Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of Australia Capital Territory

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Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Children’s entertainment group The Wiggles Holdings Pty Ltd (The Wiggles) has admitted it likely breached the Australian Consumer Law by selling Emma Bow headbands without mandatory safety warnings required for products containing button batteries, and has committed to raising awareness of the dangers that button batteries can pose.

The Wiggles’ Emma Bow is a yellow and black headband featuring four lights powered by button batteries.

Between June 2022 and March 2024, The Wiggles sold the headband without mandatory safety warnings that it contained button batteries and about the risks that button batteries pose.

The Wiggles has provided the ACCC with a court-enforceable undertaking in which it admits it likely breached the Australian Consumer Law by supplying headbands which failed to comply with the Button Battery Information Standard and commits to implementing a consumer law compliance program within their organisation.

The importer and distributor of the headband, CA Australia Pty Ltd (CA Australia), has also provided a written commitment to the ACCC to improve its consumer law compliance.  

“The Emma Bow was aimed for children’s use and was available at The Wiggles’ live concerts.  It was also sold by other suppliers on The Wiggles online store and through various physical retail stores” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Without a warning on the product, parents may not have known it contained button batteries and not understood the severity of the risk.”

“If swallowed, a button battery can become stuck in a child’s throat and result in catastrophic injuries, and even death, in as little as two hours,” Ms Lowe said.

As part of its co-operation with the ACCC’s investigation, The Wiggles has committed to produce an episode of its podcast “Wiggle Talk – A Podcast For Parents”, which will refer to the recall of the Emma Bow headband, and discuss safety issues relating to button batteries and children’s toys to help raise awareness.

The Wiggles and CA Australia recalled the product and a recall notice was published on the ACCC website on 1 August 2024. Consumers who still have the Emma Bow should refer to the recall notice for further information, including to arrange for a return of the product.

Compliance with button battery standards is a priority for the ACCC. Button batteries pose a significant risk to vulnerable young children and the button battery mandatory standards are an important step in helping to prevent injuries to children.

The undertaking can be found here: The Wiggles Holdings Pty Ltd 

Images of the Emma Bow product

ACCC guidance for businesses and consumers

The mandatory button battery standards aim to make button battery products safer and provide consumers with important safety information to mitigate the risks associated with button batteries.

The Information Standard requires certain warnings and safety information to be provided with button battery products and/or packaging.

Button batteries are small, round and shiny and can be appealing for young children to swallow or insert, which poses a significant risk of serious injury or death. In Australia, three children have died from incidents involving button batteries. Compliance with the mandatory standards helps to prevent this.

If you suspect your child has swallowed or inserted a button battery:

1. call Triple Zero (000) immediately if your child is bleeding or having any difficulty breathing
2. call 13 11 26 immediately for 24/7 fast and expert advice from the Poisons Information Centre.

Prompt action is critical, do not wait for symptoms to develop. Serious injury can occur in as little as two hours and can be fatal.

The ACCC strongly encourages consumers to check for button battery products in their homes and take steps to secure them to keep them safe for young children. Consumers can check the list of recalled products on the ACCC Product Safety website.

Anyone who has experienced product safety incidents (including near misses) is strongly encouraged to report these to the supplier and to report safety concerns about particular products to the ACCC via the Product Safety website.

Suppliers of button battery products must submit a report to the ACCC within 2 days if they become aware that a consumer good they have supplied caused or may have caused a death, serious injury or serious illness. Further information about this reporting can be found in the ACCC’s Mandatory Reporting Guideline.

The ACCC has published a fact sheet and guide for businesses on the button battery mandatory standards to assist businesses with meeting their obligations.

Background

The Wiggles is a children’s musical entertainment group. It also licences its intellectual property and rights to supply products to third parties.

CA Australia is a designer, manufacturer and wholesaler of soft plush toys. It was the only importer of the Emma Bow headband into Australia and the exclusive supplier of it to The Wiggles.

There are four mandatory safety and information standards for button and coin batteries, and products containing them. They apply to all levels of the supply chain, including manufacturers, importers and retailers. 

It is alleged that during the period from 22 June 2022 to 24 March 2024, The Wiggles supplied 3,164 of the headbands to consumers.

It is alleged that during the period from 23 June 2022 to 19 September 2023 CA Australia supplied at least 3,764 headbands, including to The Wiggles and other third-party retailers.

The Wiggles has recalled the Emma Bow product for the entire period it was supplied, 1 November 2015 to 24 March 2024. The Button Battery Information Standard came in force on 22 June 2022.

The Wiggles as part of the resolution of this matter has committed to produce an episode of its podcast “Wiggle Talk – A Podcast For Parents”, relating to button battery safety and/or safety issues associated with children’s toys. The podcast will be published within the next 6 months across YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Other button battery enforcement outcomes include:

In May 2025, Hungry Jack’s paid penalties totalling $150,240 after the ACCC issued 8 infringement notices for supplying a Garfield-themed Toy that allegedly did not comply with Australia’s mandatory button battery standards. Hungry Jack’s also provided the ACCC with a court-enforceable undertaking. 

In April 2025, the ACCC commenced proceedings against Fewstone Pty Ltd (trading as City Beach) regarding allegations that City Beach offered for sale 70 product lines containing button batteries which did not comply with the button battery standards. This matter is still before the Court.

In May 2023, the Reject Shop and Dusk paid a total of nearly $240,000 in penalties after the ACCC issued them with infringement notices for alleged failure to comply with mandatory product safety and information standards applying to Halloween novelty products containing button batteries.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The Greater Bendigo City Council has elected Cr Thomas Prince as Mayor and Cr Karen Corr as Deputy Mayor for 2025-2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in local leadership.

The appointments were confirmed at a Council meeting held tonight at Bendigo Town Hall.

Mayor Cr Prince said he was honoured to be chosen by his fellow Councillors and is ready to lead with both head and heart.

“I’m grateful for the trust placed in me and excited to work with a unified Council that puts community first,” Cr Prince said.

“I believe in being approachable, practical and personal. Building strong relationships – whether with residents, community groups, or other levels of government – is central to how I lead.”

As Mayor, Cr Prince has outlined a clear and community-focused vision for his term.

He is committed to strengthening trust in Council through greater transparency and meaningful engagement, ensuring residents feel heard and involved in local decision-making.

Improving housing and liveability across Greater Bendigo is a key focus, with plans to support diverse housing options and thoughtful growth that meets the needs of all residents.

Cr Prince also aims to ease cost of living pressures and strengthen economic resilience by backing local businesses and promoting fair access to essential services.

He will also champion safe and connected communities, investing in infrastructure and social initiatives that bring people together and enhance everyday life.

“I’ll continue to attend community meetings, school visits and local events – these connections are the most rewarding part of the role. I’m committed to listening, learning and delivering outcomes that reflect the needs of our residents,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to serve as Mayor, and I’m energised by the opportunity to help shape a sustainable and flourishing future for Greater Bendigo.”

Deputy Mayor Cr Karen Corr said she was proud to take on the role and will bring her three decades of leadership experience to the position.

Cr Corr brings a deep commitment to community and a clear set of priorities to guide her work.

Her vision is for individual suburbs and towns to thrive as vibrant local hubs, and for the City as a whole to be healthy, sustainable and inclusive.

She is passionate about advocating for diverse housing solutions that meet the needs of all residents, whilst maintaining the heritage and unique character of our city.

Improving how people move around Greater Bendigo is also a key focus, with Cr Corr supporting better transport connections and safer roads to cater for all modes of travel.

Collaboration is at the heart of her approach. She is dedicated to strengthening partnerships across community groups, sectors and levels of government to deliver meaningful outcomes for residents, businesses and the region.

Above all, Cr Corr is committed to being present and engaged in the community – listening with empathy, acting with integrity, and building trust through genuine connection.

“Advocacy is key – we must speak up, stand together, and ensure our region’s priorities are heard. I’m committed to being a visible and active Deputy Mayor, focused on collaboration and positive change.”

With a shared commitment to community, transparency and meaningful outcomes, Cr Prince and Cr Corr are ready to lead Greater Bendigo into its next chapter.

Council also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf for her dedication and service over the past year.

Cr Metcalf’s unwavering commitment to the community, thoughtful leadership and genuine care for the people of Greater Bendigo have left a lasting impact.

Her warmth, integrity and steady presence have helped guide Council through important decisions and strengthened connections across the region.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA has purchased truckloads of tankers to ensure it is stocked up ahead of the manufacturer discontinuation of the model.

The 50 cab chassis are lined up in CFA’s State Logistics Centre, where they will be sent off in small batches to a local specialist body manufacturer Bell Environmental, to be turned into Light Tankers.

CFA’s Head of Fleet and Protective Equipment Dan Jones said we expect the process of the build into firetrucks for each tanker to take around six months, with the rollout to brigades to start in mid-2026.

“These light tankers will come equipped with the latest safety features and new firefighting equipment,” Dan said.

“They’re a low-profile emergency response vehicle with 4×4 maneuverability which assists with navigating through busy urban streets or rugged rural terrain.

“It’s also lightweight with the capacity to hold 2,000 litres of water, so they’re a vital asset to our firefighting fleet.

“It was important to ensure we had the stock so we can continue delivering these vital firefighting vehicles to our brigades across the state over the next couple of years.”

The first seven of these new Light Tankers will be delivered next year to Echuca Village, Ellerslie, Greendale, Kingston, Bulart, Corinella and Jamieson brigades.

All seven brigades helped fund those trucks through local community donations and funding grants through the 2024/25 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP).

Just in time for the upcoming fire season, CFA is also celebrating the completion of its Radio Replacement Program.

As one of the biggest investments ever made to CFA, the $138 million dollar program saw the delivery of 18,000 devices across the state, including all mobile and portable devices, bag radios and local bases.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the new radios include additional functionality for CFA including GPS on the portable radios and multiband capability to allow direct communication with partner agencies.

“The new radios have great coverage and improved capability in buildings and structures,” Jason said.

“Our volunteers have reported that the new radios have provided a significant uplift in the way they have been able to communicate with each other, and other emergency services, both in Victoria and border areas with interstate fire services.

“It’s great to see this project come to fruition and I know they’ll be valuable pieces of equipment for many years.”

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

I acknowledge that we are on Gadigal land and pay my respects to elders past and present.

I also acknowledge and thank President of the NSW Legislative Council the Hon Ben Franklin MLC, and all others who made today’s event possible.

And to His Excellency Ambassador Myroshnychenko for his attendance tonight.

And of course to Ms Kateryna Argyrou, who we are celebrating tonight as the newly appointed Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney.

On behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to congratulate you, Ms Argyrou, on your appointment.

As the chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations, you have been a tireless advocate for Ukraine and for the Ukrainian diaspora here in Australia.

More than three years ago, Russia underestimated the bravery and determination of the Ukrainian people, its soldiers, and its leaders.

We recognise the hardships the Ukrainian people have endured, and we acknowledge the anguish the Ukrainian diaspora experience here in Australia, thousands of kilometres away.

Your passion for Ukraine and the Ukrainian community here in Australia, makes you a strong advocate and representative.

And we share your steadfast support for Ukraine.

Australia and Ukraine may be on opposite sides of the globe, but we stand united. We stand united in upholding democratic values, the rule of law, and respect for sovereignty.

In demonstration of our strong support for Ukraine, Australia has provided more than $1.5 billion in support of Ukraine since Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion, including $1.3 billion in military support.

We are proud to be the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to help Ukraine defend itself.

In recent months, we deployed a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft to support humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine.

We continue to support the ongoing training of Ukrainian troops through Operation KUDU, and delivered the majority of the M1A1 Abrams tanks, with more to follow.

Last year, as part of my previous role as Assistant Minister for Defence, I had the pleasure of farewelling 90 ADF personnel from the Defence Base in Adelaide as they departed for the UK.

To date, the ADF has trained over 2,900 Ukrainian personnel across ten rotations, with the eleventh currently underway.

Including training the next generation of young leaders in the Ukrainian military.

I am sure everyone in this room would join me in thanking them for the service.

Australia has also provided important humanitarian, energy and economic support to Ukraine.

And we are continuing work to hold Russia to account for its invasion.

We have also imposed more than 1,600 targeted sanctions on Russia and its supporters.

Australians also expect businesses to do their part to prevent their supply chains from inadvertently funding Russia’s illegal war machine, and our Government has made that point direct to industry.

Australia stands with the people of Ukraine as you defend your freedoms. Your democracy. Your independence.

The ties between Australia and Ukraine have only grown stronger since Russia’s full-scale invasion and we look forward to working with you, Ms Argyrou, to further deepen these ties.

Congratulations, again on your appointment. And to all Ukrainians, to those in Ukraine, to those here in Australia, and to those across the world, we stand with you.

Slava Ukraini.

Source: ACT Police

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Original publication: Monday, 10 November 2025 2:59pm

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Original publication: Monday, 10 November 2025 11:57am

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