Roadside operations during National Road Safety Week
Friday, 16 May 2025 – 3:19 pm.
This National Road Safety Week, police have been conducting a range of operations alongside Transport Safety and Investigation Officers.
Inspector Nick Clark said 197 drivers were breath tested on Thursday morning at Sidmouth, with one person caught drink driving.
“Two infringements were also issued for unrestrained children, two people were caught in unregistered vehicles, and one driver was caught driving without a valid licence,” he said.
“Another operation in Mowbray on Friday morning saw three people caught using their mobile phones illegally.”
“Also on Friday, police and transport officers issued 10 defect notices at Rocherlea.”
“Officers also detected two unregistered vehicles, two suspended drivers and one unlicenced driver, as well seizing a stolen vehicle and trailer.”
“These operations will continue across the state, so please do the right thing out on the roads to keep everyone safe.”
CFA acknowledges that we have had a number of our brigades reporting unavailability overnight and today due to crewing issues.
We are continuing to monitor the situation but want to reassure the community that we have operating procedures in place to ensure that when brigades are offline we can respond neighbouring brigades to protect communities or put in place alternative arrangements.
The safety of life and property is always our number one priority. We expect that our brigades will turn out to protect their communities as they always have done in their time of need.
CFA acknowledges that our volunteers and brigades, many of whom are from rural communities, have had a long summer of fire activity and are facing a lot of pressure as a result of drought which is impacting their livelihoods.
We respect their rights to engage in matters relevant to their local communities, including those who are concerned about the potential impact of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
The Victorian Government has announced that a rebate will apply to all eligible CFA operational and support volunteer members and we will be working with our members to ensure that they are able to seek the information they need to apply for the rebate.
We are proud of the work that our members do to provide critical services 24/7 in protecting their communities.
Local verges and gardens will soon be greener, with our popular Wannagrow plant giveaway returning next month.
Wanneroo Deputy Mayor James Rowe said this year’s giveaway would see 8,000 free verge-friendly plants handed out to residents, to support biodiversity and urban greening across the City.
“There will be volunteers from the Wildflower Society of WA on hand to provide expert advice and help distribute a selection of waterwise native plants for your garden,” he said.
“Our Wannagrow program is just one of the ways we are working to create a more liveable, waterwise City for all residents.”
City of Wanneroo residents are eligible for 10 plants each, via a convenient drive-through collection. Pre-registration is essential and proof of residency will be required.
This initiative is proudly co-funded by Water Corporation’s Waterwise Greening Scheme.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 16/05/2025
People from the LGBTIQA+ community who attend a breast screening appointment in the ACT will receive a rainbow scarf to foster inclusivity and encourage health screenings.
BreastScreen ACT has today launched the Inclusive Rainbow Threads Project ahead of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia.
In collaboration with local artist LaToya Kennedy of Kalari Art, BreastScreen ACT has created vibrant rainbow scarves to encourage people from the LGBTIQA+ community to invest in their health and book in for a breast screen.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith emphasised the importance of creating a safe and welcoming environment for all individuals accessing breast screening services in the ACT.
“The Inclusive Rainbow Threads Project is a positive step towards ensuring that breast and chest screenings are accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“The rainbow scarves will be given to individuals who identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community and attend their breast screening appointment.
“By fostering an environment of support and respect, we aim to encourage regular screenings and promote the health and wellbeing of the LGBTIQA+ community in the ACT.”
The project is supported by BreastScreen ACT’s community of donors and supporters, Luton Properties, the ACT Government LGBTQIA+ and Social Inclusion Strategy Team, and the Canberra Hospital Foundation.
Through Canberra Hospital Foundation’s Pay It Forward initiative, members of the community can contribute by purchasing a scarf where a portion of the funds will pay it forward for someone in the LGBTQIA+ community who attends a screening.
This project builds on the installation of three new mammography machines at ACT community health centres in 2022-23.
Free mammograms are available to eligible Canberrans over the age of 40 years. People aged 50 to 74 years are actively encouraged to have mammograms every two years. It only takes about 20 minutes and no referral is needed.
Quotes attributable to Jodie Kirkness, BreastScreen ACT Quality and Promotions Manager:
“It’s important to make people feel safe and included when they come in for a breast screen. Health care should be accessible, inclusive and supportive for everyone – regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
“Research shows that people within this group experience increased discrimination, affecting access to health services and ultimately reducing the benefits of early detection.”
Quotes attributable to LaToya Kennedy of Kalari Art:
“As a proud Indigenous lesbian, I draw inspiration from my ancestors who have walked this land before us and who have managed and maintained this land for tens-of-thousands of years; and from my Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ communities who have taught me to always be strong and proud of who I am and where I come from.
