Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Labor Government will expand Australia’s Antarctic Program and create jobs and opportunities in Tasmania.

This is about more jobs and investment in Tasmania and more funding for our scientists and our experts.

It’s a big investment that backs Tasmania, backs our scientists, backs our environment and our economy.

It includes funding for:

• More voyages of RSV Nuyina, one of the most advanced polar icebreaking research ships in the world, which will deepen our understanding of Antarctica, the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean and Antarctica’s role in the global climate system.
• Up to 30 new technical and scientific jobs at the Antarctic Division headquarters in Tasmania to support and deliver the additional marine science voyages.
• Aviation capability to keep Australian workers safe by providing medical evacuation and search and rescue support.
• More research through the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science.
• A $5 million grant for data analysis and publication from recent Denman Glacier campaigns being delivered by post‑doctoral researchers and staff.

New funding of $208.8 million over seven years from 2025–26 will secure critical shipping and aviation capabilities and continue supporting our world‑class marine science.

Whether it’s more scientists, more funding for sea voyages or more funding for aviation, we’re investing in the Antarctic Program in the interests of all Australians.

Better understanding Antarctica means better understanding climate change and it’s impacts on our economy and our communities, and that’s what this investment is all about.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Bupa HI Pty Ltd (Bupa) has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $35 million in penalties for engaging in unconscionable conduct and making false or misleading representations to Bupa members, hospitals and medical providers about the members’ entitlements to private health insurance benefits for certain claims.

The Court declared that, between May 2018 and August 2023, Bupa engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations by advising that members were not entitled to benefits for any part of their claim when, in fact, these members were entitled to benefits for any treatment covered under their policy.  

The Court also declared that Bupa engaged in unconscionable conduct between June 2020 and February 2021 in connection with its incorrect assessment of some Mixed Coverage Claims.

Most of the claims impacted by Bupa’s conduct were for hospital treatment in which two or more procedures were performed at the same time. In cases where part of the treatment was covered by a member’s policy and part of the treatment was not covered, Bupa incorrectly rejected the entire claim.

Bupa cooperated with the ACCC during its investigation and agreed to make joint submissions with the ACCC to the Court about proposed orders, including in relation to liability and penalties.

“Bupa’s conduct impacted thousands of consumers. During our investigation we heard from Bupa members who suffered significant harm, including financial harm as well as pain, suffering and emotional distress as a result of Bupa’s conduct,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Some of Bupa’s members decided to cancel, delay or forego necessary treatment, resulting in potential medical risks or complications, because they were incorrectly told they were not entitled to health insurance benefits.”

“Private health insurance can be a significant expense for consumers and people rightly expect to receive the level of coverage they pay for,” Ms Lowe said.

Medical providers and hospitals were also impacted by Bupa’s conduct, including by not receiving the payments they were entitled to in respect of certain members’ claims.

In addition to the $35 million in penalties, the Court also ordered an injunction restraining Bupa from engaging in the contravening conduct for a period of five years.

“We consider this to be extremely serious conduct, and this is reflected in Bupa’s admission that it engaged in unconscionable conduct, which is one of the most serious types of misconduct under the consumer laws that we enforce,” Ms Lowe said.  

“Today’s outcome should serve as a reminder to all health insurers of their obligations under the Australian Consumer Law, including that they must ensure that claims are assessed correctly so that their members receive the benefits they are entitled to under their policies.”

In June this year, Bupa provided the ACCC with a court enforceable undertaking to complete its remediation program to compensate affected members, hospitals and medical providers by Bupa’s misconduct. This includes compensation for the amount the member was entitled to but did not receive, plus interest.

Bupa commenced the remediation program prior to this court action. To date, more than $14.3 million has been paid to parties for more than 4100 affected claims. 

If you consider you may have been impacted by the conduct, please contact Bupa on a number you source independently or you can complete a Remediation Form available at: www.bupa.com.au/mixedcoverage

Background

On 30 June 2025, the ACCC instituted proceedings against Bupa in the Federal Court.

Bupa is the second largest private health insurance company in Australia, with an approximate 25.5 per cent market share and around 4.5 million members. It is a subsidiary of Bupa HI Holdings Pty Ltd which is ultimately controlled by British United Provident Association Ltd.

