Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Australian fast-food franchise Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd has paid penalties totalling $150,240 after the ACCC issued it with eight infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law by failing to comply with the mandatory button battery information standard.

The infringement notices relate to a Garfield toy powered by button batteries that was supplied nationwide without the important warnings and information required by the mandatory information standard.

Between 20 May 2024 and 30 May 2024, Hungry Jack’s supplied 27,850 of the Garfield toys with its children’s meals.

While the Garfield toy complied with the button battery safety standard, it did not advise consumers that it contained button batteries, nor provide relevant warnings about the potentially fatal hazards these pose or advice about what to do if a child ingested one.

“Button batteries are extremely dangerous for young children and tragically, children have been seriously injured or died from swallowing or ingesting them,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“The ACCC continues to see non-compliant products on the market which pose unacceptable safety risks to vulnerable young children. We take non-compliance with these important standards seriously and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate.”

The ACCC has also accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Hungry Jack’s in which it admitted the Garfield toy is likely to have failed to comply with the button battery information standard.

Hungry Jack’s has undertaken to establish and implement a compliance program designed to minimise Hungry Jacks’ risk of future breaches of the Australian Consumer Law.

Millions of consumer goods worldwide contain button batteries. If swallowed, a button battery can become stuck in a child’s throat and result in catastrophic injuries, and even death, in as little as two hours. In Australia, three children have died and more than one child a month is injured from incidents involving button batteries. 

Businesses involved in the supply of button batteries and products containing them must ensure compliance with both the mandatory safety and information standards. The safety standards require products containing button batteries to be sold in child resistant packaging and to have secure battery compartments to prevent children from gaining access to the batteries.  The information standards require warnings and emergency advice on packaging and instructions.

Images of the Garfield toy including packaging

Recalled product

Hungry Jack’s has recalled the Garfield toy. Consumers can return the toy to their nearest Hungry Jack’s restaurant for a free replacement for a non-battery toy.

ACCC guidance for businesses and consumers

Button batteries are small, round and shiny and can be appealing for young children to swallow or insert, which poses a significant risk of serious injury or death. Compliance with the mandatory standards helps to prevent this.

If you suspect your child has swallowed or inserted a button battery:

• call Triple Zero (000) immediately if your child is bleeding or having any difficulty breathing
• call 13 11 26 immediately for 24/7 fast and expert advice from the Poisons Information Centre.

Prompt action is critical, do not wait for symptoms to develop. Serious injury can occur in as little as two hours and can be fatal.

The ACCC strongly encourages consumers to check for button battery products in their homes and take steps to secure them to keep them safe for young children. Consumers can check the list of recalled products on the ACCC Product Safety website.

Anyone who has experienced product safety incidents (including near misses) is strongly encouraged to report these to the supplier and to report safety concerns about particular products to the ACCC via the Product Safety website.

Suppliers of button battery products must submit a report to the ACCC within 2 days if they become aware that a consumer good they have supplied caused or may have caused a death, serious injury or serious illness. Further information about this reporting can be found in the ACCC’s Mandatory Reporting Guideline.

The ACCC has published a fact sheet and guide for businesses on the button battery mandatory standards to assist businesses with meeting their obligations.

Notes to editors

The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain consumer protection provisions in the Australian Consumer Law.

The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law. The Australian Consumer Law sets the penalty amount.

Background

Hungry Jack’s Pty Ltd is an Australian fast-food franchise of the Burger King corporation.

Four mandatory button battery standards operate in Australia which aim to make button battery products safer and provide consumers with important safety information.

The ACCC consulted and engaged extensively with industry during the 18-month transition period before the standards became mandatory, including working with businesses to explain the changes that would be required to comply with the new standards.

Product safety, and consumers experiencing a vulnerability or disadvantage, are enduring ACCC priorities, and consumer product safety issues for young children (with a focus on compliance with the button battery standards) is a 2025-26 ACCC compliance and enforcement priority.

Other button battery enforcement outcomes include:

• In April 2025 the ACCC commenced proceedings against Fewstone Pty Ltd (trading as City Beach) regarding allegations that City Beach offered for sale 70 product lines containing button batteries which did not comply with Australia’s mandatory button battery standards.
• In May 2023, the Reject Shop and Dusk paid a total of nearly $240,000 in penalties after the ACCC issued infringement notices for alleged failure to comply with mandatory product safety and information standards in Halloween novelty products containing button batteries.
• In June 2023, the ACCC, in collaboration with state and territory consumer protection regulators, announced the outcome of market surveillance of over 400 businesses and 8 online platforms which identified a concerning level of non-compliance with the information standards, and to a lesser extent with the safety standards.
• In October 2023, Tesla Motors Australia Pty Ltd paid penalties totalling $155,460 after the ACCC issued 10 infringement notices for alleged contraventions of the Australian Consumer Law in relation to the supply of 3 types of car key fobs and 2 types of illuminating door sills that allegedly did not comply with the safety and information standards.
• In December 2023 Repco, Supercheap Auto and Innovative Mechatronics Group paid penalties totalling $119,280 after the ACCC issued them with infringement notices for supplying aftermarket car key remotes that allegedly did not comply with the information standards.
• In June 2024, MDI International Pty Ltd and TEEG Australia Pty Ltd  each paid penalties of $49,500 after the ACCC issued them with infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law, by failing to comply with the testing requirements of the button battery safety standard.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Jim Chalmers:

