Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has approved Ampol Retail Holding Pty Ltd’s (ASX: ALD) acquisition of EG Group Australia and EG AsiaPac Holdings (together, EG Australia), subject to conditions for Ampol to divest 41 retail fuel sites across Australia to an ACCC-approved purchaser.  

Ampol and EG Australia are both retail suppliers of fuel, including petrol and diesel, and convenience products in all Australian states and territories. Ampol owns and operates 576 sites under the Ampol brand, and 46 under the U-GO brand. EG Australia owns and operates 512 retail sites. 

The ACCC’s review considered whether Ampol’s acquisition of EG Australia would reduce competition in areas where Ampol and EG Australia sites overlap at the local market level. The ACCC also considered competitive effects in the retail supply of fuel across broader metropolitan markets.

“Without the conditions, the ACCC considered the acquisition could have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the retail supply of petrol or diesel in 39 local markets, where 41 EG Australia sites overlap with Ampol sites,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said. 

“The ACCC was concerned the acquisition could materially reduce competition and reduce choice for Australian motorists. We are very conscious of community concern about fuel prices and cost of living, and we are continuing to closely monitor and report on the fuel industry.”

Ampol initially offered to divest 19 sites across Australia, but increased it to 41 sites during the ACCC’s Phase 2 assessment.

The ACCC has approved Dib Group (Metro Petroleum) as the purchaser of the divestiture sites and has separately granted it a notification waiver for its acquisition of the sites. Metro Petroleum and its related entities own and operate over 300 sites across Australia.

“We believe Metro Petroleum’s acquisition of the divested sites would result in the creation, or expansion, of a strong, independent and viable long-term competitor in the 39 local markets,” Dr Williams said.

The ACCC granting Metro Petroleum a notification waiver enables the divestiture to be implemented without further approvals or delay.

“Our ability to expedite Metro Petroleum’s waiver application was facilitated by our in-depth investigation of the Ampol acquisition, which demonstrates how the remedy and notification processes can be managed efficiently in the new merger regime,” Dr Williams said.

Further information, including the Phase 2 Determination and undertaking, will be available on the ACCC’s acquisitions register today: Ampol – EG Australia.

Background

Merger parties

Ampol is a vertically integrated fuel company with upstream fuel production and importing assets, wholesale supply and distribution facilities and a network of fuel and retail convenience sites across Australia.

Ampol operates its sites under both the Ampol brand and the U-GO brand. Ampol sites are full-service sites with fuel and convenience offerings, whereas U-GO sites are unmanned self-service sites selling fuel only with no convenience offering.

EG Australia is owned by EG Group, a UK-based independent fuel and convenience retailer with sites across Europe and North America. EG Australia commenced operations in Australia in April 2019 when EG Group acquired Woolworths’ retail fuel and convenience sites.

The existing agreements between Ampol and EG Australia provide that:

• Ampol is EG Australia’s exclusive wholesale supplier of fuel; and
• EG Australia’s retail fuel sites must carry the ‘Ampol’ brand, while its convenience stores carry the ‘EG’ brand.  

Merger control regime

From 1 January 2026, it is mandatory for businesses to notify the ACCC of any acquisition that meets the notification thresholds set by the Minister. They must wait for ACCC approval or a notification waiver before the acquisition can proceed.

Once notified, the notification is listed on the ACCC’s Acquisitions Register and stakeholder consultation is invited. The ACCC is required to make a decision in 15 to 30 business days in its Phase 1 assessment, subject to any extensions, to either approve the acquisition or refer it to a Phase 2 review.

The ACCC conducts an in-depth assessment of the acquisition in Phase 2. Under the Competition and Consumer Act, a Phase 2 assessment can take up to 90 business days, unless extended under specific circumstances.

Before the end of Phase 2, the ACCC will decide to approve (with or without conditions) or not approve the acquisition.

For the purpose of approving the acquisition with conditions, the ACCC must be satisfied that, disregarding any conditions the ACCC could include, the acquisition, if put into effect, could, in all the circumstances, have the effect of substantially lessening competition in any market.

If the ACCC were to not approve the acquisition, the ACCC must be satisfied that the acquisition would have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market.

In some cases, businesses may apply to the ACCC for a notification waiver which, if granted, removes the need to notify an acquisition, even if it meets the thresholds.

