Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

New data released by the Australia Bureau of Statistics shows that annual real wages have grown for 18 months in a row under the Albanese Labor Government.

Under Labor, more Australians are working, earning more and keeping more of what they earn.

We’re really pleased with today’s figures which show annual real wages have now grown for six quarters in a row, after going badly backwards under the previous Liberal government and falling for the five quarters in the lead up to the 2022 election.

Australians voted for higher wages at the election, and that’s what today’s numbers show.

The wage price index grew 0.9 per cent in the March quarter 2025, to be 3.4 per cent higher through the year.

Real wages grew 1.0 per cent through the year to the March quarter 2025.

This is the strongest rate of annual real wage growth in five years.

Annual real wages have grown by more than 0.8 per cent for three quarters in a row, which is the longest consistent run of real wage growth in almost ten years above that rate.

Since we’ve come to Government average annualised nominal wages have been growing at 3.7 per cent, much higher than the 2.2 per cent under our predecessors.

The Government’s policies are driving strong and sustainable wage growth for workers.

We’re acting to boost wages, close the gender pay gap, deliver workplace relations reforms and secure pay rises for some of the lowest‑paid workers in our community. Our support for the lowest paid workers means minimum wage earners are now earning $143.30 per week more than when we came to government.

At the same time, we’ve overseen the creation of more than 1 million jobs in our first three years, a record for a Parliamentary term and stronger employment growth than any major advanced economy.

This means under Labor real wages are up, unemployment is low, inflation is down, interest rates have started to fall, every taxpayer is getting a tax cut and living standards are growing again in our economy.

This is the result of the remarkable progress Australians have made together in the economy over the past three years.

We know the job isn’t finished because Australians are still under pressure and we know we will be faced with more global economic volatility and unpredictability over the next three years, not less.

Getting wages moving again is one of the ways we can help households right around Australia prepare for more uncertainty and instability in the global economy.

We know that productivity growth is the key for strong and sustainable wages growth in the long term and that’s why our five‑pillar productivity agenda across technology, human capital, energy, care and competition is so important.

Source: New South Wales – News

Youth and Street Gangs Task Force is aware there is tension between rival street gangs and over the past week conflict has seen members attending opposing street gang homes and causing substantial property damage, assaults and aggravated affrays across metropolitan Adelaide.

On Tuesday 6 May, police were called to a home at Salisbury Park after suspects smashed the windows to a home and two vehicles parked at the property.  A short time later patrols attended a Brahma Lodge property after a group smashed the front windows of a home and damaged the front door.

Just before 10.30pm on the same date, a group of people attended a Salisbury East address armed with baseball bats and machetes and damaged the windows of the home.

In the early hours of Wednesday 7 May, patrols were called to Rostrevor following damage to a letterbox and motor vehicle.

Following investigations into these incidents, a number of weapons have been seized including baseball bats, knives, machetes, an axe, hammer and baton.  Seven people have been arrested with further arrests to be expected next week.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

Go-Jo to showcase talent on the world stage at Eurovision 2025, thanks to support from the Albanese Labor Government.

The International Cultural Diplomacy Arts Fund supports Australia’s global cultural engagement to increase access to international audiences.

Australia’s representative, Go-Jo will present his electro pop song Milkshake Man in the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, thanks to combined funding support from Music Australia. 

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said that Go-Jo would show international audiences the breadth and depth of Australian talent.

“We’re supporting Australia’s own Go-Jo to unlock the global reach of Eurovision and perform on one of the world’s largest stages.

“We know how important it is to engage with international audiences. Not only does it create cultural dialogue but it strengthens bonds and builds appreciation for our home grown Australian talent.”

The Eurovision final will be held on Saturday 17, May 2025.

Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

I am honoured to have been sworn in as Federal Minister for Emergency Management, and to be reappointed as Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.

In my maiden speech to Parliament, I committed to supercharging the response to bushfire recovery, after parts of our community in Eden-Monaro experienced some of the worst fires our country has ever seen.

I am incredibly proud to be part of a government that is serious about reducing disaster risk, and strengthening our emergency management and disaster recovery capabilities.

Under the leadership of Minster Watt and Minister McAllister, the Albanese Government has launched the National Emergency Management Agency and the Disaster Ready Fund, funded Disaster Relief Australia, established our National Emergency Management Stockpile, and expanded our National Aerial Firefighting capabilities.

We have delivered all 15 Commonwealth-led recommendations from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, and we continue to boost the disaster resilience of our telecommunications networks.

I am humbled to continue the critical work of the Emergency Management portfolio alongside Assistant Minister Wilson, including progressing the National Messaging System.

I also look forward to continuing to work with Minister King to strengthen the local government sector, which is not only on the front line of disaster response and recovery, but responsible for many services our communities rely on. 

I am proud to have brought local government back to the table as a trusted delivery partner – including at National Cabinet and through two successful Australian Council of Local Government forums – while increasing local road funding for every council and launching transparent grant programs that every community can apply for.

We remain committed to supporting councils, including through our response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Local Government Sustainability, which we will finalise this term.

I have always lived in our regions and love the quality of life it affords us, which is why I will continue standing up for Eden-Monaro and regional Australia to ensure we get our fair share.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New South Wales – News

The March rolling year crime statistics reveal shop theft has declined for the fifth successive period, recording an eight per cent reduction – 1,511 offences – from 18,783 to 17,272 reported incidents.

The reduction follows the previous eight per cent reduction in the February period, a five per cent decline in January, three per cent in December and two per cent in November.

Acting Assistant Commissioner (metropolitan Operations Service) John de Candia said the reduction in offending corresponded with the continuing efforts of officers involved in Operation Measure across all policing districts.

“We continue targeting the hardcore, recidivist offenders we know are committing large numbers of shoplifting offences and that is having an impact,’’ he said.

“Some of these offenders are committing literally dozens of offences across the metropolitan area, often endangering innocent members of the community.’’

While Operation Measure teams continue to target individual offenders, operations are also held at specific locations that record high levels of offending. One such two-day operation at an eastern suburbs liquor outlet in March resulted in the arrest of four offenders.

Significant arrests in March included a Christie Downs man, 27, who was charged with 19 counts of shop theft committed across multiple districts, a Renown Park man, 22, charged with 22 counts of shop theft mostly committed in the western suburbs and an Elizabeth South man, 37, who was charged with 14 counts of shop theft committed in the northern suburbs.

The March rolling year statistics also reveal house break-ins have dropped for the ninth successive period, while car theft and robbery and related offences have also continued to decrease significantly.

The figures reveal house break-ins declined by eight per cent in the period from 5,873 to 5,378 reported offences. This followed a seven per cent decline in the February period, a five per cent decline in the January period and a six per cent decline in the December period.

The number of non-residential break-ins declined by five per cent from 3,672 to 3,476 reported offences. This followed an identical decline in the February period.

Car theft and theft from a vehicle have again recorded decreases in the March period. Car theft dropped by nine per cent or 340 offences – from 3,814 to 3,474 offences. This followed an 11 per cent decline in the February period, 12 per cent in January and an 11 per cent drop in the December period.

Theft from a motor vehicle declined by 23 per cent – from 10,082 to 7,796 offences. This followed a 22 per cent decline in February, a 20 per cent drop in January and a 19 per cent decrease in the December and November periods.

Robbery and related offences also continued to decrease in the March period with a 13 per cent decline reported. Within that category aggravated robbery declined by 16 per cent or 80 offences – from 503 offences to 423 offences – while non-aggravated robbery declined by six per cent – from 81 offences to 76 offences.

The number of homicides committed in South Australia has continued to decrease with a 52 per cent decline recorded in the March period – from 23 to 11 offences.

While a majority of offence categories showed decreases in the March period, increases were recorded in offences including serious assaults not resulting in injury, common assault, aggravated sexual assault, property damage and graffiti.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

NT Police are calling for information in relation to the theft of a large amount of power tools and inventory stolen from a business in Winnellie on 11 May 2025.

Police received reports of two offenders allegedly damaging a fence and unlawfully entering a business premises between the hours of 3:30am and 5:30am on Sunday. It is alleged the offenders accessed a pallet of items and stole them from the premises.

Strike Force Trident responded to the incident and on Monday arrested a 38-year-old male for the offending.

Investigations remain ongoing to locate the outstanding offender and the items that were stolen.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident, particularly anyone with dashcam footage of suspicious activity along the Stuart Highway between the intersections of Hook Road and Lee Street around the time, is urged to contact police on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

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Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

I am honoured to be reappointed the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in the second term Albanese Labor Government, and I thank the Prime Minister for his continued support. 

In our first three years, we embarked on a transformative agenda to reform commonwealth infrastructure investment and return discipline to investment decisions. 

This included reforming the infrastructure pipeline so Australians can have confidence projects can be delivered when they are promised, and securing new five-year funding agreements with the jurisdictions that require infrastructure investments to be properly planned and costed.

In transport, we embarked on significant reform to Australia’s aviation industry including reforms to the slot system at Sydney Airport for the first time in 25 years, and landed a record number of bilateral air agreements. 

We restored integrity to the federal grants process, increased funding for local roads, and legislated a national fuel efficiency standard. 

With the foundations set in the first term, it is time to harness the opportunity to build a better and stronger future, with infrastructure that connects people and businesses and makes our communities not just liveable, but desirable.

We have a significant agenda for our second term, including: establishing a robust consumer aviation protection regime, preserving regional aviation and driving competition in the sector; driving productivity in construction and across our supply chains; getting on with Melbourne Airport Rail, fixing Queensland’s Bruce Highway, finishing Western Sydney International, and much more. 

I look forward to continuing to work with an impressive team of Ministers to progress this important work.  

The Australian people have put their trust in us and we look forward to delivering on our commitments.