines key priorities for the coming year, supported by an annual action plan to ensure efficient and sustainable delivery of services.

Cr Metcalf acknowledged the extensive community engagement that helped to shape both documents.

“These milestone plans would not have been possible without the input of hundreds of community members, partner organisations, and Traditional Owner organisations. Councillors sincerely thank everyone who contributed their time, ideas, and experiences.”

The planning process included:

• A wide number of community focus groups and meetings with Traditional Owner organisations, key partners, local groups, and businesses
• Two community-wide surveys with over 500 responses
• A 42-person deliberative community panel held over a weekend in March that was selected from over 200 registrants, representing diverse genders, abilities, and cultural backgrounds, including First Nations community members

“The community deliberative panel met over three days to provide guidance to Councillors, helping shape ideas that reflect the community’s voice and the Council Plan’s vision. Based on this and earlier community feedback, people told us they want Greater Bendigo to be responsible, healthy, thriving and welcoming,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Community members recognise that Greater Bendigo is experiencing both the benefits and challenges of growth. We’re working hard to advocate for more housing and better facilities to support our expanding population.

“Top priorities identified through community engagement include roads, public and active transport, waste management, and parks and trails. The community understands the importance of creating healthy, liveable places and spaces.”

In addition to the Council Plan and Budget, a proposed Rating and Revenue Plan 2025-2029 and proposed Financial Plan 2025-2035 will also be considered for adoption at the June 16 meeting.

The Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/2029 explains how the City will raise funds to pay for services, facilities and infrastructure. This includes finding the most appropriate and affordable rates approach for Greater Bendigo’s residents and businesses. In response to the introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund in July, the City’s 2025/2026 Budget proposes to reduce the rate in the dollar for the farm rate and not increase waste charges for all ratepayers in the new financial year.

The Financial Plan sets out how the City plans to fund the delivery of services to the community in an efficient and sustainable way. The City uses a financial model to forecast and monitor a 10-year financially sustainable projection of how it plans to fund the actions in the Council Plan. 

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Jayco Corporation Pty Ltd (Jayco), Australia’s largest caravan and recreational vehicle manufacturer, for making allegedly misleading representations when advertising certain models of its RVs in ‘off road’ conditions.

The ACCC alleges that since January 2020, Jayco engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations to consumers by representing that its Outback, All Terrain and CrossTrak RVs were designed for use off-road and/or on four-wheel drive (4WD) only tracks when, in fact, they are not.

“We allege Jayco misled consumers by advertising the RVs in terrain in which they were not designed to be used and were not covered by its warranty,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“When a product is depicted in advertisements in a particular setting, or claims are made about it, consumers have a right to expect such images and words reflect the intended use of the product.”

The ACCC alleges Jayco’s advertising depicted the RVs in various off-road conditions, including on unsealed or rocky roads with significant rutting or undulations, sand or beaches, water crossings, 4WD only tracks or specified locations that are only accessible by 4WD only tracks.

In fact, the ACCC alleges the RVs were not designed for use off-road, on 4WD only tracks, or in the off-road conditions shown in its advertisements. In particular, as described in Jayco’s warranty, the RVs were not designed for use or towing on 4WD only tracks, terrain with hard impacts, heavy landings or rutted roads or tracks.

The ACCC also alleges that Jayco did not disclose, or adequately disclose, in its promotional materials that the relevant RVs were not designed for use off-road and/or on 4WD only tracks, and that the warranty for the relevant RVs would not cover such use.

Separately, the ACCC alleges Jayco made misrepresentations that its ‘All Terrain’ RVs were designed for use on all types of terrain, when in fact the All Terrain RV was not designed for use on terrain with hard impacts, heavy landings, rutted roads, tight undulating tracks or roads or 4WD only tracks, and therefore was not designed for use on all types of terrain.

The ACCC’s case concerns Jayco’s promotion of its RVs on its own website, social media profiles, brochures, and point of sale advertising, including at 4WD and trade shows.

