Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are calling for information in relation to two 17-year-old males who absconded from the Alice Springs Youth Detention Centre last night.
Around 6.00pm, police were notified that the pair had absconded from the Correctional facility and were seen heading into bushland in a north direction towards Alice Springs.
An extensive search operation was launched involving members from the Dog Operations Unit, Drone Unit, and general duties officers.
Around 9.40pm, a white Mazda 6 believed to be stolen earlier in the evening was sighted by police being driven dangerously by two youths. The vehicle allegedly attempted to engage with the police vehicle, before fleeing the area heading south out of Alice Springs. It was last sighted in the Ilparpa Road area, and both the Mazda and youths remain outstanding at this time. Police are investigating if the escapees were the youths driving the vehicle.
Police do not believe they pose a risk to the public however advise not to approach them. Anyone with information about their location is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP24000109358, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Te Huarahi Māori Motuhake (THMM), the national Māori governing body of the Post Primary Teachers’ Association, PPTA Te Wehengarua, are united in our opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill. We share the view that the Bill is based upon ‘a disingenuous historical narrative that distorts the language of Te Tiriti and undermines social progress and cohesion.
The principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi provide a mechanism to address Treaty breaches and improve relations between the Crown and iwi and hapū and should not be used to alter the intent of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Tampering with these principles is a regression of the last 50 years of positive movement forward for Te Tiriti relations. Tangata whenua, educationalists and tangata Tiriti have worked hard over many years to understand and enact practices that give life to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and we want to ensure this hard work is not wasted.
The cultural development to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi in public education is threatened through this Bill. This is an attempt to rewrite history and change the intent of our tīpuna. It will also absolve the Crown’s obligation to work with and actively protect the rights and interests of Māori, particularly the educational needs of ākonga Māori and mātauranga Māori. We oppose any actions that deliberately undermine the status of tangata whenua and relinquish the Crown’s obligation to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Te Huarahi Māori Motuhake leads cultural knowledge, expertise, and insight essential for crafting policies and practices to ensure the Association’s constitutional objective, ‘affirm and advance Te Tiriti o Waitangi’, is upheld and culturally led at PPTA Te Wehengarua. Te Huarahi Māori Motuhake are adamant in our opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill and are committed to affirm and advance Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will work tirelessly to ensure the promises within Te Tiriti o Waitangi are upheld.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister David Seymour say it’s great news that podiatrists will soon be able to prescribe medicines, meaning patients with painful foot and leg conditions don’t have to make a separate trip to the doctor.
“This simple step means a big change for people suffering from painful foot injuries and leg conditions, and it’s also an important recognition for podiatrists,” says Dr Reti.
“I’m very pleased to announce that the Government intends to take the proposed changes to Cabinet before the end of this year.
“The change will see podiatrists joining other health professions with designated prescribing authority, including specifically trained nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists.
“The change will bring New Zealand into line with a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, the US and UK.”
David Seymour says the change allows for more direct access to health care, and savings for both people and the health system.
“For too long, podiatrists have been restricted to providing a limited number of pharmacy-only or restricted medicines for skin care treatments or small surgical procedures.
“That limits their scope. Additionally, stepping up with additional training and allowing a greater level of prescribing by podiatrists will assist those with high health needs and reduce the costs and delays for patients if additional doctor’s visit had been required.
“The change will also make better use of the country’s nearly 500 podiatrists who usually work in community settings, and in rural areas.
“We know conditions like shin splints and bunions can be extremely painful and that getting pain relief that is only available on prescription has often meant needing to see a GP as well. “As a Government, we want to make healthcare as easy to access as possible, and this change is an important step towards that,” says David Seymour.
The change also recognises the often pivotal role podiatrists play in reducing the risk of limb amputations for people with chronic health conditions like diabetes.
The Ministry of Health is currently developing the list of medicines that specially trained podiatrists will be able to prescribe, and list is likely to be completed in the first half of next year.
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
30 October 2024
Who does this notice affect?
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.
What has changed?
Following the identification of critical non-compliance, the department has listed Ema Çevre Sağlığı ilacama ve Gida San.Tic.Ltd. Sti. (AEI: TR4013SB) as…
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change report.
Dr Josh Foster, Lecturer in Human Environmental Physiology, King’s College London, said:
“The report highlights the growing number of extreme heat events worldwide, which are associated with severe health impacts. Air conditioning is unaffordable for most in the UK, making us highly vulnerable to increased risks of indoor overheating. The UK’s older population are at particularly high risk due to slow uptake of adaptation measures, such as building modifications, development of personal cooling systems, and up to date public health messaging. During the 2022 heat wave, over 4,000 deaths were reported in the UK’s older population, and temperature extremes have worsened exponentially over the last decade. The trends highlighted in the Lancet report are therefore alarming and will result in more frequent mass mortality events in older people as the devastating impacts of climate changed are realised. At King’s, the Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment (CARICE) is pioneering research into improving the resilience of older people to extreme heat. We focus on the urgent need to develop solutions to combat indoor overheating, decreasing strain on our already overstretched healthcare systems.”
Dr Nathan Cheetham, Senior Postdoctoral Data Scientist, King’s College London, said:
“The UK Met Office has recorded official heatwaves in each of the past 3 years, with the extreme heatwaves like the UK faced in summer 2022 set to become more regular.
“As the latest Lancet Countdown report highlights, these changes in climate pose particular health risks for older people, especially those living in poorer areas of cities where houses cope less well in heat.
“And, similar to what we saw with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is key workers who tend to be most exposed and unable to shield as easily during heatwaves, such as those working in one of our many hospitals without air conditioning, or outdoor construction workers.
“The report also emphasises that emergency responses and adaptations to deal with the health risks of climate change are currently generally lacking. So there’s a responsibility by governments to support adaptation of housing, as well as where and how we work when these extreme weather events happen.”
‘The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action’by Marina Romanello et al. was published in The Lancet at 00:01 UK time on Wednesday 30th October.
Dr Nathan Cheetham: “Receive a minority of funding in part by the King’s College London Centre for Ageing Resilience in a Changing Environment (CARICE). One of the focuses of the centre is how to improve resilience of older people in the face of climate change. Majority funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), on a project trying to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19. Previously worked for an NHS organisation. Nothing else to declare such as industry funding.”
Trade Minister Todd McClay will hold trade discussions with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) trade ministers in Doha this week.
Minister McClay will meet with all six GCC Trade Ministers, as well as the GCC Secretary General.
“This will be my seventh visit to the region this year including two Ministerial meetings with Saudi Arabi following reengagement at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Abu Dhabi in February of this year,” Mr McClay says.
“New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region totalled $2.6 billion in the year to June 2024.
“The GCC is an important economic partner for New Zealand and an important part of meeting our ambitious target of doubling exports by value in ten years.
“Growing New Zealand’s trade relationships is part of our plan to grow the economy, lift incomes for kiwis, and create jobs.”
In the fight against inflation and ever rising grocery prices, farmers have been caught in the middle of debate on the effect of pricing on customers. The Minister responsible for competition, Andrew Leigh, has been taking a close look at the farming sector. We spoke to him earlier. Andrew Leigh, good to have you back with us. Now, you’ve given a speech today on competition, pointing out that it’s definitely lacking in the agriculture or farming sector. They feel it in lots of ways, according to your presentation, through the harvesters, they buy and maintain seeds and spray that they put in the field and cattle they sell at the yard. So, you’ve highlighted it. What’s the solution?
