Source: ASEAN
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today shared his thoughts and perspectives on regional integration and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 during an interview with The GIOI and Viet Nam Newspaper, on the sidelines of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN shares his perspectives with The GIOI and Viet Nam Newspaper appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: Ministers for Social Services
E&OE TRANSCRIPT
MATT SMITH, LABOR CANDIDATE FOR LEICHHARDT: Good morning, my name’s Matt Smith. I’m the ALP’s candidate for the Federal seat of Leichhardt. Today, I’ve got Minister Amanda Rishworth and Jen Rees from Surf Life Saving here for a really important announcement around accessibility to our beaches and national parks. One of my favourite memories with my children is taking them to the beach and listening to them squeal and run away from the waves, that interaction with the ocean that so many Australians and tourists take for granted. Unfortunately, the beach can be a tough place if you’re in a wheelchair. Sand is not particularly conducive to wheels, and this announcement gives the beach back to everybody, the national parks back to everybody. So, you can take your children down, you can listen to them enjoy themselves, you can have that experience that you had growing up and share that with the next generation.
It’s also fantastic for the tourist industry here in Queensland. Opening up our national parks and our beaches to everybody provides another string to our already well-heeled bow. Giving people the opportunity to experience all that Far North Queensland has to offer, regardless of their ability to move, is really important and gives us an opportunity to share our truly beautiful part of the world. I’ll hand over now to Minister Rishworth to go over some more of the details of what is a truly special announcement today.
AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: It’s so wonderful to be here with Matt Smith, Labor’s candidate for the Federal seat of Leichhardt, and of course Jen and the other surf lifesavers here at Palm Cove. Today we’re announcing a fund called Accessible Australia. This funding will be to partner with state governments and local councils and other organisations, such as Surf Life Saving clubs, to ensure that our beaches and other natural spaces are more accessible.
We know that we have some of the best beaches, I might argue with Matt about where in Australia they’ll be, but according to Accessible Beaches Australia, a charity that does a lot of work in this area, only 2 per cent of our beaches are actually accessible for people with disabilities. So, that’s cutting up a whole lot of opportunities for so many people to just enjoy the beautiful sand and the water here in Australia.
We want to change that, and we also want to make sure that people have access to our national parks, some beautiful national parks here in North Queensland, but also around Australia. And so, funding will be available, for example, for beach wheelchairs, all terrain wheelchairs, for matting, for grading, to allow more accessibility to our beaches and our parks.
In addition, there will be funding to allow for the investment into what’s called Changing Places. These are important facilities that allow not only disability friendly toileting spaces but also showers and other really important facilities. We were willing to partner with state governments when it comes to these facilities to work with the community to make our natural environment much more attractive.
I did want to take this opportunity to commend Surf Life Saving Queensland and the work they’ve been doing with the local councils and community members. Here in North Queensland – here at Palm Cove, Mission Beach – there is already, importantly, access to the beach because of the Mobi matting and the wheelchair accessibility. And just hearing Jen talk about the impact that that can have in terms of accessibility for nippers, for the wider community is really, really important.
I’d really like to commend the work being done by Surf Life Saving Queensland along with their local councils to really focus on this accessibility. It really is to be commended, and we hope that this fund, Accessible Australia, will help accelerate the work that’s being done, and thank all of them for the work they do. Hearing Jen talk about the wraparound support that clubs get to support, whether it’s a participant in the Surf Life Saving club or perhaps a visitor at the beach, is so important so that everyone can enjoy our natural resources. So, I’d like to thank them. I’d like to thank particularly Palm Cove Surf Life Saving Club for hosting us here today and appreciate the work they’re doing. I’ll now hand over to Jen from Surf Life Saving Queensland.
JEN REES, SURF LIVING SAVING NORTH QUEENSLAND: Here in tropical North Queensland we’re very proud that four out of our five Surf Life Saving clubs have got beach wheelchairs, and we’ve got two clubs with mats that roll out. So, part of Surf Life Saving Queensland’s inclusive action plan, we’re looking at how we communicate out to the community, and they can go on our website and they can find existing beaches, they can find out what facilities are available and what’s not available. Here in Palm Cove, at least, it’s like the council supporting us with a wheelchair that has access to the beach, and Port Douglas is supported by Douglas Shire Council with their wheelchair. And then Ellis Beach has had a fantastic donation from the Muslim community with another additional wheelchair, and down Mission Beach they’ve also had a donation. So, the community is banding together to see what [indistinct]. Surf Life Saving Queensland been taking a holistic approach.
JOURNALIST: How do we select which clubs or which beaches receive this funding?
JEN REES: So, that’s available through clubs and beaches throughout Queensland on the website, and you can look up accessible beaches and there will be information and photographs on what facilities are available.
SPEAKER: And out of all of the Surf Life Saving clubs, obviously, like, a particular one is going to get change rooms. How is that selected?
JEN REES: So, that’s listed under the club. So, we have a [indistinct]. So, for example, this club here, you’ve got accessibility to the supporters’ club, you’ve got an indoor accessible toilet, change room and shower, you’ve got an elevator up to any sort of function room. So, all of that’s actually listed on the website.
SPEAKER: And in terms of the Mobi matting, is that just rolled out through the lifeguard hours, like, when the lifeguards are open?
JEN REES: Yes. So, it’s important that there is a service on, the lifeguards and lifesavers have a service on. And then during that service, if you come up and you would like to use it, we’ll roll it out, we’ll get the chair out, and we’ll support getting everything ready. And then that person does need a carer with them to put them into the chair. We’ve also got adaptable sports programs and a lot of resources available to clubs who want to do adaptable sport. And our state program now – we have state sports events coming up which have adaptable events in them. So, members with a disability have got a modified sporting environment where they can compete and participate.
JOURNALIST: So, if this funding [indistinct] Far North Queensland, what difference will that make?
JEN REES: It’s fundamental to consultation. So, any parent with someone with a disability or any adult with a disability, they’re going to look and see, can I go to the toilet, can I shower, can I participate, is there a program that’s modified to suit my needs. So, the resources are available and the support’s available for any club who does have a new member come into their environment.
AMANDA RISHWORTH: We will be partnering with state and territory governments, along with local councils and Surf Life Saving clubs to deliver this funding where the need is. Surf Life Saving Queensland is so far advanced in their planning, we certainly look forward to supporting them along with other organisations and state governments and local councils. So, we’ll be working with the Queensland Government, partnering with them, through them, with the Surf Life Saving clubs and the councils.
In terms of your question about the impact this has, the impact that just simple things such as Mobi matting or beach wheelchairs changes the whole experience for someone with a disability. They are able to get into the water, they’re able to touch the water, feel the sand. It has such a huge impact. And just a few days ago in my own electorate in South Australia, we had an event, surfing for the disabled, and the smiles on these people’s faces where they haven’t been able to access the water, enjoy the waves, was really something special.
JOURNALIST: The funding’s $17.1 million. How much of that is going to be spent here in regional Queensland?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Oh, look, we will have to work through that with state governments, but we expect over 350 sites to be able to access the funding.
JOURNALIST: Can you give us a rough idea of how many sites in Far North Queensland?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, it will be about working through with the State Government. What I would say, though, is that the work that Surf Life Saving Queensland’s done and the readiness that they have to have the equipment available, to have the support for the Surf Life Saving clubs puts them in a very, very good position to access the funding.
JOURNALIST: What’s the goal of the funding… [indistinct]?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: We want to work with state and territory governments. Obviously, they have the predominant responsibility for access to the built environment, but we can see the work being done on the ground. As Jen mentioned, community members are raising money. A lot of money comes from philanthropic organisations. So, I don’t necessarily have a goal, but I would like to see it a lot more accessible, working with state and territory governments. I’m hoping with the Commonwealth putting funding on the table, we can unleash and leverage funding also from state governments and local councils.
JOURNALIST: Do we have a rough figure of how many mobile matting and wheelchairs will be added?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: We think approximately there’ll be 350 sites nationally that will have improvements. That will include not just the Mobi matting – but potentially the Changing Places. They vary in cost. So, look, we’re open to the flexibility because what we want to do is make sure we’re delivering. But we are hoping to open up not only the Mobi matting, not only the wheelchairs, but also the Changing Places and other equipment that makes our natural spaces more inclusive.
JOURNALIST: Minister, we’re told that four out of five Surf Life Saving clubs up here already have those facilities in place that help that experience. Where will this funding be most needed in Australia?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, there is always more we can do. As we heard from Jen, for some places it’s about having the wheelchairs, for others it’s about the matting, for others it’s about the changing rooms and the changing spaces. So, look, we want to make sure that places across Australia are getting access to it. But it’s places like this, with the work that Surf Life Saving Queensland has already done, that puts it in a prime position to access this funding. Because of course, what we know is it’s not just about the equipment, it is the care and attention on the ground. As Jen mentioned, this is available when there’s a lifeguard service available, people have to be trained. So, the work that Queensland Surf Life Saving has done has put them in a prime position to look at how they can better improve the beaches here in North Queensland.
JOURNALIST: For places like this that already have a wheelchair, a Mobi mat, and potentially great change rooms, how are they going to benefit from this funding?
AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, of course we always can do better and there will be organisations that will have certain requests, maybe they want another wheelchair, maybe they need more matting, maybe in some places the matting needs to be replaced. They’ve already got the skills and abilities. So, look, we’ll work through that in more detail, but as you can see here, the investment made by the local council is having a real difference for people and we want to see that more available across Australia for local residents, but also for tourists alike.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Press Release
VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France — February 25, 2025
Dassault Systèmes Announces Centric Software’s Acquisition of AI-Powered PXM Solution, Contentserv
Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced that its subsidiary Centric Software, the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) market leader, has signed an agreement to acquire Contentserv, a leading provider of product information management (PIM) and product experience management (PXM) solutions for an enterprise value
of €220 million. Centric Software provides the most innovative enterprise solutions to plan, design, develop, source, price and sell products such as apparel, fashion, home, footwear, sporting goods, consumer electronics, cosmetics, food & beverage and luxury to achieve strategic and operational digital transformation goals.
Founded in Germany in 2000, Contentserv enables fast-moving consumer goods and other companies to create and manage product content intuitively and effectively by means of AI to optimize consumer experiences across all digital sales channels. With Contentserv solutions, retailers, brands and manufacturers are able to execute strategies such as more or simply better product offers, regions and sales channels for increased product sell-through.
With over 1600 customers in 90 countries, Contentserv users have reported ROI such as a 30% reduction in time to market, 70% faster catalog creation, 75% more accurate product information and increased sales channel coverage in more languages.
Fashion and consumer goods brands and retailers continue to pivot around changing consumer trends and constantly evolving stock keeping units (SKUs) while also diversifying sales channels including own-stores, own e-commerce sites, marketplaces and social media. Harnessing and leveraging product information from inception through to commercialization are critical steps that not only reduce time to market, improve market success and also ensure accuracy for compliance labeling. Consumer loyalty is also increased via contextualized and personalized brand experiences.
“At Contentserv, we don’t just manage product data – we transform it into seamless, high-converting product experiences that drive revenue,” explained Michael Kugler, CEO of Contentserv. “This data flows in from multiple sources and formats and consumers expect accurate, rich and engaging product experiences, anytime, anywhere and across every conceivable channel and touchpoint. “Manufacturers and retailers strive to continuously refine and optimize product presentation based on insights from consumers, competitors and marketplaces. Contentserv meets these challenges with our AI-powered Product Experience Cloud (PXC), transforming product data into real revenue.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Contentserv to the Centric Software family. Both companies share a customer-focused, innovation culture,” said Chris Groves, CEO of Centric Software. “By integrating Contentserv into the Centric family of solutions – from PLM to planning to competitive market intelligence, pricing & inventory optimization and visual boards – brands, retailers and manufacturers can seamlessly turn product content into enriched, market-ready experiences that drive engagement and conversion. In today’s competitive market, time-to-market and product experience go hand-in-hand. Together with Contentserv, our joint innovations will ensure that the moment a product is developed, it’s enriched, optimized and ready to convert.”
The transaction is due to close in the coming weeks subject to regulatory approval and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions: http://www.3ds.com
ABOUT DASSAULT SYSTÈMES
Dassault Systèmes is a catalyst for human progress. Since 1981, the company has pioneered virtual worlds to improve real life for consumers, patients and citizens. With Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, 350,000 customers of all sizes, in all industries, can collaborate, imagine and create sustainable innovations that drive meaningful impact. For more information, visit: www.3ds.com
Dassault Systèmes Press Contacts
Corporate / France Arnaud MALHERBE arnaud.malherbe@3ds.com +33 (0)1 61 62 87 73
North America Natasha LEVANTI natasha.levanti@3ds.com +1 (508) 449 8097
EMEA Virginie BLINDENBERG virginie.blindenberg@3ds.com +33 (0) 1 61 62 84 21
China Grace MU grace.mu@3ds.com +86 10 6536 2288
Japan Reina YAMAGUCHI reina.yamaguchi@3ds.com +81 90 9325 2545
Korea Jeemin JEONG jeemin.jeong@3ds.com +82 2 3271 6653
India Priyanka PANDEY priyanka.pandey@3ds.com +91 9886302179
Attachment
Source: Panasonic
Headline: Panasonic PR People Vlog #6: CES 2025
Han Ying
I have experience living in China, the US, and currently live in Japan. When I was a university student, I majored in marketing and minored in communications. I joined the Panasonic Group in 2020, and have worked in the PR department ever since. It’s become a custom of mine to go on many trips abroad, and as an ISFJ (Defender), I love to make plans before every trip. Delicious food and dancing are important parts of my life, too.
Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –
At the popular science marathon “Darwin Week” junior researcher of the A. A. Trofimuk Institute of Oil and Gas Geology and Geophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, engineer of the scientific and educational center “Evolution of the Earth” Faculty of Geology and Geography of Novosibirsk State University, paleontologist Vsevolod Efremenko told which dinosaurs lived in Chukotka and Sakhalin, where to look for their remains and how representatives of the paleofauna adapted to life beyond the Arctic Circle. At present, it is reliably known that 12 species of dinosaurs lived in Siberia. Scientists have discovered about 30 places in Russia where their remains have been preserved to this day, but this does not mean that dinosaurs lived only in those places. It is possible that they lived everywhere, but, unfortunately, bones and teeth, and even more rarely – imprints of feathers and fur, are preserved only in certain conditions.
— Scientists very rarely find complete dinosaur skeletons. Even finding bone joints is a great success for paleontologists. In 95% of cases, they find teeth, vertebrae, bones or their fragments, parts of skulls and jaw fragments. A significant part of the finds are shells, remains of insects and other invertebrates, imprints of fish and fossil plants — in terms of biomass, they all significantly exceeded dinosaurs. In addition, for their remains to be preserved for tens of millions of years, special conditions are required, which are possible when many factors come together, which is a rather rare phenomenon. Nevertheless, all this makes our work more interesting, — said Vsevolod Efremenko.
The remains of dinosaurs should be looked for in sedimentary rocks, which are the compressed remains of ancient lakes, rivers and swamps. They are usually formed in an aquatic environment, contain fossils and are destroyed fairly quickly on the earth’s surface. The remains of prehistoric animals are not preserved in volcanic and metamorphic rocks. Success in the search for dinosaurs can be expected if it is possible to determine the places where the shores of seas, rivers or lakes, as well as swamps, used to be, and to determine the excavation sites by their contours.
At the beginning of the Cretaceous period, 145 million years ago, the position of the continents on our planet was already close to the modern one, only the oceans occupied a significantly larger area, and there were no polar ice caps in the polar region. In Siberia and Asia there was a mountainous terrain, and dinosaurs could have lived in the intermountain plains along the banks of rivers and lakes. Closer to the extinction – 66 million years ago – the continents occupied an even closer position to the modern one, and sedimentary basins are almost no longer observed in Siberia. Accordingly, there are almost no sedimentary rocks in which paleontologists can count on finds from that period. Therefore, the remains of dinosaurs of that period could not have been preserved. But in the Far East, the situation was different, so paleontologists discover very interesting finds there.
— The climate in the Cretaceous period was quite comfortable for dinosaurs — moderate in the Arctic, warm northern in Siberia, and close to subtropical in the Transbaikal Territory. This is evidenced by the climatic reconstruction made on the basis of paleoflora. Dinosaurs could easily settle throughout the territory of Eurasia, Siberia, including Chukotka and Sakhalin. Even in Antarctica, fossil birds are found that once felt quite comfortable in those places, — explained Vsevolod Efremenko.
The most ancient dinosaurs discovered in Russia lived in the Jurassic period (201-145 million years ago). In Siberia, two of their locations are known – in the Krasnoyarsk and Transbaikal regions.
The most famous dinosaur of Transbaikalia was found in the vicinity of the village of Kulinda. Scientists have named it Kulindadromeus transbaikaliensis. It lived in these places about 168 million years ago. It was a small non-avian dinosaur of modest size (about the size of an average dog) covered in feathers and scales. It combined bird and reptilian features and was most likely warm-blooded.
In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, in the vicinity of the village of Sharypovo, the remains of two dinosaurs of the Jurassic period were discovered: several bones of the predatory tyrannosaurid kilesk (a distant relative of the tyrannosaurus) and many bones of several stegosaurs, from which a whole skeleton was later assembled. Surprisingly, the bones of this herbivorous dinosaur were found among numerous shells of prehistoric turtles in a coal quarry.
— Paleontology is a very creative science. We can guess from individual bones what genus and species of dinosaur they belong to, and then reconstruct the entire skeleton. This was the case with the kileskos, which hunted stegosaurs. The remains of these ancient animals are found next to each other. But in order not to damage the priceless finds, the paleontologist must work very carefully in the excavation. Since all the bones are scattered, it is necessary to clearly record the position of each of them, so that when assembling the dinosaur skeleton, you do not end up with a chimera, — the paleontologist explained.
In the Cretaceous period (145-66 million years ago), the diversity of dinosaurs was enormous. At least a dozen sites of their remains have been discovered in Siberia. One of the largest is in the vicinity of the village of Shestakovo in the Kemerovo region. It was here that paleontologists found a large number of bones and even entire skeletons of Psittacosaurus sibirica, a small dinosaur that lived here 125-100 million years ago. The remains of the sauropod Sibirotitan were also found at this location — large cervical vertebrae. These 20-ton giants shared this territory with Psittacosaurus, as well as the recently discovered Ceratosaurus kiyakursor. It was a very mobile, long-legged, small dinosaur. Scientists have found parts of its skeleton — the humerus, cervical vertebrae, a fragment of the girdle of the forelimb, as well as the bones of the hind limb in anatomical articulation. Unfortunately, neither the skull nor its parts were found, and scientists cannot yet say with complete certainty whether this dinosaur was a predator or a herbivore.
The northernmost dinosaur site is Teete in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). During the Cretaceous period, the climate here was warm and mild. Here, paleontologists have discovered stegosaurid teeth and vertebrae, as well as sauropod teeth.
