Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Jim Chalmers:

The election was a big win for Australian workers. These workers here will be the beneficiaries of Labor’s economic plan which is all about getting inflation down, keeping unemployment low, getting wages up, getting the debt down, seeing growth rebound solidly in our economy, and we’re starting to see interest rates come down as well. On Saturday, Australians voted for decent pay and lower taxes and help with the cost of living. Now, in our first term, we governed every day for the working people of middle Australia and that approach won’t change. In uncertain times, we will continue to manage the economy in a responsible and a methodical and a considered way and the working people of our great country will continue to be front and centre. I’ll hand you over to Murray and then Anika.

Murray Watt:

Thanks very much, Jim. Well, today will be a great celebration for the working people of Queensland. Over the last term, the Albanese government has deliberately changed our workplace laws to make sure that working people get a fairer deal. We’ve seen real wages increasing now under the Albanese government as a result of our laws and today will be a celebration of the fact that Australians said yes to higher wages and more secure work, and they said no to Peter Dutton’s plan to cut wages, cut working from home, and make life harder for working people. So I know we’re all looking forward to getting out there and celebrating with people who put their shoulder to the wheel in this election. It’s going to be a great day, and it’s a great day for Queensland.

Anika Wells:

The ABS tells us that the average Australian is a 38‑year‑old working woman, and that’s what the union movement looks like here, and that’s what the labour movement looks like, and that’s why the Albanese Labor government understands that and has delivered for women in the first term. And we are so thrilled that Queenslanders in particular, have placed their trust in us to continue to do that important work for another term. We set records in the 47th parliament. We were the first ever majority woman government. We were the first ever gender equal Cabinet, and now in the 48th parliament, I’m confident we will continue to do the work and set records, because Queenslanders have elected 7 new Queensland women to send Canberra to fight for their communities and we can’t wait to get going.

Chalmers:

Happy to take your questions.

Journalist:

Does it feel like a big victory rally after what happened over the weekend?

Chalmers:

Oh, certainly I think there’s a lot of gratitude for the working people of this country, what they do every day, but the way that they showed up on election day to re‑elect a good Labor government and our responsibilities to the working people of Australia, the working people of Queensland, are really clear – decent pay and conditions, lower income taxes, helping people with the cost of living, making sure that in difficult times, people can get by, work hard and provide for their loved ones.

Journalist:

How big should the Cabinet reshuffle be?

Chalmers:

Well, that’s a matter for the party to determine, the new party room which is bigger now, and as Anika said, a much bigger contribution from Queensland which we are incredibly proud of. And so the party room will determine the make‑up of the front bench, and the Prime Minister will allocate the portfolios and that’s as it should be.

Journalist:

Should there be more Queenslanders in the ministry, now?

Chalmers:

We can never have too many Queenslanders. And standing here with 2 Cabinet colleagues from Queensland, I know the huge difference that these 2 make in the Cabinet. For too long now, Queensland has been long on influence but short on numbers in the federal parliamentary Labor party. Now we are long on influence and longer on numbers and that’s a very good thing, and we hope to see that represented in the decision making of the government going forward.

Journalist:

So maybe a couple more ministers from Queensland?

Chalmers:

I don’t want to pre‑empt the party’s processes or the deliberations that the Prime Minister will be engaged in right now. You can never have too many Queenslanders. I’ve seen the difference that these 2 have made as they’ve joined the Cabinet, Anika most recently. So the more Queenslanders, the better, that’s our position. We have made a huge contribution to this victory, massive contribution and I give a big shout out to all of the new members from Queensland and everybody who helped get them over the line.

Journalist:

Do you have a preference for Liberal leader?

Chalmers:

I think it would be extraordinary if Angus Taylor was rewarded for one of the worst performances that I have ever seen. It would be very strange if Angus Taylor escaped the blame for the Liberal Party debacle on Saturday. Peter Dutton has stood up and taken some responsibility for that outcome, it’s time for Angus Taylor to do the same. I think it would be extraordinary if Angus Taylor was rewarded with a promotion after the diabolical contribution that he made to this history making Coalition defeat.

Journalist:

There could be a new Shadow Treasurer as you elude to there. Is there anyone that you’re worried about going up against?

