Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man and woman charged with child abuse and online child exploitation offences

Thursday, 17 April 2025 – 4:27 pm.

A man and a woman from North-West Coast have been charged with serious child abuse and online child exploitation offences following an investigation by the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), a partnership between Tasmania Police and the Australian Federal Police.
On 18 February 2025, JACET officers executed a search warrant at a residence. During the search, investigators located child exploitation material on the man’s phone involving a young child known to both parties.  
As a result of the investigation, the man has been charged with:
1. Possession, production and distribution of child exploitation material
2. Indecent assault
The woman has been charged with:
1. Possession, production and distribution of child exploitation material
2. Indecent assault
3. Penetrative sexual abuse of a young person (x2)
The man will appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court on 2 June 2025. The woman will appear in the Burnie Magistrates Court on 22 July 2025. 
The child has been placed in alternative care and is receiving ongoing counselling and support services. 
Reporting services:
This case represents some of the most confronting and abhorrent offending we investigate. It’s a stark reminder that child sexual abuse often occurs in places where children should feel safest, in their homes and among people they trust.
Police are committed to protecting children from harm and the partnership between AFP and Tasmania Police strengthens our capability to detect and disrupt offenders who betray the trust of the most vulnerable members of the community. We urge anyone with concerns or suspicions about child abuse, including online exploitation and grooming, to come forward.  
How to report child abuse or online child exploitation:
1. If a child is in immediate danger, call 000
2. Contact Tasmania Police on 131 444
3. Contact Strong Families Safe Kids on 1800 000 123
4. Report anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au
5. Make an online report to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) at: https://www.accce.gov.au/report 

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Death following Austins Ferry crash

Thursday, 17 April 2025 – 3:47 pm.

Sadly, police can confirm a 13-year-old boy has died in Southern Tasmania.    
The boy was a pillion passenger on a moped which crashed on Main Road at Austins Ferry on 11 April.   
Following the crash the boy was taken to hospital in a critical condition and has since passed away.   
Inspector Jason Klug said, “Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected by this young boy’s death.” 
“To the teenagers in our community who are feeling the loss of their friend deeply, I encourage you to support each other and stay safe.” 
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Source: New South Wales Government 2

17 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

This notice is relevant to importers of tomato and capsicum seed for sowing from all countries, as well as their custom brokers.

What is changing?

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry have commenced a review of Australia’s policies for testing tomato and capsicum seed, initially focusing on Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and Tomato mottle mosaic virus (ToMMV).

In the first phase of this…

Source: New South Wales Government 2

17 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

All clients submitting the below declarations:

• Full Import Declaration (FID)
• Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
• Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
• Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
• Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)
• Master…

Source:

We’ve reviewed our advice for India and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution. Higher levels apply in some areas. 

Carrying or using a satellite phone or GPS-enabled devices (including emergency locator beacons) without official permission is illegal. You could be arrested or detained, receive a large fine, have the device confiscated and face significant travel delays (see ‘Local Laws’).

If you have had a baby in India, you must inform the FRRO and secure the appropriate travel document and Indian visa to remain legally in the country or to travel. Failure to comply could result in significant financial penalties by the FRRO (see ‘Travel’).

Travellers have been robbed and assaulted after consuming spiked drinks or food. Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning from consuming alcoholic drinks (see ‘Safety’).

Source: New South Wales – News

Representatives from SAPOL, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA), Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), and Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA) met this week to discuss additional risk mitigation measures.

Currently, a fixed wing shark patrol is conducting routine flights between 9am and 5.30pm, which will sound a siren when a shark is sighted.

Coinciding with the Easter long weekend, SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit and all partner agencies will have increased water patrols across inland and coastal locations and will pay particular attention to the Aldinga Beach area.

“We want the public to enjoy our beautiful beaches, but to do so safely,” Senior Sergeant Andrew Suter from SAPOL’s Water Operations Unit said.

“While authorities are monitoring the loitering shark in the vicinity of Aldinga Beach, we encourage beachgoers to be vigilant and adhere to all rules and regulations when on the water.”

Dr Michael Drew, Research Scientist with the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) said white sharks can unpredictably visit the near-shore coastal waters of South Australia at any time of year.

“The near-shore coastal marine environment is an important habitat for juvenile and sub-adult (<3-4m) white sharks as it provides access to preferred prey species, such as small-bodied sharks and rays, and larger fish species like Australian salmon and snapper,” he said.

Beachgoers are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid swimming near food sources like large schools of fish.

Swimmers should also consider not entering murky waters, deep channels, and areas next to deep water and river mouths.

SLSSA will continue stationing members at Aldinga Beach, and in addition to routine club patrol coverage, will have one jet rescue boat dedicated to patrolling the southern beaches over the Easter long weekend. A secondary jet rescue boat will be available on northern metropolitan beaches.

The southern SLSSA jet rescue boat will aim to provide coverage between 10am and 6pm.

Up-to-date hazard alert information for all South Australian beaches is available to the public via the BeachSafe platform: https://beachsafe.org.au.

BeachSafe is a nationally recognised tool that provides current information for every beach in Australia, including patrol services, hazards, and available facilities and weather conditions, swell, and tide information.

The platform is designed to assist the public in selecting the most suitable and safe location for their beach visit. Should SLSSA receive reports of shark sightings over the weekend, it will promptly update the relevant hazard alerts to the affected beaches via BeachSafe.

Additionally, PIRSA would like to remind the public that using blood, bone, meat, offal or animal skin (other than a fish, worm or insect) for berley is prohibited in SA waters and should be reported to the 24-hour Fishwatch hotline on 1800 065 522.

Fishers are advised that gear restrictions for metropolitan shark fishing apply from Outer Harbor to Lady Bay Shacks, south of Normanville.  More information can be found at pir.sa.gov.au/fishing-sharks-rays or the Recreational Fishing App.

More information about reducing the risk of shark interactions is available at pir.sa.gov.au/reducing-shark-risks

For more information on boating rules and regulations, visit: South Australian boating safety handbook (marinesafety.sa.gov.au)

Report any suspicious behaviour to SAPOL by calling 131 444.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Fatal motorcycle crash to be investigated

Thursday, 17 April 2025 – 1:51 pm.

Sadly, a male motorcyclist has died following a two-vehicle crash on the Brooker Highway at Glenorchy this morning.The crash occurred near the Elwick Road intersection around 8.30am, when a black motorcycle crashed into a white Holden Captiva.Police had attempted to intercept the motorcycle a short time earlier.Upon police arrival, CPR was provided to the rider however sadly, he died at the scene. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.The occupants of the Captiva were not physically injured.As is normal practice in these circumstances, a Professional Standards investigation will be conducted into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash.While the investigation is in its early stages, evidence suggests that the police vehicle was not in the immediate vicinity of the motorcycle, or under lights and sirens, at the time of the crash.Police and emergency services remain on the scene, with the Brooker Highway remaining closed to allow crash scene investigations to be conducted.Police are calling for witnesses to the crash to come forward.Anyone with dash cam footage or information should contact Police on 131444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.auA report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Source:

Camperdown CFA and Lion’s club members

A further 48 Camperdown residents have had their homes further safeguarded from fire as we head toward winter, thanks to the collaborative efforts of community volunteers.

On Saturday, 5 April, 18 dedicated volunteers from the Camperdown Fire Brigade, Camperdown Lions Club and CFA’s South West Region Community Safety team came together to install and test smoke alarms for those in need.

Five teams set out to inspect, test and replace every outdated 9V battery smoke alarm with a 10-year battery targeting vulnerable community members who were unable to obtain, install or maintain smoke alarms themselves.

Together, they successfully visited 48 properties, checking 97 smoke alarms and installing 37 new ones to ensure community members stay protected.

Camperdown’s Brigade Community Safety Coordinator, Sarah Blair said that only working smoke alarms save lives, but for some people, checking and maintaining them is not possible.

“Climbing a ladder can be a real hazard for the ageing population or those with mobility issues. This initiative takes away that worry and ensures their alarms will work when it matters most,” Sarah said.

“Some of the alarms we saw had gone yellow and were well past their expiry date. It’s reassuring knowing they have now been upgraded.

“It might seem like a small upgrade, but it has the power to save lives and offers them peace of mind knowing they are protected for the next decade.”