More guidance on the new merger regime can be found on the ACCC’s website: Guidance documents for the merger control regime

Source: Australia Bureau of Meteorology

IDV21038
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning

for DAMAGING WINDS

For people in parts of Central, East Gippsland, South West, North East, West and South Gippsland and North Central Forecast Districts.

Issued at 9:00 am Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

Damaging winds developing about southern Victoria and the northeast ranges.

Weather Situation: A deep low pressure system will move through Bass Strait, leading to an increase in westerly winds over southern Victoria throughout Wednesday afternoon. This will extend to the northeast ranges into the evening.

For the Southern Coasts: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of around 90 km/h are possible from early Wednesday afternoon. Winds are forecast to ease from the west during Wednesday evening and along remaining parts of southern coasts by Thursday morning.

For the NORTHEAST RANGES: DAMAGING WINDS averaging 60 to 70 km/h with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS below 100 km/h are possible from late Wednesday. Winds are forecast to ease during Thursday morning.

A separate warning for ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES is also current for parts of the coast. For more details, refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts

Locations which may be affected include Warrnambool, Wonthaggi, Frankston, Falls Creek, Mt Baw Baw and Rosebud.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* If driving conditions are dangerous, safely pull over away from trees, drains, low-lying areas and floodwater. Avoid travel if possible.
* Stay safe by avoiding dangerous hazards, such as floodwater, mud, debris, damaged roads and fallen trees.
* Be aware – heat, fire or recent storms may make trees unstable and more likely to fall when it’s windy or wet.
* Check that loose items, such as outdoor settings, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.
* Stay indoors and away from windows.
* If outdoors, move to a safe place indoors. Stay away from trees, drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
* Stay away from fallen powerlines – always assume they are live.
* Be aware that in fire affected areas, rainfall run-off into waterways may contain debris such as ash, soil, trees and rocks. Heavy rainfall may also increase the potential for landslides and debris across roads.
* Stay informed: Monitor weather warnings, forecasts and river levels at the Bureau of Meteorology website, and warnings through VicEmergency website/app/hotline.

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm AEST Wednesday.

Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Peter Warren Automotive Holdings Limited’s (ASX: PWR) (Peter Warren) proposed acquisition of 30 new car dealership sites from Wakeling Automotive Group could substantially lessen competition and requires further in-depth assessment by the ACCC.

As the ACCC has not approved the acquisition in its Phase 1 assessment, the transaction will now move to a Phase 2 review.

Peter Warren and Wakeling Automotive both operate new car dealerships around the suburbs of Campbelltown, Narellan and Smeaton Grange in Sydney’s Macarthur region. The dealerships also offer servicing and repairs.

“A combined Peter Warren and Wakeling Automotive would operate 25 out of 33 new car dealerships in the Macarthur region,” ACCC Commissioner Dr Philip Williams said.

“Information before the ACCC in relation to this proposed acquisition shows that most consumers prefer to purchase new cars from a dealer in their local region.”

“We consider the acquisition could substantially lessen competition in the supply of new cars in the Macarthur region and surrounding areas,” Dr Williams said.

The ACCC is also considering the impact of the acquisition on the supply of servicing and repairs in and around the Macarthur region.

The ACCC has not reached a conclusion on the issues and will continue to consider the acquisition in Phase 2.

The ACCC invites submissions in response to its Phase 2 Notice by 16 June 2026. Parties can contact the ACCC via mergers@accc.gov.au.

More information and the Phase 2 Notice are available on the ACCC’s Acquisitions Register: Peter Warren – Wakeling Automotive.

Note to editors

Peter Warren notified the acquisition to the ACCC on 5 March 2026.The ACCC’s Phase 1 investigation was extended by 28 business days following a request by the parties on 2 April 2026.

Background

Peter Warren is an ASX-listed new and used car retailing business that owns and operates over 80 automotive dealership sites at 25 locations across the east coast of Australia. It represents over 30 original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle brands. Peter Warren also supplies OEM spare parts and provides aftermarket vehicle servicing and collision repair services.