Chalmers:

Well, I’m not sure who they’ll put up for shadow treasury. My focus is on doing my job well, working with Anthony Albanese and the Cabinet to continue to provide that responsible economic management with working people front and centre. In due course, we’ll get a Shadow Treasurer. I can’t imagine they could be any worse than the current Shadow Treasurer, but we’ll see.

Journalist:

Just a couple of quick questions for Minister Wells. Are you happy with your current role or would you like it to change?

Wells:

It’s been an absolute privilege to be the Aged Care Minister and the Minister for Sport. You’ll probably remember by now that mum and I worked together in aged care 20 years ago and it was such an honour to come back and do important structural work to set the sector up for success in the future. There’s a lot more work to do in aged care, and I’d be privileged to do it. Now as for sport, obviously Brisbane 2032 is our North Star. It’s the zenith we’re all working towards. It’s a real privilege to work on policy that allows us to think beyond the 24/7 media cycle, or this week in the media, think about how we want to set up our own city and how we want it to look in the eyes of the world from now to 7 years’ time.

Journalist:

You don’t want a new portfolio?

Wells:

That is for the Prime Minister to decide and like Jim says, for our party colleagues to work through, particularly given we are still waiting on several races to settle, including here in Queensland with Longman and Forde still being counted.

Journalist:

Senator Watt, same question. Would you like a new portfolio?

Chalmers:

You got a bit of warning, Muzz.

Watt:

I did, yeah. Look, it’s a privilege to serve in the Cabinet, and any role there obviously matters for the Prime Minister. I’ve really enjoyed working in this role, and particularly on a day like this when we get together with working people to celebrate the wins of the entire labour movement to deliver better wages and conditions for workers in Australia.

Journalist:

You’ve been to a few of these marches? Is it pretty jubilant atmosphere here today?

Watt:

It really is. We couldn’t have timed this rally better, this march better for the day after the election, so thanks Prime Minister for organising the election date around that and already you can see the smiles on the faces here, lots of people cheering for a Labor win, because they know what it means to have a Labor government working for working people and making sure their wages rise and don’t go backwards.

Journalist:

Thank you.

Chalmers:

Thanks everyone.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Act 2024 and Capital Works (Build To Rent Misuse Tax) Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 10 December 2024. A legislative instrument covering initial standards for the BTR measure was made on 18 December 2024 and further legislative instruments will be made in 2025. The measure commenced from 1 January 2025.

There are some aspects of the law that may not be clear and may require administrative or interpretive guidance for those adopting the BTR laws. The ATO is aware of certain areas where stakeholders may require interpretive assistance. We are consulting to understand what guidance stakeholders require to correctly apply the laws, so we can support their participation and compliance.

We anticipate public advice and guidance will reduce the number of enquiries raised with the ATO on the BTR measure. These enquiries could range from general administrative enquiries through to private binding rulings.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source:

We’ve reviewed our advice for Sudan and continue to advise do not travel due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict and civil unrest. Australians should strongly consider leaving Sudan as soon as possible. There are commercial departure options from Port Sudan and Port Suakin. Carefully consider the risks for any departure route, including during ceasefires. The security situation remains volatile, and violence can escalate at short notice. Adopt appropriate personal security measures and remain vigilant. Monitor media for updates (see ‘Safety’).

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

COWELL

Issued on
05 May 2025 14:14

Cowell Grass Fire

Issued for COWELL near Lincoln Highway and Mitchellville Road intersection, 3km North of Cowell in the Eastern Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.

CFS firefighters on 3 trucks have contained the fire, which was burning adjacent the roadside on Lincoln Highway. Firefighters will remain on scene into this afternoon to ensure the fireground remains safe.

Roads are currently open around this incident however this may change at short notice. Continue to monitor road closures at: traffic.sa.gov.au

Emergency services may be working on and around roads in the area, and motorists are advised to stay away. If you need to travel on roads in the area, please take care and drive to the local conditions.

Smoke may impact roads in the area, and visibility may be reduced. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters and other emergency personnel who are working in the area, please do not enter the area unless necessary.

Message ID 0008585

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Sarah Proudfoot has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the ACCC following an extensive external recruitment process.

Ms Proudfoot started with the ACCC/AER in 2005 when she joined the agency’s Infocentre.

She has since held a range of senior roles in the agency, including executive general manager of the ACCC Infrastructure Division between 2020 and 2024 with oversight of the ACCC’s work across telecommunications, rail, ports, airports, electricity and gas as well as the 2023 Childcare Inquiry.

