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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Full Court dismisses appeal by Ultra Tune over contempt of court

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    The Full Federal Court has today dismissed an appeal by Ultra Tune Australia Pty Ltd (Ultra Tune), upholding a decision of the Federal Court in March 2024 to impose $1.5 million in fines for four separate instances of contempt of court.

    The contempt of court decision related to breaches of orders made by the Court in 2019 after earlier ACCC proceedings in relation to breaches of the Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct (Franchising Code) by Ultra Tune, including its failure to implement a compliance program.

    Ultra Tune appealed the decision on two grounds; first that the Court had no power to impose a punishment for contempt where no endorsement was included on the relevant orders as to the consequences of non-compliance with those orders and secondly as to how the fines were calculated.

    In dismissing the appeal, the Full Federal Court held on the first ground that there was no error in the primary judge’s construction of the relevant Federal Court rules relating to the endorsement.  On the second ground the Full Federal Court held that “Ultra Tune has not established any overt error on the part of the primary judge in determining the fines for the contempts nor that they are otherwise manifestly excessive, taken alone or as a total penalty”.

    “We are pleased with the Full Court upholding this decision, which we consider a clear message that compliance with the Franchising Code is of utmost importance,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.

    “This is a serious matter because Ultra Tune had failed to comply with the requirements which are in place to protect franchisees even after judgments in earlier ACCC court action against it.”

    “We will continue to monitor the compliance by Ultra Tune and other franchisors, and take appropriate action if required,” Ms Carver said.

    The Court also awarded the ACCC its costs of the appeal.

    Background

    Ultra Tune is a car servicing franchisor with operations in every mainland state and territory and over 260 centres across Australia.

    In 2017, the ACCC instituted proceedings against Ultra Tune in relation to alleged contraventions of the ACL and the Franchising Code. In January 2019, the Federal Court imposed total pecuniary penalties of $2.604 million against Ultra Tune (reduced to $2.014 million on appeal) for its contravening conduct.

    The penalties related to Ultra Tune’s:

    • late production and dissemination (by over six months in some instances) of marketing fund statements and disclosure documents mandated by the Franchising Code; and
    • treatment of a prospective franchisee, whom the court found Ultra Tune had misled.

    In March 2019, the Court ordered Ultra Tune to implement a compliance program and made injunctions restraining Ultra Tune from contravening certain provisions of the ACL and the Franchising Code. The Full Federal Court rejected an appeal by Ultra Tune against this decision in September 2019.

    In June 2022, the ACCC instituted proceedings alleging Ultra Tune was in contempt of court by failing to comply with the orders made in March 2019.  In March 2024, the Federal Court fined Ultra Tune $1.5 million for contempt of Court. The company appealed this decision in late March.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s delivery services at full throttle to meet festival shopping boom

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The file photo shows workers unload e-commerce parcels from a bullet train at Shuangliu West Railway Station in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing)

    When Wang Lijun returned to his hometown in Hebei for the Spring Festival this year, he didn’t carry the usual load of holiday goods, as his New Year purchases — juicy navel oranges from Jiangxi and wild vegetables from the northeast — had already arrived at his doorstep via express delivery.

    “Returning home for the Spring Festival used to be physically exhausting, but now it’s a breeze,” said the 50-year-old man, who spent eight months constructing cliffside roads deep in the Taihang Mountains.

    Wang’s shipments were just a fraction of the billions of parcels crisscrossing China as people shop for gourmet treats, festive goods and gifts for the Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 29 this year. With e-commerce now an integral part of daily life, the holiday season has become one of the busiest times for the country’s delivery network.

    At Sanya Phoenix International Airport, a major hub in China’s tropical island province of Hainan, packages of mangoes, dragon fruits and coconuts are flown across the country to eager holiday shoppers.

    “Over 70 percent of the air-shipped parcels are fruits, and during peak times, more than 70 tonnes are dispatched daily,” said Zhao He from the YTO Express branch at the airport. Even in the snow-covered northeastern regions, deliveries can arrive in as little as 24 hours.

    Data from JD.com, a leading e-commerce platform, showed that Chinese consumers are enjoying a greater variety of specialties from across the country for the festival. For instance, the sales of local products from the coastal city of Shanghai have surged by 277 percent year on year in the inland Qinghai Province on the platform.

    Driven by the holiday shopping frenzy, China’s express delivery network has been operating at high capacity since the beginning of this year, according to the State Post Bureau.

    During the first three days of the Spring Festival travel rush, which kicked off in mid-January, the daily average of express deliveries handled nationwide exceeded 670 million, a 29 percent jump from the same period in 2024, according to the bureau.

    Festive shopping gained momentum as China tapped into its growing domestic consumption potential, driven by the rise of online retail and the rapid expansion of its delivery network. In 2024, the country’s courier sector handled 174.5 billion parcels, with 974 million Chinese people shopping online by year-end.

    In the distribution center of Yunda Express in Shanghai, the pre-holiday delivery is in full swing. To handle the surge in parcels, the company has activated all of its smart sorting lines in the center, expanded its fleet of vehicles and upgraded the equipment.

    “We are also considering hiring more temporary workers to meet the business demand,” said Yang Shuai, who is in charge of the center.

    Logistics companies may face further challenges as many delivery workers, like all fellow Chinese, are returning to their hometowns for the Spring Festival, leading to a seasonal manpower shortage.

    According to Ye Wenhui, manager of ZTO Express’s Fengxian branch in Shanghai, only 30 percent of the couriers in the branch will stay on their post during the eight-day holiday which starts on Tuesday.

    To boost staffing, couriers will be paid three times their usual pay during the holiday, with bonuses that guarantee daily incomes of 400 to 600 yuan (about 56 to 84 U.S. dollars) for delivering 200 to 300 packages. They’ll also be able to take time off once their colleagues return.

    Ye said that innovative solutions have been put in place to address the staff shortage, such as setting up unattended pickup stations and adding delivery lockers to courier stores.

    Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, has further alleviated labor shortages by deploying unmanned delivery vehicles.

    These automated systems would handle the most labor-intensive transportation tasks, allowing on-site workers to focus on sorting and last-mile deliveries. A dedicated operation team has been established to ensure smooth functionality of unmanned vehicles during the holiday period.

    According to a Cainiao delivery manager in east China’s Hangzhou, this year, six unmanned vehicles will handle the transportation work, allowing 60 percent of the staff to enjoy their Spring Festival holiday, significantly higher than about 30 percent in past years.

    Wang Lei, manager of a YTO Express branch in Shanghai’s Xuhui District, said that a decline in delivery volumes is expected in the first three days of the holiday. “But it will surge afterward as people ship local specialties back to the metropolitan cities like Shanghai where they reside and work.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shawo radish industry fuels rural revitalization in N. China

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Hao Lihong, general manager of Guli farm, an agricultural supply chain cooperative in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, shows the growth of Shawo radishes in Tianjin, north China, Jan. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Song Rui)

    Rows of green Shawo radishes are growing well in a technology demonstration base covering an area of around 50 mu (about 3.33 hectares) in the suburb of north China’s Tianjin Municipality.

    It is currently the peak sales season for Shawo radishes, and most of the radishes in the greenhouses at the base are in cold storage, waiting to be distributed nationwide.

    “Via the Internet of Things and sensors in the greenhouses, the amount of watering, the temperature, humidity and light can be managed intelligently, increasing the quality of the radishes. The process of growing the radishes including seed selection, planting and maintenance is recorded in the smart system,” said Hao Lihong, general manager of Guli farm, an agricultural supply chain cooperative in Tianjin.

    Hao said that the smart planting technology would soon be introduced to more than 10 greenhouses in the area — allowing local farmers to plant in an automated way by using mobile phones.

    The Shawo radish is named after its growth localities in Xiaoshawo Village and Dashawo Village in Xinkou Town, Tianjin’s Xiqing District. Local Shawo radish growing dates back more than 300 years. The soil in these areas is sandy near the surface and sticky deeper down — making radishes grown there both crisp and sweet.

    In 2024, in order to promote the development of the Shawo radish industry, the district government made a plan and cooperated with towns, villages and enterprises to produce a well-known Shawo radish brand.

    “In the past, the radish planting here lacked both scale and standardization. The production facilities were old, while seeds were not standard. The taste of radishes grown by different people was different, which restricted the brand-inheritance potential of the Shawo radish,” Hao said.

    Notably, Guli farm and Dashawo Village have strengthened their cooperation efforts since last year. More than 300 contracted farmers have enjoyed technical training and guidance from experts with Tianjin Academy of Agriculture Sciences. They also did not need to find the sales channels by themselves, but instead sold radishes directly to Guli farm.

    Thanks to this cooperation model, Sun Guoqiang, a 62-year-old living in Dashawo Village, has benefited a lot. “The peak sales season for Shawo radishes is from December to February of the following year. By the end of 2024, all 25,000 kilograms of Shawo radishes in my five greenhouses had been purchased by Guli farm, earning me roughly 100,000 yuan (about 13,638 U.S. dollars),” Sun said.

    The price of the radishes has more than doubled compared with 2023, and Sun plans to expand his planting area this year to make even more money.

    In recent years, marketing activities to promote the Shawo radish brand have been implemented, boosting sales. In addition, a special promotion meeting focused on the Shawo radish was held in Beijing, while many Chinese cities including Changsha, Hangzhou and Guangzhou hosted exhibitions, where visitors could get a closer look at this special radish variety. Online and offline sales channels for this brand have been expanded recently, serving as another boost for the Shawo radish industry.

    “In 2024, we made a lot of efforts to expand the sales chain of Shawo radishes, and enhance their popularity and reputation through brand building and cultural tourism activities,” Hao said.

    This year, the company will cooperate with enterprises in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to help farmers sell Shawo radishes to buyers in Hong Kong and Macao, Hao added.

    The Shawo radish industry has had a significant impact on Xinkou Town, boosting rural revitalization there.

    At present, the town has planted Shawo radishes across an area of about 7,000 mu — which is expected to yield an estimated output of around 32.5 million kilograms and an estimated sales value of 250 million yuan.

    According to Zhao Jun, the town’s Party secretary, the town plans to expand the cultivation scale of Shawo radishes and strengthen the development of both deep processing of agricultural products and tourism, adding that they would also try to make the Shawo radish industry a good model of rural revitalization by continuously extending the industry chain and strengthening the Shawo radish brand.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tesla, BMW join Chinese EV makers in challenging EU tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Tesla and BMW have joined Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers in challenging the European Union’s (EU) tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, filing cases with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), according to the court’s website.

