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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government issues rallying cry to the nation to help fix NHS

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Members of the public as well as NHS staff and experts will be invited to share their experiences views and ideas for fixing the NHS

    • Health Secretary calls on entire nation to shape the government’s plans to overhaul the NHS 

    • Public, clinicians and experts urged to submit ideas for its future as new online platform Change.NHS.uk goes live today – putting staff and patients in driving seat of reform

    • Responses will shape government’s 10 Year Health Plan to fix broken health service and deliver government mission to build an NHS fit for the future

    The biggest national conversation about the future of the NHS since its birth is set to be launched today (Monday 21 October), as the entire country is called upon to share their experiences of our health service and help shape the government’s 10 Year Health Plan. 

    Members of the public, as well as NHS staff and experts will be invited to share their experiences views and ideas for fixing the NHS via the online platform, change.nhs.uk, which will be live until the start of next year, and available via the NHS App.  

    The public engagement exercise will help shape the government’s 10 Year Health Plan which will be published in spring 2025 and will be underlined by three big shifts in healthcare – hospital to community, analogue to digital, and sickness to prevention. 

    As part of the first shift “from hospital to community”, the government wants to deliver plans for new neighbourhood health centres, which will be closer to homes and communities. Patients will be able to see family doctors, district nurses, care workers, physiotherapists, health visitors, or mental health specialists, all under the same roof. 

    In transforming the NHS from analogue to digital, the government will create a more modern NHS by bringing together a single patient record, summarising patient health information, test results, and letters in one place, through the NHS App. It will put patients in control of their own medical history, meaning they don’t have to repeat it at every appointment, and that staff have the full picture of patients’ health. New laws are set to be introduced to make NHS patient health records available across all NHS trusts, GP surgeries and ambulance services in England – speeding up patient care, reducing repeat medical tests, and minimising medication errors. 

    Systems will be able to share data more easily, saving NHS staff an estimated 140,000 hours of NHS staffs’ time every year, because staff will have quicker access to patient data, saving time that can then be spent face-to-face with patients who need it most and potentially saving lives.

    By moving from sickness to prevention, government wants to shorten the amount of time people spend in-ill health and prevent illnesses before they happen. As an example, the 10 Year Health Plan will explore the opportunities smart watches and other wearable tech may offer patients with diabetes or high blood pressure, so they can monitor their own health from the comfort of their own home. 

    The launch of the new online platform will take place at a health centre in East London, where the Secretary of State will meet with the Chief Executive of the London Ambulance Service before the first engagement event involving NHS staff from across the healthcare system as a start to the national conversation.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    My mum worked for the NHS, my sister worked for the NHS and my wife still works for the NHS – so I know first-hand how difficult it has been for staff, and for patients battling against a broken system for over a decade. But it’s time to roll up our sleeves and fix it.

    We have a clear plan to fix the health service, but it’s only right that we hear from the people who rely on the NHS every day to have their say and shape our plan as we deliver it. Together we can build a healthcare system that puts patients first and delivers the care that everyone deserves.

    We have a huge opportunity to put the NHS back on its feet. So, let’s be the generation that took the NHS from the worst crisis in its history and made it fit for the future.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    When I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, the NHS saved my life, as it has for so many people across our country. We all owe the NHS a debt of gratitude for a moment in our lives when it was there for us, when we needed it. Now we have a chance to repay that debt.

    Today the NHS is going through the worst crisis in its history. But while the NHS is broken, it’s not beaten. Together, we can fix it.

    Whether you use the NHS or work in it, you see first-hand what’s great, but also what isn’t working. We need your ideas to help turn the NHS around.

    In order to save the things we love about the NHS, we need to change it. Our 10 Year Health Plan will transform the NHS to make it fit for the future, and it will have patients’ and staff’s fingerprints all over it.

    I urge everyone to go to Change.NHS.uk today and help us build a health service fit for the future.

    Investment alone won’t be enough to tackle the problems facing the NHS, why is why it must go hand in hand with fundamental reform.

    The three big shifts will be our key principles for reform and will revolutionise the way people manage their health and access care. Our reforms will also shift the NHS away from late diagnosis and treatment to a model where more services are delivered in local communities and illnesses are prevented in the first place.

    It is vital the government hears from patients, experts and the NHS workforce to make sure we get this right and preserve the things people value about the health service.

    NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said:

    NHS staff are facing an unprecedented number of challenges – with record demand for care, alongside growing pressures from an ageing population, rising levels of multiple long-term illnesses and patients with more complex needs. And they are often hampered by working in crumbling buildings with outdated tech, meaning too many patients are waiting too long for care they need.

    So, it is vital the health service innovates and adapts – as it has always done throughout its 76-year history – to design and deliver an NHS fit for the future.

    The 10 Year Health Plan is a chance to make the best practice, normal practice across the country. So, we will be carrying out the largest ever staff engagement exercise in NHS history and leaving no stone unturned as we seek to harness frontline views, alongside those of patients and the public, to ensure this happens.

    It is your experiences – good, bad, and sometimes frustrating – that we need to help shape this once in a generation opportunity, so please get involved!

    Bold ambitions for the NHS can only be achieved by listening to the expertise and knowledge of its 1.54 million strong workforce. Their understanding of what’s holding them back from performing at their best will help us bring down waiting times and provide the world class care the public deserve.    

    The government has already taken immediate action to address challenges in the health service and deliver an NHS fit for the future. Whether that’s agreeing a deal with resident doctors within weeks, securing a funding increase for GP practices to manage rising pressures or hiring an extra 1,000 GPs into the NHS by the end of this year, there are both short- and long-term reforms working hand in hand.

    Lord Ara Darzi said:

    As my recent Investigation found, the NHS is in need of urgent and fundamental reform. The 10 Year Health Plan comes at a crucial moment—and by describing the ultimate destination for the health service, it will help improve decision-making in the here and now.

    The start of this national conversation on the future of the NHS follows on from Lord Darzi’s independent report into the health service that diagnosed its condition. Lord Darzi concluded the NHS is in a ‘critical condition’ with surging waiting lists and a deterioration in the nation’s underlying health, identifying serious and widespread problems for people accessing services. 

    The launch of the engagement exercise for the 10 Year Health Plan will build on these findings and is the next step to delivering the Government’s mission to fix the NHS and deliver a health service fit for the future.

    Rachel Power Chief Executive, The Patients Association said:

    We warmly welcome this ambitious initiative to engage with patients, staff, and the public on the future of our NHS. For far too long, many patients have felt their voices weren’t fully heard in shaping health services. This national conversation, initiated by the government, marks a significant step towards genuine patient partnership and puts patients at the heart of the NHS’s evolution.

    Through our work as an independent charity, we speak directly with thousands of patients living with various health conditions each year. This gives us valuable insights into diverse experiences across the health and care system, from widely shared patient needs to unique challenges faced by underrepresented groups. We’re eager to contribute these wide-ranging perspectives to help shape a health service that truly meets the needs of everyone it serves.

    Louise Ansari, Chief Executive of Healthwatch England said:

    We know people appreciate the hard work of NHS staff, but they are all too aware that the NHS faces many challenges that need fixing. The 10-year plan provides the opportunity to do this.

    We urge everyone to have their say on how the NHS should deliver better care to people where and when it is needed, more support to help people stay well, and a culture of listening to and acting on the views of patients.

    All too often, people face unequal access to care, with disabled people and those on lower incomes being particularly at risk. The NHS belongs to us all, so you must speak up and help create a health service that is fit for the future – equal and inclusive for everyone.

    Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Local Government Association said:

    The NHS rightly holds a place in our nation’s heart, being there for us at moments of great joy, deep sadness, and everything in between. It is also one of local government’s most important partners. What each side does can impact the other.

    Every one of us is unique, complex and carries different ambitions. The NHS plays a key role in helping us to live the life we want to lead, but it cannot do it alone. Through social care and wider wellbeing activity, councils play an essential role in supporting people to do what matters most to them and live a meaningful life.  This exercise is therefore crucial for the future of health, social care and wellbeing.

    Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK said:

    We are delighted to see this first, essential part of developing the 10-year plan getting going. With our rapidly ageing population it’s important that the plan takes fully into account the needs of tomorrow’s older people as well as today’s and helps all of us to age confidently and well. We encourage everyone to get involved and have their say – it’s almost certainly a once in a generation opportunity to do so.

    The Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

    This will be a landmark moment for the NHS. Trust leaders are ready and willing to work with the government to tackle the many challenges the NHS currently faces to create a ‘next generation’ NHS fit for the future.

    Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices said:

    We are encouraged by the ambitious approach the Government is taking to involve patients and organisations from across the sector in shaping the 10 Year Plan. We are excited to play our part in this, and will be working with our members to ensure that people from marginalised and minoritised communities are able to shape the discussions and big decisions ahead.

    Closing the gap in healthy life expectancy is a shared ambition of this Government and the National Voices coalition, and we will work tirelessly to ensure no groups are left behind.

    Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation said:

    Following more than a decade of underinvestment and in the face of some serious challenges we are reaching a turning point for the NHS. The 10-year plan will set the service on a path towards being put on sustainable footing so that it can best serve our population. No one working in the NHS will argue that it works perfectly – its staff have been crying out for change and we hope the ten-year plan will deliver for them and their communities, including by listening to the reality of their experiences and by incorporating the many examples of best practice and innovation that are taking place across the country.

    Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

    We are excited to see this first engagement phase of the NHS 10 Year Plan, a process which will include unpaid carers and ask for their views about the kind of health service they want to see in the future.

    We wholeheartedly agree with the recommendations from the Darzi review which suggested there should be a “fresh approach to supporting unpaid carers”. Unpaid carers are critical to the NHS and the NHS is a critical service for them, but it’s not always set up to help carers and can make their lives harder.

    England’s 4.7 million unpaid carers provide the bulk of support for older, ill and disabled relatives, helping millions to live in local communities where they want to be. Their support is valued at £152 billion, the equivalent of a second NHS, but they also face greater health inequalities and poorer health outcomes.

    With one in three NHS staff also juggling work and care, there’s a real opportunity to create a service which truly supports families who provide unpaid care. We see this as a win:win situation – helping families and building an NHS which is fit for the future; delivering better outcomes for everyone.

    Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said:

    We welcome the UK Government’s move to start a public conversation about the future of the NHS in England. Despite the best efforts of its hard-working staff, the NHS is under extreme pressure. This exercise is another important step in the process towards developing a 10-Year-Plan that should ensure all cancer patients across the UK get the care they deserve.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Special Representative for Nature appointed in landmark first

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ruth Davis has been appointed the first UK’s Special Representative for Nature.

    The UK government has appointed Ruth Davis OBE as the first Special Representative for Nature. This landmark announcement is being is made as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP16 meeting in Colombia marks its first formal day.    

    Ruth Davis is one of the country’s leading environmental policy experts, with over twenty-five years’ experience working on issues of nature recovery and climate change.   

    Ms Davis previously advised the government when it hosted COP26, including helping secure an international pledge to end deforestation, which was signed by 145 countries. She played a leading role supporting negotiators and ministers and has previously worked with some of the UK’s leading nature organisations including RSPB and Plantlife. She holds an MSc from Reading University in Plant Sciences and a diploma in Botanical Horticulture from Kew.  

    Her appointment comes as environment ministers gather in Colombia to discuss conservation and sustainable use of the world’s biological diversity. The Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed at COP15 in Montreal, where over 150 countries signed up to and committed themselves to halting and reversing the international decline of nature.   

    Miss Davis will begin her role as Special Representative for Nature at the end of this month and will attend COP16 in her current role as an advocate for nature, working alongside the UK delegation led by Environment Secretary, Steve Reed. 

    This is a joint role between the FCDO and Defra and Ms Davis will report to both the Environment Secretary and the Foreign Secretary.         

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:   

    We cannot address the nature and climate crises without coordinated global action. That is why we have appointed Ruth as our special representative for nature – a landmark first – who will champion our ambition to put climate and nature at the heart of our foreign policy.

    We depend on nature in every aspect of our lives – it underpins our economy, health and society – and yet progress to restore our wildlife and habitats has been too slow. Ruth’s extensive knowledge and expertise will be vital to help us  deliver on our commitments to put nature on the road to recovery.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 

    One million species are facing extinction, including one third of both marine mammals and coral reefs. And wildlife populations fallen by 73 per cent since 1970, mostly due to a staggering 83 per cent collapse in freshwater species.

    The climate and nature emergency is the most profound and universal source of global disorder. I am delighted Ruth Davis is joining to be our first ever UK Special Representative for Nature to help us achieve our goal of a liveable planet for all, now and in the future.

    Ruth Davis, the Special Representative for Nature said:   

    The government has recognised that the nature crisis is of equal gravity to the climate crisis; and that we cannot tackle one without addressing the other. Ecosystems and the species they support are essential to maintain food security, reduce health risks and manage the impacts of rising global temperatures.    

    I am delighted to be working with colleagues across government, and with partners around the world, to take on this urgent challenge; in particular, ensuring that the rules and incentives that govern the global economy work to protect and restore nature; and that we invest in the commitment, knowledge and passion of local people, who are critical to safeguarding the places where they live.

    The announcement of the Special Representative for Nature follows confirmation that Rachel Kyte will take up the role of the UK’s Special Representative for Climate, announced last month.  

    The Special Representatives will support ministers to raise global ambition on nature recovery and climate change. They will drive engagement with international leaders and build influence on the global stage to meet the UK’s strategic objectives.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Building economic opportunities in Asia

    Source: Scottish Government

    Extending international business links.

    Scotland’s first Trade Envoy to Japan has been appointed to secure international investment.  

    Stephen Baker will identify new opportunities in Japan’s thriving energy transition, pharmaceuticals, med-tech and food sectors.

    Making this announcement ahead of a trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “Increasing trade and attracting inward investment are vital components of a thriving, growing economy and the Scottish Government’s clear message is that Scotland is open for business.

    “Scottish businesses already have a strong track record when it comes to exports to the Asian market and attracting inward investment, given Scotland’s position as the UK’s most attractive place for inward investment outside London.

    “This appointment will help Scotland to increase business opportunities with similar Japanese companies and organisations, like Sumitomo’s £350 million investment in a manufacturing plant in Nigg.”

    The Scottish Government’s Trade and Investment Envoy for Japan Stephen Baker said:

    “Japan and the UK share a strong and vibrant partnership, with Scotland taking a leading role in the energy transition. Given Japan’s substantial economy, there are significant opportunities for trade and investment. Now is the perfect time to include Japan in your business strategy and I look forward to maximising the benefits of this global partnership for Scotland.”

    Background

    The unpaid Japan Envoy role will last for an initial two-year term.

    Mr Baker spent 21 years with Sony, before joining Scottish Development International in 2006, initially covering both trade and investment as Japan Country Head, and later as Regional Director for Information and communications technology, Creative Industry, Financial Services, and Global Business Services. Stephen also served as the Asia Pacific Regional Director for Inward Investment into Scotland.

    Mr Lochhead’s trip to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur will take place between 21-24 October. The visit will include meetings with existing and potential investors. Full details on Ministerial travel and engagements are published pro-actively online.

    Sumitomo subsea cabling plant was secured thanks to a £24.5 million investment from the Scottish Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise.

    Scottish international export statistics

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Support North Carolina’s Hurricane  Recovery

    Source: The White House

    FEMA to hire Community Liaisons across the state to aid in recovery

    More than $300 million approved for North Carolina survivors and state recovery efforts

    Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across the Southeast and Appalachia, the Biden-Harris Administration continues its robust Federal efforts to help communities recover and rebuild, including in heavily impacted communities in North Carolina. Across the state, the Administration is working alongside state and local officials to continue surging resources and assisting families, business owners, farmers, and other impacted communities receive the support and assistance they need and deserve.

    To continue supporting recovery efforts, today the Administration is announcing that the Federal government will create a brand-new program and hire Community Liaisons to assist impacted communities with their recovery and rebuilding efforts. These dedicated Community Liaisons will interface between the people of North Carolina and FEMA to ensure their needs are met and serve as trusted messengers for survivors.

    Thus far, the Administration has approved more than $300 million in assistance across the state, including $118 million in individual assistance to more than 87,600 households, and more than $189 million for debris removal and other emergency efforts. In total, across all impacted states in the Southeast and Appalachia, the Administration has approved nearly $2 billion in hurricane recovery assistance.

    These new efforts to support North Carolina’s recovery supplement additional resources and funding, including:

    • More than 1,500 Federal personnel remain deployed supporting the response and recovery operations. This includes more than 400 Disaster Survivor Assistance Team members, who are visiting neighborhoods to connect with survivors, assess damage, and offer access to Federal resources that support recovery and rebuilding.
    • Fourteen Disaster Recovery Centers are operating in impacted areas and have served more than 5,700 visitors. More centers will be opening in the coming days. Survivors can visit Disaster Recovery Centers in the following cities/towns: Asheville, Bakersville, Boone, Brevard, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Marion, Morgantown, Newland, Old Fort, Sparta, Sylva, and Waynesville.
    • FEMA is providing temporary hotel stays to more than 2,500 households through Transitional Sheltering Assistance.
    • FEMA inspectors have performed more than 21,000 home inspections to help survivors assess damage and apply for financial assistance.
    • Active-duty troops and National Guard members remain on the ground in their state capacity to support search-and-rescue operations, route clearance, and commodities distribution across western North Carolina. The Department of Defense is also employing additional capabilities to assist with increasing situational awareness across the remote terrain of Western North Carolina. The Army Corps of Engineers continues missions supporting debris removal, temporary emergency power installation, water and wastewater assessments with the Environmental Protection Agency.
    • Power has been restored to 99 percent of impacted North Carolina customers due to thousands of utility personnel working around the clock.
    • Commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations continue in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA continues to send commodity shipments and voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming in via truck and aircraft. Mobile feeding operations are reaching survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.

