Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

wo more brand-new apartment buildings including 100 homes ready to be lived in have now been completed at Prospect Corner in Adelaide, as a result of the Albanese Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund program and the Malinauskas State Government.

Today Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Malinauskas marked the milestone by visiting the site and meeting with local residents.

Prospect Corner is an $80 million, 208-home urban renewal project in Prospect, South Australia. Notably, this 2.36-hectare master-planned site was one of the first nationally to receive federal backing from the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) to boost housing supply under the Albanese Government’s $47 billion Homes for Australians plan.

Today’s milestone means that three-quarters of the homes at the Renewal SA precinct are now complete or under construction.

This latest construction milestone at the site builds on the 29‑home, multi-storey apartment completed on the southeastern edge of the development in recent months which is already fully occupied.

Further, an eight-storey building with 71 apartments recently achieved practical completion and residents are expected to begin moving in this week.

Prospect Corner’s original master plan included a single apartment tower with 72 homes.

In 2024, the Malinauskas Government was successful in securing support from the Albanese Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF), enabling a second apartment development to be completed, increasing the total yield.

The tenanted 29-home building is being managed by Community Housing Provider Junction, offering affordable rental opportunities to eligible tenants through a government-led scheme.

Renewal SA is in final stage negotiations with a Community Housing Provider to manage the recently completed 71 home building.

The apartments offer a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom homes.

Both the internal and external spaces feature original First Nations artwork commissioned specifically for the site.

A rolling program of construction will see work on the remaining homes begin throughout this year and into early 2027.

In total, there will be 208 homes built at Prospect Corner – with 108 townhouses being constructed in addition to the 100 apartments.

The first homes and the large central park were completed in spring last year and celebrated with a community welcome event. Thirty additional townhouses are expected to be completed within the next three months.

Renewal SA is targeting construction completion of Prospect Corner in 2028.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“Our number one focus continues to be supply and we are throwing everything at it.

“We want to reach our target to build 1.2 million homes. And to do that we must use ever lever available.

“My government has a $47 billion Homes for Australians Plan that we have been rolling out since we were elected four years ago.

“We’d had 10 years of Coalition inaction on housing supply. We are turning things around.”

Quotes attributable to Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas:

“South Australia is in the middle of a housing boom, the likes of which we’ve never seen before.

“That is because our government has a track record of taking vacant, strategic land in key locations and turning it into thriving suburbs.

“The Albanese Government has backed in our ambitious housing agenda. That manifests itself in the significant expansion of our efforts to build more homes, just like at Prospect Corner.

“We are building more homes, faster, for South Australians.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Housing, Clare O’Neil:

“We’ve got a very simple approach to housing: build more homes. That’s what’s happening here at Prospect Corner and right across South Australia.

“More homes means more affordable housing, and that’s exactly what this project is delivering for South Australians.”

Quotes attributable to SA Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Nick Champion:

“Prospect Corner is a benchmark for smart urban renewal; great location, affordable options and a community that’s coming to life.

“The Albanese Government partners with our government because it knows we can deliver more homes for South Australians at pace.

“A once vacant block of land is now a thriving community – that’s the Albanese and Malinauskas Government’s housing agenda in action.”

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

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Source: Airservices Australia

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) today released a report detailing the findings of Project Acacia – a joint initiative examining how innovations in digital money and settlement infrastructure could support the development of wholesale tokenised asset markets in Australia.

The project was led by the RBA and the DFCRC in collaboration with industry participants, with support from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), and the Australian Treasury.

Conducted against a backdrop of growing global momentum in tokenised finance, Project Acacia identified the potential for asset tokenisation – alongside innovations in digital money and settlement infrastructure – to enhance the efficiency, functionality and resilience of Australia’s wholesale financial markets. The project also identified several challenges to scaling tokenised markets that warrant deeper analysis by regulators and industry, including some that connect to the broader environment for responsible financial innovation in Australia.

As part of the project, industry participants developed and tested 20 wholesale tokenised asset market use cases spanning a range of asset classes. These use cases demonstrated potential benefits from tokenisation across the asset lifecycle from issuance and servicing to trading and settlement. The use cases also explored multiple methods for settling tokenised asset transactions using different forms of public and private digital money, including traditional RBA exchange settlement account (ESA) balances, a pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC), tokenised commercial bank deposits and stablecoins.

