Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

KATE THWAITES, MEMBER FOR JAGAJAGA: Good morning, everyone. I’m Kate Thwaites, I’m the Member for Jagajaga. It’s an absolute pleasure to be welcoming the Prime Minister, the Housing Minister, and my State colleague, Anthony Carbines, here today to Rosanna, where we are going to be putting 45 new homes just here. As you can see, they’re just about ready to go. So, that will be people in our community getting a safe and secure roof over their heads, and I know how much that means to people around here. When I am walking around the electorate and talking to people, people are saying to me, not just young people, but parents, grandparents, they’re saying that they want younger generations to have the opportunity that they have had, that they want that promise, that Australian promise of people getting a job, working hard, and being able to have a secure roof over their head. And, of course, that’s what our government is all about, and that’s what we see here in our community, where we have these 45 new homes coming online. So fantastic to be here and wonderful to have the Prime Minister here today.

< ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: 

Now, Angus Taylor, in his reply to the Budget on Thursday night, importantly said that programs like this, these 45 homes that will be lived in in just a few weeks’ time, that this program will be abolished. Just one of the measures that they said they would get rid of in their Budget on Thursday night. So, we’re throwing everything at housing supply and at opportunity, including in our Budget on Tuesday night, where we recognise that people who have negatively geared properties can continue down that road and to secure a benefit that comes from that, but that for new people who want to go into investment properties, it has to be new builds, new supply. And the difference between the two approaches is simply this: if someone chooses to invest in an investment property and to negatively gear it, then if it’s an old property, then previously, that would benefit their future wealth and build up their assets. If they invest in a new build, it not only does that still, but it also invests in the assets of the nation, and the wealth of the nation, which is why this is good policy. So, whilst we’re throwing everything at the housing issue, the Coalition and the three right-wing parties now in the National Parliament are all opposed to all of these measures. They voted against the Housing Australia Future Fund, now they say they’ll abolish it. They voted against Build to Rent, now they say they’ll abolish it. They say they will vote against our tax changes to better align the taxation system with actually equalising, not giving that advantage to investors over homeowners for the first time for existing properties, and that they’ll reverse it. This is the same mob, of course, that said not only did they vote against our tax decreases, but they said they’d reverse them as well. We are the party of aspiration. There is nothing more Australian about aspiration, than the aspiration to live in your own home, and that is what we want to give people the opportunity to do. And programs like this are the other part of the equation in increasing the stock and supply of social and affordable housing. Just think about this – if we had not been elected, where we are standing now would not exist, would not exist. These 45 homes. And if we are not re-elected, then there won’t be projects like this with 45 new homes springing up all around the country, that’ll be a part of history, something Australia used to do. Well, we’re concerned about the future, and we’re concerned about opportunity, which is why we are so proud to be here today. And I’ll hand to our fantastic Housing Minister, who’s done such a good job in developing our $47 billion Homes for Australia Plan, of which the Housing Australia Future Fund is a central component.

< CLARE O'NEIL: 

Now, the contrast with the Liberals could not be clearer. We’ve got Labor levelling the playing field for first home buyers and building more homes for the country, and the Liberals bulldozing our social and affordable housing programs and leaving first home buyers floundering in a broken system. Someone had to step up and do something to change the situation, and that’s exactly what our government is doing.

Now, I want to spend just a minute on home building. We’ve got a housing challenge facing the country that’s been building for 40 years for one single reason – we have not been building enough homes. And if we want to improve affordability for Australians, we’ve got to build, build, build, because building more homes will create more affordable housing for Australians. Now we are tackling that problem from every possible angle. We’re investing in skills, we’re recognising construction skills when migrants come here and are able to help us with this task. We’re reducing red tape, and we’re making sure that we actually do something the Commonwealth did a long time ago, and that is roll up our sleeves and build homes ourselves. I want the Australian people to understand our commitment is we are on a pathway to building 55,000 social and affordable homes for Australians. Every one of those homes will change a life, and I’ll hand it to back to the PM to take questions.

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We – if there’s no more questions, can I just give a shout out to Delta Goodrem, who finished fourth in Eurovision this morning and did Australians proud. We were all cheering on, watching SBS, watching the coverage as the votes rolled in. And Delta Goodrem, I think, is someone who can be very, very proud of her efforts, and all Australians are proud of Delta. Well done.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: I’m absolutely delighted to be back in Tasmania, on the banks of the beautiful Derwent. And I’m here with the Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, about a project that we’ve discussed on my last visit to Tasmania with the State Minister, Kerry Vincent, and with a full crew of my team; Peter Khalil, the Assistant Minister for Defence, who has had responsibility for this program, as well as Tasmanian representatives, the Member for Lyons, Bec White, the Member for Franklin, Julie Collins, and of course Senator for Tasmania, who might have to duck off quickly because his partner’s about to give birth to their first child, Richard Dowling. So, we wish him very well, Richard over the next 24 hours. But this is an exciting project. Back in February, my government committed to undertaking the most significant reform to the Defence Estate ever, to ensure it’s fit for purpose, to ensure it continues to provide what we need for the defence of this country. But at the same time, to make sure that we are using facilities for the national objective, the national objective of building more houses, particularly in areas such as this. You look at this site and what a wonderful place it will be to live. This is a key recommendation of the Defence Estate Audit that we did to reduce Defence property holdings, including the divestment of several sites. This is about not just taking advantage of locations like this that aren’t fully utilised, it also is about making sure that good fiscal policy, that the maintenance costs of a range of sites around the country, it’s enormous, goes into the literally tens of millions of dollars, and it isn’t the best way in which to ensure that our Defence dollars goes for the right purpose. And importantly, we’ve indicated that every single dollar that’s raised from any of these projects will go straight back into Defence to provide us with the assets and support that we need going forward. Today, I’m very pleased that my government and the Rockliff Government have agreed to work together to redevelop and transform this site to provide more housing, open space, and community infrastructure. And we’re working as well with the local council, the Mayor of Glenorchy here as well, to make sure the three levels of government working together in the interests of Tasmanians.

This transformation could result in up to thousand new homes. This announcement builds on the decisive action that we took last week to boost housing supply and deliver outcomes. We have said very clearly that housing supply since we came to office has been our concentration. Whether it is the Housing Australia Future Fund, where earlier today I was in Melbourne at a site of 45 homes, I was there a year ago when it was under construction. Today it’s finished and tenants will be moving in over the coming weeks. Whether it’s our Help to Buy scheme, shared equity, whether it’s the five per cent deposits that have helped 250,000 Australians into their first home. Whether it be the changes that we’ve put in place as well to the arrangement of taxes with housing, so that there’ll be 75,000 additional first home buyers will be able to access their first home. This is absolutely critical, because we know that the security of a roof over your head is a precondition for a good life, for good educational outcomes, for good health outcomes, for good employment outcomes as we go forward. Now, the transition will be managed in a staged and sensible way, in close consultation with the Defence workforce, and in close consultation with the local community as well. So, this is a good example of the three levels of government working together across party lines to make a difference for Australians. It’s something that I’m very focused on, and I’m pleased that I continue to work constructively with the Premier of Tasmania, and we’ll hear from him, and then hear from Peter Khalil, Kerry Vincent, the respective ministers, before we hear from the Mayor, Sue Hickey as well, and then we’ll take some questions.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

I acknowledge Dame Quentin Bryce, former Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and my parliamentary colleagues.

Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Professor Kathryn North.

Professor North is an absolute champion for innovation in Australian medical research – and for young people.

I’d also like to extend my thanks MCRI Board and Committee Members, including Co-Chairs Sarah Murdoch and Patrick Houlihan.

And of course, MCRI staff and research associates.

It is such a pleasure to be with you – in a room filled with intelligent, compassionate Australians – to celebrate 40 years of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

40 years of positive and substantial impact.

At a similar event four decades ago, at the launch of what was known then as the Murdoch Institute for Research into Birth Defects – the great Bob Hawke gave a speech.

In doing so, he drew the nation’s attention to the budding ambition of the Institute and its already vital work.

In his words, the Institute’s mission was to “protect future generations of Australian children from suffering.”

It was a worthy vision back in 1986, just as it is now.

And as we come together tonight to survey and celebrate the intervening 40 years of work and success, it is clear that the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has delivered on that primary and essential vision – to protect children from suffering.

It has done that by driving an agenda to improve children’s health outcomes across the breadth of the medical field.

The development of an oral vaccine for rotavirus that can be administered at birth.

Pioneering stem cell and gene therapy research.

Improving our understanding of concussion and its impacts.

Developing cutting edge in-utero diagnoses.

And the vital work of taking Australian research out into our region.

