NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Powerful performances by artists with disabilities to celebrate diversity at 2024 OzAsia Festival

    Source: University of South Australia

    17 October 2024

    Photo by Matt Byrne.

    Two films celebrating the dedication and tenacity of Korean and South Australian performers with and without disability will hit the big screen as part of the Asia-focused arts festival OzAsia.

    Counterpoise, which features nine artists from Adelaide-based Restless Dance Theatre and the Korean 29Dong Dance Theatre, is a contemporary black and white dance film created at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Directed by Larissa McGowan and Matt Byrne, the 20-minute dance film highlights the noise of life, as well as quiet loneliness within ourselves. Counterpoise’s detailed choreography melded with electrifying music by KOREAN MUSIC PROJECT using a combination of traditional and western instruments embedded with digital technology.

    Dancing Against the Odds, a documentary directed by Adelaide filmmaker Matt Byrne, follows the innovative and inclusive journey of making Counterpoise over three years. Produced by University of South Australia arts management experts Dr Boram Lee and Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM, the 60-minute film embraces diversity, inclusion and self-expression.

    Both films will screen on 29 October as part of the Adelaide Film Festival and OzAsia.

    The project began in 2020, when dancers could only collaborate virtually due to COVID-19. It wasn’t until 2022, when members from the three companies – Restless, 29Dong Dance Theatre, and KOREAN MUSIC PROJECT – could meet face-to-face in Adelaide for the first time and continue the bonds formed online.

    In 2023, Restless Dance Theatre had the opportunity to travel to Seoul, reuniting the team for a public preview of Counterpoise and workshops with Korean artists with and without disabilities. This journey not only expanded the project’s reach but also nurtured community connections, inspiring a deeper appreciation for inclusive arts.

    Dr Boram Lee says the project connected people across Australian and Korean borders to help foster a network of inclusivity and diversity through the arts.

    “After a three-year saga of overcoming international borders, language barriers, and perceptions of disability, we’ve transformed the impossible into a breathtaking reality,” she says.

    “This collaboration showcases the incredible power of public initiatives, made possible by the steadfast support of the Korean and Australian governments and our diverse partners.

    “With multiple layers of collaboration among dancers, musicians, academics and filmmakers, we’ve fostered deep people-to-people connections, and we’re excited to share our learning with communities around the world.”

    Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM says the project embraced diversity, inclusion and self-expression to help shift stereotypes around the capabilities of artists with disability.

    “These films present disability in a new light. They showcase what the dancers can do rather than focusing on what they can’t do,” she says.

    Counterpoise and Dancing Against the Odds is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and KOFICE as part of Kore·A·Round Culture 2023, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program, Australia-Korea Foundation, and Arts South Australia.

    Screening of the two films Counterpoise and Dancing Against the Odds

    When: Tuesday 29 October, 5:45pm

    Where: Palace Nova East End, Adelaide

    The screening will be followed by an artists’ talk moderated by Prof Ruth Rentschler and including selected dancers in the film, and Dr Boram Lee.

    More information available on the Adelaide Film Festival and OzAsia websites.

    Images

    Trailer

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

    Contacts for interview:

    Dr Boram Lee, Senior Lecturer in Arts and Cultural Management, UniSA E: boram.lee@unisa.edu.au

    Professor Ruth Rentschler OAM, Professor in Arts and Cultural Leadership, UniSA

    E: Ruth.Rentschler@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, UniSA Media M: +61 403 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Supply of four compact fluorescent lamp models, one washing machine model and three induction cooker models forbidden in HK (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (October 17) removed four compact fluorescent lamp models, one washing machine model and three induction cooker models from the record of listed models under the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance (the Ordinance). Supply of such products is no longer allowed in Hong Kong with immediate effect.
     
         Details of the products are as follows:
     
    Compact fluorescent lamp

    Importer/
    Hotline/
    Email
    Brand
    Model
    Reference number

    Beauty Shadow Co Ltd.
    2402 1920
    info@beautyshadow.com
    Sunshine
    3U-06 11W E27 6400K
    U2-L090061

    Sunshine
    3U-06 11W E14 6400K
    U2-L090063

    Smart Design
    3U-06 11W E27 6400K
    U2-L100263

    Select
    3U-06 11W E27 6400K
    U2-L120038

     
    Washing machine

    Importer/
    Hotline/
    Email
    Brand
    Model
    Reference number

    Uneedpro Electric Trading Company Limited
    2394 6060
    company@uneedpro.com.hk
    Thomson
    TM-FW1280
    U1-W230031

     
    Induction cooker

    Importer/
    Hotline/
    Email
    Brand
    Model
    Reference number

    Goldenwell Electrical Appliance Limited
    2690 9731
    goldenwell@wahfathong.com.hk
    Golden Well
    GW-IH2800
    I210036

    Toptech Co. Limited
    8203 1488
    info@toptech.com.hk
    ASKO
    HI1355G
    I220020

    E.P.S.A. Corporation Limited
    2235 0333
    cs@epsa.com.hk
    ecHome
    IDC2010T
    I230033

     
         The EMSD administers the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme in accordance with the Ordinance and selects samples of the listed models regularly for conducting compliance monitoring tests to check whether they conform with the energy efficiency and performance characteristics submitted to the EMSD. As the test results of the products concerned showed that they failed to reach the relevant energy efficiency and/or performance characteristics, the EMSD has decided to remove such products from the record of listed models.
     
         The EMSD has served notices under the Ordinance to the importers concerned. The importers will publish newspaper notices to announce the termination of supply of the products concerned.
     
         Members of the public can contact the above importers for enquiries.                                    

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ASA Declares Hobson’s Pledge Advertising Misleading and Socially Irresponsible

    Source: Te Pati Maori

    Te Pāti Māori Co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer welcome today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), which found that a Hobson’s Pledge advertisement regarding customary marine titles was misleading and socially irresponsible.

    The two-page wraparound ad, published in The New Zealand Herald, suggested that nearly the entire coastline of Aotearoa is under threat of being awarded to Māori through customary marine titles, implying that this would lead to widespread restrictions on public beach access.

    The ASA upheld more than 650 complaints, stating that Hobson’s Pledge’s claims were materially misleading and failed to substantiate their arguments. The Board also recognised that the advertisement unnecessarily perpetuated fear, further marginalising Māori.

    “This is exactly the kind of divisive and racist rhetoric that has no place in Aotearoa,” says Te Pāti Māori Co-leader Rawiri Waititi.

    “Hobson’s Pledge is playing on misinformation to sow fear and division. This campaign feeds into the age-old tactic of pitting Pākehā against Māori in an attempt to undermine Māori rights that are legally recognised, culturally significant, and protected under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”

    “The ruling highlights what we already knew—that this ad was not only misleading but also socially irresponsible on the part of Hobson’s Pledge and NZME,” said Co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

    “NZME and advertising outlets must take responsibility for the content they publish and promote, especially when it is harmful to Māori and perpetuates dangerous narratives.”

    “It is everyone’s duty to stop giving a platform to this kind of fear-based, racist, and misleading propaganda. It must continue to be called out for what it is,” Waititi said.

    “Te Pāti Māori stands strong in protecting the rights of tangata whenua and upholding our responsibilities as kaitiaki. It’s time for all of Aotearoa to stand with us in rejecting these damaging and deceptive campaigns.”

    “As we have demanded, NZME must now apologise to all tangata whenua across its platforms. It must apologise to all staff, their standards must be reviewed and there must be a commitment to the protection of tangata whenua,” said Ngarewa-Packer.

    “This ruling is a win for the truth and a reminder of our collective duty to honour Te Tiriti. This is the type of rhetoric this government continues to embolden.

    “Te Pāti Māori will continue to fight for a future where Māori rights are respected, and all New Zealanders understand the truth about our shared history and our collective path forward,” she said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Early completion and return of requisition forms urged

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) issued letters today (October 17) to remind payers of rates and/or Government rent who have not yet responded to the requisition form (Form R1A) issued to them in August to complete and return the form to the RVD immediately. They can complete and submit an electronic form (Form e-R1A) by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided on the RVD website (www.rvd.gov.hk). The website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form.

         The RVD issued about 350 000 R1A forms to payers of rates and/or Government rent in August to obtain occupation particulars, rents and tenancy details for different types of properties for assessing rateable values for the next general revaluation.

         “Irrespective of whether premises are vacant, let or owner-occupied, payers of rates and/or Government rent should complete and return the form within the specified period,” a spokesman for the RVD said.