The election was a big win for Australian workers. These workers here will be the beneficiaries of Labor’s economic plan which is all about getting inflation down, keeping unemployment low, getting wages up, getting the debt down, seeing growth rebound solidly in our economy, and we’re starting to see interest rates come down as well. On Saturday, Australians voted for decent pay and lower taxes and help with the cost of living. Now, in our first term, we governed every day for the working people of middle Australia and that approach won’t change. In uncertain times, we will continue to manage the economy in a responsible and a methodical and a considered way and the working people of our great country will continue to be front and centre. I’ll hand you over to Murray and then Anika.

Murray Watt:

Thanks very much, Jim. Well, today will be a great celebration for the working people of Queensland. Over the last term, the Albanese government has deliberately changed our workplace laws to make sure that working people get a fairer deal. We’ve seen real wages increasing now under the Albanese government as a result of our laws and today will be a celebration of the fact that Australians said yes to higher wages and more secure work, and they said no to Peter Dutton’s plan to cut wages, cut working from home, and make life harder for working people. So I know we’re all looking forward to getting out there and celebrating with people who put their shoulder to the wheel in this election. It’s going to be a great day, and it’s a great day for Queensland.

Anika Wells:

The ABS tells us that the average Australian is a 38‑year‑old working woman, and that’s what the union movement looks like here, and that’s what the labour movement looks like, and that’s why the Albanese Labor government understands that and has delivered for women in the first term. And we are so thrilled that Queenslanders in particular, have placed their trust in us to continue to do that important work for another term. We set records in the 47th parliament. We were the first ever majority woman government. We were the first ever gender equal Cabinet, and now in the 48th parliament, I’m confident we will continue to do the work and set records, because Queenslanders have elected 7 new Queensland women to send Canberra to fight for their communities and we can’t wait to get going.

Chalmers:

Happy to take your questions.

Journalist:

Does it feel like a big victory rally after what happened over the weekend?

Chalmers:

Oh, certainly I think there’s a lot of gratitude for the working people of this country, what they do every day, but the way that they showed up on election day to re‑elect a good Labor government and our responsibilities to the working people of Australia, the working people of Queensland, are really clear – decent pay and conditions, lower income taxes, helping people with the cost of living, making sure that in difficult times, people can get by, work hard and provide for their loved ones.

Journalist:

How big should the Cabinet reshuffle be?

Chalmers:

Well, that’s a matter for the party to determine, the new party room which is bigger now, and as Anika said, a much bigger contribution from Queensland which we are incredibly proud of. And so the party room will determine the make‑up of the front bench, and the Prime Minister will allocate the portfolios and that’s as it should be.

Journalist:

Should there be more Queenslanders in the ministry, now?

Chalmers:

We can never have too many Queenslanders. And standing here with 2 Cabinet colleagues from Queensland, I know the huge difference that these 2 make in the Cabinet. For too long now, Queensland has been long on influence but short on numbers in the federal parliamentary Labor party. Now we are long on influence and longer on numbers and that’s a very good thing, and we hope to see that represented in the decision making of the government going forward.

Journalist:

So maybe a couple more ministers from Queensland?

Chalmers:

I don’t want to pre‑empt the party’s processes or the deliberations that the Prime Minister will be engaged in right now. You can never have too many Queenslanders. I’ve seen the difference that these 2 have made as they’ve joined the Cabinet, Anika most recently. So the more Queenslanders, the better, that’s our position. We have made a huge contribution to this victory, massive contribution and I give a big shout out to all of the new members from Queensland and everybody who helped get them over the line.

Journalist:

Do you have a preference for Liberal leader?

Chalmers:

I think it would be extraordinary if Angus Taylor was rewarded for one of the worst performances that I have ever seen. It would be very strange if Angus Taylor escaped the blame for the Liberal Party debacle on Saturday. Peter Dutton has stood up and taken some responsibility for that outcome, it’s time for Angus Taylor to do the same. I think it would be extraordinary if Angus Taylor was rewarded with a promotion after the diabolical contribution that he made to this history making Coalition defeat.

Journalist:

There could be a new Shadow Treasurer as you elude to there. Is there anyone that you’re worried about going up against?

Chalmers:

Well, I’m not sure who they’ll put up for shadow treasury. My focus is on doing my job well, working with Anthony Albanese and the Cabinet to continue to provide that responsible economic management with working people front and centre. In due course, we’ll get a Shadow Treasurer. I can’t imagine they could be any worse than the current Shadow Treasurer, but we’ll see.

