Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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A new CFA group has been officially launched in District 6 – the Apostles Group.

Formed through the merger of Cobden and Timboon groups, this new team reflects a proactive, volunteer-led effort to build a more sustainable group for the area.

WHY THE CHANGE?
Like many rural areas, CFA groups in District 6 are dealing with fewer volunteers, leadership gaps and heavier workloads.

For Cobden Group in particular, maintaining viability was becoming harder.

“It really came down to people – just not having enough of them,” Group Officer Mark Roberts AFSM said. “Running a group with only six brigades just wasn’t going to cut it long term. We needed a group that was the right size for the years to come.”

A working party was established with representatives from each group in District 6. Its focus was to plan for the future and identify ways to strengthen the role of groups.

“With the trending change in the community’s values around volunteering, it was time for us to be proactive,” Deputy Group Officer and Captain of Port Campbell Fire Brigade Katy Millard said. 

“Exchanging ideas and considering other points of view as part of the working party was a positive way of being able to influence change,” Katy said.

The working party’s first recommendation was to bring Cobden and neighbouring Timboon groups together to create a single, stronger group with shared resources, experience and people power. The  new group includes Bostocks Creek, Brucknell-Ayrford, Carpendeit-South Purrumbete, Cobden, Cobrico, Ecklin & District, Jancourt, Kennedy’s Creek, Lower Heytesbury, Port Campbell, Princetown, Scotts Creek-Cowleys Creek, Simpson and Timboon.

VOLUNTEERS LEADING THE WAY
What set this process apart was that it was entirely volunteer led – from the initial conversations and planning to consultation and decision-making.

“The pragmatic approach from both groups’ delegates was great,” Deputy Group Officer and new CFA Board member Bryce Morden said. “Many had been through mergers before with local sports clubs and knew we couldn’t wait for a crisis to trigger a merger.”

Delegates also agreed on the group’s new name – Apostles Group – to reflect the iconic landscape and shared identity of the region .

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
As planning got underway, it became clear that merging two groups involved more than just deciding on a new name. There were different ways of operating, and alignment was key.

Templates and tools helped clarify expectations, but the real value came from collaboration.

“It’s been interesting to see the different approaches from each of the groups across operations, admin, training and communications,” Bryce said. “We will need to take the best from both and create a new Apostles Group way of doing things.”

Katy said working with a wider range of people made decision-making stronger.

“I didn’t anticipate the value of the combined group management teams, with a broader experience base,” she said. “Bringing different perspectives to the table actually made the nuts and bolts of setting up the new group pretty straightforward.”

Introducing pre-nomination process before elections also gave brigade delegates more confidence in the process.

“We received pre-nominations for the officer positions, which really helped,” Mark said. “It gave delegates time to consider their choices ahead of the meeting. Voting by secret ballot meant the decisions were made in a fair, confidential and democratic way for the group’s first term.” 

WHAT’S NEXT?
With elections complete, the focus is now on establishing group procedures, preparing for the fire season and continuing to learn from each other.

The Apostles Group was created by bringing two groups together, but the goal was bigger than just a merger. It was about building a stronger, more sustainable future for the brigades involved.

As Bryce summed up: “Change is inevitable. We can choose to have agency and influence in the change process or we can sit back and let change happen to us.”

To learn more about the group amalgamation process, a case study is available. For a copy or if you have any questions, please email the Volunteer Sustainability Team (South West Region) at vst-swr@cfa.vic.gov.au.

Submitted by	Kirsten Dudink

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police investigating power pole cut down near Kermandie Football Ground

Monday, 29 September 2025 – 11:03 am.

Police are investigating reports of a power pole deliberately cut down at the old mill site near the Kermandie Football Ground about 10am on Thursday (25 September), which resulted in a significant power outage to the Geeveston township and surrounding areas.
Police would like to speak to anyone with information in relation to the pole being cut down, or suspicious activity in the area around the time including a person in possession of a chainsaw.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Geeveston Police on 131 444 and quoting OR785900.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Source: Airservices Australia

On 17 September 2025, the RBA decided to vary the Access Regime for the ATM System (the Access Regime) with effect on 1 October 2025. The purpose of the variation is to accommodate the replacement of the associated industry-administered ATM Access Code with a new ATM Access Standard. The amendments to the Access Regime are minor and do not change its substantive requirements.

For more details, see Access Regime for the ATM System Variation 2025 and the associated Explanatory Statement.

Details on the new ATM Access Standard are available on the AusPayNet website.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Issued on
29 Sep 2025 09:38

Issued for
STRATHALBYN in The Mount Lofty Ranges.

Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke

Action
Smoke from STRATHALBYN is in the Milnes Road area.

Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.

Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.

If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.

More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Final Budget Outcome for 2024–25 shows the Albanese Labor Government has delivered the largest nominal improvement in the Budget in a single Parliamentary term.

In dollar terms, we’ve made more progress on the Budget in three years than any government in history.

It’s a reminder that we have one of the strongest budgets in the G20.

Responsible economic management is the hallmark of the Albanese Labor Government and today’s result reinforces that.

We’ve turned two big Liberal deficits into two substantial Labor surpluses in our first two years, significantly reduced the deficit in our third year, and continued to pay down debt.

Today’s figures show that the deficit in our third year is around a fifth of the forecast we inherited from the Coalition, and around a third of the forecast in the 2025 Pre‑election Economic and Fiscal Outlook (PEFO).

The 2024–25 FBO shows an underlying cash deficit of just under $10.0 billion (0.4 per cent of GDP), which is substantially lower than the forecast deficit of $27.9 billion in the 2025 PEFO and $47.1 billion in the 2022 PEFO.

