Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Turn your idea for a public activation into reality with a new City Centre Community Activation Grants program.

Applications are now open, and community members are invited to submit public activation ideas that will be engaging and vibrant in the heart of Bendigo city centre.

The City Centre Community Activation Grants program is open to individuals, businesses, or groups who live, work, or study in the Greater Bendigo region.

The City of Greater Bendigo grants are available for small one-off activities, or a series of larger activities spread over the year (six in total). 
The aim is to attract more people, more often to the city centre with a variety of public activations that encourage community and visitor engagement and support local creativity and innovation.

So far this year, the City has curated and presented over 200 free activations in Hargreaves Mall for the community to enjoy, such as the popular Fiesta Street Party, school holiday program, music and family friendly fun activities.

This grant program enables the community and creatives to lead and curate their own activities.

Creative City Coordinator Maree Tonkin said this was a fantastic opportunity for the community and businesses to put forward their own ideas and be supported by the City Centre Community Activation Grants program.

“This program hopes to attract diverse ideas and community-led activities to be hosted in the city centre,” Ms Tonkin said.

“Hargreaves Mall is an ideal location with the new stage and lots of space to host art making, music, dance, performances, markets, cultural celebrations, business ideas, workshops, fashion, temporary pop-up art, augmented reality, technology-based work and much more. Other city centre locations will also be considered under the activation program.

“We want to hear your big, clever and creative ideas that can be turned into vibrant and engaging activations for the public to enjoy.

“We’re seeking activation proposals to take place throughout the year with a focus on school holidays and Saturdays. All temporary activations must be free for the public to attend and the content suitable for presentation in a public place.

“Priority will be given to projects that champion access and inclusion, aim to increase community engagement and participation and are representative of the broad demographic mix in Greater Bendigo.

“Our region prides itself on its vibrancy and creative reputation. To stimulate activity in the city centre, these grants complement the Hargreaves Mall Action Plan, adopted by Council in 2023, to encourage more people to visit the city centre to shop, eat and enjoy free public activations. 

“The chosen projects will be selected by a panel and our Creative City staff will collaborate closely with successful applicants to facilitate planning, promotion and delivery of activations.”

Selected projects must take place in Hargreaves Mall or other city centre locations before June 30, 2026.

Priority will be given to ideas that boost community engagement and participation.

Applications will close at 5pm, Monday August 4, 2025.

Source: New South Wales – News

About 2.14pm today (Wednesday 18 June), police and emergency services were called to Glynville Drive after reports of a collision involving a car and motorcycle.

The rider suffered serious injuries.

Major Crash officers are attending the scene.

Please avoid the area if possible.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) relentless pursuit against GST fraud sees 3 more individuals sentenced in June 2025 under Operation Protego.

These latest sentencings bring the total of Operation Protego offenders convicted in May and June to 6, joining the ranks of over 100 individuals sentenced to date.

ATO Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) Chief John Ford said the recent convictions show that the ATO is bringing criminals who commit GST fraud to justice.

‘Our compliance and debt recovery actions demonstrate that we are addressing fraud. Where we see deliberate attempts to cheat the system, there will be severe consequences.’

‘These crooks face long-term consequences. Not only do they need to repay the money, but they now have a criminal record set in stone, which may affect their ability to secure employment, obtain finance or insurance and travel overseas.’

‘GST fraud steals funds that could have been used to support community services such as healthcare, infrastructure and education, instead of funding offenders’ personal luxuries,’ Mr Ford said.

The following sentencings show the ATO is working with cross-agency partners through the SFCT, including law enforcement agencies, to bring criminal consequences, not just financial consequences, for GST fraudsters:

