Launceston woman charged with high-range drink driving
Friday, 12 September 2025 – 2:55 pm.
A 37-year-old woman from Launceston has been charged with high-range drink driving following a single vehicle crash on Georgetown Road at Newnham today.
Emergency services were called to the crash about 11.15am, where the woman was reportedly found a short distance away from a yellow Hyundai Getz which was on its roof.
The woman was taken into custody and returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.261, over five times the legal limit.
The woman was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, received an immediate disqualification from driving for one year, and was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
Anyone who has information or dash cam footage of the yellow Hyundai Getz driving in a dangerous manner between Newnham and Rocherlea this morning is asked to contact Launceston Police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 137-12092025.
Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
Police investigating deliberately lit fire at Deviot
Friday, 12 September 2025 – 2:28 pm.
Police are investigating a deliberately lit fire which destroyed a dwelling at Deviot this morning.
About 3.50am, emergency services responded to reports of a structure fire on Deviot Road
Tasmania Fire Service crews attended and extinguished the fire, and Fire Investigators determined it was deliberately lit.
Anyone with information in relation to the fire is asked to contact Launceston CIB on 131 444 and quote OR784753.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
Work to improve the lifespan of John Foord Bridge over the Murray River, connecting the twin towns of Corowa in NSW and Wahgunyah in Victoria, will begin this month.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the upgrade work will be carried out over nine months.
“The project will involve replacing piers and carrying out maintenance on the NSW side of the bridge, aiming to improve its lifespan and safety for motorists as well as pedestrians using the shared path,” the spokesperson said.
“The bridge upgrade will involve piling, excavation and earthworks, concrete pumping, crane lifts and the use of drilling rigs, and will take about nine months to complete.”
Work will begin with site establishment on Friday 19 September, followed by piling from Monday 22 September, weather permitting.
Most work will be carried out under the bridge. The community will be advised in advance of some road and bridge closures which will require detours and reduced speed limits to carry out this important maintenance project.
There are six full-day closures planned in the work program. The first closure is planned for mid-November and will continue periodically through to June 2026.
The pedestrian path along the riverbank is expected to remain open during the project. A section of the recreation area on the north-east side of the bridge will be closed to accommodate the site compound.
Signs will safely guide users of the shared path around the site and no work is planned at the site during the Christmas and New Year period.
Transport thanks the community for their patience while this work is carried out.
Thank you to FINSIA for the opportunity to be here with you.
For industry and those of us in the policymaking community charged with the responsibility of promoting stability, structural change in the external operating environment is making for unusually challenging times. I am not talking about standard business cycle uncertainty here, but rather a new era of strategic, technological and operational disruption that is cutting across the financial system and wider society in complex ways.
But my main point today is that while these challenges will require a laser-like focus on resilience over the coming years, this does not have to come at the expense of innovation, competition and efficiency. Far from it – these objectives can be mutually reinforcing. As industry and regulators, our challenge here is to work creatively to build a financial system that has an ‘anti-fragile’ character. A system that is vulnerable to disruption – geopolitical, technological, or otherwise – has inherent fragility and is more likely to break when stressed. By contrast, and to invoke Nassim Taleb’s characterisation, an anti-fragile system is one that can not only weather most storms but stands to benefit from disruptive change.
A new era of disruption?
The international system is undergoing seismic adjustment – on a scale and speed unseen in eight decades. The wheels of globalisation are grinding with more friction. Key tenets of the rules-based international order are being challenged. The strategic environment is becoming more contested and complex. And for financial institutions, and even nations, self-insurance against a wide range of scenarios is assuming more prominence than at any time since the end of the Cold War. In short, the era of the peace dividend is over.
We are also navigating a period of rapid technological transformation. As the financial system is increasingly digitalised, the surface for cyber-attacks is expanding, fuelling a new cyber arms race. Cloud computing is helping to alleviate single points of failure, but concentration risk in cloud and other advanced technology service offerings risks amplifying third-party dependencies. Quantum computing will also raise its own set of challenges and opportunities. And while artificial intelligence (AI) could unleash a burst of productivity across industries and economies, my discussions with international counterparts reveal concerns about its potential to accelerate fraud, misinformation and other sources of financial instability. One example is contagion and herding risk, where parties could come to rely on similar models trained on similar data that therefore generate similar actions – including in a crisis. Moreover, the complexity of AI systems developed outside the regulatory perimeter means that systemic vulnerabilities could grow in a way that is not obvious to the boards of financial institutions or supervisors.