Ms Proudfoot was appointed executive general manager of the ACCC’s National Anti-Scam Centre in August 2024 and has been acting chief executive since February 2025.

“During her career Sarah has consistently demonstrated her ability as an outstanding strategic leader with personal drive, credibility and integrity, and a strong commitment to public service,” ACCC Chair Gina-Cass Gottlieb said.

“I am confident that with Sarah’s contribution as CEO leading our capable people, our agency will continue to deliver important outcomes for the Australian economy and community.”

Ms Proudfoot said: “One of the many things I’ve loved in my time at the ACCC is the fact our work makes a difference to people’s lives every day. It is a significant responsibility and privilege to take on the role of CEO and to work with Commissioners and our talented, dedicated team in the interests of consumers and protecting competition across our economy.”  

Ms Proudfoot holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

David Speers:

Treasurer, thank you.

Jim Chalmers:

It’s been too long, David.

Speers:

It’s been too long. After a little bit of sleep, how do you reflect on what happened last night?

Chalmers:

It’s still sinking in, David. This was beyond even our most optimistic expectations. It was a history‑making night. It was one for the ages, genuinely. But to pick up on something that Sam said which I think is right, this victory does come as well with healthy helpings of humility as well because we know that there are a lot of challenges to address in our economy and more broadly we know that people are under pressure.

We know the global environment is uncertain, and we know that this second term has been given to us by the Australian people because they want stability in uncertain times, but not because they think we’ve solved every challenge in our economy or in our society more broadly, but because we’re better placed to work towards solving some of those challenges. So there is an element of humility and there’s a lot of gratitude to the Australian people.

Speers:

And I want to just ask you about your approach now to a second term. A second term with a big win and a big majority – bigger than you’ve had in the first term – and this question about how you use this political capital. Just give us a sense of how you are thinking about what you’ll do in this second term.

Chalmers:

Well, I think one of the major differences we have between some of the commentary and how we see our own government is this is an ambitious government. You think about some of the changes we’ve made, income tax cuts, some of the budget repair that we’ve done, the big investments in housing, the energy transformation, and particularly in healthcare, this is an ambitious government and we’re looking forward to implementing the agenda that we took to the election.

I think one thing that tempers some of the discussion I heard from yourself and the counterparts over there is, remember, nobody will control the Senate. It’s not an outcome like we saw under Prime Minister Howard.

Speers:

You’ll still have the Greens there.

Chalmers:

Well, not just them, in the Senate.

Speers:

I think it might, in fact, be just them that you’ll have to rely on, unless you have the Coalition, of course, for legislation.

Chalmers:

The point that I’m making is we have a big agenda, we’re looking forward to implementing it with confidence, with the confidence that comes from a big majority, a substantial majority in the House of Representatives.

Speers:

But I guess, I mean, I hear your point about reforms that you have done in that first term, but I guess what I’m getting at here is that budget challenge in particular. We do have deficits for the next 4 years under your budget plans of about $150 billion in total. It’s a structural deficit. Something needs to happen to fix that. Is that going to be a priority?

Chalmers:

Well, that will obviously require our ongoing attention, but we shouldn’t dismiss or diminish the really quite phenomenal progress that we’ve made in the budget in our first term, a couple of hundred billion dollar turnaround, 2 surpluses – that hasn’t happened for decades – so we’ve made progress.

But the way that Katy Gallagher and I see that challenge is that’s an ongoing challenge, including in a structural sense, where we have made progress in aged care, the NDIS and interest costs but clearly that will warrant ongoing attention.

Speers:

Does the scale of this win give you more confidence to do things that might not be politically popular?

Chalmers:

The way that I see the scale of this win, I thought, again not to dance on the political graves of our opponents, but there was a real kind of darkness at the heart of the Coalition campaign, this kind of backward‑looking pessimism which Australians rejected.

And in rejecting that, I think they embraced the kind of leadership that Anthony Albanese provides which is practical, pragmatic, it’s problem solving, and it’s very forward looking, and that’s the approach that we’ll take.

Speers:

So when we look at what you’re facing over the years ahead, the 3 years ahead, I mentioned the budget challenge, you’ve also got the Donald Trump challenge and the prospects of a global trade war and a lot going on. What are your priorities right now?

