Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government has released the terms of reference for the statutory review of the Electric Car Discount.

This policy has helped deliver a car market with more choice and cheaper to run cars for more Australians and has helped motorists slash their emissions and fuel bills for good.

The discount has applied since July 2022, providing a fringe benefits tax exemption and tariff exemption to eligible cars to kick start take‑up of electric vehicles and help reduce transport emissions in the longer term as part of the Government’s broader climate action agenda.

When we came to office, the market for electric vehicles was nascent, with EVs accounting for less than 2 per cent of new vehicle sales in Australia.

Today, industry data show electric vehicles comprise around 10 per cent of new vehicle sales and Treasury estimates almost 100,000 vehicles have benefitted from the fringe benefits tax exemption, with this milestone achieved much sooner than expected.

When we came to Government, there were 56 EVs on the market – now there are over 160.

There were only two EVs under $40,000 – now there are around 10 and, for the first time, one model under $30,000.

New EVs that weren’t on the market in Australia before include affordable family SUVs and a price competitive 4×4 ute.

It’s no surprise that leasing data shows the strongest uptake of the Electric Car Discount is in outer suburbs like Baulkham Hills in NSW, Werribee in Victoria, and Springfield in Queensland.

The Electric Car Discount works in concert with our New Vehicle Efficiency Standard and over $500 million investment in charging infrastructure. Together, these policies are providing easier access to cheaper to run cars for the Australian market that consumers around the world have enjoyed for years.

The strong uptake of the Electric Car Discount will be reflected in the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), with the value of the tax expenditure for the FBT exemption for electric vehicles estimated to be $1.35 billion in 2025–26.

As required by the legislation, the review will consider the operation of the electric car discount over the first three years it has been in place.

The Australian Centre for Evaluation, in Treasury, and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will conduct the review in collaboration with other relevant Commonwealth agencies.

The review’s findings will help inform broader policy development on how to continue expanding electric vehicle choices for more Australians and bring transport emissions down.

The review is seeking submissions from the public, with submissions closing on 6 February 2026. Further details of the review of the electric car discount, including the terms of reference and submission details, can be found on the Treasury website.

Comments attributable to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen

“We want more Australians to have more choice of cheaper to run cars that save them money at the bowser – and our policy settings are encouraging this.

“Since coming to Government our suite of policies, including the electric car discount, investing in more charging and the delivery of our long overdue New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, have seen more brands enter the market and demand for lower emitting vehicles increase, especially in the outer suburbs.

“We’ll keep refining our policies to make sure that we have the right settings to help more Australians into cheaper to run cars as the market matures over time.”

Comments attributable to the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers

“The take up of electric vehicles over the past few years has exceeded expectations and that’s been good for drivers, good for business and good for the climate.

“The electric car discount has made EVs cheaper to support early adoption and the next step is to review the policy as we committed to do when we legislated it.

“This is all about supporting Australians to make the switch to more efficient vehicles and ensuring we have the right settings in place for the transport sector over the long term.”

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has seized a significant quantity of alcohol destined for remote communities in the West Daly Region.

The Territory Support Division deployed to the region to support community safety and disrupt the secondary supply of alcohol in the area.

This morning at 1:30am, officers attempted to apprehend a vehicle of interest on Daly River Road. The vehicle allegedly failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. A tyre deflation device was successfully deployed, and the vehicle came to a stop a short distance away where the occupants excited and fled into nearby bushland. 

A lawful search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers located and seized over 70 litres of alcohol with an estimated value of $800 per bottle.

Following this, three additional separate vehicles failed to stop when officers attempted apprehensions, with tyre deflation devices being deployed and pursuits being initiated. Each of the vehicles were abandoned on Port Keats Road and the occupants fleeing into bushland.

The vehicles were searched, and a further quantity of alcohol was seized from on/two of the vehicles.

The alleged offenders remain outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.

In total, 160 bottles of alcohol were seized during the operation, with the estimated secondary supply value of $103,000. Additionally, 4 ounces of cannabis was seized.

Senior Sergeant Joshua Cunningham said, “The secondary supply of alcohol in restricted communities is exploitative and unacceptable.

“The social and financial harm that flows from this supply of alcohol cannot be overstated.

“These interceptions have undoubtedly minimised potential harm in Daly River Region, and we will continue to disrupt these attempts to exploit vulnerable communities financially.”

