Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has commenced legal proceedings in the Federal Court against Fewstone Pty Ltd, trading as City Beach, for allegedly selling products containing button batteries which did not comply with mandatory product safety and information standards, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.

It is alleged that between 22 June 2022 and 24 October 2024, surf, skatewear and accessories retailer City Beach offered for sale 70 product lines containing button batteries which did not comply with Australia’s mandatory button battery standards.

It also allegedly supplied 57,358 individual non-compliant button battery products.

The product lines sold by City Beach include novelty products such as toys, digital notepads, keyrings, lights and light-up Jibbitz accessories for Crocs shoes.

“We are taking this action because, we allege, City Beach exposed consumers to the risks associated with button batteries and failed to inform them of these risks,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“Button batteries are incredibly dangerous for young children, and tragically in some cases have led to serious injuries or death when swallowed, inserted or ingested.”

“Australia’s button battery standards exist to reduce the risk of death or serious injury posed by button batteries,” Ms Lowe said.

“We are concerned that these items are likely to be in homes with young children. Many of these items were brightly coloured or had light-up features or both, meaning young children may be drawn to playing with them. We urge consumers to check the Product Safety Australia website for details of recalled products and return them to the supplier or to dispose of them safely.”

“The ACCC is responsible for enforcing the button battery standards and works in partnership with state-based consumer agencies. This action is a result of that partnership, with concerns about City Beach’s supply of button battery products first identified through surveillance and then progressed to the ACCC for investigation,” Ms Lowe said.

“In 2022 and 2023, City Beach received warnings from NSW Fair Trading and Queensland Office of Fair Trading in relation to the supply of potentially non-compliant button battery products.”

“The standards have been in existence since 2020, in effect since 2022 and have been the subject of escalating compliance and enforcement work by ACL regulators, including the ACCC. There is simply no excuse for non-compliance and we will not hesitate to take strong enforcement action against businesses that do not comply with these important and potentially life-saving standards,” Ms Lowe said.

The safety standard requires products to have secure battery compartments that are designed to be resistant to being opened by children.

This is to prevent children from gaining access to the batteries.

To comply with the safety standard, a representative sample of products containing button batteries must be tested.

The information standard requires safety warnings to be provided with products, including advice to seek medical attention.

The ACCC is seeking penalties, declarations, injunctive relief and costs.

The ACCC has issued a series of infringement notices and accepted a court enforceable undertaking and compliance commitments for alleged breaches of the button battery standards since they became mandatory in mid-2022.

This is the first case to be bought by the ACCC before the Federal Court for an alleged breach of the button battery standards.

Recalled products

City Beach is conducting a voluntary recall. Consumers can return recalled products to City Beach for a full refund.

To check if a product has been recalled, visit the ACCC Product Safety website or contact City Beach.

Examples of recalled product lines supplied to consumers

ACCC advice to consumers

Button batteries are dangerous to children if swallowed or inserted. They can become stuck in your child’s throat and result in serious lifelong injuries or death. Insertion of button batteries into body parts such as the ears or nose can lead to serious injuries.

Children up to 5 years of age are at greatest risk because of their narrower oesophagus and tendency to place small objects into their mouths, ears and noses. Preventing access to button batteries is critical.

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

1. Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if your child is having any difficulty breathing.
2. Call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26. You can call at any hour for expert advice. The Poisons Information Centre can direct you to an appropriate medical facility. Not every health facility can manage injuries from button batteries. Prompt action is critical.
3. Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
4. Do not let the child eat or drink.
5. Do not induce vomiting.

Further information on button battery safety is available on the ACCC Product Safety website.

Background

City Beach is a national retailer primarily offering surf and skate consumer goods including clothing, accessories and novelty items.

In 2022-23, the ACCC partnered with State and Territory consumer protection agencies to conduct national button battery surveillance.

The Consumer Goods (Products Containing Button Batteries) Information Standard 2020 and the Consumer Goods (Products Containing Button Batteries) Safety Standard 2020 came into effect on 22 June 2022 after an 18-month transition period.

Concise Statement

This document contains the ACCC’s initiating court document in relation to this matter. We will not be uploading further documents in the event this initial document is subsequently amended.

