Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Green Party

​Hyperdome music festival on 7 June 2025 will be the third music festival to participate in the continuing NSW drug checking trial.
The free and anonymous drug checking service allows festival patrons to bring a small sample of substances they intend to consume to be analysed. Qualified health staff provide a rapid evaluation of the main components of the substance in line with available technology, and an indication of potency where possible.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said there will always be risks involved when consuming these substances and this is not an endorsement of illicit drug use.
“The drug checking trial is designed to help patrons make safer choices by connecting them with experienced health and peer staff who can provide information along with harm reduction advice,” Dr Chant said.
“The service is staffed by peer workers, health workers and analysts who clearly communicate the capabilities and limitations of drug checking to festival patrons. 
“Patrons are never advised that a drug is safe to use. Staff will provide patrons with a referral to health and welfare services available at the event and in the community to help support harm minimisation.”
The first trial site was located at the Yours and Owls music festival in Wollongong on 1 and 2 March 2025. The second trial site was located at the Midnight Mafia Festival in Sydney on 3 May 2025.
NSW Health and NSW Police Force are working closely with festival organiser Symbiotic and other stakeholders to ensure safe and effective implementation of the trial at the Hyperdome festival. The trial operates alongside other harm reduction and medical services at participating festivals. Illicit drugs remain illegal in NSW.
“Drug checking is one more tool in the belt to create a safer event and we welcome and support NSW Health on this Government-led harm reduction initiative,” Symbiotic Co-Director Janette Bishara said.
The 12 month trial will be independently evaluated. Up to nine additional festivals will be included in the trial following Hyperdome.
The trial comes after the NSW Government’s Drug Summit concluded in early December. The recently released Report on the 2024 New South Wales Drug Summit provides a priority action recommending a trial of music festival-based drug testing.
Further information on the NSW drug checking trial can be found here.
More information for young people around how to keep themselves and their friends safe at music festivals is available on the Your Room website.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Devonport man charged with trafficking

Wednesday, 4 June 2025 – 3:15 pm.

A man has been charged with major trafficking and police have seized significant quantities of ice and cannabis as part of an ongoing operation in the North West.
The 43 year old Devonport man was charged yesterday after members from Western Drugs and Firearms Unit and Task Force Scelus, with the support of specialist police resources, executed a search warrant at a Devonport address.
During the search police located and seized 25 grams of ice, 350 grams of cannabis, ammunition, and a chainsaw believed to have been stolen.
The Devonport man was charged in relation to yesterday’s search as well as trafficking alleged to have occurred between December 2024 and June 2025.
As part of the targeted operation, police have now seized a total of 65 grams of ice, and 1 kilogram of cannabis.
The man has been charged with two counts of trafficking in controlled substance, possessing a controlled drug, dealing with proceeds of crime, possessing ammunition when not the holder of a firearms licence and unlawful possession of property.
He was remanded in custody to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court this afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Most people comply with their tax obligations. However, there are a small number of people who deliberately do the wrong thing. The ATO-led SFCT was established to respond to this, targeting the more serious financial crimes in Australia.

The case studies on this page reinforce that those who deliberately cheat the system will be held to account.

Stay up to date on the latest SFCT outcomes by subscribing to general email updates. Subscribers will receive updates on all new general content on our website, including the latest SFCT case studies.

Government fraudster sentenced to jail

Paolo Esmaquel was sentenced on 28 May 2025 in the Melbourne County Court to 18 months of imprisonment in addition to the jail time previously imposed for similar federal offences in November 2024.

She was charged with 3 categories of offending against Government at both federal and state levels: tax fraud, identity and counterfeiting fraud, and social security fraud.

The ATO worked collaboratively with other partner agencies across Government to hold Ms Esmaquel to account for her actions.

An operation conducted by the ATO-led SFCT uncovered her elaborate scheme to commit tax fraud by stealing the identities of 3 different individuals.

One of the assumed identities was registered by Ms Esmaquel as a tax practitioner with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). To do this, she submitted forged documents to the TPB that falsely claimed she completed the required tertiary education to become a tax agent and forged a declaration from a chartered accountant.

Following this, she set up a tax agent profile on ATO Online Services and linked several taxpayers to her account. Ms Esmaquel then lodged 10 fraudulent business activity statements on behalf of these taxpayers without their knowledge or consent.

As a result of the investigation, the TPB cancelled her tax agent registration.

Acting Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce (SFCT) Chief Kath Anderson acknowledges the prevalence of identity crime, saying ‘With a rise in scammers and cyber criminals out in the community, it’s more important than ever to protect your personal identifying information. This case shows how far criminals will go to commit identity fraud and exploit the tax and super system.’

‘We have strengthened our systems against fraud and financial crime through prevention, early detection, containment and consequences, such as the jail time Ms Esmaquel received’.

Read more in the media release.

Former registered liquidator sentenced to prison

Former liquidator Peter Amos has been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for dishonestly gaining an advantage for his business and himself contrary to the Corporations Act.

Mr Amos was a registered liquidator and business owner of Amos Insolvency Pty Ltd (Amos Insolvency).

Between 6 October 2016 and 31 December 2022, Mr Amos transferred $2,498,546 from the accounts of Mikcon Employment Services Pty Ltd, TPC (Vic) Pty Ltd, P O W 4X4 Pty Ltd, A-Force Electrics Pty Ltd, and Conomi Group Pty Ltd to Amos Insolvency.

ATO Deputy Commissioner and Serious Financial Crime Taskforce Chief John Ford welcomed the court’s decision, saying the sentencing is a warning to those looking to use their position to exploit the system.

‘This outcome sends a clear message to those who look to game the system to gain an unfair advantage – you will be caught,’ Mr Ford said.

Read more about the outcome in the media releaseExternal Link.

Woman sentenced for false claims and forged documents

On 1 October 2024, Ashmita Sharma appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court in NSW for sentence.

Ms Sharma received two 18-month suspended sentences, to be served concurrently. She pleaded guilty to committing GST fraud, JobKeeper fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice, contrary to sections 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) and 43(1) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) respectively.

Ms Sharma was also ordered to be of good behaviour for 3 years and repay the remaining $26,426 in stolen funds to us.

In August 2020, Ms Sharma lodged:

• a false COVID-19 JobKeeper application on behalf of a dormant company that listed her father as the sole director, without his knowledge or authorisation
• 3 separate business activity statements
• a false claim for a Cashflow Boost Stimulus which was taken into account on sentence.

In total, Ms Sharma received $30,926 as a result of the offending.

During the course of the matter, Ms Sharma was also charged with one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice by forging a medical certificate to avoid attending court.

Operation Hyacinth is part of a broader investigation by the SFCT into the misuse of government funds. Our message is clear; those who think they can steal and cheat the system for their own financial gain will be caught. Attempting to avoid these consequences can make the situation worse.

This SFCT matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from the ATO.

To report any known or suspected illegal behaviour you can either complete the tip-off form or phone us on our tip-off hotline on 1800 060 062.

Find out more about the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce.

Attempts to commit gold bullion fraud didn’t have the outcome 2 fraudsters had planned.

The investigation, conducted under the ATO-led SFCT, revealed that Cedric Adrian Millner and Jonatan Kelu purchased GST-free gold bullion, refashioned it into scrap and then sold it inclusive of GST to a refiner. Millner and Kelu claimed GST input tax credits by falsely stating that the GST-free gold bullion was purchased inclusive of GST under the GST second-hand rules.

The reward for engaging in this complex $40 million fraud activity was a sentence of 8 years in jail for both men, handed down in the Supreme Court of NSW.

These criminals thought their actions would go undetected, but our expert team of investigators uncovered the fraud and worked to solve the case, bringing together thousands of documents and multiple data sets to form a solid brief that would ultimately be their downfall.

