NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Monaro Highway upgrades are now underway

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new Lanyon Drive Interchange is the first of three upgrades planned for the Monaro Highway.

    Construction has begun on the first of three interchanges planned for the Monaro Highway, south of Canberra.

    Work on the new Lanyon Drive Interchange has begun which will improve safety and reduce congestion.

    This consists of a southbound flyover for the highway over Lanyon Drive and three intersection upgrades including:

    • the removal of traffic lights at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (intersection of the Monaro Highway and David Warren Road)
    • a new roundabout at the intersection of the new Monaro Highway southbound off-ramp and David Warren Road extension
    • upgrading the signalised intersection at Lanyon Drive and Sheppard Street to include a direct connection to David Warren Road and the Monaro Highway southbound off-ramp.

    The design aims to have a minimal impact on existing native plants.

    The landscaping plans will focus on local and native species. They will prioritise tree planting, water sensitive urban design and biodiversity conservation.

    Some of the construction work has already been completed or is underway. This includes:

    • major water mains and telecommunication networks were relocated for protection in 2022
    • two gas mains have been relocated
    • early preparatory works, including site clearing and earthworks, started last month. This involves large machinery, including excavators and trucks.

    Preliminary design is also underway on future interchanges at the Hume industrial precinct and Isabella Drive.

    There will be impacts to travel times during construction. This includes during peak periods, with reduced speed limits and temporary lane closures expected.

    The ACT Government is encouraging motorists to rethink their travel plans where possible and consider taking public transport or travelling outside peak times where possible.

    The government expects construction to take about three years to complete. The design and construction phases are estimated to create 700 jobs.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Applications open for ACT sustainability grants

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The grant programs support local climate change, environmental and sustainability projects.

    Applications are now open for three grant programs that support local climate change, environmental and sustainability projects.

    Canberrans can apply for grants of up to $75,000 per project to help turn their ideas into reality.

    The grants assist community groups, schools, organisations and individuals to deliver projects that:

    • promote sustainable living and emissions reduction
    • help make Canberra climate-ready
    • promote biodiversity and community participation in conservation projects.

    The ACT Food Co-op is a community owned-and-run bulk grocery store and cafe, events venue and community hub.

    Receiving a grant helped the Co-op reduce emissions and cut operating costs.

    “Grants funding from the ACT Government has enabled us to convert from an expensive high-emissions gas kitchen to a cheaper zero-emissions electric kitchen. Our army of kitchen helpers are now safer, our bills are cheaper and our environmental footprint is smaller – a real win,” Chairperson Lucaya Rich said.

    2024 ACT Environmental Grants Program

    This program offers up to $350,000 in total funding.

    Grant recipients have the opportunity to:

    • address environmental issues that concern them
    • restore and conserve natural places that are special to them
    • engage other community members to do the same.

    For more information and to start your application, visit the ACT Environment website.

    To hear from previous recipients, watch the ACT Environmental Grants recipient stories.

    Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb Grants Program

    Additional grants are available through the Nature in the City: Cooling your Suburb Grants Program.

    Offering upto $150,000 in 2024 project funding, these grants support projects that help keep Canberra cool in a changing climate.

    Project ideas could include:

    • installing a shady garden in a hot urban area
    • replacing a solid concrete pathway with water-permeable pavers to reduce rainwater run-off.

    For more information and to start your application, visit Everyday Climate Choices.

    Community Zero Emissions Grants Program

    This program offers up to $75,000 in funding per project in 2024.

    Funding will support community projects that:

    • reduce emissions
    • increase community resilience to climate impacts and inspire change.

    For more information and to start your application, visit Everyday Climate Choices.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Commissioner puts children’s rights in the spotlight

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Jodie Griffiths-Cook wants to help children and young people access information they can trust and understand.

    ACT Children and Young People Commissioner Jodie Griffiths-Cook is on a mission to help Canberra’s children and young people understand their rights.

    In her role – which is independent from government and part of the ACT Human Rights Commission – she consults and speaks with kids every day.

    “My role principally involves being able to engage directly with children and young people and find out what is important to them, then using that to try to influence public policy and create change that will hopefully make Canberra a better place for children and young people generally,” Jodie said.

    She does this in a variety of ways, including creating simply written resources that can be used in schools and more broadly.

    She regularly updates a dedicated section of the commission’s website with targeted, trustworthy information for kids, teens and young people.

    Jodie also distributes the monthly Rights in ACTion newsletter to further inform ACT children and young people about their rights and wellbeing.

    From school visits to Instagram posts, finding ways to tailor sometimes complex information for different age groups is important.

    “Children and young people have a right to access information they can trust and understand,” she said.

    “It really humanises things when you’re able to speak in a language that is clearly understood by kids.”

    The Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 highlighted a particular need for this.

    “We saw a lot of communications going out to adults but very little being targeted to children and young people. For us, that really started the process of thinking mindfully about what we can do to shift that, both in terms of direct communications and modelling – trying to encourage others to do the same,” she said.

    “If we actually think about some of the decision-making that happens – so many of our decisions impact young people in ways that we perhaps don’t consider,” she said.

    Having been Commissioner for eight years now, Jodie says the discussions she has with children and young people are most rewarding.

    “Some of those conversations are just absolute gold when it comes to what young people already intrinsically understand about their rights and about those sometimes competing rights that we all grapple with,” she said.

    “I can almost take off my own commissioner hat and give it to some of them!”

    Particularly engaged young people can also get directly involved with the commission. This in turn provides important feedback.

    “We started a new youth advisor role, pitched for young people aged 16–25 years who have left school. We bring young people in for six months where they are looking for opportunities that will help them decide and pursue their career direction. From them we get a lot of intel about the kind of language to use, and the kind of things that are of interest to young people. We also take in work experience students in years 9-12,” she said.

    A range of child-friendly resources to help children and young people understand the Human Rights Act will be launched in March this year – on the Act’s 20th anniversary.

    Visit actkids.act.gov.au for more information.

    Jodie wants all Canberra children and young people to know her door is always open – whatever they have to say.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: New graduate health professionals ready to help Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    New nurses Ainslie and Shreejana are excited to get started on their clinical placements at Canberra Hospital.

    Canberrans can expect to see many new faces in healthcare settings around the city.

    A new cohort of over 360 graduate health professionals have joined Canberra Health Services (CHS) in recent weeks.

    There are over 200 nurses and midwives, 96 junior medical officer interns and 59 allied health graduates starting their first year of supported practice in Canberra’s public health system.

    These graduate programs help build and develop the city’s public health workforce.

    Graduates will experience a broad range of specialities across their rotations which span Canberra Health Services.

    Placements include:

    • Canberra Hospital
    • North Canberra Hospital
    • University of Canberra Hospital
    • justice health
    • outpatient clinics
    • community health care centres
    • Hospital in the Home
    • locations in south-east NSW.

    Shreejana and Ainslie are two of the new graduates starting at Canberra Hospital this week.

    Between them they will be rotating through the geriatrics, oncology, cardiology and orthopaedic wards.

    For registered nurse Shreejana, this career was a childhood dream.

    “I’m feeling very nervous, as well as excited,” she said.

    “Seeing all the support and the guidance that I will be receiving from the CHS team, I’m very, very much looking forward to this journey.”

    Enrolled nurse Ainslie completed her 18-month certification at CIT.

    “I wanted to care for people and give back to my community,” she said.

    “Honestly, it’s the little things. It’s when you ask someone “how can I help you?” It’s giving them a cup of tea, giving them coffee, giving them warm blanket. The little things that put a smile on someone’s face and just knowing that you’ve made them happy.”

    In a Canberra Health Services first, three cohorts of graduate nurses are undergoing orientation at the same time.