“I also get inspiration from my surroundings, recreating elements of Country and telling stories through symbolic representation.”
“The design shows multiple aspects of traditional elements, such as meeting places, connection pathways, people, symbols that represent the LGBTQIA+ community, footprints, and animal tracks.”
“The design also demonstrates connections and unique relationships that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with the country, land and the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 16/05/2025
Canberrans are being called upon to deepen their knowledge of the law as the ACT prepares for its annual Law Week.
Running 16 to 23 May, the week includes a range of events to promote public understanding of the law and its role in society. The theme for 2025 is “exploring law, engaging communities, inspiring change”.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said with the government in the process of progressing important reforms, Law Week provides a timely opportunity for the community to learn more about the justice system and how it works.
“The law intersects with almost every aspect of our lives, although many of us don’t think about it until it affects us personally. Law Week is a chance for us to reflect on our unique legal system and acknowledge its important role in our society,” the Attorney-General said.
“Australia’s legal system is one of the key elements that ensure we live in a free and fair society that finely balances individual rights and community safety.
“The ACT Government is currently consulting on important bail reforms which would seek to improve the framework within which judicial officers need to make often complex decisions. To find out more or provide input visit www.yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/bail-reform.
“Another key initiative is the proposed introduction of an indicative sentencing framework, which has the potential to streamline criminal court proceedings, reduce uncertainty for defendants and victims, and allow for faster access to support services.
Law Week events in Canberra are being delivered by the ACT Law Society and its partners. This year they are also raising funds for Roundabout Canberra.
In addition to fundraising events there are also a number of free educational events, including a series of events for high school and college students at the ACT Courts on Friday 23 May, including:
Mock jury empanelment: An interactive role play highlighting the jury process and guided by Sheriff’s Officers.
Mock bail hearing: You be the judge, a simulated court hearing delivered in an engaging, educational format.
Local justice organisations: An exhibit of organisations that work in the justice sector, with visits from Court Support Canines.
Educational court tours: Showing students the ACT Courts’ history and what happens inside a courtroom.
Quotes attributable to Benjamin Wickham, CEO at ACT Courts and Tribunals:
“This is our third annual open day as part of Law Week. As well as the mock bail hearing, our Sheriffs will guide students through the jury empanelment process, and we will have a cohort of local justice agencies onsite to give visitors information about the vital services they provide to the community.
“The aim of this open day is to give people a view behind the scenes of the courts. Coming before a judge or a magistrate can be extremely stressful, and the open day gives people an opportunity to see how the justice system works and hopefully take away some of the fear and anxiety that people have about what happens here.”
If you provide taxi, limousine or ride-sourcing services you must register for goods and services tax (GST) regardless of your turnover. You must collect and pay the GST and income tax on all your rides and all other business income.
We use a range of data sources, including data provided to the ATO by taxi and ride-sourcing platforms, to review the tax file number (TFN), Australian business number (ABN) and GST registration status and other activities of drivers in this industry.
If you’re a driver in this industry and don’t have a TFN, ABN and GST registration, you need to:
register now
collect, report and pay GST on all your future rides as required under the law
report all your income from your rides in your next tax return.
If you don’t register for GST, penalties and interest may apply. If you haven’t declared all your income for ride-sourcing in prior years you can amend a previous tax return.
You can also contact your tax professional to obtain advice specific to your business needs.
What we’ll do if you don’t register
We’ll continue to monitor drivers who don’t have a TFN, ABN or GST registration and those who haven’t declared all their assessable income.
If you’re a driver who, after 3 months, still chooses not to register and comply with your GST and income tax obligations, we may:
register you for GST
back-date your GST registration
instruct you to back-pay all the GST on your prior rides, plus interest
determine what income tax you need to pay on your taxable income
apply financial penalties, which you’ll also need to pay
instruct you to complete a number of online courses.
AUSTRAC issued infringement notices of $75,120 to digital currency exchange provider Cointree Pty Ltd for the alleged failure to submit suspicious matter reports (SMRs) to AUSTRAC on time.
The action came after Cointree voluntarily disclosed it had not met the reporting timeframes required by the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said that failing to submit SMRs on time denies AUSTRAC and its law enforcement partners the opportunity to act on the information in a timely manner.
Paladin founder and CEO, Harrison Box, with Triton
University of South Australia based startup Paladin Space has demonstrated the world’s first space payload capable of capturing debris from multiple targets and storing it on satellites for recycling, reducing the cost of space debris removal and making the process more sustainable.
