Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 10 Apr 2025

Ongoing repairs and upgrades across Daintree National Park (CYPAL) are on track to reopen key visitor infrastructure in time for the Easter school holidays, ensuring visitors can explore the world’s oldest rainforest and support local tourism.

The upgrades will help Far North Queensland get ‘back to business’ following the impact of weather events which caused significant flooding, debris and landslips on a number of sites and assets in the national park.

Work in Daintree National Park (CYPAL) includes:

• Starting the $4.5 million Jindalba boardwalk upgrades – including accessibility improvements that are set to open mid-2025.
• Mobilising construction on the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bamanga Muruku Tourism Hub – allowing traditional owners of the world’s oldest rainforest to share their culture with visitors, set to open later this year.
• Reopening the Kulki Boardwalk Lookout after repairs from debris damage.
• Reopening the Dubuji and Madja boardwalks after cyclone debris removal and flood repairs.
• Reopening Mossman Gorge walking tracks after repairing a damaged pedestrian bridge.
• Progressing plans for the Walu Wugirriga Alexandra Range Lookout upgrade for enhanced views.

Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General Ben Klaassen said they’re ensuring these wonders can be witnessed for generations to come.

“Our dedicated Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service team has been working hard to ensure visitors to the national park can truly enjoy north and far north Queensland’s wonderful natural environment,” said Mr Klaassen.

“Daintree National Park (CYPAL) protects one of the oldest rainforests in the world, which is teaming with diverse wildlife.

“Attracting visitors who appreciate this stunning environment allows the national park to play an essential role for the local economy, while showcasing unique biodiversity and rich Indigenous culture.

“We are forging ahead with a number of exciting projects to ensure ecotourism icons like the Daintree continue to support our vibrant state.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen welcomed the recovery work and upgrades in Daintree National Park (CYPAL).

“These works are essential for preserving the region’s world-renowned natural beauty and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors,” said Mr Olsen.

“This work is vital for tourism, helping to support local businesses, attract nature lovers from around the globe, and strengthen the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination.”

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation CEO Joshua Paterson said the Daintree National Park (CYPAL) held deep cultural significance for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people.

“This is part of our ancestral land, rich with sacred sites, stories, and traditions passed down for generations,” said Mr Paterson.

“Our partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to protect and preserve the park’s cultural and environmental values, allows us to share our knowledge and heritage while safeguarding the rainforest’s unique ecosystems for all to experience and respect.”

Daintree National Park (CYPAL), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its unparalleled biodiversity, featuring a rare convergence of reef, rainforest, and mangrove ecosystems that support unique species like the southern cassowary and Bennett’s tree-kangaroo.

The national park is under the joint management of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, whose efforts are focused on preserving the park’s cultural and environmental significance while promoting sustainable tourism.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The Federal Court today ordered Clorox Australia Pty Ltd (Clorox) to pay a total penalty of $8.25 million for making false or misleading representations to consumers that certain GLAD kitchen and garbage bags were partly made of recycled ‘ocean plastic’, following court action by the ACCC.

Clorox admitted that, between June 2021 and July 2023, it breached the Australian Consumer Law by representing on the packaging of its GLAD to be GREEN “50% Ocean Plastic Recycled” Kitchen Tidy Bags and Garbage Bags products that the products were made of at least 50 per cent recycled plastic waste collected from the ocean or sea, when this was not the case. More than 2.2 million products were supplied in this packaging over this period.

Rather, the products were made from about 50 per cent plastic waste which had been collected from communities in Indonesia with no formal waste management systems, situated up to 50 kilometres from a shoreline, and otherwise from non-recycled plastic, processing aid and dye.

“Claims about environmental benefits matter to many consumers and may impact their purchasing behaviour. When those claims are false or misleading, this is a serious breach of trust, as well as the Australian Consumer Law,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“This is also a significant matter because consumers have limited or no ability to independently verify the accuracy of the claims made on packaging and it also disadvantages competitors who are accurately communicating their environmental credentials.”