    This includes:

    • the graduate Transition to Practice Program
    • North Canberra Hospital’s existing graduate program
    • the Novice Nurse Consolidation Program, which offers an alternative pathway to join the nursing workforce for those who may only be able to work part-time or hold a working visa.

    “The new starters bring a great amount of enthusiasm and energy into our services and teams, and it is hugely fulfilling for all our staff to support and guide these new health professionals at a critical time in their career,” Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery at North Canberra Hospital Judy Ryall said.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Another milestone for new Whitlam school

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new school is expected to open for the 2026 school year.

    The development application for the new public school in Whitlam has been lodged, marking a key milestone in the project.

    The ACT Government has committed $76.8 million to deliver a new school, which is expected to open for the 2026 school year.

    Once open, the school will span preschool to year 6 and include an early childhood education and care centre.

    It will accommodate up to 780 students with 130 childhood education and care places.

    The new school will help cater to the growing population in Whitlam and will be in the heart of the new residential suburb and community.

    It will be built adjacent to John Gorton Drive on the corner of Hazel Hawke Avenue and Alice Moyle Way, alongside local shops.

    This location provides convenient access to the local neighbourhood via nearby public transport stops, bike paths and footpaths.

    View a flythrough of how the new school will look.

    Information about the new school is available at builtforcbr.act.gov.au

    Regular updates are also available on the Whitlam School web page: education.act.gov.au/Whitlam_School

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Keeping Canberra’s playgrounds safe

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Playground Safety Inspector Lawrence and the safety inspection team

    Canberra has more playgrounds than any other state or local council in Australia.

    And each day, plenty of work goes into ensuring they are safe and ready for play.

    Playground Safety Inspector Lawrence is part of a City Services team working to assess Canberra’s 500+ playgrounds.

    Lawrence’s team of six inspects district parks twice a week, community play spaces weekly and smaller neighbourhood parks every fortnight.

    Lawrence and his team use three main assessment methods.

    Level 1 – visual inspection

    In this initial inspection, workers check the area for sharps, vandalism and major equipment faults.

    They collect any litter and rake bark into heavy-use areas to keep the playground clean and ready to use.

    Level 1 inspections occur bi-weekly to fortnightly, depending on the size and use of the playground.

    Lawrence assesses a timber post for repair

    Level 2 – detailed inspection

    A Level 2 inspection occurs monthly or bi-monthly.

    The team tests all playground equipment for wear and tear, operational defects, deterioration and any other faults.

    They also test for hazards, including potential for head, torso and finger entrapment.

    They check timber posts, look for swing chain entrapment and measure the height of swing sets to ensure a safe distance between the bottom of the seat and the ground.

    Depending on the risk associated with the fault or hazard, the playground may need to be fenced off or temporarily closed for repairs.

    Finger entrapment testing

    Level 3 – independent assessor inspection

    Qualified external assessors carry out Level 3 inspections annually.

    These assessors are independent from the ACT Government and have an engineering background.

    The assessor compares each playground to the Australian Playground Standards.

    This ensures equipment is safe and the existing process of ongoing safety inspections is compliant.

    External assessor Grant from Playtest conducting surface impact testing

    Get involved

    The community is the most important playground safety inspector, so if you see a potential safety hazard, please complete a job request via the Fix My Street online tool.

    Provide as much detail as possible on the location and issue when completing the request.

    Head entrapment testing

    Find out more about Canberra’s playgrounds.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: See inside Canberra Hospital’s new building

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Critical Services Building building provides a major upgrade and expansion to the Canberra Hospital.

    Construction of the new Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital is progressing well towards the planned opening later in 2024.

    The 44,000 square metre building provides a major upgrade and expansion to the Canberra Hospital.

    It will include:

    • a larger Emergency Department, including a dedicated children’s emergency area
    • more operating rooms
    • more treatment spaces
    • more intensive care beds.

    The building’s public facilities and amenities have been designed to make the hospital experience more comfortable for staff, patients, their carers, and families.

    New facilities and amenities include:

    • two new cafes
    • a family respite lounge with kitchenette, meeting room and showers
    • breakout spaces and waiting lounges for patients, families, carers and visitors
    • parent rooms
    • a kid’s play zone and sensory room
    • a Changing Places facility with accessible toilet facilities
    • outdoor gardens, courtyards and terraces for patients.

    Take a peek at the construction work happening inside the building:

    Main reception area and view of patient transfer link bridge.

    Medical imaging in the Emergency Department.

    Nurses’ station in inpatient unit.

    Family lounge area in inpatient unit.

    Operating theatre.

    Surgical recovery area.

    Helipad.

    Acute care treatment space in the new Emergency Department.

    Ambulance triage area in the new Emergency Department.

    Treatment spaces in the new Emergency Department.

    Find more information on the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Preserving Canberra’s past

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The heritage home offers a unique glimpse into Canberra’s past.

    Lanyon Homestead offers a unique glimpse into Canberra’s past.

    The restored 1850s property is open for the community to enjoy, with some special events ahead to allow Canberrans to embrace all it has to offer.

    A rich, multifaceted history

    You can’t speak about Canberra’s history without appreciating the thousands of years of Aboriginal history preceding our 190 years of European settlement.

    And you can’t speak about the last 190 years of Canberra’s history without mentioning historic places like Lanyon Homestead.

    Each of the homestead’s residents left their distinctive mark over the years, and each area is meticulously honoured as part of the heritage site’s preservation.

    New life for a historic walnut tree

    Attention to detail in the property’s restoration and maintenance filters down to individual plants and trees.

    Recently, Lanyon Homestead and Yarralumla Nursery partnered to preserve a historically significant walnut tree, first planted between 1835 and 1840.

    Along with his team, the head gardener at ACT Historic Places, Neil Wright, tried to propagate the tree for eight years with limited success.

    “We just couldn’t get it, so we called Yarralumla Nursery in,” Neil said.

    “They’ve got better facilities than us. They’ve got 200 cuttings and of those, only 11 were successful.”

    The trees were grown under the careful watch of the team at Yarralumla Nursery.

    Eventually, seven were planted along the river corridor to replace the stumps where the original trees once stood.

    While Neil has a deep appreciation of the garden, he says Lanyon Homestead has something to offer everyone.

    “You come and do a tour of the house but then you realise it’s nice to just sit here, to have a cup of coffee at the cafe. The kids can run around, you can have a picnic, and then you come back again and appreciate something new.”

    The team at Lanyon Homestead meticulously manage the house according to seasonal needs. In summer, the muslin curtains billow in the breeze, while in winter the fires are lit and candles glow.

    Outside, the gardening team work to update the garden in line with the seasons.

    “I try and do something different in the garden every year to bring people back. This year we’ve got a big pumpkin display, and the Harvest Day Out is coming up,” Neil said.

    Harvest Day Out: Saturday, 2 March

    Harvest Day Out is a celebration of Lanyon Homestead’s autumn kitchen garden. There’s a focus on sustainable food and growing practices under the theme of “grow – preserve – sustain”.

    The event will include workshops, demonstrations, and tours. Guests can learn about practices like preserving, pickling, seed saving and gardening practices as valuable today as they were in the homesteads early days.

    From 10am to 2pm there will be face painting on offer, and from 10am to 4pm there will be market stalls selling coffee, food, wine, jewellery, arts and more.

    Find out more about Harvest Day Out.

    Dinner and stargazing events: various Fridays

    See Lanyon Homestead in another light and attend a Dinner with the Stars – dinner and stargazing event.

    Enjoy a two-course meal at Barrack’s Café, featuring produce grown in the gardens.

    Find out what to look for in the night sky, before venturing out to stargaze with telescopes.