The next steps will be to demonstrate the technology in orbit, secure pilot customers and perform qualification testing for a space mission. The company is also expecting to share news of an overseas expansion in coming months.
South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Stephen Mullighan says the potential of this innovative product demonstrates the impact South Australian based space startups are having in leading advances in space technology.
“Space start-ups play a critical role in accelerating the growth of the South Australian space industry and strengthening our economic resilience and relevance,” Minister Mullighan said.
“Paladin Space’s innovative technology, which has been developed right here in South Australia, is a perfect example of what’s possible when you foster an environment that nurtures bold ideas. It’s an example of homegrown ingenuity where South Australia is developing innovative ideas aimed at solving global challenges.”
Space debris is a growing issue that poses significant threats to satellites and space missions. The large volume of debris, combined with its high velocity, creates a collision risk with potential to damage satellites and space infrastructure.
A report by Northern Sky Research found that the ‘In-Orbit Servicing Market’ is expected to reach $4.7b by 2031, and roughly half of that market is debris removal and salvaging.
Founder of Paladin Space, Harrison Box says their product will be able to capture multiple pieces of debris in a single mission.
“Triton will make the process of debris removal more sustainable and cost effective while also being able to eject its contents on space targets, preserving the spacecraft in orbit to be reused for other missions,” he says.
Their solution means Triton will eject its contents from the parent satellite at a very specific time so that it’s trajectory will not interfere with anyone else’s satellites. Shortly after ejection, Triton will descend into the Earth’s atmosphere, causing it to burn up completely within a matter of hours.
The team are designing Triton to be compatible with future in-orbit recycling solutions so its contents can be delivered in-orbit as materials for manufacturing.
“We are designing Triton to be able to dock easily with these in-orbit manufacturing stations so that the contents it collects can be recycled into metal rods or sheets for manufacturing satellites,” Mr Box says.
“Not only is this practice sustainable, but incredibly cost effective for satellite manufacturers to ‘skip’ the launch phase of a mission and simply build their assets in space.”
The Triton container is designed to capture many small pieces of debris such as fragments from collisions, however, the product is scalable depending on the mission. If a customer wants a larger volume, they could achieve 600mm (0.6m) cubed, or smaller missions may only require 300mm (0.3m) cubed.
Paladin Space participated in UniSA’s space accelerator program Venture Catalyst Space in 2023, supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre.
Deputy Director: Business Incubation at the University of South Australia Craig Jones says the novel technology has the potential to make a huge impact on the space debris market.
“Triton is on course to revolutionise the space debris industry and contribute to manufacturing in space, a mind-blowing proposition. We look forward to seeing it in action one day soon,” Jones says.
“From placing second at an ICC global space hackathon, to participating in the Venture Catalyst Space program in 2023, we are incredibly proud to have played a small part in supporting this team to build their enterprise,” he says.
Box says UniSA’s support and infrastructure continue to be instrumental to the success of his business.
L-R, Harrison Box, Stephen Mulligan MP, Peter Stevens and Craig Jones
“The advice I received in the early days helped to shape everything from our pitch deck to the financial accounting for our business, including areas like employability, beach-head markets, problem validation and general customer acquisition practices.
“Having an office space to prototype and run our business from was also a game-changer that allowed Paladin Space to be put on the map, and I am still honoured to be a resident at the Innovation & Collaboration Centre – despite the team growing larger.”
Box says he plans to keep his company headquarters in South Australia as they grow for as long as the government continues to support the space industry.
Venture Catalyst Space, has supported 40 startups that have collectively raised almost $43 million in additional investment and grants, while creating almost 240 space jobs.
About Harrison Box:
Box has a Masters in Aerospace Engineering with first-class honours from the University of Glasgow.
He spent a year of his study at the University of California where he led a team to design and build a liquid rocket engine test stand in the Mojave desert.
During his time at university he worked as a Powertrain Engineer at Nissan and a Avionics Engineer for a flight hardware company before becoming a Systems Engineer for BAE Systems. He spent two years working for multiple fast-jets in various countries, then was a Concept Engineer doing a variety of R&D work on military fast-jets for the remaining year before moving to Australia and becoming a Senior Systems Engineer for a novel radar project.
In particular, the Consequential Act includes amendments to specific Australian cross-border tax provisions. These include rules concerning foreign income tax offsets, controlled foreign companies, hybrid mismatches and foreign hybrids.
Australia’s foreign income tax offset (FITO) rules do not provide a foreign tax credit for taxes paid under a foreign income inclusion rule (IIR) and foreign undertaxed profits rule (UTPR).