“We consider this penalty is appropriate in this case where Clorox gave insufficient consideration to what ‘ocean plastic’ meant to an ordinary consumer, particularly in light of the blue colour and wave imaging on the packaging,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

The Court held that these features “connoted a relationship between the Products and the ocean” and the “reference to ‘green’ on the Packaging connoted environmental-friendliness”, and that these were “important contextual matters in assessing the contravening conduct”.

It was also observed by the Court that “there is a particular societal harm that arises when conduct undermines consumers’ confidence in environmental claims”, adding that the “development of products that minimise adverse environmental impacts is beneficial” but “[e]nvironmental claims are useful for consumers only if they are accurate.”  

Clorox was also ordered to set up an Australian Consumer Law compliance program, publish a corrective notice on its website, and pay part of the ACCC’s legal costs, among other orders.

“While the ACCC encourages businesses to innovate and offer environmentally sustainable products, businesses need to be clear and accurate when making representations about them. We take allegations of greenwashing extremely seriously and will continue to monitor claims made by businesses and, where appropriate, will take enforcement action on misleading environmental claims,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

Clorox cooperated with the ACCC during its investigation and the legal proceedings, made admissions, and agreed to make joint submissions with the ACCC to the Court, including on the appropriate total penalty and other orders.

Clorox discontinued the products in July 2023, after it became aware the ACCC had started investigating, but before the ACCC commenced these proceedings.

Examples of the misleading packaging

Between June 2021 and about 13 November 2022, the packaging of Clorox’s small, medium, and large Kitchen Tidy Bags included the statements ‘50% Ocean Plastic Recycled Bags’, and ‘Made using 50% Ocean Plastic*’ around an image of a wave, overlaid on an image of a blue coloured waste disposal bag.

The back of the packaging carried the following statements in smaller font:

‘These bags are made from 50% ocean recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold household waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, save marine life and put an end to irresponsible waste.’

‘*Made using 50% ocean bound plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

These statements were insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

From about 6 March 2022, Clorox began updating the packaging to include the statement ‘Made using 50% Ocean Bound Plastic*’ on the front of the packaging.

Clorox also updated the statements, which appeared in small font on the back of the Kitchen Tidy Bags’ packaging as follows (changes in bold):

‘These bags are made from 50% ocean bound recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold household waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, making the seas safer for marine life, and helping to put an end to irresponsible waste.’

‘*Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

These changes were insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

 Clorox discontinued the products in July 2023.

Garbage Bags

Between about May 2022 and July 2023, the packaging of its large and extra-large Garbage Bags included the statements ‘50% Ocean Plastic Recycled Garbage Bags’, and ‘Made using 50% Ocean Bound Plastic*’ around an image of a wave, overlaid on an image of a blue coloured waste disposal bag.

The back of the packaging also carried two statements in smaller font, which sought to qualify the ocean plastic representation:

‘These strong garbage bags are made from 50% ocean bound recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, making the seas safer for marine life, and helping to put an end to irresponsible waste.’

‘*Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

Again, this information was insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

Background

Clorox supplies various consumer goods, including garbage bags and kitchen tidy bags, under the GLAD brand. The products subject to these proceedings were available in major retailers including Woolworths and Coles.

In April 2024, the ACCC instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Clorox Australia Pty Limited.

In December 2023, the ACCC released its guidance on making environmental claims for businesses, which explains business’ obligations under the Australian Consumer Law when they make environmental and sustainability claims. It also sets out what the ACCC considers to be misleading conduct and good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the environmental performance of their business.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Extradition from Northern Territory – child sex abuse charges

Monday, 14 April 2025 – 4:09 pm.

Police are today extraditing a man from the Northern Territory to Tasmania over child sexual abuse charges.Detectives from the Southern District have travelled to the Northern Territory and are extraditing the 28-year-old back to Tasmania.The man is expected to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16 April 2025 on the charges of Penetrative Sexual Abuse of a Child or Young Person and Grooming with Intent to Expose a Person to Indecent Material.The charges relates to crimes allegedly committed in 2021 in Tasmania.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo has prepared a draft Stage 2 Heritage Study for the former Shire of Huntly, which is now open for public consultation.