The resilience of the financial system to disruptions to critical infrastructure – the electrical grid and telecommunications network – is also a growing focus internationally. These challenges are not just limited to cyber intrusions, surging energy demands from big data and extreme weather events. In April, cascading power outages on the Iberian Peninsula affected 50 million households and prompted the Spanish Government to declare a national emergency. While economic activity declined by almost half its daily level, these disruptions would have been worse still had the functioning of key financial infrastructure also been compromised. And small, low orbit satellites are increasingly being viewed as an important source of ‘all hazard’ redundancy when mainland telecommunications capabilities are stressed, as seen in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Anti-fragility – building resilience through innovation and dynamism
Confronted with extreme-but-plausible sources of systemic disruption, it might be tempting for financial system regulators to prioritise resilience over all else, including innovation, competition and efficiency. But I’m not persuaded that casting these objectives as a trade-off – resilience on the one hand, or innovation, competition and efficiency on the other – is a helpful framing. Rather, the opportunity we must grasp is to have these concepts mutually reinforce one another.
To that end, the RBA’s Payments System Board has long had a mandate to support competition and efficiency in a manner that is consistent with stability in the financial system. My colleagues and I are well aware of the regulator curse, otherwise known as ‘the stability of the graveyard’, where an excessive desire to minimise risk in the system could come at the cost of robbing it of all vitality and therefore its ability to support economic growth over the long term.
With that in mind, our recently updated Strategic Plan places considerable emphasis on harnessing the forces of innovation, dynamism and competition to better promote resilience in the Australian payments system and across our financial market infrastructure more generally. It is in this sense that we are striving to give our system an ‘anti-fragile’ character. Let me provide some recent examples.
First, under a rebooted Industry Resilience Initiative, the RBA and APRA are working with the major banks, Australian Payments Plus and AusPayNet to enhance existing capabilities and develop new ones to ensure essential payment services can continue to operate in the event of a significant disruption to our payments system. This ‘all hazards’ initiative is one of the key pillars of a significant program of work the Council of Financial Regulators are progressing with industry to strengthen the resilience of our financial system to geopolitical and operational risk. This includes a system-wide mapping of potential vulnerabilities.
Second, as the vision for Australia’s future account-to-account (A2A) payments takes shape, the RBA is engaging with industry to ensure that resilience is baked into new technological solutions. Following our Risk Assessment in March, we recently set out a Public Interest Framework to guide industry in their strategic planning for the future A2A system. This is a technology agnostic, principles-based framework that prioritises the reliability of the payments system through robust contingency and recoverability arrangements, alongside new functionality spurred by competitive tension and innovation. As a practical example, we view interoperability – the ability for systems to connect to each other – as integral to promoting resilience, competition and efficiency. In good times, end users will have greater choice over service providers; when systems go down, contingency options will be available.
Third, given advances in quantum computing will pose a risk to the secure exchange of payment details, we are strongly supporting industry efforts to migrate to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), which is viewed as a quantum-safe solution. Nefarious actors are already storing vast amounts of data with the expectation of breaking current encryption standards down the track – a strategy known as ‘harvest now, decrypt later’. In the absence of greater urgency and effective industry coordination, there is a risk that the migration to the AES for card payments will occur too slowly, leaving end users exposed to increased risk of fraud. This could undermine trust in card payments and the wider financial system.
Fourth, in an effort to promote more competition in financial market infrastructure (FMI), the Payments System Board recently raised the threshold beyond which firms are required to comply with the Financial Stability Standards for Securities Settlement Facilities. This step, where the annual settlement activity threshold increased from $200 million to $40 billion, has already helped to streamline clearing and settlement facility licence applications for small firms, and we hope to see more entrants emerge to stimulate competition and diversify risk across the FMI landscape.
Fifth, we have been engaged in two projects – Acacia and Mandala – aimed at strengthening the efficiency and resilience of wholesale and cross-border payments. In Project Acacia, we are working alongside the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, industry partners and regulators to better understand how innovation in financial infrastructure and digital money, including central bank digital currency, might uplift the functioning of Australia’s wholesale financial markets. We are also preparing to support Treasury and ASIC in a review of the enhanced regulatory sandbox to ensure it best supports innovation and resilience across the payment and FMI ecosystem. At the same time, we are collaborating with central bank partners on Project Mandala, which aims to develop protocols to automate regulatory compliance processes in cross-border payments using new types of ledger arrangements. The aim here is to make cross-border payments more transparent, faster and safer.
Finally, we are assisting the Government to advance and implement its payments regulatory reform agenda – including reforms to the Payment Systems (Regulation) Act and licensing arrangements. These reforms will boost regulatory clarity for industry and strengthen the ability of financial regulators to promote innovation, competition and resilience in the system. Without this, network and other effects mean that the payments industry could tend towards anti-competitive outcomes, where dominant players impose barriers to entry that raise costs for businesses and consumers and stifle the sort of positive disruption that startups often introduce.
Concluding remarks
To conclude, ensuring our financial system remains strong and resilient has never been more important. If we are to meet this challenge head on, we will need to harness the forces of innovation, competition and dynamism more fully and more creatively. My colleagues and I at the RBA and on the Payments System Board are committed to working constructively with industry to make this happen. Australians are depending on all of us here to get this right.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
In brief:
Lots of school fetes and fairs are held in spring.
This story lists some upcoming ACT public school fetes.
The sun is shining, the blossoms are blooming and announcements of school fetes and fairs are in the air.
Not only do these spring events raise valuable funds for schools, they’re also a really good time for all.
Bring your family, your friends and your appetite, because what’s a school fete without baked goods (and more)!
Here is a list of upcoming ACT public school spring fetes and fairs.
FADDEN PRIMARY SCHOOL FETE
Sunday, 14 September 2025 12 pm–4 pm Hanlon Crescent, Fadden
This year’s fete celebrates the school’s 40th anniversary.
There will be plenty on offer, including face painting, games, showbags, reptiles, mini golf, food, prizes, plants, secondhand books, market stalls, a barbecue, Goodberry’s, raffles ($5700+ prizes) and more.
TORRENS PRIMARY SCHOOL FETE
Saturday, 18 October 2025 11 am–3 pm Ritchie Street, Torrens
This fete will have live entertainment, food stalls (including Devonshire Tea and Turkish gözleme), handmade crafts, and children’s art and performances.
There will also be secondhand books, toys and face painting.
CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FETE
Friday, 24 October 2025 3 pm–7 pm Treloar Crescent, Campbell
This twilight fete celebrates the school’s 60th anniversary.
Visitors can expect a wide range of food and entertainment and plenty of nostalgia.
TURNER PRIMARY SCHOOL FETE
Saturday, 25 October 2025 10 am–2 pm Condamine Street, Turner
Head along to enjoy a range of stalls (toys, games, books, plants, bikes), food (sausages, curries, cakes, coffee, drinks), games, school band and djembe drumming.
Both cash and electronic payments accepted.
HAWKER PRIMARY SCHOOL – HAWKER SPOOKY FETE
Sunday, 26 October 2025 10 am–2 pm Erldunda Circuit, Hawker
The Hawker Spooky Fete will have a Halloween theme.
There will be a book stall, a tombola, a barbecue, cakes, a haunted house, music and pumpkins.
PALMERSTON PRIMARY SCHOOL30TH ANNIVERSARY FETE
Saturday, 1 November 2025 10 am–2 pm Kosciuszko Avenue, Palmerston
This fete celebrates the school’s 30th birthday.
You can expect lots of family fun with rides, a petting zoo and stalls.
Tickets are available in advance or on the day. Both cash and cards will be accepted at major stalls.
BONYTHON PRIMARY SCHOOL – BONYTHON KIDS MARKET
Saturday, 1 November 2025 12 pm–2 pm Hurtle Avenue, Bonython
A bit different to a regular fete, this is a market by kids, for kids (aged 4–12).
Stalls will include baked goods, honey, face painting, craft, secondhand books and toys, plants, dog treats and lemonade.
Each stall will keep its profits, with $10 per stall donated to the P&C.
TELOPEA PARK SCHOOL – LA GRANDE FÊTE
Saturday, 1 November 2025 10 am–5 pm New South Wales Crescent, Barton
Telopea’s school fair will offer stalls, games, food and entertainment for all ages.
Both cash and electronic payments accepted.
MACGREGOR PRIMARY SCHOOL FETE
Sunday, 2 November 2025 10 am–2 pm Hirschfeld Crescent, Macgregor
This fete will feature rides, games, a plant stall, market stalls, food trucks, a white elephant, children’s sports displays.
Cash and EFTPOS available.
CAROLINE CHISHOLM HIGH SCHOOL TWILIGHT FETE
Friday, 14 November 2025 4 pm–7 pm Hambidge Crescent, Chisholm
This fete celebrates the school’s 40th anniversary.
There will be rides, food trucks, a barbecue, sporting clubs, face painting, glitter tattoos, secondhand books, plants, craft and market stalls.
FLOREY PRIMARY SCHOOL – FLOREY FAIR 2025
Saturday, 15 November 2025 11 am–3 pm Ratcliffe Crescent, Florey
This fair’s theme is Community, Culture and Connection.
Stalls will include local services, handmade goods and a bake stall.
Both cash and cards accepted.
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Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions on the M7 Motorway in Rooty Hill between 8pm Friday 19 September to 10pm Sunday 21 September 2025. If work is unable to take place at this time, work will be completed from 8pm Friday 26 September to 10pm Sunday 28 September 2025
There will be a temporary southbound right lane closure along the M7 Motorway near Rooty Hill Railway Bridge, Rooty Hillfor the M7 Motorway bridge concrete pour activities.
Vehicles travelling under a permit must not travel off the approved route listed in their permit unless an updated permit is obtained from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
Please keep to the speed limits and follow the direction of traffic controllers and signs.
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.comor call 132 701.
Motorists driving along Elizabeth Drive may notice some dazzling new light installations placed under the new M12 Motorway overbridge.
Testing is currently underway at the M12 Motorway bridge over Elizabeth Drive near Mamre Road, Kemps Creek.
The feature lighting will not only provide safety for motorists as it highlights the infrastructure but will also enhance the driver experience through an array of colours and shapes projected onto the bridge undercarriage.
The lighting under the bridge features star-themed elements, including architectural pier lighting to showcase the form and structure of the bridge.
Continuing the theme, various sections along the M12 Motorway will light up in stages, such as the retaining wall along Warami Drive which will act as the gateway into the new Western Sydney International Airport.
For visitors and residents arriving or departing to and from the Airport, the toll-free M12 Motorway will be the first thing you see at night, with the M12 lighting up your journey as you get to your destination!
The feature lighting at the M12 Motorway bridge over Elizabeth Drive will illuminate permanently from early November 2025 with Warami Drive to ‘light up’ when access into the Airport is ready for passengers.
The toll-free M12 Motorway is a 16 kilometre road which will connect to the new airport in 2026 and includes some improvements along Elizabeth Drive. The $2.1 billion project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
The Albanese Government has reappointed Steven Skala AO as a part‑time member to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) for a one‑year period.
Mr Skala has a long and distinguished career across private, not‑for‑profit and government organisations.
He has been Chair of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation Board since 2017. Mr Skala was Vice Chairman Australia and Head of Investment Banking Coverage of Deutsche Bank AG between 2004–2024. Prior to that, he was a commercial partner of two major Australian law firms. He is also a former Chairman of Wilson Group Limited (now Pinnacle Investment Management Limited) and Film Australia Limited and is a former Acting Chairman and Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The reappointment, beginning on 18 September 2025, will support the Board to continue to provide effective advice on the operation of Australia’s Foreign Investment Policy and the administration of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.
The FIRB is a non‑statutory body established in 1976 to examine proposed investments that are subject to the foreign investment framework and to make recommendations to the Government on these proposals.
The Albanese Government has strengthened and streamlined Australia’s foreign investment regime and the members of the Board, including Mr Skala, have played a part in that.
Labor’s reforms to foreign investment have sped up processing times which are now twice as fast, compared to when we first came to office.
We thank Mr Skala for his contribution to date and for agreeing to continue to serve on the Foreign Investment Review Board.
We will continue to ensure we have the right settings in place to scrutinise high risk transactions and incentivise more investment that is in Australia’s national interest.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred in Wadeye on Thursday evening.
At around 10:10pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received reports of a disturbance involving two males known to each other.
It is alleged that an adult male had been assaulted by a 17-year-old male youth who fled the location prior to police arrival.
The victim was assessed at a local clinic with non-life threatening injuries.
Investigations remain ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2500091047. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.