Journalist:

Just a couple of quick questions for Minister Wells. Are you happy with your current role or would you like it to change?

Wells:

It’s been an absolute privilege to be the Aged Care Minister and the Minister for Sport. You’ll probably remember by now that mum and I worked together in aged care 20 years ago and it was such an honour to come back and do important structural work to set the sector up for success in the future. There’s a lot more work to do in aged care, and I’d be privileged to do it. Now as for sport, obviously Brisbane 2032 is our North Star. It’s the zenith we’re all working towards. It’s a real privilege to work on policy that allows us to think beyond the 24/7 media cycle, or this week in the media, think about how we want to set up our own city and how we want it to look in the eyes of the world from now to 7 years’ time.

Journalist:

You don’t want a new portfolio?

Wells:

That is for the Prime Minister to decide and like Jim says, for our party colleagues to work through, particularly given we are still waiting on several races to settle, including here in Queensland with Longman and Forde still being counted.

Journalist:

Senator Watt, same question. Would you like a new portfolio?

Chalmers:

You got a bit of warning, Muzz.

Watt:

I did, yeah. Look, it’s a privilege to serve in the Cabinet, and any role there obviously matters for the Prime Minister. I’ve really enjoyed working in this role, and particularly on a day like this when we get together with working people to celebrate the wins of the entire labour movement to deliver better wages and conditions for workers in Australia.

Journalist:

You’ve been to a few of these marches? Is it pretty jubilant atmosphere here today?

Watt:

It really is. We couldn’t have timed this rally better, this march better for the day after the election, so thanks Prime Minister for organising the election date around that and already you can see the smiles on the faces here, lots of people cheering for a Labor win, because they know what it means to have a Labor government working for working people and making sure their wages rise and don’t go backwards.

Journalist:

Thank you.

Chalmers:

Thanks everyone.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Act 2024 and Capital Works (Build To Rent Misuse Tax) Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 10 December 2024. A legislative instrument covering initial standards for the BTR measure was made on 18 December 2024 and further legislative instruments will be made in 2025. The measure commenced from 1 January 2025.

There are some aspects of the law that may not be clear and may require administrative or interpretive guidance for those adopting the BTR laws. The ATO is aware of certain areas where stakeholders may require interpretive assistance. We are consulting to understand what guidance stakeholders require to correctly apply the laws, so we can support their participation and compliance.

We anticipate public advice and guidance will reduce the number of enquiries raised with the ATO on the BTR measure. These enquiries could range from general administrative enquiries through to private binding rulings.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source:

We’ve reviewed our advice for Sudan and continue to advise do not travel due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict and civil unrest. Australians should strongly consider leaving Sudan as soon as possible. There are commercial departure options from Port Sudan and Port Suakin. Carefully consider the risks for any departure route, including during ceasefires. The security situation remains volatile, and violence can escalate at short notice. Adopt appropriate personal security measures and remain vigilant. Monitor media for updates (see ‘Safety’).

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

COWELL

Issued on
05 May 2025 14:14

Cowell Grass Fire

Issued for COWELL near Lincoln Highway and Mitchellville Road intersection, 3km North of Cowell in the Eastern Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.

CFS firefighters on 3 trucks have contained the fire, which was burning adjacent the roadside on Lincoln Highway. Firefighters will remain on scene into this afternoon to ensure the fireground remains safe.

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

Emergency services may be working on and around roads in the area, and motorists are advised to stay away. If you need to travel on roads in the area, please take care and drive to the local conditions.

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

Message ID 0008585

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Sarah Proudfoot has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the ACCC following an extensive external recruitment process.

Ms Proudfoot started with the ACCC/AER in 2005 when she joined the agency’s Infocentre.

She has since held a range of senior roles in the agency, including executive general manager of the ACCC Infrastructure Division between 2020 and 2024 with oversight of the ACCC’s work across telecommunications, rail, ports, airports, electricity and gas as well as the 2023 Childcare Inquiry.

Ms Proudfoot was appointed executive general manager of the ACCC’s National Anti-Scam Centre in August 2024 and has been acting chief executive since February 2025.

“During her career Sarah has consistently demonstrated her ability as an outstanding strategic leader with personal drive, credibility and integrity, and a strong commitment to public service,” ACCC Chair Gina-Cass Gottlieb said.

“I am confident that with Sarah’s contribution as CEO leading our capable people, our agency will continue to deliver important outcomes for the Australian economy and community.”

Ms Proudfoot said: “One of the many things I’ve loved in my time at the ACCC is the fact our work makes a difference to people’s lives every day. It is a significant responsibility and privilege to take on the role of CEO and to work with Commissioners and our talented, dedicated team in the interests of consumers and protecting competition across our economy.”  

Ms Proudfoot holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services