Operation Nosean was established to look at network participants in the gold bullion and precious metals industry. This included refiners, bullion dealers, gold kiosks, dealers and buyers within established supply chains involved in gold recycling arrangements, seeking to exploit the GST rules in relation to precious metals.

New laws were introduced in April 2017 to combat fraud in the gold bullion and precious metals industry.

Our message is clear to those who seek to evade or cheat the tax system: there is no place for you to hide and we will not tolerate this behaviour.

For more information see:

Second sentencing for Australia’s largest tax fraud case

On 29 March 2018, Michael Issakidis faced the Supreme Court of NSW for his involvement in the largest prosecuted tax fraud case in Australia’s history.

Alongside his co-conspirator Anthony Dickson, Issakidis deliberately absorbed $450 million of otherwise assessable income. He did this using complex domestic and international trust and tax evasion structures. This caused a loss to the Commonwealth of $135 million. By creating a web of false identities and siphoning money offshore, the pair acquired approximately $63 million.

Issakidis was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months jail for his involvement in the operation. This followed the 2015 sentencing of Dickson, whose original 11-year sentence was increased to 14 years on appeal.

The significant penalties handed down to both Issakidis and Dickson demonstrate the success of the SFCT in dealing with those who deliberately cheat the system. As a member of the SFCT, we are equipped with the resources, data-matching capability and international and domestic intelligence-sharing relationships to uncover even the most complex tax evasion schemes.

People who deliberately avoid paying the correct amount of tax will be caught and will face the full force of the law.

For more information see:

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is continuing to investigate the death of a 24-year-old man in police custody in Alice Springs.

This incident is being investigated by the Major Crime Section, which operates under strict protocols and with full transparency.

In consultation with the Northern Territory Coroner, the coronial investigation has been paused, while the criminal investigation into the man’s death is undertaken to determine whether any criminality was involved.

The coroner has requested, and will be provided, with regular updates as the criminal investigation progresses.

All evidence collected in relation to the death, including CCTV, cannot be released until the criminal investigation is concluded.

The timeline for this investigation is unknown at this early stage.

The cause of the man’s death remains undetermined.

An independent examination of the initial undetermined findings of the autopsy is also being undertaken

The forensic pathologist is in the process of completing further investigation to ascertain the cause of death.

The NTPF is aware of the public interest in this investigation and further updates will be provided through a media release as relevant information becomes available.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Today’s National Accounts show that our economy continues to grow in the face of substantial economic headwinds at home and abroad.

While overall growth in the Australian economy remains subdued, the private sector recovery we have planned and prepared for is gradually taking hold.

With all the uncertainty in the world, any growth is a decent outcome.

Lower public demand, combined with global economic uncertainty and the impact of natural disasters, meant growth was weaker than expected.

Even with these challenges, we are seeing private demand and incomes continuing to recover.

Today’s numbers show the private sector stepping up as public demand steps back.

The economy grew 0.2 per cent in the March quarter, leaving annual growth steady at 1.3 per cent.

While growth in the quarter was weaker than expected, the Australian economy remains one of the strongest in the world.

No major advanced economy has achieved what we have, with unemployment in the low 4s, inflation below 2.5 per cent and continuous growth for three years.

Public demand has played a role in keeping the economy from going backwards over the past two years, but we know strong and sustainable economic growth is driven by the private sector.

Our plan has always focused on restoring the private sector to its rightful place as the main driver of growth in our economy.

While the private sector‑led recovery was always going to be gradual, today’s data shows encouraging signs it is continuing.

Private demand grew 0.5 per cent, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point to growth in the quarter.

The contribution from private demand was greater than overall GDP growth.

Growth in private demand was broad based, with consumption, new business investment and dwelling investment all growing in the quarter.

These three components have grown at the same time in only around 1 in every 3 quarters since records began.

Consumption grew 0.4 per cent in the quarter, contributing 0.2 of a percentage point to growth.