    The automakers’ lawsuits follow similar filings last week by Chinese EV manufacturers BYD, Geely, and SAIC, contesting the EU’s additional import tariffs of up to over 35 percent.

    European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill confirmed at a press conference on Monday that the EU is prepared to respond to the case in court.

    Despite strong opposition from industry stakeholders in EU member states, the Commission moved forward with its proposal to impose countervailing tariffs on Chinese EVs in October.

    Under the EU tariff scheme, U.S. automaker Tesla, which manufactures vehicles in China, faces a duty of 7.8 percent after requesting an individual review. BMW, which also produces certain models in China, is subject to a 20.7-percent duty. Tariffs for Chinese manufacturers vary: 17 percent for BYD, 18.8 percent for Geely, and 35.3 percent for SAIC.

    China appealed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in November last year against the EU’s final ruling on countervailing measures targeting Chinese EVs.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Nasdaq celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year with closing bell

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Nasdaq, a major stock exchange in the world, celebrated the Chinese Lunar New Year on Monday afternoon by holding a closing bell ceremony in partnership with the Chinese Consulate General in New York.

    Marking the 16th year of celebrating the Spring Festival at Nasdaq, Chen Li, the Chinese consul general in New York, rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York City, one of the most populous cities in the United States.

    “The Spring Festival embodies values of reunion, renewal and resilience, which are essential as we work together to deepen economic ties between China and the United States,” Chen said.

    It is also meaningful to celebrate these values here at the heart of the global commerce center, Chen added.

    “We welcome more investors and friends from the United States and beyond to explore opportunities in China… It is inspiring to see more Chinese enterprises listed on Nasdaq with the blessings of the Year of the Snake. I hope China-U.S. economic ties can be stronger and bring greater benefits to the world,” Chen said.

    “The Lunar New Year has always been a time to express gratitude for our partnerships and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025,” said Robert H. McCooey, Jr., vice chairman of Nasdaq, at the ceremony.

    “Nasdaq’s commitment to China remains very strong and we are extremely proud to be the home of over 250 innovative Chinese companies who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that will help our two great nations continue to grow together,” said McCooey.

    According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Spring Festival falls Wednesday this year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi sends Chinese New Year card in return to friends in US state of Iowa

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a Chinese New Year card in return to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa, saying that China and the United States share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation and can become partners and friends.

    Xi said in the reply card that the warm reception he received when he visited the beautiful state of Iowa 40 years ago is still fresh in his memory.

    China and the United States can achieve mutual success and common prosperity for the benefit of both countries and the world at large, Xi said.

    The Chinese president expressed his hope that the two peoples will pay more visits to each other and have more exchanges, jointly write new stories of friendship between the two peoples, and make new contributions to the development of China-U.S. relations.

    Earlier, 58 people from Iowa, including friends Luca Berrone, Gary Dvorchak and Sarah Lande, former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and his wife, former President of the World Food Prize Foundation Kenneth Quinn, as well as representatives of teachers, students and parents from Iowa who participated in the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study for a five-year period, jointly sent a Chinese New Year card to President Xi.

    In the card, they recalled Xi’s first visit to Iowa in 1985 and extended New Year greetings to President Xi in the Year of the Snake.

    The representatives of teachers, students and parents thanked Xi for putting forward the “50,000 in Five Years” initiative, shared their feelings about visiting China, and expressed their expectations to visit China again.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/27/2025 Blackburn, Schatz Introduce Bill to Award Tennessean Roddie Edmonds with Congressional Gold Medal on Holocaust Remembrance Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act, which would posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Master Sergeant Roderick “Roddie” Edmonds in recognition of his heroic actions during World War II:
    “Roddie Edmonds’ bravery saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish-American soldiers during World War II, and his valor deserves official commendation,” said Senator Blackburn. “Today on Holocaust Remembrance Day, we recognize the tremendous courage of my fellow Tennessean who risked his life to protect his fellow countrymen from Nazi atrocities.” 
    “Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds showed incredible courage to stand up for what’s right,” said Senator Schatz. “At a time of rising anti-Semitism, this bill honoring his bravery reminds us the power of standing together in solidarity against hate – even in the toughest moments.”

    Click here to download this photo of Senator Blackburn and World War II veterans during her trip to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

    BACKGROUND:

    In 1944, Roddie Edmonds was captured by Nazi forces during the Battle of the Bulge. Taken to Stalag IX-A, a notorious POW camp in Ziegenhain, Germany, Edmonds, as the senior noncommissioned officer, was responsible for 1,292 men.
    A month after his capture, he was ordered to separate the Jewish-American soldiers from the rest of the prisoners, a move that would likely result in their deaths. Defying the Nazi order, Edmonds commanded all of his men to stand together, declaring, “We are all Jews here,” when a German officer demanded to know who the Jewish soldiers were. With a gun pointed at his head, Edmonds refused to reveal their identities, stating that according to the Geneva Convention, only names, ranks, and serial numbers were required.
    His bravery saved the lives of around 200 Jewish-American soldiers. Edmonds’ actions were later recognized posthumously by Yad Vashem, which honored him as “Righteous Among the Nations,” the first member of the U.S. Armed Forces and one of only five Americans to receive this distinction. As we approach the 80th anniversary of World War II’s conclusion and the 40th anniversary of his passing, it’s important to remember and honor the extraordinary courage of this “ordinary” soldier who risked his life to protect his fellow Americans.
    Click here for bill text.

    ENDORSEMENTS:

    This legislation is endorsed by Roddie Edmonds’ son, Pastor Chris Edmonds, Project Legacy, and Richard Hurowitz, Co-Chair of the Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Committee.
    “With antisemitism and hatred on the rise, there’s no better time to honor my father than this year, the 80thanniversaries of his heroic actions, the liberation of Auschwitz, and the end of World War II. Like the story of Queen Esther in the Bible, dad’s moral courage is timeless and transformative—a story for such a time as this that inspires us all.” – Pastor Chris Edmonds, CEO of Roddie’s Code and Roddie Edmonds’ Son
    “With alarming studies indicating that many young people lack awareness of the Holocaust and the disturbing rise of Holocaust denial, the decision to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Rodney Edmonds becomes even more significant as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of this pivotal moment in history.” – Ezra Friedlander, Founder of Project Legacy
    “Roddie Edmonds was a true American hero and a great humanitarian.  In a time of rising anti-Semitism and bigotry, it is more important than ever to honor those who risked their lives to save others at the nadir of humanity, the Holocaust.  Roddie Edmonds is unique for having rescued not only Jews, but his fellow Jewish-American soldiers, and his incredible story is an object lesson for all who wish for a peaceful and kinder world” – Richard Hurowitz, Author of In the Garden of the Righteous: The Heroes Who Risked Their Lives to Save Jews During the Holocaust and Co-Chair of the Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Committee

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott Statement on Confirmation of Scott Bessent

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the statement below following the confirmation of Scott Bessent to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury:
    “Scott Bessent’s confirmation is great news for the pockets of American taxpayers. He understands the cataclysmic repercussions the middle class will face if provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire. With his great success as an entrepreneur, he will help ensure all Americans have the necessary tools to reach financial freedom. I am excited to work with the President and Secretary Bessent to unleash economic opportunity for all Americans!”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Rejoice in the Year of the Snake

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    An exciting and joyous atmosphere prevails in Hong Kong as the city rings in the Year of the Snake with people busy shopping for festive treats and decorations.

    At the Lunar New Year Fair in Victoria Park, a variety of festive essentials are available for those keen on adorning their homes.

    The Mong Kok Flower Market is drawing crowds of people eager to pick auspicious plants and flowers for good luck, wealth and prosperity.

    Various activities are being held across the city to celebrate the Lunar New Year with the community, including a lantern display at the Cultural Centre Piazza showcasing masterpieces by a local paper-crafting master. 

    The news.gov.hk team wishes our readers a joyful and prosperous Year of the Snake.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Antiquities Advisory Board

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Government gazetted today (January 28) the Chief Executive’s appointment of Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen as the Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB), the appointment of nine new members and the reappointment of 10 incumbent members to the AAB for a term of two years with effect from January 1, 2025.

         The new members are Miss Chan Ka-man, Ms Amy Cheung Yi-mei, Mr Chiu Kam-kuen, Mr Donald Choi Wun-hing, Dr Samantha Kong Wing-man, Professor Sunnie Lau Sing-yeung, Ms Christina Maisenne Lee, Mr Lee Tsz-leung, and Mr Donald Man Ka-ho.

         The appointments and reappointments were made under section 17(1) of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53).

         The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, welcomed the appointments and reappointments. She said, “The AAB has made substantial contributions to heritage conservation, providing invaluable advice on the grading assessment of historic buildings and related conservation proposals over the years. Professor Hui was previously the Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation. With Professor Hui’s extensive experience and new members from various fields and professions on board, I am confident that this new composition will bring in valuable insight for the work of the AAB. I look forward to working with the new Board.” 

         Ms Linn thanked the outgoing Chairman, Professor Douglas So Cheung-tak, who has served as a member of the Board since 2017, and assumed the Board’s chairmanship in 2019. She said, “Under Professor So’s exemplary leadership, the AAB has provided valuable advice to the Government. His contributions to promoting the work of the AAB and heritage conservation are widely acknowledged and appreciated.”

         Ms Linn also expressed gratitude to the 10 outgoing members, Ms Vanessa Cheung Tih-lin, Professor Chu Hoi-shan, Mr Ho Kui-yip, Dr Tony Ip Chung-man, Dr Jane Lee Ching-yee, Professor Phyllis Li Chi-miu, Mr Shum Ho-kit, Mr Brian Tsang Chiu-tong, Miss Theresa Yeung Wing-shan and Ms Alice Yip Ka-ming for their remarkable service on the AAB.

         The AAB is a statutory body established under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance to advise the Antiquities Authority (i.e. the Secretary for Development) on matters relating to antiquities and monuments. The new term of the AAB comprises 20 members (including the Chairman), who are all appointed in their personal capacity.