    Find out more about Dinner with the Stars.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Planned consultation

    Source:

    Upcoming consultation

    In addition to potential advice and guidance currently open for consultation, we plan to seek formal comment on the following items in the coming months.

    This list is subject to change.

    April 2025

    If you are concerned about the delay in the delivery of particular pieces of public advice and guidance, email us at publicguidance@ato.gov.au.

    For more information, see:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – income tax issues

    Source:

    [3957] Taxation privileges and immunities of international organisations and persons connected with them

    Title

    Final Taxation Ruling

    Income tax: income of international organisations and persons connected with them that is exempt from income tax

    Purpose

    The final Ruling will update the ATO view in Taxation Ruling TR 92/14 Income tax: taxation privileges and immunities of prescribed International Organisations and their staff (now withdrawn) following the High Court decisions in Macoun v Commissioner of Taxation [2015] HCA 44 and Commissioner of Taxation v Jayasinghe [2017] HCA 26.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2019/D1 Income tax: income of international organisations and persons connected with them that is exempt from income tax published on 27 March 2019. Comments period closed 28 May 2019.

    Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2024/D2 Income tax: exempt income of international organisations and persons connected with them published on 22 May 2024, replacing TR 2019/D1. Comments period closed 21 June 2024.

    Contact

    Simon Weiss, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone: (02) 6216 1943

    Simon.Weiss@ato.gov.au

    [4056] Decline in value of a depreciating asset

    Title

    Decision impact statement on Commissioner of Taxation v Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited [2022] FCAFC 2

    Purpose

    The Decision impact statement provides the ATO’s response to the Full Federal Court decision, which concerned whether the amount of the deduction available under section 40-25 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 for the decline in value of a depreciating asset was the cost of that asset by virtue of the operation of section 40-80 of that Act.

    Comments

    The Decision impact statement on Commissioner of Taxation v Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited [2022] FCAFC 2 published on 31 January 2023. Comments period closed on 3 March 2023.

    Contact

    Nitin Gulati, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone: (02) 9285 1661

    Nitin.Gulati@ato.gov.au

    [4115] Personal services business and Part IVA

    Title

    Final Practical Compliance Guideline

    Personal services businesses and Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936

    Purpose

    This Guideline explains when we are more likely to apply resources to consider the potential application of Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (the general anti-avoidance provisions of the income tax law) to an alienation arrangement where personal services income of an individual is derived through a personal services entity that is conducting a personal services business.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/D2 Personal services businesses and Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 published on 28 August 2024. Comments period closed on 11 October 2024.

    Contact

    Sally Cummins, Small Business

    Phone: (07) 3213 3299

    SBPAGConsultation@ato.gov.au

    [4145] Application of section 109U to arrangements involving guarantees

    Title

    Final Taxation Determination

    Income tax: Division 7A – does section 109U of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 only apply to arrangements where a private company gives a guarantee to another private company?

    Purpose

    This Determination sets out the ATO view on whether section 109U of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 can apply to arrangements in which a private company gives a guarantee to an entity that is not a private company (for example, a public company financial institution).

    The Determination also references the ATO’s compliance approach to the application of section 109U.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Taxation Determination TR 2024/D3 Income tax: Division 7A – does section 109U of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 only apply to arrangements where a private company gives a guarantee to another private company? published on 11 December 2024. Comments period closed 31 January 2025.

    Contact

    Anthony Pulvirenti, Private Wealth

    Phone: (07) 3213 8538

    anthony.pulvirenti@ato.gov.au

    [4165] Disregarding private company loan repayments

    Title

    Final Taxation Determination

    Income tax: disregarding certain payments under section 109R of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in determining how much of a loan has been repaid in situations where notional loans are involved

    Purpose

    This final Determination will set out the ATO’s view about the interaction of sections 109R and 109T of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, including whether section 109R of that Act can operate to disregard loan repayments in cases where there is a notional deemed loan because of sections 109T and 109W.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Taxation Determination TD 2025/D2 Income tax: disregarding certain payments under section 109R of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in determining how much of a loan has been repaid in situations where notional loans are involved published on 5 March 2025. Comments period closes 17 April 2025.

    Contact

    Pri Wijesooriya, Private Wealth

    Phone: (03) 9285 1262

    Priyangi.Wijesooriya@ato.gov.au

    [4169] Part IVA held not to apply to a scheme involving use of intra-group debt to acquire an Australian subsidiary productive of tax benefits in Australia

    Title

    Decision impact statement on Mylan Australia Holding Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (No 2) [2024] FCA 253

    Purpose

    This Decision impact statement outlines the ATO’s response to this case. The court concluded that the general anti-avoidance provision in Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 did not apply to a scheme under which the applicant claimed deductions in Australia for interest and carry forward losses incurred from intra-group debt taken on to acquire an Australian subsidiary as part of the acquisition of a pharmaceutical business.

    Comments

    The Decision impact statement on Mylan Australia Holding Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (No 2) [2024] FCA 253 was published on 28 February 2025. The comments period closed on 28 March 2025.

    Contact

    Simon Weiss, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone: (02) 6216 1943

    Simon.Weiss@ato.gov.au

    [4194] Capital raised for the purpose of funding franked distributions

    Title

    Final Practical Compliance Guideline

    Capital raised for the purpose of funding franked distributions – ATO compliance approach

    Purpose

    This Guideline sets out the ATO’s compliance approach to the assessment of the level of risk that a distribution is unfrankable under section 207-159 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/D4 Capital raised for the purpose of funding franked distributions – ATO compliance approach published on 4 December 2024. Comments period closed on 31 January 2025.

    Contact

    Virginia Gogan, Public Groups

    Phone: (03) 8632 4643

    Virginia.Gogan@ato.gov.au

    [4201] Early stage innovation company schemes and Part IVA

    Title

    Final Taxation Determination

    Income tax: application of Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to certain early stage innovation company investment arrangements

    Purpose

    This final Determination will provide the Commissioner’s view on whether Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 applies to early stage innovation company (ESIC) schemes as described in Taxpayer Alert TA 2024/1 Early stage investor tax offset claimed using circular financing arrangements.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    The ATO is currently looking at arrangements designed to inappropriately access the ESIC incentives and other tax benefits.

    Draft Taxation Determination TD 2025/D1 Income tax: application of Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to certain early stage innovation company investment arrangements published on 28 February 2025. Comments period closed 28 March 2025.

    Contact

    Kevin Hu, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone (03) 9247 0703

    Kevin.Hu@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – FBT issues

    Source:

    [4202] Calculation of electricity costs for plug-in hybrid electric cars charging at home

    Title

    Update to Practical Compliance Guideline

    Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/2 Electric vehicle home charging rate – calculating electricity costs when a vehicle is charged at an employee’s or individual’s home

    Purpose

    We are updating PCG 2024/2 to provide a methodology for the calculation of the cost of electricity when a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged at an employee’s or individual’s home. This adds to the methodologies currently provided in the Guideline for zero emissions vehicles.

    Expected completion

    April 2025

    Contact

    Amber Ibbott, Superannuation and Employer Obligations

    PAGSPR@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – superannuation issues

    Source:

    [4166] Advice fees paid by superannuation funds

    Title

    Final Practical Compliance Guideline

    Fees for personal financial advice paid from member accounts by superannuation funds – apportioning the deduction and pay as you go withholding obligations

    Purpose

    This Guideline sets out a methodology that superannuation funds (other than self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs)) can use to determine the extent to which payments of financial advice fees satisfy paragraph (d) of table item 5 of subsection 295-490(1) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

    It also outlines our compliance approach in relation to a superannuation fund’s obligation to withhold from payments for personal financial advice fees in the income years prior to 1 July 2019, including SMSFs.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2025/D1 Fees for personal financial advice paid from member accounts by superannuation funds – apportioning the deduction and pay as you go withholding obligations published on 15 January 2025. Comments period closed on 14 February 2025.

