Category: MIL-OSI

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Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop

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Mental Health Australia hosted an Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop for members of the National Register of Mental Health Consumer and Carer Representatives (National Register) and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF).  

Over the years, these two-day workshops have supported the development of representatives’ advocacy, policy development and leadership skills of mental health consumers and carers participating in national policy initiatives. The workshops have also provided important networking opportunities for representatives.  

The 2025 Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop was the final workshop for these two national groups. The Commonwealth Government has funded two peak bodies, one for consumers and one for carers, meaning the funding for the National Register of Mental Health Consumer and Carer Representatives (National Register) and the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) ceased as of 30 June 2025.  

The final meeting was held in Canberra on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 May 2025 and was attended by 57 mental health consumer and carer representatives, and staff from Mental Health Australia.  

The theme chosen for this final Annual Workshop was Celebrating our Past and Building Our Future. The program encompassed different speakers, thought-provoking sessions on moving forward without the formal structure of the groups, and opportunities for participants to celebrate their achievements.  

This report provides highlights from the two-day event and a summary of the key themes from the workshop and through the workshop evaluation survey.

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Consumers and Carers

Source:

National Register of Mental Health Consumer & Carer Representatives 

Please note: The National Register program ceased on 30 June 2025.  

The National Register was established in 2007 and was a project at Mental Health Australia, funded by the Australian Government Department of Health until 30 June 2025.   

The National Register was a pool of trained mental health consumer and carer representatives from across Australia, who worked at the national level to provide a strong consumer and carer voice in the mental health sector.  

Members of the National Register used their lived experience, knowledge of the mental health system and communication skills to advocate and promote the issues and concerns of mental health consumers and carers.  

If you are seeking lived experience representatives, please contact the lived experience peak bodies: the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance and Mental Health Carers Australia.  

 

National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum

Please note: funding for the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) ceased on 30 June 2025. 

For 23 years, the National Mental Health Consumer and Carer Forum (NMHCCF) was the combined national voice for mental health consumers and carers participating in the development of Australian mental health sector and its services. 

The NMHCCF functioned under the auspices of Mental Health Australia. 

The NMHCCF gave mental health consumers and carers the opportunity to meet, form partnerships and be involved in the development and implementation of mental health policy reform. 

While the NMHCC has now ceased operations, you can visit the NMHCCF website to access a range of position statements, advocacy briefs, and resources. 

 

Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop

Mental Health Australia hosted an Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop for members of the National Register and the now concluded National Mental Health Consumer & Carer Forum (NMHCCF). While the NMHCCF has now ceased operations, you can visit the NMHCCF website to access a range of position statements, advocacy briefs, and resources. 

These two-day workshops aimed to further develop the representative skills of mental health consumers and carers already participating in national policy initiatives. In particular, the workshops were designed to develop representatives’ advocacy, policy development and leadership skills. They also provided an opportunity to discuss national issues important to mental health consumers and carers, as well as network and share representative experiences.  

Information about previous Annual Issues and Opportunities Workshops, including the annual Issues and Opportunities Workshop reports are available here.  

 

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Winter in the City brings the heat with delicious food, fire and free world-class entertainment

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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.

Released 04/07/2025

With free daily entertainment, spectacular fire shows, and a celebration of local food and culture, the City Renewal Authority and local businesses have made Canberra’s City Centre the hottest spot in town these July school holidays.

From Saturday 5 July to Saturday 19 July 2025, City Walk will feature a 14-metre-wide stage hosting free performances up to five times a day including circus, theatre, musical comedy acts. Each evening is capped off by choreographed fire performances.

During the day, families can enjoy a variety of performances. Week one features the space-themed adventure of Mission to the Moon and the clever, acrobatic comedy of the Circus Firemen. In week two, the stage comes alive with the playful music of Lucky Jim and the renowned high-energy spectacle of Circus Oz ‘Non-Stop’.

After dark, the City Centre will light up with three fire performances. Local amateurs will open the show, followed by the headline display from Flux Entertainment, whose pyrotechnics have captivated audiences nationwide since their appearance on Australia’s Got Talent.

Winter in the City will wrap up in a special edition of The Forage on Saturday 19 July, bringing together Canberra’s best street food, live music, fire performances and shows from Circus Oz. From 12pm to 9pm, City Walk will be filled with the sounds, smells, and tastes of winter.

A marketing campaign highlighting the best of City and Braddon’s hospitality and retail businesses will run alongside the free entertainment program, encouraging Canberrans to enjoy a day or night out and support local traders.

Winter in the City is supported by the City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy. More program information including show times is available at winter.inthecity.com.au .

Winter in the City

  • What: Free daytime family entertainment and nightly fire performances.
  • Where: City Walk, next to the City Centre merry-go-round.
  • When: 2pm–8pm daily, Saturday 5 July – Saturday 19 July 2025.
  • Cost: Free to attend. No bookings required.
  • More info: winter.inthecity.com.au

Quotes attributable to Michael Pettersson, Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries

“Last year, Winter in the City contributed an estimated $2.72 million to the City Centre’s economy. This is money spent in our local cafes, restaurants, retailers and bars. We hope to see an even greater contribution this year.”

This year’s program of free, world-class entertainment on offer, encourages people to come into the City Centre to shop, eat, and celebrate winter.”

“It’s all about creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere that Canberrans can enjoy and that benefits our city businesses.”

Quotes attributable to Belinda Neame, Founder, The Forage

“The Forage is back for its eleventh year and is teaming up with Winter in the City to bring an unforgettable mid-winter feast to Canberra’s City Centre.”

“This exciting collaboration will transform the city into a hub of sizzling street eats, cosy firepits, and live entertainment. Visitors can explore a curated lineup of food from some of Canberra’s best restaurants and mobile food and beverage vendors.”

– Statement ends –

Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

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UPDATE #2: Arrest – Hit and run – Leanyer

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 43-year-old male after he handed himself into police in relation to a hit and run in Leanyer on Friday 27 June 2025.

The white Holden Commodore station wagon has been seized. He is expected to be charged with a number of offences later this evening.

Police would like to thank members of the public who called 131 444 to provide information.

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Firearms safe seized after search

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Firearms safe seized after search

Friday, 4 July 2025 – 4:14 pm.

A 55-year-old woman is facing a court summons for offences under the Firearms Act, with police alleging she was trying to sell a non-compliant gun safe on social media.
Acting on a public tip-off, police conducted a search of a property in southern Tasmania on Friday and seized a firearms safe along with an amount of ammunition that was not stored correctly.
Police allege the safe was non-compliant because it was easily penetrable and had an insufficient locking mechanism.
It is an offence under section 106A of the Firearms Act 1996, to advertise the sale of a firearms safe unless it complies with the requirements under the Act.
Having firearms and ammunition stored correctly in a compliant safe reduces the risk of these items falling into the wrong hands.
More information on storage and safekeeping can be found online at www.fas.police.tas.gov.au
Anyone with information about firearm offences is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

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UPDATE #3: Death – Serious harm – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 28-year-old male has passed away today following a serious assault that occurred during a disturbance in Alice Springs in May.

On 15 May 2025, police attended a large disturbance in the Alice Springs CBD where the male, who was 27-years-old at the time, suffered a serious stab wound to the chest.

Detectives from the Crime Command arrested a 22-year-old male and subsequently charged him with Acts intended to cause serious harm. He first appeared in Alice Springs Local Court on 19 May 2025 and was remanded to reappear on 24 July 2025.

This morning, the male died at Alice Springs Hospital.

Police are in consultation with the Department of Public Prosecutions to determine whether charges are to be upgraded following the victim’s death.

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International exchange instruments list

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

About exchange instruments

Exchange instruments are negotiated by the ATO with foreign jurisdictions to foster more effective and efficient partnerships.

These instruments include memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and establish the framework for our collaboration.

List of exchange instruments

See a list of our current international exchange instruments in the following table.

International exchange instruments

Country

Name

Scope

Type of exchange instrument

China

The State Tax Administration of the People’s Republic of China

Cooperation

MOU

France

The French Tax Administration

Mutual Assistance in Tax Recovery

MOU

Indonesia

The Competent Authority of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia

Exchange of information

MOU

Latvia

The Competent Authority of the Government of The Republic of Latvia

Automatic exchange of information

MOU

Netherlands

The Competent Authority of the Netherlands

Automatic exchange of information

MOU

Palau

The Bureau of Revenue and Taxation

Cooperation

MOU

Papua New Guinea

The Internal Revenue Commission

Cooperation

MOU

Saudi Arabia

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority

Cooperation

MOU
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List of disasters

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

In response to a disaster you may wish to collect funds or make donations to help victims. This page provides a list of declared disasters.

For more information see:

Australian disaster relief fund list

For a fund to be eligible for endorsement as an Australian disaster relief fund, the disaster must meet various legal requirements.

The following listed disasters meet these legal requirements.

Tax deductions for donations to these funds can usually only be claimed for the first 2 years after the disaster is declared.

If the disaster you wish to collect funds for isn’t listed here, direct your enquiries to the relevant state of territory authority.

Developed country disaster relief fund list

For a fund to be eligible for endorsement as a developed country disaster relief fund, the disaster must be recognised by a Treasury minister as a disaster.

Tax deductions for donations to these funds can usually only be claimed for the first two years after the disaster is declared.

There are no current developed country disasters recognised by a Treasury minister.

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Firearms and 6.2kg of cannabis seized in state’s North-West

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Firearms and 6.2kg of cannabis seized in state’s North-West

Friday, 4 July 2025 – 2:05 pm.

Police have seized about 6.2kg of cannabis, a quantity of cannabis plants and shortened firearms in searches of two properties in the state’s North-West.
Police will allege ‘grow rooms’ and equipment for cannabis production were also located at the properties at Kindred and in Devonport.
The 6.2kg of cannabis seized equates to about 2500 street deals.
A 30-year-old man from the North-West has been arrested and charged with several firearms and drugs offences, including trafficking in cannabis and possessing unregistered firearms.
An initial search of a property at Kindred on Tuesday by officers from the Western Drugs and Firearms Unit, Serious Organised Crime Unit and specialist resources located firearms including a shortened .22 bolt action rifle and a shortened 12-gauge shotgun.
Police also seized two butterfly knives, an automatic knife, 12g of the drug ice, 3.7kg of cannabis, plus cannabis plants and drug utensils.
In a search of a Devonport property, also on Tuesday, police seized a further 2.5kg of cannabis, cannabis plants, and a quantity of meat with security tags attached.
The 30-year-old man appeared in the Burnie Magistrates Court on Wednesday and has been bailed to reappear at a later date.

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Call for information – Burglary – Sadadeen

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

NT Police are calling for information following a burglary at a residence in Sadadeen overnight.

Around 7:50am, police received reports that a residence on Mariae Place had been unlawfully entered, with unknown offenders allegedly stealing a set of keys once inside the residence. They subsequently used the keys to steal a red Mitsubishi ASX, which contained a compound bow and arrows belonging to the victim.

The vehicle was later located abandoned on Laver Court, Sadadeen with the arrows inside; however, the compound bow was taken from the vehicle.

The offenders remain outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25178760. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersnt.com.au.