         The membership of the AAB in its new term is as follows:
         
    Chairman 
    ————
    Professor Desmond Hui Cheuk-kuen* 

    Members
    ———–
    Professor Selina Chan Ching 
    Mr Vincent Chan Chun-hung 
    Miss Chan Ka-man*
    Professor Cheung Sui-wai 
    Ms Amy Cheung Yi-mei* 
    Mr Chiu Kam-kuen*
    Mr Donald Choi Wun-hing*
    Mr Ivan Fu Chin-shing 
    Dr Samantha Kong Wing-man*
    Professor Lam Weng-cheong 
    Professor Sunnie Lau Sing-yeung* 
    Ms Christina Maisenne Lee* 
    Mr Lee Tsz-leung* 
    Mr Donald Man Ka-ho*
    Ms Salome See Sau-mei
    Mr Albert Su Yau-on
    Mr Caspar Yam Ming-ho
    Professor Frankie Yeung Wai-shing
    Mr Edward Yuen Siu-bun

    * New members

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements reminds public and visitors about local large-scale celebrations, boundary control points and traffic and public transportation arrangements during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements reminds public and visitors about local large-scale celebrations, boundary control points and traffic and public transportation arrangements during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland
    Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements reminds public and visitors about local large-scale celebrations, boundary control points and traffic and public transportation arrangements during Chinese New Year Golden Week of Mainland
    ******************************************************************************************

         The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, today (January 28) reminded the public and visitors about information on arrangements for large-scale local celebrations, boundary control points (BCPs) and traffic and public transport during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland (January 28 to February 4): Large-scale celebrations during Chinese New Year      There will be a rich array of celebratory activities across the territory during the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland. Major events include the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade on January 29 (Lunar New Year’s Day) and the Lunar New Year Fireworks Display on January 30 (the second day of Lunar New Year). The Hong Kong Police Force will ensure sufficient police manpower to implement corresponding crowd management measures and special traffic arrangements as necessary for all celebrations to be conducted in a safe and orderly manner. District offices will also closely monitor the flow of visitors within their respective districts and notify relevant departments having regard to the actual circumstances with a view to strengthening management of the relevant spots. Co-ordinate control points, traffic and public transport facilities      During this Chinese New Year holiday, the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port will maintain a 24-hour operation as usual, and other BCPs will maintain the existing operating hours. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government appeals to visitors to plan their itineraries ahead, and stay overnight after participating in various local celebratory activities for the Chinese New Year to fully enjoy the rich and diverse celebratory activities to be held across various districts in the city and experience Hong Kong’s unique city charm.      Relevant departments have minimised leave for frontline officers to enable flexible deployment of manpower and operation of additional counters and channels, with a view to diverting passenger and vehicular flow. The Inter-departmental Joint Command Centre set up by the Police, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), and other relevant departments has been activated from today to February 4 to monitor the real-time situation at various control points. The Joint Command Centre will maintain close liaison with the Mainland port authorities through the established port hotlines and real-time notification mechanism, and take timely contingency actions to flexibly deploy manpower at BCPs to ensure smooth operation of the land control points.      For transport arrangements, the Transport Department (TD) will enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), and issuing additional cross-boundary coach quotas to enhance services; as well as formulating a contingency plan by establishing a dedicated passage at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and Shenzhen Bay Port, when necessary, to ensure the smooth operation of public transport services. Regarding local public transport services, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance their capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. Among them, the MTR Corporation Limited has enhanced train services of various railway lines from last Friday (January 24) to February 4 (the seventh day of Lunar New Year) for the convenience of residents and visitors. Today, Lunar New Year’s Eve, all local railway lines will operate overnight (except for the East Rail Line between Sheung Shui Station and Lo Wu Station or Lok Ma Chau Station, the Airport Express and the Disneyland Resort Line). Furthermore, in the early hours tomorrow, Lunar New Year’s Day (January 29), to January 31 (the third day of Lunar New Year), after the service hours of the East Rail Line trains to Lo Wu Station, special enhanced bus service (KMB Route No. N73) will be provided at the MTR Sheung Shui Station to carry passengers to interchange to the Yellow Bus for their journey to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port, which operates round-the-clock. The TD’s Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will operate 24 hours to closely monitor the traffic conditions and public transport services of different districts including various BCPs and major stations. The TD will adopt timely measures to cope with the service demand, and will disseminate the latest traffic information through various channels.  Management of tour groups and protection of visitors      The Travel Industry Authority (TIA) has reminded travel agents receiving Mainland inbound tour groups to stagger arrival times as far as possible, and will co-ordinate with relevant agencies such as tourist spots to adopt appropriate diversion measures to enable proper management of visitor flows and tour buses, with a view to offering a pleasant travel experience to visitors. The TIA will also conduct inspections in districts where relatively more registered shops for inbound tour groups are located, and offer assistance to visitors and tourist guides to protect inbound tour group visitors’ rights. Additionally, the Police will continue to step up enforcement actions against illegal acts of taxi drivers including overcharging and refusing hires. The C&ED will also step up inspection of shops serving visitors to combat unfair trade practices. Information dissemination      To assist visitors in planning their itineraries, the interdepartmental working group will strengthen information dissemination including the latest inbound visitor arrivals, the situation at various BCPs, information on celebratory events, transport arrangements etc, to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries according to the latest situation.      The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has also launched the ultimate guide to Chinese New Year in Hong Kong (www.discoverhongkong.com/hk-eng/what-s-new/events/chinese-new-year.html), a dedicated webpage on the HKTB’s website that serves as a one-stop platform for Chinese New Year celebrations. This webpage consolidates various useful information for the Chinese New Year Golden Week of the Mainland, including the operating arrangements of major tourist attractions in Hong Kong, details of various unique celebratory events, special discount and promotional activities around the Chinese New Year Golden Week to enable residents and visitors to plan their itineraries more conveniently. The HKTB has also stepped up promotions on the Mainland to promote large-scale events with Hong Kong characteristics and explore the unique cultural and tourism experiences in Hong Kong with a view to boosting spending of more Mainland visitors in Hong Kong and enhancing visitors’ experiences.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2025Issued at HKT 11:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: WSD Water-smart Taskforce uses AI to help customers save water

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    WSD Water-smart Taskforce uses AI to help customers save water
    WSD Water-smart Taskforce uses AI to help customers save water
    **************************************************************

         To strengthen the promotion of water conservation, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has commissioned the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) Centre for Water Technology and Policy to implement the Water-smart Taskforce Programme from February to early 2026 to offer water-saving advice to customers that have high water consumption. The HKU team will install a high-resolution smart device on top of each selected customer’s billing meter to identify causes of high water usage by analysing water usage data of the customer’s premise with the aid of artificial intelligence. A tailored report offering water-saving advice and alerts on any potential leaks will be provided for the customer to reduce water consumption and therefore save on water charges.      The WSD has started to invite appropriate customers by mail to join the Programme in batches. Participation in the Programme is free of charge and the number of selected participants is limited. The WSD encourages customers to participate in the Programme upon receipt of an invitation.      By implementation of this Programme, the WSD aims to achieve a reduction in water consumption of 500 000 cubic metres this year, which is equivalent to 200 Olympic-size swimming pools. Earlier, the WSD conducted a trial programme on a smaller scale in Tai O. The trial achieved a 6 per cent reduction in water consumption by the participating families. The result was remarkable.      According to the WSD’s big data analysis, water consumption by about 1 per cent of WSD customer groups (including domestic and non-domestic customers) has accounted for over 30 per cent of the city’s total water consumption. The Programme is set up to offer tailored water-saving advice to these high-consumption customers so as to reduce overall water consumption. The WSD launched a new round of the water conservation campaign “Save Water Today for a Sustainable Future” in February last year. With the efforts made for nearly one year, per capita domestic fresh water consumption has lowered from about 151 litres per day at the peak during the pandemic to about 133 litres per day now, which is on a par with the pre-pandemic period representing a 12 per cent decrease. This shows that the department’s water conservation promotion measures are taking effect progressively.      Details of the Water-smart Taskforce Programme are available on WSD’s dedicated webpage. For enquiries on the Programme, please call WSD’s 24-hour Customer Enquiry Hotline 2824 5000.

     
    Ends/Tuesday, January 28, 2025Issued at HKT 11:05

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doorstop – Jerrabombera

    Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements

    SUBJECTS: Cheaper Child Care; Wage rise for early educators; Universal early education; Fully funding public schools; $7,200 worse off under Peter Dutton; National Bullying Action Plan; The Middle East; Antisemitism; University governance; Local government 

    KRISTY McBAIN, MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES: It’s a pleasure today to welcome Minister Jason Clare to Goodstart Jerrabomberra where 90 places a day are filled, and we have a wait list. Jerrabomberra is the heart of the Queanbeyan region, it’s fast growing, and this childcare centre is one of many that have benefitted from the Albanese Labor Government’s Cheaper Childcare plan.

    We know families right across our region have benefitted from this, and it’s so great to be able to introduce Minister Clare to the wonderful staff here, the wonderful centre manager and State manager and the wonderful kids that come here each and every day to enjoy this beautiful centre.

    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thanks very much, Kristy. It’s absolutely fantastic to be with you here at Jerrabomberra at the Goodstart Centre here. You are an absolutely fantastic Member of Parliament, and we are so lucky to have as part of the Albanese Labor Government and this community is lucky to have you as their Labor Member.

    When we were elected two and a half years ago, childcare costs had sky rocketed, childcare costs under the Liberals went up by 49 per cent over just under a decade, and that was double the OECD average.

    We’ve cut the cost of childcare now for more than a million Australian families. In the first 15 months of our Cheaper Childcare laws this has meant that for an average family on about 120 grand a year combined income with one child in early education or care saved them about 2,700 bucks, and that’s real money that’s making a real difference for families right across the country.

    And when we were elected two and a half years ago childcare workers were leaving the sector in droves, that’s the truth of it, and we’re now starting to see that turn around. Data that’s been released today shows that vacancy rates in the childcare sector are down 22 per cent, and at Goodstart, where we are today, all of their centres across the country, we’re seeing job applications now jump by 35 per cent, and expressions of interest jump by 50 to 60 per cent. Vacancy rates at Goodstart Centres are down by a massive 28 per cent.

    So that’s fantastic news. It shows that when you pay people more, more people want to do the job, and there aren’t many jobs that are more important than the work that our early educators do, getting young people ready for school.

    If we win the next election, the next big thing that we need to do is build more centres where they don’t exist at the moment and help to make sure that more young people get the chance that the children we’ve met here today get, help young people who can’t get into early education and care now, either because there’s no centre in their town, or because they can’t get access to the subsidy through no fault of their own.

    And that’s why if we win the next election, we’ll set up a $1 billion fund to build more centres in the outer suburbs and in the regions where they don’t exist at the moment, and implement a three day guarantee, to guarantee that every child who needs it will get access to three days a week of government supported early education and care.

    Why? To make sure that more children are ready to start school, because the evidence is, that if children spend more time in early education and care in centres like this, they’re more likely to start school ready to learn.

    And just while talking about school, last week the Prime Minister announced that South Australia and Victoria have become the fifth and sixth States to sign up to our public school funding and reform agreement, the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, that’s along with WA, Tassie, ACT, the Northern Territory and of course now South Australia and Victoria.

    On the weekend, teachers backed this agreement, on the weekend principals backed this agreement, and now today the Business Council of Australia backed this agreement. This is real funding, to fix the funding of our public schools, and it’s not a blank cheque, it’s tied to real reform; things like phonics checks in Year 1 and numeracy checks in Year 1 to identify children who might already be falling behind, and then using that funding to make sure that children who do fall behind catch up early, because we know that children who catch up early are more likely to go on and finish high school.

    So, it’s backed by teachers, backed by principals, backed by the business community. The only people that are against it are Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party, they’re against cutting the cost of childcare for Australian parents, they’re against pay rises for childcare workers, they’re against building more childcare centres where they don’t exist, and they’re against fixing the funding of our public schools and tying that funding to evidence based teaching and real reform to help more young children to catch up, keep up and finish high school.

    Happy to take some questions.

    JOURNALIST: When do you expect that Queensland and New South Wales will sign on to that school agreement?

    CLARE: I won’t give you a date, but negotiations are going well.

    JOURNALIST: Fresh polling is showing that it’s really tight. Are your cost-of-living measures cutting through with the voters?

    CLARE: We know that Australians are doing it tough, a lot of Australians are doing it tough, that’s why creating a million jobs is really important, that’s why cutting inflation by more than half is really important, that’s why boosting real wages is really important as well.

    We’re making progress, there’s more work to do, but the evidence that came out on the weekend shows that if Peter Dutton had been the Prime Minister of Australia for the last 12 months, Australian families would be over $7,000 worse off.

    Why? Well, because he was against the tax cuts that delivered a lot of support for Australian families, he’s against cheaper childcare, he’s against cutting the cost of medicine, he’s against lifting real wages, he’s against cutting the cost of people’s energy bills through that $300 rebate, and when you add all that up, it means that Aussie families would be thousands and thousands of dollars, $7,200, worse off under Peter Dutton.

    JOURNALIST: On the School Agreement, so New South Wales and Queensland you would assume are trying to get more than 25 per cent. Are you open to that?

    CLARE: Don’t assume that. But I’m not going to negotiate through the media. What’s important here is that we fix the funding of our public schools, and we tie that to the sort of reforms that are going to help make sure that more kids that fall behind can catch up and keep up and finish high school.

    Private schools, non government schools are funded at the level that David Gonski said they should be at, public schools aren’t, and this agreement is about fixing that, but also tying that to real targets and real reforms.

    The current agreement doesn’t do that. There aren’t any real targets, there aren’t any real reforms. I want to make sure that we fix the funding of our schools and tie it to the sort of reforms that we know work. I want this money to get results.

    At the moment in public schools, over the course of say, you know, the last eight years or so, we’ve seen the percentage of kids finishing high school drop from 83 per cent to 73 per cent. Just think about that for a second. That’s happening at a time where it’s more important to finish school than it was when we were little.

    We’ve got to turn that around if we’re going to make sure that more people get a chance to go to TAFE and university and get the jobs that are being created today. That’s why this funding is important, but that’s why the reforms that it’s linked to are just as important.

    JOURNALIST: The States that signed on to it earlier, are they now pushing for 25 per cent as well, and will you grant that?

    CLARE: I’ve already spoken to those States, and we will offer to them the same deal, which is we’ll lift our offer from 20 to 25 if they get rid of that 4 per cent which is usually aligned to things like capital depreciation costs. So, we’re having great conversations with states like WA and Tassie.

    JOURNALIST: Is there a willingness though to go above 25 per cent for the two states that have paid off, and then does that open up the chance for increased funding for other states?

    CLARE: No. That’s why when I answered your previous question, I said don’t assume that the States are asking for more than 25 per cent. What the states have been asking for, for the last 12 months is that we increase our offer from 20 to 25 per cent, and we said, “Yeah, we’ll do that, but we need you to chip in as well”.

    It’s always been my view that the Commonwealth’s got to chip in and the states have to chip in as well. That’s why we’re saying to the states, if we can lift our funding from 20 to 25 per cent, let’s get rid of that other 4 per cent, which is used for things like capital depreciation that don’t actually go to real funding for schools at the moment.

    JOURNALIST: Is the absolute cap 25?

    CLARE: Well, again, I’m not going to go into the details of the conversation, but we’re not talking beyond 25.

    JOURNALIST: How exactly are you going to address high rates of absenteeism due to bullying or mental health issues, do you actually have a stepped plan in place for the next school year?

    CLARE: Yep. This is a complicated thing. There is absolutely no place for bullying in our schools. That’s why the work that we’re doing in putting together a National Bullying Action Plan with the states is so critical, so important; that’s why getting rid of mobile phones in schools is so important; that’s why the ban on access to social media for young people under the age of 16 is so important as well.

    We know fundamentally that children are less likely to be at school if they’re suffering from bullying or they’re suffering from mental health challenges. And young people with mental health challenges, by the time they’re in Year 9 are about a year and a half to two years behind the rest of the class, and less likely to finish school.

    And so the sort of things that we want to tie this funding to are early intervention when children are young at primary school to make sure that they keep up and catch up, but also more investment in things like mental health workers and paediatric nursing support in our schools.

    That investment in health is not just about health, it has real education outcomes as well.

    JOURNALIST: Donald Trump overnight said that   sorry, a couple of days ago said that he proposed “cleaning”   unquote   “cleaning out Gaza and resettling Palestinians”. What is the Government’s response to that?

    CLARE: The Government’s position for a very, very long time, I think since December of 2023, has been to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, and we’re glad that that has finally happened. We want to see an end to the killing in the Middle East, we want to see trucks come in with food and with medicine and with aid. We want to see the hostages returned.

    JOURNALIST: And what about resettling Palestinians though? What is your response directly to that suggestion that they should be moved to Jordan or Egypt?

    CLARE: The position of the Australian Government, which I think is still the position of the Opposition as well is that we believe in a two-state solution, two countries living side by side, two peoples living side by side in two nations where people can live in safety and security without having to go through checkpoints or fear that their lives will be taken from them the next day.

    JOURNALIST: Just on that language though, you know, “cleaning out”, do you think that’s triggering language or insensitive language?

    CLARE: Repeating my previous answer, we want two peoples able to be live side by side in safety and security.

    JOURNALIST: Do you have a set price tag on the number of those professional healthcare workers you want in schools?

    CLARE: No, there’s no set number, but this investment in South Australia’s an extra billion dollars over the next 10 years, in Victoria it’s an extra two and a half billion dollars over the next 10 years.

    The agreements that we’re striking with the states are all going to be slightly different depending on the needs in those states, but it’s designed to invest in real practical reforms that we know are going to get the results that we need.

    Just to add to what we’re talking about here, we’re talking about fixing the funding of our public schools. Now one in 10 children at the moment, when they sit for their NAPLAN tests in third grade, are identified as being below the national average, so one in 10   sorry, below the national minimum standard, so one in 10. But amongst children from poor families, from really disadvantaged backgrounds, it’s one in three, and most of those children go to public schools.

    So our public schools are the places that do the real heavy lifting where the challenge is three times as big, and they’re the ones that were underfunded at the moment. We want to fix that funding and tie that funding to help those children to catch up and keep up and finish high school.

    JOURNALIST: On that pay rise for early educators, do you know how many centres have used that as an excuse to immediately increase their fees by 4.4 per cent?  

    CLARE: Here’s the thing, they can’t, because a condition of getting the funding for the pay rise is they can’t increase their fees by more than 4 per cent.

    JOURNALIST: Yeah. That’s why I’m asking how many have increased their fees to that 4.4?

    CLARE: I suspect that most centres will increase their fees somewhere between zero and up to that 4 per cent over the next 12 months. The key thing is they can’t go beyond that, and that’s a big part of this deal. Number one, we want to make sure that the money goes to the worker, not the centre, and number two, in order to get that funding, they cannot increase their fees by more than 4 per cent.

    JOURNALIST: Do you know how many though have hit that cap?

    CLARE: It’s too early to give you that number.

    JOURNALIST: This billion-dollar strategy for outer suburbs and regional areas, do you have any hotspots, any, you know, regional areas that you’re concerned about that don’t have enough facilities?

    CLARE: You can look at data that shows where there are what’s called sometimes “childcare deserts” right across the country. This fund is designed to help to make sure that we build centres where they’re needed most, and in particular, if you look at the Productivity Commission report released last year it talks to this, it’s the outer suburbs, and it’s in Regional Australia.

    Just talking to the team at Goodstart here is the only childcare centre in Jerra that provides full service from six week old children right through to four year olds.

    JOURNALIST: I did just want to ask you about – there was evidence at a Parliamentary Committee last week about an online meeting of ANU to delete the Nazi salute. The investigation to my understanding is that they found that that wasn’t the case. What else do you think was happening there?

    CLARE: I make the general point, whether it’s at ANU or whether it’s at QUT that there is absolutely no place for the poison of antisemitism in our universities or anywhere in this country or anywhere in the world.

    There is a commemoration that’s just happened of the 80th Anniversary of the Holocaust and Auschwitz. You know, in the lifetime of our grandparents we’ve all seen the true terror of what antisemitism can wreak and there is no place for it, and that’s why I’ve made it very clear to every university leader in the country that they must enforce their Codes of Conduct, and that includes saying that directly to the Vice Chancellor of QUT.

    JOURNALIST: Do you believe though that it was appropriate that an ANU student who went on radio said that terrorist designated organisation, Hamas [indistinct] unconditional support was able to overturn her expulsion on appeal. You’ve just spoken about the poison of antisemitism; we have a growing issue in Australia. Is that an appropriate thing to do?

    CLARE: No.

    JOURNALIST: Are we any closer to a governance review   what’s the latest with the university governance review?

    CLARE: Yeah, last week we announced the members of the panel that will be responsible for implementing that review.

    JOURNALIST: Are you confident with the members of that panel?

    CLARE: I am.

    JOURNALIST: And then I might just Ms McBain something if that’s okay.

    CLARE: Sure.

    JOURNALIST: [Indistinct] would like to see councils auctioning off properties. What do you think of this decision?