— Over three field seasons, expedition members collected a rich collection of teeth and vertebrae of small therapsids and salamanders. Remains of turtles, fish, lizards and extinct reptiles were also found. Surprisingly, this territory is a refugium — a region where species of ancient animals that have already become extinct in other places have survived for a long time, — said Vsevolod Efremenko.
The scientist also spoke about other paleontological finds indicating that dinosaurs lived in Chukotka, Sakhalin and the Far East. Herbivorous duck-billed hadrosaurs lived in Chukotka, as well as ceratopsians – it was previously believed that they inhabited only North America. Eggshells were also found, which means that dinosaurs did not end up in the polar latitudes as a result of migration. They constantly lived and reproduced in these places.
Many significant finds were made in Blagoveshchensk in the Far East. One of the most striking is the duck-billed dinosaur Olorotitan. The uniqueness of the find was that at the time of its discovery it was the most complete articulated dinosaur skeleton discovered in Russia. Its body length was approximately 8 meters, height – 3.5 meters, and weight could reach 3 tons.
The richest finds were made in the Transbaikal Territory. They belong to the Jehol biota – these are fossil remains of feathered dinosaurs, birds, mammals and plants, which are found in large quantities in the Lower Cretaceous deposits of North-Eastern China. So far, these unique locations of ancient fauna have not been fully studied and, according to Vsevolod Efremenko, there is enough work for many generations of paleontologists.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Reserve Bank of India
Ajit Prasad Press Release: 2024-2025/2249 |
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Birchall, Senior Lecturer in Law, Macquarie University
In our complex, interconnected world, there are risks of human rights violations throughout global supply chains. Examples include not only modern slavery and child labour, but also gender discrimination and violations of land, food and water rights.
Many people care deeply about whether the companies they support are monitoring and addressing these issues. So, how do some of the biggest Australian companies measure up?
To answer this question, we analysed the human rights commitments of 25 of the top companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), including some of our largest banks and mining companies.
We found Australian companies have a long way to go in “knowing and showing” a commitment to respect human rights, suggesting an urgent need for reform.
One response could be for Australia to follow the European Union’s lead and create a mandatory human rights due diligence regime.
Our analysis used the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Corporate Human Rights Benchmark Core UNGP Indicators.
This benchmark uses 12 indicators that draw on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), the authoritative international standard.
The indicators are grouped into three themes:
Companies score between zero and two points on each indicator, depending on how they satisfy its requirements. The maximum possible score is 24.
It’s important to understand that the aim of our study was not to assess whether these companies have been violating human rights. Rather, it was to evaluate whether companies have disclosed their policies and processes to respect human rights.
The UN Guiding Principles expect companies to have suitable due diligence processes in place and make these publicly available in an accessible form.
Ideally, companies should clearly state that they respect all human rights. This includes rights such as nondiscrimination, the prohibition on forced or child labour, freedom to join trade unions, and the right to a clean environment.
They should outline in detail the mechanisms in place to identify and address actual or potential abuses. On top of this, detail which officials in the company hold responsibility for managing these issues.
The better companies would even disclose examples of human rights abuses that they discovered in their operations, such as modern slavery or a gender pay gap.
Our research covered the 25 largest Australian companies by market capitalisation that had not previously been assessed under this benchmark.
This included some of the leading Australian companies from a range of sectors – mining, banks, energy, insurance, transportation, telecommunication, media, health care and pharmaceuticals.
Scores were poor overall. The best-performing company scored eight out of a possible 24 points. The average score was 3.6.
Many companies were found to be making vague or ambiguous human rights commitments or only focusing on a narrow set of modern slavery risks.
No company disclosed all of the human rights due diligence processes needed to identify, prevent, mitigate and remediate human rights risks. Nor did any disclose how they consulted with relevant stakeholders such as workers or displaced communities to help them understand and identify relevant human rights risks in company operations.
Only ten of the 25 companies provided a mechanism for external individuals and communities to raise human rights complaints or concerns.
Companies scored particularly poorly on the second group of indicators: embedding respect through ongoing human rights due diligence. The average score here was 0.58 out of 12.
Many companies only focused on identifying and addressing modern slavery in their operations, to the exclusion of other human rights risks such as sexual harassment or environmental pollution.
It was also concerning that companies we assessed often passed the burden of compliance to suppliers. That is, they established higher expectations for suppliers’ conduct than they set for their own.
Our research found that companies scored well in making human rights commitments where there was a legal obligation to do so.
Every company, for example, scored the point available for hosting a grievance mechanism for workers to raise concerns about the company. This is because Australia’s Corporations Act requires companies to create a whistleblower mechanism.
Similarly, most companies disclosed elements of their modern slavery due diligence process, because this is legally required under the Modern Slavery Act.
It is clear from our research that many large Australian companies are not operating in line with international standards.
That means they also aren’t ready to comply with the ripple effects of the mandatory human rights due diligence laws recently introduced in Europe.
These laws will require large Australian companies that do significant business in Europe to conduct comprehensive human rights due diligence.
Australian companies must take proactive steps to comply with international standards. This means making a public commitment to respect all human rights, establishing and publicly disclosing their human rights due diligence process.
It will also mean involving everyone who is affected by or has an interest in the company’s activities throughout the due diligence process. This includes making sure they have a way to raise concerns and seek remedies.
The Australian government has a vital role in ensuring that companies take their human rights responsibilities seriously. The current reporting regime under the Modern Slavery Act has proven very weak, confirmed under a recent formal review.
Our findings suggest the government should enact a stronger and broader mandatory human rights due diligence law covering all human rights.
David Birchall is Deputy Director of the B&HR Access to Justice Lab at Macquarie Law School.
Ebony Birchall is the Deputy Director of the B&HR Access to Justice Lab at Macquarie University. She has previously received research funding from the Australian Government, Macquarie University and the Freedom Fund.
Surya Deva is Director of the B&HR Access to Justice Lab at Macquarie University. He is currently UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development. He has previously received funding from the GIZ, the UNDP, the Freedom Fund and the International Commission of Jurists. He is part of the World Benchmarking Alliance’s Expert Review Committee. The Lab received funding from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and the World Benchmarking Alliance to cover the costs of hosting an event to launch this report.
– ref. Some of Australia’s largest companies are failing to ‘know and show’ their respect for human rights – https://theconversation.com/some-of-australias-largest-companies-are-failing-to-know-and-show-their-respect-for-human-rights-250055
Source: Mana Whenua
“Under the leadership of mana whenua, Protect Rotokākahi Incorporated has filed for interim enforcement orders in the Environment Court to immediately stop Rotorua Lakes Council’s construction of a sewage pipe through wāhi tapu by Lake Rotokākahi,” said spokesperson for court action Te Whatanui Leka Taumalolo Skipwith.
“They forcefully and violently removed our protectors on site, and today they have allowed the council to start drilling where our ancestors are buried.”
“Many of our people were killed here by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. This is where our ancestors lie.”
“Our people have been shut out of this whole pipeline approval process, and now we are shut off our whenua while it is desecrated before our eyes. So, we are escalating to urgent legal action to immediately stop the drilling.”
“This builds on the Environment Court applications already filed last week. Rotorua Lakes Council never obtained the required resource consent for conducting earthworks around Lake Rotokākahi. We are asking the Environment Court for an urgent halt to the council’s works while the court considers this.”
“Our people are here to protect what is ours, and what is sacred. We deserve the chance to protect our wāhi tapu in court before it is too late.”
Mana whenua and their supporters are calling on people to join them on the whenua and bear witness as we show resistance throughout this desecration. The Protect Rotokākahi Instagram is urging a call-to-action for its supporters to “Show Up for a Shift” and hold the frontline as an expression of enduring peaceful protection.
“The fight is actually going to be done here on the whenua, at whawhai, at protections like Rotokākahi. Peaceful resistance is the way we are going to be able to have liberation. And the way we are going to be doing that is being able to stand together side by side,”
“And so that’s the reason why we’re here, we’ve always been here, we will never leave.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yuting Zhang, Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne
Unaffordable GP visits has become a pressing issue amid the increasing cost-of-living crisis. About 30% of Australians delayed or didn’t see a GP in 2023–24.
To solve this problem, Labor has proposed extending bulk billing incentives to all Australians. It hopes to increase bulk billing from 78% to 90% by 2030.
The Coalition has promised to match Labor’s plan.
Why not aim for 100%? It might seem a worthy goal to make GP care free for everyone, for every visit. But the evidence suggests there’s benefit to getting those on higher incomes to contribute a small amount to the cost of seeing a GP.
We should aim for access to GP care to be affordable and equitable. For some people, this should mean they can access the services for free.
Appointments for children should be free. Making health checks regular and accessible during childhood is an effective long-term investment which can delay the onset of disease.
GP visits should also be free for people with low incomes. Free primary care can mean people who would otherwise avoid seeing a GP can have their ongoing conditions managed, undergo preventive health checks, and fill prescriptions.
When people skip GP visits and can’t afford to fill their prescriptions, their conditions can worsen. This can reduce the person’s quality of life, and require higher-cost emergency department visits and hospital care.
Appointments in rural and remote areas should also be free. Australians living in rural and remote areas currently pay more to see a GP, have less access to care when they need it, and experience poorer health outcomes and shorter lives than their city counterparts.
Making GP visits free for rural and remote Australians would help reduce this rural–urban gap.
However, providing free GP care for everyone can cause unnecessary strain on health budgets and make the policy unsustainable in the long run.
In general, when the price is low, or something is free, people use these services more. This includes medical care and medications. Free GP care may encourage more people to see their GP more than is necessary.
Previous research showed that free care increased the use of health care but does not necessarily improve health outcomes, especially for those who are relatively healthy.
If people are using GP services when they’re not really needed, this takes limited resources from those who really need them and can increase waiting times.
Australia is already experiencing a GP shortage. Higher patient volumes could leave existing GPs overwhelmed and overstretched. This can reduce the quality of care.
Countries that have made primary health care free for all, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, still report issues with access and equity. In Canada, 22% of Canadian adults do not have access to regular primary care. In the United Kingdom, people who live in poor areas struggle to get access to care.
To balance affordability for patients with the financial viability of primary care, Australians who can afford to contribute to the cost of their GP care should pay a small amount.
However, the A$60 many of us currently pay to visit a GP is arguably too expensive, as it may prompt some to forego care when they need it.
A relatively smaller co-payment in the range of around $20 to $30 to visit the GP would help discourage unnecessary visits when resources are limited, but be less likely to turn patients off seeking this care.
Providing free GP visits for all may not be efficient or sustainable, but making it more affordable and equitable can lead to a more efficient and sustainable care system and doing so is within our reach.
Read more:
Should we aim to bulk-bill everyone for GP visits? We asked 5 experts
Yuting Zhang has received funding from the Australian Research Council (future fellowship project ID FT200100630), Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Victorian Department of Health, and National Health and Medical Research Council. In the past, Professor Zhang has received funding from several US institutes including the US National Institutes of Health, Commonwealth fund, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She has not received funding from for-profit industry including the private health insurance industry.
Karinna Saxby has previously received funding from the Department of Health and Aged Care,
– ref. The major parties want 9 in 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030. Here’s why we shouldn’t aim for 100% – https://theconversation.com/the-major-parties-want-9-in-10-gp-visits-bulk-billed-by-2030-heres-why-we-shouldnt-aim-for-100-249605
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark A Gregory, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, RMIT University
People could soon make mobile calls and send SMS text messages from the remotest parts of Australia, under a new election promise from the federal Albanese government to overhaul the country’s mobile phone network.
The proposal would create a new universal outdoor mobile obligation for Australian mobile carriers such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. This obligation would require carriers to work with companies operating low Earth orbit satellites to provide access to mobile voice, SMS and the Triple Zero (000) service almost everywhere across Australia.
This world-first reform would be a major step forward for public safety – especially in regional and remote areas, where mobile coverage is currently poor to nonexistent. The Albanese government says that if it wins the upcoming election, it would implement the reform by late 2027.
However, implementing it will come with some technical challenges.
Low Earth orbit satellites operate at an altitude of between 160km and 2,000km above the Earth’s surface. Examples include the roughly 7,000 Starlink satellites owned and operated by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, that are currently in orbit.
The new generation of these satellites incorporates a technology known as “direct to device”. This means they can directly connect with mobile phones. And it is this feature the Labor government’s new proposal seeks to utilise.
Specifically, the proposal aims to:
The proposal adds to carriers’ existing obligations to provide fixed phone and internet services across Australia.
In a few years, low Earth orbit satellites should also be able to provide data using an enhanced direct to device technology. The government has said it will consider including data in the obligation when the opportunity arises.
The telecommunications industry has long worked towards a goal of providing universal outdoor mobile coverage in Australia. Labor’s new proposal provides the impetus for the industry to take this major step forward.
It would also provide the guidance necessary to ensure a consumer safety focus remains the fundamental rationale for telecommunications.
This policy would ensure everyone can connect to emergency services, friends and family during emergencies or natural disasters.
The benefits for people living and working in regional and remote areas would be considerable.
For example, truck drivers experiencing a breakdown in the outback would be able to call for assistance. And farmers working in the remote wheat belt regions of Western Australia could stay connected with other workers and their families.
However, there are some technical problems the telecommunications industry will need to overcome to achieve universal outdoor mobile coverage.
Across the world, nations are rolling out mobile networks that use different radio frequencies. For the universal outdoor mobile obligation to be successful, the mobile carriers will need to work with satellite providers to ensure the spectrum bands used in Australia for the 4G, and in the future 5G, mobile networks will also work with satellites.
Mobile devices connect with the network when the user makes a phone call, sends an SMS text message or browses the internet.
When the mobile is connected to a low Earth orbit satellite, it’s important that it can tell apps to “shut up” and stop trying to connect to the network to transmit data. Otherwise the connected mobiles could cause congestion and limit service reliability and resilience.
There are mobile handsets that have this capability today. But the vast majority of older mobile handsets do not. A list of compatible mobile handsets would need to be compiled and made available, so that consumers can consider this information when purchasing a mobile.
To connect to a low Earth orbit satellite, it is anticipated a mobile will need to be used in a location where the sky can be seen directly. And initially at least, using a satellite-connected mobile inside a vehicle will require an external antenna.
The government says the introduction of a universal outdoor mobile obligation would provide an opportunity to modernise and expand existing service obligations for mobile carriers. For both to be successful, there is also a need for minimum performance standards.
Providing mobile voice call and SMS text access across Australia is of little value if the service quality is poor, and fails during an emergency or natural disaster.
That being said, Labor’s proposal should gain bipartisan support. It is a timely step forward that will bring positive outcomes for all Australians, especially those living and working in regional and remote areas.
Mark A Gregory has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network grants program and the auDA Foundation. Life member of the Telecommunications Association.
– ref. Calling 000 for help in an emergency doesn’t work in parts of Australia – but a new plan could change that – https://theconversation.com/calling-000-for-help-in-an-emergency-doesnt-work-in-parts-of-australia-but-a-new-plan-could-change-that-250762
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Emergency services are at the scene of a serious single-vehicle crash that has blocked the road between Pahiatua and Palmerston North.
Police were called to the scene, on Pahiatua-Mangahao Road, between Ridge Road North and Soldiers Road, about 5pm.
Two people have minor injuries, and one person is in a critical condition and will be airlifted to hospital.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised and the road will likely remain closed for some time.
Motorists are advised to expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
CHRIS BOWEN [FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MCMAHON]: Well, thanks for coming, everyone. Australia lives on trucking, and western Sydney relies on trucking more than anywhere else because western Sydney is the industrial heartland of Sydney, the home to the biggest industrial estate in the southern hemisphere, the Smithfield Wetherill Park, Erskine Park Industrial Estate. Even more so with the development of the M7, of course, which has made our area a distribution centre for New South Wales. And the M7, M4 is the first freeway to freeway intersection in Australia. And of course, just as we rely on our truckers, our truckers deserve nothing but the best. We rely on them and they rely on us to provide world class facilities.
So I’m very, very excited for this announcement today here in my community, but one which has implications beyond this community for truckers to ensure they’re getting the very best support so that they can stay on the road safely and can keep our economy moving. So I’m delighted to welcome my friend Catherine King to my community, together with John Graham, for a very significant announcement. Catherine.
CATHERINE KING [MINISTER]: Thanks, Chris, and it’s terrific to be here in your part of the world, but also here alongside my state colleague John Graham, who’s been doing terrific work. Can I also acknowledge the state MPs who are here with us as well, as well as Senator Glenn Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, who know very well how important this is. Well, this is a terrific announcement, not just for western Sydney. You can see just how busy the M4 is. With the amount of freight that is moving on, it is one of the busiest freight networks in the country. But this is actually important for the whole country. We know how important it is for truck drivers to be able to rest. We know that there is no dedicated rest area for truck drivers along this incredibly busy stretch of this freight route. And what we also know is that when truck drivers have access to decent rest areas, decent areas to shower and to toilet and to eat, that they are much safer driving on our roads. So this is very much a win for road safety as well. Our roads, our trucks, are truck drivers’ workplaces and they deserve to have safe, proper places that they can actually rest and safe workplaces in the same way every single other working Australian does.
This announcement today that an Albanese Labor Government will be partnering with the New South Wales Government, 40 million from us, 40 million from the New South Wales Government here at Eastern Creek, at the intersection of the M4 and M7, building the first dedicated truck rest stop area. Hard stand shade areas, showers, toileting facilities for a substantial number of trucks into this region making sure that we actually provide the safety that truck drivers need. This is very much part of our over $18 billion of investment that is coming from the Albanese Labor Government into infrastructure in western Sydney. We know that our freight task is only going to be increasing and actually investing here, investing in this truck rest stop area is incredibly important.
I want to particularly acknowledge Senator Glenn Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, but also all of the truck drivers in our country. When we came to government, we set up a fund to look at how can we better get rest stops on our great freight networks. And Glenn has been sharing that alongside. He called together truck drivers and trucking companies because they are the people who will use these areas and they know where they need to stop and where the rest areas are best located. This is very much part of the advocacy that we’ve had, trying to bring truck drivers in to make sure that we actually build these where people will stop, and that we make sure that our freight routes are as safe as possible.
I’m going to hand over to John, and then I think we’re going to hear from TWU, from Glenn and also the representative of the freight truck industry here in New South Wales as well. And then we’ll be happy to take some questions. Thank you.
JOHN GRAHAM [NSW ROADS MINISTER]: Thanks so much, Catherine. I’m here with Kylie Wilkinson, with Karen McKeown and Stephen Bali from the state parliament. You can see how important this announcement is from the support it’s got today. People turning up backing in this plan for a rest stop here in the heart of Sydney. I want to thank firstly, the Federal Government, Minister Catherine King and the team, Glenn Sterle, Tony Sheldon and Chris Bowen. As soon as we raised this with the federal government, they were instinctively on board. They could see how important this was to Sydney. And there is a big problem. Sydney’s got a reputation as the least friendly city for truckies in the country, and that’s something that we want to change. You can understand why. It’s not just the tolls and the traffic. You expect those, but you also expect to be able to find a toilet. And the truth is, you can’t do that between Wyong and Pheasants Nest. That’s a couple hours’ drive. That’s 180 kilometres between dedicated rest stops for truck drivers moving through Sydney. That’s not safe. It’s not dignified. It needs to change. You can see why Sydney’s got that reputation. It’s the least friendly city for trucks in the country.