Building on the momentum generated by Project Acacia, the report outlines a new multi-stream program aimed at advancing responsible innovation in Australia’s wholesale financial markets. The program will focus on overcoming long standing co-ordination challenges, removing unnecessary barriers to the safe adoption of new technologies, and enabling industry participants to explore and scale innovative approaches to uplifting wholesale market functioning in a manner consistent with financial stability.

Key elements of the program, which will involve a range of stakeholders, include:

• Strengthened cooperation between industry and regulators
• Exploration of a new regulatory ‘sandbox’ for digital financial market infrastructure to provide industry with a more structured pathway from experimentation to commercialisation
• Consideration of the opportunities and challenges associated with government issuance of tokenised bonds
• Continued industry-led work on interoperable commercial bank deposit tokens
• RBA consultation with industry on opportunities to safely adapt its settlement infrastructure and ESA access arrangements, alongside continued exploration of wCBDC.

The RBA and DFCRC wish to thank all industry participants for their involvement in Project Acacia.

Brad Jones, Assistant Governor (Financial System) at the RBA said:

The constructive engagement between industry and public sector agencies was a foundation stone for the success of Project Acacia. It surfaced a set of common opportunities and challenges in making our financial system more dynamic and resilient through a period of intense technological disruption. The scope of future initiatives we are outlining today is ambitious – covering tokenised assets, money and new infrastructure arrangements – and recognises that it will take a collective effort to ensure Australia’s financial system is well positioned for the digital age.

Professor Tālis Putniņš, Co-CEO and Chief Scientist at the DFCRC said:

Project Acacia demonstrated how tokenised assets, digital money and new settlement infrastructure can improve the efficiency and functioning of wholesale financial markets. This includes faster settlement, reduced counterparty risk, improved capital efficiency and automated asset servicing. Australia achieved important world firsts through Project Acacia, including the issuance of pilot wholesale CBDC onto both public and private distributed ledger infrastructure for research purposes, demonstrating Australia’s capability to play a leading role in the next generation of financial market infrastructure.

DFCRC research estimates that digital finance innovation could deliver $24 billion in annual economic gains for Australia. The opportunity now is to build on the momentum from Project Acacia by translating successful experimentation into real-world adoption through continued collaboration between industry, regulators and government.

For a March 2026 speech summarising the key findings of Project Acacia, see: After Acacia: The Next Era of Financial System Innovation?

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo is proposing to name the future trail that will run alongside the Ironbark Gully Creek – Yirrip Baring and is inviting the community to comment on the proposed name.

Yirrip Baring means “Ironbark Track” in the language of the Dja Dja Wurrung.

City of Greater Bendigo Active and Healthy Communities Manager Deb Simpson said the construction of the trail is a key project of the City’s 2019 Walk, Cycle Bendigo Strategy.

“The proposed three-kilometre shared trail, links to the existing walking/cycling path network, nearby homes, schools, sports and recreation areas. It will help more people be physically active and make it easier to access quality public spaces,” Ms Simpson said.

“The City is a Naming Authority for places that it owns or manages. The naming of existing and new City-owned facilities in Traditional Owner language is in line with the City’s Reconciliation Plan Barpangu and our commitment to supporting Aboriginal place naming and the use of Traditional Owner language in public spaces across the municipality.

“Naming of all roads, features and localities in Victoria must follow the statutory requirements of the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria.

“Registering place names with Geographic Names Victoria is essential to identify locations for managing emergencies and delivering goods and services in Victoria.”

Submissions will then be considered and a report presented to Council with all the information. All submissions must comply with Naming rules for places in Victoria – Statutory requirements for naming roads, features and localities – 2022.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo is encouraging residents to recognise local people who make a difference, with a refreshed Citizen of the Year awards now open for nominations year-round.

The updated awards enable community members to submit nominations throughout the year, with nominations closing on December 1 each year.

Every year, the City celebrates two outstanding residents as Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year, recognising individuals who make meaningful contributions to the Greater Bendigo community.

Residents are encouraged to nominate people who shine across a range of areas, including sport, arts and culture, education, business and community service.

Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the refreshed awards process makes it easier than ever to celebrate local people.

“We know there are so many remarkable people in Greater Bendigo who give their time, energy and passion to support others and strengthen our community,” Cr Prince said.

“By opening nominations year-round, we’re making it simpler for people to recognise those everyday contributions when they see them, rather than waiting for a specific window.

“Launching the refreshed awards during National Volunteer Week is especially meaningful, as these awards are a way for us to acknowledge the dedication of volunteers who embody the spirit of giving back.

“If you know someone who goes above and beyond, now is the time to nominate them.

“Nominating is simple, all residents need to do is complete a short online form outlining the nominee’s achievements and impact.”

Eligibility:

• Your nominee must be an Australian Citizen living in Greater Bendigo
• A Young Citizen of the Year nominee must be under 25 years of age on January 26
• Sorry, you can’t nominate yourself or immediate family!

To nominate, visit:

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: We are joined by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, who is in studio with us. Good morning to you, PM.

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Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Following an incredibly challenging and devastating fire season, and one that impacted every region of Victoria, it may very well be Your Year to Volunteer and embed yourself in the spirit of CFA.

Op-ed by CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook AFSM

More than 3,400 Victorians have put up their hand to join CFA since January, because they too want to want to find purpose, form greater connections and make a real difference in their community – before, during and after an emergency.

CFA’s volunteers are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency response, and we wouldn’t be here without them. We’ve seen firsthand this season the incredible contributions and sacrifices our dedicated members make – leaving important events, families and work at the drop of a hat, to protect our Victorian communities.

As we celebrate and thank our 52,000 members this week, we also use this opportunity to grow and encourage the community we work closely each and every day to join our organisation.

At CFA, there is a role for everyone. You don’t have to squirt water onto a fire to play an important part. There are a range of support roles and we’re here to find the perfect role for you.

The statewide Give us a Hand recruitment drive commenced in 2023, and since 1 June 2023 we have proudly welcomed more than 8,800 volunteers. However, like any volunteer organisation, we always need more great people to help us continue in our mission to protect lives and property across the state.

Brigades are particularly looking to attract new members from diverse backgrounds and those who may be able to be daytime responders.

Living in rural Victoria myself, and travelling across the state regularly to different brigades, I am always impressed by the diverse range of skills and backgrounds of our members. From teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, tradies, farmers, and bakers to name a few, CFA is lucky to have you.

It’s always so heart-warming to see close-knit communities’ band together to be a part of CFA. If you’ve recently moved to a new country town or maybe your work and personal commitments have changed, we would love to hear from you.

Our brigades have flexible volunteering arrangements and roles for you to explore. With 1,200 brigades across the state, there is a place for everyone in every corner of Victoria.

Our members are also widely utilised for strike teams across the state, interstate and sometimes internationally. We attend all types of emergencies including fires, floods, storms and other natural disasters. There are some incredible opportunities for you as a CFA volunteer, and you could make a significant difference to our emergency response in your area.

Volunteering with CFA is not only a rewarding experience, but it can also be life changing. Many of our members have made lifelong friends, partners and meaningful connections. You’ll meet some extraordinary people along your CFA journey.

To ‘Give us a Hand’, express your interest on our website. Once you’ve submitted your expression of interest online, your local brigade will contact you regarding the next steps.

Thank you again to all those who selflessly give up their time to help millions of Victorians across the state.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Tasmania Police

New Town Death Update

Sunday, 17 May 2026 – 5:17 pm.

Police are continuing to investigate the death of a woman at a New Town residence, with an autopsy scheduled for tomorrow to determine her cause of death.
Detective Inspector David Gill said, “the woman was located deceased inside a residence on Lissadell Court yesterday afternoon.”
“At this stage police are treating the woman’s death as suspicious, however, we are keeping an open mind as to the possibility the woman’s death may be the result of natural causes.”
Early yesterday (Saturday) morning, a man in his 50s who resided at the Lissadell Court address was detained for a mental health assessment.
About 4pm yesterday, a person who did not reside at the address, visited the residence, and entered through an open door. At that stage, the visitor located the woman deceased within the residence and called emergency services.
Police attended and a crime scene was declared.
“Police and forensic officers remain at the address conducting an examination.”
“While a formal identification has not yet been undertaken, we believe the woman is aged in her 60s and she also resided at the Lissadell Court address.”
“An autopsy has been scheduled for tomorrow morning to determine the cause of the woman’s death.”
“At this stage it is believed the woman has been deceased within the residence for several weeks.”
Following the discovery of the woman’s body, the man in his 50s was arrested in relation to the matter. At this stage he remains in custody. He has not been charged with any offences.
If anyone has any information in relation to the property or the occupants, they are asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote Report 805693.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Government is celebrating 40 years of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and investing in more life-changing research, through the establishment of the Distinguished Fellow for Prevention and Early Intervention in Child Health.

The Government is committing $5 million to establish the Distinguished Fellow position. The funding will be used to support the salaries of the Distinguished Fellow, as well as Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Assistants and PhD Scholarships, along with research costs.

The investment will provide leadership to support medical research into prevalent childhood conditions including obesity, cardiovascular disease, mental health and disability.

Prevention and early intervention in these conditions are vital if we are to address the findings of the Intergenerational Report and the impacts on the health care system.

MCRI is Australia’s largest child health research institute and a global leader in child health research.  

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“My Government is proud to partner with MCRI so our world leading researchers have the best opportunities to support healthier childhoods for Australians now and into the future.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“There is little in the world more important than the health of our children.

“MCRI is a national asset and we are pleased to support them to continue improving diagnosis, developing early interventions and pioneering new treatments.”

“Research is key to ensuring Australia’s next generation has access to the best possible health care.”

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Federal Government and Rockliff State Government will work together to redevelop and transform Tasmania’s Dowsing Point to provide more housing, open space and community infrastructure.

The 31-hectare site, which currently houses the Derwent Barracks, has been identified for divestment as part of the Australian Government’s response to the independent Defence Estate Audit.

The Albanese and Rockliff Governments are committed to the redevelopment of the site, recognising its potential to deliver significant new housing supply in the greater Hobart region.

Early planning indicates the site could support up to 1,000 new homes, alongside open space, community infrastructure and a mix of housing options to meet the needs of the growing Tasmanian community. Future planning and development considerations will include:

• opportunities to increase housing supply, including social and affordable housing
• a mix of housing types and densities
• integration of open space, amenity and community infrastructure

Demand for housing in the greater Hobart area continues to be high – fuelled by population growth and changing housing needs – positioning Dowsing Point as an ideal expansion corridor. The new development will respond to these trends by offering a mix of housing types, including family homes, townhouses, and medium-density options to cater to diverse preferences.

The site benefits from established transport links, including proximity to main arterial roads, a future ferry terminal, the Intercity Cycleway, and the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor. It is just 2km from the Glenorchy CBD with good access to services, shops, employment, education and recreation facilities. It is also close to the planned Wilkinsons Point development.

Importantly, this process will be managed in a staged and sensible way in close consultation with the Defence workforce, tenants of the site and the community, with the Defence and Veterans Workshop set to remain on site following initial consultation.

Derwent Barracks is currently occupied by around 20 full time Australian Defence Force personnel, as well as Reservists and Cadets. The process to transfer all personnel from Derwent Barracks is expected to take at least 12 months, while work on planning between the Commonwealth and the Tasmanian Government to deliver the future of the site continues at pace. No personnel will be required to relocate until suitable alternatives are identified in consultation with the affected workforce.

Any transfer to the State Government will be subject to achieving market value and mutually acceptable terms including how the recently announced Housing Support Program – Local Infrastructure Fund can be accessed to activate the site.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“The Federal Government is delivering on its commitment of a fit for purpose estate for our Defence forces, while also opening up opportunities for better community use of divested land.

“This announcement builds on the Federal Government’s decisive action to boost housing supply and deliver outcomes for Australian households, including in the Federal Budget.

“All proceeds from property sales arising from the Defence Estate Audit will be reinvested back in Defence, to support the priorities outlined in the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program.”

Quotes attributable to Premier of Tasmania Jeremy Rockliff:

“Our Government is supercharging the delivery of infrastructure and homes through Building Tasmania.

“Dowsing Point has the potential to deliver far beyond the 1000 new homes through well-planned medium-density development.

“Plans will also include open space, parks, local businesses and community facilities, creating a walkable, connected neighbourhood.

“Following strong advocacy from our Government since 2023, I am so pleased the Prime Minister and Federal Government have seen the opportunity on this site.

“Dowsing Point represents a generational investment in Tasmania’s future – boosting housing supply and supporting jobs.”