In Greater Sydney, Peter Warren’s car dealership banners include Peter Warren Automotive, Macarthur Automotive, Sydney South Automotive, Mercedes-Benz North Shore, and Sydney North Shore Automotive. Peter Warren also operates dealership sites in regional NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Wakeling Automotive is a new and used car retailing business that operates 30 automotive dealership sites at eight locations across Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Southern Highlands. It represents 16 OEM vehicle brands. Wakeling Automotive also supplies OEM spare parts and provides aftermarket vehicle servicing.

Wakeling Automotive’s car dealership banners are Paul Wakeling Automotive Group, Camden Valley Motors, Shellharbour City Motors, Wollongong City Motors, Moss Vale Motor Group, and Allan Mackay Autos.

Merger control regime

The ACCC can decide a notification is to be subject to a Phase 2 review if the ACCC is satisfied that the acquisition to which the notification relates, if put into effect, could, in all of the circumstances, have the effect, or be likely to have the effect, of substantially lessening competition in any market.

Under the Competition and Consumer Act, a Phase 2 assessment can take up to 90 business days, unless extended under specific circumstances.

More guidance on the new merger regime can be found on the ACCC’s website: Guidance documents for the merger control regime.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force can confirm it has located the other six occupants of the stolen motor vehicle involved in a fatal crash in Katherine this morning.

Following the crash, a 16-year-old male suffered critical injuries and, despite the efforts of paramedics, was declared deceased at the scene.

A 15-year-old male was located at the scene and two female youths aged 16 and 17 were located by drone in nearby bushland. All three were conveyed to Katherine District Hospital (KDH) with minor injuries.

A second 15-year-old male was located in Katherine and a 13-year-old male was located in a nearby community. Both were conveyed to KDH for assessment of minor injuries.

A 16-year-old male presented to a local clinic with minor injuries and was identified by police as having been an occupant of the vehicle.

One lane of the Stuart Highway has reopened and traffic is being managed on site.

Investigations into the incident remain ongoing.

Source: Government of Western Australia

The City of Wanneroo is making positive strides in its quest to create a level playing field for local sportspeople – thanks to a new partnership with national disability inclusion program, Sport4All.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

The ABC’s Four Corners investigatory report into the Melbourne gynaecologist, Dr Simon Gordon, uncovered allegations of unnecessary, invasive and life-altering surgeries performed on women under the pretext of treating ‘severe endometriosis’, even when postoperative pathology repeatedly showed little or no evidence of the condition.

Following the media reporting, the Victorian Government has acted swiftly to ensure that affected women and girls can access the support and care they need. This includes an investment of $2 million to establish a dedicated phone line for impacted women and girls as well as targeted additional services across five health services across the state.

What is the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Surgery Concerns Line?

The Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Surgery Concerns Line (Concerns Line) is a free phone line established support people who have concerns about care they have received for endometriosis or pelvic pain, including those who were operated by and/or received care from Dr Gordon.

The phone line is operated independently by Women’s Health Victoria and provides confidential, trauma-informed support, evidence-based health information and connection to support services to help callers understand the options available to them.

The support line opened on 2 March 2026, and is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). A call back option is also available.

How does the Concerns Line work?

Trained, trauma-informed staff will answer your call and listen with care. They will provide clear and evidence-based information and help you understand your options.

Through the phone line, callers can:

• talk to someone who is safe, respectful and non-judgemental
• receive information about endometriosis and pelvic pain
• get help to understand formal complaints and regulatory processes
• receive information about health, counselling and/or support services
• request a referral to one of the five new endometriosis clinics available within women’s health clinics/health services¹
• request information about the new Australian-government funded Care Navigator roles set up to support impacted patients in navigating their local service options²

The support line is not a clinical service and does not provide medical, legal or financial advice. Women’s Health Victoria cannot assist people to access urgent medical care and/or help people get care faster.

What are the additional five Endometriosis Clinics?

The Victorian Government is funding five Endometriosis Clinics to provide additional endometriosis and pelvic pain care for patients affected by Dr Simon Gordon.

These services are offered at Women’s Health Clinics delivered by Barwon Health, Eastern Health, Monash Health, the Royal Women’s and Western Health.

Note: Services are available only for patients impacted directly by Simon Gordon, no matter when they received care.

What types of services and support are available through the Endometriosis Clinics?

Services include:

• an initial assessment by a Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) or gynaecological nurse
• gathering of all related patient records and history
• support with understanding medical reports and records
• appointment with a gynaecologist for a consultation and/or an examination to address existing or past concerns and discuss care options
• some services will offer additional supports such as access to imaging, pain care and allied health services such as psychology.

Are the services at the Endometriosis Clinics free?

Appointments and services at the Endometriosis Clinics are free. Patients may need to pay out-of-pocket costs for additional tests, imaging or appointments that they are referred to. This will be explained to you during your appointment.

Will any of the services at the Endometriosis Clinics be available virtually?

Most services at the Endometriosis Clinics will offer telehealth services, so women can call from anywhere across the state. However, in-person appointments may be required for any physical examinations.

Can I choose which Endometriosis Clinic I receive care from?

In most cases, you will be referred to a clinic that is closest to where you live. However, if you express a specific preference or concern, this will be considered, and alternative options will be provided to you if possible.

When will the Endometriosis Clinics be available?

All of the five Endometriosis Clinics will be open by the end of May 2026 and will be offered until September 2026.

How can impacted patients access the Endometriosis Clinics?

Women and girls can seek a referral to the Endometriosis Clinics via the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Surgery Concerns Line operated by Women’s Health Victoria.

The support line is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). A call back option is also available.

Women and girls can call the phone line on (03) 9664 9330 or visit Women’s Health Victoria’s website for more information.

What information will the Concerns Line require of me to support my referral to an Endometriosis Clinic?

To support a referral to the Endometriosis Clinics, callers will be requested to provide their:

• First name and surname
• Date of birth
• Phone number
• Email address
• Where possible Medicare details

Can I use the services offered at the Endometriosis clinic to avoid public hospital waitlist?

The services at the Endometriosis Clinics are specifically designed to provide additional information, care and support for patients impacted by Dr Simon Gordon.

However, patients will not be able to use the clinics to bypass an existing waitlist, including a waitlist for gynaecological procedures in public hospitals.

Will any services be available for patients suffering from Endometriosis and Pelvic pain?

The Endometriosis Clinics can provide information, advice and guidance on best care pathways available tailored for each patient.

Women can also access care for endometriosis and pelvic pain through some of 20 Women’s Health Clinics becoming available across the state.

Visit the Better Health Channel for more information on the Women’s Health Clinics.

What are the Care Navigators?

Six Care Navigator services have been established by Primary Health Networks (PHNs), to provide additional support for impacted patients. Care Navigators act as a central point of contact, supporting women to navigate follow-up care, specialist reviews, and access to primary care services, including GPs, allied health providers, Australian Government-funded Endometriosis Clinics, and other relevant health supports.

These services have now commenced in most areas. The Care Navigators will work closely with the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Surgery Concerns Line and the five Endometriosis Clinics to ensure that patients are linked with care and support tailored to their unique circumstances and health concerns.

Contact details for the Care Coordinators are listed below:

Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) – Each

North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN)

Southern Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) – Each

Gippsland Primary Health Network (GPHN)

• Phone: 1800 242 696
• Email: N/A
• Commenced: 18/05/2026

Western Victoria Primary Health Network (VPHN)

Murray Public Health Network (Murray PHN) – will commence in mid-June. Impacted patients from the Murray region can contact the Eastern Melbourne PHN in the meanwhile.

For more information on how to find your local PHN please visit the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network (PHN) locator.

¹ Referral to the five new endometriosis clinics is currently available only for patients impacted directly by Simon Gordon.

² Six Care Navigators will become available shortly through Public Health Networks to support local service navigation in most impacted areas.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Yesterday, a member of the Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) was served a Notice to Appear in relation to an offence allegedly committed over a period of months.

The 31-year-old female officer is scheduled to appear in the Darwin Local Court on the 5 August 2026, on the charge of:

• Dishonestly Intending to Obtain Gain from Territory.

The officer has been suspended with pay.

The matter remains under investigation.  

This update has been provided is in accordance with the NT Police Force Transparency Guidelines.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Drones have become CFA’s latest eyes in the sky, already proving their effectiveness during the 2025-26 fire season.

CFA embarked on a Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) drone trial a year ago to boost our firefighting intelligence from above.