We’re going to change that. This will be a crucial part of that plan to change that. Having this large site with dedicated stopping areas. We’ve talked about 800 members of the freight community to be able to work out what’s required here. And it really is a place to stop and sleep, toilets, a hot shower, maybe a little bit of shade. These are reasonable things to ask for, but they’re things that simply don’t exist in a place that can be used in the Sydney Basin. And that has to change. That’s why I’m so excited to be here with the federal government working hand in hand to really change that.
I particularly want to give a shout out to Tony Sheldon and to Glenn Sterle. Glenn in particular, during COVID, led the fight to make sure that drivers were able to pull over and get access to restrooms up and down New South Wales, also around the country. It was a real moment to realise just how the basics matter, and we’ll deliver on the basics here. It’ll make a real difference not just to these drivers but also to the community around these areas. This will mean trucks off suburban streets in western Sydney. That’s great news for the residents and the community as well.
So thanks to the Federal Government, thanks to Richard Olsen and the TWU team who’ve argued the case for this strongly, passionately over a long period. Simon O’Hara from Road Freight New South Wales. This has been a call for a long time. Finally, we’re delivering on it.
SENATOR GLENN STERLE: Thank you very much, John. Thank you. Catherine, can I just come to- have the opportunity to share this with you as a semi-retired, long distance interstate truck driver, I cannot stress the importance of this announcement. I want to sincerely thank Minister Graham. John, when you were in opposition alongside Premier- now Premier Chris Minns, you had made it very clear in the lead up to the election, not just in the last couple of days, how important it was to progress proper facilities for long distance truckies to get the rest they need. So John, thank you so much and thank you for carrying the can.
To Minister King, Catherine, my very dear friend and close colleague. I can’t thank you, Catherine, enough. Not only the work that you’ve done, bringing the voice of the Australian truck driver and the voice of the Australian truck operator to the halls of that great place down in Canberra, where you’ve created the opportunity for truckies and trucking operators to share with you, Minister, where we need these rest areas. I do applaud you. Thank you so much.
I tell you what, I’m so jealous. I’m from Western Australia, but I know in 2025 we still expect men and women in the trucking industry to carry around a roll of toilet paper and to try and just find a bush somewhere here in Sydney or Melbourne in our capital cities. This facility will provide up to 100 truck drivers a safe haven to pull over and manage their fatigue.
So once again to the New South Wales Government, once again to the Federal Government, and special call out: Simon O’Hara. Simon, the work that you and I did together in the pandemic, mate, yes, it seemed like it was- where are you, Simon? It was you and I against the world where we actually realised just how important our truckies are and our transport operators and our supply chains and our logistics operators to the betterment of this nation. We were shut out of toilets. We were not allowed to even use them to have a shower. And didn’t that highlight in 2022 at the time, Simon, just how disrespected we were as an industry. Well, thank goodness we’ve got the grown-ups in charge. Thank goodness we’ve got magnificent state and federal governments now putting an end to that. I applaud you. And please can we roll you out to Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and heck even Tasmania? Thank you John. Thank you Catherine.
RICHARD OLSEN [NSW FREIGHT TRANSPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL]: Thank you so much. And I’ll just answer that question, Glenn, no. We’re here in New South Wales and we are delighted to be a part of this announcement. We’ve been advocating, as has been previously said, and we’ve been working hard behind the scenes for many years and decades to get where we’re at today and today is a remarkable day for the transport industry as a whole. We have been subject to- having to drive as has been previously stated from Pheasants Nest up to Wyong in a truck that is three hours plus on any given bad day on our freeways, expressways, transurban ways if you like, and that needed to stop. That put a whole amount of pressure on the driver in relation to their fatigue and rest in which they are required to have by law, and what they are required to have because they are in charge of 60 to 80 tonne of equipment.
When you’re driving along that, you want to know that the truck driver has been given a decent rest and is free of fatigue as far as reasonably possible, and that we can do and we can do that now in this great city of Sydney when this establishment opens very shortly. It’s been waiting here for quite a while, a long time for us to get to this base. And we don’t want to waste a minute in getting this established, and get it so that the drivers both coming through this great state or this city, but also local drivers who need to utilise this space as well. It’s for everyone within the transport industry, and I’m very delighted to be a part, and partnering up with both federal and state government, employer organisations. This is the transport community coming together and winning for drivers. Thank you so much.
SIMON O’HARA [CEO, ROAD FREIGHT NSW]: Good morning all, and thank you Richard Olsen. It’s with such delight that we’re here today. This is a really positive announcement about the announcement relating to the heavy vehicle rest area here in western Sydney. This is a terrific development. For generations, the trucking industry has sought a rest area within metro Sydney, and now we’re looking at an announcement that will make that a reality. This is a terrific announcement today. This means that truckies will be able to rest. We’ve got members who come in from Wagga, come in, go out every day. This allows them to be able to rest, get some food, use the toilet facilities, have a shower. Over the course of the next couple of years, this will lead to greater results in terms of road safety on the roads.
This means as well that truckies particularly- and Glenn mentioned before the point about dignity and respect. We are absolutely committed to dignity and respect for truckies. This is part and parcel of a key step to being able to make that a reality. During COVID, we had a lot to say, particularly around truckies not having any rest areas, having to keep moving all the time. And what this does today- and I’d like to particularly acknowledge Minister Graham, Minister King, Minister Bowen, Senator Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, this makes what we’ve been seeking for some time- we’ve advocated for this for a significant amount of time. This makes it a reality. Thanks very much.
CATHERINE KING: Happy to take questions, for John or me. No one?
JOURNALIST: Question for Minister Graham. What were the other sites being considered and why did this one get the nod?
JOHN GRAHAM: Yeah. So we’ve done a big search across the Sydney basin to look at a range of sites, and we’ve also talked extensively to the freight community, 800 people involved in that consultation. The key really was accessibility. It’s no use having the best site in the world that’s too far from the M4 and the M7. So we’ve looked intensively around this area for the best site. And here we are five minutes from the M7, ten minutes from the M4. That really is the key to be able to allow drivers to get off those freeways, rest, and then get back on their journey as fast as possible. Of course, there’s a limited number of sites- their sites had a premium. That’s why this hasn’t happened before, but that’s why we’re so pleased that we’ve now found the site and this process can unfold.
JOURNALIST: One more question. Sorry. In ‘22, you came out and said Sydney was the worst city in Australia for truckies. And here we are in ’25, we’ve got an announcement but still no work. Why did it take so long?
JOHN GRAHAM: Oh look, this has been a tough problem to crack for generations. This has been a call from the industry. Now we’re here, where truckies will be resting as they come off the M4, come off the M7 as they’re delivering to the communities around Sydney. Even better news, they won’t be parked on suburban streets in these communities. So this isn’t an easy problem to solve. We never said it would be, but I’m so pleased to get to this moment today.
CATHERINE KING: All good. Beautiful. Thank you.
Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, The University of Western Australia
The gold price has surged to a new all-time high above US$2,900 (A$4,544) an ounce this month.
It has risen by 12% since the start of the year and clearly outperformed US and Australian stock markets. The US stock index S&P500 is up 4% and the ASX 200 has gained just 2% in that time.
That follows an extraordinary run in 2024, when the precious metal surged 27%, the biggest rise in 14 years.
The drivers behind this surge include heightened uncertainty and fear of inflation that has been stoked by US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs, together with increased demand from central banks.
There are many factors at play.
The supply of gold through gold mine production and recycling is relatively constant over time. But the demand is more variable, and consists of four major components: jewellery, technology, investment and central banks.
In 2024, jewellery accounted for about 50% of total demand, technology or industrial demand was 5%, investment demand was 25% and central bank demand was 20%.
Investment demand refers to investors who buy gold as an asset. Central banks generally buy gold to diversify their reserve holdings.
As all four demand components vary over time (some more than others), gold price movements are sometimes driven by jewellery demand, sometimes by investor demand, and sometimes – as has happened recently – by central bank demand.
What adds to the difficulty is that both the gold supply and gold demand are global. The supply comes from gold mines across the globe, from emerging countries in Africa and industrial countries such as Australia and Canada.
The same is true for demand. While China and India dominate jewellery demand, the demand comes from many countries, as does investment demand. Central bank demand stems from large and small central banks around the world.
One key reason for the popularity of gold is that it is considered to be a store of value. This means gold rises with inflation and maintains its value in the long run.
In other words, an ounce of gold buys the same basket of goods (or more) today than 20 years ago. This is not the case for money (or fiat currency) such as the US or Australian dollars.
Due to inflation, the value of money is not constant but depreciates over time. Because gold holds its value, it is also called an inflation hedge.
While the store of value property holds in the long run, there is another important property that is more short-lived and particularly relevant during crisis periods.
The safe haven property of gold means gold prices increase when investors seek shelter in response to a shock or crisis. For example, investors bought gold in reaction to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, and the outbreak of COVID in 2020.
The safe haven effect of gold is generally short-lived, often resulting in falling gold prices after about 15 days.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent sanctions on Russia – especially the freeze of Russia’s foreign government bond holdings abroad – has highlighted the risk to governments of losing access to foreign currency holdings.
It appears some governments or central banks reacted to this with increased gold purchases. This led to a record high of 1,082 tonnes of central bank gold purchases in 2022.
2023 saw the second-highest annual purchase in history at 1,051 tonnes, followed by 1,041 tonnes in 2024.
The potential reaction of central banks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is akin to investors seeking a safe haven, but is a rather new phenomenon for central banks.
There is an additional, secondary, effect of such central bank purchases and rebalancing from US dollars to gold.
Selling US dollars for gold implies a weakening US dollar, which increases the price of gold. (If the US dollar weakens, you need more US dollars to buy gold.) The inverse relationship between gold prices and currencies also makes gold a currency hedge. That means gold can protect investors from potential losses due to fluctuating exchange rates. This effect is particularly strong for rather volatile currencies such as the Australian dollar.
In contrast to the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the more recent increase in gold prices is harder to associate with a single shock.
The election of Trump has not only increased the risk of higher inflation due to tariffs and a trade war, it has also increased geopolitical risk as the US government reassesses its alliances with other countries.
The relative unpredictability of Trump compared with his predecessors and with politicians more generally may have increased uncertainty and gold prices.
The recent gold price trend highlights that “gold loves bad news”.
Gold prices may anticipate geopolitical shocks or higher inflation. Gold prices rose well before inflation increased after the pandemic and started to fall when inflation had peaked in 2022.
It is not clear exactly why gold has risen to all-time highs in 2025, but it’s possibly not good news for the world economy.
Dirk Baur 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. The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move? – https://theconversation.com/the-gold-price-has-surged-to-record-highs-whats-behind-the-move-250391
Source: Australian Ministers 1
People living in NSW will have more opportunities to walk, cycle and actively move through their communities thanks to support from the Albanese Government.
$16 million will be invested in 10 projects across NSW to build new or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths.
Lake Macquarie City Council will receive $1.3 million to construct a shared path from Soldiers Road to Lake Macquarie Airport via Pacific Highway. The approximately 280m of shared path will provide the missing link between existing shared user paths and will deliver improved road safety with a designated path for pedestrian and cyclists separate from traffic on the road.
Further north, in Bellingen $3.36 million will be invested to design and construct 2940m of shared paths and footpaths from South Urunga Urban Release Area to Urunga CBD. A favourite location for tourists and locals, the new paths will make the area safer and more accessible.
The Brewarrina Shire Council will receive $3 million for the design and construction of four pedestrian and cycle paths to connect the Brewarrina Township to the Barwon River. The project will also include solar-powered lighting, shaded rest areas and seating.
Other projects receiving funding include:
The Albanese Government is making our cities and regions even better places to live, building social infrastructure, connecting place and designing healthier, more liveable towns.
Our new Active Transport Fund is one part of this, providing safe and accessible transport options that are good for the planet and good for ourselves.
This program supports the Government’s commitment to invest in infrastructure planning, design and construction that improves safety outcomes for vulnerable road users under the National Road and Safety Strategy 2021-2030.
For more information visit: investment.infrastructure.gov.au/resources-funding-recipients/active-transport-fund-resources
Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“From the Blue Mountains to Bellingen, we’re investing in active transport options right across New South Wales to shape the way locals and visitors move around our great towns.
“Whether you’re on a motor scooter, pushing a pram, walking or cycling, we’re making it easier for people to get to school, work or local services, without having to jump in the car.
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy:
“This is about so much more than bike lanes and footpaths, it’s about increasing mobility for all our citizens. It will also improve safety and accessibility for the residents of Pelican and everyone who visits our beautiful part of the world.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, The University of Western Australia
The gold price has surged to a new all-time high above US$2,900 (A$4,544) an ounce this month.
It has risen by 12% since the start of the year and clearly outperformed US and Australian stock markets. The US stock index S&P500 is up 4% and the ASX 200 has gained just 2% in that time.
That follows an extraordinary run in 2024, when the precious metal surged 27%, the biggest rise in 14 years.
The drivers behind this surge include heightened uncertainty and fear of inflation that has been stoked by US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs, together with increased demand from central banks.
There are many factors at play.
The supply of gold through gold mine production and recycling is relatively constant over time. But the demand is more variable, and consists of four major components: jewellery, technology, investment and central banks.
In 2024, jewellery accounted for about 50% of total demand, technology or industrial demand was 5%, investment demand was 25% and central bank demand was 20%.
Investment demand refers to investors who buy gold as an asset. Central banks generally buy gold to diversify their reserve holdings.
As all four demand components vary over time (some more than others), gold price movements are sometimes driven by jewellery demand, sometimes by investor demand, and sometimes – as has happened recently – by central bank demand.
What adds to the difficulty is that both the gold supply and gold demand are global. The supply comes from gold mines across the globe, from emerging countries in Africa and industrial countries such as Australia and Canada.
The same is true for demand. While China and India dominate jewellery demand, the demand comes from many countries, as does investment demand. Central bank demand stems from large and small central banks around the world.
One key reason for the popularity of gold is that it is considered to be a store of value. This means gold rises with inflation and maintains its value in the long run.
In other words, an ounce of gold buys the same basket of goods (or more) today than 20 years ago. This is not the case for money (or fiat currency) such as the US or Australian dollars.
Due to inflation, the value of money is not constant but depreciates over time. Because gold holds its value, it is also called an inflation hedge.
While the store of value property holds in the long run, there is another important property that is more short-lived and particularly relevant during crisis periods.
The safe haven property of gold means gold prices increase when investors seek shelter in response to a shock or crisis. For example, investors bought gold in reaction to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, and the outbreak of COVID in 2020.
The safe haven effect of gold is generally short-lived, often resulting in falling gold prices after about 15 days.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent sanctions on Russia – especially the freeze of Russia’s foreign government bond holdings abroad – has highlighted the risk to governments of losing access to foreign currency holdings.
It appears some governments or central banks reacted to this with increased gold purchases. This led to a record high of 1,082 tonnes of central bank gold purchases in 2022.
2023 saw the second-highest annual purchase in history at 1,051 tonnes, followed by 1,041 tonnes in 2024.
The potential reaction of central banks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is akin to investors seeking a safe haven, but is a rather new phenomenon for central banks.
There is an additional, secondary, effect of such central bank purchases and rebalancing from US dollars to gold.
Selling US dollars for gold implies a weakening US dollar, which increases the price of gold. (If the US dollar weakens, you need more US dollars to buy gold.) The inverse relationship between gold prices and currencies also makes gold a currency hedge. That means gold can protect investors from potential losses due to fluctuating exchange rates. This effect is particularly strong for rather volatile currencies such as the Australian dollar.
In contrast to the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the more recent increase in gold prices is harder to associate with a single shock.
The election of Trump has not only increased the risk of higher inflation due to tariffs and a trade war, it has also increased geopolitical risk as the US government reassesses its alliances with other countries.
The relative unpredictability of Trump compared with his predecessors and with politicians more generally may have increased uncertainty and gold prices.
The recent gold price trend highlights that “gold loves bad news”.
Gold prices may anticipate geopolitical shocks or higher inflation. Gold prices rose well before inflation increased after the pandemic and started to fall when inflation had peaked in 2022.
It is not clear exactly why gold has risen to all-time highs in 2025, but it’s possibly not good news for the world economy.
Dirk Baur 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. The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move? – https://theconversation.com/the-gold-price-has-surged-to-record-highs-whats-behind-the-move-250391
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police are at the scene of a serious crash on Manners Street, central Wellington, following a collision between a pedestrian and a bus.
The incident happened about 4.40pm, between Victoria and Cuba streets.
One person is in a critical condition.
Part of Manners Street will be closed to traffic and pedestrians while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are following strong lines of enquiry in the investigation into arsons at churches in Masterton on the morning of Saturday 22 February.
As part of our enquiries, we are seeking information about a green Ford Festiva which was seen leaving one of those fires.
Police are working to establish the movements of the vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning when the arsons were reported, and the day or days beforehand.
The vehicle was located abandoned on Sunday 23 February on Mikimiki Road, Masterton.
A significant search was deployed into the area, however no occupants of the vehicle were located.