While Camperdown has been doing the program for a number of years, the brigade’s efforts have been boosted by CFA’s partnership with RACV and their support through the Smoke Alarm Installation Program which kicked off in April 2024.

Since April last year, the program has reached 990 properties statewide, with CFA members engaging with over 1,200 residents to discuss home fire safety and install 1863 smoke alarms at 755 properties.

The initiative highlights the power of community collaboration and strong volunteer spirit, while aiming to increase the understanding and awareness of home fire hazards and reduce the number of preventable fire fatalities.

Smoke alarms play a critical role in early fire detection and evacuation, yet statistics indicate many homes do not have enough smoke alarms or have them installed in the wrong areas, with some residents also unaware if they are in working order.

Camperdown Fire Brigade are proud to work alongside the Lion’s Club and CFA’s South West Region Community Safety team to keep the community safe, one smoke alarm at a time.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: New South Wales Government 2

17 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Biosecurity industry participants and accredited persons operating under Approved Arrangement Class 19, including self-reporting importers, who are interested in attending an information session on the upcoming release of new industry reporting via the Biosecurity Portal.

What has changed?

The department will soon provide two additional reports to industry through the Biosecurity Portal for all accredited persons…

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The Federal Court has today found oil and gas services company Qteq Pty Ltd and its executive chairman Simon Ashton engaged in cartel conduct in relation to the supply of goods and services in the oil and gas industry, following court action by the ACCC.

The Court found that between 2017 and 2019, on five occasions, Qteq and Mr Ashton attempted to induce suppliers in the industry to enter into contracts, arrangements or understandings with them which contained one or more cartel provisions.

Qteq and Mr Ashton were found to have attempted to induce competitors or likely competitors in the upstream phase of production in the oil and gas industry to enter into cartel arrangements or understandings, which included provisions not to supply particular services to large oil and gas companies, to share markets and to rig a multi-million-dollar tender.

“We brought this action because we believed these attempts had the potential to impact competition between Qteq and other current or likely competitors for the supply of goods and services in the oil and gas industry,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Cartels are the most fundamental attack on competition in our economy, and taking actions against them is a high priority for the ACCC.”

“Today’s decision should send a strong warning to all businesses and senior managers that attempting to enter or induce collusive agreements with a competitor is illegal and will be met with strong enforcement action by the ACCC,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

The Court did not find in favour of the ACCC in relation to one additional instance of alleged cartel conduct.

The Court will set a date for a further hearing to consider submissions about penalties and other orders.

Publication of the judgment is pending confidentiality review by the respondents.

Background

Qteq is a Queensland-based company which provides mining equipment and technology services to support the upstream oil and gas industry.

Its primary business is the sale, installation, and servicing of downhole pressure gauges to coal seam gas producers, which is known as ‘gauge works’. At the relevant time, Qteq was the market leader in providing gauge work services.

Gauge works are a form of monitoring and measurement where a downhole gauge system is inserted into a well to monitor the water level so that the rate at which water is pumped out of the coal seam can be controlled.

The ACCC filed civil cartel proceedings against Qteq and Mr Ashton in December 2022.

Notes for editors

A cartel exists when businesses agree to act together instead of competing with each other. Conduct can include price fixing, sharing markets, rigging bids and controlling the output or limiting the amount of goods and services.

Anyone who thinks they may be involved in alleged cartel conduct is urged to call the ACCC Cartel Immunity Hotline on (02) 9230 3894. More information about the immunity process is available on the ACCC website at Cartels. They can also report alleged cartel conduct by using the anonymous cartel portal. 

The ACCC investigates cartel conduct and can take civil cartel proceedings in the Federal Court or refer serious cartel conduct to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

For corporations, the maximum penalty for each cartel offence before 9 November 2022 is the greater of:

• $10 million,
• three times the total benefits that have been obtained and are reasonably attributable to the commission of the offence, or
• if the total value of the benefits cannot be determined,10 per cent of the corporation’s annual turnover connected with Australia.

An individual found to have been involved in civil cartel conduct before 9 November 2022 is subject to a maximum penalty of $500,000 for each act or omission. 

The maximum civil penalties for cartel conduct by corporations and individuals were substantially increased with effect from 9 November 2022.