Helping to advance the health of children within our Pacific family.

These are just some accomplishments, drawn from a long list.

But they illustrate why it is no surprise the MCRI has been honoured among the top three child health research centres in the world.

That is an incredible achievement.

But international rankings are only one half of the story.

Because tonight we also see – and celebrate – a very human legacy.

Four decades of young lives changed.

Of children saved.

Of families given new and better chances.

Eight days ago, I saw that difference for myself firsthand.

Visiting the Institute, I met a brilliant boy of sixteen, James. He’s here tonight – and we will have the privilege of hearing from him later.

James lives with a difficult condition – he was born with only half a heart.

Hearing him describe the difference the MCRI has made to him and his family was so powerful.

The visionary impact of its stem cell researchers.

The compassion of its doctors.  

Today, James not only has the gift of life – but he is living it to the full.

There are so many stories like James’.

And they all begin with the contribution of two great Australians.

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch and Professor David Danks.

Two people who combined science with philanthropy.

And research with compassion.

Furthering a shared commitment to making a difference.

It was their foresight that transformed a handful of researchers into a world class centre of medical excellence.

And – from the outset – provided it with the confidence and agility, to adapt and evolve and grow, to meet new challenges.

Because the nature of the health risks we face today are not what they were in 1986.

In part, that is because of the work of institutes like the MCRI.

Leaps and bounds in progress mean breakthroughs in treatment and prevention, have reduced the prevalence and severity of some conditions.

But it is also true that in 2026, threats to public health are more complex.

We see that in the MCRI’s investigations into the impact of obesity.

Into the prevalence of severe allergies and chronic genetic diseases in children.

The challenge of mental health in young people, and its insidious connection with the digital world.

These shifting health risks remind us why our public health response needs to be dynamic, evidence based and centred on prevention.

That is something my Government takes seriously.

It is why we legislated a world-leading social media ban for under-16s.

Because we know there can be a corrosive link between young people’s use of social media, and the state of their mental and physical health.

And it’s why in the Budget on Tuesday, my Government committed to increase disbursements from the Medical Research Future Fund to $1 billion by 2030.

Because like the MCRI, we recognise that the gold standard of healthcare is the prevention of future harms.

That’s also why I am so proud that tonight I can announce the Australian Government will commit $5 million to establish a Distinguished Fellow for Prevention and Early Intervention in Child Health, based at the MCRI.

This funding will also support the work of postdoctoral fellows, PhD scholarships and research costs.

It’s about honouring the 40-year legacy of the Institute.

And securing its future as a hub of world leading research.

Aiding its contribution to stopping illness and suffering before it starts.

So the health challenges faced by young Australians don’t grow with them as they grow up.

Just as it did 40 years ago, today Australian medicine leads the world.

And I lead a Government that is proud to be investing in the key pillars of Australia’s health system.

Making Medicare stronger.

Securing the future of the NDIS – including with a new Thriving Kids program, built on the expert advice of the Institute.

We’re training more midwives, more nurses and more doctors.

Because quality, affordable health care is a measure of our national character and a marker of our national values.

That Australian sense of equity, of fairness and dignity.

An ethos I know that is echoed at the MCRI.

Friends, as we look back over the last forty years and ahead to forty more.

It is clear no one in this room could ever say, “my work here is done.”

Like those who built the MCRI, you can only pass on the torch to the next generation.

Because there is always another challenge to grapple with.

Another child in need.

And in that child, a future to secure.

A future for that one young soul.

But also, a healthier and brighter collective future for our nation, and the world.

With one eye down the barrel of the microscope, and the other firmly fixed on the horizon, for forty years the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute has been forging that better future.

Each of you can be proud of the legacy you have shaped.

The lives you have saved.

And the promise of what you are yet to achieve over the next four decades, and beyond.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a crime series that occurred in Tennant Creek overnight.

Around 12:15am, it is alleged a supermarket on Paterson Street had been unlawfully entered and ransacked by unknown offenders. It is unknown if any items were stolen at this stage.  

Around 12:25am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of an attempted burglary at a bank on Paterson Street. It is alleged unknown offenders have attempted to gain access to the building, however, were unsuccessful.

A short time later around 12:35am, CCTV operators sighted a youth allegedly carrying an edged weapon. A business on Paterson Street was subsequently unlawfully entered after unknown offenders smashed a window. It is unknown if any items were stolen at this stage.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and located the offenders involved.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested five male youths in relation to a ram raid that occurred yesterday morning in Tennant Creek.  