    Additional actions the Administration is taking to protect public health, provide flexibilities to homeowners and taxpayers, support infrastructure recovery, and support workers, farmers, and students in North Carolina can be found here. Additional actions President Biden directed before Helene’s landfall can be found here.

    Biden-Harris Administration’s Continuous Commitment to Being on the Ground

    Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across North Carolina, President Biden committed to helping impacted communities recover and rebuild, no matter how long it takes. On October 2, less than one week after landfall, President Biden visited North Carolina to survey the damage, meet with first responders and impacted communities, and receive an operational briefing. As part of that visit, he also directed up to 1,000 active-duty troops to partner with the North Carolina National Guard on the ground at the request of the Governor. Days later, to surge additional resources and capacity at the request of the Governor, President Biden ordered another 500 active-duty troops to move into western North Carolina. On October 5, Vice President Harris also visited North Carolina to survey the damage, receive briefings, and meet with first responders.

    The President and Vice President and senior leaders across the Administration have spoken with and coordinated closely with Governor Cooper throughout the response. President Biden talked with Governor Cooper at least twice immediately following Helene’s landfall, and Governor Cooper joined him to survey damage and receive briefings during his visit. They have stayed in close contact in the ensuing weeks.

    At the President’s direction, FEMA Administrator Criswell has been on the ground in North Carolina for multiple days and nights to lead the Federal response since Helene’s landfall. She has traveled across the state to meet with survivors and communities, identify resource needs, and continue ensuring a swift and coordinated recovery effort.  She will return again this evening and remain in place to direct additional measures to speed response and recovery.  Many other Administration leaders, including Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Secretary Michael Regan, and Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have also visited North Carolina to support recovery efforts and others will do so in the coming days and weeks, including Secretary Tom Vilsack on October 25.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $10 million in grants on offer for NSW Crown reserves

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: $10 million in grants on offer for NSW Crown reserves

    Published: 21 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Lands and Property

    The NSW Government has opened applications for $10 million in community grants to help maintain and improve Crown land reserves, building better communities across the state.

    This year’s CRIF general grants are targeting well-patronised reserves with projects that have high community impact. The program will offer minimum grants of $100,000 for projects and maximum grants of $1 million.

    Crown reserves provide land for recreational areas and infrastructure like sports-fields, local parks, walking tracks and campgrounds.  They also provide land for community organisations and facilities such as public halls, showgrounds, racecourses, scout halls, and surf lifesaving clubs.

    Eligible applicants include Crown land managers including local councils, community organisations, and user groups that are licensed to use Crown reserves across NSW, including showgrounds on Crown land.

    Grants will be made available to maintain and upgrade reserves and the facilities on them. Funding will also be available to manage feral pests and noxious weeds on reserves to keep them in good shape for community use and to protect native plants and animals.

    Project applications will be assessed on criteria including social, economic, cultural or environmental benefits, including supporting public access, amenity and use of reserves, social cohesion, participation in community life, conserving heritage or natural values, creating employment or business opportunities, and enabling Aboriginal people to manage and care for land.

    Find further information on the Crown Reserves Improvement fund and apply.

    Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

    “The NSW Government is focused on building better communities and the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund plays a vital role by maintaining and upgrading public reserves for the benefit of local communities right across our state.

    “We are very grateful to the dedicated volunteers, community groups and local councils who help manage reserves and I strongly encourage them to apply for CRIF grants to support their great work.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More affordable homes on track for delivery

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: More affordable homes on track for delivery

    Published: 21 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

    The Minns Labor Government’s major planning reform focused on creating more affordable homes to the market is already delivering with 135 affordable homes approved for Landcom’s Lachlan’s Line development at Macquarie Park.

    This is the first development to be approved through the new State Significant Development (SSD) pathway for in-fill affordable housing projects, that the NSW Government introduced in December 2023 to make it faster and easier to build more affordable housing.

    These reforms are a key pillar of the NSW Government’s plans to tackle the State’s housing crisis and deliver affordable homes in well-located areas close to transport, jobs and amenities.

    In February 2024, Landcom, in partnership with Link Wentworth, lodged an SSD application with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to build 100 per cent affordable housing dwellings, which has now been approved.

    There are currently another 10 projects which have been lodged with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure through this SSD pathway that are under assessment which if approved, could deliver over 800 more affordable homes.

    With approvals secured, Link Wentworth will look to begin work in 2025 on the 135 affordable homes, with residents expected to be able to move in from 2027.

    This project also utilises another new planning pathway that the NSW Government has introduced to enable Landcom, or delivery partners on their behalf such as a Community Housing Provider, to access an SSD pathway for projects of more than 75 dwellings which have at least 50 per cent affordable housing.

    Lachlan’s Line forms the northern end of the North Ryde Station Precinct which was rezoned for high-density residential development, mixed-use development and public open space in 2013.

    The former industrial area will supply approximately 2,700 homes near two metro stations, a bus interchange and the M2 Motorway.

    Landcom selected Link Wentworth to partner with and provide the affordable housing dwellings.

    For more information see Landcom. 

    Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

    “The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to confront the housing crisis by supporting more affordable housing so key workers who are the engine room of our cities can afford to live close to their jobs.

    “It’s great to see the approval pathway creating affordable housing in places where people want to live, closer to jobs, transport and amenities.

    “Landcom is well-placed to increase the delivery of more affordable housing across NSW. Granting State Significant Development status to developments that include affordable housing has allowed faster decisions on this important project.”

    Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said:

    “Landcom partnered with Link Wentworth using an innovative approach which will deliver new affordable homes for up to 270 new residents.

    “The planning reforms have been incredibly successful in delivering quicker approvals and we look forward to partnering with the sector and industry to deliver more housing.”

    Link Wentworth CEO Andrew McAnulty said:

    “We are delighted to be working with NSW State Government to bring forward the delivery of these well located new affordable homes.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Officers honoured with Police Bravery Medals

    Source: South Australia Police

    Three South Australia Police (SAPOL) officers who risked their lives on duty during two separate distressing incidents have been recognised for extraordinary acts of bravery.

    Last Wednesday, October 16, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens APM LEM presented Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely, Senior Constable Rebekah Cass, and Sergeant Michael Hutchinson with Police Bravery Medals at SAPOL’s Police Academy.

    Brevet Sergeant Allely was awarded for his actions on 3 May 2023 during a stabbing at Crystal Brook, when he saved Brevet Sergeant Ian Todd’s life.

    During negotiations with a Crystal Brook man, Brevet Sergeant Todd came under attack and sustained life-threatening injuries. Brevet Sergeant Allely intervened and received serious injuries in the process but maintained composure and acted decisively throughout the incident.

    Senior Constable Rebekah Cass was awarded for her actions on 16 November 2023, during an incident at Senior when Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig was fatally shot. On hearing gunfire, she immediately ran into the house with little regard to her own safety to aid her fellow officers.

    Despite the harrowing circumstances and extreme personal pressures, Senior Constable Cass advised Police Communications of what had transpired and arranged further resources before attending to all injured.

    Similarly, Sergeant Michael Hutchinson was awarded for his actions during the same incident, maintaining his composure in an incredibly distressing situation and being shot in the process.

    By running toward Brevet Sergeant Doig, Sergeant Hutchinson put himself in the line of fire and like the other recipients, demonstrated extraordinary bravery.

    “Their courage and quick-thinking in the face of enormous danger, highlights the quality and tenacity of our people that underpins SAPOL’s strong reputation within the South Australian community,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “I commend each of them – they are a credit to themselves and to SAPOL.

    “Our officers are trained and equipped to protect the public and maintain their safety, but there are still inherent dangers in policing. Nothing says more about our outstanding police officers than the everyday acts of heroism demonstrated by our three officers awarded.”

    Minister for Police Dan Cregan said, “These commendations exemplify the bravery and courage of SAPOL officers.”

    “Each recipient has put the safety of others ahead of their own, acting immediately to assist their colleagues.”

    Police Bravery Medals are presented to SAPOL employees who perform exceptional and outstanding acts of bravery or act courageously and responsibly in the face of potential or actual danger to their life, or in the face of the possibility of serious injury while performing their duty.

    “SAPOL’s strength is maintained through a strong sense of culture and community pride and our strong foundations are built on the ethos that ‘our people are our strength’,” Commissioner Stevens added.

    “The people that make up SAPOL are by far the organisation’s most valuable assets.

    “Last week’s ceremony saw an opportunity to recognise our people and acknowledge the three officers’ unwavering commitment to policing.

    “Thank you, Jordan, Bec, and Michael for your service, dedication, and exceptional acts of bravery in the line of duty.”

    South Australia Police Sergeant Michael Hutchinson, Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens, Senior Constable Rebekah Cass, and Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely following their award presentation on Wednesday 16 October.

    Brevet Sergeant Jordan Allely. Senior Constable Rebekah Cass.

    Sergeant Michael Hutchinson.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 223-2024: Scheduled Outage: Thursday 24 October 2024 – DAFF applications

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    21 October 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients required to use Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry web-based applications during this planned maintenance period.

    All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) system during this planned maintenance period.

    Information

    Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, users of the following systems may experience a brief outage (less than 10 seconds)…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 224-2024: Scheduled Service Disruption: Friday 25 October to Sunday 27 October 2024 – BICON, DAFF messaging, SeaPest

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    21 October 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients required to use the department’s Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

    All clients submitting the below declarations:

    • Full Import Declaration (FID)
    • Long Form Self Assessed Clearance (LFSAC)
    • Short Form Self Assessed Clearance (SFSAC)
    • Cargo Report Self Assessed Clearance (CRSAC)
    • Cargo Report Personal Effects (PE)

    All…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Design to delivery: a guide to outsourcing

    Source: Allens Insights

    Business process outsourcings are high-risk, high-reward projects 5 min read

    The outsourcings of yesterday that prioritised cost-cutting above all else have been replaced by a new wave of business process outsourcings (BPOs) focused on procuring technological improvements and expertise, achieving scale, obtaining a competitive edge (and yes, cost savings too).

    The complexity of these projects is only further intensified by the current backdrop of rapid technological advancement, breakneck regulatory change and increasing supply chain risks. Successful outsourcings require careful consideration through all stages of the BPO lifecycle—from initial planning through to the exit phase.

    Whether your organisation is currently planning a BPO or considering it as a future option, this guide outlines everything you need to know through the various stages of your next BPO, including:

    • How to design your procurement strategy
    • Whiteboarding questions to scope your outsourcing
    • Service provider incentives matrix
    • Key considerations for managing data
    • Managing risks and planning for change
    • Board approval checklist

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Reportage: BNZ launches Tech Business Hub to empower early-stage technology businesses

    Source: BNZ statements

    New Zealand’s tech sector is set to get a boost thanks to the launch of the country’s first dedicated banking hub for early-stage technology businesses.

    The Waikato-based BNZ Tech Business Hub is designed to address the unique needs of early-stage tech companies.

    It offers BNZ customers access to bankers with specific training and expertise who are equipped to offer financial services to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced in the technology industries.

    Tim Wixon, Head of Technology Industries at BNZ, says, “BNZ’s Tech Business Hub is not just a new offering – it represents a philosophical shift in how we approach banking for this sector. Technology businesses have distinct needs which have not historically been met by traditional banking models. Our hub will help fill this gap by offering practical guidance, advice, and tailored services to help accelerate sector growth.”

    According to the Technology Investment Network, the top 200 New Zealand tech companies generated the second largest source of offshore revenue after dairy. The industry is also growing faster than any other in New Zealand and offers salaries around 30% higher than the New Zealand average.

    “Technology Industries continue to be an increasingly important part of the New Zealand economy. Every year, we see more of our country’s tech companies succeed on the world stage and BNZ remains committed to assist wherever possible”, says Mr Wixon.

    BNZ is ambitious in its support for technology companies in New Zealand, launching a range of innovative solutions in recent years to assist the sector, including Contracted Receivables Financing, Revenue Based Financing for SaaS businesses, and Project Scale Up, which provide high-potential and high-growth technology businesses with access to non-dilutive capital.

    The new Tech Business Hub complements these offerings, underscoring BNZ’s commitment to fostering a vibrant homegrown tech ecosystem.

    Tech Business Hub Team Manager – Figo Liu – says, “Tech businesses require banking partners who speak their language and understand their journey. Our goal is to nurture the tech and startup ecosystem by making it easier to start a business and grow.”

    With the Tech Business Hub now up and running, BNZ is turning its attention to further ways that it can support tech businesses at all stages of their lifecycle.

    “We believe that New Zealand’s tech sector has enormous potential, and we want to do everything we can to help these businesses succeed,” says Mr Wixon. “The BNZ Tech Business Hub is the next step in our commitment to this important part of our economy, and we look forward to working closely with tech entrepreneurs and innovators to help them achieve their goals.”

    The post BNZ launches Tech Business Hub to empower early-stage technology businesses appeared first on BNZ Debrief.

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man Arrested After Absconding from Mandated Facility in Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police have charged a 27-year-old man who absconded from a facility he was required to reside at in Alice Springs over the weekend.

    Just after 3:30pm on Saturday, the man fled the facility, cutting off his electronic monitoring device (EMD) before making his escape.

    CCTV footage reviewed by police showed a Toyota Prado, driven by a female associate, arriving at the scene. Shortly after, the man was seen entering the vehicle and fleeing the area.

    An arrest team, including members from General Duties, Crime, and the Dog Operations Unit, was dispatched to locate the offender, who actively evaded apprehension throughout the evening.

    The following day, Darwin Traffic Operations members, while conducting patrols south of Katherine, received an automatic number plate recognition alert on the vehicle of interest, which was travelling northbound towards Katherine.

    In response, a coordinated plan was enacted, involving Katherine General Duties and Road Policing units, who deployed tyre deflation devices.

    Despite attempts to evade capture, the vehicle was successfully stopped, and both the man and the female driver were arrested. The female, also in breach of her bail conditions for cutting off her EMD, was taken into custody.

    The man was charged with:

    • Failing to obey the direction of a police officer
    • Driving unlicensed
    • Driving with a prohibited drug in his body

    He is due to appear in Katherine court today.

    The female was charged with:

    • Breach of bail

    She is also set to appear in Katherine court today.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to advance doctoral programs in science, engineering, agriculture, medicine

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China has announced plans to strengthen its development of doctoral programs in the science, engineering, agriculture and medical science disciplines.

    The development of doctoral programs in basic and emerging disciplines and in interdisciplinary fields will also be boosted, according to a set of guidelines on deepening the comprehensive reform of doctoral education that were recently unveiled by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

    The proportion of professional doctoral programs should be increased, the guidelines also say.

    They also pledge efforts to accelerate the construction of disciplines related to key fields, step up the integration of various disciplines, and explore new paths for international exchange and cooperation.

    Last month, the Ministry of Education announced that top overseas universities — especially those focused on science and engineering — are encouraged to operate joint education programs with their counterparts in China.

    The ministry said that the country plans to support top universities in expanding their education capacities, and to establish several advanced research universities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Three-Body’ awarded China’s best TV drama

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    “Three-Body,” the live-action television adaptation of the science fiction novel “The Three-Body Problem,” claimed the best TV drama as China’s national TV arts award unveiled on Sunday.

    The drama’s director Yang Lei received the honor of the best TV drama director of the China TV Golden Eagle Award, which was unveiled in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province.

    In his acceptance speech, Yang said that Chinese science fiction faces challenges. He said whenever science fiction is mentioned, audiences tend to immediately think of Western sci-fi stories and movies.

    “When I was creating ‘Three-Body,’ I wanted to take a different path. I hoped it would be a Chinese sci-fi story, one that has a sense of Chinese identity,” he said, adding that he approached the filming with a realist perspective.

    He went on to say that the rapid advancement of China’s technology has provided fertile ground for science fiction to grow. He calls on all Chinese sci-fi creators to make full use of Chinese elements in their work to bring the dream of science fiction into reality and to let the universe shine for Chinese science fiction.

    Since its release in January 2023, the 30-episode drama has received critical acclaim. It was rated 8.7 out of 10 by over 480,000 viewers on China’s popular review platform Douban as of Sunday.

    It is the live-action television adaptation of the Hugo Award-winning science fiction novel “The Three-Body Problem” by Liu Cixin. “The Three-Body Problem” is the first book of a sci-fi trilogy that revolves around physicist Ye Wenjie’s contact with the Trisolaran civilization existing in a three-sun system and the centuries-long clashes that follow between earthlings and the aliens.

    Fans of “Three-Body” expressed their excitement after the series received the award.

    “I’m so excited! A uniquely Chinese path for science fiction has been explored,” said a Chinese fan named Wang Jingyi.

    “When I first read the book, I was blown away. I always wondered how it could be brought to life on screen until I watched Yang Lei’s incredible adaptation,” said Artur Furdey, a British viewer.

    Liu Cixin, the author of the novel, expressed his satisfaction with the adaptation of his work that has been well-received by the audiences.

    “It will take time for Chinese science fiction to take root in the hearts of the public. I hope we can work together to create more and better works,” Liu said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese listed companies to receive loans for share buybacks, increasing shareholdings

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    More than 20 Chinese listed companies on Sunday announced that they have signed agreements with financial institutions or obtained commitment letters to secure loans for share buybacks and increasing shareholdings.

    The announcements came after China’s central bank launched a special re-lending facility aimed at guiding banks to provide loans to listed companies and their major shareholders for buybacks and increasing shareholdings on Friday.

    The initial re-lending scale is 300 billion yuan (about 42.09 billion U.S. dollars) at an interest rate of 1.75 percent. The facility can be applied to various types of companies regardless of their ownership, according to the central bank.

    To actively respond to and fully leverage the policy tool introduced by the relevant regulatory body for supporting share buybacks, the company on Oct. 19 signed a credit agreement with the Bank of China to obtain a credit line of no more than 900 million yuan, which will be used for the company’s share buybacks in the A-share market, Sinopec said in an online statement published Sunday.

    Sinopec also revealed that its controlling shareholder China Petrochemical Corporation signed an agreement with the bank to obtain a credit line of 700 million yuan. This funding will be used by the corporation to increase its shareholdings in Sinopec within the A-share market.

    Other companies that have announced plans to secure loans for share buybacks or increasing shareholdings include China Merchants Port Group Co., Ltd. and Sinotrans Limited.

    The re-lending facility offers low-cost funds to financial institutions, which in turn helps to reduce the financing costs for listed companies and major shareholders, said Tian Lihui, head of the Institute of Finance and Development at Nankai University.

    It also helps enhance the inherent stability of China’s capital market, maintain the stable operation of the market and boost market confidence, Tian added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New bill would ensure businesses’ interests are heard in liquor licencing decisions

    Source: ACT Party

    “Licensed liquor outlets are legitimate businesses that serve a demand in the community while offering employment and bringing shoppers to town centres,” says Dr Parmjeet Parmar, who has lodged a new bill in Parliament’s member’s ballot to strengthen the voice of liquor-licenced businesses.

    “Establishing a licenced business involves financial commitment, risk, and hard work, but current legislation means that businesses are threatened with closure when they seek to renew their licence, or when a local alcohol policy changes.

    “Labour made navigating a licence application or renewal process even more difficult than it already was. Too many groups have been given too much power to effectively block the establishment or renewal of liquor licences.

    “ACT says that licencing decisions should prioritise the interests of those most affected – namely, the business itself, its customers, and the immediate local community. My bill limits eligibility to oppose an application for, or renewal of, a liquor licence, to those who reside within one kilometre of the premises.

    “Licencing rules should also offer certainty to those who have obtained a licence but risks having a renewal rejected, such as when a childcare facility or church moves in nearby. My bill ensures licensing authorities must not take such sites into account if the licenced outlet is already established in the area.”

    The Sale and Supply of Alcohol (Participation in Licensing Decisions) Amendment Bill can be viewed here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: First Federal Savings Bank Celebrates 120 Years of Powering Local Communities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EVANSVILLE, Ind., Oct. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) congratulates First Federal Savings Bank on its milestone anniversary and faithful service to its customers and communities for 120 years.

    “From your first home to your forever home, startup or expansion small business loan, or saving for your golden years, First Federal Savings Bank has been a source of support for customers working to achieve their financial goals,” said Courtney Schmitt, VP Marketing Manager at First Federal Savings Bank. “As we reflect and reaffirm our commitment to our customers, we look forward to continuing to serve with honor and distinction to ensure our communities’ future prosperity.”

    “As financial stewards, community banks have always played a central role to the financial health and vitality of their community—whether funding their customers’ financial dreams or supporting community causes and events,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. “Milestones like these showcase the value of community banks as relationship lenders and the impact they have every day in powering local communities.”

    About First Federal Savings Bank Member FDIC
    First Federal Savings Bank was established on Evansville, Indiana’s Westside in 1904. A community bank offering eight locations in Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Henderson County. First Federal Savings Bank is also proud to offer Home Building Savings Bank locations in Daviess and Pike County.

    About ICBA
    The Independent Community Bankers of America® has one mission: to create and promote an environment where community banks flourish. We power the potential of the nation’s community banks through effective advocacy, education, and innovation.

    As local and trusted sources of credit, America’s community banks leverage their relationship-based business model and innovative offerings to channel deposits into the neighborhoods they serve, creating jobs, fostering economic prosperity, and fueling their customers’ financial goals and dreams. For more information, visit ICBA’s website at icba.org.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Expanding coal mines – and reaching net zero? Tanya Plibersek seems to believe both are possible

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland

    Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s recent decision to approve expansion plans for three New South Wales coal mines disappointed many people concerned with stabilising the global climate.

    Two of these mines, Narrabri and Mount Pleasant in New South Wales, featured in the high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful Living Wonders court case, intended to force the federal government to take account of climate damage done by coal mine approvals. A lawyer involved in the case said Plibersek’s decision showed a refusal to “recognise their climate harms”.

    Why did Plibersek sign off on this? She has argued the mines will abide by domestic industrial emissions rules. As her spokesperson told the ABC:

    The emissions from these projects will be considered by the minister for climate change and energy under the government’s strong climate laws.

    But these laws apply only to emissions produced in Australia, which in this case will be from extracting and transporting coal and the relatively small amount of coal burned here. Most of the coal will be exported and burned overseas. Australian laws do not count those much larger emissions.

    The government is effectively washing its hands of the far larger emissions created when the coal is burned overseas. Since taking office, the Albanese government has approved seven applications to open or expand coal mines. Just this week, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said his state would keep exporting coal into the 2040s.

    This reasoning doesn’t stack up. If we stopped expanding coal mines, coal would get more expensive – and we would accelerate the global shift to clean energy.

    How can more coal be compatible with net zero?

    Under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate action, nations must publicly commit to domestic emissions reductions goals and are expected to steadily ramp up ambition.

    But these emissions cuts are domestic only – we don’t measure the emissions we enable by exporting coal and gas.

    The Albanese government has increased domestic ambition by committing to a 43% reduction on 2005 figures by 2030. This seems to be a substantial advance on the 26-28% commitment made by the previous government. In reality, internal tensions in the Morrison Coalition government handed Labor an unintentional gift.

    In 2021, estimates suggested Australia was already on track for a 35% reduction. But internal opposition among Coalition backbenchers stopped Morrison announcing this as a target. As a result, Labor’s change looks about twice as impressive as it should.

    Still, progress is happening. Domestically, Australia is now burning less and less coal.

    But in terms of exports, the government’s position – clear in Plibersek’s decision as well as the government’s plan to keep gas flowing for decades – is as long as there is a demand for coal and gas from other countries, Australia will be ready and willing to meet it.

    Most of the coal unlocked by Plibersek’s decision will go overseas, given NSW exports 85% of its coal to partners such as Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan.

    How does the government defend this?

    Expanding coal mines while maintaining a public commitment to net zero is a consistent theme between this government and its predecessor, which also committed to net zero. It meets a minimal interpretation of our legal obligations under the Paris Agreement, but maintains the planet’s path towards dangerous warming.

    In her statement of reasons given in 2023 as to why the Mount Pleasant mine expansion should be permitted, Plibersek and the Labor government offer several defences.

    The first is she is simply acting in accordance with Australian law, as the project would comply with “applicable Commonwealth emissions reduction legislation”. This is a weak reed, to put it mildly. The Albanese government, with the support of Greens and independents, can change the law whenever it chooses.

    In reality, the government has steadfastly resisted pressure to include a “climate trigger” in Australia’s environmental approval processes. Their resistance is relatively new – as recently as 2016, Labor policy included a climate trigger for land clearing.

    Labor’s second defence has often been dubbed the “drug dealer’s defence”. That is, if Australia didn’t export coal, other producers would take our place. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has put it:

    policies that would just result in a replacement of Australian resources with resources that are less clean from other countries would lead to an increase in global emissions, not a decrease.

    As I’ve argued previously, this defence doesn’t work. Coal is subject to a rising cost curve – if we stopped exporting it, new or expanded production from other sources would cost more to extract and hence be priced higher. More expensive coal would, in turn, accelerate the global energy transition. We do have agency – we could choose not to unlock more coal.

    Finally, Plibersek claims emissions from burning Mount Pleasant coal – estimated at over 500 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the mine’s extended lifetime – would not be “substantial” relative to total global emissions. For context, Australia’s total emissions are now less than 500 million tonnes a year.

    This “litterbug’s defence” suggest Australia’s emissions – whether produced domestically or exported – are not big enough to make a difference. This is not true – we are now the second largest exporter of emissions globally, after Russia. That is due largely to coal.

    Are fossil fuel exports untouchable?

    There’s a huge gap between global pledges to cut emissions and the reductions needed to actually achieve the Paris targets. Most countries we export coal and gas to are not yet on a path to achieve the reductions in emissions necessary to stabilise the global climate – though China’s emissions may, remarkably, be about to decline.

    That’s why we need to press for decarbonisation at every stage of the energy system, from extraction of coal, oil and gas to the financing of new carbon-based projects as well as at the point where the fuel is burned and emissions produced generated.

    The problem for Australia is we sell a lot of coal and gas – more than ever before. So even as solar and wind energy begins to displace coal and gas in domestic power generation, our coal and gas exports seem all but untouchable.

    We should be saddened but not surprised at this pattern. The Albanese government seems guided by the principle of doing nothing to generate substantial opposition – and to count on the fact a Dutton Coalition government would do even less.

    John Quiggin is a former member of the Climate Change Authority

    – ref. Expanding coal mines – and reaching net zero? Tanya Plibersek seems to believe both are possible – https://theconversation.com/expanding-coal-mines-and-reaching-net-zero-tanya-plibersek-seems-to-believe-both-are-possible-241007

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Human error is the weakest link in the cyber security chain. Here are 3 ways to fix it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jongkil Jay Jeong, Senior Research Fellow in the School of Computing and Information System, The University of Melbourne

    Piotr Zajda/Shutterstock

    Despite huge advances in cyber security, one weakness continues to overshadow all others: human error.

    Research has consistently shown human error is responsible for an overwhelming majority of successful cyber attacks. A recent report puts the figure at 68%.

    No matter how advanced our technological defences become, the human element is likely to remain the weakest link in the cyber security chain. This weakness affects everyone using digital devices, yet traditional cyber education and awareness programs – and even new, forward-looking laws – fail to adequately address it.

    So, how can we deal with human-centric cyber security related challenges?

    Understanding human error

    There are two types of human error in the context of cyber security.

    The first is skills-based errors. These occur when people are doing routine things – especially when their attention is diverted.

    For example, you might forget to back up desktop data from your computer. You know you should do it and know how to do it (because you have done it before). But because you need to get home early, forgot when you did it last or had lots of emails to respond to, you don’t. This may make you more exposed to a hacker’s demands in the event of a cyber attack, as there are no alternatives to retrieve the original data.

    The second type is knowledge-based errors. These occur when someone with less experience makes cyber security mistakes because they lack important knowledge or don’t follow specific rules.

    For example, you might click on a link in an email from an unknown contact, even if you don’t know what will happen. This could lead to you being hacked and losing your money and data, as the link might contain dangerous malware.

    Many cyber attacks are successful because people click on unknown links in emails and text messages.
    ParinPix/Shutterstock

    Traditional approaches fall short

    Organisations and governments have invested heavily in cyber security education programs to address human error. However, these programs have had mixed results at best.

    This is partly because many programs take a technology-centric, one-size-fits-all approach. They often focus on specific technical aspects, such as improving password hygiene or implementing multi-factor authentication. Yet, they don’t address the underlying psychological and behavioural issues that influence people’s actions.

    The reality is that changing human behaviour is far more complex than simply providing information or mandating certain practices. This is especially true in the context of cyber security.

    Public health campaigns such as the “Slip, Slop, Slap” sun safety initiative in Australia and New Zealand illustrate what works.

    Since this campaign started four decades ago, melanoma cases in both countries have fallen significantly. Behavioural change requires ongoing investment into promoting awareness.

    The same principle applies to cyber security education. Just because people know best practices doesn’t mean they will consistently apply them – especially when faced with competing priorities or time pressures.

    New laws fall short

    The Australian government’s proposed cyber security law focuses on several key areas, including:

    • combating ransomware attacks
    • enhancing information sharing between businesses and government agencies
    • strengthening data protection in critical infrastructure sectors, such as energy, transport and communications
    • expanding investigative powers for cyber incidents
    • introducing minimum security standards for smart devices.

    These measures are crucial. However, like traditional cyber security education programs, they primarily address technical and procedural aspects of cyber security.

    The United States is taking a different approach. Its Federal Cybersecurity Research and Development Strategic Plan includes “human-centred cybersecurity” as its first and most important priority.

    The plan says

    A greater emphasis is needed on human-centered approaches to cybersecurity where people’s needs, motivations, behaviours, and abilities are at the forefront of determining the design, operation, and security of information technology systems.

    3 rules for human-centric cyber security

    So, how can we adequately address the issue of human error in cyber security? Here are three key strategies based on the latest research.

    1. Minimise cognitive load. Cyber security practices should be designed to be as intuitive and effortless as possible. Training programs should focus on simplifying complex concepts and integrating security practices seamlessly into daily workflows.

    2. Foster a positive cyber security attitude. Instead of relying on fear tactics, education should emphasise the positive outcomes of good cyber security practices. This approach can help motivate people to improve their cyber security behaviours.

    3. Adopt a long-term perspective. Changing attitudes and behaviours is not a single event but a continuous process. Cyber security education should be ongoing, with regular updates to address evolving threats.

    Ultimately, creating a truly secure digital environment requires a holistic approach. It needs to combine robust technology, sound policies, and, most importantly, ensuring people are well-educated and security conscious.

    If we can better understand what’s behind human error, we can design more effective training programs and security practices that work with, rather than against, human nature.

    Jongkil Jay Jeong does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Human error is the weakest link in the cyber security chain. Here are 3 ways to fix it – https://theconversation.com/human-error-is-the-weakest-link-in-the-cyber-security-chain-here-are-3-ways-to-fix-it-241459

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FS attends APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Peru (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, began his visit in Lima, Peru, yesterday (October 20, Lima time) to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) and related activities.

         In the morning, Mr Chan attended the Finance Ministers’ Retreat. The meeting focused on discussing the fiscal policies of economies and several specific topics, including tax administration, promoting quality infrastructure development, and the digital transformation of financial services.

         Mr Chan introduced the latest developments in Hong Kong regarding these topics. He specifically shared Hong Kong’s experience in issuing retail bonds to support infrastructure projects that benefit the economy and people’s lives. He highlighted that this arrangement allows residents to participate in advancing infrastructure projects, and providing them with a safe, reliable, and stable investment option, while also raising funds for these projects. This approach achieves the dual goals of supporting inclusive finance and infrastructure development. Mr Chan also shared Hong Kong’s progress in promoting the digitalisation of financial services, including ongoing optimisation of the fintech ecosystem, launching regulatory sandboxes to test and promote innovative projects across various financial sectors, and facilitating data sharing between small and medium-sized enterprises and banks to facilitate business lending.

         In the afternoon, Mr Chan attended the High Level Event on Sustainable Finance under FMM, engaging in in-depth discussions with attending finance ministers and representatives from various business sectors on the strategies for the development of sustainable finance and transition finance, governance frameworks, and international cooperation. Mr Chan outlined the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s emission reduction targets and action strategies set forth in the “Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050.” He also shared Hong Kong’s latest developments as a leading green finance centre in Asia, including the issuance of green and sustainable bonds, participation in the formulation of relevant international standards and climate disclosure guidelines, talent training, and promoting transition finance to build a thriving green and sustainable finance ecosystem. Moreover, a steering group comprising all financial regulators has been established to drive related efforts.

         Mr Chan also met with Vice Minister of Finance of China Mr Liao Min, as well as several representatives from participating economies, including the Minister of Economy and Finance of Peru, Mr José Arista Arbildo; the Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance of Singapore, Mr Chee Hong Tat, and Deputy Minister of Finance of Thailand Mr Paopoom Rojanasakul, to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation and exchange views on common concerns. In these bilateral meetings, Mr Chan introduced Hong Kong’s latest economic situation and various policy measures set out in the Policy Address delivered by the Chief Executive recently. 

         In the evening, Mr Chan attended the welcome reception for the FMM.

         Mr Chan will continue to attend the FMM today (October 21, Lima time).                        

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Prescribed hazard reduction burn in Duffy

    Source: Government of Australia Capital Territory

    On 13 September 2024, the ACT Government assumed a caretaker role, with an election to be held 19 October 2024. Information on this website will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the election and conclusion of the caretaker period.

    Released 21/10/2024

    A prescribed hazard reduction burn in Duffy will commence today, subject to suitable weather and fuel moisture conditions.

    The prescribed hazard reduction burn along Cotter Road and Eucumbene Drive is being conducted to reduce the weed growth in the area as well as reduce the fire hazard in the area.

    See the location map of the burn site.

    Experienced ACT Parks and Conservation Service fire managers will conduct and oversee the burning operations. Every effort is made to conduct burns in weather conditions that will minimise the impact of smoke, but temporary smoke cover is possible and may be visible across parts of Canberra.

    Fire crews will be on the ground monitoring and patrolling the prescribed burn to its conclusion.

    Smoke, flame, and glowing embers may be seen at this site, which is normal for these types of operations. The public are asked not to call emergency triple-zero unless they see any unattended fire.

    Prescribed burns are an important part of the ACT’s annual Bushfire Operations Plan to enhance ecological quality, reduce the risk of bushfires and help keep Canberrans safe.

    More information about prescribed hazard reduction burns is available on the ACT Environment website.

    – Statement ends –

    ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases

    Media Contacts

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Intelligent auto sector speeding up

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People visit the exhibition booth of AITO, an NEV brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chongqing-based automaker Seres, during the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China is vrooming to shape the future of intelligent connected vehicles, with creation of a new industry road map underway, and is aiming for greater advancements in autonomous driving, high-end supply chains and global cooperation, according to government officials, company executives and industry experts.

    Jin Zhuanglong, minister of industry and information technology, said the country will draft a comprehensive development plan for the intelligent connected vehicle, or ICV, industry, with the aim of harmonizing vehicle-road integration and enhancing software and hardware collaboration in the sector.

