Category: MIL-OSI

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Young men disproportionately experiencing gambling harm in the ACT

Source: Australian National Party

As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

Released 06/06/2025

The 2024 ACT Gambling Survey, released today, reveals that while fewer Canberrans are gambling, the harms associated with gambling remains widespread and persistent.

Commissioned by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission (GRC) and conducted by CQUniversity, the survey provides a detailed snapshot of gambling behaviours, harms, and attitudes across the ACT.

The survey, which included responses from over 10,000 ACT adults, found that 53.2% of residents had gambled in the past year. One in six adults (15.8%) reported experiencing at least one type of harm from gambling, including:

  • 9.1% from their own gambling.
  • 5.7% from someone else’s gambling.
  • 5.7% from legacy harm—lasting effects even after gambling has stopped.

Despite falling participation rates, the harms are increasingly severe and disproportionately impact younger men. Males under the age of 40 make up only 22.6% of the population, but they account for over half (51.5%) of those most affected by gambling harm in the ACT.

Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson, said the findings reinforce the need for continued action.

“This report provides us with key insights into how gambling is impacting our community. Despite public perceptions around the use of poker machines being an activity that older people engage in, this research shows men under 40 are disproportionately participating in poker machine gaming and experience harm as a result,” Minister Paterson said.

The report also reveals significant shifts in behaviour around gambling. Since 2001, overall gambling participation has dropped from 72.9% to 53.2%, and Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) use has halved since 2009. However, online gambling has surged five-fold and is now considered a higher-risk form of gambling.

“We’ve made strong progress in reducing the number of pokies in our community, and we’ll continue working towards reducing machine numbers to 1000 by 2045. This will be supported by a range of harm minimisation measures, particularly through the implementation of mandatory account-based cashless gaming.”

Encouragingly, community support for reform remains strong, with two-thirds (66%) of ACT adults backing further reductions in the number of poker machines.

The survey findings will inform future policy and intervention strategies focused on protecting vulnerable groups and addressing the evolving risks of online gambling.

“The insights from this report will guide targeted efforts to prevent gambling harm. This includes exploring stronger advertising controls and other measures to address the risks posed by online gambling,” said Minister Paterson.

The full report is available at www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/research/10000-person-act-gambling-survey-report-now-available.

If you or someone you know is affected by gambling, free and confidential help is available 24/7 through the ACT Gambling Support Service. Call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

– Statement ends –

Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

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ACT Budget 2025-26: Supporting mental health services for young people

Source: Australian National Party

As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

Released 06/06/2025 – Joint media release

Young people across the ACT will continue to get the mental health support they need, with the ACT Government committing more than $9.4 million over four years to strengthen community-based mental health programs in the 2025-26 Budget.

The investment reflects the ACT Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting young Canberrans and their families by providing mental health care that is accessible, timely and effective – helping reduce pressure on the hospital system while enabling children and young people to thrive.

The ACT Government is providing continued funding for five successful, community-driven programs:

  • MindMap – a digital mental health navigation tool connecting young people and families to real-time support from clinical staff and peer workers.
  • Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) – an early intervention and suicide prevention program delivered in ACT high schools.
  • WOKE – a free Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) group program for young people experiencing emotional distress.
  • Stepping Stones – a trauma-informed service supporting children exposed to family violence and trauma, and their caregivers.
  • ACT Child and Youth Mental Health Alliance (Youth Alliance) – a collaboration of community services focused on improving mental health outcomes for children and young people.

Treasurer Chris Steel said the Government is responding to the growing mental health pressures faced by young people.

“Our Budget continues to invest in services that meet them where and when they need it – in schools, in the community, and online.

“We want Canberra to be the best place in the country to raise children, and that means delivering the right support at the right time.”

Minister for Mental Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said the investment recognises the vital role of community mental health care providers.

“These programs have been developed through strong partnerships across government, the health sector and the community – and they are delivering real impact,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.

“We know demand is growing, and many young people still struggle to access services when they need them. That’s why Labor committed at the last election to ongoing funding for this important workand will continue to prioritise support for the growing mental health needs of the community.”

The ACT Government’s commitment to early intervention, prevention and better access reflects broader strategies across youth mental health and wellbeing, and supports the Territory’s long-term goal of building a more connected, compassionate mental health system.

Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) extended their sincere thanks to the ACT Government and Minister Stephen-Smith for their ongoing support.

“At MIEACT, sharing lived experiences of mental illness and recovery is central to the transformative impact we make in schools and communities. Our educators bring authenticity, empathy, and hope—breaking down stigma in ways that clinical facts alone cannot achieve” said Sheryle Moon, MIEACT President.

“MIEACT is incredibly proud to stand alongside the ACT Government as partners in this transformative, multi-year investment. This funding is not just recognition of MIEACT’s work, it’s a powerful affirmation of the value of lived experience, the strength of our DoNOHarm framework, and our unwavering commitment to supporting young people through programs including Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM). Together, we’re building a future where stigma is replaced by understanding, and where every young person feels empowered to seek support and speak up about their mental health” said Prudence Slaughter, CEO, MIEACT.

– Statement ends –

Chris Steel, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

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Two teens arrested over car theft from West Croydon

Source: New South Wales – News

Two teenagers were arrested today after investigations into a western suburbs crime spree on Tuesday morning.

A 2025 Toyota RAV4, along with other items, including a handbag, bankcards and cash, was stolen during a break-in at a West Croydon address about 4.30am on Tuesday 3 June.  Five suspects were captured on CCTV.

The stolen vehicle was found in Humber Street, Holden Hill about 5.40am that morning and towed away for forensic examination.

Vehicle tracking showed it had also attended a fast-food restaurant at Pooraka, providing investigators with CCTV of the suspects.

Investigations and further CCTV analysis then linked a number of illegal interferences and attempted break-ins in the early hours of Tuesday morning, between 2am and 4.30am, throughout Underdale, West Hindmarsh, Croydon and West Croydon.

About 12.30pm today, Friday 6 June, Youth and Street Gangs Task Force members attended a Christie Downs address and located two suspects.

A 16-year-old boy from Parafield Gardens and a 16-year-old boy from Holden Hill were arrested and charged with numerous counts of illegal use, aggravated serious criminal trespass and breach of bail.

They were both refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Youth Court on Tuesday 10 June.

Investigations are continuing.

Investigators ask anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage of the suspects between 2am and 4.30am on Tuesday in the Underdale, West Hindmarsh, Croydon and West Croydon areas to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

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Driver charged over pedestrian crash in Launceston

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Driver charged over pedestrian crash in Launceston

Friday, 6 June 2025 – 3:11 pm.

An 18-year-old man will appear in court charged with assault and causing grievous bodily harm following a pedestrian crash in Launceston last Friday night.
The man was allegedly driving a white Holden Commodore wagon when it struck two pedestrians in the Launceston City Council carpark on the corner of Brisbane and Bathurst streets about 11.50pm on Friday, 30 May.
One of the pedestrians, a teenage girl, was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital with serious leg injuries. She remains in hospital in a stable condition.
The driver and the injured teenager are known to each other, and Launceston police are calling for witnesses to the incident, as investigations continue.
Anyone who witnessed the incident in the carpark (commonly referred to as the Dan Murphy’s carpark) is asked to contact police. Relevant dashcam or other footage should also be provided.
Information can be provided by calling police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au (please quote OR776328).
Information can be provided anonymously.

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Stay Safe at the Finke Desert Race this Weekend

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force will be out and about at the iconic 2025 Finke Desert Race, ensuring everyone enjoys a safe and incident-free long weekend.

Police will be patrolling along the racetrack between Alice Springs and Finke, working closely with race organisers, officials and attendees.

Key Safety Tips for Attendees:

  • Do not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Always wear your seatbelt.
  • Follow all road rules and drive to the conditions.
  • Be aware of your belongings; lock your house and car and keep valuables out of sight.
  • Ensure you camp or sit clear of the track and run-off areas.
  • Leave any unregistered vehicles or trailers at home.
  • Be respectful to the environment and other people.
  • Listen carefully to official safety announcements and follow all directions given.

Emergency services will be stationed at the following locations along the racetrack:

  • Start/Finish Line – Alice Springs
  • Deep Well Checkpoint – 63 km
  • Rodinga Checkpoint – 94 km
  • Bundooma Checkpoint – 136 km
  • Mount Squires – 169 km
  • Start/Finish Line & Finke Campground – 223 km

Superintendent Michael Budge said, “We ask all attendees, participants and members of the community to cooperate with police and officials across the long weekend.

