Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today the independent Reserve Bank of Australia Monetary Policy Board decided to lower the cash rate again for the second time in three months.

This quarter of a percentage point cut brings the cash rate to 3.85 per cent.

This is very welcome relief for millions of Australians.

We are really pleased to see more help for hard working families with a mortgage.

It reflects the substantial and sustained progress we’ve made together on inflation, and it recognises the uncertain global environment.

Headline and underlying inflation are now both in the RBA’s target band for the first time in almost four years.

This is the first time since records began that the unemployment rate has been in the low 4s and headline and underlying inflation are in the RBA’s target band at the same time.

In its statement today, the RBA Monetary Policy Board points to the very substantial progress we’ve made on inflation and says upside risks to inflation “appear to have diminished”.

Today’s cut doesn’t mean the job is finished, but it will help.

When we came to office three years ago this week inflation and interest rates were rising and now they’re falling.

For a household with a mortgage of $500,000, this rate cut will save them $79 a month, or $948 per year.

When combined with the cut in February, this household will save $159 a month, or $1,908 per year.

Under Labor, inflation is down substantially, real wages are up, unemployment is low, our economy is growing, and interest rates are falling.

Our economic strategy has been about getting on top of inflation without mass job losses or growth going backwards and that’s what we’re seeing in our economy.

All the progress we have made together engineering this soft landing means we are well‑placed and well‑prepared for what’s next.

We know we will be faced with more global economic volatility and unpredictability over the next three years, not less.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Due to an increase in police demand, Katherine police have increased proactive measures in order to drive down crime and antisocial behaviour.

Alcohol remains a primary catalyst for crime and anti-social behaviour across the region, and in response, police have significantly increased Banned Drinkers Orders (BDO) for problem drinkers.

February to April saw a 354% increase in the number of BDO’s issued. For the month of April, 145 people were rejected from purchasing alcohol due to an active BDO.

In addition to these measures, since March 2025, 280 SupportLink referrals have been made by Katherine Police. Support Link delivers targeted referral and diversion services to people who require social services assistance. These referrals can be made to address issues such as domestic and family violence, drug and alcohol dependence, drug and alcohol diversions and homelessness.

Commander Terry Zhang said, “Our members have seen a noticeable increase in the demand for our services due to a sudden surge of people into the Katherine Region.

“In response to this, we have shifted to proactively tackling the drivers of crime and antisocial behaviour through support services and alcohol restrictions. In addition to these changes, we will also welcome a further 15 new constables who will start in Katherine from mid-June to further enhance our targeted operations.

“Police have also continued to work closely with other organisations in Katherine. This includes working with the local council on early morning patrols focused on rough sleepers, and a joint operation with Public Housing Officers targeting problem tenancies.

“Police would like to thank the Katherine Community for their ongoing support and re-iterate our commitment to keeping the Katherine community safe.”

Source:

Credit: Mike Dugdale

Volunteers from across the Bellarine Peninsula and surrounding areas successfully came together over the weekend on Sunday 18 May, to participate in a large-scale multiagency operation – Exercise Mabon – in Wallington.

Coordinated by the VICSES Bellarine Unit, the exercise held on Sunday, 18 May, simulated a major traffic incident involving a collision between a 53-seat passenger bus and a delivery truck, resulting in multiple casualties and complex response challenges.

The scenario was based on a fictional food and wine festival setting and designed to rigorously test multi-agency emergency response capabilities in real time.

The event brought together representatives from VICSES, CFA, FRV, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance, and other support agencies and businesses, including local council.

Participants practiced a coordinated emergency response, including casualty triage and extrication, hazardous material management, and the establishment of command-and-control structures.

The realistic scenario enabled participants to practise responding to a multi-vehicle, multi-casualty emergency involving simulated hazards such as entrapments, smoke effects, and debris. The exercise was conducted under strict safety supervision, with a dedicated Safety Officer on site throughout the day.