    The term “intelligent connected vehicles” basically refers to “smarter” cars equipped with advanced technologies like artificial intelligence that enable them to communicate with other vehicles, the cloud and infrastructure like roads.

    “Now, China has basically formed a comprehensive industrial system spanning chips, sensors, computing platforms, chassis control and vehicle-cloud connection for the ICV industry,” Jin said at the 2024 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference, which ended on Saturday in Beijing.

    Jin also said that accelerated steps will be taken to formulate a regulatory system for high-level autonomous driving.

    Another official of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said at the conference that China’s self-driving cars are “nearing readiness for public roads”, with a group of autonomous driving vehicles awaiting evaluation and permission for the final rollout.

    The remarks came as President Xi Jinping said that science and technology should spearhead the advancement of Chinese modernization, during a recent inspection tour of East China’s Anhui province, where he took a close look at high-tech products including intelligent connected vehicles at an exhibition of scientific and technological innovations.

    Buoyed by such accelerated efforts in developing high-tech and intelligent connected vehicles, Lei Jun, founder of tech heavyweight Xiaomi Corp, said at the conference that the company is expected to meet its goal of delivering 100,000 Xiaomi SU7s — electric vehicles launched by the company as a venture into the ICV sector — by November, which is ahead of its year-end target.

    Li Shufu, chairman of Chinese automaker Geely Holding Group, said that Chinese automakers are racing into a new stage of development with intelligence as their core competitiveness. Like many leading car companies, Geely has made progress in human-machine interaction, intelligent driving, chips and low-orbit satellites, he said.

    Such confidence was also expressed by international players. Ralf Brandstaetter, chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, said, “China is the future of the global automotive industry, and we are committed to being part of this journey in the era of intelligent connected vehicles.”

    In addition to building its largest development center outside Germany in Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, Volkswagen is strengthening cooperation with Chinese manufacturers like Xpeng and local high-tech companies such as Horizon Robotics, operating system provider Thundersoft and battery maker Gotion High-Tech Co, he said in a video speech to the conference on Thursday.

    By 2027, the German automobile manufacturer will launch 40 new models in China across all brands, including more than 20 new energy vehicles, which clearly demonstrates its commitment to the Chinese market, he emphasized.

    The latest data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology showed that China is home to nearly 400 “little giant “companies in the intelligent connected vehicle sector. The term “little giant companies” refers to small and medium-sized enterprises that typically specialize in niche sectors, command high market share and boast strong innovative capacity.

    To support the rapid expansion of the sector, more than 50 cities across China have designated over 32,000 kilometers of test routes for ICVs and upgraded 10,000 kilometers of roads with smart technologies.

    Despite China’s momentum in the ICV industry, some company executives still see room for improvement. Yu Chengdong, executive director of Huawei Technologies Co, said that while the 5G smartphone penetration rate has reached over 85 percent in China, less than 10 percent of the nation’s passenger vehicles use 5G.

    “The integration of 5G into the ICV sector should be put into place, as it will generate economic growth and enhance the global competitiveness of the sector as a whole,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Native Americans call for action against violence, trafficking of indigenous women at annual parade

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People participate in the 3rd Annual National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade in New York, the United States, on Oct. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Indigenous Americans urged efforts against long-standing violence and sex trafficking of indigenous women during the 3rd Annual National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade in New York on Saturday.

    “We’re still going missing and we’re still not being reported as missing,” Junise Golden Feather Bliss, a member of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, told Xinhua at the parade, which was attended by Native Americans from over ten tribes from the United States, Canada, and Central and South America.

    In the United States, 40 percent of the women who are sex trafficked are identified as Native, and Native women are constantly being targeted by violence with 96 percent of cases not reported, Bliss said.

    “We’re here to bring awareness of the ‘red hand movement’ that’s been going across Indian country. … Too many of our women have been gone, missing and murdered since historical times,” Bliss said.

    A group of participants held a banner reading “No more stolen sisters” and “healing prayers.” Bliss said that a healing prayer was held with the hope that the next generations would be able to find the clan mothers, the traditional elders and resources.

    Beside allocation of resources, attention should be paid to policy and data collection to address the issue, she said.

    Organized by the Lenape Native Americans, the half-day parade marched through traditional Lenape hunting grounds from Madison Square Park to Union Square along Broadway. Indigenous Americans demonstrated their costumes, music, dances and storytelling.

    “We honor all the indigenous people of the world. … Anybody that’s been through genocide, anybody that has been put down by another culture,” said Carla Alexander, chief of the Deer Clan of the Ramapough Lenape Nation.

    “We try to lift up all the cultures so that everybody gets along in love and peace,” said Alexander.

    Atsila Firebird Graywolf noted that New York City has thousands of indigenous people who live off Indian reservations. “People don’t think that Native Americans still exist or we don’t celebrate,” Graywolf said.

    “The parade gives us an opportunity to show our beauty and that we’re still here,” Graywolf added.

    A group of Native Americans chanted “We’re still here” during the parade. The words were also printed on some participants’ T-shirts.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Moldova holds presidential election, EU membership referendum

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Moldovan citizens living in Romania cast their votes at a polling station in Bucharest, Romania, Oct. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Moldovan voters went to the polls Sunday for the country’s presidential election and a referendum on joining the European Union (EU).

    The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) of Moldova said on Sunday in a press release that 2,219 polling stations are open to an estimated 3.3 million voters from 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) until 9 p.m. local time (1800 GMT).

    The polls will be monitored by 2,061 observers, including 1,277 national observers and 784 international observers, according to the CEC.

    Under the country’s constitution, a candidate must win an absolute majority to be elected as president; otherwise, the two candidates with the most votes proceed to a runoff.

    Besides choosing a president, voters will also vote in a referendum on whether the goal of joining the EU should be enshrined in the country’s constitution.

    “Our vote in the referendum will determine our fate for many decades to come,” said Maia Sandu, the incumbent Moldovan president seeking a second term in office.

    Since her election in 2020, Sandu has steered Moldova towards greater alignment with the EU. She led the country to achieve EU candidate country status in 2022. In June 2024, formal accession negotiations were launched.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon reaches 2,464

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon since the beginning of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict has reached 2,464, with injuries up to 11,530, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported on Sunday.

    On Saturday alone, 16 people were killed and 59 others wounded in Israeli attacks, the ministry said.

    It noted that 11 people were killed and 27 others wounded in the South Governorate, while five were killed and 23 injured in the Nabatieh governorate, with Bekaa Valley reporting nine more injuries.

    Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has been conducting intensive airstrikes on Lebanon in a sharp escalation with Hezbollah.

    Since Oct. 8, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanon-Israel border amid fears of a broader conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas claims targeting Israeli soldiers in N. Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People flee from Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, after the Israeli army asked them to leave a school where they had sought refuge, on Oct. 19, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced on Sunday that they had killed and wounded Israeli soldiers in several operations in the northern Gaza Strip.

    In separate statements, the brigades reported that its forces targeted in the west of the Jabalia camp an Israeli Merkava tank with a “Yassin 105” missile and a Namer armored personnel carrier with a “Tandem” missile.

    Its fighters also managed to attack two Israeli soldiers with sniper fire, injuring them directly in the Jabalia camp.

    In addition, it reported the destruction of an Israeli Namer armored personnel carrier with a “Shawah” explosive device in the northwest of Gaza City.

    The brigades noted that its fighters infiltrated behind Israeli troops that advanced east of the Jabalia camp on Saturday night. They successfully targeted two Israeli armored personnel carriers using a “Shawah” explosive device and a “Yassin 105” missile, resulting in fatalities and injuries among the troops.

    Also on Sunday, the Israeli army confirmed the killing of a senior officer by an explosive device in northern Gaza and the injuries of three other officers, one in critical condition.

    The Israeli army continues its ground operation in the Jabalia camp, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza, for the 16th consecutive day, claiming the operation aims to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping to launch further attacks.

    Israeli military spokesman Avichai Adraee said on the social media platform X that Division 162 is continuing its operations in northern Gaza, eliminating dozens in confrontations and from the air, destroying numerous infrastructures, and confiscating large quantities of weapons.

    Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 7th China Now Music Festival ends with Sci-Fi chamber opera

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Conductor Cai Jindong leads the orchestra at the opening concert of the 7th China Now Music Festival at Carnegie Hall in New York, the United States, Oct. 12, 2024. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua)

    The 7th China Now Music Festival themed “Composing the Future” came to a close Saturday evening in New York City with a concert that fused East-West musical traditions and blended human-made music with artificial intelligence (AI).

    The event, held at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, featured two distinct parts. The first half featured musicians from the Bard East-West Ensemble, performing new works by composers from China’s Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM).

    With the rich sounds of traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa and guzheng accompanying Western orchestral instruments, the performance created a unique cultural and musical fusion that resonated with the audience.