“The Finke Desert Race is a fantastic event, and we want everyone to enjoy a safe and fun weekend with their friends and family. Please remember to be aware of the risks motorsport presents and leave the racing to the competitors.

“Have fun, be responsible, and reach out if you need us.”

If you witness crime or antisocial behaviour, please contact police on 131 444. For emergencies, dial Triple Zero (000). For more event information, visit the official event website: www.finkedesertrace.com.au. 

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Stolen property returned to owner

Source: New South Wales – News

A woman has been arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars of property from a short-stay home in the western suburbs.

Between Thursday 29 May and Saturday 31 May, a theft occurred at a home on Cairns Avenue at Lockleys, where a number of items were stolen including audio equipment, gaming console, jewellery and clothing.

Following an investigation, patrols attended and searched a Findon address where they located items stolen from the Lockleys address.

A 36-year-old woman from the address was arrested and charged with theft.  She was granted police bail to appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on 3 July.

A second address was later searched in Seaton, and further stolen items were located and subsequently returned to the victim.

Police continue to investigate the theft and ask anyone with information that may assist to contact Crime Stoppers.  You can anonymously provide information to Crime Stoppers online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000.

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Police seeking public information in relation to missing tourists

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police seeking public information in relation to missing tourists

Friday, 6 June 2025 – 2:02 pm.

Police are seeking public information in relation to the location of Leannedra Kang and Takahiro Toya (both aged in their 20s) who have been visiting Tasmania and were believed to have been in the St Helens/Scamander area recently. 
They may be travelling in a (rental car) white Toyota Corolla with registration L67GW. 
Leannedra and Takahiro were scheduled to leave Tasmania on Wednesday (4 June) flying from Launceston home to Brisbane, but they did not board their flight or return the rental vehicle.
If you’ve seen them or the vehicle, or know where they are, please contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 420-05062025. 
*Leannedra and Takahiro if you see this, you’re not in any trouble, please phone police or family to let them know you’re ok.

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Emergency Services Volunteer Fund statement

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

This is a statement from City of Greater Bendigo Councillors regarding the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund.

From July 1, the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) replaces the Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL). It will be calculated based on a fixed charge that varies by property type and a variable charge based on property value.

The new levy will be applied to forthcoming rates notices and will be a cost increase experienced by all ratepayers.

In particular, the City of Greater Bendigo acknowledges the deep disappointment and concern of our community, including our farming community, regarding the introduction of the ESVF, under which it has been reported farmers will pay many thousands of dollars more in comparison to the FSPL.

The City cannot choose not to collect the levy. It is a legislative requirement, with the City effectively acting as a collection agency for the Victorian Government.

At the Municipal Association of Victoria May State Council Meeting the City added its voice and voted in favour of resolution 1.1a that expressed disappointment with the implementation of the ESVF and Local Government collecting the funds on the State’s behalf.

The City is also a member of Regional Cities Victoria (RCV), an alliance of regional cities, of which Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf is Deputy Chair. RCV has been consistently vocal about the adverse impacts of the ESVF.

Despite the Victorian Government’s decision to cap the 2025/2026 ESVF levy at the 2024/2025 FSPL rate for primary producers, the reality is this is just a pause.

To assist where it can, the City’s 2025/2026 Budget proposes to reduce the rate in the dollar rural landholders will pay and not increase waste charges for all ratepayers in the new financial year.

The City also recognises the ESVF is just one of many challenges rural communities in central Victoria are facing that have a direct impact on their livelihoods – the ongoing impact of flood damage now being met with drought conditions, decreased water allocations, mining expansion, proposed renewable energy zones and upgrades to energy infrastructure.

The Victorian Government’s decision to expand its drought relief package is welcome, however much more significant and longer-term support is needed if local farming businesses are to survive the current conditions.

The cooler months are generally quieter for the Bendigo Livestock Exchange but over the past few weeks the City has seen unusually high yarding numbers for the Monday sheep sales, an example of farmers de-stocking due to a lack of fodder and high feed costs.