However, to the extent you satisfy the usual eligibility criteria and integrity rules, a FITO may be claimed in respect of foreign domestic minimum top-up tax (DMT) paid on income included in your Australian assessable income.
The amount of the FITO allowed in respect of foreign DMT taxes is subject to an additional safeguard.
New FITO integrity rule for foreign DMT taxes
The amount of DMT tax which an entity is treated as having paid is reduced by:
the amount of a refundable tax credit that is refunded to an entity because the credit exceeds income tax liability
consideration received for the transfer of a transferable tax credit to which an entity was entitled in respect of a foreign income tax of that jurisdiction
cash or cash equivalent amounts recognised as government grants under International Accounting Standard 20 (or a comparable accounting standard applicable under a foreign law)
a benefit of a kind specified by the Minister in respect of a specified jurisdiction.
This new integrity rule complements the existing FITO integrity rule. The existing rule reduces the amount of foreign income tax that an entity is considered to have paid:
to the extent it is entitled to refunds of the foreign income tax, or
by any other benefits worked out by reference to the amount of foreign income tax.
Example: New FITO integrity rule for foreign DMT
Entity A (a constituent entity located in unlisted country Jurisdiction A) is a Controlled Foreign Company (CFC), wholly owned by Aus Co, which is part of the same multinational enterprise group (MNE group).
Jurisdiction A has a corporate tax rate of 10% and has enacted a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax.
Entity A receives a $6 grant from the government of Jurisdiction A (recognised as a government grant under an applicable accounting standard).
Entity A derived $85 of attributable income, which is wholly attributable to Aus Co. In arriving at the $85 of attributable income, a notional deduction of $10 for corporate income tax and $5 for a foreign DMT tax paid in Jurisdiction A is claimed.
Assuming other relevant conditions in the FITO rules are satisfied, the amount of FITO that could have been available for Aus Co would have been $15 (the combination of $10 CIT and $5 DMT), disregarding the new integrity rule.
However, under the new integrity rule, the FITO is reduced by the government grant ($6), capped at the amount of foreign DMT tax paid ($5).
Therefore, the FITO allowed is $15 – $5 = $10.
End of example
Controlled foreign company rules
The CFC rules work to attribute foreign income earned by a foreign company back to Australia in certain circumstances. The interactions between the CFC rules and Pillar Two are such that:
Tax imposed under CFC tax regimes (including Australia) are taken into account when calculating the effective tax rate of a jurisdiction for Pillar Two purposes.
Foreign DMT, IIR or UTPR taxes are excluded from the meaning of ‘subject to tax’ for CFCs and transferor trusts located in a listed jurisdiction under section 324 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (ITAA 1936). This will also impact whether certain income is considered eligible designated concession income (EDCI) and therefore taxed in Australia.
Taxpayers are precluded from notionally deducting foreign IIR tax and foreign UTPR tax in calculating attributable income under section 393 of the ITAA 1936.
A notionally allowable deduction may be available for payments of foreign DMT tax.
Australia’s Qualified Domestic Minimum Tax (QDMT) is given priority in its application to Australian income and does not take into account taxes imposed under other CFC tax regimes.
Example: Eligible designated concessional income
Australian Entity A Co is an attributable taxpayer in respect of B Co, which is located in an overseas listed country. The listed country has implemented the IIR, UTPR and DMT.
The listed country applies a QDMT, which includes an item of income from B Co in its Effective Tax Rate (ETR) calculation. This income is otherwise exempt for corporate income tax purposes in the listed country.
In determining whether the item of income has been subject to tax in a listed country, the taxpayer is required to disregard any imposition of GloBE taxes (IIR, UTPR and DMT). The item is still considered as EDCI.
The taxpayer is also entitled to a notional deduction for any foreign DMT paid in respect of the EDCI included in its notional assessable income.
End of example
Hybrid mismatch rules
The operation of Australia’s hybrid mismatch rules broadly continues to operate unaffected by the Australian global and domestic minimum tax.
Foreign DMT, IIR or UTPR and other foreign minimum taxes are disregarded when determining if an amount of income is subject to foreign income tax per the hybrid mismatch rules under section 832-120 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. This ensures that a hybrid mismatch can be identified irrespective of whether a jurisdiction has implemented an IIR, UTPR or DMT.
The disregarding of such taxes also applies in the context of Australia’s targeted integrity rule in Subdivision 832-J. Specifically, a foreign GloBE tax does not impact whether a payment of interest or an amount under a derivative financial arrangement is subject to foreign income tax at a rate of 10% or less. However, the application of foreign IIR, UTPR and DMT taxes may still be a relevant factor under the principal purpose test in determining whether it is reasonable to conclude that an entity entered a scheme with the requisite purpose.
Foreign hybrid rules
Similarly, Australia’s foreign hybrid rules broadly continues to operate unaffected by the Pillar Two regime.
Australia’s foreign hybrid rules ensure that an entity that qualifies as a ‘foreign hybrid’ is treated as a partnership (rather than a company) for Australian tax purposes.
One of the requirements for entities to be treated as foreign hybrids is that no foreign income tax is imposed on the entity itself. References to ‘foreign income tax’ do not include foreign IIR, UTPR and DMT taxes and other foreign minimum taxes, ensuring that the foreign hybrid rules are not impacted by a foreign jurisdiction’s decision to impose such taxes at the level of the foreign hybrid entity.
Example: Foreign hybrid limited partnership
Polar LLP is located in Jurisdiction A. AusCo, located in Australia, is a limited partner of Polar LLP. Under the corporate income tax regime of Jurisdiction A, Polar LLP is treated as fiscally transparent, and the imposition of taxes are on partners of Polar LLP of which AusCo is one.
Assuming all other relevant conditions are met under Australia’s foreign hybrid rules, Polar LLP is treated as a fiscally transparent partnership for Australian tax purposes. One of the requirements to be met is that foreign income tax is imposed on the partners of Polar LLP (including AusCo) and not on Polar LLP itself.
Jurisdiction A implements a IIR, UTPR and DMT, and legislates for these GloBE and DMT related liabilities to be imposed on limited partnerships (such as Polar LLP) instead of on its partners.
AusCo is required to disregard the imposition of those taxes on the partnership and will continue to treat Polar LLP as a foreign hybrid limited partnership under Division 830.
Four people charged after North West police seize significant quantity of ice during three separate searches
Friday, 16 May 2025 – 10:40 am.
Police have charged four people following three separate searches in the North West this week, with officers seizing more than 3.5 kilograms of ice with a potential to cause significant harm to the Tasmanian community.
The ice seized could have resulted in more than 35,000 individual street deals.
A woman was charged with major trafficking after police seized 3.39 kilograms of methylamphetamine (ice) and a significant quantity of GHB during a routine screening at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal on Wednesday afternoon.
Western Drug and Firearms Unit along with Western CIB and a Tasmania Police Drug detection dog conducted a search of a vehicle at the terminal locating and seizing the ice, along with 5 litres of GHB.
A 27-year-old Bracknell woman has since been charged with trafficking (major offence), importation of a controlled drug, dealing with property suspected to be proceeds of crime and other minor drug offences.
She was detained to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court yesterday.
In an unrelated incident, two people have also been charged with trafficking after police seized 63 grams of methylamphetamine during an alleged evade earlier this week.
Members of Taskforce Scelus attempted to intercept the vehicle during routine patrols at West Ulverstone on Tuesday afternoon, when the driver allegedly evaded officers.
Road spikes were successfully deployed and the driver and passenger – a 29-year-old West Ulverstone man and 24-year-old Newnham woman – were safely taken into custody.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized 63 grams of methylamphetamine, and more than $3000 in cash believed to be proceeds of crime.
Both the driver and passenger were jointly charged with trafficking and minor drug offences.
The man was also charged with evade police (aggravated circumstances), and multiple driving-related offences including unlicensed driving.
They were both remanded in custody with the male to appear at the Burnie Magistrates Court on Friday 16 May and the female to appear at the Burnie Magistrates Court on 4 June.
A third unrelated search at a Devonport residence yesterday morning resulted in a 51-year-old North West man and member of the Outlaws motorcycle gang being charged with multiple drug-related offences including selling a controlled drug.
During the search police located a quantity of methylamphetamine.
The man will be proceeded against for selling a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug and use of a controlled drug.
He will appear in Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
Detective Inspector Michelle Elmer said the drugs seized during both incidents are highly addictive and have the potential to cause significant harm to the community.
“While the incidents were unrelated, the methylamphetamine seized by our officers in the North West in the past few days could have resulted in more than 35,000 individual street deals,” she said.
Western District Acting Commander Nathan Johnston said this week’s seizures sent a clear message to criminals – you will be targeted.
“Tasmania Police will continue to target offenders who attempt to import illicit substances into Tasmania by conducting both targeted and random screening of persons entering the state by sea and airports,” he said.
“Stopping these drugs before they reach our streets has prevented further harm to the Tasmanian community.”
Anyone with information about illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au