Example of Jayco advertising – Instagram post depicting an Outback RV being towed by a 4WD vehicle through “Kinkuna National Park”, which is only accessible by 4WD vehicles

Jayco Facebook post and embedded video, depicting a CrossTrak RV being towed behind a 4WD vehicle through a range of off-road conditions including water crossings.

In addition to the images described above, Jayco also used references to “4WD” or “off-road” in its advertisements, as well as statements such as:

• “purpose-built off-road hybrid RV”;
• “built with off-road travel at the forefront”;
• “can tackle just about any terrain”;
• “designed specifically for off-road adventures”;
• “our toughest off-roader, purpose-built to tackle the tough Australian terrain”;
• “purposely made to take the road less travelled”; and
• “All Terrain”.

“We are concerned that consumers were deprived of the ability to make informed purchasing decisions which might have led them to buy a different RV that was more suitable for their needs,” Mr Keogh said.

“RVs are a significant purchase for consumers, and as a result of Jayco’s ads, consumers may have paid a premium over and above the cost of other standard model RVs based on the alleged misrepresentation that they could be used ‘off road’.”

The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, injunctions, compliance and publication orders, and costs.

Background

Jayco is the largest manufacturer of RVs in Australia and sells its vehicles through 29 dealerships across Australia. It promotes and supplies numerous RVs to Australian consumers and typically groups them in ranges. During the relevant period, these included Jayco’s ‘Outback’ and ‘Adventure’ ranges.

The Adventure range included the CrossTrak and All Terrain models, and the Outback range comprised standard model RVs that had been modified with an “Outback upgrade” Jayco promotes the upgrade as providing higher ground clearance, added strength, and upgraded suspension and wheels. The Outback upgrade is an additional cost above a standard model RV.

The Outback, CrossTrak and All Terrain RVs ranged in price from approximately $19,000 to $113,000 during the relevant period, depending on the model and options.

In May 2021, Jayco was ordered to pay a $75,000 penalty for making a false or misleading representation to a consumer about their consumer guarantee rights, after the Court dismissed other allegations in a case brought by the ACCC in November 2017.

In July 2022, following a survey of consumers and suppliers, the ACCC published the New caravan retailing report, which highlighted some areas of concern the ACCC had identified in the caravans industry.

Concise statement 

This document contains the ACCC’s initiating court document in relation to this matter. We will not be uploading further documents in the event these initial documents are subsequently amended.

Concise Statement ACCC vs Jayco ( PDF 8.27 MB )

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Four people charged with aggravated assault and firearms related offences

Thursday, 12 June 2025 – 9:02 am.

As part of an ongoing investigation following a disturbance between people known to each other on 7 June at Gagebrook, police conducted several searches yesterday and charged four people.  
During coordinated searches at a residence in Moonah and another in Bridgewater, police located and seized a number of items including a large quantity of ammunition, homemade firearms, firearm parts, imitation firearms, illicit drugs, a taser and multiple electronic communication devices.
Police charged four people with several offences including aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, and multiple firearms related offences. 
The 45-year-old man from Moonah, 26-year-old man from Bridgewater, 22-year-old man from Gagebrook, and 18-year-old man from Bridgewater charged were detained to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court today.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

What is a MCS

The member contributions statement (MCS) is an annual statement used for the 2017–18 and prior years to report:

• contributions you received for each member during the financial year
• the balance and other attributes of the account they held in the fund.

The MCS for the 2017–18 financial year was due 31 October 2018.

Amendments to information reported on the MCS in the 2017–18 financial year and prior years should be done using Online services for business.

For detailed information to how to complete the MCS for 2017–18 and prior years, see Member contributions statement protocolExternal Link.

From 2018-19, the MCS has been replaced by the Member Account Attributes Service (MAAS) and the Member Account Transaction Service (MATS). For more information, see Fund reporting protocol.

