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Members of the Stawell Fire Brigade

Horsham, Stawell and Ararat are today among 20 CFA brigades trained and ready to respond to select medical Triple Zero calls, as part of a new initiative between CFA and Ambulance Victoria.

Submitted by	CFA Media

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Joint open letter urging investment to address unmet need for psychosocial support outside the NDISJoint open letter urging investment to address unmet need for psychosocial support outside the NDIS

On Monday 26 May 2025, Mental Health Australia and all state and territory mental health peak bodies wrote to all Health and Mental Health Ministers encouraging decisive action on investment in psychosocial support outside the NDIS to meet need. The letter calls for Health and Mental Health Ministers, at their upcoming meeting, to:

• recommend to National Cabinet that it agree a funding envelope for a 50:50 cost share arrangement to increase investment in psychosocial supports over a five-year period to meet need; and
• commit to a public consultation process to design future psychosocial support arrangements. 

We know that 493,600 people across Australia are missing out on the psychosocial support they need and deserve. It is now nine months since Australian governments released analysis quantifying this shortfall. We welcomed governments’ commitment to the development of a “robust plan for future psychosocial support arrangements” at the last Health and Mental Health Minister’s meeting, and are now urging action to deliver these arrangements. 

Governments have the information needed to make wise investments in psychosocial services to achieve good outcomes. Governments have an analysis of unmet need, evidence about what works, existing interjurisdictional governance mechanisms to build on, and existing service infrastructure and commissioning pathways. All we need now is for Governments to commit funding to ensure all people in Australia who need it can access quality psychosocial supports.

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Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has outlined its preliminary competition concerns with Elders Limited (Elders)’ (ASX:ELD) proposed acquisition of Delta Agribusiness (Delta) in a Statement of Issues published today.

Elders and Delta supply rural merchandise such as agricultural chemicals, seed, fertiliser, animal health products and related services, such as agronomy services, through their retail networks. Both companies also supply rural merchandise to wholesale customers in Western Australia.

“Competition in the supply of rural merchandise is critical to Australian farmers and our global competitiveness in agricultural products,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“We have preliminary concerns that the proposed acquisition may lead to higher prices or reduced quality in the supply of rural merchandise without an independent Delta competing with Elders following this proposed acquisition.”

The ACCC is concerned that the proposed acquisition may reduce competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise in various local markets, and at a broader regional, state or national level.

“Elders and Delta, through their networks of stores, are both significant retail suppliers of rural merchandise in Australia,” Mr Keogh said.

The ACCC’s preliminary view is that the proposed acquisition is likely to substantially lessen competition in the retail supply of rural merchandise in certain local markets in the North-West Victoria, Northern Wheatbelt (WA), Central Wheatbelt (WA), Great Southern (WA) and Murray-Mallee (SA) regions. The ACCC is also exploring potential concerns in other local markets where both Delta and Elders have a retail presence, and at a broader geographic level.

“We are continuing to investigate how closely Elders and Delta retail stores compete with each other, and the extent to which larger retail chains and smaller retailers (or smaller chains) are likely to compete with Elders if the proposed acquisition were to proceed,” Mr Keogh said.

“A key issue we are testing is the extent to which having a chain of retail stores assists Delta to compete with Elders more effectively than smaller retailers, both in individual local markets, and across a broader geographic area,” Mr Keogh said.

The ACCC is also considering whether the proposed acquisition would reduce competition at the wholesale level in Western Australia, or whether alternative suppliers would be able to compete with Elders effectively, should it acquire Delta. 

The ACCC has not reached a concluded view on any of the issues outlined.

The ACCC invites submissions in response to the Statement of Issues by 12 June 2025. Parties can contact the ACCC via mergers@accc.gov.au.

More information including the Statement of Issues is available on the ACCC’s public register here: Elders Limited – Delta Agribusiness.

Notes to editors

‘Agronomy services’ refer to advice provided to farmers by qualified individuals known as agronomists with specialised knowledge in soil and plant sciences. It encompasses a range of advice and services aimed at optimising crop production and farm management.

Rural merchandise is an umbrella term for agricultural products purchased by farmers as inputs into operating a farm and includes agricultural chemicals, seed, fertiliser, animal health products and other miscellaneous merchandise. Some rural merchandise stores also offer agronomic advice.

Background

Elders is an ASX-listed (ASX:ELD) agribusiness. It supplies rural merchandise through its 245 Elders-owned retail stores across the country and also supplies independent stores via its national wholesale business, Australian Independent Rural Retailers (AIRR). Elders also provides agronomic services, livestock and wool agency, real estate, financial, and feed and processing services across Australia.

Delta is an Australian retail supplier of a range of rural merchandise products and related services. Delta operates 64 retail stores, primarily in regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, and also operates a wholesale business (Delta WA) in Western Australia. Delta also provides agronomic services, livestock agency, grain marketing, real estate and financial services.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Gel blasters and replica firearm seized

Tuesday, 27 May 2025 – 1:00 pm.

