Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has made multiple arrests in relation to a large disturbance that occurred in Alice Springs earlier today.

Just after 12pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received multiple reports of a violent disturbance involving up to 50 people occurring in Sadadeen.

Upon police arrival, the group allegedly armed themselves with various weapons and threw rocks at police. OC spray was deployed to disperse the group, and one adult female and four adult males were subsequently arrested.

One adult male remains outstanding after allegedly attempting to set his dogs upon one of the police officers.

All offenders remain in custody and are expected to be charged for various offences, including Disorderly behaviour and Assault police.

One adult female was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital for assessment.

No police member was injured during the incident.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25090654. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 2 Apr 2025

Meet the women leading the next generation of soil stewardship from the ground up as they embark on a new graduate program led by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

Jessica Cook, Mali Eagle and Bec Reeves will be digging into the world of agricultural and environmental science, with a focus on preserving Queensland’s soil health, through the new Queensland Soil Science Graduate and First Nations Engagement Program.

Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson said the program would help build Queensland’s capability in this important science sector as the trio would work with leading soil scientists and First Nations groups to develop innovative ways to enhance farming practices and protect our natural environment.

“This is such an exciting collaboration, with these graduates’ understanding of soil helping to inform agricultural management strategies, which will positively contribute to the sustainability of our environment,” Prof Wilson said.

“Soil is important to everyone – without soil we don’t have plants, and without plants we don’t have food or oxygen.

“The program will accelerate the training and development of graduate scientists and rangers in both western and traditional soil science practices to address critical knowledge and capability gaps.

“First Nations peoples were Queensland’s first scientists, and their knowledge is key to protecting our biodiversity for generations to come.

“I look forward to seeing these women lead the way in soil science and become the next generation of soil science practitioners.”

As part of their training, the graduates will be hosted by a regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) organisation and a Queensland Government agency over 12 months.

The Queensland Soil Science Graduate and First Nations Engagement Program is a $1.1M initiative jointly funded by the State and Federal governments as part of the $20M National Soil Action Plan.

Soil science ranger Bec Reeves said the opportunity to contribute to cultural conservation practices and learn more about soil processes such as soil survey techniques and digital soils mapping analyses was exciting.

“I’m a very hands-on and practical learner and enjoy being On Country, so getting to go out and get your hands dirty certainly piqued my interest,” she said.

“I am passionate about the environment and want to learn as much as possible while I’m in this program.

“There are so many niches within soil science and culturally for me as a First Nations person, the connection around environmental practices and conservation practices like traditional burning is something I’m really interested in exploring.”

An additional three graduates will be employed as part of the Queensland Soil Science Graduate and First Nations Engagement Program in 2026.

View more information about the National Soil Action Plan program

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 2 Apr 2025

A broken pump handle has resulted in approximately 1500 litres of diesel being released into the Mooloolah River at the Mooloolaba Harbour.

The Pollution Hotline received a call at 10:45am on 1 April 2025 reporting the spill at a refuelling station.

Our officers investigated and were advised that the spill occurred after a broken pump handle failed to shut off, resulting in diesel entering the water.

Executive Director at the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Brad Wirth said the department will continue to monitor the spill to assess the impacts to the environment.

“Our officers quickly attended the site less than an hour after the spill was reported to us and investigated the incident.

“The diesel was already widely dispersed with the outgoing tide. We will continue to work with Maritime Safety Queensland and Sunshine Coast Council to ensure any potential impacts of the spill are minimised.

“If you ever find yourself in this situation where fuel is leaking, it is important to let the refuelling station know so they can activate the emergency stop.”

To report pollution incidents to the department please call the Pollution Hotline on 1300 130 372 or complete an online environmental report.

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 2 Apr 2025

Rangers are investigating an incident where three female tourists were nipped on the lower legs by dingoes whilst they were walking on the track into Lake Wabby yesterday afternoon around 4pm.

The tourists were part of two separate visitor groups that were returning from Lake Wabby, and they received minor injuries. Tour guides administered first aid before taking them to the Queensland Ambulance Service Happy Valley station for assessment.

The tourists declined to leave the island.

Information we have received to date indicates that tagged dingoes may have been involved, and the department is continuing to investigate the incident.

Rangers will continue to patrol the area and provide Be dingo-safe! education to residents and visitors.

Report any concerning dingo encounters by calling 07 4127 9150 or emailing dingo.ranger@des.qld.gov.au.

Visitors to K’gari are reminded to Be dingo-safe! at all times:

• always stay close (within arm’s reach) to children and young teenagers
• always walk in groups and carry a stick
• never feed dingoes
• camp in fenced areas where possible
• do not run – running or jogging can trigger a negative dingo interaction
• lock up food stores and iceboxes (even on a boat)
• never store food or food containers in tents
• secure all rubbish, fish and bait.