• Ms Darnelle Te Kiri was sentenced to 17 months imprisonment in the Melbourne County Court contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) for fraudulently obtaining $202,936 through false business activity statements (BAS). Ms Te Kiri registered an ABN in 2021 for hospitality and bar work services and lodged 8 false BAS over 7 months, claiming to have spent over $2 million in purchases despite reporting little to no income. An ATO audit found no evidence of a legitimate business. The funds were spent on rent, groceries, pubs and gaming, ATM withdrawals, and transfers to third parties and international money services. She was released immediately on $1,000 recognisance, to be of good behaviour for 2 years and ordered to repay the full $202,936.
• Mr Daniel Copeland was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment to be released after serving 12 months in the Newcastle District Court contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) for fraudulently obtaining over $1.1 million in GST refunds from the ATO. Mr Copeland registered an Australian business number (ABN) for a plastering services business and submitted 23 false BAS in 2021. An ATO audit was unable to identify any evidence of the Offender’s purported enterprise and that he was not entitled to claim the GST refunds. The funds were used for gambling, personal living expenses, accommodation, purchases at a car dealership and cash withdrawals. He was released on $100 recognisance, to be of good behaviour for 5 years and ordered to repay the full $1.1 million.
• Mr Tewhanaupani Nukunuku was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months imprisonment to be released after serving 9 months on recognisance release order requiring him to give security in the sum of $1000 on condition he be of good behaviour for 2 years. Mr Nukunuku pleaded guilty in the Melbourne County Court for one offence of obtaining a financial advantage of $168,000 by deception from the Commonwealth and one offence of attempting to obtain a further $100,000 in GST refunds. He claimed to operate a concreting business and lodged 8 false BAS over a 6-month period. An ATO audit found he was not in business and did not hold the necessary registration or license to perform the claimed work. The funds were partly spent on some luxury items including retail expenses and a car. He was also ordered to repay the full $168,000.

These sentencing outcomes are a direct result of the ATO’s sustained and strategic efforts to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute serious financial crime.

Mr Ford said these results are not just numbers; they represent our strong and ongoing commitment to protecting the integrity of Australia’s tax and super systems.

These matters were prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from the ATO.

You can confidentially report suspected tax crime or fraud to us by making a tip-off online or calling 1800 060 062.

For more information about Operation Protego including recent sentencings, visit ato.gov.au/protego.

Notes to journalists

• As part of Operation Protego, the ATO has applied treatment against more than 57,000 alleged offenders. Those involved in this fraud have already been handed in the order of $300 million in penalties and interest.
• As at 31 May 2025, 112 people have been convicted with a range of sentencing outcomes, including jail terms of up to 7 years and 6 months and with orders made to restrain real property.
• The ATO has finalised 62 investigations and referred 52 briefs of evidence to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.
• A high-resolution headshot of Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce Chief John FordThis link will download a file is available from the ATO media centre.
• ATO stock footage and images is available for download and use in news bulletins from the ATO media centre.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Electricity provider Diamond Energy Pty Ltd has paid $46,950 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with three infringement notices for allegedly breaching the Electricity Retail Code (the Code).

Under the Code, electricity retailers must provide certain information about pricing, such as the lowest possible price, to help consumers compare different electricity plans.

The three infringement notices relate to allegations that Diamond Energy failed to communicate mandatory information to three of its customers.

The ACCC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Diamond Energy in which it has admitted it contravened the Code.

Diamond Energy admitted that in June 2024 it sent communications to 12,809 customers which failed to include the required pricing information under the Code, when notifying these customers of price changes to their electricity plans.

Diamond Energy also admitted that it failed to include on its website some of the required pricing information under the Code between 1 January and 30 June 2024 in relation to 44 of its electricity plans, and then also between 1 July and 20 September 2024 in relation to a further 44 plans.

“By not disclosing the required pricing information to its customers, Diamond Energy has impacted consumers’ ability to make an informed decision when comparing prices across electricity retailers,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

“It is vital that electricity retailers provide consumers with accurate information so they can compare and access the most competitive prices in the market.”

In the court-enforceable undertaking, Diamond Energy has committed to introduce a compliance program to ensure it complies with the Code.

“We will continue to monitor electricity providers to ensure they adequately disclose pricing information to consumers,” Ms Brakey said.

What electricity retailers must tell consumers

The Code requires retailers to include certain information when it communicates its offered prices to residential and small business customers by advertising or publishing the price, offering to supply electricity at that price, or notifying the customer of a change to the price.

Consumers who believe their retailer has failed to provide the required information should in the first instance contact their retailer, which is obliged to inform them of this information under the Code.

The undertaking is available at Diamond Energy Pty Ltd.

Notes to editors

The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain provisions of an industry code.

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

Background

The Code applies to electricity retailers that supply electricity to residential and small business customers in applicable distribution regions in New South Wales, South Australia, and South East Queensland. Diamond Energy is a retail electricity supplier in these regions.

Since the Code was introduced in 2019, the ACCC has issued infringement notices to Locality Planning Energy, CovaU, ReAmped Energy and Dodo Power & Gas for allegedly failing to include certain mandatory information when communicating prices. The ACCC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from CovaU and Dodo in response to breaches of the Code.

