Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Introduction to the strategy

The ATO Superannuation information technology services incident communication strategy has been developed to complement the ATO business continuity plan (BCP) and provides further detail of how the ATO will respond in the event that ATO superannuation services are not performing as expected.

The ATO provides critical enabling services that the superannuation industry uses as part of their everyday operations.

This information provides the framework to achieving a consistent and timely approach to communication with the superannuation industry. It also defines the roles, responsibilities and steps the ATO will follow in order to provide prompt and effective communication with the superannuation industry during a system incident. The outcome is a pragmatic process which the industry participants can confidently rely upon in managing their services and relationships.

Scope of the strategy

This communication strategy covers incidents affecting the operation of ATO superannuation enabling services from when an incident is confirmed through to resolution.

Currently, the scope of this communication strategy is limited to services that are critical to the operation of superannuation funds. Services that are critical include:

• SuperTICK
• Fund Validation Service (FVS)
• SuperMatch
• Member Account Attribute Service (MAAS)
• Member Account Transaction Service (MATS)
• Small Business Superannuation Clearing House (SBSCH). Note: this service will be closed from 1 July 2026. From 1 October 2025, only existing users of the SBSCH will have access until 30 June 2026. Employers will not be able to register as new users of the SBSCH after 1 October 2025.
• SMSF Verification Service (SVS)
• SMSFMemberTICK.

The strategy will complement the ATO’s business continuity plan, and the information provided can be used by the industry as part of their BCPs. This is not designed to replace existing arrangements or requirements by APRA.

Where there are incidents that affect other superannuation services, such as remittance advice and recovery runs and the Departing Australia superannuation payment (DASP) online system, the ATO will continue to issue CRT Alerts. To receive CRT alerts and Super funds newsletter subscribe to ATO newsletters and alertsExternal Link.

Other online services, such as Online Services for Business and Online Services for Agents will advertise system and performance issues via their own dashboards or maintenance pages.

Planned outages are currently communicated through the ATO Superannuation DashboardExternal Link and won’t be dealt with in this strategy.

Note: For printing purposes, the web address of the ATO Superannuation Dashboard is https://sses.status.ato.gov.au/External Link

ATO business continuity plan

We have a BCP in place which provides directions on assessing the risk and approach treatments during a system incident. We’ll use the dashboard to inform industry of incidents, stand up a Super Response Group made up of a wide range of Government and industry stakeholders to provide input into its management and support communications.

Unplanned outage

An announcement is published to the ATO Superannuation DashboardExternal Link indicating we are aware of the outage and investigating (holding message).

The ATO Superannuation Dashboard will be updated as new information comes to hand. Notifications on the dashboard will include a time when the next update will be provided.

Dashboard subscribers will receive an email alert each time we publish a new announcement, prompting them to visit the dashboard to check the latest announcement.

If the outage is not resolved by 9:00 pm AEDT, a holding message will be placed on the dashboard, with a further update provided at 7:00 am AEDT.

If the outage is expected to continue for 24 hours or has continued for 24 hours, teleconferences for the Super Response Group are convened.

If the unplanned outage occurs during the weekend a SMS will be issued to out-of-hours contacts for the Super Response Group.

For incidents that are initiated in non-core hours, a communication message via the dashboard will be provided at 7:00 am.

When services resume a ATO Superannuation DashboardExternal Link announcement will be published.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Activity or form

Permissions required

Transaction

Online services

Notes

Activity statements

Activity statement

Registration

Account details

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Revise

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OSB

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n/a

Annual Investment Income Report

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Certificate of Coverage request

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Closely held trust beneficiary reports

Includes TFN Report and TFN Withholding report

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Non-BAS agent functionality

Includes TFN Report and TFN Withholding report

Common Reporting Standard (CRS) statement

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Access is not available using Business Appointments

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Community Housing Annual Report

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Country by Country Report

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Excluding BAS agents

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Merchants Point of Sale transactions reporting

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PAYG Payment Summary

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Petroleum Stewardship for Oil (PSO) claim

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Private Health Insurance Report

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Transfer of shares and units

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Non-BAS agent functionality

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today the independent Reserve Bank of Australia Monetary Policy Board lowered the cash rate for the third time in six months.

This quarter of a percentage point cut brings the cash rate to 3.60 per cent, its lowest level in more than two years.

This is very welcome relief for millions of Australians.

This interest rate cut will make a meaningful difference to millions of mortgage holders around the country.

It will put more money in the pockets of people under pressure.

It’s more real cost of living relief that recognises inflation is now much lower under Labor.