         Under the Rating Ordinance or the Government Rent (Assessment and Collection) Ordinance, any person who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively and an additional fine equivalent to three times the amount of rates and/or Government rent undercharged.

         Payers of rates and/or Government rent are reminded to affix sufficient postage if they return the form by post to ensure a timely and successful postal delivery.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Opening ceremony and programme “Sound River” of 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival to be broadcast live 8pm October 19 (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The opening ceremony and programme “Sound River” of the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival will be held at the Hong Kong Coliseum this Saturday (October 19). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has arranged a live broadcast of the programme at 8pm that night. Members of the public should not miss the concert.
          
         The music piece “Sound River” is a new work by contemporary renowned Chinese composer and conductor Tan Dun. It will be performed by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival Orchestra, newly formed by members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra, under the baton of Tan as the world premiere. Sixteen meticulously crafted videos capturing precious footage during Tan’s journey from Europe, through the Arab world to Central Asia, then to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area over the past 12 years, will be screened during the performance. Through an audio-visual process, audience members can explore the past and future of the “Silk Road of sound”. The programme will also feature a performance by distinguished Mainland singer Zhou Shen as a special guest.
          
         Members of the public can enjoy the live radio, television and online broadcast of the programme at 8pm on RTHK Radio 4 (FM97.6-98.9), RTHK TV32, Phoenix Hong Kong Channel (Channel 85), Festival’s website (www.gbacxlo.gov.hk), RTHK website (www.rthk.hk), Ifeng (www.ifeng.com) and Feng Show APP. For more information about the programme and live broadcast, please call 2734 2960 or visit the above-mentioned website.
          
         The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival is presented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the People’s Government of Guangdong Province and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong is the host city of the festival for the first time this year. It is organising and co-ordinating over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the “9+2” cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchanges and co-operation among the cities. For detailed information about the rich programme line up of the festival, please visit http://www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.   

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Observatory Open Day “Working Together for a Better Climate” to be held

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) will hold the HKO Open Day on November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday), with the theme “Working Together for a Better Climate”.

         This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Open Day activities will not only showcase the various services of the HKO and enhance public understanding and awareness of climate change and extreme weather, but they will also provide a brief overview of the long-standing collaboration between the HKO and meteorological authorities in Mainland China and around the world over the years.

         Online pre-registration is required for the Open Day activities. Each applicant may request a maximum of four tickets free of charge. If there is an oversubscription, selection will be made by computer balloting. The online registration system will accept applications from today (October 17) to noon on November 1. Successful applicants will receive tickets with a QR code by email on or before November 16.

         Open Day details:

    Venue: Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters (134A Nathan Road, Kowloon)
    Date: November 30 and December 1 (Saturday and Sunday)
    Time: 9.30am to 5pm
    Remarks: The duration of each session is around one hour

         For more information on the Open Day activities, please visit the HKO website: http://www.hkoopenday.gov.hk/en/registration.
     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on U.S. Airstrikes in Houthi-Controlled Areas of Yemen

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Today, U.S. military forces, including U.S. Air Force B-2 bombers, conducted precision strikes against five hardened underground weapons storage locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. U.S. forces targeted several of the Houthis’ underground facilities housing various weapons components of types that the Houthis have used to target civilian and military vessels throughout the region. This was a unique demonstration of the United States’ ability to target facilities that our adversaries seek to keep out of reach, no matter how deeply buried underground, hardened, or fortified. The employment of U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers demonstrate U.S. global strike capabilities to take action against these targets when necessary, anytime, anywhere. 

    For over a year, the Iran-backed Houthis, Specially Designated Global Terrorists, have recklessly and unlawfully attacked U.S. and international vessels transiting the Red Sea, the Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis’ illegal attacks continue to disrupt the free flow of international commerce, threaten environmental catastrophe, and put innocent civilian lives and U.S. and partner forces’ lives at risk. At the direction of President Biden, I authorized these targeted strikes to further degrade the Houthis’ capability to continue their destabilizing behavior and to protect and defend U.S. forces and personnel in one of the world’s most critical waterways.

    Again, the United States will not hesitate to take action to defend American lives and assets; to deter attacks against civilians and our regional partners; and to protect freedom of navigation and increase the safety and security in these waterways for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels. We will continue to make clear to the Houthis that there will be consequences for their illegal and reckless attacks. I am grateful for the professionalism and skill of the brave American troops who took part in today’s actions and who continue to stand guard in defense of our Nation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: For Deaf people, train travel can be a gamble. But an AI-powered Auslan avatar can help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Korte, Senior Lecturer, School of Computer Science, Queensland University of Technology

    Denis Belitsky/Shutterstock

    For Deaf people, train travel can be a gamble. On an average day, nothing goes wrong: they catch their train to their destination and carry on with their business.

    But when something out of the ordinary happens, the situation can quickly get scary, because most updates are only delivered by audio announcements. A Deaf traveller may miss their train because it was moved to a different platform, or watch as their station whizzes by because the train isn’t stopping there today. They may also remain on a train carriage in an emergency after everyone else has evacuated, and have to be rescued by station staff.

    Every single one of these examples has been drawn from the real life experiences of Deaf people in Sydney. But my colleagues and I are working with Sydney Trains and members of the Australian Deaf community to develop an advanced, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered signing avatar which can automatically translate audio announcements into Auslan.

    Our work on the avatar also builds towards the next step: developing AI systems which can “understand” Auslan.

    Journeys don’t always go to plan

    Earlier this year, my colleagues and I ran a pilot study with three Deaf train travellers in Sydney. As well as the stories they shared about what can go wrong during train travel, we learned they use tried and tested strategies for making their journeys go smoothly.

    Their strategies might be familiar to regular commuters. For example, they would plan their journeys with an app, arrive early and look for signage to let them know if anything had changed.

    But they also said they felt they needed to stand near information screens to watch for updates, and ask station staff or other passengers for information when the situation had changed. They also reported being hypervigilant while on the train, watching to make sure they don’t miss their stop.

    But these strategies didn’t always ensure Deaf travellers received important information, including about emergencies. For example, while usually helpful, station staff were sometimes too busy to assist.

    The greatest frustration came in situations where other passengers weren’t willing or able to provide information, leaving our Deaf travellers to just “follow the crowd”. This often meant ending up in the wrong place.

    Developing a signing avatar

    Speech-to-text software might seem like an easy solution to some of these problems. But for many Deaf people, English is not their native language and Auslan can be processed far more easily and quickly.

    Our Deaf travellers told us that, in a perfect world, they would want live interpreters. However, automatic, AI-powered translation using a signing avatar displayed on a platform or train screen which could identify key words in an audio announcement, generate a sentence with correct Auslan grammar, and stitch together the corresponding signs from our vocabulary library was appealing for a number of reasons.

    Avatar by Maria Zelenskaya, QUT. Auslan by Julie Lyons, QUT.

    First, it allows for real-time translation of announcements that use known vocabulary – which is relevant in the trains-and-stations context, where many announcements cover similar topics.

    Second, an avatar and its signing can be customised to the needs of a given situation, such as using information about screen location to ensure the avatar signs in the right direction while pointing out exits or other platforms.

    Third, multiple signers can contribute signs to an avatar’s vocabulary, which can then be smoothly stitched together to make a sentence.

    And importantly, an avatar means no real person has to be the “face” of an organisation’s automatically generated announcements. This is particularly important because the Australian Deaf community is small and close knit, and if something goes wrong with the translation, nobody suffers any reputational damage.

    From a technical point of view, an avatar also allows us to ensure a minimum quality threshold for signing. We’re using motion capture to make sure each sign in our vocabulary library is accurate, and movements are clear.

    It also helps us avoid the “uncanny valley” – an effect where something human-like but subtly wrong is unsettling. We don’t want any of the many-fingered monstrosities you may have seen recently generated by AI.

    AI for everyone

    This work is one step in our broader aim of creating an AI system which can understand Auslan. This AI could be used to help Deaf and hearing station staff converse, or to create “chatbot booths” or app-based assistants that would allow Deaf people to get information on demand in Auslan about their train journeys or other daily tasks.

    Sign languages and Deaf cultures around the world have nuances and complexities that hearing researchers and developers of AI may not be aware of. These nuances and complexities must be embedded in new technologies, and researchers and developers must take a language-first approach to AI data collection and design with – not just for – Deaf people.

    Only then will AI meet Deaf people’s real needs: to ensure their safety and independence in every aspect of daily life.