Consumption growth was weighed down by the impact of natural disasters and households continuing to exercise caution in spending, with the saving ratio rising to 5.2 per cent – the highest in more than two and a half years.

While consumption growth was modest in the quarter, it was encouraging to see solid growth in real incomes per capita.

Getting real incomes growing again has been central to our Government’s economic strategy after they were going backwards 1.7 per cent when we came to office.

Real incomes per capita grew 1.1 per cent in the quarter and are up 1.7 per cent through the year. This is the strongest quarterly growth rate for real incomes in more than three years.

Growth in real incomes reflects a combination of moderating inflation, solid wage and employment growth, the Government’s tax cuts for every taxpayer and lower interest rates. There was also some support from insurance claims related to weather events.

In the second half of last year real incomes in Australia grew faster than the OECD average and almost twice the G7 average, and we have now recorded a third consecutive quarter of real income growth.

Private investment was an important contributor to growth in the quarter, driven by dwelling investment and new business investment.

Dwelling investment grew by a solid 2.6 per cent in the quarter, to be 5.6 per cent higher through the year, well above average quarterly growth over the past ten years of just 0.2 per cent. This is the type of investment the Government’s $43 billion Homes for Australia Plan will continue to encourage as we deliver on our housing agenda.

New business investment rose 0.4 per cent in the quarter, driven by construction investment, taking the level of business investment to a 12 year high.

Since we came to office, new business investment has grown by an annualised average of 4.4 per cent, compared to an average decline of 1.3 per cent under our predecessors.

Public demand fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter, detracting 0.1 of a percentage point from growth. The moderation in public demand growth means that public demand as a share of GDP fell in the quarter by 0.3 of a percentage point.

The quarterly fall in public demand was driven by a wrap up of a number of large projects in the previous quarter and partly by a moderation in growth of NDIS spending due to the Government’s reforms.

Net exports detracted 0.1 of a percentage point from growth, reflecting the impact of natural disasters and subdued global economic conditions.

Extreme weather events had an impact on mining, tourism and shipping activities in the quarter. Coal export volumes declined by 6.4 per cent in the quarter, weighing down overall non‑rural goods exports, which fell 2.3 per cent.

Despite all the challenges coming at us, Australians are earning more and keeping more of what they earn under Labor.

Compensation of employees grew by 1.5 per cent in the quarter, to be 6.5 per cent through the year. This has seen the wage share of income rise to 53.7 per cent from the below 50 per cent before we came to office.

Wages in future quarters will be supported by the Fair Work Commission’s welcome decision to award a real wage increase for award workers.

Our tax cuts for every taxpayer have contributed to another fall in tax as a share of income. Income tax as a share of income was 15.5 per cent in the quarter, down from 16.3 per cent in the quarter before our tax cuts started rolling out.

The substantial and sustained progress we’ve made on inflation was confirmed again in today’s data, with the National Accounts consumption deflator moderating to 3.3 per cent in annual terms, the lowest in three years.

The first of the interest rate cuts saw mortgage interest costs fall in the quarter. As the rate cuts flow through to household mortgages, we expect them to play more of a role in boosting real incomes in future quarters.

Under Labor, inflation is down, real wages and living standards are rising, unemployment is low, interest rates are falling and the economy is continuing to grow.

All of this progress Australians have made together means that we are well placed and well prepared for the heightened uncertainty and volatility in the global economy in the period ahead.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

ACCC grants interim authorisation to allow Battery Stewardship Scheme to continue with limited levy and rebate adjustments.

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation with a condition to the Battery Stewardship Council (BSC) to continue operating the Battery Stewardship Scheme with a limited adjustment of the Scheme’s levy and rebates.

The BSC was formed in 2018 with the primary goal of establishing a Battery Stewardship Scheme to significantly increase battery collections and recycling in Australia.

In September 2020, the ACCC granted authorisation to the BSC to establish and operate a national scheme which manages end-of-life batteries. Under the Scheme, the BSC imposes a weight-based levy on imported batteries at a rate of 4 cents per equivalent battery unit.

By granting interim authorisation, the ACCC will allow the BSC to adjust the levy to take account of changes in the Consumer Price Index since the Scheme’s commencement.

“The Scheme results in significant environmental benefits by diverting the number of batteries headed for landfill, as well as raising public awareness around battery disposal and re-use,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“This interim authorisation is needed to ensure the Scheme’s financial viability, given that costs have risen since its inception.”

Under the interim authorisation, the BSC will also be able to progress the development of new levy arrangements involving an eco-modulated levy to be applied based on battery type. This aims to provide sufficient funding to ensure that rebates provided to participants in the Scheme reflect the actual costs of safe collection and sorting, and to reward processing performance.

“Granting interim authorisation provides the BSC with financial stability, enabling it to maintain the Battery Stewardship Scheme while the ACCC completes its assessment of the proposed broader levy and rebate arrangements,” Mr Keogh said.

In order to address the continued risk of harm from consumers storing button batteries, the ACCC has imposed a condition that the BSC continue implementing its Button Battery Safety Strategy.

“We acknowledge the broader issues raised by interested parties in relation to the Scheme’s performance so far as well as the pathway forward,” Mr Keogh said.

“We will investigate these issues further in our draft determination.”

The interim authorisation will take effect from 4 June 2025 and will remain in place until the ACCC issues its final determination, unless it is revoked or amended by the ACCC.

The ACCC is continuing to assess the BSC’s substantive application, which includes proposals to broaden the scope of the Scheme and further develop levy and rebate mechanisms. Stakeholders will have a further opportunity to comment on the ACCC’s draft determination.

More information, including the ACCC’s reason for decision, is available online on the ACCC’s public register at Battery Stewardship Council.

Note to editors

ACCC authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act (CCA).

Section 91 of the CCA allows the ACCC to grant interim authorisation when it considers it is appropriate and in the public benefit. This allows the parties to engage in proposed conduct while the ACCC is considering the merits of the substantive CCA authorisation application.

The ACCC may review a decision on interim authorisation at any time, including in response to feedback raised following interim authorisation.

Background

Product stewardship is an environmental management strategy that means whoever designs, produces, sells or uses a product takes responsibility for minimising that product’s environmental impact through all of the stages of its life cycle.

The BSC is a not-for-profit entity established to oversee the Battery Stewardship Scheme, which promotes the safe collection, recycling, and disposal of end-of-life batteries. The scheme does not cover automotive lead-acid batteries or batteries already included in other recycling programs.

The BSC first sought authorisation in 2020 for a static, weight-based levy which was charged on imported batteries at a rate of 4 cents per equivalent battery unit. The weight-based charge on imported batteries (or equivalent fee to be paid by members of the scheme) is to be passed on to consumers as a visible levy and used to fund the scheme and a rebate system for service providers responsible for the battery’s collection, sorting and processing.

That authorisation is due to expire on 26 September 2025.

Source: New South Wales – News

Taskforce Artemis was launched in October 2023, shortly after a now 65-year-old man was arrested by SA Police for two historical child abuse offences allegedly committed in South Australia.

The charges relate to 30 victims, with the alleged offending occurring between 1990 to 2023 in South Australia.

SA and NT Police, along with South Australian ODPP Witness Assistance officers have continued to engage with all victims and witnesses to provide support and assistance.

The 65-year-old man is currently on remand and has now been charged with:

* 12 counts of sexual abuse of a child

* 8 counts of indecent assault

* 6 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse

* 4 counts of assault

* 3 counts of aggravated indecent assault

* 3 counts of possess child exploitation material

* 2 counts of aggravated incite or procure child to commit indecent act

* 2 counts of aggravated assault

* 1 count of aggravated compelled sexual manipulation

* 1 count of attempt indecent assault

* 1 count of attempt aggravated incite or procure child to commit indecent act

* 1 count of gross indecency

He appeared in the SA District Court today.

South Australian Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Crime Service Catherine Hilliard said, “Operation Artemis has been a complex and incredibly confronting investigation.

“The SA Police have been working closely with the NTPF as we conduct investigations into this offending.

“The privacy and safety of the victims remains our number one priority. We have been providing updates, along with support, to everyone effected.”

Northern Territory Police Force Assistant Commissioner Michael White said, “While the scale of the alleged offending discovered during investigations by Task Force Artemis is disturbing, it is important the community be aware that these investigations have been methodical and not resulted in any other person being charged with respect to the alleged offending.

“The NTPF is working closely with those effected.”

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://crimestopperssa.com.au/ You can remain anonymous.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A joint South Australian (SA) and Northern Territory (NT) Police Taskforce has charged a man with historical child abuse offences against young people from the Northern Territory that occurred in South Australia.

Taskforce Artemis was launched in October 2023 shortly after a now 65-year-old man was arrested by SA Police for 2 historical child abuse offences allegedly committed in South Australia.

The charges relate to 30 victims, with the alleged offending occurring between 1990 to 2023 in South Australia.

SA and NT Police, along with South Australian ODPP Witness Assistance officers have continued to engage with all victims and witnesses to provide support and assistance.

The 65-year-old man is currently on remand and has now been charged with:

• 12 x Sexual Abuse of a Child
•  8 x Indecent Assault
• 6 x Unlawful Sexual Intercourse
• 4 x Assault
• 3 x Aggravated Indecent Assault
• 3 x Possess Child Exploitation Material
• 2 x Aggravated Incite or procure Child to Commit Indecent Act
• 2 x Aggravated Assault
• 1 x Aggravated Compelled Sexual Manipulation
• 1 x Attempt Indecent Assault
• 1 x Attempt Aggravated Incite or Procure Child to Commit Indecent Act
• 1 x Gross Indecency

He appeared in SA District Court today.

South Australian Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Crime Service Catherine Hilliard said “Operation Artemis has been a complex and incredibly confronting investigation.

“The SA Police have been working closing with the NTPF as we conducted investigations into this offending.

“The privacy and safety of the victims, remains our number one priority. We have been providing updates, along with support, to everyone effected.”

Northern Territory Police Force Assistant Commissioner Michael White said “While the scale of the alleged offending discovered during investigations by Task Force Artemis is disturbing, it is important the community be aware that these investigations have been methodical and not resulted in any other person being charged with respect to the alleged offending.

“The NTPF is working closely with those effected.”

Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://crimestoppers.com.au/ or to contact NTPF Police on 131 444.

You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the ‘Report Abuse’ button at www.accce.gov.au/report.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

CCTV focus in Bellerive investigation

Wednesday, 4 June 2025 – 12:26 pm.

Detectives reviewing CCTV footage from the Bellerive area have identified two people they believe could assist with the ongoing investigation into the death of a 45-year-old man.
The body of Luke Jon Telega was found in an industrial-sized garbage bin on Monday morning, at the rear of a business premises in Percy Street.
Police would like to speak with the woman pictured standing at a shopfront, (Photo 1) who was on Percy Street, Bellerive, around 7:50pm on Sunday, June 1.
Police believe the member of the public may have spoken with someone in Percy Street at the time and may be able to assist with inquiries. The woman was driving what is believed to be a light-coloured Toyota Prado.
Police would also like to speak with the woman pictured at the front of a car, (Photo 2) who was in Percy Street about 8:05pm on Sunday and who may be able to assist detectives. The woman was driving a red SUV at the time.
Further, police would like to speak with anyone who was in the area of Percy Street, Scott Street and Cambridge Road on the evening of Sunday through to 8am on Monday, and may have seen either someone on foot, or riding a bicycle, in these areas.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police of 131 444 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au