Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government has signed Australia’s first ever tax treaty with Ukraine.

More two‑way trade is in the interests of both Australia and Ukraine.

This tax treaty will strengthen economic ties between our two countries.

Once in force, the treaty will make it easier and more efficient for Australian and Ukrainian businesses to trade and invest in each other through reduced withholding tax rates.

The treaty will also improve certainty and reduce compliance costs for taxpayers.

A summary of the main features of the new treaty is available on the Treasury website.

Australia stands with Ukraine and will continue to provide strong support for as long as it takes.

The treaty complements Australia’s strong military, humanitarian, economic and energy assistance to Ukraine, totalling over $1.5 billion to date.

It’s another strong signal of Australia’s steadfast support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

We’ll continue to work with partners to help Ukraine achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a fatal crash that occurred near Ti Tree last night.

Around 8:15pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a two-vehicle collision involving a van and a Troop Carrier on the Stuart Highway, about 20km north of Ti Tree.

Emergency services responded, and an adult female occupant of the van was declared deceased before she could be conveyed to hospital.

The adult female driver suffered serious injuries and was conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital via Careflight.

The three occupants of the Troop Carrier suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were also conveyed to Alice Springs Hospital.

The Stuart Highway is closed in both directions and Detectives from the Major Crash Unit are on the scene.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25278046.

The lives lost on Territory roads now stands at 31.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Reminder to secure kayaks and small watercraft to prevent unnecessary emergency services call-outs

Friday, 17 October 2025 – 10:29 am.

Police are reminding people to secure kayaks and small watercraft when not in use to prevent unnecessary emergency services call-outs. 
“Tasmania Police has recently responded to a number of incidents involving upturned kayaks and small watercraft located in waterways,” said Sergeant Kristy Eyles. 
“These incidents have occurred following recent periods of bad weather and significant winds across the state, which can easily dislodge unsecured vessels and sweep them into rivers, lakes, or coastal waters.” 
“Police would like to remind members of the public of the importance of securely storing and fastening kayaks and small watercraft when not in use.” 
“Unsecured kayaks, canoes, or small boats can easily be swept or blown into waterways, leading to unnecessary concern and emergency responses.” 
“Police treat all reports of unmanned or upturned watercraft seriously, and every report requires an investigation to ensure that no one is in danger.” 
“In some cases, police and search and rescue assets are deployed, which can be a significant use of time and resources – especially if the craft has simply come loose from storage.” 
Police urge all watercraft owners to take steps to secure their equipment and prevent avoidable incidents, particularly during periods of strong winds and unsettled weather.

Source:

This year’s Victorian fire season is set to officially begin with fire restrictions commencing in parts of the state this month.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Mental Health Australia

Road Safety in Gosford will receive a boost with the installation of a new red-light speed camera at the intersection of Donnison Street and Henry Parry Drive.  

Transport for NSW Executive Director, Road Safety Regulation, Duncan Lucas, said the new camera will target red-light running and speeding from 27 October 2025 to improve safety for all road users.

“We know that running red lights can lead to serious T-bone crashes or vehicles hitting pedestrians,” Mr Lucas said.

“About 40 per cent of red-light speed camera offences are from people running red lights so we are addressing this problem head-on.

“In the five years from 2019 to 2023, nine crashes occurred at this intersection. Sadly, five people were seriously injured as a result.

“Road crashes claimed the lives of 327 people on NSW roads last year with speed the biggest killer. This red-light speed camera will help to reduce risk in Gosford,” Mr Lucas said.

Research shows that red-light speed cameras dramatically reduce the number of serious crashes on our roads.

“The most recent speed camera review found fatal and serious injury crashes fell by 52 per cent at red-light speed camera locations, and pedestrian casualties fell by almost 70 per cent,” Mr Lucas said.

The new camera will operate in warning mode for one month during which time drivers caught speeding or running red lights will be sent a warning letter to encourage them to change their behaviour.

Fines and demerit points will be sent to offending drivers at the end of this period.

Fines from red-light speed cameras go directly into the Community Road Safety Fund to deliver targeted road safety initiatives in NSW.