    Jessica Korte has received funding from Qvest Australia, a technology solutions partner to Sydney Trains.

    – ref. For Deaf people, train travel can be a gamble. But an AI-powered Auslan avatar can help – https://theconversation.com/for-deaf-people-train-travel-can-be-a-gamble-but-an-ai-powered-auslan-avatar-can-help-241016

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Emerging market buyers embrace Canton Fair

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Buyers from emerging markets are steadily taking the lead at the 136th session of the China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, replacing those from Europe and North America as the primary participants, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    The global trade event, held twice a year in Spring and Autumn, is being held from Tuesday through Nov 4, in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province.

    A total of 125,000 overseas buyers had registered for the 136th session of the fair by Oct 9. Among them, about 76 percent are from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, while 12.5 percent are from North America and Europe, said the Ministry of Commerce.

    The driving forces behind this trend include the diversification of China’s export markets, rising business and consumer demand in emerging markets and shifting global trade dynamics, as economies in Southeast Asia, North Africa and South America become increasingly integral to global supply chains.

    “These economies often show strong demand for the industrial products and consumer goods available at the Canton Fair,” said Chu Shijia, director of the Guangzhou-based China Foreign Trade Center under the Ministry of Commerce, one of the Canton Fair organizers.

    As China is in the midst of a green transformation, its traditional exports — like household appliances and industrial equipment — are also making room for a fresh wave of technologically advanced and eco-friendly products, further meeting the needs of buyers from both developed and developing markets, said Han Yonghui, a professor specializing in foreign trade at Guangzhoubased Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

    Emerging markets represented by Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, with their vast market potential and promising development prospects, are attracting a growing number of Chinese enterprises seeking business opportunities, according to a report jointly released by Deloitte and WorldFirst, an international payment services provider.

    As the internationalization of Chinese manufacturers and traders reaches a more mature stage, an increasing number of enterprises are embarking on a deeper level of internationalization — transitioning from product exports to establishing operations overseas — according to the report released on Monday in Guangzhou.

    This involves contract fulfillment supported by the integration of “local entities, local operations and local supply chains”. For instance, according to data from WorldFirst, the number of Chinese merchants using the payment platform to expand their overseas operations in the first quarter surged 56 percent year-on-year.

    Between 2018 and 2023, China maintained high growth rates of exports to its major trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Middle East and Latin America, with compound annual growth rates generally exceeding 10 percent, according to the report.

    “Over years of development, we have seen an increased number of trade partners from emerging markets,” said Li Zhaoying, CEO of ChillSun Technology Co.

    The company, based in Huizhou, Guangdong, is attending the Canton Fair. “In addition to maintaining sustainable growth in developed markets, we are making efforts to reach more trade deals with buyers from emerging markets, especially those from member countries of ASEAN,” said Li.

    Xiao Lu, deputy director of the department of foreign trade at the Ministry of Commerce, said China’s new trade growth drivers are gaining momentum. Armed with accumulated capital and technology, Chinese companies are eager to demonstrate their innovation and technological strengths, leveraging digital and green concepts to shape the future direction of the market.

    “For instance, China-made new energy vehicles are now reaching over 170 countries and regions worldwide,” Xiao said.

    Over a million new products and items with proprietary intellectual property rights will be showcased at the Canton Fair this time, including a range of humanoid robots, smart devices and autonomous driving products making their debut, said the Ministry of Commerce.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Central Command Conducts Multiple Strikes on Underground Iran-Backed Houthi Weapons Facilities

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Oct. 16, 2024
    Release Number 20241016 – 01
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted multiple, precision airstrikes on numerous Iran-backed Houthi weapons storage facilities within Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen that contained various advanced conventional weapons used to target U.S. and international military and civilian vessels navigating international waters throughout the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

    These actions were taken to degrade the Houthi’s capability to continue their reckless and unlawful attacks on international commercial shipping and on U.S., coalition, and merchant personnel and vessels in the Red Sea, Bab Al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, and to degrade their ability to threaten regional partners.

    CENTCOM forces targeted the Houthi’s hardened underground facilities housing missiles, weapons components, and other munitions used to target military and civilian vessels throughout the region.

    U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets, including U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers, were part of the operation. The employment of the B-2 bomber demonstrates U.S. global strike capabilities to reach these targets, when necessary, anytime, anywhere.

    Our battle damage assessments are underway and do not indicate civilian casualties. We will provide updates as information is confirmed.

    -30-

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Trentham brigade welcomes Melbourne Cup trophy

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Jockey Jamie Kah, former Australian Basketballer Chris Anstey and members of the Trentham Fire Brigade pose with the Melbourne Cup

    Trentham Fire Brigade had a day to remember yesterday when the iconic Melbourne Cup trophy, along with the world’s top-ranked female jockey, Jamie Kah, paid a special visit to the local fire station.

    The stop was part of the annual Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour, which sees the iconic trophy travel across Australia and internationally.  

    This year, Trentham was chosen as one of the destinations, thanks to the efforts of local pub owner and Australian basketball legend Chris Anstey, who successfully applied to bring the Cup to the picturesque town. 

    Chris said he hoped the visit would shine a light on the important work of the Trentham Fire Brigade.  

    “Bringing the Cup to Trentham was a unique opportunity to celebrate the community, and the CFA are such a big part of that,” Chris said.  

    “CFA volunteers give so much to protect our community and often go underappreciated. 

    “We wanted to recognise the work they do, and this Melbourne Cup visit was a small gesture to thank them and let them know how much we appreciate what they do on behalf of the town.” 

    Captain of the Trentham Fire Brigade, David Wheeldon, said he never imagined having the iconic trophy in his hands.  

    “It’s heavier than I thought it’d be!” David said. 

    “It’s fantastic what Chris has been able to bring to the town, and we’re thrilled he shared the experience with the brigade.”  

    David added that he hoped the event might inspire a few people to join the brigade, especially with summer fast approaching. 

    “This kind of event is great publicity. We’re always on the lookout for new members, particularly as we head into what could be a high-risk fire season,” he said. 

    He also reminded the community of the importance of preparation ahead of the summer fire season. 

    “As the hotter months approach, it’s essential for everyone to be prepared. On hot, dry, windy days, fires can start and spread rapidly.  

    “If the Fire Danger Rating is Extreme or Catastrophic, leaving early is always the safest option. 

    “Plan ahead, talk with your family about when to leave and where you’ll go.”  

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Forestry firefighters brief Minister on bushfire preparations

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Forestry firefighters brief Minister on bushfire preparations

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional NSW

    Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty has met with Forestry Corporation fire specialists to discuss bushfire preparations on the Mid North Coast.

    Minister Moriarty attended Forestry Corporation’s Wauchope depot to speak with fire crews, who are geared up and ready to put their training into action protecting forests and communities during the NSW bushfire season.

    Forestry Corporation is one of the state’s four fire authorities joining the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and National Parks and Wildlife.

    The organisation oversees land management, bushfire preparation and response across more than 2-million hectares of state forests.

    Forestry Corporation has more than 500 trained firefighters rostered on to respond to state forest fires across NSW.

    Firefighters are trained in national firefighting competencies and its highly experienced managers undertake Incident Management Team roles on major firegrounds.

    Forestry Corporation has a statewide fleet of more than 450 fire appliances, 35 pieces of heavy plant, four contracted aircraft and over 130 drones and trained pilots.

    Heavy plant machinery, which the broader forestry industry uses to harvest sustainable timber is also available to fight fires.

    This machinery including bulldozers, excavators and specialist harvesting machines are used to create control lines for firefighting, set up back burns and remove dangerous trees for firefighting safety.

    In 2023/24 Forestry Corporation firefighters and fire managers were engaged in a total of 184 fires, this impacted 98,250 hectares of land.

    During the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, this heavy plant machinery played an instrumental role in stopping the spread of fast burning bushfires saving life, property and assets across NSW.

    Outside of the bushfire season, Forestry Corporation also conducts forest hazard reduction burns and undertakes cultural burns in partnership with local Aboriginal communities.

    Forestry Corporation also sends its expert fire specialists abroad in the winter months to assist international firefighting agencies in the Northern hemisphere.

    Six staff members deployed to the United States and Canada this year and last year Port Macquarie local Matt Model was one of Forestry’s fire specialists, who deployed to Canada bringing back firefighting skills and expertise to the region.

    Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarty:

    “The NSW Forestry Corporation has managed fire in state forests for more than 100 years.

    “Forestry Corporation’s trained firefighters work in State forests every day of the year, protecting lives, the environment, forestry resources and local communities.