ACCC v Fewstone Pty Ltd (City Beach) – Concise Statement ( PDF 162.23 KB )

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

If you haven’t lodged your NFP self-review return yet, take action now.
The 31 March 2025 due date for the 2023–24 NFP self-review return has now passed.

While you don’t need to call us to request extra time to lodge, you must get started as soon as possible. We are supporting NFPs who are genuinely trying to get it right, including those who have missed the deadline. This support includes suspending penalties as part of our transitional support arrangements for the first year of NFP self-review return lodgment.

However, from July 2025 we will start to review NFPs who intentionally ignore their obligations. To avoid a review, act now to demonstrate your NFP has taken steps to meet its lodgment obligation.

How to lodge

Lodge your NFP’s self-review return through Online services for business or by phoning our automated self-help phone service on 13 72 26. Alternatively, a registered tax agent can lodge the return on your behalf.

To lodge online, you will need to complete several steps to access to Online services for business. You can follow the NFP self-review return – update, connect and lodge PDF for a written 5 step guide on how to get access to lodge.

Any requests to update your NFP’s ABN details should already be underway – if you still need to update your details, do this without delay.

Before you lodge the return, it’s a good idea to:

• review your NFP’s governing documents
• check our NFP self-review return question guide to review the questions you’ll be asked on the return and prepare your answers
• have available your organisation’s ABN and a reference number from any letter we have posted to it – you will need this if lodging through the self-help phone service.

When your NFP is ready with the required information, the return typically takes around 10 minutes to lodge.

If your NFP needs help, phone our NFP Advice Service on 1300 130 248, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm AEST.

Keep up to date

We have tailored communication channels for the not-for-profit sector to keep you up to date with key tax and super information:

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Fatal crash, Devonport

Thursday, 3 April 2025 – 10:52 am.

Sadly, a woman in her 80s has died after a single-vehicle crash at Devonport.
Police and emergency services were called to the Bass Highway about 6.30am Thursday after reports a vehicle had rolled.
A woman – who was a passenger in the vehicle – sadly died at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle was taken to the North West Regional Hospital for treatment.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.
Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source:

We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Malawi. Demonstrations and protests can be unpredictable and may turn violent quickly. Avoid protests and demonstrations. During periods of unrest, monitor local media for updates, avoid affected areas and follow the advice of local authorities (see ‘Safety’). You don’t need to apply for a visa if you’re visiting Malawi for tourism purposes for up to 90 days (see ‘Travel’ for details).

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Taxable not-for-profits (NFPs) need to lodge an income tax return or non-lodgment advice by 15 May.

Who needs to lodge?

Taxable NFPs include organisations that do not meet the criteria for income tax exemption. These organisations must lodge an income tax return to report their taxable income and pay any tax due. The types of NFPs that may need to lodge an income tax return include:

• NFP companies
• Other taxable companies
• Taxable trusts or partnerships

Lodgment due date

Organisations with an income year ending 30 June, have until 15 May 2025 to lodge the 2023–24 income tax return If you have an ATO approved SAP your due date to lodge the 2023-24 income tax return is determined by your approved balance date. It’s important for NFPs to meet this deadline to avoid any penalties or interest charges.

Preparing for lodgment

To prepare for lodgment, taxable NFPs should:

Review financial records: Ensure all financial records are accurate and up to date.

Determine taxable income: Calculate the organization’s taxable income for the financial year.

Complete the tax return: Use the appropriate tax return form for your NFP’s structure (e.g., company tax return, trust tax return).

How to lodge

There are several ways to lodge the income tax return:

Online: The quickest and easiest method is through Online services for business.

Registered tax agent: A registered tax agent can lodge the return on your NFP’s behalf.

Paper lodgment: If online lodgment is not possible, you can lodge a paper return by mail.

Support and resources

Here are some various resources to assist NFPs with their tax return lodgment:

NFP Guide to the Company Tax Return: This guide provides detailed instructions on how to complete the company tax return for NFPs.

Online services: Access to online lodgment and support tools.

Read more articles in the Not-for-profit newsroom and, if you haven’t already, subscribeExternal Link to our free monthly newsletter Not-for-profit news to be alerted when we publish new articles.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services