In September 2024, the Federal Court ordered Energy Australia pay penalties of $14 million for making false, misleading or deceptive statements to around 566,000 consumers about electricity prices and failing to provide mandatory information required by the Code.

One of the ACCC’s Compliance and Enforcement Priorities for 2025-26 is ‘misleading pricing and claims in relation to essential services, with a particular focus on energy and telecommunications’.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo will continue to focus on more targeted and meaningful engagement with older residents through its Let’s Talk community engagement website, events and activities but will discontinue its Positive Ageing Advisory Committee (PAAC).

City of Greater Bendigo Healthy Communities and Environment Acting Director Andie West said in 2024 the City reviewed several advisory committees including the PAAC. The review found that in recent years the City has increased the range of positive ageing initiatives it provides to the community which has resulted in an increase in participation and interest.

“All members of the community can now have their say on a range of engagement opportunities via the City’s Let’s Talk website. This platform has proven an effective alternative to traditional advisory groups to capture the voice of older adults on a range of Council policies, projects and plans,” Ms West said.

“The review of the PAAC coupled with changes to the ways the City engages with community has led to the decision to discontinue the PAAC in its current form and will reinvest funds and resourcing so we have a greater reach and impact into the future.

“Since 2011, through the City’s Positive Ageing Strategy, All Ages All Abilities Action Plan and Positive Ageing Action Plan, the City has worked to support older adults to lead healthy, happy and resilient lives that encourage connection and participation through initiatives, events and programs.

“Recent surveys on the Let’s Talk website have shown that older adults will interact with the City using online channels and this approach will continue along with face-to-face forums to ensure resources are streamlined to deliver purposeful and impactful engagement in line with modern practices.

“In addition, a Positive Ageing Special Interest Group page called Ageing Well in Greater Bendigo has been established on Let’s Talk to enable targeted engagement and allow participants to contribute via a flexible, cost-effective, and relevant platform.

“The aim of this group page is to develop a network of interested community members and provide the opportunity for the voices of older people, advocates and service providers to be heard to help guide the City’s work with older people in the community.

“The page also provides opportunities for the City to invite those who have registered for the page to provide feedback on specific issues related to older adults.

“It is also proposed that an annual Ageing Well in Greater Bendigo Forum with an open invitation be held for older adults. This face-to-face forum would enable engagement on specific, focused topics of importance to them and Councillors could participate in the opportunity.

“In 2024 the City also hosted Be Well Be Connected Expos in Bendigo and Heathcote and this year in Elmore. The expos received extremely positive community and service provider feedback and have directly connected older adults with providers in their local communities.

“The expos have proven a fantastic way for older residents to link to services, provide feedback to the City on current projects and connect with others.

“The City would like to acknowledge and thank all past and current members for their service to the PACC over the past 15 years.”

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

A new Revenue and Plan 2025-2029 has been adopted which outlines how revenue is calculated and collected.

Adopted at last Monday’s Council meeting, the Revenue and Rating Plan explains how the City of Greater Bendigo will raise funds to provide services, facilities and infrastructure over the next four years.

This includes finding the most appropriate and affordable rates approach for Greater Bendigo’s residents and businesses. It also includes principles for decision-making for other income sources such as fees and charges.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the new Rating and Revenue Plan provided responsible fiscal planning and is informed by the new Council Plan Mir wimbul 2025-2029.

“The City provides around 60 services, maintains facilities and infrastructure and looks after important projects and initiatives. It must collect revenue to cover the costs for these services and assets,” Cr Metcalf said.

“The most significant revenue streams are from rates revenue, user fees and charges and government grants which together make up over 90% of council revenue each year.

“The total revenue raised for the 2025/2026 financial year is expected to be $263M with $160M from rates and charges, $28M from user charges, fees and fines, and $49M from government grants. In-kind contributions valued at $18M for infrastructure assets are expected to be given during the new fiscal year at no cost to the City. Capital works expenditure is estimated at nearly $70M.

“Greater Bendigo currently has different rating types for different properties, known as differential rates, to allow classes of properties to be assessed at different levels to the general rate set for the municipality. This allows for a more equal distribution of the rate burden, depending on the use of the land.

“In May, the community was invited to complete a Revenue and Rating Plan survey on the City’s engagement platform Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo.