    “They have decades of experience in managing forest fires, working with the RFS, managing heavy equipment across major firegrounds and maintaining thousands of kilometres of fire trails,

    “When bushfires are reported in our NSW state forests, our forest firefighters rapidly respond using their large fleet of appliances and bringing in heavy plant machinery from the broader forest and timber industry.”

    Forestry Corporation Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards Rebel Talbert:

    “As one of the four statutory firefighting authorities in NSW, Forestry Corporation works collaboratively with the other agencies to protect communities, the environment and the State’s essential timber assets from the risk of fire.

    “We are well prepared heading into the fire season with a workforce of skilled firefighters, a fleet of equipment, drones and heavy plant ready to deploy and networks of fire trails and fire towers maintained to aid rapid detection and early suppression of fires.

    Forestry Corporation Fire and Operations Team Leader, Wauchope, Matt Model:

    “In managing more than 200,000 hectares of state forests here on the Mid North Coast, we keep the Mid Coast Bush Fire Management Committee briefed on fuel loads and fire conditions in state forests.

    “Since the Black Summer Bushfires here on the Mid North Coast firefighting technology has been rapidly expanded across NSW to include drones and satellite technology, which this summer will  help our crews with early detection, mapping, response and containment of forest fires.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More homes for Orange to be delivered through new planning pathway

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: More homes for Orange to be delivered through new planning pathway

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

    As part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to confront the housing crisis, a proposal from Landcom to deliver 330 new homes in Orange, with 20 per cent of these homes being identified as affordable housing, is on exhibition for community feedback.

    This rezoning proposal for Redmond Place Precinct at Orange is the first site recommended to progress through the Social and Affordable Housing Rezoning Pathway, one of the Government’s earliest policies to reform the planning system.

    The policy implements a faster, simplified rezoning process for the state’s housing agencies; Homes NSW, Landcom and the Aboriginal Housing Office, to speed up the delivery of social and affordable housing.

    This pathway adds to the planning reforms introduced by the Minns Labor Government over the past 12 months aimed at delivering more homes faster.

    The proposal aims to amend the Orange Local Environmental Plan (OLEP) 2011 to allow the rezoning of vacant Council-owned land for a residential precinct.

    The public exhibition opens on Monday 21 and will close on Monday November 12, 2024.

    To make a submission or find out more, visit the NSW Planning Portal at https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr/redmond-place-orange

    Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

    “This proposal will deliver good housing outcomes for Orange.

    “The NSW Government is committed to exploring suitable housing opportunities across the state which promote economic diversity, innovation and sustainability.

    “We need to confront the housing crisis head on by using all levers we can pull to speed up the delivery of new homes.

    “The Social and Affordable Housing Pathway is an important part of the NSW Government’s plan to boost affordable housing stock across the State.

    “Our State’s future depends on more affordable homes being built for families. This is critical because if NSW loses our young people, then NSW loses its future.”

    Member for Orange Phil Donato said:

    “The proposal from Landcom in partnership with Orange City Council will help meet the growing demand for housing in regional New South Wales.

    “I encourage everyone to have their say on this proposal from Landcom.

    “Let’s make the great Australian dream of owning a home a reality!”

    Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said:

    “There is still work to do but this is a great milestone to reach for Orange. The community has some strong views on how the city should be developed and how we can address affordability. It’s great to see the vision reflected in the rezoning proposal. I urge Orange residents to get involved in this latest step to seek feedback.”

    Landcom CEO Alex Wendler said:

    “The development will provide new homes to accommodate the changing needs and demographics of the Orange region and offer more opportunity for households to buy their own home.

    “I look forward to working with Council and the community as we progress with the project to deliver much needed housing.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Workshops to help new councillors Hit the Ground Running

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Workshops to help new councillors Hit the Ground Running

    Published: 17 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Local Government

    A series of training sessions for almost 1,300 newly elected councillors will kick off today to provide essential information for councillors to effectively serve their communities over the next four years.

    The Office of Local Government will be hosting ‘Hit the Ground Running’ webinars for several weeks to help new and returning councillors understand their duties and responsibilities.

    The webinars will cover a wide range of important topics including financial management, appropriate conduct and ethical decision making, roles and responsibilities, corruption risks and prevention, meeting practices and strategic planning.

    The state’s 128 councils employ more than 50,000 people, invest more than $15 billion each year in the delivery of services and around $7 billion on new and existing infrastructure.

    Overseeing this work is a critical responsibility and these training sessions will ensure councillors can commence the new term of council with a strong understanding of the job ahead of them.

    The webinars will also assist councils with satisfying the requirement to deliver training for new and returning councillors within six months of their election. Councillors will receive a certificate of attendance for each webinar they participate in to help councils comply with their reporting obligations regarding councillor training.

    Session dates and details including how to register, can be accessed by councils via the ‘Hit the Ground Running’ webpage on the Office of Local Government’s Council Portal here: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/council-portal/hit-the-ground-running/

    Further resources for councillors including a Councillor Handbook are available here: https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/councils/councillors/

    Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

    “I congratulate all the mayors and councillors elected across the state last month for stepping up to serve their community.

    “Being a councillor carries significant responsibility and it’s imperative those who have been elected know what’s expected of them so they can carry out their duties to the best of their ability.

    “I strongly encourage all councillors to participate in these webinars to learn more about local government and how they can make the most of their time on council.

    “Councillors have four years ahead of them to make a difference for the people they have been elected to represent.

    “I urge them to grasp this opportunity with both hands and use the time productively to shape a better future for their community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Faster NBN for hundreds of thousands more South Australians

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    More than 225,000 homes and businesses in South Australia are now able to upgrade to a world-class, full fibre NBN broadband connection thanks to investment from the Albanese Government.
     
    The Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion in NBN Co over four years to give 1.5 million more households and businesses affordable access to full fibre to the premises, including over 660,000 in regional communities.
     
    This is on top of our commitment to ensure the NBN remains in public hands, with legislation introduced just this week to ensure the NBN is not for sale.
     
    We know that communities across the country are benefitting from high-speed fibre connections, with speeds up to 18 times faster than the average broadband connection over copper.
     
    Only by keeping the NBN in public hands will these significant fibre upgrades continue to be delivered to provide access to affordable, world class broadband speeds.
     
    Faster connections also enable South Australians to connect more devices simultaneously, such as smart TVs and home security systems, as we conduct our lives increasingly online.
     
    Almost 28,000 homes and businesses across the state have already ordered a full fibre upgrade, and demand continues to grow – with Australians using more data than ever.
     
    The local government areas of Port Adelaide Enfield, Playford, Charles Sturt, Salisbury and Onkaparinga lead the way with the highest number of fibre connections.

    In addition to those already eligible for an upgrade, a further 13,500 premises across the state, will progressively become eligible for full fibre upgrade by the end of 2025.
     
    Average data usage in Australia has increased 10 times over the last 10 years, with the average home now downloading over 450 Gigabytes per month across 22 internet-connected or smart devices. By the end of the decade demand is forecast to increase to 1 Terabyte per household monthly.
     
    By the end of 2025, more than 10 million premises on the fixed line network will have access to full fibre connections able to deliver speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second.
     
    The fibre upgrades are available on demand when an eligible household or small business takes out an eligible higher speed tier plan.
     
    To find out if your premises can access full fibre now or in the future, visit: https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fibre#checkaddress.
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “Fast and reliable full fibre broadband can be a gamechanger for families and businesses who have struggled with dropouts and slow speeds over copper.”

    “It’s essential infrastructure in 2024 – not a luxury. That’s why the Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to support NBN Co’s fibre upgrade program, and introduced vital legislation to ensure this critical national infrastructure remains in public hands to keep broadband affordable.”
     
    “I encourage households across South Australia to check the NBN Co website to see if you are eligible for a full fibre upgrade to enjoy the benefits of faster broadband speeds at home or work.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government investing in Auckland and Wellington rail reliability

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government has announced how $101.7 million in Budget 2024 funding for metro rail networks will be split between Auckland and Wellington to address the maintenance backlog and deliver more reliable services for commuters in our main cities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

    “The Auckland metro rail network will receive $48.8 million, while Wellington’s network will see investment of $52.9 million. This funding will support network upgrades across Auckland’s metro rail lines and upgrades to the Johnsonville, Kāpiti, and Hutt Valley lines in Wellington.   

    “Delivering reliable, effective, and efficient public transport is a top priority for our Government. We know that improving service reliability is key for commuters choosing public transport as a travel option in our main cities, reducing congestion on our roads.  

