Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government has reappointed Steven Skala AO as a part‑time member to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) for a one‑year period.

Mr Skala has a long and distinguished career across private, not‑for‑profit and government organisations.

He has been Chair of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Board since 2017. Mr Skala was Vice Chairman Australia and Head of Investment Banking Coverage of Deutsche Bank AG between 2004–2024. Prior to that, he was a commercial partner of two major Australian law firms. He is also a former Chairman of Wilson Group Limited (now Pinnacle Investment Management Limited) and Film Australia Limited and is a former Acting Chairman and Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The reappointment, beginning on 18 September 2025, will support the Board to continue to provide effective advice on the operation of Australia’s Foreign Investment Policy and the administration of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.

The FIRB is a non‑statutory body established in 1976 to examine proposed investments that are subject to the foreign investment framework and to make recommendations to the Government on these proposals.

The Albanese Government has strengthened and streamlined Australia’s foreign investment regime and the members of the Board, including Mr Skala, have played a part in that.

Labor’s reforms to foreign investment have sped up processing times which are now twice as fast, compared to when we first came to office.

We thank Mr Skala for his contribution to date and for agreeing to continue to serve on the Foreign Investment Review Board.

We will continue to ensure we have the right settings in place to scrutinise high risk transactions and incentivise more investment that is in Australia’s national interest.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred in Wadeye on Thursday evening.

At around 10:10pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports of a disturbance involving two males known to each other. 

It is alleged that an adult male had been assaulted by a 17-year-old male youth who fled the location prior to police arrival.

The victim was assessed at a local clinic with non-life threatening injuries.

Investigations remain ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2500091047. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/. 

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Police have arrested a 31-year-old male in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred in Stuart Park yesterday evening.

Around 6:05pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a disturbance occurring at a residence on Charles Street between three adult males who are known to each other.

It is alleged that while inside the residence one of the males used an edged weapon to assault another, before the third male attempted to intervene and was also assaulted with the edged weapon.

Police and St John attended, and both victims were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.

The 31-year-old offender was arrested without incident, and he remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P252243051. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today committed up to $3.96 million to support Lab360 Solar, a University of New South Wales (UNSW) start-up, in developing and trialling a drone-based solar inspection technology that could transform the way large-scale solar farms are monitored. 

Supported through the Advancing Renewables Program, Lab360’s project will advance its Daylight Photoluminescence (DPL) imaging technology, using aerial drones to capture high resolution images during the day. This helps identify faults and damage in solar panels, right down to individual cells, that other inspection methods often miss. It’s also more accurate, cheaper and easier to use than traditional approaches, which usually require more equipment, people and off-site testing.  

Originally developed at the UNSW through a previous ARENA-funded R&D project, DPL technology offers a scalable and cost-effective alternative to existing photoluminescence methods.  

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said Lab360 is a perfect example of the innovation in the solar industry ARENA is seeking to support and emphasised the importance of backing new ideas and technologies. ​ 

“Australia has world-class solar researchers and start-ups, but too often their technologies struggle to make the leap from lab to market. Supporting great ideas, like Lab360’s DPL technology, to prove their value and scale as commercial solutions that benefit the whole industry, is exactly why we back innovative R&D and why investing early is key to achieving our Ultra Low-Cost Solar vision,” Mr Miller said. 

“This technology has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of solar farm diagnostics. By spotting issues early and reducing the need for heavy equipment and associated labour, this innovation helps operators get the most out of their solar panels and supports Australia’s clean energy future.” 

Lab360 CEO Thorsten Trupke said the financial support from ARENA was vital in getting Lab360 off the ground and ensuring its innovations can be transitioned from proof-of-concept demonstration, into fully operational commercial solutions.  

“Our drone-based Daylight Photoluminescence technology is a result of more than two decades of systematic research and development into luminescence imaging at UNSW. Once rolled out commercially, first in Australia and then globally, it will be central to ensuring that photovoltaic panels are a reliable and sustainable cornerstone of the future energy mix, by enabling better monitoring, early fault detection and long-term performance of solar assets.” 

“Australia, with its world-leading adoption of solar power and its ambitious trajectory towards net zero, is the perfect place to pioneer and commercialise this innovation. We are genuinely excited to play a small part in the incredible energy transition that is currently taking place.” 

The project continues ARENA’s support of Australian innovation in the solar PV industry. ARENA has provided over $388 million to over 200 solar research and development projects since 2009, through funding programs inherited from the Australian Solar Institute or delivered by ARENA since 2012.  

ARENA will continue to support big ideas and back breakthroughs that power Australia’s clean energy future. Read more about our Ultra Low-Cost Solar priority.    

About the ULCS R&D Funding Round 

ARENA is continuing its support for research and development (R&D) and commercialisation of Australian solar PV, with a new $60 million funding round to push innovation and take solar to ultra low-cost levels. ARENA’s ULCS goal is to achieve a levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar PV of under $20 per MWh. 

We are seeking proposals from a broad range of Applicants including, but not limited to, Australian universities and research groups and innovative businesses to accelerate cost reductions and meet ARENA’s ULCS LCOE goal. 

Applications are currently open and close 21 October 2025. 

Apply for funding through the ULCS R&D Funding Round. 

ARENA media contact:

media@arena.gov.au

Download this media release (PDF 174KB)

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Fatal Crash, West Ulverstone

Friday, 12 September 2025 – 6:11 am.

A 50-year-old Devonport man has died following a crash on Penguin Road, West Ulverstone overnight.
The single vehicle crash occurred about 11:30pm, when the man’s vehicle left the road and crashed into two power poles.
The 20-year-old male passenger sustained serious injuries and has been transported to the North-West Regional Hospital for medical treatment.
Crash investigators have commenced inquiries into the exact cause of the crash.
Police are calling for witnesses to the crash or any person who observed the vehicle’s manner or driving to come forward.
Anyone with dash cam footage or information should contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Operation full stop to target hooning in Risdon Vale and Clarendon Vale

Friday, 12 September 2025 – 8:54 am.

Tasmania Police has today launched Operation Full Stop, a targeted initiative aimed at cracking down on hooning and unsafe driving in the suburbs of Risdon Vale and Clarendon Vale.
Operation Full Stop is designed to:• Reduce hooning and reckless driving• Improve road safety• Reassure the community that dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated
Inspector Andrew Keane from Clarence Division said the operation is a joint effort between Bellerive Uniform and Southern Road Policing Services.
“Officers will conduct targeted patrols, apply intelligence-led enforcement, and engage with the community to identify and apprehend offenders,” he said.
“Our efforts will be concentrated in areas where hooning is most prevalent.”
Acting Inspector Penny Reardon from Southern Road Policing Services said police will deploy a range of tactics to the effort.
“This will include unmarked patrol vehicles, trail bikes and aerial drones to help up monitor high risk areas and catch offenders in the act.”
“By combining uniform and road policing resources and using modern technology to support our efforts, we’re able to focus enforcement where it’s needed most.”
Inspector Keane said Operation Full Stop reflects Tasmania Police’s commitment to keeping our streets safe.
“Our community deserves to feel safe, and Tasmania Police will take firm action against those who put lives at risk,” he said.
“This operation is about preventing harm before it occurs.”
Acting Inspector Reardon said community information is vital to helping police respond effectively.
“Police take reports of hooning and unsafe driving seriously and encourage people to report matters on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency,” she said.
“Video footage can also be provided to police through our online portal at www.police.tas.gov.au/report.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NT Police Force is calling for information after a domestic violence incident occurred in Darwin City overnight.

Around 9:10pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that two adult males known to each other were involved in a violent altercation on Finniss Street.

It is alleged that the males, aged 40 and 57, began a verbal argument that escalated into a physical altercation resulting in serious injuries.

Police and St John Ambulance attended, and the two males were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital where they are receiving treatment.

Investigations remain ongoing and police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25242207. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: South Australia Police

Do you know of someone who makes your community a better place? Highlight their hard work by nominating them for a Community Citizen of the Year Award.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services