For more information go to K’gari dingoes.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged after police seize firearms during targeted Mowbray search

Thursday, 3 April 2025 – 3:42 pm.

A man has been charged after police seized four firearms, a silencer, and quantities of illicit substances during a targeted search at Mowbray yesterday.
Members of Northern Drug and Firearms Unit executed a search warrant at the private residence, seizing a 3D printed pistol, a shortened rifle, an unregistered rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun.
A 23-year-old Mowbray man presented to Launceston Police Station this morning, and was charged with multiple firearms-related offences including possess a prohibited firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued, possess a shortened firearm, and possess a silencer.
He was also charged with recklessly discharging a firearm in relation to an incident on 1 February and wounding over an incident on 19 January.
He will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source:

We’ve reviewed our travel advice for Vietnam and continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. You can apply online for an eVisa for tourism or business. You must have a visa before travelling to Vietnam and ensure your visa details are correct before you travel (See ‘Travel’).

Source: NSW Government puts trust in NAB to transform banking and payments

03 04 2025 – Media release

Top (L-R): Global Producers Exchange recipients Ramu Productions (Devina McPherson, Jodie Bell) and Unless Pictures (Meg O’Connell).Bottom (L-R): Talent Gateway recipients Jean Tong, Timothy Lee and Kacie Anning. 
Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia are pleased to announce the 2025 participants in the internationally recognized Talent Gateway (TG) and Global Producers Exchange (GPE).
These highly coveted programs are designed to elevate Australian screen creatives, enhancing their professional skills and expanding their global reach.
Running online since 2021, Talent Gateway supports Australian writer/directors who have demonstrated recent success, providing them with the tools, industry access, and relationships necessary to succeed on the global stage.
Global Producers Exchange aims to strengthen Australian producers’ international capabilities by facilitating global collaborations and offering key insights to develop Australian stories with a global outlook.
Peter Ritchie, Executive Director of Australians in Film, said, “Screen Australia’s strategic investment in expanding the international reach of Australian talent and businesses is essential for the continued success of Australian screen stories. These stories not only captivate international audiences but also generate significant economic growth, cementing Australia’s reputation internationally as a breeding ground for exciting new talent. We look forward to working with the outstanding 2025 participants.”
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said, “We’re thrilled to support the 2025 Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange participants, whose talents highlight the strength of Australia’s screen industry. These programs offer invaluable opportunities to expand their international reach and create new pathways for collaboration. As global demand for Australian stories continues to grow, initiatives like these ensure our talent remains at the forefront of the international screen community, driving both creative innovation and economic growth.”
Supporting Partners for these programs include Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screenwest and VicScreen. Industry Partners are Australian Directors’ Guild, Australian Writers’ Guild, Screen Producers Australia, Screen Canberra, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory,  Screenworks and South Australian Film Corporation.
Talent Gateway 2025 Participants:

Clare Sladden (QLD): Clare is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based writer passionate about female-driven narratives. Her recent television credits include Good Cop/Bad Cop (Jungle Entertainment and Future Shack for Stan, Roku and The CW), NCIS: Sydney (Endemol Shine AU for Paramount+), and Sunny Nights (Jungle Entertainment & Echo Lake Entertainment for Stan, premiering in 2025). In the audio space, Clare wrote on the Wentworth spin-off podcast (Fremantle Media for Audible) and wrote and directed the narrative podcast Winding Road, starring Dacre Montgomery and Yael Stone. Clare has also received Screen Australia development funding for her debut feature, Sophie Next Door.
Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes (NSW): This writing/directing duo from Sydney is known for their breakout work on Sissy, which was selected for SXSW and Sydney Film Festival, winning multiple audience awards globally. Their debut feature, For Now, garnered international festival nominations for Best Film. Recently, they received Premium Development Funding from Screen Australia for their next project, Cooch, and were named Inside Film’s Rising Stars. Their work continues to captivate global audiences with fresh and innovative storytelling.
Jean Tong (VIC): Jean is a multi-talented writer and director for stage and screen. Their television credits include episodes of Heartbreak High (Netflix), Safe Home (SBS), and Erotic Stories (SBS). Jean’s stage work includes critically acclaimed plays like Hungry Ghosts (Melbourne Theatre Company) and Romeo is Not the Only Fruit (Malthouse Theatre). They were also the inaugural Melbourne Theatre Company Playwriting Fellow in 2023. Jean is currently directing the world premiere of Benjamin Law’s adaptation of Dying: A Memoir for Melbourne Theatre Company.
Kacie Anning (NSW): Kacie is the creator, writer, director, and executive producer of Class of ’07 (Amazon Prime). She has directed and written for several high-profile series, including The Other Guy (Stan), Diary of a Future President (Disney+), Upload (Prime Video), and Hardball (ABC Me). She has won two Australian Directors’ Guild Awards. Her work as set-up director and EP on Madam (Channel 9), starring Rachel Griffiths, won Best Comedy Series at the Berlin Series Festival and Monte Carlo Television Festival.
Thomas Wilson White (NSW): Thomas is an award-winning writer and director, best known for his work on the International Emmy Award-winning Heartbreak High (Netflix). His debut feature The Greenhouse (2021) won the Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film under $1M. Thomas is currently developing a slate of original TV shows and a second feature film while adapting a best-selling novel for Warner Brothers.
Timothy Lee (NSW): Timothy is the co-creator and writer of the Australian neo-Western Territory (Netflix), which topped the charts in 11 countries and reached #2 globally on Netflix. He also wrote on Mystery Road (ABC) and Mystery Road: Origin, earning AACTA nominations for Best Screenplay in Television. His writing credits include Bump (Stan/Netflix), Doctor Doctor (Nine), and The Unlisted (Netflix).

Global Producers Exchange 2025 Participants:

Carver Films – Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish (VIC): Carver Films is led by award-winning producers Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish. Their 2023 feature Run Rabbit Run, starring Sarah Snook and directed by Daina Reid, premiered at Sundance and became the top-streamed English-language film on Netflix in Australia and the USA. Their previous credits include Relic (2020), Sunshine (2018), and Snowtown (2011), which debuted at Cannes Critics Week. Carver is currently in postproduction on Saccharine with director Natalie Erika James.
Future Pictures – Matt Govoni and Adam White (VIC): Founded by Matt Govoni and Adam White, Future Pictures is known for producing world-class content. Their recent projects include Late Night with the Devil (2023), which premiered at SXSW and won Best Screenplay at Sitges, and Lone Wolf (2021), which premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. Future Pictures continues to break box office records and achieve critical success in the global marketplace.
Martin Brown Films – Martin Brown and John Collee (NSW): Martin Brown Films is a Sydney-based screen production company founded by Martin Brown and John Collee. Martin Produced Moulin Rouge and Co-produced Romeo+Juliet. John recently adapted the TV series Boy Swallows Universe, which was Netflix’s most successful Australian-made show to date. Martin and John are recognized individually for their expertise in content development and international co-productions. Their company has a number of exciting projects in development.
Ramu Productions – Jodie Bell and Devina McPherson (WA): Based in Broome, Western Australia, Ramu Productions specializes in First Nations storytelling. CEO Jodie Bell, a Butchella and Jagera woman, has produced numerous award-winning short films and documentaries, including Putuparri and the Rainmakers. Devina McPherson, a Widi Yamatji and Noongar woman, is an experienced development and associate producer. Together, they focus on creating authentic First Nations content with a strong cultural lens.
Thirdborn – Nicole O’Donohue (NSW): Thirdborn, founded by filmmakers Shaun Grant, Justin Kurzel and Nicole O’Donohue, is committed to developing bold films and premium television series. Their debut series, Exposure (2024), was nominated for seven AACTA Awards. With a focus on distinctive storytelling, Thirdborn partners with extraordinary cast, crew, and producers with a shared creative ambition and passion for original storytelling to deliver impactful narratives for global audiences. 
Unless Pictures – Meg O’Connell (NSW): International Emmy-winning producer Meg O’Connell founded Unless Pictures, a creative production company known for innovative storytelling. Meg’s credits include the AACTA-winning Robbie Hood (SBS/NITV), the Rose d’Or-winning Content (ABC), and the international hit Bluey (ABC/BBC/Disney+). Her most recent project is the feature film Windcatcher (Stan/ACTF).

AiF Media Enquiries:
Jane Lunn 
[email protected]  | +61 402 248 811 
Media enquiries
Maddie Walsh | Publicist
+ 61 2 8113 5915  | [email protected]
Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
+ 61 428 767 836  | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries
Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

Source: Allens Insights (legal sector)

An applicant for a mining lease, other than the state applicant, must provide proof of readily available funds in its operating bank account of no less than 50% of the total projected capital costs upon lodgement of the application, as a precondition to the grant of a mining lease (section 62(a)(v)). We assume that the reference to ‘operating bank account’ means the bank account of a licence holder in a bank in PNG. 

Furthermore, the Bill provides that the holder of a mining lease whose RMCP has been approved must submit financial assurance that supports the performance of the RMCP obligations, to ensure that the state may not be liable for meeting the costs of the performance of closure obligations.

Under the Bill, the holder of a mining lease whose RMCP is approved, will not be able to commence any mining or related operations until this financial assurance has been submitted.

The financial assurance must be 20% of the total RMCP cost of implementation, and should include a letter of credit; insurance company bond; security interests in unencumbered assets; or other forms of financial assurance. The remaining 80% of the full cost is expected to be paid by the mining lease holder in annual instalments into a trust fund, established for the purpose, two years before the planned closure. This amount must be reviewed and updated every time the RMCP is updated.