    McBAIN: Look, every Council has the opportunity to take action when someone doesn’t pay rates for a period of time. My understanding, and it was a unanimous decision of Queanbeyan-Palerang Council to take this route, is that these rates have been unpaid for more than five years. A lot of those properties that attempted to make contact by door knocking them, letter boxing them, serving them, there’s been no contact made with any of those individuals for a variety of reasons. It is an avenue open to them, but as I said, it’s a unanimous decision of Queanbeyan-Palerang Council to take this action, which I’m sure that hasn’t been done lightly either.

    JOURNALIST: Are you concerned about the financial stability of councils if they are having to resort to methods like this just to try and stay out of debt?

    McBAIN: Look, I think when you look at it, it’s about a million dollars in unpaid rates that they are going to attempt to recruit through auction. I don’t think this goes anywhere near dealing with some of the ongoing issues that councils have, but what we’ve done since we’ve been in government, you know, there’s been more collaboration with local councils than in any time before that.

    I’ve personally met with over 250 councils either in their communities or in Canberra or at a Local Government Association conference. We have doubled Roads to Recovery funding and that means regional councils across the country have now more money than ever before to deal with road issues.

    Across Eden Monaro that’s $26.3 million extra for our local councils resulting in over $65 million for roads alone. We’ve increased road black spot funding, we’ve created the new safer local road and infrastructure program, $200 million a year, you know, we’ve been really putting our shoulder to the wheel making a difference for local councils, and just last week I was able to announce $27.2 million for Marulan Sewer Treatment Plant, you know, which is something that Council had called from but hadn’t been supported in getting.

    So, the Albanese Government takes seriously the priorities of local councils and local communities and we’ve been delivering for all of them.

    JOURNALIST: Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Central Georgian Pleads Guilty to Illegally Building Machineguns

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Agents Seized 3D Printers, Equipment to Build Firearms and Silencers from Defendant’s Bedroom

    MACON, Ga. – A technical college student who described himself as a “machinist” and was building machineguns and silencers using a 3D printer out of his Lizella, Georgia, bedroom pleaded guilty to manufacturing a machinegun.

    Jaden Michael-William Pope, 20, of Lizella, pleaded guilty to one count of manufacture of an unregistered machinegun before U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell on Jan. 27. Pope faces a maximum of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been scheduled for May 13. There is no parole in the federal system.

    “3-D printed machineguns and silencers pose a significant threat to the safety of our communities by increasing the access of illegally manufactured rapid-fire weapons to potentially dangerous individuals,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker. “I applaud our local and federal law enforcement partners for shutting down this clandestine machinegun manufacturing operation.”

    “The collaboration between ATF and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office showcases our unwavering commitment to confronting the illegal production of firearms, especially those created through advanced methods like 3D printing,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “These weapons are designed to evade detection and accountability, posing an undeniable threat to public safety. Together, we are ensuring such dangers are swiftly and decisively addressed.”

    According to the stipulation of fact and other statements referenced in court, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office was investigating Pope in Sept. 2023, for stealing firearms out of vehicles at night. He was arrested and admitted to stealing from cars. Investigators found photos on Pope’s cell phone of personally manufactured firearms and firearm silencers as well as screenshots from a website called Yeggi, which offers 3D-printed templates of AR-15 full auto sears. A confidential source (CS) notified law enforcement that Pope was a machinist who was manufacturing firearms, including silencers, in his bedroom and that he had watched Pope shoot a firearm with a manufactured silencer that significantly diminished the sound.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) was contacted to further the investigation. Agents found photos Pope posted on Facebook of personally manufactured firearms, including a Glock handgun with a “switch,” which is a device that allows the semi-automatic firearm to fire full-automatic with a single trigger pull. On his Facebook profile, Pope described himself as a “machinist” and a student at a local technical college. Agents executed a search warrant at Pope’s home on Dec. 12, 2023, and found four 3D printers, three computers, two machineguns, nine silencers and a short-barreled rifle. Agents also found a stolen .45 caliber pistol.

    Along with the 3D printers and weapons seized, agents found additional evidence that Pope manufactured the machineguns, silencers and the short-barreled rifle. Agents found diagrams and instructions for building the firearms, notes related to their production, scrap parts, and failed 3D prints and residue. Agents analyzed the computers used with the 3D printers and found “g-codes” which is the computer programming code used to 3D print the machineguns, silencers and the short-barreled rifle. While searching the electronic devices, agents found methamphetamine hidden within a USB device.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities; supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place; setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities; and measuring the results.

    The case was investigated by ATF and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

    Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Historic Week as the Golden Age Begins

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    Inauguration Day was a good day for America. Watching Donald Trump take the oath of office becoming the 47th President of the United States was an honor. It is time to not only make America great again, but make it even better after four years of disastrous Democratic policies.  
    President Trump is coming into office with more experience and a wariness of the deep state. Our job in the Senate is to make sure we confirm his cabinet so we can get to work and President Trump can fulfill his promises to the American people. We also need to expose the weaponization of government that happened during the last administration. 
    WATCH: Sen. Johnson on BBC News Special Inauguration Coverage 
    WATCH: Sen. Johnson on Newsmax 

    Attending the swearing-in ceremony of President Trump at the Capitol Rotunda: Sen. Mike Lee, Sen. Ron Johnson, Sen. Rand Paul, and Sen.Ted Cruz. 
    New Position as Chairman of PSI

    I am honored to serve as chairman of the powerful Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. This subcommittee’s investigatory record spans decades and its reputation for conducting thorough oversight and exposing wrongdoing is unparalleled. It is my privilege to build on that legacy.
    I look forward to working with Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal and other members of the subcommittee to uncover the truth on issues that are important to the American people. My hope is that the subcommittee’s work will be largely non-partisan. There should be nothing partisan about revealing the truth.
    Absurd Spending Needs to Change

    Current spending is completely unsustainable, unjustified, and absurd. We have to return to pre-pandemic spending levels. It’s time for a paradigm shift in the way we use our budgets.
    The people that voted for President Trump do not expect the federal government is going to continue spending at President Biden and the Democrats’ spending levels.
    On January 16, I spoke on the Senate floor to discuss the importance of returning to a reasonable pre-pandemic spending level and the massive deficit spending that is devaluing the U.S. dollar.
    WATCH: Senate floor speech on government spending
    READ: Badger Institute —  Emergency ended; so should federal spending spree
    WATCH: Politico First 100 Days Speaker Series on Tax Reform
    Cabinet Confirmation Hearings

    Since the start of the 119th Congress, we have been holding confirmation hearings for President Trump’s cabinet nominees. 
    Here are some highlights from the hearings I have participated in:
    Kristi Noem: For too long the Department of Homeland Security has been completely misused. Their mission creep under the Biden administration has caused the agency to leave America vulnerable. I look forward to working with Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary to secure the homeland again.
    Scott Bessent: The pick for Treasury Secretary and I agree that the U.S. does not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. I look forward to voting for Scott Bessent’s confirmation and working with him to reset spending levels to a reasonable pre-pandemic level.
    Sean Duffy: I was proud to introduce Wisconsin’s own Sean Duffyin his confirmation hearing. Sean will be a strong and dedicated leader of the Department of Transportation, prioritizing safety and investing in infrastructure projects that connect our communities. We are fortunate that he is willing to serve the public again, and I recommend him as Secretary without reservation.
    News from the 119th Congress

    The Laken Riley Act passed Congress and will be the first bill signed into law by President Trump. I voted to pass the bill which will give local law enforcement and ICE more tools to combat illegal immigrants who commit crime in the United States.  
    I joined a letter to President Trump encouraging him to reinstate and broaden the life-affirming pro-life policies in the early days of his new administration and end the weaponization of the U.S. government against pro-life Americans and unborn children.
    As part of the MAHA Caucus, we were pleased to see the FDA ban Red No. 3 from foods, dietary supplements, and ingested medicines. We look forward to addressing the root causes of chronic diseases and creating a healthier, stronger nation with President Trump and HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man charged with manslaughter following Hutt Valley Death

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Matin Todd:

    A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a man in Hutt Hospital earlier this month.

    The 75-year-old man was transported to Wellington Hospital with a brain injury following an altercation at Hutt Hospital on Friday 27 December, 2024. He was later transported back to Hutt Hospital, where he died on Sunday 19 January.

    An investigation was launched to determine exactly what occurred prior to his death, which has since resulted in a charge of manslaughter.

    A 23-year-old man was due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court today, Tuesday 28 January, on a charge of manslaughter.

    Police have been in contact with the whanau of the deceased who we extend our deepest sympathies to at this difficult time.

    As the matter is now proceeding before the Courts, Police have no further comment.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sky News Afternoon Agenda

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    CHENG LEI: The Prime Minister has made his pitch for re-election, spelling out his second term agenda at the National Press Club. It set the scene for the campaign, the PM telling voters they have a choice between two different nations at the next election. Joining me now is Regional Development Minister, Kristy McBain. Hey there Kristy. Happy Friday to you. So how are we developing our regions to build Australia, especially going towards the future. 

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Thanks Lei, it’s great to be with you this afternoon. I’m at the Lazy George Cafe in Marulan, and we’ve made a big announcement today on the Housing Support Program. $27.2 million to help have the houses that we need to retain and attract workers into communities just like this one. When we came to government two and a half years ago, there was a skill shortage across the country, and that’s because at the state and federal level, Coalition governments had ripped money out of TAFE and they’d taken completion incentives away from apprentices. I know this firsthand because my husband and I run a small business in the construction industry. The Prime Minister’s pitch today was all about trying to continue to build those skills back in our communities, with making fee-free TAFE a permanent feature of the federal government, and also those $10,000 apprenticeship incentives. We know people are battling with the cost of living, and here’s another way that the Albanese Labor Government can commit to seeing people through their apprenticeships. $2,000 at five different points during that apprenticeship process, to help people get through what can be a tough three or four years. It’s really important that we help people build the skills that we need right across regional Australia. 

    CHENG LEI: Kristy, if you run the small business in construction, then you know the difficulties the industry faces. That is not just the labour shortage but also the land supply, the tax issue and also infrastructure that needs to be built for housing. What’s being done on that? 