ANDREW LEIGH:
Well, Greg, as you say, farmers are the meat in the market concentration sandwich. You often get a lot of farmers, but just a few suppliers, and just a few people they can sell to. Part of the answer is the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct being made mandatory rather than voluntary as it was under the Liberals and Nationals. That ensures that farmers get a fairer deal when they’re negotiating with supermarkets. Part of it is also about banning unfair contract terms, which we did when we came to office. Those unfair contract terms were hurting small farmers in areas like fertiliser contracts or potato grower retailing, and that ensures that the small guy gets a better deal.
JENNETT:
What’s the argument against strong entities with big networks of dealers, typically in small country towns. So, you might buy for instance, a John Deere tractor and sure you are completely tethered then to the local dealer, the local repairer, the software, they own, but around that sits local jobs as well. Why would you want to disrupt those big strong entities with their networks across the land?
LEIGH:
Well, the same argument was made with cars where dealers argued that only they should be able to fix their cars. But the decision that the parliament made, which I was pleased to kick off from July 2022, was that there ought to be a right to repair, a sharing of the information. These pieces of farm machinery are now incredibly advanced, John Deere has more software engineers than mechanical engineers on staff. And so we’re looking carefully at whether there ought to be a right to repair, whether it’s possible to in the first instance, strike an arrangement between those independent repairers and the farm suppliers and so anyone can fix their machinery if they have the right qualifications.
JENNETT:
Do they exist, these independent repairers, or exist in large enough number to make a difference?
LEIGH:
No, you go to exactly the right question, Greg. When you’re talking about independent mechanics, there’s thousands of them across the country. When you talk about independents to fix farm machinery, there’s fewer of them around. But the problem is really acute for farmers because if a harvester can’t operate for a week, that can be the difference of thousands of dollars in the price that the farmer receives. So, with that risk of spoilage, you do need to get a quicker fix and an independent repair sector may be part of the answer.
JENNETT:
Might it be necessary when you look at the conglomerates that make seed and sprays for agriculture – most of them are very large multinationals – might it be necessary to consider having a power to break them up?
LEIGH:
Look, we haven’t gone for divestment, but we are concerned about the degree of market concentration and that’s why we’ve introduced into parliament the biggest merger shake up in 50 years. Jim Chalmers introduced that in the parliament just in the last sittings. And that’s a really key part of economic reform for us, continuing the competition legacy of the Hawke and Keating governments.
JENNETT:
If you push this agenda all the way through in all the areas of agriculture that we’re discussing here, possible to estimate price reductions for consumers, those of us who buy food made by Australian farmers, grown by Australian farmers at Australian supermarkets?
LEIGH:
The best estimate we’ve got, Greg, is if we return the economy to the levels of competition that prevailed at the turn of the millennium, is that we’d boost GDP by somewhere between one and 3 per cent. That’s in line with estimates that suggested that the National Competition Policy reforms of the 1990s benefited the typical Australian by about 2.5 per cent. These are massive gains and they’re key in dealing with cost‑of‑living issues. [A lack of] competition drives down prices and drives up wages. It also reduces innovation and productivity if you have a lack of competition in the market. So, we need a more competitive and dynamic economy for our farmers and for people who work in other sectors.
JENNETT:
Inevitably, you touch on trade in your speech and there’s some big clouds sitting over global trade at the moment, principally from the United States. There’s an event happening there in a week’s time. If the US erects higher tariff walls, particularly on Chinese goods, with the suggestion from candidate Trump of a 60 per cent tariff. What do you estimate the effect on China’s demand for raw ingredients produced by Australia? How much could that drop off by virtue of a US tariff change?
LEIGH:
Australia has been a strong advocate of open markets and the Cairns Group of agricultural free trading nations was spearheaded by Australia in order to get a better deal at the World Trade Organisation. Obviously, the Americans will make their own decision. But I’m a passionate free trader because I believe that’s strongly in the interests of Australian consumers and producers. Our farmers in particular have benefited from freer trade and that old era of ‘protection all round’ meant that farmers paid too much for their machines and got too little for their exports as a result of retaliatory tariffs.
JENNETT:
Would there be a balancing out here? Sure. China’s demand under the scenario I’ve described, China’s demand for iron ore and coal might drop off because they’re selling fewer goods manufactured into the United States. But by the same token, goods already made need to go somewhere else. Could Australian consumers benefit by China offloading product that might otherwise have been intended for the United States?
LEIGH:
Greg, a medium‑sized economy that is engaged with the world like Australia, benefits when trade barriers are low. As Joan Robinson, the great Cambridge economist put it, it’s always worth taking the rocks out of your own harbours, better yet if your trading partners take the rocks out of theirs. So, our interest is strongly in a rules‑based trading system and in low tariffs around the world. Governments in Australia have consistently argued for that. It’s in the national interest and it boosts wages and means Australians get better prices for the goods they buy.
JENNETT:
So, are you nervous about what you’re hearing from political debate emanating from the US?
LEIGH:
Well, of course we’re all watching the US election and it’s a fascinating show every 4 years, but that’s a decision for the American people.
JENNETT:
All right, we might come back to that when we actually get a result in a week or so time. Andrew, one final one. Can’t let you go without asking because we’re asking almost everyone on travel. Would it be better if a blanket rule were put in place for politicians against airline upgrades pertaining to private or unofficial travel? I don’t mean work related travel, but private travel. Would it be cleaner if such a rule existed?
LEIGH:
Look, I’d certainly be relaxed about that, Greg. I’m somebody who flies most of my domestic flights economy rather than business. That’s meant that in the past from time ‑to‑time I’ve received upgrades. Doesn’t happen if you book business. But of course that then means the taxpayer’s paying twice as much.
JENNETT:
Ever been upgraded on personal travel unexpectedly?
LEIGH:
It’s happened to me before. You don’t ask for it, and it’s not something that’s ever changed my decision. I don’t think there’s anyone who’s been as vociferous a critic of Qantas in the parliament as me. I’ve been very strongly critical of their cancellations of Sydney‑Canberra flights and a strong advocate of more competition in the aviation sector. Indeed, I gave a speech on it recently.
JENNETT:
Ok, so just to be clear, any personal upgrade you believe was unconnected to your line of work as a politician? Because that’s the grey line here around the Anthony Albanese episodes, isn’t it?
LEIGH:
Yeah. I have no idea on what basis they make those decisions. Certainly, I report as the Prime Minister has done, and it’s never affected my decisions. I’ll continue to be a strong advocate for more competition in the aviation sector.
JENNETT:
Understood. You certainly have been that. Andrew Leigh, we thank you, as always.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
Surface-to-air missile systems attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 74th Group Army fire missiles at simulated air targets during a round-the-clock live-fire training exercise on August 6, 2024. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Yu Xiao)
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)
JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) — China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Wednesday, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.
