Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government
Monaro Highway upgrade traffic changes – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
The Monaro Highway is being upgraded to deliver improved safety, freight efficiency and faster and smoother travel for Tuggeranong, the Woden Valley and southern NSW.
There will be an off-peak weekend closure of Monaro Highway (southbound only) between Hindmarsh Drive and Lanyon Drive required. The closure is scheduled from 7pm, Friday 14 November to 5am, Monday 17 November 2025, weather dependent.
The closure is in place to allow reconstruction of pavement along sections of the Monaro Highway’s southbound carriageway (within the project area).
During the closure, the following detours will be in place:
Travelling west on Hindmarsh Drive, left on to Mugga Lane and continue onto Monaro Highway.
Travelling east on Hindmarsh Drive, right on to Canberra Avenue right on to Lanyon Drive and continue to Monaro Highway. NB: Heavy vehicles will be diverted to this detour.
Travelling west along Canberra Avenue, left on to Sturt Avenue and Jerrabomberra Ave, right on to Hindmarsh Drive.
Traffic management will be in place during the closure to allow access for emergency services vehicles and access to the Alexander Maconochie Centre and ACT Government facilities along David Warren Road.
This closure improves the safety of both road users and project workers whilst works are undertaken.
Road users are reminded to follow all signage and directions from traffic controllers, and to be aware that reduced speed limits apply throughout the project site.
About the project
The Monaro Highway upgrade is part of a long-term series of road improvements that will create improved safety, freight efficiency and faster and smoother commutes.
It will also include:
A new southbound flyover on the Monaro Highway over Lanyon Drive (including three-metre-wide sealed shoulders).
The highway road pavement upgraded from David Warren Road, near the Alexander Maconochie Centre, through to Sheppard Street in Hume (including 3-metre-wide sealed shoulders).
A new widened bridge on the northbound carriageway over Dog Trap Creek/Woden Creek just north of Lanyon Drive. This includes an improved northbound merge from Lanyon Drive on to the Monaro Highway.
The new bridge structure will have Indigenous artwork applied to some of the external elements.
Construction of the flyover and interchange is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Monaro Highway upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and ACT Governments through the Infrastructure Investment Program.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
27 October 2025
Who does this notice affect?
All international non-scheduled flights arriving in Australian territory.
All non-commercial vessel (recreational vessels, yachts and motor cruisers) owners or vessel operators arriving in Australian territory to visit or stay, including any returning Australians intending to arrive in Australian territory.
All shipping agents who represent international non-commercial vessels arriving in Australian territory.…
A driver and passenger escaped serious injury after their car rolled in the city this evening.
About 7.10pm Sunday 26 October, police and emergency services were called to the intersection of O’Brien and Gilbert Street, Adelaide following reports of a single vehicle crash.
Patrols arrived to find a Nissan sedan had rolled after colliding with and tree, road sign and front of a building. The facade of the premises fortunately sustained only minor damage.
The driver, a 21-year-old man from Davoren Park, and his female passenger sustained minor injuries and were assessed by SA Ambulance paramedics at the scene. They were both taken to hospital for treatment.
The man was subsequently issued with a $333 fine for failing to maintain control of his vehicle.
Anyone who was witness to the crash and has no spoken with police or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.cimrestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
27 October 2025
Who does this notice affect?
This notice applies to stakeholders who operate within the biosecurity framework including vessel masters and operators of aircraft, freight forwarders, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents, master consolidators, Biosecurity Entry Points (airport and seaport operators), and members of the public.
What is changing?
Stakeholders are advised that the following four legislative…
A woman has been charged with attempted murder and firearms offences after a firearm was allegedly shot at police in Collinsvale yesterday evening.
Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said officers were attending the property to execute a search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
“Upon entering the property and driving through the front gate, police became aware that something had struck their vehicle,” he said.
“Shortly afterwards, a 37-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were taken into custody without incident. Both were found in possession of firearms.”
A subsequent examination of the scene revealed a single bullet hole located near the wheel guard of the unmarked police vehicle.
