Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New South Wales Health – State Government

Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) has released the investigation report into the fungal outbreak that occurred in the transplant ward at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital between October and December 2025.
SLHD extends its deepest condolences to the families of the patients who died and sincerely apologises to all patients and families affected by the outbreak.
Upon confirming the cluster, SLHD acted as quickly as possible to address the risk posed to patients.
The cluster investigation was promptly undertaken by a team of senior clinicians who specialise in transplant medicine and infectious diseases.
The report has also been considered by an expert advisory panel chaired by Dr Kerry Chant, NSW Health’s Chief Health Officer.
The patients impacted or their next of kin have all received a copy of the report and have also been given the opportunity meet with executives and clinicians of RPA to discuss its findings.
While the investigation team was unable to determine a single conclusive cause of the outbreak, the balance of evidence indicates the balcony and nearby construction activities posed the greatest exposure risk, rather than the water ingress in September 2025.
This assessment reflects the ward location of the identified cases relative to the balcony and the proximity of construction works.
Key recommendations have been made in the report:

Update the RPA Redevelopment Infection Control Management Plan to include a clear governance pathway for monitoring and reporting, including:

Air sampling reports to be provided to the Facility Infection Prevention and Control Committee
Decisions relating to the frequency of surveillance programs
Required actions when concerning mould is detected or mould counts increase, including escalation processes, mitigation strategies, testing timeframes, and retesting to confirm effectiveness.

Ensure notices of works, which are documents required before any work can commence at the hospital include all known impacted operational and clinical areas (including air intakes, windows and balconies), along with proposed risks and mitigation measures.
Establish a district‑wide process to better prioritise maintenance and requests for repair within high‑risk clinical areas such as transplant wards.
Create a formal governance process involving infectious diseases specialists, infection control experts and senior clinicians to monitor and respond to any increase in invasive fungal infections for the duration of construction works.

SLHD is fully committed to implementing every recommendation from the report and strengthening our procedures to prevent future patients and families being impacted.
The report’s findings and recommendations are also being reviewed by NSW Health so the learnings can be applied throughout the public health system.
SLHD has already established a fungal surveillance committee and a clinical reference group to strengthen oversight and improve responsiveness.
The fungal surveillance committee, comprising of infectious diseases and infection control specialists, hospital executive and engineering staff, is designed to enhance coordination of cleaning and maintenance activities and ensure issues are reviewed and escalated promptly.
The RPA redevelopment clinical reference group brings together clinicians, engineering teams, Health Infrastructure and redevelopment contractors to review all planned future works and to provide advice on what, if any, additional measures need to be put in place to ensure the safety of our patients.
SLHD would like to acknowledge the contribution of the expert advisory panel and our clinical staff who assisted with this investigation.
The report is available online: Cluster Investigation Report

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

After a successful summer in the south east, CFA’s ‘Vols on Hols’ program will be trialed in areas of the north west over the Easter school holidays to ensure popular tourist towns have additional coverage.

The program, which has seen huge success since starting in Mallacoota in 2023, boosts response capability of popular holiday locations, by allowing CFA volunteers to respond while travelling to the area.

This Easter the program will head north west within CFA’s District 20, with nine brigades along the Murray River signing up to host volunteers from other areas to assist their response over the busy period.

The north west pilot will include Bamawm Extension, Echuca, Echuca Village, Koondrook, Lake Charm, Murrabit, Torrumbarry, Wyuna and Yambuna.

These locations have been chosen to account for the increase in visitors to the area, as people take advantage of getting away for the much-loved Easter break and school holidays.

Current operational members who are firefighters are invited to turn out with the participating brigades while they are on holiday.

Members bring along their pager and gear, and if there is a call they are welcome to respond, however the program is purely voluntary.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer North West Region Trevor Weston said the program hopes to provide a big boost to the area.

“The Vols on Hols program has already had huge benefits in other parts of the state, and we are excited to see it come to the north west,” Trevor said.

“While holidays are of course for spending time with family and friends, we know that our members always want to help, and may wish to assist the local CFA brigade if they are in town.

“With plenty of people expected to head to the area over the upcoming holidays, any of the nine brigades taking part would welcome some extra hands on deck.”

CFA members heading to the area who are interested in taking part in the program, please fill in the expression of interest form, or get in touch with the Volunteer Sustainability Team by emailing North West Region Volunteer Sustainability Team Manager Lisa Clinch – l.clinch@cfa.vic.gov.au.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

SHEIDOW PARK

Issued on
26 Mar 2026 21:27

Grass fire in Sheidow Park

At approximately 4:45pm, the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) responded to a grass fire near Lonsdale Road in Sheidow Park.

Two MFS appliances, along with a command vehicle and bulk water carrier, attended the scene, with support from the CFS. In total, approximately 32 firefighters were involved in the response.

Crews worked through steep and challenging terrain to control the perimeter of the blaze, containing the fire in approximately one hour. The fire was fully extinguished in just over two hours.

Approximately three hectares were burned. Firefighters’ efforts prevented the fire from spreading further into the surrounding 177-hectare conservation park.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. The matter has been handed over to the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Message ID 0009371

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force are continuing to call for information in relation to violent incidents that occurred in Darwin City early on Friday morning.

Around 1am on 20 March 2026, shortly before another violent incident,  a man was seen on CCTV being assaulted by a group of people on Mitchell Street, between Knuckey and Peel Streets.

The victim is described as being in his 30’s or 40’s, of Caucasian appearance and wearing dark coloured shorts, a maroon t-shirt and black thongs.

This incident is believed to be related to a series of incidents being investigated by the Serious Crime Squad.

Investigators are urging this man and anyone with information, including dash cam or CCTV footage, to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number P26082073. Reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

Residents and visitors can rediscover the joy of play this autumn through a vibrant Play Bendigo Region destination campaign celebrating nostalgia, retro fun, and immersive experiences across the Bendigo Region*.

Over 60 events and experiences are featured in the program to entice visitors and residents to put down their mobiles and discover a renewed connection through traditional play and the joy that it brings.

City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the campaign was a wonderful reminder that there is no age limit to having fun and being playful.

“This campaign turns the Bendigo Region into one big, connected play zone, full of nostalgic references to spark childhood memories and rediscover a sense of fun through games, interactive adventures and brainteasers,” Cr Prince said.

“There are many free experiences in the program such as Hop, Scotch, Jump along View Street, Bendigo, Inglewood Main Street and Heathcote High Street (near the playspace), Dragons and Ladders at the piazza in Rosalind Park, Duck and Seek at various locations, Floor is Lava on Pall Mall, an Imaginary Jungle with augmented reality animals and plants in Hargreaves Mall and much more.

“The free Play Passport invites you to explore other places in the region including new discoveries and old favourites that you may not have visited for a while. Complete the passport to go into a draw to win a fantastic ‘Tram Driver for a Day’ experience from Bendigo Tramways.

“Thank you to all those involved in this exciting destination campaign to attract visitors and entice more locals to explore the incredible offerings in our own region. Local hospitality and tourist attractions are joining the fun with nostalgic flavours, trivia, cocktails, and retro-inspired play themes.

Loddon Shire Mayor Cr Dan Straub said the Bendigo Region program captured many immersive and unique experiences.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Loddon surrounds with some exciting events such as the Rheola Charity Carnival on April 6, a Retro Paddle on the Serpentine creek on April 11 and May 3, the amazing Spanner Autumn Outdoor Adventure at the Spanner Man Sculpture Garden on April 18, and the chance to prospect for gold with the Gold Nugget Hunter on April 18 and May 16 as part of the Gold Fever – Loddon Gold Experience,” Cr Straub said.

“Loddon Shire Council is proud to partner with the City of Greater Bendigo to showcase incredible events across the Loddon region.

“By working together to promote our towns, experiences and local businesses, we’re encouraging more visitors to explore the wider region, supporting local businesses and helping grow our visitor economy.”

*Destination Greater Bendigo Loddon is the evolution of the Bendigo Tourism Board, recognised by the Victorian Government as the Visitor Economy Partnership (visitor economy lead) for Greater Bendigo, Heathcote, and Loddon.

Source: Government of Western Australia

At the City’s Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 24 March, Council made the following decisions:

Source: Tasmania Police

Robbins Island boating incident update

Thursday, 26 March 2026 – 1:47 pm.

Investigations into a fatal boating incident off Robbins Island in the state’s north west are ongoing.
Police and emergency services were alerted on Sunday (22 March) after a fishing party had not returned.
Three people were rescued on Sunday afternoon before a fourth person was sadly found deceased on the eastern side of Robbins Island on Monday.
Extensive searches of the area have been conducted and as a result police have since located the fishing vessel. The vessel will be examined as part of the coronial investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on 131 444.
Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of those affected.
A report will be prepared for the Coroner, who will determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Today the Federal Court has fined Qteq Pty Ltd and its executive chairman, Simon Ashton, $5 million and $1 million respectively for attempted cartel conduct, in a case brought by the ACCC.

The penalty awarded against Mr Ashton is the highest penalty awarded for a competition law breach by an individual in Australia.

In April 2025, the Federal Court found that, on five occasions between 2017 and 2019, Mr Ashton and Qteq attempted to induce suppliers in the oil and gas services industry to enter into contracts, arrangements, or understandings containing one or more cartel provisions.

“These attempted cartel contracts, arrangements or understandings included provisions not to supply services to large oil and gas companies, to rig a multi-million-dollar tender, and to market share,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Cartels represent a significant threat to competition in the Australian economy, especially in such an important and sizeable industry, and enforcing cartel laws remains an enduring priority for the ACCC.”

“Each of Qteq’s attempts to secure these illegal arrangements was unsuccessful only because the other parties rejected Qteq’s offers,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“As this case demonstrates, if you try to make cartel agreements with competitors, you will be met with strong enforcement action by the ACCC – even if your attempts do not succeed.”

“We invite other businesses who have information about potential cartel conduct or attempted cartel conduct to contact the ACCC anonymously, so we can investigate their concerns,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

In addition to ordering Mr Ashton to pay a penalty of $1 million, the Court also imposed a non-indemnification order which will prevent Mr Ashton from making any insurance claim relating to the pecuniary penalty.

In imposing the non-indemnification order on Mr Ashton, Justice Bromwich said: “The penalties imposed on Mr Ashton would have no real deterrent effect if he did not have to pay them himself.”

“The objective of deterrence is especially important in relation to Mr Ashton given that he was, on the available evidence, the driving force for most of the conduct by Qteq, and stood to benefit from that conduct,” Justice Bromwich said.

“Individuals involved in cartel conduct face serious consequences, which can include imprisonment and substantial fines or penalties,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We are focused to ensure that senior executives are also held accountable for the conduct of a business, especially for serious misconduct or where there appears to be a poor compliance culture, and welcome the orders made by the Court in this matter.”

Background

Qteq is a Queensland-based company which at the relevant time provided mining equipment and technology services to support the upstream oil and gas industry.

Qteq’s primary business was the sale, installation, and servicing of downhole pressure gauges to coal seam gas producers, which is known as ‘gauge works’. At the relevant time, Qteq was the market leader in providing gauge work services.

Gauge works are a form of monitoring and measurement where a downhole gauge system is inserted into a well to monitor the water level so that the rate at which water is pumped out of the coal seam can be controlled.

The ACCC filed civil cartel proceedings against Qteq and Mr Ashton in December 2022.

In April 2025, the Federal Court found Qteq and Mr Ashton attempted to induce cartel arrangements on three occasions with competitor Pro-Test Pty Ltd and twice with Easternwell Service No 2, a procurement entity for Eastern Well Group Operations, which provides rig and drilling services to oil and gas operators.

The ACCC has a number of other cartel cases before the courts. These cases involve civil cartel proceedings against four mobile crane hire companies and four senior executives, action against four companies supplying fresh vegetables to ALDI and three of their executives, as well as proceedings against two companies and four senior executives over alleged price fixing for maintenance services at Defence bases. In August 2025 the Full Federal Court upheld a record penalty of $57.5 million in the ACCC’s cartel case against BlueScope.

Notes to editors

A cartel exists when businesses agree to act together instead of competing with each other. Cartel conduct can include price fixing, sharing markets, rigging bids and controlling the output or limiting the amount of goods and services.

Anyone who thinks they may be involved in alleged cartel conduct is urged to call the ACCC Cartel Immunity Hotline on (02) 9230 3894. More information about the immunity process is available on the ACCC website at Cartels. They can also report alleged cartel conduct by using the anonymous cartel portal. 

The ACCC investigates cartel conduct and can take civil cartel proceedings in the Federal Court or refer serious cartel conduct to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

For corporations, the maximum penalty for a civil or criminal cartel breach (including an attempt) before 9 November 2022 is the greater of:

• $10 million,
• three times the total benefits that have been obtained and are reasonably attributable to the commission of the breach, or
• if the total value of the benefits cannot be determined,10 per cent of the corporation’s annual turnover connected with Australia.

An individual found to have been involved in civil cartel conduct before 9 November 2022 is subject to a maximum penalty of $500,000 for each act or omission. 

The maximum penalties for cartel conduct by corporations and individuals were substantially increased with effect from 9 November 2022.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

A former agents’ representative has been permanently barred from holding an estate agent licence, after VCAT found he mishandled more than $200,000 in client funds, including rental payments and bonds.

Daniel Cvetkoski, 34, of South Morang, was responsible for up to 170 rental properties while working as an agents’ representative for Select Realty Sales Pty Ltd (trading as Barry Plant Craigieburn), between February 2020 and August 2023. He had been an agents’ representative since 2015.

His employer contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria, prompting an investigation. No wrongdoing was alleged against the company.

VCAT found Cvetkoski had:

• failed to pay around $44,000 in bond money to the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority between February 2020 and July 2023.
• deposited about $160,000 in cash rental payments, ranging between $500 and $20,000, into his personal account between January and August 2023.

The money has since been repaid.

Cvetkoski has also been permanently prohibited from working as an agents’ representative.

Consumer Affairs Victoria’s estate agents register provides publicly available information about licensed estate agents, agents’ representatives and others working in the industry.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

When fires tore through their farm and local town in January, Gellibrand resident Rob Murphy and his daughter Veronica quickly jumped into action to help out at the local pub.

Now – together they want to help that little bit more and have put their hand up to join their local fire brigade. 

Living deep in the Great Otway National Park, Rob is keen to understand about how fire behaviour works and how he should be preparing his property more.

Would you like to join too? Head to cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer for information on how you can get involved and give us a hand 

Submitted by	CFA media