The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Xin)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)
The Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, is launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)
This combo photo shows the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, being launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, Oct. 30, 2024. The launch of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship is a complete success, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). China on Wednesday launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, sending three astronauts — including the country’s first female space engineer — to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Xi calls for continuously developing socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for new era
BEIJING, Oct. 29 — On the afternoon of Oct. 28, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held its 17th group study session. The topic was on developing a strong culture in China. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping, while presiding over the session, emphasized the importance of sticking to the strategic goal of developing a strong culture in the country by 2035. He highlighted the significance of upholding Marxism as the fundamental guiding ideology, drawing inspirations from the rich heritage of Chinese civilization, keeping abreast of trends in information technology development and continuously fostering a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics in the new era that offers strong theoretical guidance, spiritual cohesion and value appeal, and has global influence. It is essential to enhance the spiritual strength of the people, thereby laying a robust cultural foundation for building a strong country and realizing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, he said.
Professor Wang Bo, vice president of Peking University, gave a lecture on this issue and put forward suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened carefully to the lecture and held discussions.
Xi delivered an important speech after listening to the lecture and discussions. He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress, we have persisted in placing cultural development in a prominent position in the governance of the country, made a series of major arrangements, and formed the thought on socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era. We have worked to make historic achievements in cultural development through thoroughly overhauling cultural concepts and cultural theories as well as in upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground. As a result, we have made great strides in developing a strong socialist culture.
Xi stressed the need to develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics, as well as to uphold the Party’s leadership, enhance governance capacity in cultural sector in the information age, and consolidate the foundation of the Party’s governance and public support for the Party in terms of ideology, ethos and culture. The fundamental system for ensuring the guiding role of Marxism in the ideological domain must be upheld, Xi said, calling for efforts to fully implement the thought on socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era and develop a sound, people-oriented socialist culture for our nation that embraces modernization, the world, and the future. He also highlighted the necessity to adhere to the guidance of core socialist values, continuously bolster the Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength, and develop and strengthen mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture.
Xi emphasized the need to stimulate the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation. He advocated for a people-centered approach to creation that prioritizes social benefits while integrating social and economic outcomes. He identified the stimulation of innovative and creative vitality as a central element in deepening reform of cultural system and mechanisms, calling for accelerated improvements in cultural management systems as well as production and operational mechanisms. To enhance originality in creating cultural works, he called for efforts to improve the mechanisms for providing services, guidance, and organization work for artistic creation and production, and thus make it possible to nurture a batch of deeply resonant contemporary classics, so as to attain a new zenith of Chinese culture. He noted the need to actively create a favorable cultural environment, promote academic and artistic democracy, and support writers, artists, and experts in getting what they need for creation from life and dedicating themselves to their creations so that they will continuously maintain their vitality for cultural innovation and creativity. Furthermore, he urged the exploration of effective mechanisms for integrating culture and technology, and achieving digital empowerment and information transformation in cultural development, so as to convert advantages in cultural resources into strengths for cultural development.
Xi stressed the principle that cultural development must be for the people and of the people. To satisfy the people’s diverse, multilevel and multifaceted cultural needs, efforts must be made to advance the capabilities of providing cultural services and products, so as to ensure that the people have a stronger sense of fulfillment and happiness in terms of culture. We should attach importance to the role of culture in fostering will and virtue, so as to foster a higher level of morale throughout the nation. We should also respect the way talent develop, and improve the mechanisms that comply with the characteristics of the cultural sector to select and cultivate talent, put them to proper use and motivate them, so as to make sound policies that will help to recognize, attach importance to and cherish talent. In this way we will be able to build a strong and well-structured team of high-caliber cultural talent that is bold to innovate in creating excellent works.
Xi urged continued efforts to carry on China’s cultural tradition through creative transformation and innovative development. Stressing the need to leverage the cultural subjectivity of the Chinese nation, he underlined the necessity to conserve, promote, and develop the treasures of Chinese culture that have survived the historical vicissitudes. It is a must to further explore and explain the values of traditional Chinese culture, as well as activate their excellent elements with Marxism and update their connotations, in order to develop a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for the new era. Urging respect for history and passion for culture, Xi called for efforts to promote systematic conservation and unified regulation of cultural heritage, upholding the principles of conservation first, reasonable utilization and minimum intervention. Xi also emphasized continued efforts to build sound institutions and mechanism for cultural heritage conservation and inheritance, and fast-track the drive to improve the system of regulations and institutions in this regard.
Xi highlighted the need to continuously enhance China’s cultural soft power and Chinese culture’s influence. It is imperative to promote the restructuring of the international communication framework, innovate the approach to conduct online international publicity, and create a multi-channel and full-dimensional framework for international communication. It is a must to more proactively promote China’s stand, spread Chinese culture, and showcase China’s image. It is imperative to carry out extensive and diverse international cultural exchanges and cooperation. It is essential to learn from all the outstanding achievements of human civilization, so as to achieve cultural outcomes that integrate the past and present, and connect China with the rest of the world.
Xi finally stressed that building China into a country with a strong culture is the common task of the whole Party and the whole society. It is necessary to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee over public communication and cultural work, and optimize the leadership and management system and mechanism for cultural development. Party committees and governments at all levels should effectively strengthen organization and leadership, do a good job in assignment of officials, cultivation of talent, and investment of resources, and stimulate the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of all sectors to form a powerful synergy for building up China’s cultural strength.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Oct. 29 — China is willing to work with the Egyptian side to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism and law enforcement, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong said Tuesday.
Wang made the remarks when co-chairing the second ministerial meeting between China’s Ministry of Public Security and Egypt’s Ministry of Interior with Mahmoud Tawfik, Egypt’s interior minister.
Wang expressed the hope that the two sides will strengthen personnel exchanges, deepen cooperation on counterterrorism, improve the law enforcement capacity, crack down on transnational crimes, actively protect the safety of each other’s citizens and major projects in their countries, strengthen coordination and cooperation on multilateral occasions, and firmly support and safeguard each other’s core interests.
Tawfik said Egypt highly appreciates the Global Security Initiative and is willing to strengthen practical cooperation with China to safeguard the common interests of the two countries.
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
“As one VA provider pointed out, this delay in critical healthcare could put us on the path to a ‘mass casualty event.’”
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) penned an op-ed in the Daily Caller about how the Biden-Harris administration is limiting community care access for veterans. Community care is essential to veterans across the country, specifically those in rural areas. In the piece, Senator Tuberville calls for slashing the bureaucratic red tape keeping veterans from receiving the pivotal care they deserve and emphasizes the need to change course before it is too late.
Read excerpts from the piece below or here.
“Over the last four years, the Biden-Harris administration has made it clear its priorities lie anywhere but with America’s military service members.
It was apparent in the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that left 13 service members dead. It was obvious when the Department of Defense forced extreme DEI requirements on our troops and discharged service members who had legitimate concerns about taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
We hear it time and again with the White House’s rhetoric that now has us teetering on the brink of another World War — an event which would drag our sons and daughters into more foreign wars on behalf of interests that are not our own.
Which is why it comes as no surprise that the Biden-Harris administration is severely limiting veterans’ access to timely care. Access to community care is an essential health care option that can meet the various needs and circumstances for our veterans — especially those living in rural areas.
The Community Care Network allows veterans to seek care from a provider who may be closer to the veteran in proximity than the nearest Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility, or who may have a shorter wait time than a comparable provider in the VA. It’s something that the brave men and women who have served our country need more access to, not less.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $1 million to the Capital City Airport in Frankfort, Kentucky to support the redevelopment of the terminal. According to airport officials, the federal funding will be used to construct a new, modern two-story facility that will expand passenger access, increase airfield safety, and support aviation career training programs.
Senator McConnell contacted the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in support of the airport’s competitive grant application for this project.
The federal grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program, established in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Senator McConnell led the IIJA to Senate passage in 2021, and the President signed the bill into law. The IIJA gives Kentucky billions of federal dollars over five years to improve the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, railroads, riverports, airports, broadband, and more.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Frankfort and all of Central Kentucky, providing additional funding to overhaul and modernize a new terminal at Capital City Airport. I look forward to this project’s progression and will continue to deliver for Kentucky’s airports in the years ahead,” said Senator McConnell.
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide $1 million to the Capital City Airport in Frankfort, Kentucky to support the redevelopment of the terminal. According to airport officials, the federal funding will be used to construct a new, modern two-story facility that will expand passenger access, increase airfield safety, and support aviation career training programs.
Senator McConnell contacted the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in support of the airport’s competitive grant application for this project.
The federal grant is funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program, established in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Senator McConnell led the IIJA to Senate passage in 2021, and the President signed the bill into law. The IIJA gives Kentucky billions of federal dollars over five years to improve the Commonwealth’s roads, bridges, railroads, riverports, airports, broadband, and more.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Frankfort and all of Central Kentucky, providing additional funding to overhaul and modernize a new terminal at Capital City Airport. I look forward to this project’s progression and will continue to deliver for Kentucky’s airports in the years ahead,” said Senator McConnell.
First Minister and Scottish Chambers of Commerce issue joint call for investment to support growth.
A joint call for investment has been issued to the Chancellor on the eve of the UK Budget from Scottish Government and Scottish Chambers of Commerce.
Speaking to business leaders at a reception with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce on Tuesday 29 October, First Minister John Swinney said:
“My Government is committed to growing the economy to generate the wealth to invest in our public services and eradicate child poverty. We want to use that investment to create a partnership between government and business that will make the most of Scotland’s many economic opportunities.
“It takes political willpower to adapt and evolve our economies and grow thriving societies in all four nations – something the Chancellor can signal by including steps to advance the Acorn carbon capture and storage project in the UK Budget, which would provide new opportunities for workers in the oil and gas sector in Grangemouth and in other parts of Scotland.
“The Office for Budget Responsibility highlighted recently the potential for public investment to deliver permanent improvements in the economy. It is welcome that my calls for the Chancellor to amend her fiscal rules have been heard, with indications last week that there will be scope for greater investment.
“The Chancellor has the chance to choose to deliver a UK Budget that invests in our public services and supports the entrepreneurial spirit displayed in Scotland’s business sector. With these new rules in place the Chancellor must use the fiscal headroom they create to deliver a Budget that immediately and significantly enhances Scotland’s resource and capital funding, enabling us to invest more in our public services and take forward the vital infrastructure projects that support economic growth, net zero, and action to tackle child poverty.”
Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Dr Liz Cameron CBE said:
“Our budget focus is on growth, investment and competitiveness. That means investing in skills, technology and infrastructure, and equipping the workforce for tomorrow’s challenges.
“The Chancellor’s actions and the message they send will directly impact business confidence and investment at a time when we need to create positive momentum. We hope that our calls to support business have been listened to and not ignored.”
The Australian Government is considering comprehensive customer and stakeholder feedback on the Centrepay program, following extensive consultation with the community.
In May the government released the Centrepay Reform Discussion Paper, and invited the public to share their views and experiences with Centrepay.
In particular, the review sought input from the community on safeguards and protections for customers to reduce financial harm, and ensuring the right products and services are available through the program.
The government has published a Centrepay Discussion Paper Report, capturing feedback from Centrepay users, peak advisory groups, business and across government.
Responses to the Discussion Paper highlighted that customers expect to be in control when managing their finances and recognised the need for greater protections through enhanced gatekeeping and enforced business compliance, and accessibility of information and support.
Consultation has been at the core of the Centrepay reform process. Services Australia has been working alongside peak advisory community groups and across government, meeting regularly with stakeholders such as Anglicare, Mob Strong Debt Help, the Australian Council of Social Services, and Economic Justice Australia.
Services Australia has also conducted community consultation activities across Australia, including in remote areas, to hear firsthand feedback on how Centrepay can support and empower those who use it.
This feedback will help inform the reform needed to ensure Centrepay is an effective budgeting tool that helps Australians have greater control over their finances.
Quotes from the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Government Services:
“We thank every individual, organisation, and advocacy group who took the time to respond to the Centrepay discussion paper.”
“Their contributions will be invaluable as we work towards the improvements needed to ensure Centrepay meets the expectations of customers and the community.”
“Priority work to reform Centrepay is ongoing and we’ll have more to say regarding the next steps soon.”
“Services Australia will continue to work with customers, peak community advisory groups, business and across government to ensure Centrepay is an effective budgeting tool that helps Australians have greater control over their finances.”
Source: US State of California Department of Justice
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov
Stipulation resolves Attorney General Bonta’s motion for preliminary injunction in the case
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta secured a stipulation from Providence St. Joseph Hospital that will ensure the hospital follows California law while the case proceeds. The stipulation follows the Attorney General’s lawsuit alleging that the hospital violates multiple laws, including California’s Emergency Services Law (ESL) by, as a matter of policy, denying pregnant patients the emergency abortion care they need. The stipulation, which is subject to court approval, resolves the Attorney General’s preliminary injunction motion, as Providence voluntarily agreed to comply with all the terms the Attorney General requested in its proposed injunction. The lawsuit remains ongoing.
“While Providence St. Joseph should have been complying with state law up to now, thereby avoiding the harm and trauma to Californians they caused, I am pleased that the hospital has agreed to fully comply with the law going forward, ensuring access to life-saving health services including emergency abortion care,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we believe that abortion care is healthcare. We will ensure that this right is upheld and will continue to hold accountable those who break the law.”
Under the stipulation, the hospital will specifically:
Allow its physicians to terminate a patient’s pregnancy whenever the treating physicians determine in their professional judgment that failing to immediately terminate the pregnancy would be reasonably expected to place the patient’s health in serious jeopardy; result in serious impairment to the patient’s bodily functions; or result in serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part of the patient.
Comply with ESL’s pre-transfer treatment requirements. In particular, Providence Hospital may not transfer a pregnant patient without first providing emergency services and care (including where applicable terminating a pregnancy) such that there is a reasonable medical probability that the transfer or the delay caused by the transfer will not result in a material deterioration in the medical condition in, or jeopardy to, the patient’s medical condition or expected chances for recovery.
Follow the policy and protocol requirements of the ESL under Health & Safety Code section 1317.2. In particular, Providence Hospital may not “discharge” patients with instructions to self-transport to another facility and Providence Hospital must comply will all applicable protocols and regulations for transfers prescribed by the California Department of Public Health.