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The Federal Court has found that fashion retailer Fewstone, trading as City Beach, breached the Australian Consumer Law by selling a range of consumer novelty products that did not comply with mandatory button battery safety and information standards.

The Court found that between June 2022 and October 2024 City Beach sold more than 60 product types containing button batteries that did not comply with the button battery safety and/or information standards. The products included toys, digital notepads, keyrings, lights and light-up Jibbitz accessories for Crocs shoes.

The Court also found that, during this period, City Beach supplied the non-compliant button battery products on more than 54,000 occasions.

“We brought this case because we believed the wide array of non-compliant products sold by City Beach exposed consumers to unacceptable safety risks,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Button batteries are incredibly dangerous for young children, and compliance with Australia’s button battery safety and information standards is critical.”

“This decision by the Court should send a strong warning to retailers and manufacturers that supply of consumer goods powered by button batteries which do not comply with the standards risk enforcement action by the ACCC,” Ms Lowe said.

This was the first proceeding to be brought by the ACCC for an alleged breach of the button battery safety standards.

As well as making declarations, the Court ordered City Beach to implement a consumer law compliance program and undertake advertising as part of its voluntary recall of the products in question.

The Court has reserved its decision on penalty and costs.

To check if a product has been recalled, visit the ACCC product safety website or contact City Beach.

Examples of the recalled products subject to the court proceedings

Background

The ACCC commenced Federal Court proceedings against City Beach in April 2025.

City Beach is a national retailer primarily offering surf and skate consumer goods including clothing, accessories and novelty items.

Button batteries pose a significant risk to young children. If swallowed, a button battery can become stuck in a child’s throat and result in serious lifelong injuries or death. Insertion into body parts such as the ears or nose can also lead to serious injuries.

In Australia, three children have died from inserting or ingesting button batteries. Children up to 5 years of age are at greatest risk of injury from button batteries.

Australia’s mandatory button battery standards, which came into effect in June 2022, aim to reduce the risk of death or serious injury caused by button batteries.

The safety standard requires products to have secure battery compartments that are designed to be resistant to being opened by children. This is to prevent children from gaining access to button batteries. The information standard requires safety warnings to be provided with products, including seeking urgent medical advice in certain circumstances.

Source: Tasmania Police

Road Safety Operations – Wynyard and Ulverstone

Friday, 12 December 2025 – 10:55 am.

Police conducting road safety operations at Wynyard and Ulverstone yesterday caught three drink drivers, two drug drivers, and eight drivers using their mobile phone.
Officers from Western Road Policing Services conducted the first operation on the Bass Highway at Ulverstone, focusing on mobile phones.
They issued eight infringement notices within one hour.
The second operation was conducted on the Old Bass Highway at Wynyard with a focus on drink and drug drivers.
The operation resulted in 281 random breath tests, one vehicle defect notice, three drivers detected exceeding the 0.05 limit, and two drivers failing roadside drug tests.

The drink drivers included:
• A 58-year-old Wynyard man – 0.113.
• A 35-year-old Somerset man – 0.090.
• A 34-year-old Boat Harbour man – 0.065.

The three men will receive a summons to appear in court.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said oral fluid samples were collected from the two drivers who failed the roadside drug tests, and those samples will undergo further analysis before any potential charges are determined.
“It is disappointing that some individuals continue to disregard the law and endanger other road users by undertaking risky driving behaviours, such as using mobile phones while driving, drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs,” Acting Inspector Parker said.
“Police will continue to conduct targeted and random patrols on Tasmania’s roads to curb high-risk behaviours such as speeding, drink driving, inattention, using mobile phones and not wearing seatbelts. These factors overwhelmingly contribute to serious and fatal crashes.”
“We encourage the public to report dangerous driving and traffic offences to police on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Reports can also be made through our website.”

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

12 December 2025

Who does this notice affect?

All International airlines and aircraft operators, airline representatives, air crews and their contracted service providers operating international flights to Australia.

What has changed?

​​Since 1 October 2023, the inflight traveller announcement video and audio message available on the department’s website have been the only authorised versions for use on international flights to Australia.

​Any previous…

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

12 December 2025

Who does this notice affect?

All Biosecurity Industry Participants subscribed to receive Import Industry Advice Notice notifications from the department.

All Biosecurity Industry Participants who utilise / engage with the departments import-related IT systems for the management of imported cargo, conveyances and inspection booking services, including those who subscribe to receive email notifications for departmental Import Industry Advice Notices.

…

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to authorise the Australasian Performing Right Association’s (APRA) musical works licensing arrangements for five years, subject to stronger conditions aimed at improving the association’s accountability and transparency.

APRA, a collecting society holding performing rights for virtually all musical works played or performed in Australia, has had arrangements authorised in some form for 26 years. APRA’s current authorisation is terminating, and APRA is seeking a further authorisation. As part of the process of considering a new authorisation, the ACCC has consulted widely with relevant stakeholders.

If renewed, the Authorisation would enable APRA to continue to act collectively for its member copyright holders, to issue licences and collect revenue from businesses in Australia that broadcast or utilise music in their businesses, and to distribute those royalties and fees to copyright holders.

APRA’s members and licensees told the ACCC that APRA lacks transparency in setting licence fees and in distributing royalties to its songwriter members, while the ACCC considers that the exclusivity of the Association’s arrangements significantly increases its market power.

“The only option for many businesses that rely on playing music, such as bars and broadcasters, is to obtain and pay for a licence from APRA,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“As APRA is a near monopoly, there is a greater chance its arrangements could adversely impact these businesses, such as through higher licence fees. However, we also understand that it is more efficient for APRA members to collect royalties jointly, rather than having artists independently negotiate and collect royalties directly from each business that plays their music.”

“We also recognise that APRA’s arrangements protect the rights of creators, by ensuring that they are paid for the use of their music,” Mr Keogh said.

The conditions contained in the proposed authorisation aim to improve APRA’s accountability and transparency by requiring consultative reviews for new or amended schemes and arrangements.

“The conditions also seek to ensure that royalty payments reflect the way in which music is used, which supports incentives for future music creation,” Mr Keogh said.

Under the proposed authorisation, APRA will also be required to undertake periodic reviews of its licence schemes and distribution arrangements. The Association must also consider feedback received from stakeholders during the reviews.

“We know that the music industry is changing globally,” Mr Keogh said.

“Now most music is delivered to consumers by international online businesses, such as Spotify and YouTube Music, leading to structural changes in the way that music is licensed.”

“These new licensing models may open the door for more competition to APRA in at least some areas of its business,” Mr Keogh said.

“We are seeking more information on this from market participants, such as affected licensees, and will consider this in future authorisations.”

The ACCC is also seeking to introduce new measures to APRA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme to support the resolution of disputes between groups of members or licensees and APRA. The ACCC also proposes to clarify the range of matters that can be dealt with through the scheme, which will include disputes between APRA’s members.

While the ACCC does not have a role in regulating or approving APRA’s actions generally, it does have a role in authorising its arrangements where APRA acts on behalf of potential competitors and would otherwise risk breaching competition laws.

The ACCC is seeking submissions on its draft decision, including on the proposed conditions, by 16 February 2026.

Further information, including details about how to make a submission, and a copy of APRA’s application for reauthorisation, are available on the ACCC’s Public Register at Australasian Performing Right Association Limited.

Note to editors

Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.

Background

APRA was established in Australia in 1926 and has approximately 124,000 members, consisting of composers, songwriters and music publishers who give their copyrights to APRA.

APRA also has 145,000 licensees; businesses that pay a licence fee to APRA to perform in public or communicate musical works, such as cafes, retailers and broadcasters. APRA then distributes the licence fee revenue to its members, as royalties.

Historically, interested parties have consistently raised concerns about APRA’s conduct in relation to licence fees, the terms on which it distributes royalties, and its level of transparency in its dealing with licensees and members.

In its previous authorisation decisions, the ACCC sought to reduce likely public detriments by imposing conditions to increase APRA’s transparency as well as requiring it to maintain an ADR scheme. The ADR scheme provided a more accessible alternative to the Copyright Tribunal, particularly for small licensees.

On 6 February 2024, APRA lodged an application seeking authorisation of certain aspects of its activities as a collecting society for music copyright royalties. It was granted interim authorisation on 19 June 2024 to allow it to continue its arrangements for the acquisition and licensing of performing rights in musical works while the ACCC considers the current application.

The ACCC received more than 24 submissions on APRA’s current authorisation application, many of which raised concerns with the Association’s level of transparency and accountability, particularly with respect to setting and collecting licence fees and distributing royalties.

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government

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