    The second half showcased AI’s Variation: Opera of the Future, a science fiction chamber opera penned by CCOM professor Hao Weiya.

    Performed by Chinese soprano Shi Lin, baritone Hong Zhenxiang, and American soprano Lucy Fitz Gibbon, who stunned the audience with her fluent Mandarin, this thought-provoking piece delved into the ethical implications of AI technology merging with human creativity.

    The work, part of Hao’s Chinese New Opera series, imagines a world where artificial intelligence surpasses human abilities, prompting the existential question: “Who will ‘we’ be when AI replaces us?”

    “We listen to a lot of Beethoven and Mozart, but in the 21st century, we need more young people to pay attention to contemporary music — the music of today,” said Cai Jindong, the festival’s artistic director and conductor, in an interview with Xinhua after the concert.

    Reflecting on the festival’s journey, Cai expressed pride in fostering collaboration between Chinese and American musicians. He emphasized musical exchanges offer a way to bridge divides.

    “Cultural exchange helps us understand each other better,” Cai said.

    American cellist Christine Walevska, a long-time participant in the China Now Music Festival, praised Cai’s approach. “Music is a language everyone understands. This is my seventh time here, and I always love Maestro Cai’s interpretations, especially how he blends traditional Chinese elements with contemporary music,” Walevska told Xinhua.

    Dr. Wenyi Xiong, adjunct faculty in Piano Performance at New York University, was equally impressed.

    “The orchestration was unique — it’s rare to see a symphony orchestra incorporate guitar alongside the guzheng. It beautifully captured the charm of both Chinese and Western music,” she said.

    The China Now Music Festival was co-founded in 2017 by the U.S.-China Music Institute of the Bard College Conservatory of Music, in collaboration with the CCOM.

    Now in its seventh year, the festival has drawn over 10,000 live attendees and attracted nearly 100,000 online viewers in past seasons.

    The Bard East-West Ensemble, part of the U.S.-China Music Institute at Bard College, has also become a symbol of cross-cultural musical dialogue. The group combines traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa and guzheng with Western orchestral instruments.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Kashgar’s ancient city rises from dust through people-centered protection, renovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    On a sunny morning in October, streets in the Ancient City of Kashgar come alive as the city’s daily gate-opening ceremony unfolds.

    Performers dressed in armor, reminiscent of Zhang Qian, a Han Dynasty envoy whose journey began around 138 B.C., bring visitors back to 2,000 years ago.

    The well-preserved city appears untouched by time. However, the ancient city, part of Kashgar’s old town, was a dilapidated and dusty zone only decades ago.

    A local proverb reflected the hardships of that time, “Sewage dried in the air, trash swept by the breeze, pipes hung on the wall, and to use the toilet, you’d risk a fall.”

    Renaud Andre Roger Yves Lambert, Asia editor for Le Monde Diplomatique, gazed at a photo of the old town before its renovation and asked, “Was there an earthquake here?”

    What stands today is the result of China’s unwavering commitment to protecting ancient heritage and ensuring the well-being of its people.

    In response to the people’s pressing needs, the local government adopted a tailored approach, providing each household with a customized design that aimed to retain its original architectural style as much as possible. This strategy not only maintained the city’s distinctive features but also transformed it into a livable space with modern amenities, breathing new life into the historic streets.

    Ground floors of residents’ homes were converted into charming shops, showcasing unique styles and creating a vibrant marketplace, while upper levels remained private family retreats. Various bazaars, each with its own charm, have flourished in the city.

    By the end of 2020, a total of 7.049 billion yuan (about 1 billion U.S. dollars) had been invested in the renovation project of Kashgar’s ancient city, and 49,083 dilapidated houses covering 5.07 million square meters had been renovated.

    The renovated city has now created employment for over 10,000 people. With a growing influx of domestic and international tourists, it has become a popular social media hotspot and has successfully upgraded to a national 5A-level scenic spot, the highest standard for tourist attractions in China.

    Salamaiti Guli, the owner of a charming guesthouse with intricately carved wooden doors and sun-dappled courtyards, considered herself one of the biggest beneficiaries of the renovation project.

    “My house used to be in a dangerous condition, but after the government’s protective renovation, it became both sturdy and beautiful,” said Guli. “Since it is located in a scenic area, it has been transformed into a guesthouse offering both accommodations and performances.”

    The performance at Guli’s Home soon transformed the afternoon into a celebration of color and sound, enthralling guests from Croatia, Oman, and Ecuador. Infected by the rhythmic traditional music, they joined hands with locals, twirling and swaying in perfect harmony.

    “I hope friends from all over the world come to visit my home,” Guli said.

    Another resident, who has lived here for decades, said, “After the renovation, we now have everything — water, electricity, heating, and a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom. Living here is truly comfortable.”

    As he spoke, his wife busied herself at the new stove, filling the air with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked food. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Man arrested following Wiri firearms incident

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have arrested and charged a man following a firearms incident in Wiri on the weekend.

    At about 1am on Sunday morning, Police were called to an address on Felicia Place following a report of a disorder incident involving two groups of people.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan, Counties Manukau CIB, says shots were reportedly fired from an address before one of the groups left in a vehicle.

    One person was transported to hospital with minor injuries.

    On attendance, Police located and seized a sawn-down shotgun and ammunition.

    “This morning, following a number of enquiries by our team, we located and arrested the alleged offender,” Detective Senior Sergeant Tiernan says.

    “There is no doubt this incident would have been deeply concerning for people who live nearby, so this arrest is a great result for the community.

    “Police take these matters extremely seriously and will continue to hold people to account,” he says.

    A 32-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court today charged with wounding with reckless disregard and firearms charges.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Welfare – Time to Ban Private Sale and Use of Fireworks to Protect New Zealand’s Animals

    Source: Hearts and Science

    Over watching Your Household Pet Shiver in Fear? Now is the Time to Act.

    As Guy Fawkes approaches, pet owners across Aotearoa once again brace for the distress that fireworks bring to their beloved animals. The loud bangs and flashing lights may be a spectacle for some, but for many animals, they are a source of fear and anxiety that can last well beyond the Guy Fawkes period.

    Animates is calling for an end to the private sale and use of fireworks, advocating instead for people to attend controlled public displays to protect pets, farm animals, and wildlife.

    The Pawprint Petition: Ban Private Sales of Fireworks on Behalf of the Animals of NZ is now live at https://pawprintpetition.co.nz and is calling on Kiwis to add their voice — and in a unique world first – pets can sign the petition too by adding a pawprint.

    The petition will be presented to the House of Representatives, urging the Government to ban the private sale and use of fireworks in New Zealand.

    “Each year, our stores and Vet clinics are flooded with stories of stressed-out pets and worried owners,” says Neil Cowie, CEO, Animates. “Fireworks are no longer just a Guy Fawkes problem. Stockpiling leads to fireworks being set off throughout the year, compounding the stress and danger for animals.”

    Native birds and other wildlife, horses, and even zoo animals are not immune to the effects of fireworks. Horses often bolt, leading to injuries and death, and native birds can be severely traumatised and abandon their nests. Fireworks also pose a serious risk to stock animals, making this an issue that extends beyond local neighbourhoods.

    Every year Kiwis try to raise awareness of the impact of fireworks, and private sales, however sales continue. Last year a survey found that nearly three-quarters of Kiwis were in favour of banning backyard fireworks, however despite the long-term debate on the sale of fireworks, no action was taken by the government .*Now is the time to act.

    Angela Mace, owner of Woodlands Dog Retreat, sees the impact firsthand, “Every year, we see dogs shivering in fear or cowering in the corner. Fireworks are terrifying for them, and it’s heartbreaking to watch. We’re urging the public to stand up for our animals and push for a ban on backyard fireworks.”

    According to a report in 2019, 74.4% of people noticed their animals displaying fear of fireworks, with common behaviours including hiding (70.8%), shivering (54.3%), and cowering (44.5%).  Despite these alarming figures, 71.9% of owners with frightened pets did not seek help or treatment for their animals. Instead, many kept their pets indoors (46%) or provided comfort (28.2%) to alleviate their distress.**

    “SPCA has been campaigning for decades for a ban on the private sale and use of fireworks. Fireworks cause significant fear and distress to animals, compromising their welfare,” says SPCA Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Arnja Dale.  “In addition to these harms, wildlife and other animals are sometimes targeted and injured or abused deliberately with fireworks.”

    Help to create a safer, less stressful environment for animals across New Zealand. Sign the world first Pawprint Petition to ban the private sale and use of fireworks here https://pawprintpetition.co.nz, add your name, and if you have a pet add their pawprint, to help bring about change.

    The world first Pawprint Petition: Ban Private Sale and Use of Fireworks on Behalf of the Animals of NZ is proudly bought to kiwis and their pets by Animates.

    Notes:

    *Survey conducted by AA Insurance, in 2023.

    **An article published in Veterinary Magazine, update (2019) on owner perceptions and management of the adverse behavioural effects of fireworks on companion animals https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00480169.2019.1638845

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –