Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of Victoria 2

Consumer Affairs Victoria issued a public warning today about an unregistered builder following multiple complaints to Consumer Affairs.

The Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, David Joyner, has issued the warning about Michael Johnson, who operates under multiple trading names, including Outdoor Lifestyle Concepts and Deck Creations.

“Victorian builders are required to meet certain obligations when completing building work, including making sure all work is fit for purpose,” Mr Joyner said.

“Everyone has the right to expect that builders are suitability qualified to do the job they’re hired to do and to complete their work to an appropriate standard.”

Allegations against Mr Johnson, 54, of Aspendale Gardens, and his business entities include that he has operated while unregistered and engaged in conduct in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.

Mr Johnson was restrained from accepting payment for goods or services prior to completing works, after Consumer Affairs Victoria obtained injunctions against him in March 2005. The injunctions remain in place.

Clients who recently contacted Consumer Affairs Victoria have reported that Mr Johnson ignored clients’ attempts to contact him over work he had failed to complete and made excuses not to complete work, or to fix faults in partially completed work.

Anyone who has been approached by Mr Johnson, or asked to make any payment should contact us for advice by using our General enquiry form.

Consumer Affairs Victoria received almost 500 contacts about building issues in general during the 2019-20 financial year, an increase of 63 on the previous financial year.

For further information about seeking a qualified tradesperson, including a list of all registered builders, see About builders, tradespeople and other building practitioners.

View the public warning notice for Michael Johnson.

Source: Government of Victoria 2

Consumer Affairs Victoria is advising people who plan on moving home over summer to choose carefully when looking for a removalist service to help them.

While most removalists provide a sound and reliable service, there are also dodgy operators whose service does not meet consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

Consumer Affairs Victoria this week issued a public warning about a Melbourne-based removalist service, Ajanvi Pty Ltd trading as My Moovers.

“It’s important that Victorians are informed and are cautious about entering into any agreements,” the Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, Nicole Rich, said.

“Victorians moving house have the right to expect the job to be done properly,” Ms Rich said. “The Australian Consumer Law provides protections to help ensure that happens.”

Consumer Affairs Victoria has had numerous complaints from consumers about the services they have received from My Moovers.

Consumer Affairs Victoria has received 122 reports about the company since 1 January 2018. They include allegations that My Moovers had acted in an unprofessional and aggressive manner, failed to exercise due care and skill, and purposely drove longer distances so they could charge customers more money.

Consumer Affairs Victoria received 656 reports about removalists in 2019; that figure increased to 726 in 2020.

Nick D’Arcy is one among the Victorians who have been on the receiving end of a bad experience with a removalist company.

Having packed up all his possessions, Nick was careful to ensure the booking was specifically timed, confirming the week before that the company would be there for the move, and that everything was set to go.

Then he got a phone call from the removalist to tell him they wouldn’t be coming – on the morning of the move.

“The guy garbled some story about there being an issue with the trucks,” Nick recalled.

Four days before Christmas, it wasn’t an easy matter to find an alternative removalist, but Nick managed to find someone else.

Under the ACL, businesses must provide certain guarantees about the products and services they sell, hire or lease, such as that products are of acceptable quality and match their description; and that services are provided with acceptable care and skill, are fit for the purpose agreed to and are delivered within a reasonable time.

If a business fails to deliver these guarantees, consumers have rights relating to repairs; replacement or refund; cancelling a service; and compensation for damage and loss.

“When you hire a removalist, you have the same rights under the law as you do with any other service provider,” Ms Rich said.

“Your possessions are precious. Make sure you take the time to choose a removalist who is going to take as much care of them as you do.”

When businesses fail to do the right thing, Consumer Affairs Victoria and other state and national regulators have a range of enforcement options with which to respond.

If you’re moving house, a few basic tips can help your relocation go smoothly:

• Ask friends and family for recommendations, or seek out reliable reviews of removalist services.
• Don’t just accept the lowest quote: as well as the quality of the provider, consider what services are included.
• Ask questions about how items that you’re particularly worried about, or that are especially important, will be transported.
• Keep valuable items, such as jewellery and passports, separate.
• Consider using a service accredited with an industry body, such as the Australian Furniture Removalists Association.

For more information on your consumer rights when hiring a service provider, view Products and services.

View the My Moovers public warning.

Source: Ministers for the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

Melbourne-based battery technology company Relectrify has secured $25 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to fast-track the rollout of its world first battery energy storage system (BESS), the AC1. 

Unlike traditional systems, the AC1 doesn’t require an inverter. Instead, it uses a unique battery management system (BMS) that controls each battery cell to directly produce AC power. This design reduces battery degradation and can deliver 20% more energy over its lifetime, helping to lower energy storage costs.  

Relectrify’s AC1 system emerged from an earlier ARENA-funded project that, despite challenges, uncovered the breakthrough technology with the potential to cut costs and boost battery performance. Backed by venture capital and now supported again by ARENA, Relectrify is scaling the AC1 innovation showing how early investment helps Australian companies take risks, adapt and deliver clean energy solutions with global impact. 

ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the project highlights the importance of backing early-stage technology and Australia’s leadership in battery innovation. 

“With early-stage support from ARENA, Relectrify was able to develop its technology and test its first deployments. Not everything went to plan, but through these early trials Relectrify developed a breakthrough with the potential to reduce costs and improve performance,” Mr Miller said. 

“What began as a project to reuse end-of-life batteries has now grown into a world-class battery management technology with the potential to transform energy storage. By backing home-grown innovators like Relectrify, we’re helping to bring forward technologies that could unlock new value from batteries and support the transition to a more flexible, low-emissions grid.” 

The funding will enable Relectrify to deploy up to 100 MWh of AC1 systems in the commercial and industrial and small front-of-meter markets. These demonstration projects will build real-world operating experience, generate critical performance data and create reference sites for future customers. 

Relectrify CEO Jeff Renaud said the ARENA funding is a strong endorsement of the potential for the AC1 BESS to transform battery energy storage. 

“The AC1 BESS neutralises weaknesses in today’s battery systems with a proprietary architecture that can independently optimise the usage of every battery cell. The AC1 does things no other BESS can do, generating grid-compliant AC power directly from battery cells, without the need for a separate inverter. This all translates into enhanced safety, reliability and investment returns for BESS owners,” Mr Renaud said. 

“Commercial and industrial energy users are the ‘missing middle’ in Australia’s energy transition and the AC1 is designed to fill this gap. It gives large energy users the ability to take control of their energy use and reduce costs, all while supporting Australia’s transition to renewables. ARENA’s support enables Relectrify to bring the game-changing AC1 BESS to market at scale and we’re thrilled that it is now available to Australian businesses.”  

The project will also deliver a comprehensive knowledge sharing program, including case studies and performance data on battery performance, supporting industry-wide learning and complementing ARENA’s existing priorities of renewable integration and improving grid stability.  

This initiative builds on ARENA’s past funding for Relectrify in second-life EV battery applications and positions Relectrify to further develop and commercialise its novel BMS technology.

ARENA media contact:

media@arena.gov.au

Download this media release (PDF 174KB)

Source: Government of Victoria 3

The Court Services Victoria Annual Report 2022–23 was released on Wednesday 1 November 2023.

Set against a backdrop of progress and change, the 2022–23 Court Services Victoria Annual Report outlines the work undertaken to support Victorian courts and tribunals.

In the opening message of the report, The Honourable Anne Ferguson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and Chair of the Courts Council said:

“Court Services Victoria continues to evolve, in part because of what we have learned in recent years about responding to changing circumstance and also because of our commitment to making positive changes for the future.”

Highlights of 2022–23 include:  

• Opening of the new multi-jurisdictional Bendigo Law Courts and specialist Children’s Court in Dandenong; expansion works at the Sunshine Law Courts; and the development of Wyndham Law Courts; which all prioritise community focus and cultural safety
• Release of our Koori Engagement and Consultation Framework, which will guide engagement with Koori stakeholders on programs and initiatives that impact Community
• Implementation of key initiatives from our Gender Equality Action Plan, demonstrating our commitment to creating psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces
• Delivery of future focused, people-centric technology and solutions, including digital wayfinding at Bendigo Law Courts, an online caseload dashboard and the first stage of the Case Management System Portal, which improve community access to justice.

Tabled in Parliament on Wednesday 1 November 2023, the Court Services Victoria Annual Report 2022–23 is available to download from this website.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on the M31 Hume Motorway between St Andrews Road, Raby and Menangle Road, Menangle Park for road surface repairs.

Work will take place on up to 38-night shifts through to Tuesday 23 December 2025, weather permitting.

Work hours are from Sunday to Friday, between 8pm and 5am. There will be no work on Saturday nights.

OSOM vehicles wider than 3.5 metres will be required to pull into the layover area and wait. Vehicle operators will need to communicate via UHF channel 28.

There will be temporary traffic changes while we complete this work. This includes lane closures, and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h.

Please keep to the speed limits and follow the direction of Variable Message Signs (VMS), and traffic controllers.

Transport for NSW thanks road users for their patience during this time.

For the latest traffic updates across the network download the Live Traffic NSW App, visit livetraffic.com or call 132 701.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Last update: Tuesday, 21 October 2025 9:49am

Original publication: Tuesday, 21 October 2025 9:49am

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Last update: Saturday, 18 October 2025 10:24am

Original publication: Saturday, 18 October 2025 10:23am

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Last update: Saturday, 18 October 2025 9:21am

Original publication: Saturday, 18 October 2025 9:21am

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Last update: Friday, 17 October 2025 2:08pm

Original publication: Friday, 17 October 2025 1:07pm

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Last update: Thursday, 16 October 2025 9:52am

Original publication: Thursday, 16 October 2025 9:52am