Chalmers:

Well, first of all, I think managing this global economic uncertainty. I’ve already had a briefing from the Treasury Secretary this morning at a quarter to 7.

Speers:

Already this morning?

Chalmers:

Yes, this morning, I had a briefing with Secretary Steven Kennedy. I’m grateful to him for providing that briefing of the initial –

Speers:

Do you talk during the campaign or is this the first sort of proper briefing?

Chalmers:

We speak but in not the same way that we would engage outside of caretaker.

Speers:

Now that he knows you’re back in the job for sure.

Chalmers:

So we had a discussion at a quarter to 7 this morning, back to work. Obviously, the immediate focus is on this global economic uncertainty, particularly the US and China part of that and what it means for us. And so I was able to be briefed on that, what’s happening in markets and what it means for the Australian economy. So clearly, that’s the immediate focus and again. I think one of the reasons why we got this big majority last night is because people recognise that if you wanted stability while the global economy was going crazy, then a majority Labor government was the best way to deliver that. So global economic uncertainty but our agenda is really clear.

We have to build more homes now, we’ve got to get this energy transformation right, we’ve got to do more to embrace technology – particularly the AI opportunity. There’s a huge agenda there for us and what our agenda boils down to is obviously weathering and withstanding this global economic uncertainty in the near term, but also making sure that we make the Australian people the primary beneficiaries of all of this churn and change that we’re seeing in the world, and so we’ve got a big agenda there and I’m really looking forward to rolling it out.

Speers:

And just on the briefing you had this morning, is there any noticeable change in the outlook for the global economy?

Chalmers:

I think the spectrum of scenarios is much broader now. We know that the direct impact on us from the tariffs is manageable and relatively modest, but there is a huge downside risk in the global economy. I think what’s happening, particularly between the US and China does cast a dark shadow over the global economy.

And we’re not uniquely impacted by that, but we’re really well placed, we are quite well prepared because of the progress that Australians made over the course of the last 3 years. So we go in that with a sense of, we’re realistic about how this could play out in the world, but we are optimistic about Australia’s place in it.

Speers:

So that is still the number one concern for Australia?

Chalmers:

Certainly, for every country, including Australia. But global economic uncertainty really is the big influence on my thinking and my work on day one of a second term and we need to have the ability – and we will have the ability – to manage that uncertainty at the same time as we roll out our domestic agenda – Future Made in Australia, housing, energy, technology, human capital, competition policy.

Speers:

The great difficulty you face and the government faced in the first term was inflation and all of those interest rate rises. We saw one rate cut earlier this year – are you looking forward to in the second term seeing a few more rate cuts?

Chalmers:

Look, I’m not going to count my chickens on that front. Certainly the market expects there to be a number of interest rate cuts, I don’t make those sorts of predictions. We saw a rate cut in February, and I think that did have an impact on the way people see their prospects.

Consumer confidence has actually started rebounding from the middle of last year, the tax cuts, petrol prices coming down, and then the interest rate cut has slowly rebuilt confidence off a very low base and so if we do see more interest rate cuts over the course of the rest of the year, I think that will be a very helpful way to boost confidence in the economy, particularly consumer sentiment, and also provide some cost‑of‑living relief for people.

Speers:

Nearly every economist says productivity needs to be one of your top priorities as well. Is there more you can do to squeeze more productivity out of the economy?

Chalmers:

Yes, and I’m looking forward to rolling out the changes we announced on a national regime for occupational licensing, the non‑compete clauses change, the competition policy I’m working up with the states, reviving national competition policy – big priority for me as Treasurer – so there is an agenda there.

But also don’t forget, we commissioned from the Productivity Commission 5 big pieces of work on the main drivers – the main pillars of productivity in our economy – we’ll see that in the third quarter of this year. I’m looking forward to receiving that because we’ve got an agenda on productivity, but we can do more, and we will do more.

The best way to think about the difference between our first term and the second term that we won last night, first term was primarily inflation without forgetting productivity, the second term will be primarily productivity without forgetting inflation.

Speers:

That’s interesting, so the priority does shift now to productivity.

Chalmers:

And a much broader sense of it – human capital, competition policy, technology, energy, the care economy – these are where we’re going to find the productivity gains, and not quickly, but over the medium term.

Speers:

Looking at the politics of what happened last night, there were clearly surprises for you and for all of us watching what happened.

