Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

The Albanese Government is helping children access the life-changing assistive technology they need to thrive.

Minister for International Development, Dr Anne Aly, announced $16.5 million to help children across the Indo-Pacific with vision, hearing or mobility impairments.

This investment will improve access to testing and early interventions, helping children with disabilities to participate meaningfully in education.

Education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty and builds strong, resilient communities.

Assistive technologies play an important role in ensuring children with disability can access all the benefits of education in line with their peers.

This funding is part of Australia’s commitment to contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Announced at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Qatar, this partnership with ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, will help children access devices such as glasses, hearing aids and mobility aids.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for International Development, Dr Anne Aly:

“This funding will extend the life-changing ATscale program to the Pacific for the first time.”

“Assistive technologies are often out of reach for the children across the Indo-Pacific who need them most.”

“Early access to assistive devices can be transformative – opening doors to education, independence and future opportunities.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy:

“People with disability remain among the poorest and most marginalised in our world.

“I’m proud that we are expanding access to essential assistive technology across the Indo-Pacific.

“Disability equity is an essential part of Australia’s commitment to international development.”

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

The Albanese Government is backing Pacific governments to deliver and strengthen their social security systems, to help safeguard vulnerable individuals and households from poverty and economic shocks.

Minister for International Development, Dr Anne Aly, announced $18 million for the Pacific Partnerships for Social Protection (P4SP) program at the Second World Summit on Social Development in Qatar.

P4SP has helped create social safety nets for around 176,000 people across the Pacific – including the elderly, people with disabilities, low-income earners, unemployed individuals, children in out-of-home care, and rural pregnant mothers.

This includes supporting the delivery of Kiribati’s first unemployment benefit scheme, contributing to a dramatic reduction in their national poverty rate from 21.9% in 2019–20 to 5.5% in 2023–24.

In addition, the program has supported reforms to Fiji’s national transport scheme, delivering more flexible transport options for the elderly and people with disabilities.

This additional funding for P4SP will allow Australia to partner with more countries in the Pacific to address inequality and promote social development.

Learn more about the P4SP the Partnerships for Social Protection website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly:

“Social protection helps reduce poverty, builds resilience, promotes economic participation and ensures that no one is left behind.”

“When we support people facing the greatest hardship, we lift entire societies.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Pacific Island Affairs Pat Conroy:

“We are proud to partner with Pacific countries to help build fairer and stronger societies.”

“Australia’s continued investment in social protection reflects our commitment to supporting inclusive systems that help people when they need it most.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 55-year-old male has been arrested in the Northern Territory and extradited to Victoria in relation to an interstate arrest warrant.

On Wednesday 29 October, the Northern Territory Police Force’s Financial Crimes Section Detectives executed a search warrant on two male tourists at a holiday park in Howard Springs.

Detectives were investigating information from Batchelor Police that two male tourists travelling in a camper van had allegedly attempted to mix counterfeit currency with legitimate currency during gambling activities. Further reports identified the same two males attempting similar activities in Howard Springs, Berry Springs and Humpty Doo.

As a result of these investigations, a 55-year-old male was issued a Notice to Appear for possessing prescription medication without a script. No counterfeit currency was located during the search.

Subsequent police investigations identified the 55-year-old was allegedly utilising fake identification and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Victoria. Between Wednesday 29 and Friday 31 October, extensive joint agency efforts were made to locate the male.

The Fugitive Task Force took carriage of the investigation, and he was subsequently arrested on Tuesday 4 November by Avon Downs police members after being identified travelling with another male towards Queensland. Two mobile phones and cash were also seized.

Yesterday, he was extradited from Alice Springs by Detectives from the Victorian Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad in relation to commercial drug manufacturing charges in Victoria.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2500108958. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

7 November 2025

Who does this notice affect?

This notice affects importers of plant products for human consumption (e.g. rice, beans, lentils, dried chilli, cumin and coriander seed), freight forwarders, biosecurity industry participants and accredited persons operating under the department’s approved arrangement class 19.

What is changing?

On 28 May 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) updated the phytosanitary requirements…

Source: Mental Health Australia

Temporary access changes will be in place for citybound drivers using the Falcon Street/Military Road southbound on-ramp to the Warringah Freeway to enable the construction of the final southbound lane and ramp configuration of the freeway.

From 6am Saturday 8 November 2025, the changes will affect access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Cahill Expressway from Falcon Street and Military Road and will remain in place for around four months. 

Motorists are advised to expect changed traffic conditions and refer to the new directional signs and pavement markings that will be in place on the southbound freeway lanes and on approach to the southbound on ramps from Falcon St/Military Rd.

These changes are required to safely set up a new temporary work area south of Falcon Street as part of the Warringah Freeway Upgrade. The work includes pavement work, drainage, traffic barriers, and Intelligent Transport System installation which will enable the construction of the final southbound lane and ramp configuration.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said: “The NSW Government is continuing work to simplify and upgrade the Warringah Freeway, making it safer, easier to use, and more efficient and reliable for all road users, including public transport users.

“General motorists and buses will share the new Falcon Street eastern southbound on-ramp until the final dedicated bus lane on-ramp opens in 2026.

“Please plan ahead, follow signs, and drive with caution while adjusting to the new traffic arrangements.

“We thank motorists for their patience at we work towards delivering world class road infrastructure for Sydney.”

What to expect

Eastbound on Falcon Street from Crows Nest towards the City 

• All Falcon Street eastbound traffic will merge into one lane on the existing southbound on ramp to continue towards Sydney Harbour Tunnel. Motorists for the Sydney Harbour Bridge can use the exit lane to the Bridge south of Ridge St.
• Eastbound motorists can no longer access the Cahill Expressway via Falcon Street, Crows Nest. Motorists can use the Miller Street or Mount Street on ramps to access Cahill Expressway.  Motorists can use the Sydney Harbour Tunnel for access to City East, Eastern Suburbs and Sydney Airport. Access to Sydney Harbour Bridge is still available to motorists for journeys to the CBD and Western Suburbs.

Westbound on Military Road from Northern Beaches and Mosman towards the City 

• All Military Road westbound traffic will use the new Falcon Street southbound on ramp to access Sydney Harbour Bridge and Cahill Expressway or use the existing southbound on ramp to access Sydney Harbour Tunnel.
• Motorists on Military Rd westbound approaching the citybound ramps, should use lane 1 for the Cahill Expressway and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and lane 2 for the Sydney Harbour Tunnel. 
• Once on the Freeway, drivers travelling towards Sydney Harbour Bridge will need to change lanes twice, travelling across the bus lane.

Ernest Street on ramp to Cahill Expressway

Motorists can no longer access the Cahill Expressway via Ernest Street. Motorists can use the Miller Street or Mount Street on ramps to access Cahill Expressway. Motorists can use the Sydney Harbour Tunnel for access to City East, Eastern Suburbs and Sydney Airport. Access to Sydney Harbour Bridge is still available to motorists for journeys to the CBD and Western Suburbs.

Warringah Freeway southbound to Sydney Harbour Bridge and Cahill Expressway 

• Southbound drivers on Warringah Freeway travelling to Cahill Expressway will need to use the southbound outer lanes only as access to the Cahill Expressway from the southbound inner lanes will no longer be available.
• Drivers in the southbound outer lanes travelling to Cahill Expressway will need to cross over the bus lane on the freeway from right to left for access to Cahill Expressway
• The bus lane on the southbound outer lanes will be commencing on the left hand side (instead of the right hand side) north of Falcon St 
• Over height and Dangerous Goods Vehicles must follow signs and should not use the Tunnel lanes.  

For the latest traffic updates, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app.

For more information about the traffic switch, visit Warringah Freeway Upgrade.

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Australia’s Antarctic tractor-traverse team is slowly making its way up the Antarctic plateau to deliver scientific equipment, fuel and food to the site of the Million Year Ice Core (MYIC) drilling project.
The 10-person team left Casey station on 1 November and expect to take 15-18 days to travel the 1168 kilometres to the drilling site, at Dome C North.
Traverse Leader, Damien Beloin, said the team has six tractors and 20 sleds to haul 493 tonnes of gear (see ‘What’s on traverse?’ section below).
Two snow groomers at the front of the convoys grade a path through the rough terrain, guided by GPS navigation systems.
“The Traverse route goes from sea level at Casey, passes Law Dome, goes through the Elcheikh Saddle, and gradually climbs up to an altitude of 3233 metres above sea level, at the top of the Dome C plateau,” Mr Beloin said.
“Different surfaces and snow conditions along the way will bring their own challenges.”

Once they arrive at Dome C North, the traverse team will continue the work they began last year to establish an inland station to support the MYIC project for the next five years. This will include commissioning a kitchen building, amenities van and generator van.
Equipment that was positioned at Dome C North last year, including sleeping vans, a mess area and the drill tent, will be de-winterised, in preparation for the science team’s arrival in late November.
Shortly after the traverse team arrive, MYIC project Science Lead, Dr Joel Pedro, and his scientific and drilling engineering team, will fly to the drill site. They’ll work with the traverse team to set up the next phase of the drilling project.
Magic million
The MYIC project aims to obtain an ice core climate record spanning at least 1.4 million years, covering a period in Earth’s history when there was a fundamental change in the timing of ice age cycles.
“About one million years ago the cycle of ice ages shifted from a regular 41,000 year glacial-interglacial cycle, to a cycle every 100,000 years,” Dr Pedro said.
“A leading theory is that declining atmospheric CO2 levels led to this change. A climate record of over one million years will provide the essential CO2 record to test this theory, and provide information to test models and better predict climate in the future.”
Last season the team successfully drilled to 150 metres (4000 years of climate history) using a shallow drill, and then progressively widened the borehole.
This season the team will fit a fiberglass bore casing into this widened bore hole, to prevent it closing under pressure once deeper drilling begins.
“This season a lot of our work will involve setting up our big, cable-suspended, electro-mechanical drill, which can reach over 3000 metres-deep and tolerate the −55˚C temperature in the ice,” Dr Pedro said.
“The Australian Antarctic Division has spent nearly six years developing this new drilling system, in collaboration with other international research groups, and this will be the first time we’ve assembled the drill system in the field.
“It will be a big moment for the project to recover the first cores with this drill.
“All going well, we hope to reach around 400 metres depth this season.
“After that, the target is to drill 1000 metres per year, which will put us on track to reach bedrock by 2029.”
Read more about the MYIC project in last season’s Drilling Diary and our special feature Secrets of the Ice.
This content was last updated 27 minutes ago on 7 November 2025.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has released its Anti-Racism Strategy, which sets out the agency’s approach to fair, respectful and culturally aware policing across the Territory.

The work was led by Executive Director of Cultural Reform, Leanne Liddle, alongside input from key internal and external stakeholders.

The strategy outlines practical steps to strengthen cultural understanding, improve trust, and support ongoing learning throughout the organisation.

Commissioner Martin Dole said the document is a key part of wider cultural reform underway.

“This is about accountability and improving. Our officers serve a diverse community, and we are committed to building a police force that reflects and respects that,” Commissioner Dole said.

The strategy is available to the public on the Northern Territory Police Force website here.

Source: Tasmania Police

Community urges to act on firearms and weapons

Friday, 7 November 2025 – 11:03 am.

Tasmania Police is calling on public support to help reduce the number of firearms and weapons in the community, with a mobile amnesty operating at Claremont this Saturday.
Glenorchy Division Inspector Jason Klug urges any member of the public with unregistered or unwanted firearms, or other weapons such as 3D printed guns, crossbows, swords or knives, to take advantage of the mobile amnesty.
The mobile amnesty will be located on the foreshore grassed area on Main Road at Claremont, at the intersection with Abbotsfield Road. It will operate between 11am and 2pm on Saturday, 8 November.
“A permanent firearms amnesty exists in Tasmania and that means unregistered or unwanted firearms can be surrendered to police without any action being taken in relation to possession offences,” Inspector Klug said.
“Our mobile firearms amnesties, such as what we have organised in Claremont on Saturday, are an important extension of that process.
“Our important goal is to remove weapons, such as firearms and knives, from our communities and to make those communities safer places for everyone to live, work and to raise their families.
“A mobile amnesty is a location within the community, that’s not a police station, where people can meet with officers and surrender items. And people can be assured that when they do hand these items over, they are going to be taken out of circulation and reduce the potential for harm.”
The mobile amnesty at Claremont will involve uniformed members of Tasmania Police on site to accept firearms, firearms parts and ammunition. Additional weapons, such as knives and swords, brought to the location will also be accepted.
Members of the public should first approach officers to advise they wish to surrender a firearm or weapon.
Do not carry loaded firearms in public or to the mobile amnesty.
Seek advice if you are uncertain how to check whether the firearm is loaded.

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The Fire Danger Period will commence at 1am Monday 24 November 2025 for the following municipalities in the state’s south-west.

• Borough of Queenscliff
• City of Greater Geelong
• Golden Plains Shire Council
• Surf Coast Shire

Residents in these areas are encouraged to prepare their properties ahead of the Fire Danger Period (FDP) coming into effect.

CFA Acting Assistant Chief Fire Officer for District 7, Wayne Aylmer said now is the time to get out there and do the work around your home to help safeguard your family this fire season.

“The spring rainfall has been a welcomed relief, however it will help grass grow,” Wayne said.

“As we start to get warmer weather with strong winds, the grass will dry out and the risk of grassfires in our local area will increase.

“We’re really encouraging residents to take the opportunity to clean up their dry leaves and woodpiles, clear out their gutters, remove other flammable materials and keep grass cut short.

“By acting early, we can all play a part in reducing the risk of fire this season.”

Those needing to burn-off around their properties are reminded to check weather conditions are suitable before lighting up.

“We have already responded to a number of escaped burn-offs this Spring, so please ensure you have enough water and resources on hand to extinguish it safely,” Wayne said.

“There are concerns about the dryness within nearby bushland areas, particularly more so than previous years, and grassfires that ignite will travel quickly in the forecasted conditions.”

For more information on preparing your property and understanding local fire restrictions, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.

Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling 1800 668 511.

By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately.

No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website at firepermits.vic.gov.au.

Fire Danger Period information:

Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can

Farmers can find legal guidelines and practical advice at cfa.vic.gov.au/farms

More information about FDPs is available online at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod

To find out what you can and can’t do during FDP, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/can or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.