The 12-month pilot program, hosted at Rowville and Edithvale brigades including volunteer pilots from Melbourne’s outer east and southeast was used  for a range of emergency situations including identifying hot spots, hazmats, rope rescue and urban search and rescue, aerial thermal imaging, impact assessment, fire investigation, searches, amongst other live video and training benefits.

The success of the trial was proven during the January 2026 fire season on various firegrounds across the state allowing incident controllers and fireground command personnel to make timely and informed decisions.

Incredible vision was captured during a bushfire at Rhyll at Phillip Island on 22 January, on the edge of the Koala Conservation Reserve, where firefighters were seen standing over the top of a hot spot. The RPAS crew informed the firefighters on the ground and they were able to start raking and watering down the hotspot, showing smoke billowing out of the ground.

The Incident Controller Damien O’Connor stated through the ability to have the holistic view, they were able to find several hot spots outside of the main fire.

“This prevented the fire restarting in unburnt land and gave us the confidence to leave the fireground knowing our suppression techniques were successful,” Damien said.

“These hot spots were identified at night, and we were able to guide crews to their location through the use of the drone spotlight as well as by radio communications watching the image on the screen.

“I have no doubt the use of the RPAS program at this incident not only saved the local brigades many hours and potential outbreaks, it also ensured the conservation of the Koala program and its continual success to limit the spread of the fire.”

Rowville Fire Brigade Captain and RPAS pilot Cien Pereira works as an air traffic controller and said she was keen for CFA to try a new specialty which happened to align with the work she does.

“Drones provide incredible intelligence and there are long term benefits of where this program can go,” Cien said.

“There are incident controllers out there that don’t realise this is an option for them, so we’re doing demonstrations across the state to try and get the word out.

“RPAS provides more accurate, more up to date information and intelligence for better decision making, so this makes everything safer for both the community and our firefighters.”

CFA Commander and Manager of Aviation John Katakouzinos AFSM said the 12-month pilot program has been very successful and hopes to roll it out further in the future.

“We’re got 21 highly trained drone pilots at the moment who have been responding to a range of incidents across the state, particularly over summer,” John said.

“The varying capabilities such as still images, 4K video, HD video, optical zoom and thermal imaging provide invaluable insights to our incident controllers and firefighters.

“The RPAS program is a remarkable asset to CFA now and into the future.”

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Greenhouse gases trapped in 3,000 year-old Antarctic ice are being extracted and analysed for clues to Earth’s climate past.
The gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – were trapped as snow gradually compressed into ice, about one hundred metres below the snow’s surface in East Antarctica.
The gas analysis follows two successful drilling seasons for Australia’s Million Year Ice Core (MYIC) project, which saw scientists retrieve ice cores dating back to the end of the last ice age 13,100 years ago.
In coming seasons the MYIC team aims to retrieve ice with a climate record dating back more than one million years, from the drilling site at Dome C North, near Australia’s Casey research station.