That Providence “without admitting any liability related to the claims asserted in this Action and consistent with its high standards for safe, quality, compassionate care; and the People, without waiving any allegations regarding the hospital’s prior conduct as detailed in the Complaint, agrees to fully comply with California’s ESL, Health & Safety Code section 1317, et. seq. with respect to pregnant patients experiencing emergency medical conditions.”
A copy of the parties’ stipulation can be found here.
Commenting on the release of an Education Review Office report into the issues, he agreed with the agency that the current model for managing school attendance was not designed to succeed.
“The issues causing the increase in chronic non-attendance over the last 10 years are complex and varied. If we want to see a long-term reduction in these rates, schools and school attendance services need more staffing, more time and more resources.
“Schools and attendance services are stretched to the limit. They don’t have the time and resources that these issues need. Young people who are chronic non-attenders, and their whānau, need a lot of ongoing time, attention and support that currently just is not there.”
Chris Abercrombie said the report made it clear there was no quick fix, evidenced by the fact that the attendance of many students who return to school after chronic non-attendance, starts to slip again after about two months. “When these students return to school, it is a challenge to reintegrate them – schools need more support for this.
“We need lasting, meaningful and integrated solutions – both at the community level, with other agencies and supports, and at the school level with appropriate funding and resourcing for gateway, alternative education and activity centres, pastoral care and learning support.
“Alternative education has been chronically under-resourced for years, a point which has been made previously by ERO.
“It’s deeply disappointing that the Govenrment has chosen to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into a vanity project such as charter schools, when issues such as chronic non-attendance are crying out for adequate funding.”
PPTA also had serious concerns about the report’s recommendations for more parental prosecutions. “All this will do is put people who are struggling financially further into debt, and / or give them a criminal record.”.
Governments needed to be bold and brave enough to address the underlying causes of chronic non-attendance. These included poverty, housing insecurity, and mental health.
A reminder that resurfacing takes place this week on a stretch of State Highway 2 (SH2) in Dannevirke.
This asphalt resurfacing work has begun today, on SH2 Stanley Street, between Denmark Street and Miller Street and will take 4 days.
During day-time work hours, a detour will be in place for northbound traffic; southbound traffic will continue to flow freely on SH2. The detour is suitable for all vehicle types.
Crews will be working from 6.30am to 5pm each day between Tuesday 29 October and Friday 1 November (weather permitting).
During these work hours, northbound traffic will be detoured via Rawhiti Street, Queen Street, Allan Street and onto Cole Street, before rejoining SH2.
A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place for southbound traffic near the worksite. Outside of work hours, SH2 will be open with a reduced speed limit in place.
This resurfacing work will improve the durability and long-term condition of this section of road. A one-way daytime closure allows crews to complete the work as efficiently and safely as possible while keeping traffic moving, and minimising ongoing disruption and long delay times.
Resident and business access remains and northbound road users are advised to follow the detour to get to your destination. The detour is expected to add less than 5 minutes to journey times.
Other works underway or coming up on SH2
State Highway 2, resealing: Maintenance works are taking place near Tamaki River Rd from today (29 October) til 15 November, between 6am – 7pm each day. Daytime stop/go will be in place.
State Highway 2, rebuild:Crews are starting rebuild works on SH2 north of Ball Rd, between Woodville and Dannevirke, slightly earlier than expected from today (29 October). It’s expected to take 4-5 weeks. Daytime stop/go will be in place.
State Highway 2, resurfacing: Asphalting works are underway on SH2 near the Mangatera Stream Bridge, north of Dannevirke. Stop/go is in place at night, with works expected to finish on Saturday 12 October.
State Highway 2, rebuild: From 31 October – 28 November, road rebuild work will take place on SH2 in Papatawa, north of Ball Road, between Woodville and Dannevirke. Daytime stop/go will be in place.
For more information about the 2024/2025 road maintenance season, please visit:
Night and day-time closures get underway on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill next week, with maintenance work planned for the route.
It is deliberately timed for November to ensure the highway is clear for all drivers over the summer holidays.
Between Sunday, 3 November, and Sunday, 24 November, the road will be closed every Sunday to Thursday from 8 pm to 5:30 am with a short opening around 1 am for queued traffic.
Then from Monday, 25 November, until Friday, 29 November the highway will be closed from 9 am to 3 pm. During this time, the road will be reopened every 90 minutes to let traffic through.
Contractors will spend the first two weeks of night-time closures asphalting parts of the road surface on both sides of the hill. They will also carry out other work, such as clearing water channels, fixing slips and guard rails, and completing general maintenance.
Because of the road’s narrowness and to keep contractors safe, the road must be closed while the work is done. It will also allow the maintenance to be completed much faster.
Chipsealing will then be carried out during the day-time closures. This work must be done during the day when conditions are warm and dry to ensure the chipseal is effective.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates the Tākaka Hill is a vital transport link for residents and local businesses which is why day-time access on the route is ensured. Day closures are timed to avoid the school bus run and peak commuting times.
Contractors will make the most of the closure to speed up repair work at the underslip site on the Riwaka side of the hill. The aim is to have this section of road repaired and reopened to two lanes before Christmas.
This work will be disruptive, and its important people travelling on State Highway 60 between Golden Bay and Motueka factor it into their travel plans.
Once asphalting work on Tākaka Hill is completed during the night closures, contractors will move onto SH60 Commercial Street in Takāka. More information on this work will be shared soon.
Works schedule:
Work is from Sunday, 3 November, to Friday, 29 November 2024.
Night closures:
The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from Sunday, 3 November to Sunday, 24 November (no work on Friday or Saturday nights).
The closures will be between 8 pm and 5:30 am.
The road will open once each night around 1 am for traffic at two road closure points.
Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30 am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by1 am.
Access will be available for residents, businesses, and emergency services.
Day closures:
The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from Monday, 25 November to Friday, 29 November.
The closures will be between 9 am and 3 pm.
During this time there will be openings every 90 minutes at 10:30 am, 12 noon and 1:30 pm.
It will take some time to clear queued traffic so plan ahead for delays.
Traffic management will be set up between 6 am and 9 am and will be removed between 3 pm and 6 pm.
Access will be available for residents, businesses, and emergency services.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Cathay Pacific Airways Cocktail Reception in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today (October 29, Riyadh time):Lavinia (Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of Cathay Pacific, Ms Lavinia Lau), ladies and gentlemen, Good evening. I am delighted to be here, with you, tonight, just one day after the exhilarating inaugural flight of Cathay Pacific’s relaunched Hong Kong to Riyadh service. For that, for reconnecting Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia through this vital new route, and the huge potential it brings, I am grateful to Cathay Pacific. Your dedication to excellence in service is internationally recognised. And this flight resumption is a clear testament to Cathay’s commitment to Hong Kong and our strategic development. I can tell you that the high-powered delegation I’ve brought with me to Riyadh is equally exciting. They count more than 100 Hong Kong financial, business and entrepreneurial leaders, eager to connect with Saudi business. With you. During our three-day stay here in Riyadh, we’re meeting with business, finance and technology companies, with investors and government leaders, too. Our goal is clear: to expand ties with Saudi Arabia, building friendship and exploring the many mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities this renewed connection will surely create. The new service, in short, marks a new chapter for the ever-growing ties between our two cities, our two regions. It helps, and enormously, that Hong Kong is the global gateway to China. We are also part of China’s “Air Silk Road” initiative, seeking to enhance connectivity, economic and trade cooperation, as well as cultural exchange with countries and regions along the Belt and Road. Saudi Arabia sits at the crossroad between three continents. The resumption of flights underlines the strategic importance of the country’s location, and will boost economic, cultural, business and people-to-people ties between Saudi Arabia and China, Hong Kong included; and all the more so, between the East and West. With this reinstated service, I know the people of Hong Kong would be eager to dive into all sorts of adventures around different Saudi cities, your timeless culture, deserts, World Heritage sites and so much more. And, yes, Hong Kong also looks forward to welcoming you to Asia’s world city, the East meets West centre of international cultural exchange. And good times, too. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast: to Cathay Pacific, to the continuing growth of Hong Kong-Saudi ties and to the promising future that awaits our two economies and peoples. I know you will enjoy this very special evening. Thank you.