    “The investment we are making in Auckland and Wellington will enable KiwiRail to carry out critical work on rail assets across the network. This includes upgrades to level crossings, retaining walls, points equipment, sleepers, and tunnels. Culverts will also be replaced, and improvements made to bridges and critical drainage infrastructure.   

    “Delivering these upgrades in Auckland and Wellington will improve overall reliability and efficiency for commuters. This investment package, coupled with the ongoing investment our Government is making in rail, will enable commuters in Auckland and Wellington to get where they need to go quickly and safely.

    “Alongside this investment, the Government is continuing to review the Metropolitan Rail Operating Model (MROM) to develop a more sustainable funding model for metropolitan rail, including who pays for what, and ensure the services and infrastructure is focused on prioritising passenger movements in an efficient and reliable way,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on October 16, 2024

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,40,974.48 6.30 5.00-6.50
         I. Call Money 8,755.18 6.44 5.10-6.50
         II. Triparty Repo 3,90,913.55 6.28 5.90-6.43
         III. Market Repo 1,40,357.75 6.33 5.00-6.50
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 948.00 6.45 6.40-6.50
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 1,906.22 6.43 5.85-6.50
         II. Term Money@@ 645.00 – 6.65-6.90
         III. Triparty Repo 210.00 6.45 6.40-6.45
         IV. Market Repo 1,637.29 6.56 6.49-6.60
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 38,133.00 6.49
    3. MSF# Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 5,872.00 6.75
    4. SDFΔ# Wed, 16/10/2024 1 Thu, 17/10/2024 73,858.00 6.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,06,119.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 04/10/2024 14 Fri, 18/10/2024 44,275.00 6.49
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Tue, 15/10/2024 2 Thu, 17/10/2024 26,060.00 6.49
      Mon, 14/10/2024 4 Fri, 18/10/2024 24,070.00 6.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    5. On Tap Targeted Long Term Repo Operations€ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 250.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 2,275.00 4.00
    6. Special Long-Term Repo Operations (SLTRO) for Small Finance Banks (SFBs)£ Mon, 15/11/2021 1095 Thu, 14/11/2024 105.00 4.00
    Mon, 22/11/2021 1095 Thu, 21/11/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 29/11/2021 1095 Thu, 28/11/2024 305.00 4.00
    Mon, 13/12/2021 1095 Thu, 12/12/2024 150.00 4.00
    Mon, 20/12/2021 1095 Thu, 19/12/2024 100.00 4.00
    Mon, 27/12/2021 1095 Thu, 26/12/2024 255.00 4.00
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,222.87  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -83,642.13  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,89,761.13  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on October 16, 2024 9,76,272.62  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending October 18, 2024 10,01,756.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ October 16, 2024 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on September 20, 2024 4,18,318.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    € As per the Press Release No. 2020-2021/520 dated October 21, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/763 dated December 11, 2020, Press Release No. 2020-2021/1057 dated February 05, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/695 dated August 13, 2021.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    £ As per the Press Release No. 2021-2022/181 dated May 07, 2021 and Press Release No. 2021-2022/1023 dated October 11, 2021.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/1312

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Tripleplay and quadrupleplay to drive overall multiplay services market in South Korea during 2023-2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Tripleplay and quadrupleplay to drive overall multiplay services market in South Korea during 2023-2028, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    South Korea’s multiplay services market is set for steady growth between 2023 and 2028, driven primarily by tripleplay and quadrupleplay bundles. Increased demand for high-speed fiber broadband and value-added services like IPTV and OTT video will boost household spending on these packages. While doubleplay remains dominant, quadrupleplay is projected to see the fastest growth, supported by fixed-mobile convergence adoption, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s South Korea Multiplay Forecast Model (Q1 2024) reveals that South Korea’s multiplay service revenue is expected to see a gradual yet consistent increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1% from $6.2 billion in 2023 to $6.6 billion in 2028.

    The aggregate increase in total multiplay households will be supported by operators discounted multiplay bundles centered on high-speed fiber broadband services. The growth in multiplay households will however remain tepid i.e., at a CAGR of 0.3% over the forecast period, given the growing popularity of OTT video services that are often bundled with fiber broadband plans.

    Hrushikesh Mahananda, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “The average monthly household spend on overall multiplay bundles is forecast to increase from $27.09 in 2023 to $28.02 in 2028, driven by the growing adoption of relatively high-cost tripleplay and quadrupleplay services and service bundles offerings inclusive of IPTV services and value-added OTT services.”

    Doubleplay services will account for majority of the multiplay households through 2028. Quadrupleplay services, on the other hand, are estimated to increase at the fastest rate over the forecast period and are expected to garner about 23% share of the total multiplay households by the end of 2028, owing to the growth in fixed mobile convergence household penetration.

    Mahananda concludes: “The three major operators KT Corp, SK Telecom, and LG Group are offering discounts on fixed broadband and multiplay plans with a goal to bring down churn and increase revenue-generating units (RGUs). KT Corp will lead the overall multiplay services market through 2028, given its strong subscriber base in triple-play and quad-play services.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Consumer sustainability demands drive Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Consumer sustainability demands drive Thailand’s food and beverage companies to shift to circular packaging, says GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Thailand’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a significant shift towards sustainability as regulatory pressures and consumer demands for eco-friendly packaging continue to rise. With sustainability increasingly at the forefront of business strategies, industry leaders like Tetra Pak Thailand are taking significant steps to drive the adoption of circular packaging solutions. Underlining the trend, 90% of respondents in a recent survey stated that they choose sustainable feature as essential/nice to have when deciding to make a purchase*, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    In response to growing environmental concerns, the Thai government has implemented stronger regulations targeting waste reduction and promoting circularity. The Second National Action Plan on Plastic Waste (2022-2027) and the Sustainable Packaging Act are part of the government’s broader effort to tackle plastic waste and improve recycling rates. These regulations compel F&B manufacturers to adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks, ensuring that packaging is responsibly managed from production through disposal.

    Kakarlapudi Karthik Varma, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “With sustainability becoming a priority for consumers, brands are adapting to meet these expectations. F&B manufacturers are increasingly turning to renewable and recyclable materials as they seek to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.

    “Tetra Pak Thailand has been at the forefront of circular packaging innovations, offering solutions that not only meet regulatory requirements but also align with consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging. Other manufacturers have also taken initiatives, such as Kao Industrial Thailand’s partnership with SCG Chemicals Co., Ltd (SCGC) and Dow Thailand Group to create recyclable, low-carbon packaging.”

    Francis Gabriel Godad, Consumer Business Development Manager, GlobalData India, adds: “Tetra Pak’s four-step approach—focused on resource conservation, energy recovery, operational efficiency, and environmentally neutral production processes—highlights the company’s commitment to advancing sustainability in the F&B industry. Their packaging materials, including FSC-certified paperboard, contribute to the shift towards a circular economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.”

    Varma concludes: “With the introduction of the Sustainable Packaging Act and the continuous pressure from consumers, Thailand’s packaging industry is at a turning point. Collaboration among businesses, government entities, and industry leaders like Tetra Pak is crucial in creating a future where packaging is no longer considered waste but a valuable resource within the circular economy.

    “The shift towards 100% recyclable and renewable packaging is on the horizon, and stakeholders in the F&B sector must proactively stay ahead of regulatory trends and consumer demands.”

    *GlobalData 2024 Q2 Consumer Survey – Thailand was conducted with 502 participants

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance India’s maritime security in IOR, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines to enhance India’s maritime security in IOR, says GlobalData

    Posted in Aerospace, Defense & Security

    In a significant move towards bolstering maritime security, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved the indigenous construction of two Project 75-Alpha nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). The procurement of indigenous nuclear-powered submarines capable of undertaking hunter-killer operations positions the Indian Navy as a formidable force capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’s report, “Global Submarine Market Analysis and Forecast to 2033”, reveals that India will be spending about $31.6 billion on procuring various types of submarines over the next 10 years. Out of which, 30.5% will be directed towards the procurement of Project 75-Alpha SSNs during the same period. India is expected to procure a total of six SSNs under this program at an estimated value of $17 billion.

    Udayini Aakunoor, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The acquisition of SSNs is a strategic move by India to modernize its Navy and tackle regional security challenges. To be built at the Ship Building Centre located in Vishakhapatnam with participation from the domestic private sector, they are expected to boost the country’s autonomy in complex naval shipbuilding.