Operation Talon members took carriage of investigations which resulted in the offenders being located and arrested yesterday afternoon.

The five youths, aged between 13 and 15-years-old, have since been charged with offences including:

• Ram Raid
• Aggravated Burglary
• Drive/Ride/Use Motor Vehicle Without Consent
• Traffic Offences

They are due to appear in court at a later date.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 38-year-old male has been arrested following a domestic violence related assault and police pursuit that occurred last night in Alice Springs.

Around 8:40pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that an adult female had been assaulted by her male partner at a cemetery south of The Gap.

Upon police arrival, the offender entered a blue Holden Commodore and drove from the location. A police pursuit was initiated, however, was subsequently terminated due to safety concerns as the offender allegedly drove at speeds of 160km/hr in an 80km/hr zone.

Tyre deflation devices were successfully deployed on the vehicle, and it came to a stop after turning into Morgan Street in Kilgariff.

The offender fled on foot into the river where he was arrested by responding police.

The victim suffered minor injuries and was assessed at the scene.

The 38-year-old male has since been charged with Aggravated Assault, Dangerous Driving During Pursuit, Drive Dangerous Speed, Drive Medium Range, and other traffic offences. He will appear in court tomorrow.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: Tasmania Police

Police investigating suspicious death New Town

Sunday, 17 May 2026 – 10:52 am.

Police are investigating the death of a woman after she was located deceased at a residential address in New Town yesterday.
Emergency services were called to an address on Lissadell Court about 4pm, after the body of a deceased woman was located inside a residence.
Detective Inspector David Gill said, “Police investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the woman’s death, however at this stage we are treating the death as suspicious.”
“A formal identification is yet to be conducted; however, we believe the deceased is a woman aged in her 60s.”
“A man aged in his 50s has been arrested and remains in police custody. ”
“Police, including forensic services, remain at the scene today conducting investigations.”
Anyone with information in relation to the matter is asked to call police on 131 444 and quote Report 805693.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force are calling for information on the whereabouts of 12-year-old Ruby.

Ruby was last seen on Monday 11 May 2026, after leaving a residence on Bath Street. She was wearing a black jumper, black shorts, socks with thongs and a distinctive black choker and black and white beaded necklace.  

Ruby was reported missing to police on the 16 May 2026.

Ruby is described as having a skinny build, approximately 150cm tall between 50-60 kilograms, her hair is described as a combination of natural brown and dyed blonde hair often worn in a scrunchy. Ruby has a stud in her right ear and potentially has piercings in both.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare and anyone with information is urged to contact the Northern Territory Police Force on 131 444 or Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please quote reference P26141004.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. It’s great to be here with Minister Bowen who will shortly give our usual Saturday weekly fuel update on Australia’s Minimum Stockholding Obligation for Fuel. Australia remains steady at Level Two in our National Fuel Security Plan, ‘Keeping Australia Moving’. It is our goal, of course, to remain at Level Two, as I’ve said many times, but we do live in a volatile world. The conflict in the Middle East is ongoing, and it is uncertain when it will end. And what we continue to have said is that the longer the conflict goes, the longer the economic tail will be of that conflict. But I do want to say that Australians are doing their bit. Australians are doing their bit as we ask them to, because every little bit helps. So, we’ve had a drop in that spike in demand that we saw prior to Easter. And at the same time we’ve been working on our resilience, including in Tuesday night’s Budget. On Tuesday night, we released our Strengthening Australia’s Fuel Resilience Package and that had a number of elements adding up to $14.8 billion, securing more fuel independently through the $7.5 billion Fuel and Fertiliser Security Facility.