    KRISTY MCBAIN: I’ve engaged with 250 councils directly, and the things that they’ve told me are that they need enabling infrastructure to get more homes on the ground quicker. That’s why we committed to the Housing Support Program. $1.5 billion helping communities build that enabling infrastructure. $27.2 million right here in Marulan to upgrade the sewerage treatment plant, so that more homes can be built in this community here. In Kempsey, it was $45 million for both water and sewerage treatment plants, so that more homes can get on the ground there. $10 million in Griffith for roads and green space, so more homes can be constructed there. We’re getting on with the job, but we’re doing it in conjunction with state and local council, because it’s really important that we’re working together. For 12 odd years that the liberal state government was in, and nearly the ten years that the former coalition government was in, there wasn’t a Housing Minister, and there weren’t any plans to help communities with this vital infrastructure. We’ve listened and we’re delivering what those local communities are asking for. 

    CHENG LEI: Tell us more about the water treatment, because I know that for a long time, water quality was quite an issue in your constituency. 

    KRISTY MCBAIN: That’s right. This project here, $27.2 million is for sewerage treatment. It will allow more homes to connect to a proper sewerage treatment option, and will also allow further land subdivisions, so that more homes will be able to connect to an upgraded sewage treatment plant. Detailed design works are currently underway, and then the local council will be working with the regulatory authorities, the Office of Water, the EPA, to make sure that plant complies with all the regulations. It’s on top of the $17.2 million I’ve just delivered down the road in the Yass Valley, where water quality was absolutely a huge issue. It’s been an issue that’s been talked about for decades, and we’ve seen press releases from a whole bunch of Liberal and National politicians, but it took a Labor Government to come in and change the guidelines to the National Water Grid to ensure that town water projects, like the Yass project, could actually get national water funding. That’s exactly what the Albanese Labor Government has delivered. $17.2 million so that people will not have to deal with brown, smelly water, which we wouldn’t expect anywhere else.

    CHENG LEI: Finally, how are you celebrating the Australia Day long weekend?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: I’m really looking forward to the Australia Day long weekend. I’ll be attending three different celebrations across my electorate. Goulburn in the morning, Captains flat in the afternoon, Queanbeyan in the evening. I’ll be heading home to my family in the evening, hopefully in time for a barbi, and hanging out with a few mates. I hope everyone has a great day, celebrates in the way they chose, and hopefully we have some nice weather so they can get out and about as well.

    CHENG LEI: Thanks so much Kristy, I was just in Queanbeyan last weekend. I enjoyed a really nice bush walk.

    KRISTY MCBAIN: We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

    CHENG LEI: Minister for Regional Development, thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – Genocide Hotline – action that will save Palestinian lives – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    The genocide hotline we launched last week has taken off. It has enthused our supporters with a campaign which gets civil society to act when our government cowers. Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and is about to resume its industrial scale killing of Palestinians. 

    This campaign will do more to save Palestinian lives than any other initiative we have taken so far in the campaign against Israel’s genocide. The message to Israel is that they may have the New Zealand government in their pocket but New Zealand civil society will take action to hold Israel to account for the genocide they are perpetrating in Gaza.

    As is to be expected the pro-Israel lobby is squirming and trying to claim the campaign in somehow anti-semitic. These people would find anti-semitism in the words “the” and “and” if it was all they had to go on. They are furious we are telling genocidal Israeli soldiers they are not welcome here while never speaking a word of criticism of Israel for its daily war crimes.

    Through our poster, the message on the genocide hotline and our publicity we are making it clear what the campaign is doing and what it is NOT about. The focus is NOT on Israelis – the focus is on IDF soldiers and reservists here for “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians.

    Our supporters have welcomed the campaign and the poster and media release have been widely shared on social media. The actions we take with the information that is coming in will be clear and consistent – these Israeli soldiers are not welcome here.

    The most important message the campaign sends is to Israel and says that even if western governments are complicit in genocide, civil society in the western world does not accept Israeli impunity for war crimes. In that sense it’s a disruptive campaign from the cosy position Israel enjoys through government inaction here.

    Of everything we have done in the past 16 months – this action is one that will save Palestinian lives.

    Genocide Hotline – action that will save Palestinian lives

    The genocide hotline we launched last week has taken off. It has enthused our supporters with a campaign which gets civil society to act when our government cowers. Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and is about to resume its industrial scale killing of Palestinians.

    This campaign will do more to save Palestinian lives than any other initiative we have taken so far in the campaign against Israel’s genocide. The message to Israel is that they may have the New Zealand government in their pocket but New Zealand civil society will take action to hold Israel to account for the genocide they are perpetrating in Gaza.

    As is to be expected the pro-Israel lobby is squirming and trying to claim the campaign in somehow anti-semitic. These people would find anti-semitism in the words “the” and “and” if it was all they had to go on. They are furious we are telling genocidal Israeli soldiers they are not welcome here while never speaking a word of criticism of Israel for its daily war crimes.

    Through our poster, the message on the genocide hotline and our publicity we are making it clear what the campaign is doing and what it is NOT about. The focus is NOT on Israelis – the focus is on IDF soldiers and reservists here for “rest and recreation” from the industrial-scale killing of Palestinians.

    Our supporters have welcomed the campaign and the poster and media release have been widely shared on social media. The actions we take with the information that is coming in will be clear and consistent – these Israeli soldiers are not welcome here.

    The most important message the campaign sends is to Israel and says that even if western governments are complicit in genocide, civil society in the western world does not accept Israeli impunity for war crimes. In that sense it’s a disruptive campaign from the cosy position Israel enjoys through government inaction here.

    Of everything we have done in the past 16 months – this action is one that will save Palestinian lives.

    John Minto
    National Chair
    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Public Country-by-Country reporting

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    What is Public CBC reporting?

    Public CBC reporting is a reporting regime which requires certain large multinational enterprises to publish selected tax information. The information must be reported either on a CBC basis or on an aggregated basis. The regime applies for reporting periods commencing from 1 July 2024.

    The entities within the regime publish their Public CBC report by providing it to the ATO and then the ATO uploading it on data.gov.au. Public CBC reporting improves how information is shared with the public to help compare entity tax disclosures, to better assess whether an entity’s economic presence in a jurisdiction aligns with the amount of tax they pay in that jurisdiction.

    Public CBC reporting requires disclosures about:

    • the revenues, profits and income taxes of the global group
    • the activities of the global group
    • an entity’s international related party dealings.

    Who is required to report?

    An entity must report for a reporting period if all of the following apply to it:

    • is a Public CBC reporting parent for the preceding period
    • is an entity of the type specified
    • satisfies the requirements for that reporting period.

    An entity is of the type specified if it is any one of the following:

    • constitutional corporation
    • trust, provided each of the trustees is a constitutional corporation
    • partnership, provided each of the partners is a constitutional corporation.

    Entities meet the requirements for a reporting period if all of the following apply:

    • they were a Public CBC reporting parent for a period that includes the whole or a part of the preceding reporting period
    • they were a member of a Public CBC reporting group at any time during the reporting period
    • at any point during the reporting period, they, or a member of their Public CBC reporting group, were an Australian resident or a foreign resident operating an Australian permanent establishment
    • $10 million or more of their aggregated turnover for the reporting period was Australian-sourced
    • they were not an exempt entity or included in a class of exempt entities.

    Public CBC reporting registration

    All Public CBC reporting parents are encouraged to register with the ATO as this simplifies:

    • the giving of the Public CBC report to the ATO
    • requesting an extension of time to provide the Public CBC report
    • requesting an exemption from reporting obligations.

    The registration form and instructions are under development and will be made available in 2025.

    Public CBC reporting obligations

    The Public CBC reporting parent entity must give the Public CBC report electronically to the ATO within 12 months after the end of the relevant reporting period.

    An update to correct any material errors must be given to the ATO within 28 days of the Public CBC reporting parent identifying or otherwise becoming aware of that error.

    Penalties apply for non-compliance.

    The Public CBC reporting form and instructions are in development, they will be made available in 2025.

    What does jurisdictional reporting mean?

    For Australia and specified jurisdictions determined by the Minister, particular information must be published on a CBC basis.

    For all other jurisdictions the CBC reporting group operates in, the Public CBC reporting parent has a choice to publish that same information on either a CBC basis or an aggregated basis.

    Specified jurisdictions list

    The Minister’s determination of jurisdictions for the purpose of Public CBC reporting is provided by legislative instrument. The Taxation Administration (Country by Country Reporting Jurisdictions) Determination 2024Opens in a new window outlines the specified jurisdictions.

    Jurisdictions that have a comprehensive international tax agreement with Australia:

    • Singapore
    • Switzerland

    Other jurisdictions:

    • Andorra
    • Anguilla
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Aruba
    • Barbados
    • Bahamas
    • Bahrain
    • Belize
    • Bermuda
    • British Virgin Islands
    • Cayman Islands
    • Cook Islands
    • Curacao
    • Dominica
    • Gibraltar
    • Grenada
    • Guernsey
    • Hong Kong
    • Isle of Man
    • Jersey
    • Liberia
    • Mauritius
    • Monaco
    • Montserrat
    • Nauru
    • Niue
    • Panama
    • Republic of the Marshall Islands
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Saint Lucia
    • Saint Maarten (Dutch Part)
    • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Samoa
    • San Marino
    • Seychelles
    • Turks and Caicos Islands
    • US Virgin Islands
    • Vanuatu

    Public CBC information to be reported

    The Public CBC reporting parent is required to publish: 

    • its own legal name
    • the names of each entity in the CBC reporting group
    • a description of the CBC reporting group’s approach to tax
    • information about Australia and specified jurisdictions, on a CBC basis
    • information about its other jurisdictions, either on a CBC or aggregated basis.

    Information required to be reported

    If the Public CBC reporting parent chooses to report on a CBC basis for all jurisdictions that the group operates in, it does not need to publish any information on an aggregated basis. However, if the Public CBC reporting parent only publishes information on a CBC basis for Australia and the specified jurisdictions, it must publish information for all other jurisdictions on an aggregated basis.

    Australia and specified jurisdictions

    The information required to be reported for Australia and specified jurisdictions is:

    • the name of the jurisdiction
    • a description of main business activities
    • the number of employees (on a full-time equivalent basis) at the end of the reporting period
    • revenue from unrelated parties
    • revenue from related parties that are not tax residents of the jurisdiction
    • profit or loss before income tax
    • book value at the end of the reporting period of tangible assets, other than cash and cash equivalents
    • income tax paid (on a cash basis)
    • income tax accrued (current year)
    • the reasons for the difference between income tax accrued (current year) and the amount of income tax due if the income tax rate applicable to the jurisdiction were applied to profit and loss before income tax
    • the currency used in calculating and presenting the above information.