Exercise Mabon successfully achieved its core objectives, including:

• Test command and control structures across agencies.
• Enhance interoperability and effective communication during complex responses.
• Practise casualty triage and management in a realistic environment.
• Improve decision-making under pressure during evolving emergency scenarios.
• Test the use of a multi-agency radio communication channel.

The bus used in the scenario was a decommissioned 53-seat coach kindly donated to the VICSES Bellarine Unit in 2015, by Christian’s Bus Company. The unit has since utilised the vehicle for training and was pleased to make it available for this significant inter-agency exercise before its final decommissioning.

This year’s exercise also marks the beginning of National Volunteer Week, a time to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions of volunteers across the country. Exercise Mabon stands as a fitting demonstration of their dedication and capability.

VICSES extends its appreciation to all participating agencies, facilitators, volunteers, and the local community for their support in making the exercise a success.

Quotes attributable to Garry Cook AFSM, CFA Acting Chief Officer:

“It is vital we work as one, and any opportunity to work alongside our counterparts is positive. Not only does it further enhance our teamwork, communication, and leadership at a response, but it also allows the familiarisation of our respective tools and processes.”

“The exercise stems as a valuable learning experience for members in an environment that will only improve our ability to respond in the event of an emergency in the future and ultimately protect the community.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Eleven youths and two adults have been arrested in relation to multiple separate stolen motor vehicle incidents early this morning. 

Between 12:30am and 12:45am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a white Toyota Landcruiser utility and grey Nissan Navara dual cab driving dangerously through Stuart Park. The offending utilities allegedly hit several parked cars while hooning through the area.

Police conducted patrols throughout the area; however, the vehicles were unable to be located.

Around 2:30am, in a separate incident, CCTV operators observed a white Toyota Landcruiser Station Wagon, that was stolen from an address in the city, travel to Wagaman and stop on Vanderlin Drive. Five occupants exited the Landcruiser and allegedly attempted to steal a second vehicle that was parked out the front of a residence.

Police attended and arrested three of the five offenders with two offenders fleeing the scene on foot.

Around 4am in separate incident, police received reports of a white Toyota Landcruiser utility driving through Zuccoli before stopping on Scobie Street. Six youths exited the vehicle and allegedly jumped the fence to multiple nearby properties.

Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations Unit coordinated a response during which they located and arrested the six youths from surrounding streets. The Landcruiser was confirmed to be stolen from an address in Johnston.

At just after 7am, Adelaide River Police responded to reports of a crashed silver Nissan Navara on the Stuart Highway just north of the township. This vehicle was confirmed to be stolen from Stuart Park with the two adults and two youths being arrested at the scene and conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries.

In a separate incident, a fourth group of alleged offenders travelled in a stolen Toyota Hiace from Wadeye to Darwin where they stole a white Landcruiser utility and a white Toyota Hilux in Cullen Bay. Strike Force Trident have since located the Toyota Hilux abandoned in Moulden and the Toyota Hiace abandoned in the Darwin CBD. The Toyota Landcrusier utility and the offenders remain outstanding.

Investigations into all the incidents remain ongoing and police do not believe the four incidents are linked.

Senior Sergeant Dale Motter-Barnard said, “While we have made multiple arrests across each of these incidents, our work continues.

“The individuals involved in the crash are lucky that they did not kill themselves or others on the road.

“The complete disregard of their own safety and the safety of others is beyond disappointing.

“We will continue to investigate and bring those responsible before the courts.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Australian National Party

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

April 2025 REOS shows steady recruitment

Ebony

Tue, 2025-05-20 11:57

Source: New South Wales – News

A 31-year-old woman, a 32 -year-old man from Paralowie and a 34-year-old man from Munno Para West were stopped after they disembarked a flight from Sydney.

Concealed within their luggage police located approximately 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in bath salt containers.

The trio were arrested and have been charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

They appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 19 May where they were remanded in custody to face court at a later date.

CO2500020211

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin