Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority

I am honoured to be reappointed Federal Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia as part of a re-elected Albanese Labor Government.

I am looking forward to implementing the Government’s election policies and to delivering for the people of Australia.

Strengthening our resources industry is a key priority of this Government as a part of its Future Made in Australia agenda.

The implementation of the Future Gas Strategy and the Critical Minerals Strategy is vital for the nation’s productivity agenda.

The development of our critical minerals and rare earths sector is central to Australia’s national economic, trade and security interests.

The creation of a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, combined with Production Tax Credits and the expansion of the Critical Minerals Facility will support Australia’s economy and boost our resilience in a time of global uncertainty. 

A strong north means a strong Australia, and the Albanese Labor Government is working to make Northern Australia even stronger.

The Government’s plan for Northern Australia through work such as its continued support for the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility will create jobs, build infrastructure and support communities. 

I look forward to working with Special Envoy Luke Gosling to ensure the north grows and prospers.

I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with Senator Anthony Chisholm as Assistant Minister for Resources and Senator Nita Green as Assistant Minister for Northern Australia.  

Our resources industry is the engine room of the economy, but it is also increasingly important for our sovereignty and our national security.

Critical minerals and rare earths are essential for our defence industry and will be needed by our security partners, particularly as part of AUKUS.

The Albanese Labor Government will work to ensure that all Australians benefit from the resources that are essential to our national interest.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Detectives from the Drug and Organised Crime Division have seized multiple stolen weapons from a location in Virginia.

Early on the morning of Sunday 11 May 2025, investigators attended an unoccupied address in Virginia and seized a large cache of firearms.

A large steel toolbox was located on the property, which contained:

• 1 x .22 calibre pistol
• 1 x Sawn off 12-gauge Remington shotgun
• 1 x .458 Interarms Mark X rifle
• 1 x AR15 Colt rifle
• 1 x 30.30 Winchester rifle
• 1 x .338 Tikka rifle
• 1 x 17 HMR CZ 455 rifle
• 1 x Replica grenade containing a quantity of ammunition

The Colt AR15 is inoperable and is believed to have been stolen from the Darwin Military Museum in May 2024.

Forensics is currently being conducted on the weapons and investigations remain ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Lee Morgan said “ The seizure of these these illicit firearms will have a significant impact on community safety.  Illegal firearms have no place in our communities. Every weapon removed from circulation reduces the risk of serious harm or death.  We will continue to work towards removing illicit firearms from the community.

“We urge the public that if they have any information in relation to unregistered or stolen firearms to make contact on 131 444. Reports can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via Crime Stoppers NT.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force are currently investigating an alleged sexual assault against a young person in Palmerston early Saturday morning.

It is alleged the female youth was sexually assaulted by an unknown male around 1:50am on a path between Temple Terrace and Hannibal Crescent, Palmerston.

Investigations are ongoing and at this stage no further information can be provided.

Detectives urge anyone with information in relation to the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25128249. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/. 

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

On Thursday 8 May 2025, the Northern Territory Police Force in partnership with the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service, conducted a large-scale training exercise at the Darwin Convention Centre.

The purpose of the exercise was to test the response to a large-scale critical incident from the operational to executive level, as part of the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee obligations. The exercise focused on a HAZMAT and mass casualty incident and involved more than 120 role players, with 100 emergency services personal responding. Simulated chemical incidents and gunfire were used throughout the venue and role players had special effects make-up applied to simulate realistic injuries, significantly enhancing training outcomes. Both General Duties Police and Specialist Police were deployed to the Convention Centre to safely resolve the situation.

The NT Police Force and NT Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank the following key stakeholder’s assistance was invaluable to the execution of this training exercise:

• The Darwin Convention Centre and staff
• The National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre and staff
• The United States of America Marines from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin
• The Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet staff
• Soldiers from The 5th/7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment
• Soldiers from The 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery
• Soldiers from The North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE)
• Northern Territory Government Department of Health
• St John Ambulance Northern Territory
• Northern Territory Junior Police Rangers and families

Exercise Directing Staff, Acting Commander Jakson Evans said, “The exercise was an outstanding success. This rare training opportunity tested current practices and provided significant lessons for both agencies.

“This ensures the agencies are appropriately prepared to serve and protect the people of the Northern Territory and effectively respond to this type of incident.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Darwin Traffic Operations has arrested a 38-year-old male for allegedly ramming a vehicle into a residence in Gray on Saturday afternoon.

Around 2:40pm, police received reports of a vehicle allegedly driving through the closed gate of a residence on Essington Avenue and into the front of the house. Two occupants, known to the offender, were within the front yard and were struck by the vehicle. The collision resulted in significant damage to the residence and the gate. The offender subsequently fled the scene in the offending vehicle prior to police arrival.

Police and St John Ambulance attended and assessed the two adult victims, both of which sustained non-life-threatening injuries requiring medical treatment. The second victim also experienced a medical episode following the incident.

Additional resources were deployed to locate the alleged offender and the offending vehicle. Around 5:35pm, police observed the offender walking along Jenkins Road before attempting to apprehend him.  As he was being apprehended, he violently resisted arrest and a taser was deployed.

The 38-year-old was subsequently arrested and found to be in possession of a quantity of methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia.

The Search and Rescue Section later located the vehicle in nearby bushland. It is alleged that the vehicle was also stolen from a person known to the offender.

He has since been charged with the following:

• Recklessly endangering life x 3
• Breach DVO x 1
• Drive unregistered / uninsured motor vehicle and other traffic related offences
• Possess Schedule 1 Drug (Traffickable quantity)
• Resist police in execution of duty
• Damage to property  x 2
• Driving, using motor vehicle without consent

He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 12 May 2025.

Domestic Violence Investigation Unit have carriage of the investigation and urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25128147. 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:

Recently women of CFA from all over the state gathered at their respective regional Women’s Challenge Camps to break down barriers and push themselves out of their comfort zones.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Orikan Group Pty Ltd has withdrawn its request for merger clearance by the ACCC of its proposed acquisition of Duncan Technologies Pty Ltd, having decided to terminate their proposed merger.

Orikan and Duncan are two of the largest suppliers of on-street parking solutions in Australia.

The ACCC released a Statement of Issues on 5 December 2024 outlining preliminary concerns that the proposed merger would likely substantially lessen competition for the supply of on-street parking solutions in Australia.

“We were concerned that the proposed acquisition would bring together two of the largest suppliers of on-street parking solutions in Australia, particularly as Duncan appears to be the closest competitor to Orikan in the supply of on-street parking meters and enforcement solutions,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said. 

“Mergers between close competitors, which increase market concentration and strengthen market power, increase the risk a merger will substantially lessen competition.”

“Without Duncan as a competitor to Orikan, there would be a real risk of increasing prices and reducing innovation in the supply of on-street parking services to councils in Australia.”

“Any increased costs to councils from parking solution providers may also have flowed on to consumers,” Dr Williams said.

The ACCC commenced its public review of the proposed acquisition on 2 September 2024 and undertook in-depth inquiries into the potential competition impacts of the merger.

The ACCC discontinued its review on 9 May 2025 after Orikan advised that the proposal to acquire Duncan had been terminated. 

Background

On-street parking services refer to a range of products and services, including parking meters, enforcement software, sensors, parking apps and central management systems. The main customers of on-street parking services in Australia are local councils but the users of the services, who may be affected by a reduction in competition, are consumers.

Orikan supplies a suite of on-street parking services primarily to local councils in Australia, including the PayStay parking app.

Duncan supplies and maintains parking meters, enforcement software and infringement solutions. As part of its offering, Duncan resells payment apps, sensors and automated number plate recognition from third-party suppliers.

More information, including the Statement of Issues is available on the ACCC’s public register here: Orikan Group Pty Ltd – Duncan Technologies Pty Ltd.

Source: Australian Department of Communications

Joint efforts under AUSTRAC’s Fintel Alliance have led to significant law enforcement outcomes, prompting AUSTRAC to expand its successful intelligence partnership. 
Fintel Alliance is a world leading public-private partnership where members and law enforcement work together and share data in real time to target serious crime.
AUSTRAC CEO, Brendan Thomas said the Intelligence Division’s Fintel Alliance has been so productive that the agency will now make its collaborative data analytics hub a central function going forward.

Source: New South Wales – News

Operation Eclipse Commander, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby also revealed that organised crime syndicates have been dealt a major blow with police restraining more than $22 million in assets, including more than $9 million in cash from two bank accounts.

About 12pm on Tuesday 6 May, Eyre Western Police stopped a vehicle on the Lincoln Highway at Whyalla and allegedly located a large quantity of illicit tobacco products.

Further investigation led Operation Eclipse detectives to search an industrial premises at Salisbury being used as a statewide distribution warehouse supplying retail outlets with illicit tobacco products.

More than seven million cigarettes and 3.9 tonnes of loose tobacco were seized, valued at over $7 million.

A 24-year-old Prospect man was arrested in Whyalla and charged with possession of tobacco products for sale and possession of e-cigarette products for sale.  He was bailed to appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court on 22 July.

A Para Hills home was also searched as part of the investigation, and a 51-year-old Para Hills man was arrested.  He was charged with possession of tobacco products for sale and bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Cour ton 17 June.

Investigations into the seizures are continuing.

Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby said, “The seizure of products, assets and finances by police will result in significant disruption to the criminal syndicates operating in South Australia.”

“SAPOL will pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence exists and that includes those who are supporting and enabling that activity and take every opportunity to enforce the full extent of the confiscations legislation to seize assets of those involved.

Anyone with any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

Operation Eclipse has so far resulted in 37 arrests for offences including blackmail, possess tobacco products for sale, arson, money laundering and serious criminal trespass.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Serious Crime Squad have charged a 26-year-old male after he allegedly attempted to sexually assault a female in Malak last Monday.

On Friday, investigators from the Serious Crime Squad, Fugitive Task Force and Dog Operations Unit members attended several places of interest linked to the alleged suspect; however, investigations determined he travelled back to the Tiwi Islands.

Later that morning local Tiwi Islands members arrested the male in Wurrumiyanga without incident. Serious Crime Squad detectives travelled to Wurrumiyanga to take him into custody. The alleged offender was conveyed to Darwin and later charged with:

• Attempted Sexual Intercourse without Consent
• Deprivation of Liberty
• Aggravated Assault
• Administer Dangerous Drug to self

He has been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.