The Hon Jim Chalmers MP Treasurer Member for Rankin
The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP Minister for Social Services Member for Kingston
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
Topics: PLACE announcement; support for disadvantaged communities; support for First Nations communities; flight upgrades; Wednesday’s inflation data.
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: I’m really pleased to be here at the Carlton Learning Precinct with the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Professor Kristy Muir from the Paul Ramsey Foundation, and the interim CEO of PLACE, Luke Craven.
Today, we’re announcing a really exciting announcement. A partnership between philanthropy, Government and the community that how we expand the great place-based work that’s happening right around the country. Place-based work is work that communities lead to drive change in their local community supported by non-Government organisations, Government organisations and philanthropy.
But we know that many communities do want support. They want to share ideas. They want to be part of something bigger, and that’s what PLACE is all about. A national organisation that is a partnership between philanthropy and government to disseminate those good ideas, to support communities, to work with communities to actually drive local change.
Now one of the really important parts of this new body is that it will have a community council. Local people driving change within place, making sure it constantly stays centred on community. This is really exciting. We already know that place-based change is delivering outcomes in community, particularly in communities where they’ve identified areas of disadvantage. It is actually driving change.
But this PLACE, this new organisation, will drive change right around the country. I would like to really thank the philanthropic partners for being part of this. This is a new era of working together, and I’m really excited to be part of it. So I will now introduce our Treasurer, Jim Chalmers.
JIM CHALMERS, TREASURER: Thanks very much, Amanda.
Before I touch on some other points about this announcement today, can I just say this. Our hearts break today for the little soul lost at Auburn South Primary School. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of that little boy, to his friends, his teachers and the staff at that school. It is unimaginably sad to think that a little boy went to school and didn’t come home. Our hearts break for the family and for everyone who knew him, and we know that it’s a very sad day in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne today, and indeed, for anyone who hears about this right around the country.
Today, we’re here with the Minister, with Kristy and with Luke to make a really important announcement. This is all about the Albanese Labor government’s belief in a place-based change that these philanthropic organisations are helping to achieve in Australia. For all of us who want to make this country fairer, more inclusive, change can be overwhelming, and it helps to begin in the communities where we can make the biggest difference.
What we’re doing here is we’re making sure that we take best practice when it comes to place based change, and that we’re empowering local leaders to make a difference in their own communities. Not instead of the national programs that Amanda runs in her portfolio, and that our Government funds and supports, but in addition to that effort as well.
We don’t want to see disadvantage concentrate in communities and cascade through generations, and we’re doing something about it. We’re not going alone when it comes to this important work. We’re working very closely with philanthropic organisations and Governments at all levels and local communities to try to see the change that we want so that that disadvantage doesn’t concentrate and cascade through the generations.
For many of us, this is our reason for being, to make sure that this country is its best version of itself. We recognise that there’s not just some switch that you can flick to eliminate disadvantage in our country, you need to begin where we can make the most difference, and that’s what we’re doing.
What we hope is by demonstrating our support for and our commitment to place-based change, we want to make this the norm, not novel when it comes to national Governments in Australia.
We are big, big believers in the work of place-based organisations. We are big supporters financially and in other ways as well. We’re very proud to be here today to make this important announcement. We’re now going to hear a bit more about it from Kristy.
PROFESSOR KRISTY MUIR, CEO, PAUL RAMSAY FOUNDATION: Thank you. We all want kids, family and communities to thrive across Australia, and we know at the moment, not all of those kids, families and communities are.
The one thing we know about social change is that no one organisation, no one group, can do this work alone. We have incredible people groups, organisations doing amazing work to strengthen communities.
This new not-for-profit, PLACE, is all about creating a community of communities. It’s about providing those people and places doing incredible work in their communities, the kind of resources and supports they need to do that better, no matter where they’re based.
On behalf of the philanthropic funders, I’m really proud to be supporting the initiative of PLACE. And it’s a testament to the Federal Government that we are partnering between government, philanthropy and communities to create the kind of change we all want to see.
JOURNALIST: Minister Rishworth, you talked about tackling disadvantage and driving positive change, and the Treasurer says disadvantage should be a multi-generational issue. What priorities are front of mind for First Nations people?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: When you speak with First Nations communities, what you hear from local leaders is they often know what is needed in their community.
We often hear from First Nations leaders that the supports and programs they want in place should be informed by them themselves, and what PLACE will support those communities to do is to ensure that they can design those programs, they can attract funding, they can work with Government to deliver.
PLACE is all about empowering communities in their decision making and in their shared decision making with Government, which is exactly what Indigenous communities have been calling out for. We do work that way in some places through the Empowered Communities Program, but this has taken the opportunity of place-based work right across the country to any community that would like to work this way.
JOURNALIST: [Inaudible – question about upgrade declarations]
JIM CHALMERS: As I’ve made it clear in our declarations that we make to the Parliament, there is an upgrade for me from about six years ago and another one from about ten years ago, and there’s some additional family upgrades from around the same time period. Those have been disclosed in the usual way.
I might just take the opportunity to preview some inflation numbers that we’re getting out later this morning. We’ll see what those numbers say at 11:30.
It’s really clear already that the Albanese Labor Government is making substantial progress in the fight against inflation. When we came to office, inflation was higher and rising. It had a six in front of it. We’ll get new numbers today, which whether they’re in the low threes or in the high twos, will show that inflation has halved under this government.
Now we know that people are still doing it tough, but we’re making welcome and encouraging and substantial progress in the fight against inflation and economists expect that to be demonstrated in the numbers that we get later this morning. I look forward to talking with you about it.
Aircraft noise is set to reduce for Brisbane communities with upcoming changes to increase the use of Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPS) at Brisbane Airport from 28 November 2024.
SODPROPS is a runway mode that enables aircraft to arrive and depart Brisbane Airport over Moreton Bay. With these changes, SODPROPS will become the priority operating mode when traffic and weather conditions allow, resulting in increased use on weekends, and on weekday evenings from 9pm.
Airservices Head of Community Engagement, Donna Marshall, said aircraft on the departure flight paths used during SODPROPS will remain over water for longer and will be higher before they cross the coastline, resulting in lower noise levels for communities.
“The flight path changes being delivered are part of the measures outlined in Airservices Noise Action Plan for Brisbane and consistent with the Ministerial Direction issued to Airservices in September. They will support an increase in SODPROPS use from the current 2% of all operations to around 5% in 2025,” Ms Marshall said.
This will mean for every flight using this procedure, there will be a reduction of the total population overflown by between 300,000 to 500,000 people compared to standard parallel runway operations.
“The changes are a result of extensive consultation with the people of Brisbane and respond to Redlands community concerns about aircraft noise impacts.
“Under these changes the height of aircraft operations over the Redlands area will increase from 8,000ft to above 12,000ft to reduce the noise impact.
“To facilitate this change, we also need to make some minor adjustments to the arrival flight paths over North Stradbroke Island that are used during SODPROPS.
“While this involves lowering the paths so aircraft remain separated from daytime arrivals to Gold Coast Airport, we do not believe this will be noticeable to communities but a noise monitor will be installed on North Stradbroke Island so we can monitor these operations.”
About Airservices Airservices Australia is the Federal Government-owned organisation responsible for the safety of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry and are investing in technologies to position Australia at the forefront of innovation in the global aviation industry.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
FS leads Hong Kong delegation to Future Investment Initiative (with photos/video) FS leads Hong Kong delegation to Future Investment Initiative (with photos/video) *********************************************************************************
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan yesterday (October 29, Riyadh time) led a delegation from the financial and innovation sectors on a visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Mr Chan, along with the delegation, attended the first day of the 8th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII). He was one of the speakers in the panel discussion titled “Is the Global South Now the Engine of Growth?”. This session focused on how the Global South could promote economic innovation, build resilience, and maintain growth while addressing the complexities of the international environment and the challenges of climate change. During the discussion, Mr Chan stated that as an international financial centre, Hong Kong is actively promoting the development of green finance and green technology. He emphasised that Hong Kong could provide capital support for infrastructure and green projects in the Global South and guide funding to new projects through innovative financial products, such as securitised loans. In response to a question, Mr Chan noted that a number of countries in the Global South are considering how to manage risks related to their trade and reserve currencies. Some are increasingly using their own currencies more for settlements. He mentioned that Hong Kong is collaborating with multiple central banks to launch the Project mBridge, aiming for faster, more cost effective, and more secure cross-border payments and settlements. He also pointed out that digitalisation and green transformation will be significant trends for the future development of the Global South, and investing in suitable projects in these areas will yield long-term returns. Furthermore, the development of fintech will help make financial services more accessible and inclusive, facilitating leapfrog development for developing countries. Hong Kong can contribute to the Global South in these areas. During the FII, Mr Chan witnessed, together with the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, Mr Khalid Al-Falih, the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and Beta Lab, a venture capital firm focused on deep technology in Saudi Arabia. Both parties will share resources, recommend startups to each other, facilitate connections within their startup networks, and jointly engage in market promotion and events. A number of delegation members also spoke at various sessions of the FII, promoting Hong Kong’s unique advantages as a “super connector” and “super value-adder,” and how it can connect the Mainland and global capital markets and investors in multiple ways. In the evening, Mr Chan and the delegation members attended a reception hosted by the Cathay Pacific; as well as a reception organised by the Hang Seng Investment Management to celebrate the upcoming listing of its exchange-traded fund. Mr Chan will continue his visit in Riyadh today (October 30, Riyadh time).
Ends/Wednesday, October 30, 2024Issued at HKT 9:00
Primary schools across the country can now access a free media and digital literacy program funded by the Albanese Government. Developed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, the eSmart Digital Licence+ for primary schools is now available nationwide. This educator-led program helps young learners aged 4 to 9 years to achieve their digital licence.
In doing so, they learn how to navigate the online world safely, responsibly, and respectfully through animated videos and hands-on activities.
Designed in collaboration with educators and close to 1,000 school children, the program is adaptable to diverse learning needs and can be delivered in classrooms with, or without, technology.
The new tool builds on the eSmart Digital Licence+ program already available for students aged 10 to 14 years, and the Media Literacy Lab for high school students aged 12 to 16 years. The Albanese Government invested $6 million to ensure the digital literacy tools would be freely available for all schools across Australia. In the digital age, young people learn, explore and connect online. Digital literacy skills help young people to have safer experiences online, enabling them to become respectful and resilient digital citizens, with education and learning a key part of achieving this goal. Teachers and schools interested in accessing eSmart can contact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation on 1300 720 747 or visit: www.esmart.org.au Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“By empowering children as young as 4 years-old with the skills they need to navigate the challenges of the digital world, we are building a young generation of Australians who will be better equipped to engage safely online. “The eSmart Digital Licence+ is empowering school students to think critically, create responsibly, and navigate the online world in a safer and more responsible way. “Australian children have long been getting a pen licence at school as they learn to write – this is the pen licence for the online world. “I encourage schools to reach out to the Alannah &Madeline Foundation to take advantage of these helpful resources.”
The findings highlight the impact on economies most vulnerable to climate change. The results suggest that factors such as political stability and financial development have the potential to alleviate these effects. It reveals that the influence of climate risk on fiscal capacity is more significant in situations of limited fiscal space. Implementing fiscal consolidation emerges as a crucial factor in mitigating the negative impact of climate risks on fiscal capacity, with political stability and financial development also playing pivotal roles.
Earlier today, Governor Hochul delivered remarks and attended the Nava Diwali Festival to honor and celebrate Diwali, the largest holiday that takes place across South Asia and Indo-Caribbean communities each year in the fall.
VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).
AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.
PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here
A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:
Thank you, Mr. President. It’s always great to be back here celebrating this most beautiful of holidays. I want to thank Melinda Katz for being one of the hosts every year, inviting us and all of the elected officials, my partners in government. But this is about the community. This is about the community coming together at a time when it seems like we’re so divided, that the politics is so ugly and people are not feeling united in one cause.
This candle lighting reminds us that we are together in this journey. That light will always prevail over darkness. And goodness over evil. And if we keep those values in mind, we will persevere and prevail over all the negativity that seems to permeate our politics and our society today. So, let us leave here refreshed and renewed in the belief that lightness – light will prevail, and goodness will prevail over evil.
Those are such important values to all of us in this wonderful community. I thank all of you for the honor of being your Governor. Thank you everyone. Thank you to all of our elected officials as well.
Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA
Six new Federal Labor Government-appointed presidential members have determined almost 70 per cent of major Fair Work Commission cases this year, according to AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott.
“During March and May 2023, and in May 2024, then-IR Minister Tony Burke appointed one new Vice President and five new Deputy Presidents (to the FWC),” Mr Knott will say.
“In 2024, to date, these six new presidential members have presided over nearly 70 per cent of all Full Bench matters heard.
“One of these DPs, a former union barrister and National Legal Officer for the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division, has sat on the bench for 56 per cent of all Full Bench matters and presided as the senior member over 38 per cent of them.
“Just to hone this point – nearly 40 per cent of all the FWC’s most important matters were led by a Deputy President who’s been at the tribunal since May 2023.”
The Fair Work Commission is the nation’s workplace tribunal, with appeals of decisions among the significant matters that must be heard by a Full Bench consisting of three Commission members, including at least one who is either the President, a Vice President or a Deputy President.
Of 53 FWC members – seven more than when Labor left office in 2013 – 28 are ALP-appointees with 25 appointed by the previous Coalition government.