    “Designed to operate at greater depths and for longer durations than conventional submarines, the SSNs will enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to perform multiple roles, ranging from offensive operations to intelligence gathering, while also enabling it to maintain a continuous and discreet presence in strategically important maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Malacca, the Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf.”

    With their unlimited underwater endurance and offensive power, the SSNs will enable India to project power in the Indo-Pacific region while supporting self-reliant advancements in critical defense technologies. These advanced SSNs, coupled with the Indian Navy’s P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, would enhance the service’s ability to detect and track Chinese submarines operating in the IOR.

    Aakunoor concludes: “India will also likely use these Project 75-Alpha SSNs to protect its in-service Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which serves as the sea-based leg of the country’s nuclear triad. This, in turn, will enhance India’s second-strike capability as the survivability of its fleet of Arihant-class SSBNs will increase significantly owing to the protection provided by the Project 75-Alpha SSNs.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A man lived to old age without knowing he may have had 3 penises

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Meyer, Senior Lecturer, Anatomy and Pathology, James Cook University

    Life science/Shutterstock

    Do you really know what you look like on the inside? Most people do not, and usually it takes surgery or medical imaging to take a look while we are still alive.

    A case study was published last week where researchers made the rare finding of a man with “triphallia”. Most people would say the man had three penises. But anatomists, like myself, who teach health professionals about the structure of the human body, prefer the term penes (plural of penis).

    This finding emerged from the dissection of the body of a 78-year-old man who had donated his body to science. It is a case that has left many anatomists scratching their heads, and ignited discussions about typical human anatomy and anatomical variation.

    I too have an extra organ – an extra spleen – plus other anatomical variations regarding two muscles. It is highly likely you might also have anatomical variations, and not necessarily know.

    Back to this case

    According to the latest study, only one penis was externally visible. But when his body was dissected, there were two extra, smaller penises inside the scrotum.

    The main penis was 77mm long and 24mm wide, with the smaller ones about half the size. However, the images provided in the study don’t seem to match the written descriptions in all places. So the study does need clarification.

    Intriguingly, researchers identified a single urethra – the hollow tube from the bladder that allows urine (and sperm from the testes) to leave the body. This urethra travelled from the bladder through part of one of the smaller penises and along the length of the main penis, leaving out the third penis entirely.

    Was there a misunderstanding in identifying these anatomical structures? Could the second penis simply be a misidentified part of the main one? Is this actually a case of diphallia – two penises? In either case, the man’s anatomy was different to what you’d typically see in anatomy textbooks.

    The study suggests all three penises contained erectile tissue capable of engorgement. But it remains unclear whether they worked independently or together. Unfortunately, the authors did not confirm structures by examining them under the microscope, or report tracing the nerves or blood vessels, to shed more light.

    Not everyone’s anatomy looks like the textbooks.
    kocakayaali/Shutterstock

    There was an earlier case in a baby

    A separate case of someone with three penises, which was documented in 2020, involved a three-month-old infant.

    In this instance, the main penis was in its typical position, but you could see the extra ones on the perineum (between the anus and the scrotum in males).

    Neither of the extra penises had a urethra, making them incapable of functioning typically. Ultimately, these non-functional penises were safely removed.

    Such cases are rare, with only these two examples reported in medical databases.

    So how does this happen? The answer may lie in how embryos develop.

    Early in development

    The penis begins to develop early in the first trimester of a 40-week pregnancy, a time when a woman may not know she’s pregnant.

    During this critical period, the embryo may be exposed to various influences. These include toxins passed through the bloodstream if the mother falls ill, takes certain drugs while pregnant or is exposed to certain chemicals. There are also genetic factors that shape how organs develop.

    By the fifth week of pregnancy, cells migrate to the midline of the embryo, where they help form the precursor to the penis.

    Problems in this migratory process, abnormalities in a developmental gene (called “sonic hedgehog”), or fluctuations in testosterone levels or receptors during early fetal development, could potentially lead to the formation of additional penises.

    The penis develops early in the first trimester of pregnancy.
    Sebastian Kaulitzki/Shutterstock

    Humans are varied

    While the appearance of triphallia may be startling, these rare cases highlight a broader point: our anatomy can vary significantly. Just as individuals differ in their external appearances, so too does our internal anatomy.

    For example, there are anatomical variations in blood vessels, organs, muscles, nerves and even bones that may not be readily visible.

    Indeed, incidental findings during my own medical examinations have found I have a supernumerary (or extra) spleen, called a splenunculus, an extra flexor digitorum longus muscle (in my leg), and I’m missing both palmaris longus muscles (in my forearms).

    While my anatomical variations are internal, a common example of a visible external anatomical variation are extra nipples. These can be mistaken for moles and can also result from developmental issues in the early weeks of pregnancy.

    Why is this important?

    Cases like the man said to have three penises are important reminders of the complexities of human anatomy and the many factors that can influence our bodies from the very start of development.

    Exploring these rare findings emphasises the importance of continued research in anatomy and embryology.

    These findings also highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle for people intending to fall pregnant and who are already. This is so growing embryos can have the best chance of developing typical anatomy.

    Amanda Meyer is affiliated with the Australian and New Zealand Association of Clinical Anatomists, the American Association for Anatomy, and the Global Neuroanatomy Network.

    – ref. A man lived to old age without knowing he may have had 3 penises – https://theconversation.com/a-man-lived-to-old-age-without-knowing-he-may-have-had-3-penises-241475

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Sustainability Data Book 2024: Update on Key Points of Medium-Term Environmental Action Plan GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024

    Source: Panasonic

    Headline: Sustainability Data Book 2024: Update on Key Points of Medium-Term Environmental Action Plan GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024

    Panasonic Group announced its Sustainability Data Book 2024 on August 30. This fact sheet provides an overview of the key progress of GREEN IMPACT PLAN 2024 and our efforts to solve environmental issues in an easy-to-understand infographic-format. For more detailed information, please refer to the full Sustainability Data Book 2024.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Drug Charges – Operation Kint

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Drug and Organised Crime Unit have arrested 6 offenders in relation to the largescale supply of drugs across the Territory.

    Operation Kint was launched in May 2024 to specifically target known commercial suppliers and distributors of illicit substances. Since its launch, investigators have been gathering evidence and identifying members from a known Outlaw Motorcycle Gang who have had significant influence on the Greater Darwin drug trade.

    Yesterday, Investigators arrested two men, aged 48 and 56, outside a hotel in Darwin. Police will alleged the 48-year-old was in possession of $201,000 in cash while the other had just transported 31kg of cannabis from Melbourne to be distributed.

    These arrests prompted investigators to immediately execute 8 separate search and seizure warrants across the Greater Darwin Area.

    As a result of these searches, including the hotel arrest operation, police have seized in total:

    • $447,430 cash
    • 35.5kg of cannabis
    • 3 vehicles
    • Traffickable and less than traffickable quantities of methamphetamine
    • A substance believed to be commercial MDMA
    • An unsecured firearm
    • Nun chucks, knuckle dusters and an extendable baton
    • 5 ice pipes
    • An encrypted communication device
    • Items indicative of drug supply

    A further 4 men, aged 33, 50, 51 and 54, were arrested during the searches.

    All 6 men have since been charged with:

    • Possess/Supply Commercial Quantity Sch2 dangerous drug
    • Possess/Use Tainted Property

    All have been remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

    Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Gardiner said “These arrests have significantly disrupted the illicit drug trade across Darwin and are the direct result of hundreds of hours of comprehensive police work.  

    “ Drug Syndicates, with influences from Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, cause untold harm throughout our community. They fuel crime and financially cripple vulnerable members of the Territory, while having a complete disregard for the impacts of their actions.

    “Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are not welcome here, and members should be aware that any attempt to operate an organised crime network will be disrupted by the Northern Territory Police.  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Instrumental change for NZSO Board

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Three new members are being appointed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Board to help ensure it’s focused on bringing value to New Zealanders, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

    “The trio of new members, James Christmas, Karyn Rachtman and Susannah Robinson, have expertise across fundraising, philanthropy, Crown governance, sector experience and revenue generation.

    “James Christmas is a barrister based in Auckland with a background in government and the arts, which will be an asset to the NZSO.

    “Karyn Rachtman is a highly experienced music supervisor for iconic film soundtracks. She is a passionate advocate of New Zealand talent which makes her a natural fit for New Zealand’s premier orchestra.

    “Susannah Robinson is highly accomplished in fundraising, philanthropy and governance, both in New Zealand and abroad. Susannah’s governance experience in arts and culture has recently included her role as a trustee for the Auckland Art Gallery Foundation.

    “I would like to acknowledge the outgoing members, Claire Szabó and Hon Chris Finlayson KC, for the crucial roles they have played on the Board during their terms.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Boards Appointment

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed the appointment of Fletcher Tabuteau as Chair of the Te Puia New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute (NZMACI) Board. 

    Mr Tabuteau (Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue) was a teacher at Rotorua Boys’ High School, a lecturer in Economics, and head of the Business School at Waiariki Institute of Technology. He now runs Hoporona Consulting and serves as Director of Capital Government Relations and Communications. 

    “I want to congratulate Fletcher on his appointment to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Board,” says Mr Potaka.

    “His experience in governance, management, and business will be an asset to the Board and the important work they do to encourage and promote ahurea and toi Māori.”

    Located in Rotorua, NZMACI is home to Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau (National Wood Carving School), Te Takapū o Rotowhio (National Stone and Bone Carving School), and Te Rito o Rotowhio (National Weaving School).

    With a 60-year legacy, NZMACI has a strong history of producing highly skilled crafts people. 

    “At its core, NZMACI fosters the protection and transfer of mātauranga Māori. It is an integral part of the Rotorua economy and the wider Māori economy, contributing to the sustainable development of scenic and tourist attractions in the Rotorua district and across the motu.”

    He Whakatūnga ki Te Puia

    Kua whakatūturungia e te Minita Whanaketanga Māori, e Tama Potaka, te whakatūngia o Fletcher Tabuteau hei Upoko o te Poari o Te Puia (NZMACI).

    He pouako o mua a Mr Tabuteau (Ngāti Ngāraranui, Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāti Whakaue) i Te Kura Tuarua mō ngā Taitama o Rotorua, he pūkenga i te Mātai Ōhanga, ko ia hoki te upoko o te Kura Pakihi i Te Whare Takiura o Waiariki. Ko tāna i āianei he whakahaere i te Hoporona Consulting, he noho hoki hei Kaiarataki i ngā Hononga Rawa ā-Kāwanatanga me ngā Pāpāhotanga.

    “E tōmina ana au ki te whakamānawatanga o Fletcher i tāna whakatū atu ki te Poari o Te Puia,” te kupu a Potaka.

    “Ka whai hua mārika te Poari i ōna wheako i ngā ao o te kāwanatanga, te whakahaerenga, me te pakihi, ā, ka whai hua hoki ki ā rātou mahi i te akiākina me te whakatairangahia o te ahurea me te toi Māori.”

    Kei Rotorua te NZMACI, ā, koia tērā ko te kāinga o Te Wānanga Whakairo Rākau, Te Takapū o Rotowhio, me Te Rito o Rotowhi.

    E 60 tau te whakapapa o NZMACI, ā, kua roa nei tāna whakaputanga i ngā pūkenga me ngā ringa rehe.

    “I tōna iho, ko tā NZMACI he poipoi i te tiakina me te whāngaia o te mātauranga Māori. He wāhanga hirahira hoki nō te ōhanga o Rotorua me te ōhanga Māori whānui, nā, e whāngai ana i te whanaketanga toitūtanga o ngā whakapoapoatanga ā-taiao, ā-tūruhi hoki i Rototua, puta hoki nei i te motu.

    “Mā te whakatū ngā mātanga pūmanawa ki ngā taraipiunara me ngā poari e kino ai te painga o te whakapakarihia o te ōhanga, me te tukuna o ngā ratonga tūmatanui pai ake.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Stimulus plan seen around 10 trln yuan

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s much-anticipated fiscal stimulus package could amount to somewhere around 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion), which would represent reasonable and moderate funding to address the most immediate issues facing the world’s second-largest economy, policy researchers and advisers said.

    They underlined the need for policymakers to avoid any overly massive stimulus that could come at a heavy cost, but instead advance deeper, wider reforms along with the stimulus package to secure a more sustainable transition in growth drivers.

    Sheng Zhongming, a research fellow at CF40 Institute, affiliated with the China Finance 40 Forum think tank, said China must confront the key structural issues of local debt risks, government outstanding payables to businesses, real estate concerns and the recapitalization needs of banks.

    Effectively addressing these issues will require at least 10 trillion yuan in additional public funds over several years, Sheng said, adding that he anticipates an annual debt swap program of around 2 trillion yuan, with a cumulative total of 5 to 6 trillion yuan required to substantially reduce the debt load in heavily indebted regions.

    Charlie Zheng, chief economist at Samoyed Cloud Technology Group Holdings, said that a fiscal stimulus package of around 10 trillion yuan may be essential in 2025 to tackle the key issues highlighted by the finance minister.

    The proposed package, which could be financed by ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, would primarily focus on local debt swaps and bank recapitalization, while alleviating the property sector’s challenges and supporting people in difficulties, Zheng said.

    However, he emphasized that China should not rely solely on stimulus measures to revive the economy, warning of the potential for high inflation and an imbalance between the State-owned and private sectors that could result from overreliance on government spending.

    China must advance reforms to boost the private economy at the same time, Zheng said, urging policy clarity for private entrepreneurs that any business is permissible unless prohibited by law, while explaining to government officials that any governmental behavior is infeasible without legal authorization.

    Discussions of the size of China’s stimulus package heated up after Finance Minister Lan Fo’an said on Saturday that the country plans to increase the debt limit by a large scale and replace local government hidden debt, while recognizing there is “relatively large space” for the central government to raise debt and increase the deficit.

    The market is waiting for the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress — the country’s top legislature — to convene in late October or early November to approve the specifics of the plan.

    Gong Liutang, a professor of applied economics at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, said that if the stimulus package comes to about 10 trillion yuan, it won’t be “overly aggressive” given that China’s annual GDP has reached 126 trillion yuan.

    “The key is for the government to comprehensively communicate with the public regarding details of the package as soon as possible so as to provide more certainty to the market and ensure a steadier recovery in confidence,” said Gong, who is also a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body.

    Compared with the stimulus program initiated in 2008, Gong said the latest round of policy buffer should focus more on enhancing consumption and preventing resource misallocation, with increased spending on education, healthcare and social protection, as well as subsidies for low-income and unemployed individuals.

    Upon the recent bigger-than-expected policy stimulus announcement, Goldman Sachs has raised its forecast for China’s real GDP growth from 4.7 percent to 4.9 percent this year and from 4.3 percent to 4.7 percent in 2025.

    “The Chinese government has clearly made a turn on cyclical policy management and increased its focus on growth,” a Goldman Sachs report said, adding that a significant policy offset is needed next year due to the property market’s lingering drag on GDP growth and the possibility of slowing export growth.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Housing market in major Chinese cities heating up over stimulus

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken from Jingshan Hill on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the skyscrapers of the central business district (CBD) on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Home sales in major Chinese cities are ticking up this month, as a series of recent stimulus measures have boosted homebuyer sentiment.

    The early signs of recovery in the housing market in big cities offer some relief as Chinese authorities seek to stimulate the world’s second-largest economy by stabilizing the property market.

    The struggling property sector has been a major drag on China’s economy over the past few years, with cash-strapped developers and high inventories of unsold homes and unfinished projects.

    In a bid to prop up the housing market, Chinese authorities in late September ordered to cut mortgage rates for existing loans, lower down payment ratios and relax purchase restrictions.

    The cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen introduced their versions of stimulus measures for local housing markets just before the National Day holiday.

    This came in late September, when a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee underlined the need for efforts to reverse the real estate market downturn and stabilize the market.

    The stimulus package has proven effective in boosting homebuyer sentiment in big cities quickly. This month, many housing sales centers in major cities are packed with clients as many once hesitant homebuyers are again jumping into the market.

    On Sunday, 744 customers signed up to vie for 332 flats in a Shenzhen housing project, and all the flats were sold out in three and a half hours, a rarity before the stimulus package was announced.

    The market rebound started with the week-long National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7. According to Leyoujia, a housing agency in Shenzhen, the conversion rate of home buyers for new homes — the ratio of finalized deals to all customers who have visited a real estate project — jumped to 12 percent from 2 percent.

    Liu Xiaofei, a sales manager at property developer LVGEM Group in Shenzhen, said the new stimulus has greatly boosted the market and confidence, helping to increase the conversion rate and shorten the decision-making process.

    During the holiday, buyers in Shenzhen signed initial purchase contracts for 1,841 new homes, up 664.1 percent from a year earlier, local data showed. Meanwhile, homebuyers signed contracts for 2,316 second-hand homes last week, a weekly transaction record in nearly three years, according to housing agency Leyoujia.

    Liu believes the housing market is stabilizing after hitting a trough, but more measures are needed to further boost consumer confidence.

    In Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, homebuyers had signed initial purchase contracts for 6,687 new homes, up 137 percent year on year, after home purchase restrictions were lifted on Sept. 29, the Guangzhou Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau said on Oct. 12. The bureau attributed the strong growth to policy incentives and sales promotions by developers.

    In Shanghai, 1,334 second-hand homes were traded on Sunday, the daily record in more than a year, according to the website of the Shanghai Real Estate Trading Center.

    The daily number of more than 1,000 shows that second-hand home transactions are very active in Shanghai, said Lu Wenxi, an analyst with real estate agency Centaline Property.

    A Shanghai homebuyer, surnamed Zhang, was a beneficiary of the stimulus. The down payment ratio for second-home purchases was lowered to 25 percent, allowing him to improve his living conditions much sooner, Zhang said.

    The market also heats up in Beijing. The number of second-hand home transactions here nearly doubled from the previous month and surged more than 150 percent year on year from Oct. 1 to 15, according to Leng Hui, an analyst with the research institute of Lianjia, a major second-home realtor.

    Li Yifeng, deputy research chief at China Index Academy, said Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen still have room to loosen housing policies to further stabilize the property market in the future.

    Economic fundamentals are key to stabilizing the property sector and expectations, and if the economic recovery accelerates in the fourth quarter with stimulus measures, the property market in key cities could stabilize, and a similar result could even be expected for the market nationwide, Li said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hainan to issue dim sum bonds in HK

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The country’s southernmost province of Hainan plans to issue up to 3 billion yuan ($421.8 million) in offshore renminbi bonds in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, marking its third consecutive year of tapping the dim sum bond market.

    The People’s Government of Hainan and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority jointly hosted an investor roadshow on Wednesday to promote the bond sale. This follows Hainan raising 5 billion yuan through a mix of green, blue and sustainable bonds last year, and a 5 billion yuan offering in 2022.

    This year’s bond sale is expected to include three tranches: a three-year green bond for environmental and social sustainability projects, a five-year bond for general government use, and a 10-year blue bond focusing on ocean-related initiatives.

    The pricing of the bonds is expected to take place on Thursday.

    Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR government Joseph Chan Ho-lim said that the sale “marks Hainan’s first 10-year long-term offshore renminbi bond, further enriching Hong Kong’s renminbi financial product offerings and supporting the internationalization of renminbi”.

    “For years, Hong Kong has been Asia’s largest international bond issuance center and hosts the world’s largest offshore renminbi liquidity pool,” he added.

    Chan noted that Hainan’s bond issuance in Hong Kong demonstrates the SAR’s crucial role as a “superconnector” between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world, and “super value-adder” in international finance.

    Kenneth Hui Wai-chi, the executive director (external) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said the bond structure reflects the mainland authorities’ commitment to sustainable development and the national “30/60 dual carbon” goal, referring to peak CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.

    Hui noted the fundraising amount will be used for critical areas such as marine protection, water pollution control, and projects supporting public welfare in healthcare and education.

    The island province posted a 766 billion yuan GDP last year, marking an increase of 9.2 percent year-on-year.

    Li Lei, deputy director of the Department of Finance of Hainan province, said that Hainan’s local government debt balance stood at 410.6 billion yuan in 2023, accounting for 54.4 percent of the province’s GDP.

    From 2020 to June this year, the Hainan free trade port recorded duty-free imports totaling 20.75 billion yuan, with total tax exemptions reaching 4 billion yuan, Li added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi encourages students to actively engage in sci-tech innovation

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged representatives of students participating in China International College Students’ Innovation Competition 2024 to promote the spirit of science and actively engage in technological innovation.
    Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to them.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How can Australia make housing affordable for essential workers? Here are 4 key lessons from overseas

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicky Morrison, Professor of Planning and Director of Urban Transformations Research Centre, Western Sydney University

    GettyImages

    Essential workers such as teachers, health workers and community safety staff play a vital role in ensuring our society works well. Yet soaring housing costs in cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are squeezing essential workers out of the communities they serve.

    The issue is reaching crisis point across Australia. Anglicare Australia yesterday released a special edition of its Rental Affordability Snapshot focused on essential workers in full-time work. Housing costs under 30% of household income are considered affordable. In a survey of 45,115 rental listings, it found:

    • 3.7% were affordable for a teacher
    • 2.2% were affordable for an ambulance worker
    • 1.5% were affordable for an aged care worker
    • 1.4% were affordable for a nurse
    • 0.9% were affordable for an early childhood educator
    • 0.8% were affordable for a hospitality worker.

    This trend is creating unsustainable patterns of urban sprawl and long commutes. It erodes workers’ quality of life. It also undermines public service delivery by making it harder to recruit and retain these workers in high-cost areas.

    International experience, particularly in the UK where I have advised on similar policies, shows there are solutions to this crisis. These global lessons fall into four categories.

    Essential workers face long commutes from home when they can’t afford to live in the communities they serve.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    1. Define essential worker housing

    Essential worker housing typically targets front-line public sector workers on low to middle incomes. Yet eligibility should extend to support roles, such as ambulance drivers, porters and medical receptionists, who play a vital part in enabling front-line services. They too struggle to find affordable housing near their workplaces.

    Conditions of eligibility should also include a cap on household earnings.

    The UK experience highlights the importance of providing both rental and ownership options. To keep key worker housing affordable and accessible over time, both types need to be priced appropriately.

    Australian cities could adopt similar approaches, by requiring housing developers and community housing providers to allocate affordable housing for essential workers. Prices would be below market rates for both rentals and home ownership for the long term, and not revert to market rates. This ensures stability for public service workers.

    2. Financial innovations focused on long-term affordability

    Innovative financial models, such as shared equity schemes, have succeeded in the UK. These allow workers to gradually buy into their homes, creating long-term stability.

    Shared equity involves the government or another investor covering some of the cost of buying the home in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. Australia could explore similar schemes to provide immediate relief while ensuring sustained affordability for future essential workers.

    This approach could build on the Commonwealth’s proposed Help to Buy scheme, currently before the Senate, and existing state and territory shared equity programs. These may need refinement to better serve essential workers by, for example, adjusting income thresholds and eligibility criteria to ensure they qualify. These schemes also need to expand to cover all urban areas where housing affordability is most strained.

    3. Leverage planning systems

    Countries like the UK have leveraged their planning systems to deliver affordable housing for key workers. In England, planning authorities use mechanisms such as Section 106 agreements to ensure a portion of new developments is reserved for key worker housing as a condition of planning approval.

    Australian states could adapt this model, setting targets within existing planning frameworks. For example, they could use Voluntary Planning Agreements to prioritise essential worker housing.

    Yet essential worker housing should not displace housing for other people in urgent need. They include people who are homeless, low-income families, people with disabilities, the elderly, those at risk of domestic violence, veterans and youth leaving foster care.

    4. Use public land for housing development

    The use of surplus public land for essential worker housing has proven successful in several cities, including London, Amsterdam and San Francisco.

    Earmarking land owned by the public sector, such as hospital or education sites, is a strategic way to deliver affordable housing near key public sector employers. It also allows staff to travel to work nearby using sustainable transport instead of cars.

    Affordable housing has profound benefits

    Without action, essential workers are likely to be forced into lower-quality, high-cost housing, shared accommodation, or long commutes from more affordable areas. Over time, these patterns of job-housing imbalances and urban sprawl are unsustainable. These issues are the focus of my current research, particularly in Western Sydney.

    The New South Wales government has set up a parliamentary select committee to inquire into options for essential worker housing. It’s bringing much-needed attention to the housing crisis affecting key public sector roles.

    Tackling these issues through targeted housing solutions has many benefits. It can help create more sustainable communities, reduce recruitment and retention difficulties for employers and ease the strain on infrastructure and services.

    The key takeaway from the UK and other countries is the importance of long-term, sustainable solutions that do not shift the focus away from those most in need of housing. Australia has the opportunity to strike this balance. We need to ensure essential workers can afford to live near their workplaces while not sidelining everyone else in need of affordable housing.

    Nicky Morrison 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. How can Australia make housing affordable for essential workers? Here are 4 key lessons from overseas – https://theconversation.com/how-can-australia-make-housing-affordable-for-essential-workers-here-are-4-key-lessons-from-overseas-239934

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –