Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

The Albanese Government is providing an additional $5 million in emergency assistance in response to the worsening impacts of recent cyclones and flooding in the Indo-Pacific region.

This brings Australia’s total assistance to over $14 million since October, supporting local and international partners to provide urgent lifesaving assistance to affected communities.

Today’s announcement includes an additional $2.5 million for Sri Lanka, increasing Australia’s response to the impacts of Cyclone Ditwah to $3.5 million. Australia is engaging with all affected countries, with support to be provided through Australian NGOs and the United Nations as requested to meet urgent needs.

In recent weeks, Australia’s close partners in our region have experienced the devastating impacts of cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides. Communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have all been affected.

Australia’s support is providing emergency relief supplies, shelter, food, water and sanitation, and it is meeting the needs of displaced communities, including support for health and education. Our funding prioritises the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, girls and people with disability.

Australia will continue to work with countries and communities in the region as a steadfast and reliable partner across the Indo-Pacific.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent floods and devastation in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. We are working with our partners in the region to deliver life-saving assistance to accelerate their response.

“Australia is committed to supporting our neighbours in good times and bad – we are a partner our region can count on.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development Dr Anne Aly:

“Recent severe weather and earthquakes have had devastating impacts for communities in our region, and we’re ensuring our neighbours have the support they need to help communities to respond.

“Already vulnerable community groups – such as women and girls and people with disability – are regularly the worst impacted when disaster strikes. We’re working with trusted and experienced partners to ensure assistance is getting to the people who need it.”

Source: Australia Government Statements 4

04 12 2025 – Media release

Warwick Thornton behind-the-scenes of Wolfram
Screen Australia’s Drama Report shows expenditure on drama production in Australia reached a record $2.7 billion in 2024/25, a 43% increase on the previous year. The uplift points to holistic sector growth driven by high-budget features and subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) production, with a $678 million increase from an expansion of international activity.
Of the 174 titles that entered production in 2024/25, 71 were Australian, with $1.1 billion spent on local stories – a 14% increase in expenditure from 2023/24. The findings reflect Australia’s interconnected screen ecosystem where both domestic and international production contribute to the health of the sector, providing economic benefit, infrastructure, training and employment opportunities.

Screen Australia CEO Deirdre Brennan said, “This strong result is a testament to the hard work and creativity of our screen practitioners, who are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. The numbers reflect a complex story of production value and content volume. While there is moderate growth in local drama expenditure, fewer TV titles entered production across free-to-air, subscription-video-on-demand and children’s content, showing ongoing shifts in commissioning behaviour. This presents an industry challenge, but also an opportunity to seek out new areas of collaboration and innovative production to ensure we continue to elevate Australian storytelling.”
The Drama Report also highlights an increase in expenditure from international TV and video-on-demand (VOD) productions amounting to $458 million, and a record spend of $1 billion from 20 international features filming in Australia.
Kate Marks, CEO of Ausfilm, a government and industry partnership that promotes Australia as a leading film and television production destination, said, “We celebrate this record level of international production activity, driven by the reformed Location Offset. This activity helps sustain the ecosystem that supports Australian stories by keeping our crews working, funding training, enabling investments into screen businesses and building capabilities. At a time of global industry disruption, the ongoing mix of local and international work makes our screen industry resilient, sustainable and globally competitive.”
Screen production in Australia continues to experience the impact of global economic conditions and multi-faceted disruption to distribution platforms and business models, underpinned by evolving audience behaviour and media consolidation.

Brennan continued, “In the current market, research and insights are vital for screen creatives and businesses looking to make future-focused decisions. The Drama Report is an indicator of narrative trends. When assessing the state of the industry, we consider this report alongside the pipeline of projects seeking development and production funding, feedback from global markets and data tracking across all genres including documentary.”
As part of Screen Australia’s new Corporate Plan 2025-2029, the agency is expanding their research program. In 2026, the agency will release an updated Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) offering deeper insight into our screen workforce capability and readiness for growth, as well as a landmark Screen Currency report measuring the economic, social and cultural value of Australian screen and games production.
The Drama Report is presented via an interactive Power BI dashboard, with a user guide available.  
2024/25 Drama Report Key Findings

A record $2.7 billion was spent on 174 Australian and International titles.
$1.1 billion was spent on Australian titles, up 14% on last year. This increase was largely driven by investment in a number of high-budget theatrical features and subscription TV and SVOD titles.
The number of Australian titles entering production declined year-on-year from 89 to 71. Local productions accounted for 40% of total expenditure, down from 50% in 2023/24.
Total expenditure on Australian theatrical features increased 76% to $379 million in 2024/25. This was driven by a limited number of high-budget films over $50 million. Features in the $1-5 million budget range dominated, with the number of features made for over $20 million increasing from 2023/24.
$654 million was spent on 32 Australian general TV/VOD drama titles, 1% down on 2023/24, with a decline in volume (titles, total hours) in 2024/25.

Subscription TV and SVOD – $492 million spent on 18 titles, up 5% from last year’s $471 million (28 titles).
FTA TV – $162 million spent on 14 titles, a 14% decrease on last year’s expenditure on 16 titles.

Australian and global streaming platforms contributed the largest share of investment (73%) in TV/VOD drama. While the investment value increased this year, the number of titles and hours produced decreased.
Across TV and VOD – titles, hours and spend all decreased from 2023/24 numbers. Cost-per-hour was the only metric to increase (particularly in the subscription TV and SVOD sub-categories), indicative of both demand for premium production and cost pressures.
Expenditure on children’s content declined further in 2024/25, with $34 million in expenditure, 41% below last year.
Total Government Sources contributed $430 million of investment across drama production in 2024/25. This includes the Producer Offset which contributed $317 million.
The proportion of spend for states and territories was 34% in Queensland, 31% in New South Wales, 27% in Victoria, 3% in South Australia, 3% in Western Australia and 1% in the combined states and territories of Australian Capital Territory, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
International productions, shooting in Australia, recovered with unprecedented levels of activity, with $1.3 billion spent on 22 international feature and SVOD titles, nearly triple last year’s result. 
PDV expenditure on both Australian and International titles amounted to $762 million, up 33% on last year. 

ABOUT THE DATA
The Drama Report uses available industry data to provide an overview of the production of local and international features, TV/VOD and children’s drama titles, as well as PDV activity. All production expenditure is allocated to the year in which principal photography began. PDV employs a secondary method of analysis, which is outlined in the PDV section in the report. ‘Drama’ refers to scripted narratives of any genre. Titles in the report are categorised according to the platform they were first released on.
RESOURCES

Read the full Drama Report here. 
Images for media editorial use available to download here. 

ABOUT SCREEN AUSTRALIA
Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting the development, production and promotion of Australian narrative, documentary and children’s content, across television, feature films, online and games. Screen Australia also administers Australia’s Official Co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset incentive. The agency provides a broad range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence and special initiatives. For more information visit www.screenaustralia.gov.au.
ABOUT AUSFILM
Ausfilm promotes Australia as a world-class production, post-production and co-production destination and has been connecting film and TV makers worldwide to Australia’s capabilities, talent, locations, and incentives for over 25 years. Ausfilm is the gateway for international filmmakers looking to make content in Australia, and its membership includes Australian federal, state and territory government screen agencies, the country’s major studio complexes, production service providers and leading post, sound, animation, SFX and visual effects facilities. Ausfilm has offices in Sydney and Los Angeles. For more information visit www.ausfilm.com.au.
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Source: Government of Queensland

Issued: 3 Dec 2025

A Gold Coast-based business is developing a first-of-its-kind system using Artificial Intelligence (AI), to streamline processing of First Nations artefacts at the Queensland Museum.

Clevvi Technology has been selected through the Queensland Government’s Private Sector Pathways (PSP) Challenge program to bring their innovative platform to life, receiving $50,000 in government funding and $50,000 from the Queensland Museum.

Queensland-based organisations were invited to apply to the Queensland Museum Challenge by proposing an innovative solution that aims to improve the identification, cataloguing and preservation of First Nations artefacts.

Clevvi Technology’s proposed solution – an AI-assisted system, could help the Queensland Museum to digitise, classify, store and process First Nations cultural materials like hunting and gathering tools, traditional baskets, boomerangs and rock engravings.

Using AI, each artefact will be digitised by capturing high-resolution images preserving intricate details with precision, ensuring every piece of history is preserved.

Advanced algorithms then analyse the artefact to identify unique features, patterns or markings that contribute to its authenticity. These details will be securely recorded and linked to tamper-proof digital records, safeguarding their provenance and cultural significance.

AI can assist in verifying the artefact’s history by cross-referencing it with existing databases and even predicting its origin based on material composition or design.

Tags or labels will be suggested for each artefact allowing users to review and refine them and control who can access the materials in line with the Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) principles.

This innovative solution sets a benchmark for cultural institutions worldwide, celebrating and honouring the rich heritage of First Nations people.

Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General of Innovation Jasmine Vreugdenburg said this innovative solution is a fantastic example of how technology can support scientific collections

“By leveraging AI, we can ensure these invaluable pieces of history are safeguarded,” she said.

“It’s an exciting step forward for the Queensland Museum, that also highlights Queensland businesses’ innovative capabilities.”

Clevvi Technology CEO James Deck said by combining Clevvi’s AI expertise with Anonyome Labs’ Queensland-made credential technology, we’re putting the Queensland Museum at the forefront of digital heritage preservation.

“The Clevvi team is excited to use our skills to preserve Australia’s most significant First Nations heritage,” he said.

“Our AI analyses artefacts in detail, but every suggestion is reviewed by curators and cultural knowledge holders. That combination of technology and human oversight ensures trusted provenance is preserved in digital records.

“This new system will enable experts to focus on engaging with communities and preserving cultural stories.”

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said Queensland Museum is committed to preserving and honouring the cultural heritage of First Nations Peoples.

“This partnership with Clevvi Technology represents a groundbreaking step forward in how we care for and share and repatriate these invaluable artefacts,” Dr Thompson said.

“By combining cutting-edge AI with the wisdom of cultural knowledge holders, we’re ensuring these stories and histories are safeguarded for future generations while setting a global benchmark in cultural identification and preservation.”

A prototype system will be developed over the next eight months.

Source: Government of Queensland

Issued: 3 Dec 2025

Eight Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) have been issued in the wake of a blaze sparked by an illegal campfire at Teewah.

On Sunday, 26 October 2025, the illegal campfire escalated into a bushfire within the Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola section) and burned approximately seven hectares.

The fire required an emergency management response, including rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and support from the Rural Fire Service Queensland.

Campers were evacuated, and water-bombing aircraft and helicopters were also used to contain the fire and protect nearby camping areas.

Following an investigation, three Sunshine Coast men were fined more than $5,000 for unlawfully lighting fires, leaving fires unattended, and using plants from a Recreation Area to light a fire.

Principal Ranger Danielle Mansfield said the Cooloola Recreation area is under a permanent fire prohibition for safety and environmental reasons.

“The permanent fire prohibition was introduced in 2020 to help prevent incidents like this,” Ms Mansfield said.

“Our number one priority is the safety of rangers and visitors to our protected areas, and we also want to protect the natural and cultural values of the Cooloola Recreation area.

“Campfires are not compatible with Teewah’s coastal environment, because they can quickly escape into the dunes and bushland.

“We thank those visitors who respect other campers and the natural and cultural values by not lighting campfires at Teewah.”

QPWS rangers routinely provide education to visitors to the Cooloola Recreation Area, and fines can be issued to people who ignore the permanent fire ban.

Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government

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Source: Australian Ministers for Education

CDPP Sydney office official opening
sophie.barker@…
Thu, 2025-10-23 09:06

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

SOLOMON

Issued on
03 Dec 2025 14:43

SOLOMON Grass Fire

The CFS is responding to crop and scrub fire near Red Cliff Road and Cleve Road, approximately 4 kilometers south of Kimba township, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia.

CFS volunteers on 3 trucks, supported by 6 Farm Fire Units and aircraft are on scene working to extinguish the fire, reducing the spread to adjacent properties. Firefighters will remain on scene until the area is deemed safe and will continue to monitor with the heightened fire weather predicted over the coming days.

The fire is currently burning in crop and scrub, the cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Smoke may be visible from the township of Kimba.

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.

Message ID 0008751

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Shoppers are reminded to watch out for unsafe products, especially items containing button and coin batteries, this Christmas, as Consumer Affairs Victoria inspects stores across the state to check whether retailers are complying with mandatory safety requirements.

Since November, product safety officers have completed over 110 store inspections. This has resulted in retailers removing more than 1,000 products from sale that did not meet the standards under Australian Consumer Law.

Officers also seized more than 80 unsafe items. These included:

• light-up Christmas tree decorations and lanterns with unsecured button batteries, which can be easily removed and are dangerous if swallowed.
• press-on nails with no ingredients list, which breaches cosmetics labelling standards. These standards ensure shoppers can avoid injury or severe reactions.
• Thomas the Tank Engine and Avenger play sets and light up wands that do not warn they contain button batteries, breaching the mandatory information standard that ensures parents and carers are informed and can keep dangerous batteries away from children.

Product safety officers work with retailers to remove products from shelves and conduct follow-up inspections to check items have been fixed or removed for good. Extremely dangerous items are seized on the spot.