On the plus side they are getting exceptional prices per head but the decision to sell can take a significant personal toll. Long term, they will also need to rebuild their flocks at a cost.

The City looks forward to the newly established Drought Response Taskforce making recommendations on behalf of the farming community directly to government. The committee will be chaired by Premier and Member for Bendigo East, The Hon. Jacinta Allan, and RCV and the Bendigo Bank will be represented on the group.

It is Council’s commitment to write to the Premier, relevant ministers and the taskforce to advocate for a roadmap for what comes next, asking things like is there a state fodder plan, how to do we keep money flowing to small rural businesses as farms dry up and what do ‘exceptional circumstances’ look like?

Of course, we hope we don’t have to find out, but farmers are realists and need reassurance help will be there if they need it.

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Simulated plane crash puts joint-response efforts to the test

Source:

CFA participated in a major multi-agency training exercise on Tuesday, which tasked crews to respond to a simulated aircraft crash at the Ballarat Aerodrome.

Representatives from CFA, Victoria Police, VICSES, Ambulance Victoria and Fire Rescue Victoria took part in the exercise with support from the Ballarat Shire Council. 

CFA District 15 Assistant Chief Fire Officer Lachie Redman said multi-agency exercises play a vital role in strengthening emergency readiness. 

“Joint training like this helps us build familiarity across agencies so that, in a real event, we’re already speaking the same language and understand how each other operates,” Lachie said. 

“It’s also a chance to refine how we communicate across different radio systems and work together as one coordinated unit.” 

First responders were briefed on the scenario when the exercise got underway to ensure their response was as realistic as possible. 

The exercise simulated a light aircraft emergency involving a distressed passenger, culminating in a high-speed landing attempt at Ballarat Aerodrome. 

The aircraft overshot the runway, collided with a fence, and broke apart on impact, ejecting several passengers. 

Emergency crews responded as bystanders began gathering near the crash site. 

The objective of the exercise was to test and improve the way emergency services work together when responding to large-scale emergencies. 

CFA District 15 Commander Damien Scott, who oversaw CFA’s response at the exercise, said he hopes crews never have to face such a serious incident in real life, but they are well prepared if required.  

“Our crews performed well throughout the simulation,” Damien said. 

“Exercises like this let us challenge our plans, practice key roles and build confidence across the crew,” Damien said. 

“They’re especially valuable for newer members getting exposure to this scale of response in a controlled environment.” 

Each agency held a debrief after the exercise concluded to review lessons learned and share improvement ideas. 

“We’d rather identify any gaps in training than discover them during an actual incident,” Damien said. 

“Everyone involved has come away from this with better knowledge, stronger connections, and a clearer understanding of how we operate together.” 

Submitted by CFA Media
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Have you seen this vehicle in the southern suburbs?

Source: New South Wales – News

Police are seeking assistance from the public following an incident in the southern suburbs earlier this week.

Crime Gangs Task Force Detectives are investigating a serious assault that occurred about 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 June.  It will be alleged a man was taken by force from a retail shop on Honeypot Road at Huntfield Heights and driven around the area.

Police will allege the victim, a 24-year-old man from Parafield Gardens, was assaulted by the occupants of a silver 2017 Mitsubishi Triton with a canopy (see picture), at Sports Park Drive, Morphett Vale.

The man was taken by SAAS members to hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Following an investigation, Detectives arrested a 29-year-old man from Port Noarlunga, he was charged with aggravated assault and aggravated theft.  He was granted police bail to appear in court at a later date.

A 27-year-old man from Hackham was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated theft.  He was refused police bail and appeared in Christies Beach Magistrate Court on Wednesday 4 June where he was remanded in custody.

A 20-year-old man from Moana was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and aggravated theft.  The man is alleged to be a member of the Comanchero MC and he will appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates court later today (Friday 6 June).

Police believe this was not a random incident and there is no risk to the community.

Investigators are seeking witnesses, CCTV and dash cam footage of the incident on Sports Park Drive, Huntfield Heights.  Anyone who may have seen a silver 2017 Mitsubishi Triton being driven erratically and at a high speed on the Southern Expressway between 5.45pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 June to contact Crime Stoppers.  You can anonymously provide information to Crime Stoppers online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000.

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