    Contact

    Jay Gao, Public Groups

    Phone: (02) 9374 5168

    Jay.Gao@ato.gov.au

    For more information, see Consultation matter [202421].

    [4182] Expenditure incurred under a non-arm’s length arrangement and superannuation contributions [updated]

    Title

    Addendum to Law Companion Ruling

    Law Companion Ruling LCR 2021/2 Non-arm’s length income – expenditure incurred under a non-arm’s length arrangement

    Purpose

    LCR 2021/2 is being updated to include the Commissioner’s view as to how the amendments in explanations of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Act 2024 apply in respect of the non-arm’s length expenditure and non-arm’s length component provisions.

    Expected completion

    Mid 2025Comments

    Draft update LCR 2021/2DC1 published on 27 November 2024. Comments period closed on 24 January 2025. We are currently reviewing submissions.

    Contact

    Bonita Tsang, SEO

    PAGSPR@ato.gov.au

    Title

    Addendum to Taxation Ruling

    Taxation Ruling TR 2010/1DC Income tax: superannuation contributions

    Purpose

    TR 2010/1DC is being updated to include the Commissioner’s view about the amendments in explanations of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Support for Small Business and Charities and Other Measures) Act 2024. In addition to updates for the non-arm’s length expenditure amendments, TR 2010/1DC (which was previously issued for consultation on 28 July 2021) will also be updated with regard to issues such as in specie contributions, the maximum earnings test and the deductibility of contributions.

    Expected completion

    Mid 2025Comments

    The draft update to TR 2010/1DC2 published on 27 November 2024. Comments period closed on 24 January 2025.

    TR 2010/1DC was withdrawn on 27 November 2024.

    Contact

    Bonita Tsang, SEO

    PAGSPR@ato.gov.au

    [4200] Administration of penalties that apply where employers or superannuation funds fail to comply with event-based reporting obligations [updated]

    Title

    Draft Law Administration Practice Statement

    Administration of penalties that apply to employers who fail to comply with their Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting obligations

    Purpose

    Event-based reporting regimes were introduced in 2018 for employers (STP) and for superannuation funds (member account transactions and attributes). The information reported through these reporting regimes has a range of applications across the tax and super systems, and their effectiveness can be reduced as a result of:

    • incorrect and incomplete reporting
    • reporting in an incorrect format (such as reporting in the original STP format rather than the STP Phase 2 format used since 2022)
    • failure to report at all.

    There is a need to provide guidance for ATO staff on the administration of penalties that may apply to employers or superannuation funds that fail to meet their reporting obligations.

    Expected completion

    April 2025

    Contact

    PAGSPR@ato.gov.au

    Title

    Draft Law Administration Practice Statement

    Administration of the false and misleading statement penalties on superannuation funds that do not report superannuation contribution information to the Commissioner accurately

    Purpose

    Event-based reporting regimes were introduced in 2018 for employers (STP) and for superannuation funds (member account transactions and attributes). The information reported through these reporting regimes has a range of applications across the tax and super systems, and their effectiveness can be reduced as a result of:

    • incorrect and incomplete reporting
    • reporting in an incorrect format (such as reporting in the original STP format rather than the STP Phase 2 format used since 2022)
    • failure to report at all.

    There is a need to provide guidance for ATO staff on the administration of penalties that may apply to employers or superannuation funds that fail to meet their reporting obligations.

    Expected completion

    April 2025

    Contact

    PAGSPR@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – GST issues

    Source:

    [4095] Cross-border supplies [updated]

    Title

    Finalisation of Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2005/6 Goods and services tax: the scope of subsection 38-190(3) and its application to supplies of things (other than goods or real property) made to non-residents that are GST-free under item 2 of the table in subsection 38-190(1) of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999

    Purpose

    This Ruling is being updated and modernised to reflect changes to subsection 38-190(3) of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 made by the Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Act 2016 (SLA Act). The changes impact how goods and services tax (GST) applies to cross-border supplies. Schedule 2 of the SLA Act (generally about business-to-business supplies) applies from 1 October 2016.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    The draft update to GSTR 2005/6 published on 26 March 2025. Comments period closes on 9 May 2025.

    Contact

    Katrina Bond, International, Support and Programs

    Phone: (03) 8792 1539

    Katrina.Bond@ato.gov.au

    Title

    Finalisation of Goods and Services Tax Ruling GSTR 2007/2 Goods and services tax: in the application of paragraph (b) of item 3 in the table in subsection 38-190(1) of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to a supply, when does ‘effective use or enjoyment’ of the supply ‘take place outside Australia’?

    Purpose

    This Ruling is being updated and modernised to incorporate amendments made by the SLA Act. The changes impact how GST applies to cross-border supplies. Schedule 1 of the SLA Act (about business to consumers supplies) applies from 1 July 2017 and Schedule 2 of the SLA Act (generally about business-to-business supplies) applies from 1 October 2016.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    The draft update to GSTR 2007/2 published on 26 March 2025. Comments period closes on 9 May 2025.

    Contact

    Katrina Bond, International, Support and Programs

    Phone: (03) 8792 1539

    Katrina.Bond@ato.gov.au

    [4125] Food of a kind marketed as prepared meals

    Title

    Final Goods and Services Tax Determination

    Food of a kind marketed as a prepared meal

    Purpose

    This Determination will outline the Commissioner’s view on the meaning of ‘food of a kind marketed as a prepared meal’ by reference to key concepts referred to in the Federal Court decision in Simplot Australia Pty Limited v Commissioner of Taxation [2023] FCA 1115.

    Comments

    Revised Draft Goods and Services Tax Determination GSTD 2024/D3 Goods and services tax: supplies of food of a kind marketed as a prepared meal published on 16 October 2024. Comments period closed 15 November 2024.

    Draft Goods and Services Tax Determination GSTD 2024/D1 Goods and services tax: supplies of food of a kind marketed as a prepared meal, which published on 27 March 2024, has been withdrawn.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Contact

    Jo Drum, International, Support and Programs

    Phone: (03) 8792 1469

    Jo.Drum@ato.gov.au

    [4130] Supplies of sunscreen

    Title

    Final Goods and Services Tax Determination

    Supplies of sunscreen

    Purpose

    This Determination sets out the Commissioner’s preliminary view on when a supply of a sunscreen preparation is GST-free under subsection 38-47(1) of the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. Draft Goods and Services Tax Determination GSTD 2024/D2 Goods and services tax: supplies of sunscreen published on 14 August 2024. Comments period closed 13 September 2024.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Contact

    Sharon Iselin, International, Support and Programs

    Phone: (07) 3121 7318

    Sharon.Iselin@ato.gov.au

    [4186] Toddler formula products

    Title

    Draft Goods and Services Tax Determination

    Supplies of toddler formula products

    Purpose

    This Determination will outline the Commissioner’s view of the term ‘infant’ in the context of table item 13 of Schedule 2 to the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999, which provides that ‘beverages, and ingredients for beverages, of a kind marketed principally as food for infants or invalids’ are GST-free. This issue is currently considered in Issue 14 – Beverage for infants of the food industry register. Since this was published, there have been significant developments in the industry and we have received feedback asking us to review if an infant can be a person beyond the age of 12 months.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    We are further considering the scope of the draft Determination.

