Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA: Well, it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome Prime Minister Wale and his delegation to Canberra for his first overseas visit. I apologise for the fact it’s a bit colder than it is in the Sollys. The Prime Minister’s decision to choose Australia for his first overseas visit reflects the closeness of our relationship and I congratulate him on the energy and vision he has brought to his first days in office. I was in the Solomons in September last year for the Pacific Islands Forum meeting and the visit highlighted to me the extraordinary depth and breadth of the Australian Solomon Islands relationship and our shared commitment to the region as members of the Pacific family. That visit also reaffirmed that we’re not immune from current geopolitical events. In times of global uncertainty, we look to each other because we’re stronger when we work together. Australia is committed to listening, engaging, with respect and supporting the priorities of the Solomon Islands Government.

Today, we’ve committed to elevate our bilateral relationship, at the request of the Solomon Islands. This will be agreed in a new comprehensive treaty underpinned by mutual trust, respect and open dialogue. This treaty will allow Australia and the Solomon Islands to confront global and regional challenges as partners. This is a significant body of work and we’ve asked our Foreign Ministers to lead and drive this forward. We’ve also agreed to move to the next phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, Australian Federal Police Policing Partnership Program, building capability and strengthening policing cooperation. This builds on the Pacific Policing Initiative that we launched at the Pacific Islands Forum just a couple of years ago. And we welcome the Solomon Islands signature of this agreement of understanding, reinforcing our shared commitment to regional security.

We have also agreed on a package of support centred on recovery from Tropical Cyclone Maila and current energy issues, while looking ahead to the future of how we can support education and skills development. Free education has been identified as a priority of the Prime Minister and Australia is more than willing to support this initiative and to provide whatever assistance we can to make sure that this vision of the Prime Minister becomes a realisation. Australia and the Solomon Islands have a proud history of standing together and today we’ve had the opportunity to discuss with my senior Ministers, the senior Ministers from the Solomon Islands who are visiting as part of this delegation, as well Australia is committed to continuing to work to amplify Pacific voices and pursue shared solutions as a Pacific family. The Prime Minister and his Ministers will Meet with one on one with a range of our Ministers. And tonight I look forward to hosting the Prime Minister and Mrs Wale as well at the lodge together, myself and Jodie, along with our Ministers. That will be a very pleasant evening, I’m sure with the Prime Minister’s side. Now I invite the Prime Minister to make some remarks before we take some questions. Prime Minister.

< MATTHEW COOPER WALE, PRIME MINISTER OF SOLOMON ISLANDS

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Source: Australia Bureau of Meteorology

IDV36620

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

Initial Minor Flood Warning for the Kiewa River

Issued at 12:26 pm AEST on Wednesday 3 June 2026

Flood Warning Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT KIEWA AND BANDIANA OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY

Moderate rainfall totals have been recorded across the Kiewa River catchment since Monday evening, causing river level rises across the catchment.

Minor flooding is possible at Kiewa and Bandiana overnight Wednesday as flows arrive from upstream.

Kiewa River downstream of Mongans Bridge:

Minor flooding is possible along the Kiewa River at Kiewa and Bandiana.

The Kiewa River Channel at Kiewa is currently at 1.93 m and rising, below the minor flood level. The Kiewa River Channel at Kiewa may reach around the minor flood level (3.30 m) overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

The Kiewa River at Bandiana is currently at 1.54 m and rising, below the minor flood level. The Kiewa River at Bandiana may reach around the minor flood level (2.80 m) overnight Wednesday into Thursday.

Safety Advice:

• Don’t drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
• Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
• Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don’t drive on flooded roads.
• Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
• For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.

For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next Issue:

The next warning will be issued by 11:00 AM AEST on Thursday 04 June 2026.

Latest River Heights:

Location	River Height	Tendency	Time of Observation
Kiewa River at Mongans Bridge	1.98 m	Steady	10:00 am Wed 03/06/26
Kiewa River Channel at Kiewa	1.93 m	Rising	10:00 am Wed 03/06/26
Kiewa River Anabranch at Kiewa	0.34 m	Steady	10:00 am Wed 03/06/26
Yackandandah Creek at Osbornes Flat	1.24 m	Steady	10:00 am Wed 03/06/26
Kiewa River at Bandiana	1.54 m	Rising	12:00 pm Wed 03/06/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Estate agent Mark Reuben has been fined after pleading guilty to trading without a licence and mishandling more than $300,000 of client funds.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson noted that Reuben’s actions had eroded public confidence in the industry and its consumer protections.

She said an adequate sentence was necessary to ensure legal protections were prioritised, upheld and respected.

Reuben, of Greendale, is known for selling high-end CBD apartments through his agency, Mark Reuben Property.

Reuben told the court he was unaware that he had to renew his licence annually, and had done so after Consumer Affairs Victoria informed him it had been cancelled.

While unlicensed, Reuben acted as the estate agent in 8 exclusive sales authorities, accepting 12 deposits on behalf of the parties.

Reuben also pleaded guilty to failing to arrange annual audits – which show trust funds are being managed appropriately – for 2 years.

Over a 6-month period, he ran his agency out of a single operating account, including operational and trust fund money (rent, bonds and sales deposits). Trust funds must be kept in a separate account.

Reuben was fined $3,000 without conviction, while his company was convicted and fined $6,000.

Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich said the outcome sent a clear message to industry and estate agents.

‘We’ll continue to protect consumers from unlicensed operators, and agents who fail their key responsibility to manage trust funds appropriately.’

For more information about managing trust accounts.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Estate agent Mark Reuben has been fined after pleading guilty to trading without a licence and mishandling more than $300,000 of client funds.

Magistrate Michelle Hodgson noted that Reuben’s actions had eroded public confidence in the industry and its consumer protections.

She said an adequate sentence was necessary to ensure legal protections were prioritised, upheld and respected.

Reuben, of Greendale, is known for selling high-end CBD apartments through his agency, Mark Reuben Property.

Reuben told the court he was unaware that he had to renew his licence annually, and had done so after Consumer Affairs Victoria informed him it had been cancelled.

While unlicensed, Reuben acted as the estate agent in 8 exclusive sales authorities, accepting 12 deposits on behalf of the parties.

Reuben also pleaded guilty to failing to arrange annual audits – which show trust funds are being managed appropriately – for 2 years.

Over a 6-month period, he ran his agency out of a single operating account, including operational and trust fund money (rent, bonds and sales deposits). Trust funds must be kept in a separate account.

Reuben was fined $3,000 without conviction, while his company was convicted and fined $6,000.

Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich said the outcome sent a clear message to industry and estate agents.

‘We’ll continue to protect consumers from unlicensed operators, and agents who fail their key responsibility to manage trust funds appropriately.’

For more information about managing trust accounts.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating an armed person incident that occurred in Alice Springs in the early hours of this morning.

Around 1:55am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a male and a female aged in their 50s had been threatened by a male youth armed with an edged weapon.

It is alleged the victims woke up and sighted the male in the backyard of their residence on Milner Road in Gillen. The offender fled on foot after being confronted, before allegedly going to a silver Holden Commodore sedan containing four occupants parked outside the residence and retrieving an edged weapon.

He allegedly threatened the victims with the edged weapon, including making threats to kill, and demanded they hand over car keys. The offender subsequently fled in the waiting vehicle.

No injuries were reported to police, and no items were reported stolen.

Investigations remain ongoing and anyone with information, including dashcam or CCTV footage, is urged to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2600053336. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NTPF Dog Operations Unit has made a swift arrest of a 51-year-old man for alleged drug and weapons offences.

A bus travelling from Palmerston to Katherine was stopped for a routine check when Drug Detection Dog Swift lived up to his name, indicating on a passenger who was subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine, cannabis, drug paraphernalia and knives.

The man was arrested at the scene and is expected to face Katherine Local Court charged with:

•          Possess Schedule 1 Dangerous Drug – Less than Traffickable Quantity in a Public Place

•          Possess Schedule 2 Dangerous Drug – Less than Traffickable Quantity in a Public Place

•          Possess Thing to Administer Dangerous Drug

•          Possess Controlled Weapons

Senior Sergeant Meacham King said the arrest highlighted the important work undertaken by the Dog Operations Unit in preventing illicit substances from entering Territory communities.

“This was excellent work by Swift and his handler. Thanks to Swift, this offender won’t be making it to the next era of his journey with drugs and weapons.”

Anyone with information regarding the supply or distribution of illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NTPF Dog Operations Unit has made a swift arrest of a 51-year-old man for alleged drug and weapons offences.

A bus travelling from Palmerston to Katherine was stopped for a routine check when Drug Detection Dog Swift lived up to his name, indicating on a passenger who was subsequently found to be in possession of methamphetamine, cannabis, drug paraphernalia and knives.

The man was arrested at the scene and is expected to face Katherine Local Court charged with:

•          Possess Schedule 1 Dangerous Drug – Less than Traffickable Quantity in a Public Place

•          Possess Schedule 2 Dangerous Drug – Less than Traffickable Quantity in a Public Place

•          Possess Thing to Administer Dangerous Drug

•          Possess Controlled Weapons

Senior Sergeant Meacham King said the arrest highlighted the important work undertaken by the Dog Operations Unit in preventing illicit substances from entering Territory communities.

“This was excellent work by Swift and his handler. Thanks to Swift, this offender won’t be making it to the next era of his journey with drugs and weapons.”

Anyone with information regarding the supply or distribution of illicit substances is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Tasmania Police

Three men charged, two homemade firearms seized by Taskforce Raven

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 – 12:24 pm.

Taskforce Raven seized two homemade firearms and separately charged three men during targeted searches at Waverley and St Leonards yesterday (2 June).
A 25-year-old St Leonards man and 22-year-old Waverley man were separately arrested during a search at a private residence at Waverley.
Police located and seized quantities of ammunition and quantities of illicit substances.
The men have since been charged with multiple offences including firearms-related offences and family violence-related offences. 
A 29-year-old Waverley man was also arrested on a warrant for failing to appear.
During a subsequent search of a private residence at St Leonards, police located a loaded homemade pistol, a homemade double barrel shotgun, ammunition, a quantity of cannabis, drug paraphernalia and a quantity of power tools believed to have been stolen.
The 25-year-old St Leonards man was charged in relation to that search, and was remanded to appear in court today.
The 22-year-old Waverley man was also remanded to appear in court today, while the 29-year-old Waverley man will appear in court in August.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms or illicit substances should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
 

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

A humble dedicated Balmoral firefighter was recently awarded a prestigious accolade by his peers, for his significant contributions to CFA’s planned burning and fuel reduction program.

Jeff Piera is a major contributor to CFA’s Planned Burn Taskforce Team (PBTF), travelling to many places across Victoria to assist and support roadside and landscape burns. 

CFA’s Southwest Region Bushfire Risk Advice Coordinator Paul McCallum attended the Balmoral Fire Brigade meeting on Wednesday 20 May to present Jeff with an ‘Exceptional Contribution to Fire Prevention’ award.

Jeff, who has been a member of Balmoral for over 30 years, and a former Captain, said the award came as a heartwarming surprise.

“I don’t do it to be acknowledged, I do it for the community,” Jeff said.

“I’m retired and I’ve got the time to do it. It keeps me out of mischief, and I love the people I work with – they’re all great people.

“As a firefighter, I’ve also done a lot of deployments across the state in strike teams, such as in Emerald, at the Hazelwood mine fire in 2014, and more recently in both the Grampians and Great Otways National Parks. I really enjoy it.

“I received a National Emergency Medal for my time spent in New South Wales fighting the fires in the 2019-20 summer bushfires.”

CFA delivers planned burns at the request of landowners and managers of road and rail corridors, council land and reserves to help reduce fuel and bushfire risk.

To help bolster this priority, CFA supports its volunteers with the PBTF, made up of over 900 volunteers from brigades across the state that are deployed to conduct these burns.

Jeff, formerly a truck driver and construction worker, first got introduced to CFA’s PBTF when a crew came up to Balmoral to conduct a burn.

“The taskforce came up to do a few burns on the side of the road, and we assisted as a brigade, and I got talking to everyone and it all kicked off from there,” Jeff said.

“It’s a good thing to do, and they’re just good people. My Captain Matthew Harris has been nothing but supportive of my involvement.

“We’ve had burns all around the southwest, around places like Mortlake, Apsley, Hexham, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Camperdown. As well as out west in Ballarat and Horsham.

CFA Planned Burn Taskforce Support Officer Kerryn Tait said Jeff is one of the taskforce’s biggest contributors and is always first to put his hand up to attend a burn.

“It is such a well-deserved award for Jeff. He shows interest for every deployment pretty much around the state – he wants to do them all,” Kerryn said.

“In a deployment we need all sorts of personalities, such as leaders, doers etc, and whatever role he’s given, he takes it on without question and delivers every time.

“He embodies the true spirit of CFA, and he’s quirky, funny and very easy to work with. He follows instructions well and you never hear a complaint.”

To get involved with CFA’s fuel reduction programs alongside Jeff, speak to your local Captain.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Tasmania Police

Charges laid over Rocherlea vegetation fires

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 – 10:44 am.

Tasmania Police has charged a third person as part of ongoing investigations into a series of separate vegetation fires in the Rocherlea and Ravenswood areas.Launceston CIB recently charged a 33 year old Rocherlea man with four counts of unlawfully setting fire to property.Police will allege the man deliberately lit four separate vegetation fires in bushland at Rocherlea between 3 and 13 February 2026.This latest arrest forms part of a broader, ongoing effort to address deliberately lit fires across northern Tasmania, which has now resulted in multiple people being charged.On 24 March, a 20 year old Ravenswood man was charged with three counts of unlawfully setting fire to property following three deliberately lit scrub fires in Ravenswood bushland between 3 and 14 March 2026.On 6 March, a 35 year old Launceston man was charged with two counts of unlawfully setting fire to property in relation to several deliberately lit scrub fires in the Cataract Gorge.These charges follow coordinated work by a multi agency taskforce comprising Tasmania Police, the Tasmania Fire Service, the Environment Protection Authority, and the City of Launceston Council.The Rocherlea man will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court on 15 July, 2026.