A replica pistol, gel blasters and an electronic stun device disguised as a torch were among items seized by Tasmania Police during searches of properties in the state’s north and south this morning.
A 35-year-old Hobart man has been interviewed by police and issued with a summons to appear in court at a later date, as part of the ongoing joint operation between Tasmania Police and Australian Border Force authorities.
This morning, (Tuesday, May 27) police executed simultaneous searches at two Tasmanian properties – one in the Hobart suburb of Lenah Valley and another in Mowbray, Launceston.
The operation involved members from the Tasmania Police Drugs and Firearms Units (Southern and Northern), the Police Dog Handling Unit, Australian Border Force and specialist resources.
Following the search of the Lenah Valley property, police seized four gel blaster-type pistols, one metal replica pistol, one foldable gel blaster submachine gun and quantities of alleged controlled substances (steroids).
At the Mowbray address, officers searched a shed on the property and seized three gel blaster firearms resembling pistols, an electronic stun device disguised as a torch (Taser), ammunition and various chemicals.
Also seized at the Mowbray property were body armour, ballistic helmets, balaclavas and police-style patches and insignia.
Police advise that in Tasmania, gel blasters are considered firearms under the Firearms Act 1996.
To lawfully possess any firearm in Tasmania – including a gel blaster – a licence of the category which is appropriate to that firearm is required. This means that to possess a gel blaster, which is an air rifle, a Category A licence is required.
To possess a gel blaster which is an air pistol, a Category H licence is required.
A person needs a genuine reason to possess a gel blaster, in the same way that they need a genuine reason to possess any other firearm.For further firearms information, go to www.fas.police.tas.gov.au

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As floodwaters recede in New South Wales, look after yourself – both physically and emotionally. Floods increase the risk of infections, mosquito-borne illnesses, and food and water contamination. Finding medicines can be harder, and the mental health toll, significant. Support is available.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Thermomix in Australia, has paid $79,200 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with four infringement notices for allegedly making false or misleading representations to consumers online, suggesting two of its household appliances were endorsed by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

In November 2024, the ACCC put businesses on notice of its focus on problematic advertising practices targeting NDIS participants. Since then, it has taken compliance and enforcement action against a number of businesses.

The ACCC alleges that in November 2024 and March 2025, Thermomix made false or misleading representations on its website promoting the Thermomix TM6 cooking product and Kobold cordless vacuum and mop as being endorsed through the NDIS or registered by an entity administering the NDIS.

This included allegedly describing the products as ‘NDIS approved’, ‘NDIS-registered product’, ‘NDIS-consumables’, ‘NDIS assistive technology’, and ‘NDIS equipment’.

“The NDIS does not provide specific approval for any particular goods or services. Each NDIS participant has unique needs, and what’s funded under their plan is determined individually, not through a list of approved products. There are no categories of goods or services which are automatically NDIS approved or funded for all NDIS participants,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“Misleading consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage is of concern to us, and we will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”

The Australian Government’s NDIS (Fair Price and Australian Consumer Law) Taskforce is comprised of the ACCC, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission and the NDIA. The taskforce was established in December 2023 to address potential breaches of Australian Consumer Law amid concerns that NDIS participants were being charged more for goods and services than other consumers.

Any person who thinks a business has made false or misleading statements about products or services, including whether they are endorsed or approved by the NDIS, or who considers their consumer rights have not been met, can make a report to the ACCC.

Further information for NDIS participants is available on the ACCC website.

Note 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.

What false or misleading advertising about the NDIS might look like

Examples of concerning advertising that may be false or misleading include:

• The use of the words ‘NDIS approved’ as the NDIS does not have the function of approving or endorsing particular goods or services.
• Advertising suggesting NDIS funds will cover “all inclusive” holidays, when general costs associated with holidays would not be covered by NDIS funding.
• Meal delivery services suggesting the cost of meals is covered by the NDIS, when the NDIS does not cover food expenses.
• Advertising that provides instructions on how to use NDIS funding codes to cover costs of recreational services that are not covered by the NDIS – for example, going to the movies or a theme park.
• Advertising that suggests a business is affiliated or endorsed by the NDIS, by using NDIS in its business name or in the description of its services, for example ‘NDIS therapies’.

Background

Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd is the sole Australian distributor of Thermomix products in Australia and the owner of TheMix Shop, an ecommerce store for Thermomix and Kobold products.

In November 2024, Vorwerk International AG, the Germany-based manufacturer of Thermomix and Kobold appliances, completed an acquisition of The Mix Australia Pty Ltd, which held the sole official licence to distribute Thermomix appliances in Australia and operated the ecommerce store TheMix Shop. After the acquisition, The Mix Australia Pty Ltd was renamed as Vorwerk Australia Pty Ltd.

In December 2024, the ACCC instituted proceedings against registered NDIS provider Ausnew Home Care Service Pty Ltd, for alleged false and misleading representations, including statements that certain products were ‘NDIS approved’ relating to aged care and disability products. The matter remains before the Court.

Last week, Bedding retailer Bedshed paid $39,600 in penalties for allegedly making false and misleading representations that some of the products it sold were ‘NDIS approved’ and ‘NDIS permitted’.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New South Wales – News

At 2.45am Thursday 29 May police saw an incident occurring between a man and a woman on Payneham Road Royston Park.

As a result, police attempted to arrest the man who was restrained.

During his arrest he became unresponsive.

SA Ambulance attended the scene, and the man was taken to hospital where he remains.

Major Crime and Ethical and Professional Standards detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The investigation is in the early stages and is ongoing.

More information will be released later this morning.

Any members of the public who witnessed or have footage of this incident are asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

Source: New South Wales – News

Just before 2.30pm on Wednesday 28 May, police were called to the intersection of Horrocks Highway and Thiele Highway at Gawler Belt after reports a Holden station wagon and Husqvarna motorbike collided.

The rider, a 66-year-old man from Evanston Park was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the car, a 53-year-old woman from Morgan was taken to hospital for minor injuries and mandatory blood analysis.

Major Crash Investigators have attended the scene and investigations are ongoing.

The road was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.