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation, including sightings of this vehicle, is urged to contact Police via 105 online or the 105 phone reporting line, referencing file number 250222/1673.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Details
2025-02-21
President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan
On the morning of February 21, President Lai Ching-te met with Abe Akie, the wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan. In remarks, President Lai thanked Mrs. Abe for carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe, being a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and calling on all parties to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that Taiwan will carry on the legacy and spirit of former President Lee Teng-hui and former Prime Minister Abe, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Last May, Mrs. Abe came to Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, and we reminisced about the past here at the Presidential Office. I would like to warmly welcome her back today. I am also delighted to be meeting with all guests in attendance. Yesterday, Mrs. Abe and I attended the opening of the very first Halifax Taipei forum, for which Mrs. Abe also delivered a keynote speech earlier today. In her speech, she offered valuable input on global security and democratic development. I would like to thank Mrs. Abe for making this special trip to Taiwan to take part, showing her strong support for Taiwan. Former Prime Minister Abe pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and called on the international community to pay attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific. These have become common strategic goals of democratic countries around the world and will have a far-reaching influence over international developments and Taiwan’s security. They were important contributions that former Prime Minister Abe made in regard to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, current Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting and jointly reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This shows that Prime Minister Ishiba is furthering the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. We are very grateful for the former prime minister’s friendship toward Taiwan, and to Mrs. Abe for carrying on his legacy. Mrs. Abe is a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and has called on all parties at numerous public venues to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. Last December, for instance, she traveled at the invitation of President Trump and his wife to the US, where she addressed cross-strait issues and spoke up for Taiwan. We were deeply moved by this. As authoritarian states continue to expand, Taiwan will keep working alongside like-minded nations such as Japan and the US, as well as the European Union, to jointly contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. I look forward to continued advancement of regional peace and prosperity with the help of Mrs. Abe’s efforts. Mrs. Abe will also be meeting with daughter of former President Lee and Lee Teng-hui Foundation Chairperson Annie Lee (李安妮) tomorrow. Former President Lee and former Prime Minister Abe were both fully devoted to promoting Taiwan-Japan relations. We will carry on their legacy and spirit, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. In closing, I wish you all a smooth and successful visit. Mrs. Abe then delivered remarks, first expressing her sincere thanks to President Lai for taking the time to meet. She said that former Prime Minister Abe hailed from Yamaguchi Prefecture, and that accompanying her that day were House of Councillors Member Kitamura Tsuneo, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Deputy Speaker Shimata Noriaki, and many other important figures from Yamaguchi. If former Prime Minister Abe’s spirit could look upon this scene, she said, he would certainly be very pleased. Mrs. Abe recalled that when the former prime minister passed away, then-Vice President Lai traveled to their official residence to express his condolences and pay tribute. She said that she will never forget such a gesture of deep friendship, heartfelt condolences, and care. The year before last, she indicated, a memorial photo exhibition for former Prime Minister Abe was held in Taiwan, and many Taiwanese people from all walks of life came to view it. Last year, Mrs. Abe continued, she had the privilege of attending President Lai’s inauguration ceremony, where she met with many friends from Taiwan and personally felt the close and beautiful ties that Taiwan and Japan share. Mrs. Abe stated that she will carry out the wishes of former Prime Minister Abe and do her utmost to help raise Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights, saying that she looks forward to hearing the advice that President Lai and all those present have to offer. The delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.
Details
2025-02-21
President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum
On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains. For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position. We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.
Details
2025-02-21
President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation
On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there. Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.
Details
2025-02-21
President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger
On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit. Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.
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2025-02-21
President Lai meets Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini
On the afternoon of February 11, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In remarks, President Lai thanked Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. The president stated that Taiwan and Eswatini work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare, and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both peoples. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests to the Presidential Office. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla previously visited Taiwan while serving as minister of foreign affairs. This is her first time leading a delegation here as deputy prime minister. I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla has earned a high degree of recognition and trust from His Majesty King Mswati III. She was not only Eswatini’s first woman foreign minister, but is also the second woman to have held her current key position. She shows an active interest in people’s welfare, and has a reputation for being deeply devoted to her compatriots. I have great admiration for this. I am truly delighted to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla today. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to His Majesty the King for leading a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao last year. This demonstrated the close diplomatic ties between our countries. I also want to thank Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. I would ask that when Deputy Prime Minister Dladla returns to Eswatini, she conveys Taiwan’s greetings and gratitude to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala. Diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini have endured for over half a century. Our two nations have continued to work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare. Our largest collaboration to date has been assisting Eswatini in the construction of a strategic oil reserve facility. We will continue to push forward with this project, and look forward to achieving even greater results in all areas. I understand that Deputy Prime Minister Dladla is very concerned about issues regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment. During her term as foreign minister, she facilitated bilateral cooperation in those areas. Now, as deputy prime minister, she is actively attending to the disadvantaged and advancing social welfare. These policies are very much in line with the priorities of my administration. I look forward to strengthening cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla for the benefit of both our societies. Taiwan and Eswatini are peace-loving nations. Faced with a constantly changing international landscape and the growing threat posed by authoritarianism, we hope that our two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both our peoples. In closing, I wish Deputy Prime Minister Dladla and our distinguished guests a pleasant and successful visit. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla then delivered remarks, first greeting President Lai on behalf of the King, the Queen Mother, and the people of Eswatini, and extending gratitude for the warm reception afforded to her and her delegation, which underscores the strong bonds of friendship between our two nations. The deputy prime minister stated that, in reflecting on the fruits of our partnership, the evidence of Taiwan’s commitment to Eswatini is all around us. The strategic oil reserve project launching in April, she indicated, will redefine Eswatini’s energy security, and the Central Bank complex and electrification project stand as monuments of Taiwan’s vision for Eswatini’s progress and indicate that our partnerships are very strong. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla pointed out that education is the foundation of any nation’s progress, and that Taiwan’s contribution to Eswatini’s education sector cannot be overstated. Through Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship programs, she said, Eswatini has sent numerous students to Taiwan, where they’ve received world-class education in various disciplines, including engineering, business, and medicine. In turn, she said, these graduates are now contributing to the development of Eswatini. The deputy prime minister stated that Taiwan has also strengthened Eswatini’s industrial and technological sectors, with collaborations and partnerships that create new opportunities for employment and innovation, and that Taiwan’s technical and medical assistance has strengthened Eswatini’s healthcare systems and uplifted the expertise of its professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla also congratulated President Lai once again on his presidency, which she stated will lead Taiwan to new heights, adding that His Majesty coming to Taiwan personally for the inauguration was a resounding declaration of Eswatini’s enduring support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, stability, and rightful place on the world stage. She emphasized that Eswatini stands with Taiwan always and unwaveringly. In conclusion, the deputy prime minister stated that Eswatini fully agrees with Taiwan that we must all safeguard our national sovereignty and protect the lives and property of our people. She said that our common enemy will always be poverty and natural disasters, but against all odds, we will stand united, and we shall remain united and be one. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Eswatini Ambassador Promise Sithembiso Msibi.
Details
2025-02-14
President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.
Source: Government of Queensland
Issued: 25 Feb 2025
Underwater photo of the Gothenburg shipwreck
It has been 150 years since the steam ship Gothenburg tragically sunk off the coast of Queensland in blinding rain.
At the time, the Northern Territory was an outpost of South Australia, where prominent members of political and legal circles often travelled for business.
On 24 February 1875, on its usual route from Darwin to Adelaide, Gothenburg ran into the Great Barrier Reef at low tide in monsoonal rain, 16 miles too far east, and sunk over the next 24 hours.
Sadly, many prominent public figures were swept away or drowned trying to board the four lifeboats during the wrecking – including a former premier of South Australia, a French Vice-Consul, a judge and all women and children – with only 22 recorded survivors.
As many as 112 people perished, which represented one seventh of the total European population of Darwin.
The vessel had £43,000 of uninsured gold on board that was salvaged soon after news of its sinking broke.
The historic shipwreck is situated in a protected zone and managed by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) under the Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018.
Principal Heritage Officer Celeste Jordan said the shipwreck was discovered in 1971 and is managed by DETSI as it remains in Queensland waters.
“The ripple effects of this tragedy were widespread and extremely significant.
“It is etched into Australia’s history as a significant maritime tragedy. Adelaide went into mourning with relief funds set up in Melbourne and Sydney. No family in Darwin or Adelaide was left untouched by Gothenburg’s sinking.
“We manage the shipwreck to ensure it is preserved and protected for generations to come. It is an offence to interfere with the remains.”
Department for Environment and Water SA Principal Maritime Heritage Officer, Mark Polzer, said that although Gothenburg did not wreck in South Australian waters, the vessel’s loss had a profound impact on the South Australian community.
“Among those that perished were residents of Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Woodville, Northfield, Gawler and Angaston,” Mr Polzer said.
“The South Australian Maritime Museum holds a commemorative turtle-shell plaque carved by South Australian survivor and rescuer James Fitzgerald in 1925 as a private act of remembrance of the tragedy.
“Immediately after the shipwreck, Fitzgerald, along with John Cleland and Robert Brazil, were presented with gold meals and gold watches for bravery by Governor Musgrave for the South Australian Government.
“He inscribed the names of the survivors on the shell, which is said to have been taken from a turtle killed for food while he and the other survivors waited on Holborne island for rescue. Fitzgerald gifted the plaque to the museum in 1932.”
To dive around the Gothenburg you will need a free permit which can be applied for through the Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database.
Source: Asia Development Bank
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (25 February 2025) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed F. Cleo Kawawaki as Director General for the newly-formed Sectors Department 2, which will manage operations for the agriculture, food, nature, rural development, water, urban development, and digital sectors.
“With climate change, the private sector shift, and digitization as ADB’s priorities, I am excited and honored by this assignment and the opportunity to help ensure that these shifts contribute to the sustainable growth of our developing member countries,” said Ms. Kawawaki. “As ADB strives to achieve its ambitious corporate Strategy 2030, my task will be to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness in delivering benefits to our member countries that have a lasting positive impact on communities and economies utilizing the full menu of solutions that ADB has under one roof.”
Ms. Kawawaki has more than 35 years of professional work experience, including over 24 years at ADB and 11 years in investment banking. She will continue to head ADB’s Office of Markets Development and Public-Private Partnership, which supports private sector-led growth in the region. She is a former Deputy Director General of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department and has held senior roles in ADB’s Central and West Asia Department including energy sector director.
ADB introduced a new operating model in 2022 to better serve the rapidly changing needs of its developing member countries. To support this mandate, the Sectors Group was restructured into three distinct Sector Departments, ensuring a balanced spread of responsibilities. The realignment will enhance managerial oversight, improve operational efficiency, and ensure more effective leadership across all functions.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—49 from the region.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philippa Collin, Professor, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University
Ahead of the Australian election, candidates, advisers and political parties might be paying attention to what young people think. And if they’re not, they should be.
This election will be the first in which Gen Z and Millennial voters (aged 18–40) will outnumber Baby Boomers (aged 60–79). Many of these young people were in high school during the previous two elections.