The former Shire of Huntly covered areas including Ascot, Bagshot, Drummartin, Elmore, Epsom, Fosterville, Goornong, Kamarooka and parts of Huntly, East Bendigo and Longlea.

Stage 1 of the study was completed in 2021 and community members shared valuable local knowledge about the former Shire of Huntly, provided photographs, stories and records that have helped to fill in historical details for places or precincts with potential significance.

Topics included events that confirmed the significance of building periods within the area, the establishment of community and social infrastructure (including health, sporting, and social places), and the development of distinct phases of housing, including early settlement, early mining, and agriculture.

Manager Strategic Planning Anthony Petherbridge said a draft Stage 2 Heritage Study was the next step in the project.

“The Stage 2 draft goes a lot further and includes detailed assessments of places and precincts that were identified as part of the Stage 1 of the study. This determines their heritage significance according to a set of recognised criteria,” Mr Petherbridge said.

“This draft study makes recommendations for applying the Heritage Overlay to places found to be of local significance, and one place which may meet the threshold for state significance.

“Community members and businesses are invited to attend one of three engagement drop-in sessions to provide feedback on the draft study.

Feedback will help the City understand if any changes are needed before the draft is presented to a future Council meeting for adoption.“

City staff will be available to answer questions about the recommended Heritage Overlay for properties and areas that have been identified in the draft study as places of significance in the former Shire of Huntly.

“Community members are encouraged to register for a 15-minute appointment at one of the information sessions.”

Owners and occupiers with properties identified through the study will also receive a letter about the findings and any potential impacts on their property.

Three information drop-in sessions are taking place in May:

• Session 1: Elmore Community Hub, 1pm to 5pm on Thursday May 1, 2025
• Session 2: Huntly Memorial Hall, 1pm to 4pm on Thursday May 8, 2025
• Session 3: Goornong Memorial Hall, 5pm to 7pm on Monday May 12, 2025

Public consultation closes on Sunday May 18.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source:

We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Ghana due to the threat of violent crime. Higher levels apply in some areas. A curfew is in place from 8pm to 5am covering Walewale and its surrounding areas in the North East Region. You should plan your travel movements to avoid breaking the curfew and follow the directions of local authorities (see ‘Safety’).

Avoid demonstrations, protests, large public events and intercommunity disputes, as they can turn violent. There’s been an increase in reported incidents of banditry involving passenger buses travelling in the Upper West and Upper East regions. Injuries and deaths have resulted (see ‘Safety’). There’s currently an outbreak of Mpox in parts of Africa, including Ghana (see ‘Health’).

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The Federal Court today ordered Clorox Australia Pty Ltd (Clorox) to pay a total penalty of $8.25 million for making false or misleading representations to consumers that certain GLAD kitchen and garbage bags were partly made of recycled ‘ocean plastic’, following court action by the ACCC.

Clorox admitted that, between June 2021 and July 2023, it breached the Australian Consumer Law by representing on the packaging of its GLAD to be GREEN “50% Ocean Plastic Recycled” Kitchen Tidy Bags and Garbage Bags products that the products were made of at least 50 per cent recycled plastic waste collected from the ocean or sea, when this was not the case. More than 2.2 million products were supplied in this packaging over this period.

Rather, the products were made from about 50 per cent plastic waste which had been collected from communities in Indonesia with no formal waste management systems, situated up to 50 kilometres from a shoreline, and otherwise from non-recycled plastic, processing aid and dye.

“Claims about environmental benefits matter to many consumers and may impact their purchasing behaviour. When those claims are false or misleading, this is a serious breach of trust, as well as the Australian Consumer Law,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“This is also a significant matter because consumers have limited or no ability to independently verify the accuracy of the claims made on packaging and it also disadvantages competitors who are accurately communicating their environmental credentials.”

“We consider this penalty is appropriate in this case where Clorox gave insufficient consideration to what ‘ocean plastic’ meant to an ordinary consumer, particularly in light of the blue colour and wave imaging on the packaging,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

The Court held that these features “connoted a relationship between the Products and the ocean” and the “reference to ‘green’ on the Packaging connoted environmental-friendliness”, and that these were “important contextual matters in assessing the contravening conduct”.

It was also observed by the Court that “there is a particular societal harm that arises when conduct undermines consumers’ confidence in environmental claims”, adding that the “development of products that minimise adverse environmental impacts is beneficial” but “[e]nvironmental claims are useful for consumers only if they are accurate.”  

Clorox was also ordered to set up an Australian Consumer Law compliance program, publish a corrective notice on its website, and pay part of the ACCC’s legal costs, among other orders.

“While the ACCC encourages businesses to innovate and offer environmentally sustainable products, businesses need to be clear and accurate when making representations about them. We take allegations of greenwashing extremely seriously and will continue to monitor claims made by businesses and, where appropriate, will take enforcement action on misleading environmental claims,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

Clorox cooperated with the ACCC during its investigation and the legal proceedings, made admissions, and agreed to make joint submissions with the ACCC to the Court, including on the appropriate total penalty and other orders.

Clorox discontinued the products in July 2023, after it became aware the ACCC had started investigating, but before the ACCC commenced these proceedings.

Examples of the misleading packaging

Between June 2021 and about 13 November 2022, the packaging of Clorox’s small, medium, and large Kitchen Tidy Bags included the statements ‘50% Ocean Plastic Recycled Bags’, and ‘Made using 50% Ocean Plastic*’ around an image of a wave, overlaid on an image of a blue coloured waste disposal bag.

The back of the packaging carried the following statements in smaller font:

‘These bags are made from 50% ocean recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold household waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, save marine life and put an end to irresponsible waste.’

‘*Made using 50% ocean bound plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

These statements were insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

From about 6 March 2022, Clorox began updating the packaging to include the statement ‘Made using 50% Ocean Bound Plastic*’ on the front of the packaging.

Clorox also updated the statements, which appeared in small font on the back of the Kitchen Tidy Bags’ packaging as follows (changes in bold):

‘These bags are made from 50% ocean bound recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold household waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, making the seas safer for marine life, and helping to put an end to irresponsible waste.’

‘*Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

These changes were insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

 Clorox discontinued the products in July 2023.

Garbage Bags

Between about May 2022 and July 2023, the packaging of its large and extra-large Garbage Bags included the statements ‘50% Ocean Plastic Recycled Garbage Bags’, and ‘Made using 50% Ocean Bound Plastic*’ around an image of a wave, overlaid on an image of a blue coloured waste disposal bag.

The back of the packaging also carried two statements in smaller font, which sought to qualify the ocean plastic representation:

‘These strong garbage bags are made from 50% ocean bound recycled plastic, and have the trusted strength of Glad® to hold waste on its way to landfill. Recycling ocean bound plastic reduces plastic pollution before it enters the ocean, helping to reduce pollution in waterways, making the seas safer for marine life, and helping to put an end to irresponsible waste.’

‘*Made using 50% ocean bound recycled plastic that is collected from communities with no formal waste management system within 50 km of the shore line.’

Again, this information was insufficient to dispel the false or misleading ocean plastic representation.

Background

Clorox supplies various consumer goods, including garbage bags and kitchen tidy bags, under the GLAD brand. The products subject to these proceedings were available in major retailers including Woolworths and Coles.

In April 2024, the ACCC instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Clorox Australia Pty Limited.

In December 2023, the ACCC released its guidance on making environmental claims for businesses, which explains business’ obligations under the Australian Consumer Law when they make environmental and sustainability claims. It also sets out what the ACCC considers to be misleading conduct and good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the environmental performance of their business.