As a proportion of GDP, it is around a fifth of the average deficit recorded between the Global Financial Crisis and the pandemic.

This outcome means the fiscal position is $209 billion better over the three years to 2024‑25 than the one we inherited.

Added together, our three Final Budget Outcomes have delivered a cumulative underlying cash balance of +$28 billion, compared with the more than −$181 billion we inherited.

The better fiscal position means gross debt in 2024–25 was $188 billion lower than the one left to us, avoiding over $60 billion in interest costs over the 11 years to 2032–33.

The budget is in much better nick because we’ve paid down almost $200 billion of Liberal debt, demonstrated spending restraint, overseen the creation of more than 1.1 million jobs and got real wages growing again.

This result is better than expected at the 2025 PEFO, thanks to lower‑than‑expected payments and an improved outcome for receipts.

The FBO shows that payments were $4.9 billion lower in 2024–25 than projected at 2025 PEFO. This meant that payments as a share of the economy declined across the last term to be 26.2 per cent in 2024–25, which was 0.4 of a percentage point less than what was forecast at the 2022 PEFO.

A stronger labour market with more Australians working more and earning more is among the biggest factors for the improved outlook for receipts since coming to Government.

Receipts were $13.0 billion higher in 2024–25 than projected at the 2025 PEFO, with more Australians earning more being an important driver.

We’ve managed to get inflation down and improve the budget position without sacrificing the gains we made in the labour market.

We have limited real spending growth and returned around 70 per cent of all tax receipt upgrades to the bottom line, compared to our predecessors who only returned around 40 per cent.

Our responsible economic management has helped make room in the budget for critical investments in Medicare, housing, and tax cuts for every taxpayer.

While we’ve delivered a substantial budget improvement, we recognise that structural pressures are intensifying rather than easing and that’s why we’re taking decisive action to address some of the biggest spending pressures on the budget.

We’re delivering substantial reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and aged care system, and we’re paying down Liberal debt which is saving us tens of billions of dollars in interest payments.

The Final Budget Outcome is a powerful demonstration of the progress Australians have made together on the economy but there’s more work to do to make the budget more sustainable in the face of global economic uncertainty.

We’ll continue to do what we can to clean up the budget mess we inherited from the Coalition and to make our economy more productive and resilient.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Hobart Rivulet death determined not suspicious

Monday, 29 September 2025 – 9:15 am.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 33-year-old woman, located in the Hobart Rivulet on Friday afternoon.
“Police investigations continued over the weekend and included a review of CCTV in the area, obtaining statements from witnesses, interviews, and forensic examinations including an autopsy,” said Detective Inspector David Gill.
“As a result of investigations conducted so far, police are no longer treating the death as suspicious.”
“Detectives from South East CIB are continuing investigations and will provide a report to the Coroner who will formally determine the cause of death.”
Our thoughts are with everyone affected.

Source:

With hay season beginning in the west and north west parts of the state, farmers are being urged to take extra care in preventing haystack fires.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

National Police Remembrance Day ceremony to honour fallen officers

Monday, 29 September 2025 – 8:01 am.

Police will pause today to honour fallen officers at National Police Remembrance Day ceremonies across Australia and the South-West Pacific region.“On National Police Remembrance Day today, we pause to remember police officers who are no longer with us. The loss of a colleague has a marked and lasting impact across our ranks, as well as on the broader policing family,” said Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Higgins.“National Police Remembrance Day enables the community as a whole to reflect and honour the memory of police officers who have died while performing their duties or while serving.“This year’s commemoration holds a heightened and sombre significance as Tasmania Police and the wider Tasmanian community mourn the loss of numerous members including one of our own in the line of duty as well the recent deaths of two police officers in Victoria in the line of duty.“This year we honour Constable Keith Smith, who was fatally shot in the line of duty in north west Tasmania in June this year.”A Tasmanian contingent including Commissioner Donna Adams and Constable Keith Smith’s family and colleagues, are attending the national ceremony in Canberra, where Constable Smith’s name will be officially added to the National Police Memorial.“At today’s ceremony at the Tasmania Police Academy, we also remember Sergeant Adam “Rex” Eastley, who sadly passed away suddenly, from a medical condition in southern Tasmania in April 2025,” Deputy Commissioner Higgins said.“In memory of Constable Smith and Sergeant Eastley, as well as other fallen officers before them, the Tasman Bridge and the Wrest Point Casino in Hobart will be lit blue in recognition of their service and sacrifice.“Solemnly we will stand in solidarity at Remembrance Day ceremonies, to honour and remember the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives while serving their community.“We also remember past colleagues who have lost their battles with illness or have fallen through other circumstances.“We extend our condolences to the loved ones of those who have fallen. We will continue to stand united with them and ensure the legacies of those that have passed are forever preserved.”“As we commemorate officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice, we are reminded that every dedicated man and woman who wears a police badge often put themselves in danger, to protect their community,” said Deputy Commissioner Higgins.“These deaths remind us of the challenging, and at times, dangerous nature of police work – and the unpredictable path that the men and women of our police services choose to walk on behalf of the community every time they start a shift.“I’d like to pay tribute to the members of Tasmania Police who put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep the Tasmanian community a safe place to live and visit.”

Source: New South Wales – News

Police are investigating a car fire at Christies Downs last night.

About 11.40pm Sunday 28 September, police and MFS were called to Finian Road following reports of an abandoned car on fire in the car park of a unit complex.

On arrival the fire had already began to spread to other two other vehicles.

The blaze was quickly brought under control however the abandoned Ford sedan was completely destroyed and the other two nearby cars significantly damaged.

Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing however anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or on 1800 333 000.