Chalmers:

I was trying to keep a lid on it on the panel.

Speers:

You can let loose now. What surprised you the most?

Chalmers:

Petrie I think, as David said. Petrie, if we can cling on there, that would be an extraordinary outcome. But I’m really grateful for what you said before, David, about Queensland and about these really quite remarkable women that Queensland is sending to the national parliament. You think about Madonna Jarrett, Renee Coffey, Kara Cook, Corinne Mulholland in the Senate, we’ve won back that second Senate seat in Queensland, and people will be hearing a lot about Corinne Mulholland. So very, very proud of the contribution that Queensland is making to this second term of an Albanese Labor government.

Speers:

You won’t be so lonely as a Queenslander in the Labor caucus. Just explain to us how it works, if you now have a much stronger Queensland contingent, does that need to be reflected on the front bench?

Chalmers:

Well, I think there’s a stronger contingent in a number of states, and so I always think you can never have too many Queenslanders, that’s why I was so pleased to see Anika Wells join the ranks of the Cabinet not that long ago. We’ve been really long on influence but short on numbers, and now we’re hopefully going to be long on influence and long on numbers.

Speers:

You’d be keen for another Cabinet or Ministry spot, at least from Queensland.

Chalmers:

I’m a Queenslander, and I think that most of the Cabinet should be Queenslanders, that’s just how we’re born and raised, but there’s a lot of good people around the country. Claire Clutterham in Sturt’s amazing.

Speers:

Do you expect there will be a bit of a refresh of the Ministry?

Chalmers:

That remains to be seen and I haven’t been focused on that at all. The Prime Minister will allocate the portfolios when the dust has settled on the count. We know who will be putting their hands up for ministries but that’s not a big part of my job, it’s not a big part of my focus.

Speers:

Now, finally, I just want to ask about the leadership and your future. You did say last night that you absolutely would support Anthony Albanese running again for a third term.

Chalmers:

Yes.

Speers:

What does that mean for your own leadership ambitions?

Chalmers:

Look, I’ve said on probably countless occasions now, if I can sit on the back deck in some period 20 years down the track and think that I was Treasurer in a great Labor government led from go to whoa by Anthony Albanese, I’d be very happy with that.

And I pay tribute to the Prime Minister. I can’t think of a campaign where a Prime Minister has campaigned more effectively than Anthony Albanese over the course of the last 5 weeks. I think he is the biggest explanation for why we turned around the trouble that we were in at the end of 2024 to the position that we won last night. It was an extraordinary campaign, and I think he deserves to be very proud. My expectation and my hope is that he serves a full term and runs again.

Speers:

You’re a student of Labor Prime Ministers past. How does Anthony Albanese now sit in the pantheon?

Chalmers:

He’s a Labor hero, and I think the outcome last night and the fact that his leadership has meant that we are surrounded now by even more terrific colleagues. Ali France in Dickson, unbelievable life story, I think he deserves to be very proud about that. But again, coming back to where we started, there is a humility here because we know that there’s a bunch of stuff that we have to address together, but he has every right to feel very proud, and we’re very proud of him.

I’m personally incredibly proud of him. I rang him during the day yesterday and told him how proud I was of him, and he deserves the lion’s share of the credit for what happened last night.

Speers:

Did you talk last night?

Chalmers:

No, not last night. I was with you all night sitting – I was sitting a metre and a half from you for about 6 hours probably in the end. I’ll probably have a yak with him today, but I rang him during the day before the result was known, and I said his was an extraordinary campaign, he’s got a lot to be proud of and we are certainly proud to be part of his team.

Speers:

Well, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, we do appreciate you backing up this morning. Thank you for joining us.

Chalmers:

Thanks, David.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Kingston man charged with drug trafficking

Monday, 5 May 2025 – 11:40 am.

A 30-year-old Kingston man has been charged with drug trafficking and driving offences after being intercepted by Southern Road Policing officers on Friday night.
Police will allege the man was intercepted in Huonville, when officers located a large quantity of drugs, including MDMA, cannabis, methamphetamine and cocaine in his vehicle.
He was charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and driving whilst disqualified and will appear in court on 23 July.
Our road policing officers operate across the district to reduce serious and fatal crashes, and target those drivers believed to be involved in drug trafficking and other serious offences.