“Drawing on community feedback from the survey and engagement throughout the Budget project, there is a change to the rates and charges structure for 2025/2026 across the different classes of land.

“This includes a 10% reduction in the Farm Land differential rate and 5% increase to the commercial and industrial differential rates to ensure there is a fair and equitable distribution of the rating burden across the different classes of land,” Cr Metcalf said.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Job ads down 2.8% nationally in May 2025

Linda

Wed, 2025-06-18 11:29

Source:

On Tuesday 17 June, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and the Good Friday Appeal hosted a special event to thank community groups and fundraisers for their incredible efforts in raising a record-breaking $23,822,792 for the 2025 Appeal.

The evening was hosted by Vascular Access Specialist Nurse Consultant Eloise Borello and Novalie Morris, a current RCH patient and rising star who captivated the audience with her warmth and charm.

Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Children’s Hospital Dr Peter Steer addressed attendees to express his heartfelt gratitude to the community and supporters of the Appeal. He outlined how the funds will support life-changing advancements at the hospital, including a $3 million contribution towards regional health services.

Representing CFA was Deputy Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic and members from Bulla, Craigieburn, Pomonal, Werribee, and Epping brigades.

CFA has proudly supported the Good Friday Appeal for 74 years, and in 2025, our volunteers — with the support of their generous local communities — raised an impressive $1,888,912. This brings CFA’s total contribution over the years to a remarkable $41 million.

Across the state, CFA volunteers could be seen at traffic lights and in fire trucks collecting donations in their local communities, continuing a long-standing tradition of support for the RCH.

Funds raised through the Good Friday Appeal help ensure the hospital remains at the forefront of paediatric care, offering world-class treatment, the latest medical equipment, and vital research to give sick children the best possible start in life.

To learn more about the extraordinary impact of this support, we encourage you to read the latest Community Report, which highlights the many initiatives made possible through the funds raised and showcases the large number of volunteers, partners and donors who come from across Victoria to support the RCH.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

A new Financial Plan 2025–2035 has been adopted that sets a clear and responsible path for delivering services and infrastructure to support a growing and diverse community.

The City uses a financial model to forecast and monitor a 10-year projection of how it plans to fund the actions in the newly adopted Council Plan to achieve the Community Vision:

Greater Bendigo celebrates and respects our diverse and growing community. We aim to be welcoming, sustainable and flourishing. Walking hand-in-hand with our First Nations communities. Building on our heritage for a safe and happy future.

Developed through extensive community consultation, including a deliberative panel and annual Budget public engagement, the Financial Plan reflects a shared commitment to a responsible, healthy, thriving Greater Bendigo.

The Financial Plan forms part of the City’s Integrated Strategic Planning Framework, which connects long-term aspirations (Community Vision), medium-term goals (Council Plan), and short-term actions (Annual Budget), with progress tracked through the Annual Report. The plan was adopted at last Monday’s Council meeting.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the plan was essential for ensuring financial sustainability in the face of growing challenges.

“Council is committed to operating in a financially sustainable way for the benefit of the whole community,” Cr Metcalf said.

“With our population forecast to reach around 170,000 by 2046, we must take a disciplined approach to funding existing services and infrastructure, while planning for new initiatives to meet future needs.

“Rate capping by the Victorian Government continues to limit our income, while costs rise and service demands increase. The City currently delivers around 60 services and manages more than $2.9 billion in community assets, including roads, pools, footpaths, bridges, theatres, sports grounds, and playgrounds, with more built infrastructure needed to support population growth and diverse community needs.

“The Financial Plan provides a roadmap for maintaining resilience and delivering high-quality services and infrastructure. Achieving financial sustainability means making tough decisions about the role of local government in delivering services and maintaining assets. It’s important that both Council and the community understand that some services may need to change over the life of this plan.

“This plan ensures we remain financially resilient while continuing to support a vibrant, inclusive and future-ready Greater Bendigo.”

The Financial Plan is underpinned by a set of strategic financial principles to guide decision-making:

• Efficient use of resources – Aligning budgets with community priorities and financial constraints
• Well-planned assets – Balancing investment in new infrastructure with renewal, upgrades, and decommissioning where appropriate
• Service review and planning – Ensuring services are efficient and responsive to community needs
• Sustainable cash management – Maintaining minimum cash reserves and forecasting for future requirements
• Robust financial systems – Strengthening processes to ensure effective and transparent use of resources