    Contact

    Jo Drum, International, Support and Programs

    Phone: (03) 8792 1469

    Jo.Drum@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – excise issues

    Source:

    [4092] Determining the proportion of unfermented materials that may be added to ‘beer’ and ‘cider’

    Title

    Draft Excise Determination

    Alcohol excise: the addition of water to beer

    Purpose

    The revised draft Determination will set out the Commissioner’s view on the characteristics and proportions of unfermented materials that may be added to a fermented solution of a beverage in order for that product to meet the definition of ‘beer’ under the Excise Tariff Act 1921.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Revised Draft Excise Determination ED 2024/D2 Alcohol excise: the addition of water and the integral attributes of beer for the purposes of the Excise Tariff Act 1921 published on 28 August 2024. Comments period closed 27 September 2024.

    Draft Excise Determination ED 2024/D1 Alcohol excise: the addition of water to beer, which published on 12 June 2024, has been withdrawn.

    Contact

    Andrew Bennett, Excise Experience

    Phone: (08) 8208 1868

    Andrew.Bennett@ato.gov.au

    Title

    Draft Wine Equalisation Tax Determination

    Wine Equalisation Tax: the addition of water to cider or perry

    Purpose

    The revised draft Determination will set out the Commissioner’s view on the characteristics and proportions of unfermented materials that may be added to a fermented solution of a beverage in order for that product to meet the definition of ‘cider’ under the A New Tax System (Wine Equalisation Tax) Act 1999.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Wine Equalisation Tax Determination WETD 2024/D1 Wine equalisation tax: the addition of water to cider or perry published on 12 June 2024. Comments period closed 12 July 2024.

    Contact

    Andrew Bennett, Excise Experience

    Phone:(08) 8208 1868

    Andrew.Bennett@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New ESA Commissioner appointed

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Mr Phillips has been in the Interim Commissioner position since 30 September 2023.

    The ACT Government has appointed Mr Wayne Phillips as the new Commissioner for the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA).

    Mr Phillips has been in the Interim Commissioner position since 30 September 2023.

    Commissioner Phillips is the sixth Commissioner to lead the ESA.

    He brings a significant amount of operational and leadership experience to the Commissioner role.

    Prior to joining ESA in 2022, he had a long and distinguished career with Fire and Rescue NSW.

    Commissioner Phillips is focused on the ESA’s workplace environment. He is known as a consultative leader who engages with employees, volunteers and the community to better understand their needs.

    Commissioner Phillips advocates for building partnerships and working with First Nations employees and community members to embed cultural practices and respect into the Agency.

    Mr Phillips’ appointment is intended to provide the Canberra community with strong and effective emergency services leadership.

    “I am honoured to be appointed to lead the ESA through the next five years and am committed to working alongside our very capable emergency services leaders in our shared mission to keep Canberra safe,” Commissioner Phillips said.

    “The ESA is a fantastic organisation, full of talented and hard-working experts who have a collective goal – to make Canberra the safest place to live and work.”

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Learn how to grow veggies at home in Canberra

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The gardening workshops in Whitlam are open to all Canberra residents.

    The Suburban Land Agency, in partnership with Fiona Buining of Ainslie Urban Farm, is delivering a series of gardening workshops called Growing Food Through the Seasons.

    The workshops cover range of gardening basics and focuses on getting the best from Canberra’s unique growing climate. They will teach participants when and what to plant for a bountiful supply of backyard produce year-round.

    You might think that you could pop out to a nursery, buy whatever vegetable is in season, plant them and enjoy your homegrown veggies soon.

    As it turns out, you’d be mistaken.

    “A big misconception is around when you plant things,” Fiona said.

    “And then the other misconception is how long things take to grow. Most things take a long time. If you’re planting a savoy cabbage in Canberra, you need to plant it in December to harvest it in winter.”

    These common misunderstandings about growing your own vegetables is one of the reasons that Fiona and the Suburban Land Agency are delivering these workshops at the Innovation Precinct at the Suburban Land Agency’s Display Village in Whitlam.

    In the meantime, here are some of Fiona’s top tips for beginner gardeners:

    Start with greens

    “The reason leafy greens are good is that they grow more or less year round,” Fiona said.

    Some of the leafy green vegetables that Fiona suggests for first time growers include:

    • lettuce
    • rocket
    • mizuna
    • mustard greens
    • kale (baby and regular)
    • English spinach
    • rainbow chard.

    If you’re looking for something nutritious that also looks nice in your garden, tat soi is a good option.

    “It’s a pretty Asian green that you can get in purple and green,” Fiona said.

    “It grows into this beautiful rosette that almost looks too good to pick.”

    Use your balcony

    Canberrans living in apartments and townhouses can also grow their own food. Instead of a backyard, Fiona suggests using the space on your balcony.

    “Grow bags are great for apartments and people with balconies. They’re absorbent, so when you water, the bag itself absorbs some of the water. You get a lot less of that dripping and running over that you would get with pots,” Fiona said.

    A budget-friendly alternative is a polystyrene box. Fiona says they’re an ideal depth for growing greens and tend to keep plants cooler than black plastic pots.

    “My tip for people with no balcony or outdoor growing space is to have a go at growing sprouts on your benchtop,” Fiona said.

    “Sprouts are great because they’re fresh, they’re full of minerals and vitamins and enzymes, and you can grow them in the dark.”

    Start today

    “People love starting a veggie garden in spring and summer,” Fiona said.

    “There’s something about the energy of spring and summer but actually, any time is ideal.”

    According to Fiona, there are things that you can plant in every month of the year in Canberra. Leafy greens, in particular, can be planted in any month.

    “Any time is good. When you’re inspired is the right time to do it. Don’t put it off,” Fiona said.

    Consider a verge garden

    If you have a verge (also known as a nature strip) out the front of your home, you could use it to plant vegetables. There are specific rules around what you can and can’t do with nature strips, so be sure to check out the City Services guide.

    “You can start a verge garden that can be a one-to-two-hour project,” Fiona said.

    “You don’t even have to dig. You can mow or cut the grass by hand, lay down newspaper, make sure it’s overlapping, put some compost or potting mix on top, plant the seedlings into the mounds, cover it with mulch, bingo.”

    The next Growing Food Through the Seasons Workshop is on Saturday 2 March. Workshops will be held on the first Saturday of every month (except for July) in 2024.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ICON grant helps launch fashion website

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Teresa Wojcik has created an Australian-first website, Your Season.

    An ICON grant from the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) helped Teresa Wojcik create an Australian-first website.

    The point of difference for her fashion site, Your Season, is its organisation by seasonal colour palettes.

    After having her colours done professionally, Teresa quickly identified a huge gap in the market.

    “Shopping by colour palette wasn’t accessible in real life,” she said.

    “The majority of stores were off limits because clothes weren’t in my colours.

    “I’d go online but would spend hours and have hundreds of tabs open trying to find clothes I liked, and were in my palette,” Teresa said.

    Her partner told her about CBRIN’s Innovation Connect (ICON) grants, and that’s when Teresa’s idea for Your Season came to life.

    ICON grants are currently open and close 16 April 2024.

    CBRIN receives funding from the ACT Government to support entrepreneurs, innovators and start-ups – like Your Season – in Canberra.

    It offers business support, programs, grants and access to networks of other entrepreneurs.

    “I got matched funding from the ICON grant for $30,000. It helped me build the Your Season website and work on the complex algorithm that feeds it.”

    Teresa has already secured birdsnest.com.au, petalandpup.com.au, stfrock.com.au and Amazon Australia to list their clothes on her site.

    She has ASOS and The Iconic in her sights for 2024. She’s also working on improving website functionality and getting other well-known brands on board.

    “And there will always be work to do on the algorithm, it’s extremely complex and I want it to be the best it can be, even if my eyes are bleeding colours,” she said.