    Other jurisdictions (aggregated information)

    The information required to be reported on an aggregated basis, for all other jurisdictions the group operates in, is, the aggregation of the following for all of those jurisdictions:

    • a description of main business activities in those jurisdictions
    • the number of employees (on a full-time equivalent basis) at the end of the reporting period
    • revenue from unrelated parties
    • revenue from related parties that are not tax residents of the jurisdiction in which that revenue is being derived
    • profit or loss before income tax
    • book value at the end of the reporting period of tangible assets, other than cash and cash equivalents
    • income tax paid (on a cash basis)
    • income tax accrued (current year)
    • the currency used in calculating and presenting the above information.

    The information required to be reported, has been adopted from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 207: Tax 2019 reporting standard. The GRI 207 may be used as a source of guidance in interpretating the publishing requirements. Regard may also be had to the BEPS Action 13 Guidance and the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines where they provide greater detail on the interpretation of terms.

    Correction of errors

    If a Public CBC reporting parent becomes aware of a material error contained in any of the information that has been published, the CBC reporting parent must correct the error by giving corrected information to the Commissioner in the approved form. This is required no later than 28 days after the entity becomes aware of the material error.

    Penalties apply for non-compliance.

    Publishing the information

    The Public CBC reporting parent is required to publish the information on an Australian government website by giving the information in the approved form to the Commissioner.

    The Public CBC reporting form and instructions are under development and will be made available in 2025.

    The Commissioner’s role

    The Commissioner will facilitate publication of the reported information as soon as practicable, on the Australian government website data.gov.au.

    If a material error is corrected by the Public CBC reporting parent, the Commissioner will publish the corrected information on data.gov.au as soon as practicable. 

    The first publication is expected to be released in late 2026.

    Extension of time to provide the Public CBC report

    The Public CBC report is due within 12 months after the end of the relevant reporting period. For example, for the reporting period ending 30 June 2025, the Public CBC report is due by 30 June 2026.

    A Public CBC reporting parent may apply to the Commissioner for an extension of time to provide the Public CBC report. A Public CBC reporting parent does not have to register to request an extension of time, but consideration and processing of the request may be delayed if it is not registered.

    Guidance on extension of time requests will be made available in 2025.

    Exemptions

    The primary purpose of the Public CBC regime is to enhance tax transparency. However, a Public CBC reporting parent may seek an exemption from reporting obligations, from the Commissioner. The Commissioner may exempt an entity (a ‘full exemption’) or specify that an entity is exempt from publishing information of a particular kind (a ‘partial exemption’) for a single reporting period.

    A Public CBC reporting parent does not have to register to request an exemption, but consideration and processing of the request may be delayed if it is not registered.

    Guidance on exemptions will be made available in 2025. For more information, see Public country-by-country reporting transparency measure and exemption discretions.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s drama dilemma: how taxpayers foot the bill for content that ends up locked behind paywalls

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Potter, Professor in Digital Media and Cutural Studies, Queensland University of Technology

    Shutterstock

    Headlines about Screen Australia’s latest annual Drama Report have highlighted one particular figure: a 29% drop in total industry expenditure compared to the year before.

    But a closer look suggests this isn’t the most concerning finding. The report also reveals a significant chunk (42%) of the A$803 million spent on producing Australian TV drama in 2023–24 was funded by taxpayers.

    What’s more – watching half of the Australian TV drama hours broadcast in 2024 required a streaming subscription. Watching all of them required seven different subscriptions.

    With Australians’ funding of this commercial, for-profit sector on the rise, we can’t help but ask: what do Australian viewers get in return?

    Screen production challenged globally

    Screen sectors globally are experiencing significant downturns because of changes in audience behaviour and advertiser spending. Various analyses suggest between 14% and 25% of all viewing is now comprised of videos from YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.

    Advertising revenue that once helped fund local drama has followed viewers to social media apps, imperilling Australia’s commercial broadcasters.

    Traditionally, commissions from the three commercial broadcasters have supported Australia’s drama production sector. However, in 2021 the government significantly watered-down their quota obligations. As a result, networks Seven, Nine and Ten commissioned just nine hours of new, non-soap drama in 2024.

    The loss of commercial broadcasters from the production ecosystem has radically changed the sector’s dynamics. Streamers such as Netflix and Stan are now the largest investors in Australian drama, followed by the ABC.

    Government subsidies for the sector have also grown considerably, partly due to rising production costs. Over the ten years leading up to 2023–24, federal spending on local TV drama production more than tripled, increasing by an average of 16.9% each year.

    Yet, during that same period, the hours of TV drama produced fell by an average of 5.7% each year. In other words, we’re spending more on less. And as mentioned above, much of this declining TV drama slate – which is heavily subsidised by government money – is ending up behind streamer paywalls.

    The problem with current policy

    Too much of Australia’s current screen funding is going towards stories that can’t be watched without a paid subscription.

    Also, many of these stories have little to no connection to Australia. For instance NBC Universal’s Young Rock, which was produced in Australia, is about the childhood of American celebrity Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Similarly, Nautilus, which Disney originally commissioned and which was made in Australia, is loosely based on Jules Verne’s maritime adventure novel, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.



    Read more:
    At $300m, Jules Verne-inspired Nautilus is the most expensive Australian-made show. But Disney+ was right to dump it

    Since the 2000s, our screen industry has become far more global than national. Current policy largely funds television projects through tax rebates on production budget. And any scripted production made in Australia (and with a certain minimum budget) is eligible for this funding.

    These rebates, combined with a lack of local content quotas for broadcasters and streamers, mean our current policy risks generously funding titles made by global corporations for international viewers.

    The 2024 Drama Report highlights a need to carefully consider whether Australia’s policy for the sector is delivering for Australians.

    It’s time to update the conditions of support, which were designed back when commercial broadcasters reliably commissioned some 300 hours of Australian drama each year. This is no longer the case.

    Solutions for more Australians stories

    So what needs to change? For a start, policy must offer greater support for dramas that tell compelling Australian stories in all their diversity.

    Such dramas, which deliver significant cultural value to audiences, should receive higher levels of rebates than international stories filmed in Australia. The ABC and the SBS could lead the way in commissioning this content, as per their charter obligations.

    The 2021 changes to Australian content regulations left the ABC as the principal provider of free local drama and children’s programs – but the ABC has limited resources. Rather than supporting international productions, local audiences might be better served if the government increased the ABC’s funding to produce minimum amounts of drama and children’s programs.

    We also have to bring Australian drama out from behind streamer paywalls if they receive any kind of government support. They should be made available to local audiences for free within two years of their release.

    This could be done through free-to-air television services, like ABC iView or SBS On Demand, or on a free platform built specifically for local content.

    Policymakers will need to define production sector sustainability in a 21st century context. Australia has historically had many small production companies. However, the steep decline in local drama being produced suggests only a few companies will remain viable in the long term.

    The scale of disruption facing local broadcasters and production companies needs to be matched by policy that’s fit for purpose, and which returns value to Australian communities.

    Anna Potter receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Amanda Lotz receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Marion McCutcheon receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Australia’s drama dilemma: how taxpayers foot the bill for content that ends up locked behind paywalls – https://theconversation.com/australias-drama-dilemma-how-taxpayers-foot-the-bill-for-content-that-ends-up-locked-behind-paywalls-246237

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso Statement on the Confirmation of Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, released the following statement after voting to confirm Scott Bessent to be Secretary of the Department of Treasury.

    “Scott Bessent has a clear vision to reignite America’s economy. He is going to be a strong partner in helping us lower prices, increase wages and create more American jobs. Secretary Bessent believes in unleashing American energy, cutting wasteful spending, and staying tough on our adversaries. Secretary Bessent will protect families in Wyoming and across the country from crushing regulations and devasting tax hikes.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Energy Sector – New risk management contracts improve market design

    Source: Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand

     

    The Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand (ERANZ) welcomes today’s launch of a new standardised super-peak hedge contract to be auctioned and brokered by Aotearoa Energy.

     

    A standardised super-peak hedge contract is a risk management tool for wholesale electricity buyers. It acts as an insurance policy against higher wholesale electricity prices during peak demand periods when weather-dependent generation may be low. These contracts will become even more important as market volatility increases with the embracing of more intermittent renewable energy sources.

     

    ERANZ Chief Executive Bridget Abernethy says the new contracts enable wholesale market participants to better manage higher prices when hydro, solar and wind generation may not be able to meet demand.

     

    “All electricity market participants in New Zealand know our wholesale electricity market is volatile due to our dependence on intermittent renewables, and this product could be very useful for consumers who don’t have load flexibility or have very lumpy consumption patterns.

     

    “We’re pleased to see the joint Electricity Authority-Commerce Commission Competition Taskforce launch this new product and look forward to this first trading event following extensive engagement with an industry-led representative panel.”

     

    Abernethy supports the implementation of the new product and says ERANZ looks forward to the market’s development of more liquidity, which will provide generators and large consumers with another way of managing the risk in their energy portfolios.

     

    “The Government’s recent Policy Statement on Electricity outlines an expectation that wholesale buyers and sellers have well-suited risk management arrangements in place.

     

    “By introducing standardised flexibility products, participants will have far greater transparency around future electricity prices, supporting better risk management and investment decisions.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Opposing Govt Policy – Hear our voice PM – the PSA’s campaign against asset sales begins today

    Source: PSA

    The PSA firmly rejects any return to selling state assets following today’s comments from the Prime Minister.
    Christopher Luxon said National may seek a mandate for asset sales at the next election. That comes days after ACT Leader David Seymour floated the prospect of privatisation of public health and other public services.
    “Not content with stripping the guts out of the public service, now we have a Prime Minister floating selling state assets – it’s a return to the failed policies of the past,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “If the Government thinks selling state assets will drive economic growth, then the public should be worried.
    “Have we not learnt from the past? Our history is littered with failed privatisations which required expensive bail outs and buy backs by taxpayers – remember the failures of Kiwi Rail, Air New Zealand and the Bank of New Zealand.
    “The PSA doubts the public’s mood for asset sales has shifted since the 2013 citizens initiated referendum where two thirds of voters rejected asset sales.
    “Asset sales are just a short-term sugar hit, and the public will be worse off. This is not simply a ‘recycling of assets’ as the PM puts it, but a loss of ownership and control. It’s wrong.
    “Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past and keep the state’s silver in public hands. The PSA will be making its opposition to any return to the failed asset sales agenda of the past loud and clear.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Women struggle in the boardroom to promote social responsibility initiatives

    Source: University of South Australia

    28 January 2025

    It’s well documented that despite increasing awareness of gender equality, women remain underrepresented when taking a seat at leadership tables in the corporate world. But what about the challenges women face once they make it to the boardroom?