To sign up for alerts to changes in camera locations, visit www.saferroadsnsw.com.au. 
 

Source: Mental Health Australia

A 42.5-tonne load limit on the Scabbing Flat Bridge at Geurie will be reinstated just in time for the 2025 summer harvest season.

The historic timber truss bridge is a key freight and farming route in the state’s Central West and essential repair and strengthening works have been carried out to restore the bridge to its full load capacity and improve safety for all road users.

Over 15 months of work, repair crews have replaced ageing timber, repaired bridge piers and installed a temporary Bailey bridge to support the structure while truss restoration work continues.

Read the full media release here (PDF, 102.93 KB).

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Search ongoing for missing bushwalker at Mt Field National Park

Friday, 17 October 2025 – 9:06 am.

The search and rescue operation is ongoing in the Mt Field National Park area, looking for missing bushwalker, Daryl Fong.  
“Search teams – comprising members from Tasmania Police Search and Rescue, Tasmania State Emergency Service, and Ambulance Tasmania Wilderness Paramedics – will continue to search the Mt Field National Park area today for missing bushwalker, Daryl Fong,” said Inspector Luke Horne.  
“Searching will continue to be focused around the Tarn Shelf area.” 
“Over the past days, search teams have been faced with difficult conditions in the area including waist-deep snow, poor visibility, and near gale force winds.”  
“We remain committed to finding Daryl but with the passing of time and the conditions in the area, we hold serious concerns for his welfare.”  
Anyone who has been in the Mt Field National Park area since Saturday who has information in relation to Daryl or his movements is asked to contact Bridgewater Police on 6173 2010 and quote ESCAD 000225-13102025.

Source:

A baby tawny frogmouth has been safely reunited with its family thanks to the teamwork of CFA volunteers, Fire Rescue Victoria firefighters and Zoos Victoria.

On Wednesday 15 October, Hoppers Crossing Fire Brigade received a call from a veterinarian at Werribee Zoo who had been caring for a young tawny frogmouth bird that was brought in the previous day after being found near the fire station. Hoping to give it the best chance of survival, Zoo staff reached out to CFA for help locating its parents.

Hoppers Crossing CFA volunteers searched the area, with one of the brigade’s newest recruits Forad spotting the nest high in a nearby tree.

Jodi from Zoos Victoria brought the young bird back to the site and worked closely with CFA to plan the safest way to reunite it with its family.

Due to the height of the tree, the team determined that a ladder platform would be required to safely reunite the bird. CFA reached out to Fire Rescue and Ladder Platform 47 was dispatched from Footscray to support.

With the assistance of Leading Firefighters Ryan and Dwayne, the ladder platform was set up in the rear of Hoppers Crossing Fire Station, and Jodi was safely lifted to the nest where the baby tawny frogmouth was successfully reunited with its mother and two siblings.

This is another great example of the teamwork between fire agencies, and we’re proud to have been part of giving this little one the best possible chance to thrive in its natural environment.

Reuniting young birds with their parents gives them the best opportunity to develop natural behaviours such as hunting and social interaction. If you ever find a baby bird on its own, remember to look around as its parents are usually nearby.

Fittingly, the tawny frogmouth was recently named Australia’s Bird of the Year for 2025, making this rescue story an even more special moment for everyone involved.

Submitted by	Mitch BevanI

Source: Australian Department of Communications

Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Tony Burke, will seek to introduce a new power enabling the AUSTRAC CEO to restrict or prohibit certain high-risk products, services or delivery channels.
The amendment would give the AUSTRAC CEO additional options to reduce money laundering risks associated with high-risk products.
AUSTRAC CEO, Brendan Thomas, welcomes these changes and said if Parliament passes the law, AUSTRAC will be ready to use them.
“We’re still seeing an unacceptable risk of money laundering across some channels,” Mr Thomas said.

Source: New South Wales – News

The search resumed in zones outside of the original search area at sunrise, but was concluded at midday because of extreme heat and windy conditions.

It will resume on Friday 17 October when it is anticipated the searching of the remaining identified zones will be completed.