Source: New South Wales – News

An increase in people enjoying a variety of waterways is egg-spected over the period, with police and Marine Safety Officers ramping up patrols across inland and coastal locations coinciding with school holidays.

“We encourage the public to make the most of the warm weather and enjoy our waterways, but they must do so safely,” Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit said.

“Police will be working with our partner agencies to ensure everyone is acting responsibly while on the water, by detecting breaches of the Harbours and Navigation Act.

“We will be conducting safety equipment checks and random alcohol and drug testing of boat operators, observers and skiers, because as on land, a blood alcohol limit of 0.05 applies.”

From 27 December 2024 to 3 February 2025, Operation Riversafe saw 205 vessel checks by police alone, 204 alco tests, 115 drug tests, 28 cautions, eight expiations and six reports (four positive drugs, two prescribed concentration of alcohol). Marine Safety Officers also support this operation.

In addition to having a road safety operation in place, SAPOL is also mindful avoidable water tragedies can occur when risks are taken.

“While South Australians are being asked to ‘keep it sweet on the road’ this Easter, let’s also keep it sweet on the water,” Senior Sergeant Leske urged.

“Alcohol or drugs and water don’t mix. An incident at Mannum over the Australia Day long weekend is a prime example of this.”

Failing to carry appropriate safety equipment, misuse of or not carrying lifejackets, outdated flares, unregistered vessels and exceeding speed limits were the top five non-compliance issues among water users last Easter period.

“It only takes a moment to put a lifejacket on, but not wearing one on the water when trouble strikes can cost your life in an instant,” Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, said.

“More than one third of the vessels we checked last Easter on coastal waters and at boat ramps were non-compliant, with misuse of or not carrying lifejackets among the most common issues.

“Boaties and holidaymakers are reminded to check their lifejackets are to standard, fit well, and are in good working condition, that they are operating safely and keeping to speed limits around other water users, and they have the right safety equipment on board.”

Since 1 January 2025, older standard lifejackets have no longer been acceptable to use, and jackets must now meet the AS 4758 standard.

Fisheries will also have an on-water and on-land presence across the entire state over the Easter and Anzac Day long weekends, and officers will be especially checking compliance with the no take zones for snapper over the period.

“We ask that fishers adhere to size and bag limits and fishing gear regulations and are encouraged to access the Rec Fishing App or the PIRSA website for further information,” Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA, said.

“To combat the spread of the Abalone virus AVG, decontamination protocols apply to fishing devices and boats, especially those operating from the Murray Mouth to the Victorian Border.

“Remember, Check, Clean and Dry.  Full details are also on the PIRSA website.

“If you see anything unusual, please report any concerns to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522.”

Plus, don’t forget:

* Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back.

* Slow your vessel to 4 knots when near other boats, ramps, jetties, swimmers, surfaces and the shore.

* Keep your keys in a safe location. Do not hide them in your car, caravan or boat.

* Remove fishing rods, tackle boxes and eskies from boats and trailers when not in use.

* Securely attach trailers and boats to a vehicle or a solid fixture when not in use.

* Be aware of water safety issues at the beach or at the river including rips and currents, maritime safety and the dangers of marine life.

* Never leave valuable items unattended or under a beach towel. Use a watertight container or leave your items secured in your holiday home.

For more information on boating rules and regulations, visit: South Australian boating safety handbook (marinesafety.sa.gov.au)

Report any suspicious behaviour to SAPOL by calling 131 444.

Gordon Panton, Manager Marine Safety and Compliance at the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Senior Sergeant Darian Leske from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit and Gary Darter, acting General Manager Operations Support at PIRSA at North Haven Marina today, sharing a school holiday water safety message.

Source: New South Wales Government 2

14 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Import-related biosecurity treatment stakeholders, including all importers, brokerages, onshore approved arrangement holders, overseas government and industry treatment providers, relevant domestic state and territory government agencies, and other shipping, freight, and logistics peak industry bodies.

What has changed?

This is a reminder that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) will…