Now, yesterday we announced an additional three cargoes have been secured for diesel coming to Australia. That brings a total to 14 and 700 million litres of additional fuel coming to Australia as a result of the measures that were put in place, making these purchases on the spot market. These particular fuel shipments are headed to South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria. And that comes on top of the fertiliser that we’ve been able to secure as well, making a substantial difference. In addition to that, we’ve announced our $3.2 billion Australian Fuel Security Reserve and increasing the Minimum Stockholding Obligation to increase Australia’s reserves of diesel and jet fuel to 50 days. In addition to that, we have announced our Strengthening the Fuel Security Services Payment to ensure the future of Australia’s last two remaining fuel refineries. But also $10 million, because we want to look at developing feasibility studies to expand our domestic refining capacity. And we have of course, halved the fuel excise, making a difference as well as slashing the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to zero, understanding how important those heavy vehicles are to deliver food to our supermarket shelves and to keep the country going. All of this has made a substantial difference. Now we’ll continue to work around the clock to make a difference at what is a difficult time around the globe. Around the globe, in many of our neighbours, what we see is compulsory public holidays every week because of fuel shortages which are there. What is absolutely remarkable, and Chris will give you the detail of that, is that today we have more diesel than we had on February 28. We had more petrol than we had in February 28, and we have more jet fuel than we had in February, on February 28th as well. That says something about the way that we’ve worked to make an enormous difference to supply here in Australia, which is the number one issue that we have concentrated on. And I want to pay tribute to the work that we’ve done with the private sector as well. This is a great example of what my government does – government working with the private sector in an orderly way to make a difference for Australians. Together, we are in a better position than anyone was predicting prior to Easter, when we did the National Address to the Nation, when we launched our advertising campaign to make sure that we brought Australians with us on this journey. And together we are maximising Australia’s fuel that is available. And that’s making a difference, of course, to our economy.

We, of course, are not through this. I’ll convene again this week, the National Cabinet once again, for our fortnightly meetings. That will take place on Wednesday morning of this week. I’ll be in Perth when that occurs and I’ll join that video meeting with the Premier of WA, Roger Cook, who’s also the Chair of the Council of Australian Federation. I’ll go to Minister Bowen and then we’re happy to take questions.

< CHRIS BOWEN, MINSTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY

I did just also want to very briefly touch on the fact that yesterday we surpassed 400,000 Cheaper Home Batteries. 400,000 Australian households reducing their bills very dramatically, but also helping the grid and helping all Australians reduce their bills. 11.2 gigawatt hours of extra storage introduced in less than a year under the Albanese Government’s Cheaper Home Battery policy, which means that there is less gas and coal being used in the nighttime, which is reducing prices for everyone, not just those Australians who have put in Cheaper Home Batteries. So, this is remarkably successful policy. Australians getting on with it, particularly in the outer suburbs and regions, getting on with it, putting in their Cheaper Home Batteries. 400,000. Quite a remarkable milestone for those Australian households. Thanks, PM.

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What we saw on Thursday from Angus Taylor was firstly in the morning, the Shadow Finance Minister said that everything would be costed in their plan. Then we had a speech on Thursday night with no costings attached. Then we had an interview, or better seen as a train wreck, from Angus Taylor immediately after his Budget Reply speech of division where he couldn’t say how much any of it cost. Then the next day they put out costings, yesterday, saying it was $22 billion. But we know that it’s actually $35 billion, which is why the PBO, the Parliamentary Budget Office – they should get it costed. If there’s any doubt that they want to argue that black is white, they should put it out, get their policies fully costed, because that is a $12.5 billion dollar gap in their costings. Now that’s before the other measures that were in their Budget which simply don’t add up. This is a guy who was Shadow Treasurer, now Leader of the Opposition, who went to an election arguing for higher taxes with higher deficits. Now what we have is between him and the other architect of the policy debacle, who was made Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in February, a position of where they simply do not have credibility going forward. Thursday night’s Budget Reply was a divisive speech, all taken from One Nation, as Barnaby Joyce has accurately said, rather than a well thought out alternative policy proposal. Angus Taylor wants to fight One Nation. We want as the Labor Government, to fight for our nation as a whole, not to divide people through the division which he put up, speaking about Australians and migrants as if they were completely separate things, as if there is no one in this country who is a migrant, who isn’t loyal to Australia. What I see is hardworking Australians who have come here making a difference to their nation.

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Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a ram raid that occurred in Tennant Creek earlier this morning.

At 4:05am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a burglary at a licensed premises on the corner of Ambrose Street and Stuart Street.

It is alleged a group of unknown youth offenders used a silver Toyota Prado to ram through the gate of the premises, before damaging doors to gain entry inside where a quantity of alcohol was stolen.

The Prado involved had allegedly been stolen from a residence on Stuart Street after the offenders stole the keys from the vehicle’s owner earlier in the day. The vehicle was subsequently sighted driving dangerously through Tennant Creek.

The offenders and the Prado remain outstanding at this time, and investigations are ongoing.  

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26140268. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.