    University of South Australia researchers have found that women encounter significant struggles when navigating power dynamics in leadership teams – specifically when it comes to driving corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This is despite many previous studies suggesting that having more women on boards will lead to stronger social outcomes.

    CSR is when a business makes a conscious effort to make the world a better place. It could be a small enterprise making a simple charity donation or large corporation giving a portion of its profits to a worthy cause.

    Researchers in UniSA’s Centre for Markets, Values and Inclusion, Associate Professor Wei Qian, Dr Kathy Rao and Dr Xin Deng conducted a study recently that revealed the power dynamics at play when CSR decisions are being considered by boards and companies.

    Twenty senior women directors and managers from both small and large companies were interviewed from a variety of industries including banking, metal and mining, health care, finance, telecommunication, real estate and insurance.

    Assoc Prof Qian says the women expressed biases and difficulties in promoting CSR to their boardroom colleagues.

    “When speaking with these women, we heard several examples of women finding it hard to navigate power imbalances when it comes to driving social initiatives. One participant said she was told she ‘wears her heart on her sleeve’ when she was expressing concerns about a social initiative and wanting the company to go in a certain direction,” Assoc Prof Qian says.

    “We found that when women leaders were assigned ‘soft’ tasks that are assumed to be less important, such as CSR projects, they were often either marginalised or completely silenced, making them less likely to challenge board decisions or have an impact on changing performance. This created discomfort and sometimes even an intimidating environment for women to raise CSR concerns or ideas.

    “Men predominantly hold the powerful positions, such as executive directors or chairs, and they dominate the ‘hard’ business issues.”

    Some women also explained how they had to take a gentler approach to advocacy, choose their words carefully and sometimes adjust their CSR ideas to make them more receptive to their male colleagues – often by reframing it as a business opportunity or a chance for the business to gain competitive advantage.

    One research participant explained, “The best example was talking about the climate change program. You have to build a good story, sort of start at the economic (s) … and work your way up to (it), and then (say) ‘by the way, this would be a good and responsible thing to do’.”

    Assoc Prof Qian says stereotypes play into the question of whether women are more receptive to CSR agendas, but overall, she believes women are more often associated with strong performance in environmental and social goals and community engagement.

    “Stereotypically, women are perceived as more emotional, sensitive, caring and empathetic towards others. In contrast men are viewed as more independent, masterful and assertive,” she says.

    “Women directors are keener to build connections that offer social support and foster a sense of belonging, which in turn can lead them to engage more in CSR activities,” she says. “This confirms that gender equality on boards matters.”

    The research involved participants from Australia and China, neither of which have gender quotas. The researchers say although the two countries are distinctive in terms of political, social and economic structures, female leaders experienced similar struggles in the boardroom when promoting CSR.

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview: Associate Professor Wei Qian, UniSA E: Wei.Qian@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +403 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Madison Pacific Properties Inc. announces Federal Court of Appeal judgement on tax reassessments appeal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Madison Pacific Properties Inc. (the Parent Company) (TSX: MPC and MPC.C), a Vancouver-based real estate company announces judgement issued by the Federal Court of Appeal (“FCA”) on its tax reassessments appeal.

    As previously reported in the Parent Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A, the Parent Company and certain subsidiaries had received from the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration (“ATRA”) tax notices of reassessment for various taxation years. The reassessments denied the application and usage of certain non-capital losses, capital losses, deductions and investment tax credits arising from prior years. The Parent Company and its subsidiaries had filed notices of objection and notices of appeal to the reassessments with the CRA and ATRA.

    The appeal with the Tax Court of Canada (“TCC”) for the Parent Company was heard in 2020, 2022 and in 2023 (the “Appeal”). The TCC released its judgement on the Appeal in December 2023 in favour of the CRA’s position, confirming the CRA’s reassessments. The decision denied the Parent Company’s ability to use certain carryforward losses for certain taxation years within its 2009 to 2017 taxation years. Additional taxes payable for the reassessed years plus estimated interest and awarded legal costs totals approximately $6.6 million and as at August 31, 2024, the Parent Company had paid $6.1 million to the CRA for the taxes and estimated interest on the reassessments.

    In January 2024, the Parent Company filed a notice of appeal to the FCA to appeal the decision issued by the TCC on the Appeal (the “TCC Appeal”). On January 22, 2025, the TCC Appeal was heard by the FCA and on January 23, 2025 the FCA released its judgement dismissing the TCC Appeal. The Parent Company and its counsel are currently assessing whether to appeal the decision issued by the FCA. The Parent Company has also filed interest relief applications with the CRA to apply to waive arrears interest paid on the reassessments.

    For a review of the risks and uncertainties to which the Parent Company is subject, see its most recently filed annual and interim MD&A.

    For more information please contact:
           
    Contact: Mr. John DeLucchi   Ms. Bernice Yip
      President & CEO   Chief Financial Officer
    Telephone: (604) 732-6540   (604) 732-6540
           
    Address: 389 West 6th Avenue    
      Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1L1    

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reduced Police Executive proposed

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has today released a proposal to reduce the size of the Police Executive.

    The proposal was sent to affected staff earlier today and will remain open for feedback until Monday 10 February.

    “When I was appointed Commissioner in November, I clearly signalled my intent to restructure the current Police Executive – the highest-ranking levels of our organisation,” Commissioner Chambers says.

    “My goal is to ensure our Executive structure is fit-for-purpose, provides strong, clear leadership to the frontline, and delivers on the priorities I have set.”

    The consultation document proposes consolidating a number of roles and responsibilities, including the disestablishment of 37 Executive and support service positions.

    It also proposes creating 20 new positions, meaning a potential reduction of 17 roles.

    “Consultation is an integral part of this process, all feedback will be reviewed and carefully considered before final decisions are made in late February,” Commissioner Chambers says.

    “It’s also important to note that I’m absolutely committed to boosting our frontline and redundancy is not available to constabulary employees.”

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Robbery – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 14-year-old male in relation to a robbery that occurred in Alice Springs on Sunday.

    Around 11.50am, police received reports that a robbery had occurred at a service station in Braitling.

    Four male youths had allegedly entered the store and stolen food and drinks, with one of the youths allegedly armed with an edged weapon. The youth allegedly threatened staff with the weapon before all offenders fled the scene on foot.

    Strike Force Viper members attended and commenced investigations. CCTV footage was reviewed, and the 14-year-old male was identified and arrested around 12.55pm. The edged weapon was confirmed to be a plastic toy and was seized by police.

    Investigations are ongoing to identify the remaining offenders.

    Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference P25026196. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Scott M. Kelly Files Early Warning Report In Respect of Common Shares of Copland Road Capital Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Scott M. Kelly (“Kelly”), a director of Copland Road Capital Corporation (“Copland Road” or the Issuer”) today filed an Early Warning Report (“EWR”) on Form 62-103F1 pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 (Early Warning System and Related take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues) reporting the disposition of 470,000 common shares (“Shares”) in the capital of Copland Road through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange at a price of CAD $0.18 per Share for aggregate consideration of CAD $84,600 (the “Transaction”).

    Prior to the Transaction, Kelly exercised control or direction over 1,881,000 Shares of the Issuer, representing approximately 16.99% of the issued and outstanding Shares. Upon completion of the Transaction, Kelly exercises control or direction over 1,411,000 Shares of the Issuer, representing approximately 12.75% of the outstanding Shares.

    Kelly sold the Shares to reduce his shareholdings in the Company and to obtain the proceeds of sales to be used for other purposes. Kelly reserves the right to acquire further Shares, or dispose of some or all of the Shares, in the future, in each case either through the open market or through private transactions, depending on market conditions and other relevant factors.

    For further information regarding the Transaction, please see the EWR. A copy of the EWR is available on SEDAR+ or by emailing Kelly at info@copland-road.com.

    Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.

    Scott M. Kelly

    c/o Copland Road Capital Corporation
    info@copland-road.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens expands real estate team with appointment of Carrie Rogers as partner

    Source: Allens Insights

    Carrie Rogers has joined Allens as a Partner in the Projects & Development practice, based in the Real Estate & Development team in Sydney. She brings more than 15 years of experience in complex property development, structuring, and leasing, including indirect property transactions, acquisitions, disposals and leasebacks.

    Carrie’s appointment continues the strong growth of our Real Estate & Development team, enhancing our capabilities in advising on large-scale property developments, complex structuring, and multi-party agreements, areas that are increasingly critical to clients amid the energy transition and the rising deployment of private capital in infrastructure.

    ‘Carrie’s collaborative approach and ability to deliver tailored, practical solutions make her an outstanding addition to our team. We are delighted to welcome her to Allens and look forward to the valuable contributions she will bring to our clients and practice,’ said Michael Graves, Partner and Real Estate & Development team lead.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 51st Fighter Wing takes off into new year with Beverly Herd 25-2

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    SOUTH KOREA  –  

    Beverly Herd 25-2, the 51st Fighter Wing’s annual large force exercise, begins Jan. 26 and is scheduled to run through Jan. 31.

    The wing will incorporate agile combat employment operations, conducting flight operations at Kunsan Air Base and utilizing the base as a forward deployed location.

    “Exercises that allow us to pick up our teams and generate flying from other locations allow us to truly test our abilities and work under alternate conditions,” said U.S. Air Force Col William McKibban, 51st FW commander.

    The 51st FW will mobilize personnel and F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, exercising the wing’s capabilities to rapidly disperse and operate at an alternate location. Incorporating ACE as part of the wing’s regular exercises enhances both offensive and defensive capabilities across the peninsula, amplifying the wing’s reach.

    Personnel at Osan AB will also undergo comprehensive training alongside U.S. Army counterparts to defend the base against potential attacks, performing strategic and tactical level maneuvers to counter opposing forces. This training reinforces fundamental concepts of service-to-service interoperability with a focus on contingency operations and the required skillsets for base defense.

    In addition, the wing will focus on assuring base readiness and sustaining the force. After incurring simulated damage to the installation, teams will be tested on assessing and repairing critical infrastructure. Practicing and improving upon these procedures under simulated conditions equips Osan AB for future challenges.

    “We exercise to this extent because we are one of the busiest bases in the Air Force,” said McKibban. “We are the most forward deployed, permanently based wing and we need to ensure our Airmen are prepared to face any adversary.”

    MIL Security OSI –