Bupa’s misconduct relates to two types of health insurance claims:

• Mixed Coverage Claims – these are claims that included both treatment that was covered under a member’s private health insurance policy and treatment that was not covered under their policy; and
• Uncategorised Item Claims – these are claims that included treatment that was not assigned to a standard clinical category in Bupa’s claims assessment system.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force responded to a criminal damage incident in Tennant Creek overnight.

Around 12:55am this morning, police attended a school on Paterson Street after an off-duty officer reported activity within the grounds. Upon entering the grounds, police located and identified five male youths that had allegedly caused considerable damage to property, equipment and several windows.

The youths, all aged between 7 and 9-years-old, were conveyed home into the care of a responsible adult.

Referrals have been made to the Department of Children and Families.

Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour 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: South Australia County Fire Service

MUNDOORA

Issued on
11 Dec 2025 11:42

Mundoora Fire

The CFS is responding to a grass fire north west of Snowtown in the Mid North, South Australia.

CFS volunteers supported by several Farm Fire Units and five aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft have been working to extinguish the fire, which is burning in grass and scrub.

Crews have been actively fighting the fire, and the forward rate of spread has been halted. Crews will remain on scene until the fire is extinguished.

Smoke may be impacting roads in the area, and visibility could be reduced. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters and other emergency personnel who are working in the area, please do not enter the area unless necessary.

Roads are currently open around this incident; however, this may change at short notice. Continue to monitor road closures at: traffic.sa.gov.au

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Message ID 0008807

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has launched Operation Ludlow II, a ten-week planned police operation to address likely increased activity in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Katherine.

Operation Ludlow II will run until early February 2026, with demand expected to peak during the school holiday period.

The community will see increased police engagement and high-visibility patrols, including at community events. Operation Ludlow II resources will be supported by Road Policing, the Dog Operations Unit, the Mounted Unit, the Fugitive Task Force, Strike Force Viper and a dedicated drone capability. Additional patrol capability will be delivered through ATVs, bicycles, motorbikes, foot and vehicle patrols.

Operation Ludlow II will target antisocial behaviour and alcohol-related offending, youth offending and property crime. The operation will be resourced with local police, including recently graduated officers from ARP Squad 4 and Recruit Squad 160.

Katherine’s Strike Force Cerberus will continue to target recidivist offenders over this period, and the Safer Streets Patrols in Tennant Creek will deliver proactive, highly visible patrols supporting frontline general duties response activities as part of the operation. Local Tennant Creek police will be able call upon specialist support to deploy to the region to enhance their capacity if required.

A key component of the operation is collaboration with partner agencies, including DCF Engagement Officers, Public Housing Safety Officers, Lhere Artepe Traditional Owner Patrol Groups and Tangentyere Council Night Patrol in Alice Springs. In Katherine, police will be working closely with Liquor Licensing Inspectors and Kalano Community Patrol. In Tennant Creek, the police-led Interagency Tasking Coordination Group will continue to meet regularly to share information to address local community safety and antisocial behaviour issues in a collaborative approach.

Acting Superintendent Terry Simpson said, “We are building upon the success of last year’s Operation Ludlow and have been planning for months to improve for the sequel.

“The public can expect to see high-visibility patrols, officers engaging with the community, visiting businesses, and patrolling the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

“We encourage our community members and visitors to stop our police officers for a chat, as the officers are there to serve and protect the community. Lastly, I hope that residents and visitors to the Territory enjoy the break and stay safe during the festive season.”

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Source: Australian Department of Communications

AUSTRAC has launched civil penalty proceedings in the Federal Court against two businesses – Castra Licensee Pty Ltd ACN 160 992 709 (Castra) and Princeton Securities (NSW) Pty Ltd ACN 162 219 794 (Princeton) for failing to meet their reporting obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).
AUSTRAC alleges that neither business submitted an annual compliance report for the 2023 calendar year. 

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

11 December 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Biosecurity industry participants and accredited persons operating under approved arrangement class 19.

What has changed?

From 11 December 2025 class 19 accredited persons will be able to amend approved arrangement locations, for directions generated under approved arrangement class 19, without impacting the cargo status in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). Location amendments will no longer generate an ICS major…

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government