The woman has been charged with attempted murder and several firearms-related offences. The man has been charged with firearms offences and attempted aggravated assault.
“At this stage, investigators believe the residents did not realise it was police entering the property,” Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said.
“Regardless, it is reprehensible that our officers were placed at such risk while performing their duties. This incident could have had tragic consequences, and it was extremely fortunate that no one was physically harmed.”
Both individuals are expected to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court today.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
27 October 2025
Who does this notice affect?
Approved arrangements operators who will be required to view and/or update details of their Approved Arrangement via the Approved Arrangement Management Product (AAMP).
Information
Due to scheduled system maintenance, AAMP will be unavailable between 20:00 to 23:30 Friday 31 October 2025 (AEDT).
Action
Clients are advised to await the completion of this maintenance period…
From Saturday November 1, 2025, the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop in Upper California Gully Road will be managed and operated by the City of Greater Bendigo and will be renamed the Eaglehawk Recycling Centre.
City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the Eaglehawk Recycle Centre will operate like the City’s other recycling centres in Strathfieldsaye, Heathcote and Goornong.
“From November 1, residents can still dispose of a range of recyclable items for free at the Eaglehawk Recycling Centre via the drive though drop off point which is located at the entrance to the landfill,” Mr Westley said.
“However, sales of second-hand and recycled goods will not be available at the centre until mid-November as we undertake improvement and safety works to the sales area.
“When the sales area re-opens residents will be able to purchase a great range of second- hand items at bargain prices.
“We do apologise in advance for any inconvenience during the changeover period and we ask for patience as we make some changes to ensure a safe and smooth transition to the Eaglehawk Recycling Centre.
“In the short term the City has employed staff through an agency arrangement with Programmed a leading provider of staffing, facility management and maintenance services.
“This has allowed some existing ERS staff to continue their employment at the facility. Any future job opportunities at the centre will be advertised via the City’s usual employment channels.
“The City takes this opportunity to thank ERS for operating the facility for many years and we look forward to welcoming all existing and new customers to the new Eaglehawk Recycling Centre in the future.”
Items accepted for free at the Eaglehawk Recycle Centre include:
E-Waste (any item that has a plug, cord or battery)
Taped household batteries
Clean clothing, linen and yarn
Cardboard, paper, foam boxes and polystyrene packaging
An extended 2025/2026 Greater Bendigo Summer in the Parks program will kick off in November 2025 and continue throughout the months of December, January, February and March 2026.
Greater Bendigo’s beautiful parks and public spaces will come alive this summer with outdoor cinemas, live music, moonlight and artist markets, community activities, festivals and much more!
City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environments Director Jess Howard said the annual Summer in the Parks program offers a fantastic range of free or low-cost events and activities thanks to the City and local community groups and organisations.
“Summer in the Parks is the perfect excuse to pack up your family or get a group of friends together and have some fun in our great outdoors that won’t break the budget,” Ms Howard said.
“There really is something for everyone as the weather warms up so why not check out the program and enjoy a great long summer.”
November features a range of activities, markets and events including the Eaglehawk Childrens Festival and the much-loved lighting of the Christmas tree at the Rosalind Park piazza on Friday November 1.
December is all about the festive season with a range of Christmas Carol events in Bendigo, Epsom, Heathcote, Marong, Maiden Gully, Axedale and Eaglehawk along with two great firework displays at the QEO to ring in 2026 on new years’ eve.
Outdoor cinema and music events kick off in January and run throughout February and March in various locations including Bendigo, Golden Square, Flora Hill, White Hills, Heathcote, Maiden Gully, Marong and Axedale.
Moonlight markets where you can find something different and unusual and grab some yummy food to eat will take place in Hargreaves Mall each month of the program.
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate our national day with a range of free Australia Day celebrations taking place in Bendigo, Axedale, Eaglehawk, Elmore, Maiden Gully, Huntly, Heathcote, Mia Mia and Strathfieldsaye on January 26.
Events taking place in March will include the popular Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival, Bendigo Latin Festival, Bendigo Sustainability Festival and the Play in the Garden Day at the Garden for Future, Bendigo Botanic Gardens.
All Summer in the Parks are free or low-cost and alcohol and pet free.
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The ACCC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Microsoft Australia and its parent company Microsoft Corporation for allegedly misleading approximately 2.7 million Australian customers when communicating subscription options and price increases, after it integrated its AI assistant, Copilot, into Microsoft 365 plans.
The ACCC alleges that since 31 October 2024, Microsoft has told subscribers of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans with auto-renewal enabled that to maintain their subscription they must accept the integration of Copilot and pay higher prices for their plan, or, alternatively, cancel their subscription.
The ACCC alleges this information provided to subscribers was false or misleading because there was an undisclosed third option, the Microsoft 365 Personal or Family Classic plans, which allowed subscribers to retain the features of their existing plan, without Copilot, at the previous lower price.
Microsoft’s communication with subscribers did not refer to the existence of the “Classic” plans, and the only way subscribers could access them was to begin the process of cancelling their subscription. This involved navigating to the subscriptions section of their Microsoft account and selecting “Cancel subscription”. It was only on the following page that subscribers were given the option to instead move to the Classic plan. See a screenshot of the cancellation page revealing the Classic plan.
“Following a detailed investigation, we will allege in Court that Microsoft deliberately omitted reference to the Classic plans in its communications and concealed their existence until after subscribers initiated the cancellation process to increase the number of consumers on more expensive Copilot-integrated plans,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.
“The Microsoft Office apps included in 365 subscriptions are essential in many people’s lives and given there are limited substitutes to the bundled package, cancelling the subscription is a decision many would not make lightly.”
“We’re concerned that Microsoft’s communications denied its customers the opportunity to make informed decisions about their subscription options, which included the possibility of retaining all the features of their existing plan without Copilot and at the lower price,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“We believe many Microsoft 365 customers would have opted for the Classic plan had they been aware of all the available options.”
Following the integration of Copilot, the annual subscription price of the Microsoft 365 Personal plan increased by 45 per cent from $109 to $159. The annual subscription price for the Microsoft 365 Family plan increased by 29 per cent from $139 to $179.
Microsoft sent two emails and published a blog post to inform auto-renewing subscribers (as of 31 October 2024) about the Copilot integration and the impending price increase that would apply at their next renewal. These three pieces of communication are central to the ACCC’s case.
“We allege that Microsoft’s two emails to existing subscribers and the blog post were false or misleading as they conveyed that consumers had to accept the more expensive Copilot-integrated plans, and that the only other option was to cancel,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
“All businesses need to provide accurate information about their services and prices. Failure to do so risks breaching the Australian Consumer Law,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
In establishing its investigation into this matter, the ACCC drew on a significant number of consumer reports, as well as commentary in online forums such as Reddit. Information provided by consumers to the ACCC’s Infocentre was critical to alerting the ACCC to the alleged conduct, particularly in identifying the availability of the Classic plan through subscribers’ cancellation flows.
The ACCC is seeking orders including penalties, injunctions, declarations, consumer redress, and costs.
Consumer response
The ACCC believes the millions of Australian consumers who were allegedly misled by Microsoft about the availability of the Classic plan may have suffered economic harm through the automatic renewal of their subscription with Copilot integration at a higher price.
The ACCC is seeking consumer redress in this case for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers affected by the alleged conduct.
Existing Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers who have not had their subscription renewed since 8 July 2025 and would like to revert to their previous plan may be able to select the cancel option and follow the steps in the cancellation process until the Classic plan is offered. However, the ACCC notes that the subscription options and prices offered are entirely in Microsoft’s control and could be subject to change at any time.
Example timeline for a subscriber on a Microsoft 365 Personal plan
On 19 April 2024, a consumer purchased an annual Microsoft 365 Personal subscription for $109 and enabled auto-renewal for one year’s time.
On 31 October 2024, Microsoft published a blog post in which it stated:
“To reflect the value we’ve added over the past decade and enable us to deliver new innovations for years to come, we’re increasing the prices of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family. The price increase will apply to existing subscribers upon their next renewal.”
On 13 April 2025, 7 days before their renewal date, the consumer received a second email in which Microsoft stated:
“We want to let you know about a change to the amount of your next payment. Unless you cancel two days before Saturday, April 19 2025, we’ll charge AUD 159.00 including taxes every year… We’ll tell you if this price ever changes. Cancel any time to stop future charges or change how you pay by managing your subscription in your Microsoft account.”
On 19 April 2025, the consumer’s subscription was automatically renewed at the increased price of $159. The consumer was not aware that switching to the Classic plan at the existing subscription price of $109 was possible.
Screenshots showing the communications with subscribers
Email sent to subscribers informing them of the Copilot integration and price increase
The page late in the cancellation process revealing the Classic plan
A subscriber only saw this screen once they had navigated to the subscriptions section of their Microsoft account, selected “Cancel subscription”, and continued with the cancellation process.
Background
Microsoft Pty Ltd (Microsoft AU) is an Australian proprietary company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft US), a US-based technology conglomerate. Microsoft AU is the supplier of Microsoft’s proprietary software in Australia, including Microsoft 365 plans.
The ACCC alleges Microsoft US was responsible for preparing and publishing the communications to Australian Microsoft 365 subscribers containing the misrepresentations alleged by the ACCC. The ACCC alleges that Microsoft AU adopted the communications as the seller of Microsoft 365 subscriptions to Australian consumers.
The ACCC’s case only relates to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans, which are designed for home use. The case does not involve Microsoft 365 subscriptions for business or enterprise.
Microsoft 365 Personal and Family offerings are supplied on a monthly or annual subscription basis, and are comprised of:
software products, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote
collaboration and communication applications like Outlook, Teams and SharePoint
cloud-based services through OneDrive.
Microsoft launched Copilot as its consumer-facing generative AI product in 2023. Copilot was integrated into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions in Australia on 31 October 2024.
In January 2025, the Copilot integration was rolled out across Microsoft 365 worldwide, with varying subscription price increases applying to each jurisdiction.
For corporations, the maximum penalty for each breach of the Australian Consumer Law is the greater of:
$50 million
three times the total benefits that have been obtained and are reasonably attributable, or
if the total value of the benefits cannot be determined, 30 per cent of the corporation’s adjusted turnover during the breach turnover period.
Any penalty that might apply to this conduct is a matter for the Court to determine and would depend on the Court’s findings. The ACCC will not comment on what penalties the Court may impose.
This document contains the ACCC’s initiating court documents in relation to this matter. We will not be uploading further documents in the event these initial documents are subsequently amended.
The Fire Danger Period will commence at 1am Monday, 03 November 2025 for the following municipalities.
Gannawarra
Loddon
Campaspe
Residents in these areas are encouraged to use this time to prepare their properties ahead of the Fire Danger Period (FDP). This includes cleaning up dry grass, leaves, and other flammable materials, as well as completing safe private burn-offs while they are still permitted.
Deputy Chief Officer for the north west region Trevor Weston stressed the importance of taking early action as conditions continue to dry across the region.
“Now is the time for residents to act by clearing around their homes and ensuring any private burn-offs are completed safely before restrictions come into effect,” Trevor said.
“Even though grasslands might still look green in some areas, the ground underneath is much drier than in previous years, which makes fires more likely to spread.
“After much consultation, there was strong support for introducing the fire danger period now to keep our communities as safe as possible,” he added.
Those conducting burn-offs must notify authorities online at the Fire Permits Victoria website (www.firepermits.vic.gov.au), or by calling 1800 668 511.
By registering your burn-off online, you allow emergency call takers to allocate more of their time taking calls from people who need emergency assistance immediately.
No burning off is permitted during the FDP without a Permit to Burn, which can be applied for through the Fire Permits Victoria website.
Fire Danger Period information:
A written permit is required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation during the FDP. You can apply for a permit at firepermits.vic.gov.au.
Lighting fires in the open without a permit can bring a penalty of more than $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment. For a full list of conditions, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/can