How we use the MCS for 2017–18 and prior years

We use the MCS for 2017–18 and prior years to:

• display information online to help members understand, manage and consolidate their super accounts
• calculate the super co-contribution, low income super contribution (for concessional contributions made between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2017) and low income superannuation tax offset (for concessional contributions made from 1 July 2017) for eligible members, and pay entitlements to the appropriate destination
• calculate each member’s concessional and non-concessional contributions and assess, and administer excess contributions tax and the ‘Fairer taxation of excess concessional contributions’ measure
• assess the member’s liability to Division 293 tax
• check employer compliance with the super guarantee
• identify amounts to be collected for former temporary residents.

What to include in the MCS

You need to report for every person who was a member during the financial year for 2017-18 and prior years. This includes members who received no contributions during the year and those who rolled over their benefits or exited the fund before the end of the financial year.

If you rollover all or part of the member’s super interest to another fund during the year, you must still lodge an MCS for that member and report all contributions received prior to the rollover.

How to lodge

Electronic lodgment

You can lodge your MCS for 2017–18 and prior years electronically as a file transfer through Online services for business.

You must lodge electronically if you’re reporting for 20 or more members. If you’re reporting for fewer than 20 members, electronic reporting is optional.

The format of your MCS file must meet the current MCS electronic reporting specificationExternal Link.

You’ll receive an online receipt when the report is lodged.

Paper lodgment

You can only lodge a paper form if you’re reporting for:

In each case, you can still lodge electronically if you prefer.

Lodging through a supplier or agent

If a supplier (agent) lodges the MCS on your behalf, you must make a written declaration that:

• you have authorised the supplier to give the MCS to us
• the information you gave to the supplier to prepare the document is true and correct.

Give the declaration to the supplier and keep a copy for 5 years. You must show us this declaration if we ask to see it.

If the report is lodged:

• electronically – you can make your declaration using the Supplier lodgment declaration
• on paper – the declaration is included as part of the form.

For more information, see Member contributions statement protocolExternal Link.

Amendments

If you discover any material errors or omissions in the information you reported in your MCS, you must lodge an amended MCS within 30 days of becoming aware of these errors.

You must ensure that all the correct, previously reported data in the original MCS for those accounts is re-reported on the amended MCS, exactly as it was in the original lodgment. This is because an amended statement for a particular member account replaces the original MCS for that account.

You must not amend an MCS merely because a member wants to change the amount or character of the contributions they made during the year, to avoid an excess contributions tax liability.

Penalties

Penalties may apply if you:

• don’t lodge the MCS on time
• don’t report for all your members and former members who held an interest in the fund at any time during the year
• provide incorrect information.

The amount of penalty depends on your fund’s assessable income and how late the lodgment was.

For more information, see False or misleading statement penalty.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police are calling for information after three separate incidents occurred in Wadeye on Sunday.

Around 3:50pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a male entered the Wadeye clinic yard and allegedly used a rock to smash the windows and side mirrors to two government vehicles before fleeing fled the scene.

The incident resulted in approximately $20,000 worth of damage.

Police attended and reviewed CCTV footage and have since identified a person of interest.

Later in a separate incident, around 10:30pm, police observed a suspicious vehicle driving through Wadeye community. The vehicle began flashing its lights at police and upon police approach the vehicle drove into nearby bushland.

A short time later, police attempted a traffic apprehension; however, the vehicle failed to stop, and a short pursuit ensued. The offending vehicle then turned around and drove back in the direction of police, swerving toward their vehicle. Police withdrew from the area and returned to the police compound.

Later, in a third incident, around 12:40am, one male attended the police compound and began throwing projectiles in the direction of the officers. Officers deployed OC spray before the male fled the scene.

The first and third incident are believed to be linked; however, investigations are ongoing to identify those involved in the traffic incident.

Police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444 or you can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: New South Wales – News

A white Holden Commodore sedan was detected travelling at the extreme speed of 146 km/h in a 60 km/h zone at Port Elliot Road, Middleton at 9pm on Wednesday 11 June.

Another patrol then picked up the vehicle in Goolwa as it did a u-turn and the patrol activated its lights and sirens, however the driver refused to pull over.  The pursuit was terminated as the Commodore entered the 100 km/h zone on the Port Elliot Road, heading back towards Middleton.

A couple of minutes later, police located a three-car crash at the intersection of Port Elliot Road and Boettcher Road, Middleton and requested emergency services.

A 41-year-old man, who was the alleged driver of the Commodore, sustained serious injuries in the crash and was taken to hospital.

One of the other drivers, a 65-year-old Goolwa South woman, also sustained injuries when her Land Rover rolled and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Fortunately, their injuries are not considered life-threatening.  The third driver, a 35-year-old Goolwa North man, whose vehicle was clipped, was not injured.

All three vehicles were towed from the scene.  

The road was cleared of debris and has since reopened.

Investigations are continuing, with the offending driver expected to be charged with multiple driving offences.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

In my first week as Minister for Early Childhood Education, I stopped in to meet educators and children at a busy early learning centre.

22-year-old Talitha told me with a big smile, “I can finally see a future.”

She was talking about our 15 per cent pay rise, one of the key pillars of building universal early education in Australia.

With a prime minister who wants to be remembered for universal childcare, and a 57 per cent majority women government, early education is not just on the agenda, it is already in motion.

For too long, early childhood educators have loved their work – work that builds the foundations of learning and development for our youngest Australians – but love doesn’t pay the bills.

Educators like Talitha, who once juggled multiple jobs just to get by, now have stability and a vision for a future in the sector.

“I’m now able to significantly save,” Talitha shares, following the first installment of the pay boost.

“It helped with my mortgage, and it means less stress at the supermarket – I can buy the brand names!”

And the first pay installment is also a catalyst for broader change in the sector.

Already online job advertisement rates are down 28 per cent in the past 12 months.

With increased wages and recognition, educators like Talitha are able to stay in the sector they love.

For too long, workforce turnover has been high.

As Talitha explains, “people love the children, but other jobs pay better – so that’s why they leave.”

“When staff change, it’s stressful for the workers, and it’s not good for the kids.”

Better pay means higher retention for the profession, creating a steady environment and better outcomes for children and families.

And creating a stable workforce paves the way for our plans to expand access to quality early education, starting with our 3 Day Guarantee.

Today some families are locked out of early learning due to work and study requirements.

The 3 Day Guarantee will replace this activity test to provide at least three days of subsidies for early education for families who need it.

And our Cheaper Child Care policy is already delivering more affordable education for more than one million Australian families.

Alongside this, the Government is investing over $1 billion in the Building Early Education Fund, to build and expand in areas of need, including in the outer suburbs and regional Australia.

These centres will be co-located on school sites wherever possible and run by high quality non-profit providers.

Talitha welcomes this investment, explaining “it’s important children have access to education at this stage in their life – so that when they grow up, they can have the same opportunities and same outcomes as everyone else.”

As early education services expand, quality will be at the forefront.

While the vast majority of services meet or exceed quality standards, a small number of operators fail to provide quality care and a safe environment.

“This job is about caring for children, and it’s about giving children the best start in life, so when people don’t do that, it makes me feel betrayed,” Talitha says.

There is no place for providers who put profit over children’s safety in this sector.

That is why we will strengthen Commonwealth powers to prevent providers that persistently fail to meet minimum standards from expanding, and to restrict their access to the Child Care Subsidy when appropriate.

We want to make sure that families can feel confident sending their children to early education knowing that providers are offering quality and safety.

As Minister, I’m looking forward to the work ahead in building the pillars of universal early education.

So, we can build a sector where children have universal access to high quality early learning no matter their postcode, and where dedicated educators like Talitha can flourish.

 

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.