Mr Knott says under Justice Adam Hatcher (who became president on February 19, 2023), the FWC appears to be “performing administratively quite well in its role as a service provider to users of the employment system”.
“Agreement approvals are much faster, there appears to be less head-scratching single member decisions that immediately head to appeal, and the tribunal is being very transparent and as efficient as it can in implementing all its new jurisdictions and powers,” Mr Knott says.
However, in his speech Mr Knott will reveal AREEA analysis of all Full Bench matters from January 1 to October 18 this year, showing “alarming trends” in the composition of the bench.
Of the 358 Full Bench decisions assessed over the period:
318 (89 per cent) were ALP-appointee majority benches
Just 40 (11 per cent) were Coalition-appointee majority benches
Mr Knott says the facts point to a continued politicisation of the nation’s IR tribunal at its apex, an issue that commenced under its former President and that AREEA regularly brought to attention.
“Since the end of the Rudd/Gillard era in 2013, ALP appointees have dominated FWC appeal matters, even when Coalition appointees were in the majority,” he says.
“Make no mistake, the sidelining of Coalition appointees in important FWC proceedings has been strategic and subject to much chatter amongst IR professionals.
“The handpicked generation of new FWC Presidential members is designed to ensure this ALP-appointed FWC control at the top of the institution continues well beyond usual political cycles.”
Mr Knott will also use his speech as a call to arms to business to build a case for IR reform – and not just leave it to the Coalition.
“We in the business community can and should collectively campaign as hard as possible to pressure future governments to do what needs to be done to the IR framework,” he says.
“This should be …promoting the merits of a whole new IR system – one focused on simplicity and promoting the direct employer-employee relationship; winding back unwarranted union interference and the influence of tribunal members with limited business experience.”
Mr Knott will call for modern awards to be abolished and replaced with a standard safety net for employees, a far less complex enterprise bargaining system and a winding back of union interference in workplaces.
He says businesses are “drowning in employment red tape and regulatory burden”.
Highlighting how the Howard-era IR reforms produced more than 10 times the real wages growth of the Accord era of the Hawke/Keating Governments, Mr Knott says “we must always bring it back to the opportunity cost”.
“The community at large must be convinced that by making it easier and less costly to employ people, more people will be employed and costs that are saved via less regulatory burden will ultimately be shared by all via higher wages and a more productive economy,” Mr Knott says.
Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA
In this speech to the H.R. Nicholls Society 2024 Annual Conference, AREEA CEO Steve Knott issues a call-to-arms to the business community to build a case for IR reform – and not just leave it to the Coalition.
Mr Knott says this should include “promoting the merits of a whole new IR system – one focused on simplicity and promoting the direct employer-employee relationship; (and) winding back unwarranted union interference and the influence of (Fair Work Commission) tribunal members with limited business experience.”
Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel
Reviewed: 30 October 2024, 14:28 NZDT
Still current at: 30 October 2024
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If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.
Do not travel to South Sudan due to ongoing armed conflict, inter-ethnic violence and violent crime (level 4 of 4).
New Zealanders currently in South Sudan are advised to depart as soon as it is safe to do so.
South Sudan
Armed Conflict/Civil Unrest Pockets of armed conflict between government and various opposition forces remain and the security situation in Juba has the potential to deteriorate with little or no warning. Land routes into and out of South Sudan may be blocked and flights may be cancelled at short notice. The political and security situation throughout South Sudan remains volatile.
Inter-ethnic violence and cattle raiding continues to occur throughout the country, with significant loss of life. There is a complete absence of rule of law outside of the capital Juba and even in Juba, the capacity of the authorities to uphold law and order is very limited.
Areas within 40 kilometres of South Sudan’s northern border with Sudan are also particularly dangerous and vulnerable to armed incursions and violence. Parts of the border remain disputed and military forces are deployed in these areas.
The border areas with South Sudan’s other neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, the Central African Republic, and Uganda are extremely dangerous due to armed conflict, military activity and other violence. There are regular reports of attacks by armed groups on vehicles travelling on the main road connecting Juba to Uganda (Jiba-Niomule road).
We recommend you avoid all protests, demonstrations and large public gatherings in South Sudan as they have the potential to turn violent with little warning. Monitor local and international media, review personal security plans and be aware of your surroundings.
Violent Crime Violent crime, including kidnapping, murder, armed robbery, home invasions, car-jacking, and sexual assault is a significant problem throughout South Sudan, both in urban and rural areas. The economic situation has led to a significant increase in both petty and violent crime. Criminals are often armed as weapons are readily accessible.
The government has limited capacity to deter crime and maintain law and order throughout South Sudan. Banditry and lawlessness is an issue in rural areas. Humanitarian workers have been the targets of killings and violence in the past.
New Zealanders in South Sudan should exercise a very high degree of personal security awareness at all times. No resistance should be given if you are the victim of an armed robbery or carjacking as this could lead to an escalation in violence. For security reasons we recommend against travelling alone, at night, or to isolated areas.
Petty crime, such as bag snatching and pickpocketing, also occurs and is often accompanied by violence. We advise New Zealanders to be alert to their surroundings at all times and take steps to safeguard and secure their personal belongings.
Road Travel We strongly advise against using public transport due to safety concerns.
If travelling by road, car doors should be locked and windows up.
Official checkpoints are frequently set up by security forces and have been known to become hostile or violent. Individuals staffing checkpoints have been known to solicit bribes. Criminals who pose as police officers have also set up roadblocks. At checkpoints, remain in your vehicle and produce requested documents through a raised window. We recommend carrying colour photocopies of your passport and identity documents and producing these when requested, not the originals.
Landmines There is a risk from landmines, which are reportedly present throughout South Sudan, including in Juba. We advise you not to stray off well-used public roads and paths.
General Travel Advice As there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in South Sudan, the ability of the government to assist New Zealand citizens is severely limited. We offer advice to New Zealanders about contingency planning that travellers to South Sudan should consider.
We advise New Zealanders in South Sudan to be vigilant and take appropriate precautions to ensure their safety, including by seeking professional security advice. You should have a contingency plan in place for departure, monitor developments closely through the media and other local information sources. As a precautionary measure, we recommend ensuring adequate supplies of food, water, fuel, cash and essential medications are always on hand and travel documents are kept up to date.
New Zealanders travelling or living in South Sudan should have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. You should check that your travel insurance policy covers travel to South Sudan – exclusions may well apply. Only very limited medical facilities are available in South Sudan.
The rainy season typically runs from April to November, during which flooding often occurs. Flooding impacts transport and communications infrastructure, as well as lead to shortages of drinking water and food. Severe flooding has led to displacement, property damage and loss of life.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe and can include the death penalty.
New Zealanders are advised to respect religious, social and cultural traditions in South Sudan to avoid offending local sensitivities. Modesty and discretion is recommended for both dress and behaviour.
Photography, including from a mobile phone, without a permit from the Ministry of Information in South Sudan is illegal. Taking photographs without a permit will immediately attract suspicion, and could lead to detention. Even with a permit, it is illegal to take photos of airfields, military installations or personal, government buildings and infrastructure.
New Zealanders who decide to live or travel in South Sudan against our advice are strongly encouraged to register their details with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.