Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

SARAH FERGUSON, HOST: Prime Minister, welcome to 7.30.

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Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

For the members of Keysborough Fire Brigade, the promise of a new home is more than just bricks and mortar – it’s the culmination of a journey spanning two decades.

It’s a story that combines resilience, a brigade that transformed itself from the inside out, and cutting-edge data analysis that finally proved what the locals knew all along: Keysborough needed its own station to keep its community safe. 

After years of uncertainty, the announcement that Keysborough will receive a new fire station has been met with a collective sigh of relief and a surge of excitement. The project, backed by an initial $500,000 investment in the 2022-23 Victorian State Budget for planning works, is set to secure the future of emergency response in this growing pocket of Melbourne’s south-east. 

A long road travelled

The conversation about the future of Keysborough Fire Brigade is not new. In fact, discussions about the brigade’s viability and location date back to 2003. For years the brigade faced significant challenges, grappling with questions about its identity and its proximity to the neighbouring Noble Park Fire Brigade. 

Through the lens of Fire Services Reform and the shifting landscape of emergency management, the brigade found itself at a crossroads. But rather than falter, Keysborough brigade reinvented itself. 

Today, the brigade is unrecognisable from the one that entered those initial discussions years ago. It has blossomed into a thriving hub of activity, boasting a membership that is culturally and gender diverse, truly mirroring the vibrant multicultural community it serves. The station is no longer just a garage for trucks, but a community anchor. 

However, the existing facility has long been outgrown. Despite being geographically well-placed to protect local assets – including nearby schools and residential growth zones – the site has faced logistical constraints that made a stay-put solution difficult.

The science of safety

Determining the future of the brigade required more than just intuition; it required hard evidence. CFA’s Strategic Insights team stepped in to revolutionise the decision-making process. Moving away from simple radius maps, the team used a new ‘node coverage’ methodology. This sophisticated approach analyses service delivery at a granular level. 

“We didn’t just look at circles on a map. We used dynamic road network modelling to calculate exactly which properties could be reached within our service delivery standards (SDS),” Manager Strategic Insights Paul Nguyen said. “The node coverage method allows us to see the real-world impact of traffic, road networks and travel times on community safety.”

The data revealed the crucial insight that the current Keysborough location was arguably one of the best in the state for its specific patch, achieving close to 100 per cent node coverage. This means that almost every property in the brigade’s response area can be reached within the critical timeframe required to save lives and property. 

For a long time, a prevailing proposal was to merge Keysborough and Noble Park brigades into a single ‘super station’ at Parkmore that would be responsible for covering both response areas. On paper, it seemed like a consolidation of resources, but in reality the data told a different story. The Strategic Insights analysis showed that such a move would result in significantly poorer outcomes for local residents. 

Currently, Keysborough has about 99.9 per cent coverage, while Noble Park sits at a robust 91.4 per cent. The modelling showed that combining them at the Parkmore site would lead to a combined coverage of just 63.5 per cent. A merger would leave huge swathes of the community outside the rapid response zone. This data-driven validation was the turning point, supporting the argument to maintain Keysborough and Noble Park as separate and vital entities.

Finding the perfect fit 

With a merger off the table, the focus shifted to finding a new home for Keysborough brigade that retained the operational excellence of the current site without its physical limitations. The search was a collaborative effort. The brigade captain played a pivotal role, identifying several potential locations that were then stress-tested against the node coverage model.

The aim was simple but ambitious: preserve the existing 100 per cent coverage while providing a modern facility. 

A potential location has been identified as the ideal solution, which promises to maintain the high standards of service delivery the community expects while giving the volunteers the modern facilities they deserve. 

This outcome was the result of deep engagement between the brigade and senior government officials. Local Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson has been a vocal champion for the brigade, walking the journey with the volunteers. Similarly, the Minister for Emergency Services Vicki Ward has taken a hands-on approach, visiting the station to understand the challenges firsthand. 

“We’ve worked incredibly hard to build a brigade that looks like our community and serves it with pride. To have the data back us up and the government support our future is a massive win for every one of our members,” Keysborough Fire Brigade Captain Stewart Matulis said.

Deputy Chief Officer South East Region Trevor Owen noted that this decision underscores CFA’s commitment to evidence-based planning. 

“This process highlights how we are using modern technology to support our volunteers. We aren’t just guessing where stations should go, we are proving it. Keysborough’s new home ensures that safety standards in the south-east remain world-class,” Trevor said.

As planning work begins, the mood at Keysborough is one of optimism. They have survived the uncertainty, proven their worth through data and diversity, and are now ready to lay the foundations for the next generation of service. 

Source: Government of Victoria 3

A guideline to assist to people understand the role and responsibilities of a litigation guardian has been launched by Court Services Victoria.

A litigation guardian is a person who conducts a court case on behalf of another person, either because the person is not yet 18 or they have a disability that prevents them from attending to the things needed for the court case to proceed.  The litigation guardian makes the decisions in the case that the represented person would otherwise need to make.

The Litigation Guardians guideline – the first of its kind in Victoria – is aimed at helping potential litigation guardians to understand:

• the role of a litigation guardian in the court process;
• why the role is so critical;
• key duties and responsibilities;
• what questions to ask the represented person’s lawyer, including about costs and court processes;
• the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest; and
• the importance of consulting with the represented person and determining their will and preferences as far as practicable.

Supreme Court of Victoria Chief Justice Richard Niall commended the creators of the guideline for the significant work and consultation that had gone into its development.

“The first Litigation Guardians guideline is a very important step in assisting prospective litigation guardians to understand their critical role and the extent of their responsibilities,” he said.

“Crucially, the guideline will also support the legal profession in their interactions with litigation guardians and will help with the efficient administration of court processes.”

Read the new Litigation Guardians guideline.

The Supreme Court has published a Practice Note requiring practitioners to provide the guideline in addition to the advice they provide to prospective litigation guardians.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Franchise operator Luxottica Franchising Australia which trades as eyewear retailers OPSM and Laubman & Pank, has paid a penalty of $19,800 after the ACCC issued it with an infringement notice.

Luxottica allegedly breached the Franchising Code of Conduct by failing to maintain an up-to-date profile on the Franchise Disclosure Register. The register provides prospective franchise buyers, existing franchisees and professional advisers information about franchise systems.

“It is important that interested businesses and individuals can access clear and reliable information about a franchise so they can make informed business decisions, including whether they should enter into a franchise agreement with a franchisor,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“Failure to update the register compromises transparency and may mislead prospective franchisees, so all franchisors should be aware of their obligations to comply with the Code and update their profiles annually with accurate information.”

“The ACCC will continue to examine the register for potential failures by franchisors to meet their obligations under the Code and take enforcement action where appropriate,” Mr Keogh said.

Example of ‘out of date’ marker on a franchisor profile on the register

Luxottica acknowledged it had failed to update its register by May 2025 as required.

“We are pleased Luxottica is now compliant and has reviewed its internal processes to avoid future oversight,” Mr Keogh said.

Background

Luxottica is a subsidiary of EssilorLuxottica. It manages Australian franchise operations, including eyewear retail brands OPSM and Laubman & Pank.

Luxottica has 21 franchisees and 387 franchisor-owned or operated units.

In September 2018, Luxottica provided a commitment to the ACCC to be more transparent about the structure and operation of its franchise system to franchisees, after an ACCC investigation found Luxottica’s marketing fund financial statement and disclosure document were unlikely to comply with the Franchising Code of Conduct.

Note to editors

The Franchise Disclosure Register is a free online platform which includes information such as the franchise system’s size and distribution, setup costs and ongoing payments and contact details.

In October 2025, the ACCC became responsible for administering the register as well as enforcing it. Previously, the register was administered by Treasury, and enforced by the ACCC. 

The ACCC is responsible for regulating industry codes that are prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act, including the Franchising Code of Conduct. The Franchising Code of Conduct is a mandatory national code that regulates the conduct of franchising participants towards each other.

The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain provisions of an industry code.

A person or business is not regarded as having contravened the provision of the industry code merely by paying the penalty specified in an infringement notice.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has responded to a disturbance involving dozens of youths overnight.

Around 11:50pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received several calls in relation to an altercation involving a group of youths armed with an assortment of weapons.

One person required medical treatment after suffering a non-life-threatening injury to his neck.

The disturbance is believed to be linked to ongoing conflict between two families known to each other.

The JESCC received a further report at 12:05am of a vehicle driving erratically around the community.

Police attended and the group dispersed. Various improvised weapons were used.

Senior Sergeant Benjamin Higgins said “Police will not stand for this disruptive behaviour and we will continue to work with the community to facilitate calm. 

“Local police will continue to work with the community leadership team to reduce the impact of this incident.”

Police are urging anyone with information, particularly if you have footage, to make contact on 131 444 or visit your local station.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Two youths have been arrested in relation to a police pursuit and stolen motor vehicle crash overnight.

Around 12:50am, police initiated a pursuit on a stolen Toyota Corolla that was driving recklessly in Millner.

The pursuit continued took place within Casuarina and Nightcliff and was brought to an end when the Corolla allegedly collided with a member of the public’s Nissan on Trower Road, Rapid Creek.

The 15-year-old male driver of the vehicle fled the crash on foot, leading a short foot pursuit before being apprehended by police.

Police also arrested a 16-year-old male passenger before the pair were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital by St John Ambulance for examination.

The female driver of the Nissan was treated for minor injuries on the scene and conveyed home.

The inbound lanes of Trower Road between Rapid Creek and Nightcliff were closed before later being reopened shortly after 5am.

The circumstances surrounding the crash will be investigated with oversight from the Professional Standard Command. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number P26092766.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ollowing a meeting of the National Cabinet today convened by the Prime Minister, the Australian Government will halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months.

The halving of the fuel excise will reduce the cost of fuel by 26.3 cents per litre.

This will reduce the cost of a 65L tank of fuel by nearly $19.

The spike in fuel prices as a result of the war in the Middle East is hurting Australians and causing financial stress. This will help to provide some relief.

The halving of the fuel excise will commence from April 1 and run to 30 June.

Further, the Albanese Government will reduce the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to zero for three months to help truckies continue their vital work for our nation. The Government will also defer the next scheduled increase in the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge by six months.

Australians are encouraged to use public transport wherever possible to help conserve fuel for the regions, and we welcome existing moves to cut the costs of public transport.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will continue to monitor fuel prices to help ensure that the lower excise rate is fully passed on at the bowser.

While Australia’s fuel supply outlook remains secure in the near term because of the actions the Albanese Government has taken, the longer this war goes the worse the impacts will be.

We are acting now to prepare and shield Australians.

Since the conflict commenced four weeks ago the Albanese Government has taken swift action on fuel. We have: 

• Passed new laws to double penalties for petrol companies for price gouging
• Appointed a national Fuel Supply Taskforce Coordinator and Taskforce
• Released 20 per cent of Australia’s petrol and diesel fuel reserves, targeted at regional areas
• Changed fuel standards to get more fuel flowing
• Changed diesel standards so Australia’s refineries can supply more diesel
• Tasked the ACCC to ramp up fuel price monitoring and issue on-the-spot fines.
• Engaged with international partners to keep supply flowing, including securing a supply agreement with Singapore.
• Introduced laws to make sure companies pay truckies fairly when fuel prices spike
• And introduced legislation to underwrite the purchase of fuel by the private sector.

Today National Leaders also agreed and released a National Fuel Security Plan.

The Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister Bowen continue to engage key international counterparts to help ensure the continued flow of fuel and diesel shipments to Australia from our trade partners. We will continue to keep Australians updated on these discussions and developments.

The Australian Government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Prime Minister convened a virtual National Cabinet meeting today to discuss Australia’s national, coordinated response to support our fuel security and supply chain resilience in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

First Ministers acknowledged the conflict is contributing to heightened volatility in global energy markets, with flow-on impacts for domestic supply chains and prices. Leaders noted the situation remains dynamic and evolving, underscoring the importance of governments being well-prepared for a range of potential scenarios.

While Australia is in a secure position currently, it’s the responsibility of all governments to plan ahead for every scenario. First Ministers today agreed to the < National Fuel Security Plan to coordinate a consistent response across the Commonwealth, states and territories.