Category: MIL-OSI

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

Source: South Australia Police

The City of Wanneroo shares our respects following the passing of a pioneering figure in our local business community, Bill Meredith, at the age of 91 years old.

Source:

A CFA volunteer has had the chance to say thank you to fellow volunteers and paramedics that helped save his life.

John Moyes, a volunteer with Yarragon CFA, suffered a cardiac arrest while responding to a grass and scrub fire on Tuesday 4 March 2025 in Yarragon.

Shortly after arriving at the scene, John collapsed.

Crews from Trafalgar were on scene battling the blaze and Commander Greg Fisher said he immediately snapped into action.

“We had to fight the fire, but we also needed to help John,” he said.

“Thankfully, our members are first aid trained, and we were able to quickly begin doing what we needed to do.”

Immediately following contact with Triple Zero (000), Trafalgar members, Sally Neenan, Colin Proctor, and Danny Mynard, got to work on John, starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and attaching an automated external defibrillator (AED) from one of the trucks.

“It was all a bit of a blur,” Danny said.

“But my training kicked in and I just did what I had to do to help save John.”

Sally said John collapsed behind her and having just refreshed her CPR just months before, she was able to rely on her knowledge to help save John.

“It was daunting but it really drives home the importance of having your first aid and CPR training even if you’re just a member of the community, this could have happened anywhere,” she said.

Colin said having an AED was a huge help to their CPR efforts.

“We were really glad to have the defibrillator right there on the truck,” he said.

The trio continued CPR, delivering three shocks with the AED prior to the arrival of Ambulance Victoria paramedics. At the time of handover, John remained pulseless and unconscious.

Paramedics took over care, intubated John and placed him into an induced coma. He was transported in a critical condition to the Victorian Heart Hospital for specialist care.

John said he was “forever indebted” to those that intervened early and saved his life.

“They are the reason I am here,” John said.

“Because they knew what to do, I have another chance.”

Greg said the incident was a good reminder about the importance of early intervention, having AEDs on trucks, and completing first aid training with CFA.

“We offer basic first aid and CPR training to all CFA members and this really showed us why this training is so important,” Greg said.

“Our members do more than just fight fires; they are there to help their communities in so many different situations.

“All CFA primary firefighting appliances are also fitted with AED’s which is an amazing resource.”

Ambulance Victoria Gippsland Clinical Support Officer Dion Meade said John’s recovery was testament to the quick actions of those around him.

“It’s fantastic to see John alive and doing so well, which is all because of his peers who immediately started the chain of survival by implementing Call, Push, Shock,” he said.

“We know the significant impact of early intervention, with a patient’s chance of survival almost doubling when they receive CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive.

“The Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry 2023-24 showed Victoria has Australia’s best cardiac survival rate and the third best in the world, which is because of people, like Sally, Colin and Danny, stepping in when they see someone in cardiac arrest.

“Anyone can save a life by remembering to Call Triple Zero 000, give CPR by pushing hard and fast on the middle of the chest, and use an AED if available.”

Additional resources:

To find a list of registered AED’s in Victoria, visit registermyaed.ambulance.vic.gov.au.

Call, Push, Shock resources are available in multiple languages on the Ambulance Victoria website: ambulance.vic.gov.au/translated-resources/

Learn more in the 2023/24 Victorian Ambulance Cardiac Arrest Registry (VACAR) Annual Report.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: This is really exciting. It’s about bringing university closer to where people live in the outer suburbs of our big cities and in particular here in Perth. We’re setting up a hub here in Ellenbrook, but also in Armadale and in Mandurah. It’s about making sure that wherever you live, you get a chance at going to university. And this will help people who are studying at uni now to be able to study closer to home. But also hopefully it’ll help a lot of young people who’ve got a dream to go to university but just think that it’s too far away. 

Next door I got a chance to meet a young woman who’s studying to become a school teacher. She’s at Edith Cowan University at the moment and she’s got to travel about an hour to get to university. Now she only has to travel five minutes. I met a bloke who’s doing a PhD at RMIT in Victoria. He just lives across the road and now he could study right across the road, just a two minute walk to get to university. And I’m hoping that for kids at school today in Ellenbrook, they’ll see the sign university and they’ll know that, “hey, I can go to uni too.”

JOURNALIST: 100 per cent, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? You’re obviously in Perth for Cabinet today. Anything on your agenda?

CLARE: This is the first time that the Cabinet’s back in Perth since the election and it’s a great opportunity not just to meet as a Cabinet and talk about the fantastic things that are happening here in WA, but to meet with Roger Cook and his team and continue the great work that we’re doing together. As Education Minister, I’m doing a lot of work with WA. WA was the first state in Australia to sign up to the new education agreement to fully fund our schools. So, I’m looking forward to catching up with the Education Minister tomorrow. 

JOURNALIST: First thing on the agenda is cutting HECS. Is that something that really excites you?

CLARE: Big time. There are 3 million Aussies across the country that have a HECS debt and we’re going to cut their debt by 20 per cent. It’ll be the very first piece of legislation that we introduce into the Parliament next month and I’ll have the privilege to introduce that legislation. That’s going to make a massive difference for young people right across the country. The average debt today is about $27,000. That means for a lot of people it’s going to cut their debt by $5,000. That’ll make it a lot easier for young people starting out who are just getting started, just moving out of home, just wanting to get a mortgage and buy their first home. Cutting that debt will make a world of difference. I want more young people to have a crack at university. That means setting up hubs like this and also means cutting their debt.

JOURNALIST: 100 per cent. Tania, is there anything you’d like to add on the announcement today?

TANIA LAWRENCE, MEMBER FOR HASLUCK: Yes. Ellenbrook is a part of the growth corridor in the outer region of Perth. There will be projected 76,000 people living out in this area by 2036. And we know that the infrastructure that’s needed for this community is being realised under the Labor Government both at the state and the federal level. We’ve now got a train station just within proximity, walking distance of today’s opening of the Ellenbrook Study Hub. We have a need to ensure that every student has access to affordable education. We’re achieving that with the reduction in the HECS debt. We are achieving that with making access to a study hub environment like this. 

A means for students, no matter where they live, no matter their home environment, that they have the opportunity to be able to study in a place that is supportive, that’s inclusive and that allows them access to resources to ensure they get the best results at university. I’m definitely proud to be part of a Labor Government that sees education as a silver bullet. That we are investing in education from tiny tots with early education access right through to as the Minister spoke about having every public school now fully funded within Western Australia through to free TAFE and now with university making it more affordable but also more accessible with the Ellenbrook Study Hub opening today.
 

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.