The filter will block the scam messages — which usually take the form of a notice about a missing package and direct the reader to a link to learn more — at the network level, making sure they don’t reach the customer’s device.
The filter is automatically on for every Telstra customer (including those with providers on the Telstra network, such as Belong) and there is nothing they need to do to activate it.
If you do not want SMS messages being blocked, you can opt out by sending an SMS to 0438 214 682 with the words FILTER OFF. And if you change your mind you can turn it back on by sending a message to 0438 214 682 saying FILTER ON.
Committee looks at medical cannabis exclusion
A NSW Upper House committee is looking at a bill that seeks to change the Road Transport Act 2013 to exclude medicinal cannabis users from offences related to driving under the influence of certain drugs.
The Road Transport Amendment (Medicinal Cannabis - Exemptions from Offences) Bill 2021 would change legislation which currently provides that a person using any prescribed illicit drug cannot drive a motor vehicle, occupy a driver's seat or accompany a learner driver in a vehicle.
If passed, the bill would exclude users of medicinal cannabis from the application of these offences while a prescribed illicit drug is present in their oral fluid, blood or urine. The act already provides a defence for people using morphine.
The committee invites interested organisations and community members to make a submission to the inquiry via the submissions portal at www.bit.ly/bill-inquiry-submissions by May 1.
Show your solar panels some love
Energy Safe Victoria and Solar Victoria have launched a new campaign encouraging Victorians to ensure the safety of their solar panels by getting them serviced regularly.
The ‘Show Your Solar Some Love’ campaign urges Victorians to have their solar systems serviced by a licensed A-grade electrician every two years to keep their families and property safe.
While the risk of failure is low, solar PV systems are subject to hot and cold temperatures, wind, rain and other extreme weather events. As electrical equipment, they need to be looked after to keep them safe and working to their optimum level.
Audits have also found a small number of solar PV systems fail due to rainwater getting into the DC isolator, which, in extremely rare circumstances, can present a fire risk.
The risk is highest in older and poorly installed solar systems.
For more information, go to: www.esv.vic.gov.au/solar-safety
New chair for basin technical panel
Dr John McVeigh will chair the Modernising Murray River Systems panel that will look for water infrastructure opportunities that could improve delivery and reliability of water across the southern Murray-Darling Basin.
“Dr McVeigh will hit the ground running, helping to establish the independent panel of experts from fields such as hydrology, engineering, infrastructure and ecology,” Federal Water Minister Keith Pitt said.
“Together they will conduct a 12-month assessment of the future readiness of the southern Murray-Darling Basin water delivery infrastructure in the new financial year.”
He said the panel would assess whether existing infrastructure and past investments would meet the needs of a “modern, future-focused river system” and then develop a priority list of infrastructure opportunities.
Victoria nets horticulture funding
Victorian horticulture producers will benefit from the expansion of the Horticultural Netting Program Trial following the signing of an $11.2 million funding agreement between the state and federal governments.
Victoria’s horticulture sector produced more than $3 billion worth of fruit, nuts and vegetables in 2019-20
“Properly installed netting can seriously improve both the quality and quantity of fresh food crops, while reducing water usage by up to 30 per cent,” Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said.
“Recent research has proven that it can reduce the damage from severe weather impacts and can also keep out animals that could damage horticulture crops, like birds and flying foxes.
“I am pleased that the finalisation of the funding agreement will see $11.2 million in additional Australian Government funding provided to Victorian producers. This brings total funding for netting in Victoria to almost $16 million.”
Threatened native animals get $12m boost
Dozens of threatened native Australian species will have their habitats restored, populations boosted and predators managed through $12 million in Federal Government grants.
The funding will be delivered through wildlife projects across most states and territories, supporting species ranging from the brush-tailed rock wallaby to the Eltham copper butterfly.
The grants come after an audit found most threatened species in Australia were not being monitored, and no-one was assessing whether recovery plans were working.
The Australian National Audit Office last month offered a scathing assessment of the Federal Government's efforts to save threatened plants and animals from extinction.
It said the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment did not have measurement and reporting systems to provide reliable information on the status of threatened species.
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