Officers have powers to issue $5,000 fines on the spot. Retailers who commit serious or repeated breaches risk court action. Penalties of up to $2.5 million for individuals and $50 million for companies may also apply.

Businesses should make sure they understand their obligations and stay up to date with the latest updates on product safety and recalls by following the national www.productsafety.gov.au website.

Shoppers can stay alert and reduce the risk of buying unsafe products by:

• checking for safety warnings
• making sure button batteries are secure
• reading ingredient lists
• reviewing product recalls before buying items.

Inspections will continue throughout December to keep Victorian families safe during the festive season.

If you’re worried about an unsafe product for sale, call our product safety line on 1300 36 48 94 or go to our product safety information.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country tomorrow, Thursday 4 December 2025.

Tomorrow’s conditions in the western and central parts of Victoria will be dry and windy with north westerly gusts of up to 90km/h during the late morning and afternoon.

Maximum temperatures will reach up to 38 degrees in the north, and 33 in the south, with a dry and cooler south westerly wind change moving its way across the state from around 2pm and into the Mallee by sunset.   

A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of the Total Fire Ban. 

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB has been declared due to the increased risk of fire in the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country, driven by warm, high winds in an already dry landscape.

“Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start, and those engaging in harvesting activities need to be particularly careful,” Jason said.

“While we understand and acknowledge the challenges our farmers continue to endure throughout prolonged drought conditions, to safeguard your operations and your crops, we do urge you to postpone paddock work during high fire danger days like tomorrow.

“We have already seen several large agricultural fires involving crops and hay over recent weeks in the northwest and with strong gusty winds anticipated, ignition is a real possibility.

“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration and understand how the increased fire risk will impact you.

“Conditions will remain dry, warm and windy overnight and into Friday, so ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies and stay informed through more than one source of information.”

Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.

For more information on what you can and can’t do visit the Can I or Can’t I page on the CFA website. 

They include:

• ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News
• The VicEmergency App
• The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
• The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
• CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Tasmania Police

Police build partnership with Metro on public safety

Wednesday, 3 December 2025 – 1:40 pm.

Safety at bus malls and shared public spaces is a priority for Tasmania Police.
Officers from the established Metro police unit work in partnership with Metro Tasmania to prevent, resolve and investigate issues that occur on public transport or around key transport areas.
This week, officers from Taskforce Respect will provide support to Metro police in a collaborative approach to build further confidence in public transport and public places.
Taskforce Respect officer-in-charge, Glenorchy Division Inspector Jason Klug, said the operation would feature high-visibility patrols at bus malls, shopping precincts and public places along bus routes; and comes as community attention turns to the festive season.
“Public safety is a focus of Tasmania Police and when we work together, we can ensure the festive season is enjoyable for everyone,” Inspector Klug said.
“With Christmas approaching and the number of shoppers increasing, Tasmania Police is continuing to focus on safety in public places and we’re sending the message that public transport is a strong alternative to transit around Hobart.”
In collaboration with Metro, Tasmania Police has ready access to bus CCTV footage, bus communications, and bus information to quickly enhance investigations.
“Our officers proactively patrol to ensure passengers, drivers and other community members can enjoy a safe environment,” Inspector Klug said.
“For those doing the right thing, our officers are there to ensure your journey remains trouble-free.
“If you are doing the wrong thing, and this includes disruptive behaviours or more serious offending, our officers will be ready to meet you onboard or at the next stop.”
Metro Tasmania Acting CEO Laurie Hansen said Metro’s partnership with Tasmania Police included monitoring and responding to anti-social behaviour and incidents in and around buses.
“Metro is pleased to support this initiative with Tasmania Police through its dedicated police officer resources and working closely with Inspector Klug and his team,” he said.
“Metro remains firmly committed to doing its part to tackle the community issue of anti-social behaviour and ensuring the safety of both staff and passengers. Thankfully, most Metro passengers are respectful and considerate.”
Taskforce Respect was established in May this year, built around high-visibility patrols and community engagement to target retail crime and anti-social behaviour.
The taskforce has helped achieve strong results in reducing overall crime in the Glenorchy division.
In particular, there has been an 8 per cent reduction in shoplifting in the financial year to date and public place assaults have reduced by 31 per cent in the financial year to date.
Inspector Klug said since the introduction of Taskforce Respect, 344 charges have been laid by the Taskforce.
Offences include stealing and possession of stolen property, street offences such as possession of dangerous articles and disorderly conduct, as well as traffic offences and non-compliance of bail conditions.
If you have information on a crime, please report to police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
Information can also be reported to Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.