Gas analysts, Dr Daniel Baggenstos from the Australian Antarctic Division and Dr Andy Menking from the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, are developing two methods to measure the gases in a purpose-built laboratory at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies.
One method measures gas concentrations at discrete points in time, while the other measures it continuously through the ice cores.
“Ice cores are amazing for studying greenhouse gases because they preserve the air so well in the bubbles, and this allows us to study the ancient atmosphere directly,” Dr Baggenstos said.
“We have a good idea of what we’ll see in the top 800,000 years, as this has been measured in other ice cores. But after that we are in uncharted waters.”
This extended climate record, inferred from trapped gases, chemicals, dust and other particles in the ice, will help solve a climate mystery involving a shift in the timing of ice-age cycles that occurred around one million years ago.
The record will help determine what role greenhouse gases may have played in this ice-age cycle shift, from once every 40,000 years to once every 100,000 years.
A leading theory is that declining atmospheric CO2 levels were the cause of the longer, colder ice ages lasting 100,000 years.
As well as helping to answer this, the Million Year Ice Core will place current changes in climate and greenhouse gas concentrations into a deeper context, providing important information to test climate models and better predict future climate.
Moments in time
To measure gas concentrations at specific points in time, Dr Baggenstos uses a process called ‘sublimation’, which releases the gases without melting the ice.
To do this, he places a five centimetre piece of ice, weighing 50 grams, in a vacuum chamber and warms it with a heat lamp.
In these low pressure conditions the ice turns directly into water vapour, and the atmospheric gases, trapped in air bubbles, are released.  
The water vapour rises into a cooling ring where it re-freezes. The other greenhouse gases, which freeze at lower temperatures, are captured in a thin metal tube.
“Over about 90 minutes, our 50 grams of ice will give us four to five millilitres of air, which is enough for all our analyses,” Dr Baggenstos said.
An absorption spectrometer is then used to measures the concentration of each gas, by detecting how much light each one absorbs at specific wavelengths.
The team hopes to analyse at least one ice sample for every 1,000 years. But as the ice cores get deeper, the yearly layers of ice get compressed into thinner bands. This means a five centimetre sample will represent hundreds of years of greenhouse gas history.
Continuous variation
Measuring the gas concentrations continuously through the ice could provide more accurate information at these greater depths and increase the speed of analysis.
“We hope the ‘continuous flow analysis’ method will let us measure about 20 metres of ice per day, and it may better resolve variations in gas concentrations, especially in the deeper ice where layers are very thin,” Dr Menking said.
The continuous flow method only measures methane, as other gases dissolve in water when the ice melts.
Thin, metre-long sticks of ice are melted in a way that ensures the ice melts vertically, in the order it formed, and the air is released in the order it became trapped.
The water and air then flow through a series of tubes that separate the bubbles from the water and direct the gas stream to a laser spectrometer for analysis.
“We’re really curious about the relationship between climate and methane, and the natural fluctuations of the gas before humans had an impact,” Dr Menking said.
“When the cycle of ice-ages changed from once every 40,000 years to once every 100,000, did methane follow the ‘rules’? Did it continue to go up and down in regular ways or was there some kind of decoupling?
“It’s also important to measure methane because it’s one of the gases we could potentially remove from the atmosphere quite quickly, by changing our agricultural or industrial practices, because it has a relatively short lifespan.”
As methane mixes evenly through the Earth’s atmosphere, scientists can also use it to date the air bubbles in ice cores, by matching concentrations to other ice core records.
The team expects their gas processing to be fully underway before the next drilling season begins in December. Then, scientists hope to drill to a depth of 1,000 metres, recovering more ice from a core that will eventually reach the base of the ice sheet, at 3,000 metres depth, by 2029-30.
“It’s going to be really exciting to measure something that nobody has measured before and to produce some data that adds to our understanding of the climate system,” Dr Baggenstos said.
This content was last updated 4 minutes ago on 2 June 2026.

Source: Tasmania Police

Man charged as police dismantle illegal firearms manufacturing operation

Tuesday, 2 June 2026 – 12:22 pm.

A Risdon Vale man has been charged after police uncovered a significant illegal firearms manufacturing operation in southern Tasmania.
Detective Inspector Richard Penney said members of the Southern Drugs and Firearms Unit executed a search warrant at the Risdon Vale property yesterday, with the assistance of Tasmania Police dogs and their handlers.
“The search uncovered what police will allege was a sophisticated operation, involved in the manufacturing of illegal firearms using advanced 3D printing technology,” he said.
“Police seized a range of items consistent with the production of illicit firearms, including seven 3D printers, 13 firearms and numerous firearm components and quantities of ammunition.”
“In addition, investigators identified electronic files containing detailed blueprints and manufacturing instructions for 3D printed firearms.”
“A 43-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has since been charged.”
The man has been charged with significant firearms possession offences, as well as dealing in firearms when not the holder of a firearms dealer licence and unlawfully possess digital blueprint for manufacture of firearm.
He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today.
Detective Inspector Penney said the seizure represents a significant disruption to the illegal manufacture of firearms in Tasmania.
“This investigation has uncovered and dismantled a sophisticated firearms manufacturing operation, and the seizure of these items has prevented a significant number of illegal firearms from entering the Tasmanian community.”
“Removing these firearms and associated manufacturing equipment from circulation significantly reduces the risk they pose to community safety.”
“Police remain committed to identifying and disrupting those involved in the manufacture, distribution and possession of illegal firearms.”
Investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information about illegal firearms activity in Tasmania is encouraged to contact police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000, or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.
You can stay anonymous.