Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Franchisors Cash Converters Pty Ltd and MTA – Mobile Travel Agents Pty Ltd (MTA) have each paid a $16,500 penalty after the ACCC issued both companies with an infringement notice after they each allegedly breached the Franchising Code of Conduct.

The ACCC alleges that second-hand goods retailer and pawn broker Cash Converters, and travel agency MTA, each failed to meet their obligation to annually update or confirm franchisor information on the Franchise Disclosure Register as required by the Franchising Code of Conduct.

The Franchise Disclosure Register is an online register hosted and administered by the Department of the Treasury. It is a free service intended to give prospective franchise buyers, current franchisees and professional advisers access to information provided by franchisors.

“The requirement for franchisors to maintain accurate and up-to-date public profiles on the Register ensures prospective franchisees and other stakeholders have clear and accurate information to help them make informed business decisions, including whether to enter into a franchise agreement,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“A franchisor’s failure to maintain up-to-date information on the Register undermines transparency for prospective franchisees, and the reliability and integrity of the Register.”

The ACCC will continue to monitor the franchising sector’s compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct including the Register obligations.

“The Franchising Code of Conduct applies to franchising in Australia to help address some of the problems caused by the power imbalance in the franchise relationship,” Mr Keogh said.

“Failure to comply with the requirements of the Franchising Code of Conduct may result in penalties or other enforcement action by the ACCC.”

One of the ACCC’s enduring compliance and enforcement priorities is to ensure that small businesses receive the protections of competition and consumer laws, including mandatory industry codes such as the Franchising Code of Conduct.

More information for current and potential franchisees, and for franchisors, is available on the ACCC website at Franchising Code of Conduct.

Background

MTA is an Australian-based travel agency offering personal travel planning services. It has approximately 488 franchisees and operates nationally.

Cash Converters offers buying and selling of second-hand goods, pawn broking and personal loans. In Australia, it has about 74 franchisee-owned stores and 79 corporate-owned stores.

Notes to editors

The ACCC is responsible for regulating industry codes that are prescribed under the Competition and Consumer Act, including the Franchising Code of Conduct. The Franchising Code of Conduct is a mandatory national code that regulates the conduct of franchising participants towards each other.

The Franchising Code of Conduct sets out, among other things:

• franchisors’ disclosure requirements
• how disputes between parties to a franchise agreement should be resolved, and 
• when franchisors must include or update information on the RegisterThe ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business as contravened certain provisions of an industry code.

A person or business is not regarded as having contravened the provision of the industry code merely by paying the penalty specified in an infringement notice.

On 18 March 2025, the Government announced it will provide $7.1 million over two years to strengthen the ACCC’s enforcement of the Franchising Code of Conduct. This funding uplift enables the ACCC to undertake more education, enforcement and engagement in the franchising sector.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has launched Federal Court action against gas distributor Australian Gas Networks Limited alleging it made false and misleading representations in its ‘Love Gas’ TV and digital advertising campaign.

The ACCC alleges Australian Gas Networks misled millions of consumers when it represented, in ads that ran during 2022 and 2023, that the gas it distributes to households on its network will be renewable within a generation.

Australian Gas Networks did not have reasonable grounds for making the unqualified claim about the future of gas, which featured in advertisements run on free-to-air television, streaming services and on YouTube, the ACCC alleges.

“We allege that Australian Gas Networks engaged in greenwashing in its ‘Love Gas’ ad campaign,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We allege that the ads overstated the likelihood of Australian Gas Networks overcoming significant technical and economic barriers to distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”

“It is not currently possible to distribute renewable gas at scale and at an economically viable price, and throughout 2022 and 2023 it was highly uncertain whether, and if so when, this would be possible,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We allege that even though Australian Gas Networks knew the future of renewable gas was uncertain, it made an unqualified representation to consumers that it would distribute renewable gas to households within a generation.”

“We say these ads were intended to encourage consumers to connect to, or remain connected to, Australian Gas Networks’ distribution network and to purchase gas appliances for their homes, based on the misleading impression they would receive ‘renewable gas’ within a generation,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We consider that consumers were deprived of the opportunity to make fully informed choices, in accordance with their values, about the most appropriate energy sources for use in their homes, the household appliances they should invest in, and the steps they could take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The claims by Australian Gas Networks were contained in four advertisements which all featured a young girl and her father using gas appliances in the home for cooking, bathing or heating. The advertisements then fast-forward in time to show the girl, now portrayed as a young adult, engaging in the same household activities.

The ads featured a voiceover stating the following, or similar:

• Some things never change, but the flame we use will.
• It’s becoming renewable.
• Controllable, reliable gas.
• For this generation and the next.

The final frame of each ad featured the company’s logo next to a green flame, and the words; “Love gas. Love a renewable gas future”; or just “Love Gas”.

The ads did not contain any qualifications, fine print or disclaimers.

“Businesses that make false or misleading environmental claims make it harder for consumers to support businesses that are genuinely working to reduce their environmental impact,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Businesses that make environmental claims about the future must have reasonable grounds for those claims, or they will be taken to be misleading under the Australian Consumer Law. Businesses must take care when they promote emissions-reduction measures that their claims can be backed up with evidence, and that they are realistic about emerging energy technologies and when changes are likely to be achieved. Misleading claims not only break the trust of consumers, they also breach the Australian Consumer Law.”

The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, costs and other orders.

Background

The “Love Gas” advertising campaign ran between 20 March 2022 to 2 October 2022 and again from 1 August 2023 to 15 October 2023.

Australian Gas Networks is one of Australia’s largest gas infrastructure businesses. It owns and operates gas transmission and distribution pipelines.

Australian Gas Networks distributes natural gas to around 1.3 million homes and businesses, principally in Victoria and South Australia, as well as in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory.

The ACCC commenced this investigation after receiving complaints about Australian Gas Networks from consumers and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

In December 2023, the ACCC published its guidance for businesses on making environmental and sustainability claims. It sets out what the ACCC considers to be misleading conduct and good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the current and future environmental performance of their business.

Images from the Love Gas Advertisements

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning taxpayers not to lodge their tax returns until their income statement is marked as ‘tax ready’ and data has been pre-filled by the ATO.

Last year 142,000 people who lodged in the first 2 weeks of July had to lodge amendments, or had their returns investigated and amended by the ATO to fix inaccuracies in their tax return, for example, income that had not been declared properly.

ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson said that waiting until late July allows for the ATO to prefill information in your tax return.

‘We know doing your tax return is something to tick off your to-do list each year, but there’s no need to rush. The best time to lodge is from late July once everything is ready.’

‘We pre-fill information from your employer, banks, government agencies and health funds into your tax return to help you get it right the first time – regardless of whether you use a registered tax agent or lodge yourself,’ Mr Thomson said.

Waiting for this information to be pre-filled reduces the likelihood of mistakes or omissions, which can often result in taxpayers having to submit an amendment which can cause issues and delays for taxpayers.

‘If you wait until late July to lodge, all you need to do is check your information, add anything that’s missing and include any deductions or offsets that you’re eligible for.’

‘If you’re keen to get your ducks in a row before you lodge, make sure you have all the necessary records, ensure your personal information and bank details are up to date and check the ATO occupation guides to see what deductions you may be able to claim.’

‘The ATO is also encouraging taxpayers to download the ATO app and set up a strong digital identity to protect themselves this tax time to ensure your interactions online are safe and secure. The app not only allows you to keep records of your work and general expenses but it will keep your information safe, including notifying you of any suspicious activity on your account,’ Mr Thomson said.

Once your employer has finalised your income statement, it will be marked as ‘tax ready’. Taxpayers can check if their income statement is ‘tax ready’, as well as if pre-fill is available in myTax prior to lodging or in the ATO app.

Notes to journalists

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is warning taxpayers not to lodge their tax returns until their income statement is marked as ‘tax ready’ and data has been pre-filled by the ATO.

Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson reminds taxpayers to wait to lodge their income tax return in the audio grabs. More information is available in the media release: ATO warns taxpayers: Don’t lodge yet!

Audio grab 1:

Tax time isn’t a race! If you wait to lodge until late July, the ATO has done some of the work for you by pre-filling data about your income, interest from your bank, your health insurance details and any payments from government agencies to make sure you get it right the first time.

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 1External Link

Audio grab 2:

Lodging before the ATO completes pre-fill of your information means there’s a much higher chance of you having to submit an amendment. This takes more time and may delay any refund you receive. Wait until late July to allow the ATO to prefill essential information from your bank, employer, health insurer and any payments from government agencies.