    When asked what advice she had for anyone wanting to start a business in Canberra, she gave three tips:

    1. Lean into it – Go with your idea and seek out support, it’s there. The Canberra business community is very generous and you don’t have to do it by yourself.
    2. Understand things take longer than you expect – There can be pressure on you to go fast, to be first to market, but use the resources and support there are in Canberra to get you going.
    3. It’ll cost more than you expect – I’m not paying myself so I can build what I believe is a good product. But in the 10 years of working as a musician, I’ve received about $10,000 in funding, in one year in business I’ve received $75,000 in total. Look for funding to support your dreams.

    Previous ICON grant recipients include Future Swirl and Aurabox.

    For more on ICON grants, visit the CBRIN website.

    Be the first  to know about grants and funding to support Canberra businesses – subscribe to the CBR Business update e-newsletter.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Collection selection at Libraries ACT

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Mel Couper is part of the team managing the Libraries ACT collection.

    The Libraries ACT collection offers hundreds of thousands of items for Canberrans to borrow. But have you ever wondered how new items are added to it?

    Libraries ACT collects a wide range of quality resources in both existing and emerging formats.

    This ensures their collection has broad appeal while enhancing learning opportunities and informing, entertaining and connecting people, groups and communities.

    There are over 350,000 physical items available. And that’s not even counting the ebooks and eaudiobooks that can be downloaded, or movies and music that can be streamed for free!

    The Libraries ACT collections team has overall responsibility for selecting new library materials and resources. The team is always guided by community needs, analysis of collection use and customer and staff suggestions.

    “Suggestions from library customers for materials not already in the collection are a valuable way for the libraries team to connect with the community and acquire materials users want and need,” collection librarian Mel Couper said.

    The team also liaises with key ACT community groups and cultural organisations to develop collections of relevance and interest to these communities.

    “Standing orders with suppliers are also used to ensure rapid acquisition of known popular authors or series that are usually in high demand, with standing order plans reviewed each year,” Mel said.

    Libraries ACT aims to have a current, vibrant and attractive collection, with approximately half the collection less than five years old.

    The team actively removes items from the collection by reviewing the use and physical condition of items and taking into account storage capacity at libraries across the ACT and the currency and accuracy of the information.

    You can check out the full list of items available to borrow online as well as the standing orders for new publications.

    If an item you’d like to access isn’t in the collection (or on order) you can submit a suggestion to add it to the collection.

    Libraries ACT just ask that you read the guidelines for suggestions and limit your suggestions to two items per week.

    Libraries ACT aims to meet the needs and expectations of Canberra’s library users.

    Careful selection and management of material by professional, experienced staff, along with the input from the community, ensures the wide-ranging educational, cultural, recreational and information needs of library users are met.

    To search the collection, view the standing orders or suggest an item to add to the collection visit the Libraries ACT website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work underway at Gordon and Chisholm play spaces

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Staged work has started at the junior play area at Point Hut Pond playground and will next move to the Maliyan nest.

    Construction is underway on upgrades to Gordon’s Point Hut Pond playground and Chisholm’s Alston Street playground.

    Both upgrades follow community consultation and will provide Canberrans with better places to play.

    Work is taking place between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday. If required, work may be undertaken on weekends between 8 am and 4 pm.

    Both play spaces will feature First Nations artwork by Bradley Mapiva Brown.

    Point Hut Pond playground, Gordon

    Staged work has started at the junior play area and will move to the Maliyan nest.

    Point Hut Pond District Park – including the toilets, picnic facilities and barbecues – will still be open during the construction period.

    The basketball court will remain accessible with partial closures only.

    Junior play area key features:

    • nature play including stone and timber steppers with artwork and timber balancing stilts
    • play opportunities including a vortex climber and a rocker
    • new softfall throughout the play area
    • retaining all existing equipment from the playground.

    Maliyan nest area key features:

    • Maliyan nest climber with slide, suitable for junior, pre-teen and teen play
    • slide and scramble slope
    • nature play elements including timber and boulder steppers
    • informal seating opportunities with sandstone blocks.

    There will also be more seating added at the basketball court, interpretive signage, cultural design elements and landscaping.

    Find out more and view designs

    Alston Street playground, Chisholm

    Exciting additions are coming to Alston Street playground.

    Key features:

    • nature play with balancing and climbing elements including stone and timber steppers and recycled fallen tree trunks
    • all ages and abilities accessible spinner and nest swing with softfall beneath both items
    • play opportunities including climbing poles, a pommel walk and vortex as well as a brown snake sculpture to climb on
    • retaining existing equipment from the playground including the combination unit, swings and rockers
    • picnic tables, shelter and seating
    • existing shade sail retained and improved with cultural artwork on its posts as well as on the upgraded basketball hoop and backboard
    • concrete path with animal imprints
    • nine new trees and landscaping including groundcover, native grasses and shrubs
    • improved drainage throughout the playground and improvements to the carpark surface.

    Alston Street playground will be closed while upgrades are underway.

    The closest alternative playgrounds are the Caroline Chisholm playground and the Chisholm shops playground.

    Find out more and view designs

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 77

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 77
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    635 PM CDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Northwest Louisiana
    Southeast and East-Central Texas

    * Effective this Sunday night and Monday morning from 635 PM
    until 200 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms coverage is expected to increase over the
    next few hours across southeast and east-central TX before then
    continuing downstream into northwest LA. Strong instability and
    moderate shear will support the potential for supercells. The
    primary severe hazard with these supercells will be large to very
    large hail (i.e. greater than 2″ in diameter). Strong wind gusts
    could occur as well. Given the potential for a supercell mode, a
    tornado or two is also possible.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 40
    statute miles north and south of a line from 35 miles north
    northwest of College Station TX to 35 miles southeast of Shreveport
    LA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch
    outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…WW
    74…WW 75…WW 76…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    24030.

    …Mosier

    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 77
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    635 PM CDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Northwest Louisiana
    Southeast and East-Central Texas

    * Effective this Sunday night and Monday morning from 635 PM
    until 200 AM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms coverage is expected to increase over the
    next few hours across southeast and east-central TX before then
    continuing downstream into northwest LA. Strong instability and
    moderate shear will support the potential for supercells. The
    primary severe hazard with these supercells will be large to very
    large hail (i.e. greater than 2″ in diameter). Strong wind gusts
    could occur as well. Given the potential for a supercell mode, a
    tornado or two is also possible.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 40
    statute miles north and south of a line from 35 miles north
    northwest of College Station TX to 35 miles southeast of Shreveport
    LA. For a complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch
    outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…WW
    74…WW 75…WW 76…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    24030.

    …Mosier

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW7
    WW 77 SEVERE TSTM LA TX 302335Z – 310700Z
    AXIS..40 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
    35NNW CLL/COLLEGE STATION TX/ – 35SE SHV/SHREVEPORT LA/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 35NM N/S /50SE ACT – 46SSE EIC/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24030.

    LAT…LON 31639660 32669341 31519341 30479660

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU7.

    Watch 77 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (60%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig memorial unveiling

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A tight-knit country community will honour and remember a local police officer during a special memorial unveiling event this Sunday.

    A life-size silhouette of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig and accompanying plaque will be unveiled by SA Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and Doig family members at Lucindale’s Centenary Park from 2pm Sunday.

    On 17 November 2023, Brevet Sergeant Doig, 53, was killed in the line of duty on a property at Senior in South Australia’s upper south-east.

    He joined South Australia Police in 1989 and served the Limestone Coast community for more than a decade, taking up the Lucindale post in 2011.

    SA Police Legacy, Police Association of South Australia, Wall to Wall and Cops 4 Kids have worked with SAPOL to organise the memorial following an outpouring of donations and support after Brevet Sergeant Doig’s death.

    He was posthumously awarded the South Australia Police Bravery Medal for saving the lives of two police colleagues.

    The memorial silhouette is based on a 2013 photo (pictured) taken during Brevet Sergeant Doig’s Lucindale posting, where he stands proudly next to a patrol vehicle.

    Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens will join fellow SAPOL members, the Doig family and other dignitaries and guests to celebrate Brevet Sergeant Doig’s life and career.

    “The Lucindale community has been extremely generous, which is a testament to the impact Brevet Sergeant Doig had during his career,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “He leaves behind a legacy of community service and will forever be remembered for his courage and sacrifice.”

    Along with being the officer-in-charge at the Lucindale police station, Brevet Sergeant Doig was well known around town for volunteering at several sporting clubs and participating in crime prevention activities.

    SA Police Legacy Board President Kellie Watkins will emcee this Sunday’s event, which will include a Commissioner’s address, memorial unveiling, prayer and blessing, minute’s silence, speech by brother Brett Doig and a SAPOL course mate, and conclude with the laying of tributes.

    The Band of the South Australia Police will also perform The Requiescant – played at funerals and memorial ceremonies for Australian police officers killed on duty.

    Coinciding with the unveiling, Lucindale Lions Club has renamed a structure in the local park to be the ‘Jason Doig PBM LEM Memorial Shelter’.

    Members of the public are invited to attend the memorial event on Sunday, April 6 at Lucindale Centenary Park, Musgrave Avenue, 1.45pm for a 2pm start.

    A life-size silhouette and plaque will be unveiled at Lucindale this Sunday in honour of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Bushfire and storm season ends in the ACT

    Source: Australian National Party

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 31/03/2025

    Today, 31 March 2025, marks the official end of the 2024-25 bushfire and storm season in the ACT.

    Throughout the season ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) and ACT Parks & Conservation Service (ACTPCS) staff and volunteers responded to 42 grass fires and 1,030 requests for storm or flood assistance across the territory.

    This year, the ACT provided support across our nation. Over 250 staff and volunteers deployed interstate to help others during their times of need. Some of the notable emergencies that ESA and ACTPCS personnel assisted with include:

    • Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
    • Northern Territory Fires
    • Townsville Floods
    • Grampians Bushfires, Victoria
    • Tasmania Bushfires

    Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, says it was gratifying to see members of the ACT working across Australia this bushfire and storm season.

    “Over the past few months, staff and volunteers from the ESA have stepped up without hesitation to support not just our local community, but people across Australia during challenging and uncertain times. After one of the ESA’s largest deployment seasons to date, I am proud to see how well our services have been represented nationwide.

    “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to every member who has given up their time to assist during storms, floods, bushfires, and other emergency events. Their unwavering commitment and hard work demonstrate that we truly have the best people safeguarding our community.”

    Quotes attributable to ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS) Chief Officer, Rohan Scott

    “As the bushfire season ends in the ACT fire permits are no longer required, and the daily fire danger rating will not be displayed as the risk of bushfire is now lowered.

    “However, it is important that we don’t become complacent. Bush and grass fires can occur at anytime, anywhere. Although the ACTRFS is taking steps to ensure we are prepared, this can only be done with the help of our community. I encourage our community to visit the ESA website for advice on staying prepared.

    “With more volunteers due to join our service soon, our capability is only growing, allowing us to better serve the needs of the growing ACT community during emergencies.”

    Quotes attributable to ACT State Emergency Service (ACTSES) Interim Chief Officer, Steve Forbes

    “This season has been a big one for our ACTSES volunteers. When not assisting with storm and flood responses here in the ACT, they have been busy across borders helping with the response and aftermath of high-risk weather events across the country.

    “It’s always great to help out our own community, but these interstate deployments have given our members opportunities to refine their skills and learn from interstate colleagues. I know that many of our volunteers will be taking these skills and applying them here in the ACT.

    “Although storm season is coming to an end, I would like to remind the community that a storm or flood can happen anytime of year. That is why it is important that all year round residents are taking steps to maintain their home to ensure it is ready for a storm. We are prepared when Canberra prepares together.”

    – Statement ends –

    Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Changes to tipping off offence in effect from today

    Source: Australian Department of Communications

    Businesses and individuals bound by the tipping off offence must now consider whether a disclosure could be expected to prejudice an investigation, under changes to the AML/CTF laws that came into force today.
    The changes to the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of around $39,000 or up to 2 years in prison, are now focussed on the harms that could flow from a disclosure.
    AUSTRAC CEO, Mr Brendan Thomas, said the change is part of AML/CTF reforms passed late last year to expand and simplify the legislation.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Step length, a devastating finish and ‘springs in his spikes’: the science behind Gout Gout’s speed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dylan Hicks, Lecturer & Movement Scientist / PhD Sports Biomechanics, Flinders University

    2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships live stream, Australian Athletics

    Every now and then an athlete comes along who makes people wonder, “how are they so fast?”

    Let me introduce you to Gout Gout.

    Gout is a 17-year-old sprint sensation from Australia, whose blistering 100m and 200m times have drawn comparison to none other than Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt.

    While he was edged out over 200 metres in Melbourne last weekend by 21-year-old Lachlan Kennedy – recent 60-metre world indoor silver medallist who is a rising sprinter poised to break the ten-second barrier for 100 metres – Gout’s performances continue to signal a bright future on the track.

    In a seven-month period since last August, Gout has:

    • won silver in the 200m at the World Junior Championships (20.60 seconds, -0.7 metres/second wind)
    • broken Peter Norman’s long-standing Australian 200m record (20.04 seconds, +1.5m/s)
    • two weeks ago in Brisbane, smashed through the magical 20-second barrier for the 200m, recording a world-leading 19.98 seconds (+3.6m/s), albeit wind-aided (anything greater than 2.0 metres/second is considered wind-aided).

    But what makes Gout so fast?

    Is it his explosive start, long stride, top speed or smooth technique?

    The answer, as with all athletic outliers, is likely a combination of several unique attributes.

    Let’s dive into the science.

    The science of sprinting

    Sprinting is an ongoing battle of force and mass.

    Gravity is pulling the athlete’s body mass down. Meanwhile, the athlete must apply muscular force into the track to keep the body upright.

    Research suggests the world’s fastest sprinters generate the highest ground reaction force relative to their body mass and apply it in the shortest period, in the right direction (more horizontally in acceleration and more vertically at top speed).

    At 5’11” (180cm) and 66kg, Gout does not display the muscular physiques of past champion sprinters including Asafa Powell (Jamaica), Justin Gatlin (the USA), or Australia’s own Matt Shirvington. Yet his performances suggest is he redefining the archetype of elite sprinting.

    For anyone who has run at school, you know the difficulty of holding your top speed for the duration of a 200-metre race.

    But Gout defies logic. His speed endurance (maintaining speed) sets him apart from nearly all athletes.

    And not just compared to his age group, although he currently sits second on the all-time under-18 200-metre list behind US runner Erriyon Knighton.

    Gout’s speed endurance is up there with the best in 200-metre history: Bolt, Michael Johnson or Noah Lyles. Each of them has won multiple Olympic medals.

    The fastest official 100-200 metre segment (the final 100 metres of the race) ever run in a 200-metre event is 9.16 seconds by American Lyles, on his way to winning the 2022 world athletics championships in Oregon (19.31 seconds overall).

    In Gout’s recent performance in Brisbane, he completed this segment of the race in 9.31 seconds. Bolt and Johnson’s best 100-200 metre segment is 9.27 and 9.20 seconds respectively.

    This statistic puts Gout in elite company.

    The magic of Gout

    Closer analysis of Gout’s performance highlights some sprinting anomalies.

    He covers the first 100m of the race in 10.67 seconds, which is quite slow relative to his finishing time of 19.98.

    For comparison, when Bolt broke the 200-metre world record in 2009 (19.19 seconds), he ran 9.92 seconds on the curve (and 9.27 seconds on the straight).

    But once Gout enters the straight, his magic is on full display.

    Gout has an average step length of 2.60 metres. Bolt’s average step length in his 100-metre world record performance was 2.45m, with Lyles displaying a similar result, 2.35m, in his 100-metre win in Paris.

    This allows Gout to take between 3.75-4 steps for each ten-metre segment, which he covers at an average speed of 10.8m/s (or 38.8km/h). Like Bolt, his step length is a huge advantage over his competitors.

    However, there is a trade-off with step length and step frequency.

    Gout’s longer-than-average step length reduces his average step frequency to 4.15Hz (steps per second), much lower than Bolt who averaged 4.47Hz when at his best.

    However, research highlights elite sprinters are reliant on either step length or frequency, and athletes should train to their strengths, rather than fixing their weaknesses.

    So this may not be an area of concern for the teenager.

    Gout also displays a unique coordination pattern in how he interacts with the ground: the way he strikes the track with his feet almost makes it look like he has springs in his spikes.

    Well, we all do in a sense.

    Elastic energy is stored and released in our Achilles tendon which acts as a muscle power amplifier during running.

    Longer Achilles tendon length and stiffness play a huge role in sprint efficiency. This allows athletes to move at faster speeds for longer periods at a reduced energy cost, and may be another one’s of Gout advantages over his contemporaries.

    A bright future

    At 17, Gout’s performances are out of this world.

    The way he generates and maintains speed challenges some conventional paradigms in sprinting – namely that raw power and muscle mass are the primary determinants of speed.

    With most elite sprinters peaking in their mid-20s, Gout’s performances at this stage of his career are even more noteworthy.

    His success likely highlights the role of his unique coordination patterns, biomechanics, technical efficiency, hard work and great coaching all bundled together.

    Gout has already rewritten Australian sprinting history. Next up, he’s taking on the world.

    Just don’t blink – he’s that fast, you might miss him.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Step length, a devastating finish and ‘springs in his spikes’: the science behind Gout Gout’s speed – https://theconversation.com/step-length-a-devastating-finish-and-springs-in-his-spikes-the-science-behind-gout-gouts-speed-252629

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Three high-range drink drivers detected in states north

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Three high-range drink drivers detected in states north

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 7:43 am.

    Police detected three high-range drink drivers in the North overnight Friday including a woman who was nearly five times the legal alcohol limit.
    About 6.30pm Friday a Northern Highway Patrol officer stopped a 38-year-old woman on the Midland Highway near Symmons Plains, after reports the driver had been been weaving across the road at Epping Forest.
    During the intercept police discovered the driver – from NSW – had two passengers in the car who were both licensed and sober.
    The NSW woman was taken to the Longford Police Station where she was breath tested, returning a reading of 0.234 – nearly five times the legal alcohol limit.
    She was arrested, and charged and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
    She will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
    In the early hours of Saturday morning, Launceston police intercepted two further high-range drink drivers.
    A 31-year-old Ravenswood man on Invermay Road who returned a reading of 0.159 – more than three times the legal limit and a 25-year-old Ravenswood man in Launceston CBD who returned a reading of 0.148 – nearly three times the legal limit.
    Northern Road Policing Services Acting Sergeant Rockliff said driving while under the influence of alcohol, particularly such high levels, posed a serious risk not only to the drivers, but all other road users.
    “We would like to thank the members of the public who reported the woman’s driving behaviour at Epping Forest,” he said.
    “Anyone with information about dangerous driving should contact police on 131 444.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with drink driving and driving under the influence, Kingston

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man charged with drink driving and driving under the influence, Kingston

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 9:05 am.

    A 41-year-old Kingston man has been charged with drink driving and driving under the influence following a two-vehicle crash on the Channel Highway, Kingston yesterday.
    Police were called to the crash about 2pm Saturday 29 March.
    A driver of one of the vehicles returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.255 – more than five times the legal alcohol limit.
    Thankfully, nobody was injured in the crash.
    Kingston Police would like to thank the members of the community who assisted at the crash prior to the arrival of emergency services.
    The man will appear in court at a later date.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cooee Point Reserve incident

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Cooee Point Reserve incident

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 9:48 am.

    A pedestrian has been flown to Melbourne in a critical condition following an incident at Cooee Point Reserve overnight.
    Police and emergency services were called to Cooee Road about midnight after reports a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.
    The pedestrian was taken to the Northwest Regional Hospital with serious injuries before being airlifted to Melbourne in a critical condition.
    The driver of the vehicle – a 17-year-old-boy- presented to the Burnie Police Station a short time after the incident and was assisting police with their inquiries.
    Investigations into the circumstances leading up to the crash are ongoing.
    Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash, Orford

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Fatal crash, Orford

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 6:00 pm.

    Sadly, a man in his 60s has died after a single-vehicle crash at Orford today.
    Police and emergency services were called to the scene on the Tasman Highway just before 12.45pm Sunday after reports a camper had left the road, and crashed into a tree.
    The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle sadly died at the scene. 
    At this stage it is believed the man suffered a medical episode.
    Investigations into the crash are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
    Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Indonesia

    Source:

    Before entering Indonesia, ensure you understand your visa conditions and entry and exit requirements. Indonesian authorities have strict standards for damaged passports, and travellers have been refused entry into Indonesia with a damaged passport. Water damage, minor tears or rips to the pages can be considered damaged (see ‘Travel’).

    If you’re travelling to Bali, read the Bali Provincial Government’s ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ advice for foreign tourists before you travel (See ‘Local Laws’). Offensive behaviour that fails to respect local culture, religion, places of worship, and traditional ceremonies can lead to criminal penalties and/or deportation.

    Drinks may be spiked or mixed with toxic substances. Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks. Don’t leave food or drinks unattended. Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Bali and Lombok (see ‘Safety’).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Types of property a foreign person can buy

    Source:

    Residential properties a foreign person can buy

    From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027, foreign persons are banned from purchasing established dwellings in Australia (limited exceptions apply). This includes temporary residents purchasing an established dwelling for use as a principal place of residence. Temporary residents can still apply for approval to purchase vacant land or new dwellings.

    The types of residential property that a foreign person can buy in Australia include:

    • a new or near-new dwelling
    • an established dwelling for redevelopment
    • an off-the-plan property
    • vacant residential land
    • an established dwelling for a foreign company that employs workers from Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste and are required to provide housing for them, including those participating in the Pacific Australia Labour MobilityExternal Link (PALM) scheme.

    If you intend to buy a non-residential asset (including commercial real estate, agricultural land, registrable water interest, business interest or mining production), see Steps to invest in Australian non-residential assets.

    Types of dwellings a foreign person can buy

    Foreign persons can buy the following types of dwellings.

    New or near new dwelling

    A new or near-new dwelling is a dwelling that:

    • will be, is being, or has been, built on residential land
    • is part of a residential development
    • was previously sold by the developer, but the transaction ultimately failed to settle
    • has not been previously occupied for more than 12 months in total.

    Established dwelling

    An established dwelling is an existing dwelling on residential land and is not a new dwelling as described above.

    Vacant land

    Vacant land is land that has no substantive permanent building on it, that:

    • can be lawfully occupied by persons, goods, or livestock
    • generally, has not previously had an established dwelling on it.

    For more information, see Apply to buy residential property as a foreign person.

    MIL OSI News –