It reflects the substantial and sustained progress we’ve made on inflation in a volatile and uncertain global environment.

For a household with a mortgage of $700,000, this rate cut will save them $109 a month, or around $1,300 per year.

When combined with the previous two rate cuts, the same household will save about $330 a month, or about $4,000 per year.

This is the first time in almost two decades we’ve seen rates come down three times in a calendar year at the same time the unemployment rate is below 5 per cent.

The three interest rate cuts we’ve seen this year would not have been possible without our collective efforts to get inflation down.

Headline and underlying inflation have fallen to their lowest rates in almost four years, and are now both in the RBA’s target band.

When we came to office, headline inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising, it’s now about a third of that.

When we came to office, trimmed mean inflation was 4.9 per cent and rising, it’s now almost half of that.

The RBA’s statement makes clear that inflation has fallen substantially since its peak in 2022 and it expects underlying inflation to “continue to moderate”.

Under Labor, inflation is falling, unemployment is low, real wages and living standards are growing again, more than 1.1 million jobs have been created, debt is down, the economy is growing and interest rates are falling.

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

As the RBA noted in its statement, economic uncertainty and volatility are prominent and defining features of the outlook around the world, but all the progress we have made together holds us in good stead.

The best defence against global volatility and the best way to lift living standards is with a more productive economy, a stronger budget, and more resilience.

That’s why we’re building consensus on long term economic reform around these three priorities.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Two charged with aggravated armed robbery of taxi driver

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 – 3:11 pm.

Police have charged two people with the aggravated armed robbery of a Launceston taxi driver last week.
Detectives from Launceston CIB arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy from Rocherlea last Friday, while a 20-year-old man from Invermay was arrested today and remains in custody awaiting a court appearance.
Both males have been charged with aggravated armed robbery over the same incident at Rocherlea, about 4.55am on August 8.
Police allege a male taxi driver was assaulted by the two accused, with the driver receiving non-life-threatening stab wounds.
Emergency services responded promptly to the incident and the victim received medical treatment for his injuries.
Police arrested the 14-year-old later on Friday, about 3.15pm, with ongoing inquiries resulting in the arrest today of a second person.
Investigations continue and Tasmania Police urges anyone with information to contact them on 131 444, or information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: Mental Health Australia

Regional motorists are being urged to obey the rules and stay safe around level crossings, after joint enforcement in regional areas resulted in 80 driver fines for ignoring signals about approaching trains and for speeding.

Source: Australian Green Party

NSW Health is urging the community to book in for a flu vaccine despite the winter season nearing an end, as cases remain high across the state.
The latest NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report shows that more than 8,200 people in NSW tested positive for influenza in the week ending 2 August.
Most people with the flu do not test, so the latest figures represent a small proportion of people who have had influenza recently.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said influenza is still circulating at high levels in the community.
“Everyone aged six months or older is recommended to get their flu vaccine, even previously healthy children and adults can experience severe complications from influenza,” Dr Chant said.
“It’s not too late to get vaccinated, getting the flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged six months or older.
“Despite the winter illness season nearing an end, we are strongly encouraging people to book in for their flu vaccine now. The flu vaccine which is widely available through pharmacists and GPs and is one of the best ways people can protect themselves against infection or severe disease.
“Influenza is a serious illness that can cause pneumonia, make chronic underlying medical conditions like diabetes, lung and heart disease much worse requiring hospital admission, and cause death.
“Complications can occur in anyone but are more likely in those at higher risk of severe illness.”
The flu vaccine is free for people at high risk of severe illness from influenza:

children aged six months to under five years
pregnant women
Aboriginal people aged six months and over
anyone aged 65 and over
people with chronic health conditions

People can book their flu vaccine at a GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service. Everyone aged two years or over, can get vaccinated at a pharmacy.
Parents or carers with children aged six months to under two years old should see their GP for their flu vaccine.
If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage the community to call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour advice. A nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care.
For more information on how to keep you and your loved ones safe visit Respiratory illness.
​

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Three people charged with arson in relation to fire at Invermay

Tuesday, 12 August 2025 – 2:36 pm.

Launceston Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) has charged three people in relation to a structure fire in Invermay on 26 July.
At approximately 8.50pm, emergency services were called to a fire at a unit on Dry Street.
Tasmania Fire Service extinguished the fire, however, the unit sustained total structural damage.
As a result of ongoing investigations, a 14-year-old, 15-year-old, and 18-year-old have been charged with arson.
Police continue to investigate the incident and urge anyone with information to contact Launceston CIB on 131 444 and quote OR780968.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Source: South Australia Police

The City of Wanneroo is teaming up with European Union to bring a unique cultural experience to Perth’s northern corridor this August.

Source:

The incredible teamwork and rescue efforts of 24 CFA members during an extremely rare and confronting incident at an industrial site in Hastings last July has been commended.

Members from Langwarrin and Hastings Fire Brigades received a Unit Citation for Service on Monday (11 August) in recognition of their work to free a man who had been crushed and pinned by a 10-tonne roller – while also assisting a man who had become unconscious.

Incident Controller and Hastings Fire Brigade Captain Mike Willmott and Rescue Officer in Charge and Westernport Deputy Group Officer Craig Aiton were acknowledged for their meticulous planning, coordination and execution of the agreed approach under very stressful circumstances.

On arrival, Mike was relieved to see patient Peter Munyan awake and speaking, but the sight of his legs pinned under the roller spoke volumes to the complexities they were about to encounter.

With the threat of crush syndrome a very real possibility, it was vastly important that everyone worked together during the extrication. CFA members also assisted paramedics with another worker who became unconscious, who has since recovered and returned to work.

“The scene was fairly confronting but knowing that two people were in dire need of help – we knew what we needed to do. We got the rescue team on their way, made room for their equipment and appointed our roles on scene,” Mike said.

“Craig worked closely with my Commander next to Peter, and we’d get radio messages from him requesting equipment they needed, and we’d bring it in for them.

“Fire Rescue Victoria arrived, and their expertise was just amazing, they were fantastic.”

Mike said it was the largest emergency management team he had been involved in, with WorkSafe, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria also on scene, alongside a surgeon who was on standby for amputation. Thankfully, Peter was airlifted to hospital.

Craig emphasised the professional teamwork that was on display that day.

“I had a very, very good crew. My role was to liaise into the Emergency Management team about the progress of the actual extrication itself while directing the rescue operators,” Craig said.

“Everyone just worked together so seamlessly to do what was needed to safely release him.

“It was out of the ordinary for us, and was very technically challenging, requiring multiple pieces of equipment. It was the first time a CFA brigade has had to use one of our new 50 tonne jacks.”

Due to the physicality and the layout of the industrial environment, the rescue site was confined, with nine rescue operators from Langwarrin and eight from FRV working on the extrication.

“Because of the damage that the roller had caused and the nature of what is operated out there, everything was covered in grease and the whole area was slippery,” Craig said.  

“We also had the Hastings firefighters and the site’s emergency management team securing and monitoring the unstable buildings above us. It certainly was multifaceted.”

Given the condition they last time saw him in, Mike thought he would never see Peter walking again, let alone at the station’s doorstep.

“I’m pleased to say Peter Munyan is in fantastic spirits. We were all gobsmacked to see him standing at the station with a smile on his face. It was absolutely brilliant,” Mike said.

“Peter’s dad, John had emailed a letter of thanks to us earlier in the year, however when he was in town visiting Peter from America in October 2024, he came down to the station to personally express his gratitude for the work we did to save his son’s life.

“When he returned home, he kindly offered the brigade a donation, but due to it coming from overseas we weren’t able to process it.  

“When Peter’s brother John flew over to see him in March this year, he too wanted to come down to the station to deliver the donation. Little did we know that when John arrived, he had Peter in the car with him. Peter got out, and using his walking frame, he walked from the car park into the station.

“All I remember is the treasurer saying to me ‘wow I didn’t expect that’.”

An after-action review was completed with all agencies, and as a result, further training has been conducted at an FRV Station to familiarise each other with respective heavy rescue equipment.

“During the review, FRV mentioned it was one of the best interagency operations they’d ever been involved in. It was quite a complement,” Mike said.

While they rarely accept recognition, Craig said it was an honour to receive the Unit Citation, as it is not just for the individual, but the team effort that went into this.

“While we don’t do it for the thank you, when it is an exceptional and extraordinary circumstance, recognitions are a nice way to say well done for what you’ve done,” Craig said. 

“It’s also for the people at the brigade who continuously do the training to improve themselves, in addition to their responsibility as a firefighter, so we get the best outcome for the patients.

“I’m pleased the FRV crew are receiving a Commissioner’s Commendation too, because they played a pivotal role in this rescue and we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Group Officer David Breadmore and Acting Commander Blake Ross were also acknowledged for their actions with a Chief Officer’s Commendation for their remarkable leadership on the day. 

Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said all members should be extremely proud of their actions that day, and for collaborating so effectively with other agencies.

“They showed a superior level of skill and consideration and demonstrated to the highest level the spirit of CFA.”

Submitted by	CFA media