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 2External Link

Audio grab 3:

Last year 142,000 people who lodged in the first 2 weeks of July had to lodge amendments, or had their returns investigated and amended by the ATO to fix inaccuracies in their return.

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 3External Link

Audio grab 4:

We know people like to get their tax return out of the way, but in this case, we’re actually encouraging procrastination! Waiting until late July to lodge means the ATO’s done a bit of the work for you and pre-filled information into your tax return. You just need to check the info, add any deductions and make sure it’s good to go!

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 4External Link

Audio grab 5:

The great news is the ATO is telling taxpayers to do nothing – spend your weekend at the footy, with the fam, getting a pie. If you wait a couple of weeks, by late July the ATO will have prefilled a lot of data into your tax return making it easier to do your taxes and helping to make sure you get it right!

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 5External Link

Audio grab 6:

Get prepared for tax time by grabbing any receipts or records you’ve collected throughout the year and checking the ATO’s occupation guides to see what you can and cannot claim. Then once the ATO has finished pre-filling in late July, you can lodge with confidence!

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 6External Link

Audio grab 7:

Tax time isn’t a race! If you wait until late July, we will have pre-filled a bunch of data into your return for you, like wage income, bank interest and your private health insurance data. This will make it easier for you to get it right the first time you lodge.

Rob Thomson: wait to lodge audio grab 7External Link

Notes to journalists

Source:

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 24 Jun 2025

A new Containers for Change transfer station will be part of improved waste and recycling infrastructure for the Cooloola and Inskip Peninsula recreation areas.

From 30 June 2025, all waste bins along Teewah Beach and at the Freshwater camping area will be relocated to two new transfer stations at Noosa North Shore and on Rainbow Beach Road.

Principal Ranger Danielle Mansfield said the new Containers for Change pod will be located at the Noosa North Shore waste transfer station.

“Campers and day visitors will now be able to drop off their empties at the Containers for Change pod, and the funding can be donated to Cooloola Coast Care,” Ms Mansfield said.

“This funding is important for Cooloola Coast Care and will be used to help manage stranded sea life, beach clean-up activities and pest management programs.

“Having less bins near the camping areas will ensure a cleaner, nature-based holiday, a reduction in smells and less rubbish dumped in the dunes.

“The improvements to waste management will help protect the stunning natural environment and will boost the visitor experience.

“Our protected areas are not just destinations. They are living, breathing areas that our community love.

“By removing waste from the beach and donating their empties, people can ensure the Cooloola recreation area remains pristine for future generations.”

The new Noosa North Shore waste transfer station will also include large bins for solid waste and infrastructure for portable toilet waste. The waste transfer station on Freshwater Road (off Rainbow Beach Road) will take solid and recyclable waste.

Bins will continue to be available for Inskip campers at Sarawak West, M.V. Sarawak, M.V. Beagle, M.V. Natone and S.S. Dorrigo camping areas. Bins are not provided at Dorrigo South and Pelican Bay camping areas.

Source: New South Wales – News

Two trucks collided about 6.45pm on Wednesday 25 June on the Sturt Highway, near Argent Road, Kingsford, just north-east of Gawler in the Barossa Valley.

Fortunately, there are no reports of serious injuries at this time.

The crash is affecting northbound traffic on the Sturt Highway.

Motorists are advised to take an alternate route if possible.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police investigating serious crash at Cambridge

Wednesday, 25 June 2025 – 6:55 pm.

A 36-year-old man is in hospital following a two-vehicle crash on Cambridge Road at Cambridge about 2pm today (Wednesday).The man was driving what was believed to be a stolen vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Express van, when he was observed by police.Police attempted to intercept the vehicle, activating their lights.The driver then allegedly evaded police, driving dangerously before crashing, rolling the van, and colliding with another vehicle.The man, who was the sole occupant of the van, was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital.The female driver, and sole occupant of the second vehicle, was not physically injured in the crash.Cambridge Road was closed for about 4.5 hours while the scene was examined. As at 6.35pm, the road was clear.As is normal practice, a Professional Standards investigation will be conducted into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.Police are calling for witnesses of the crash or any person who observed a white Mitsubishi Express van being driven around the time of the crash to come forward.Anyone with dash cam footage or information should contact Police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. Please quote OR778445.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

28/05/25

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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