While there are concerns about the effectiveness of civics and citizenship education, there is also evidence young people are interested in, and active on, many issues.
So what do young people care about most? We analysed thousands of pieces of writing by young Australians to find out.
For the past 20 years, young people have been telling us what matters to them as part of the Whitlam Institute’s What Matters? writing competition. Students in years 5–12 can write about whatever they like. Most are directed by their schools to contribute as a part of their civics curriculum. Some opt to enter the competition out of interest.
A unique sample, our analysis of 22,500 entries from 2019 to 2024 provides insight into the issues that resonate most with this generation.
We identified common themes: society and democracy, mental health, environment and climate change, intergenerational justice and (social) media.
We found young people were actively grappling with complex and diverse issues in an increasingly fragmented political landscape. They are also concerned about anti-democratic forces.
They reflect on what makes this moment exceptional – climate change, war and violence, rapid technological change – and consider actions needed from individuals, communities and institutions for them to have a future.
Our research shows young people prioritise care in local and global futures, valuing peer support, family, intergenerational ties, and connections across communities and borders. The most common topic was family, followed by pollution, racism and poverty.
An ethics of care shapes their sense of belonging and responsibility –
and the responsibilities of government. As a senior student wrote in 2022:
Children are being abused, or watching one of their parents be abused countless times. The Government needs to step up and do their job properly by using more effective ways of helping children and their parents get out of unsafe environments.
Our sentiment analysis shows that they write with hope – and frequently with anxiety and fear.
Many young people write about “health”, including physical health and the health of communities and natural environments. Most often, though, they write about mental health and the causes of worry, distress and illness.
Young people want governments and leaders to tackle the causes of the causes of ill-health. In other words, they want action on what creates the drivers of ill-health, including climate change, inequality and loneliness.
For policymakers and advocates, this means recognising mental health as deeply connected to broader social and political issues – issues young people believe governments must address if they are serious about improving wellbeing.
Environmental issues, particularly climate change, were dominant themes — more so than in previous years. Students write about their relationship to the environment and the benefits of connecting to nature.
Some are calling out extractive relationships with the environment, particularly by large corporations. They demand urgent action from individuals and institutions, advocating for policies that prioritise future generations and the planet.
A senior student wrote in 2019:
our future is under threat because of climate change […] it is our generation’s future that is on the line, yet we continue to be unheard.
Young people see intergenerational justice and social justice as interconnected, demanding climate action, economic opportunity and democratic participation. Their concerns reflect a commitment to human rights including refugee rights, gender equality and Indigenous justice.
Their writing shows awareness of Australia’s role in the world. Many discuss global conflicts and the responsibilities of nations in promoting peace and security. They want to contribute to efforts to address these issues.
Young people want to trust and have more of a role in Australian democracy. They want those in power, and the institutions and agencies over which they preside, to be more transparent, to communicate regularly and honestly, and to show how they are taking action for a better future for all generations.
Key areas where young people want greater accountability are in government, the media and business. Twelve-year-old Ivy said in an interview:
young children should have a direct voice to parliament […] adults would take us more seriously instead of just viewing us as just kids. If issues affect kids right now or this generation, they should have a say about that to parliament.
Young people want their activism and efforts recognised and supported. They hope for a democracy in which they’re not just heard, but are actively engaged by leaders, with a direct voice in government (at all levels) and institutions.
Young people highlight social media’s pros and cons, calling for strategies that better engage with them to reduce harm and maximise benefits.
They stress the need for digital literacy to navigate online information critically, and they want online environments to be supportive and safe.
Young people are concerned about how they are represented in the media generally. They argue that inclusive and accurate portrayals are key to having their voices heard and respected – crucial for meaningful civic participation.
Young people are not just future constituents – they are voting at the next election.
The young people whose writing we analysed have formed civic and political values during a turbulent time in Australian and world history: catastrophic bushfires and floods, a climate crisis, a pandemic, and digital technologies that are changing our lives.
They reject the idea they are too young to understand issues, and instead want a participatory democracy in which their voices influence real decisions. Indeed, the public has shown a desire to let young people have more of a say.
Our analysis tells us many of this year’s 18–24-year-old voters are informed, engaged and ready to hold leaders accountable. They want action on climate, mental health, economic justice and democratic accountability. They’re tired of being ignored and sidelined.
The authors would like to acknowledge research assistant Ammar Shoukat Randhawa for their work on the research this article reports.
Philippa Collin receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Telstra Foundation, Google, batyr, Whitlam Institute, Academy Of The Social Sciences In Australia and NSW Health. In recent years she has received funding from the NHMRC, the Federal Department of Education, Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies.
Azadeh Dastyari is the Director, Research and Policy at the Whitlam Institute. She also receives funding from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
Michael Everitt Hartup has no conflict of interest.
Sky Hugman receives funding from The Whitlam Institute
– ref. What do young people want to see in politics? More than 20,000 pieces of their writing hold some answers – https://theconversation.com/what-do-young-people-want-to-see-in-politics-more-than-20-000-pieces-of-their-writing-hold-some-answers-250062
Source: Reserve Bank of India
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Source: Australian Ministers 1
Local roads across New South Wales will receive important safety upgrades thanks to more than $28 million in new Albanese Government funding.
The Albanese Government recognises that local governments are crucial to maintaining and upgrading transport infrastructure.
That’s why we’ve been progressively doubling our Roads to Recovery funding for councils to fix their local roads, and why we’ve lifted and back-dated the freeze on road maintenance indexation instated by the former Coalition Government.
Today’s significant investment will help fund 14 new projects under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) throughout the state.
This includes more than $3.7 million for Maitland City Council for upgrades to Haussman Drive in Thornton.
The project will involve lane duplication between Raymond Terrace Road and Taylor Avenue to provide dual carriageways each direction, shared path and bicycles lanes and improved property accesses.
These improvements will deliver significant benefits for the residents and visitors of Maitland and its surrounds by alleviating traffic congestion, reducing travel times and increasing road safety.
The SLRIP is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthen investment to support the delivery of safer and more productive roads across Australia.
For more information and the list of projects, visit Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government recognises that local governments are crucial to maintaining and upgrading transport infrastructure.
“We have increased funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to make sure we continue to invest in better, safer local roads across New South Wales and Australia.
“We are committed to delivering the funding local councils need to improve road safety and in a way that reduces the burden on them, allowing more money to be spent on projects and less on administration.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson:
“I welcome this announcement of $3.7million for the duplication of Haussman Drive, Thornton as I have had many community members voice their safety concerns about this road.
“This significant investment to upgrade Haussman Drive will alleviate congestion, reduce travel times and improve road safety for all who use this transport corridor.
“As more families move into Thornton, Chisholm, and the broader Maitland area, these road upgrades will enhance connectivity and provide safer travel options across our region.”
|
Local Council |
Project |
AG Funding |
|
Moree Plains Shire Council |
Terry Hie Hie Road Upgrade |
$ 5,000,000 |
|
Bogan Shire Council |
Remove and replace the existing informal low-level crossing with Box Culvert at Monkey Bridge Bypass at Bogan River, Coolabah |
$ 412,000 |
|
Wentworth Shire Council |
Design and upgrade of Milpara Road, Anabranch South |
$ 559,417 |
|
Goulburn Mulwaree Council |
Glynmar Road Causeway Design and Upgrade Project |
$ 1,219,092 |
|
Gwydir Shire Council |
Design and Construction to upgrade Buckie Road, Croppa Creek. |
$ 5,000,000 |
|
Lismore City Council |
Chelmsford Rd – Bridge Renewal |
$ 1,676,000 |
|
Waverley Council |
Construction of Continuous Footpath Treatments on Mitchell Street, Bondi Beach |
$ 121,750 |
|
Lismore City Council |
Channon Rd, Dunoon Upgrade |
$ 2,015,708 |
|
Mid-Coast Council |
Replacement of Mt. Coxcomb Rd Bridge No.1, Upper Lansdowne |
$ 1,433,225 |
|
Waverley Council |
Construction of Raised Pedestrian Crossing on Newland Street at Walter Street, Bondi Junction |
$ 96,250 |
|
Waverley Council |
Construction of Bourke Street Upgrades, Bondi Junction |
$ 444,299 |
|
Maitland City Council |
Thornton North Road Infrastructure Lane Duplication of Haussman Drive |
$ 3,745,400 |
|
Goulburn Mulwaree Council |
Lansdowne Street Heavy Vehicle Route Pavement Rehabilitation Project |
$ 1,909,687 |
|
Shellharbour City Council |
Yellow Rock Road Safety Upgrades, Tullimbar |
$ 5,000,000 |
Source: Australian Ministers 1
The Albanese Government is planning for Wagga Wagga’s future, investing $30 million to plan for a potential rail bypass of the city.
The Wagga Wagga Freight Bypass – Planning project will identify opportunities to enhance freight movement, productivity and the resilience of the rail network in the region.
The current Inland Rail route, as designed under the former Coalition Government, will travel through the centre of Wagga.
Consistent with the Independent Review of Inland Rail, Inland Rail Pty Ltd is ensuring appropriate modifications to limit noise and enable adequate cross-town access. The independent review also recommended planning for an alternative route once Inland Rail has been operational for some years.
We have heard the community feedback about potential disruptions Inland Rail could cause for Wagga, and we understand the importance of starting this work now. This will ensure that if those concerns are realised once Inland Rail is operational, a bypass could be delivered sooner.
The planning works are expected to begin in 2025 and be completed by mid-2030.
As at the 2024–25 MYEFO, the Government’s total commitment to NSW under the Infrastructure Investment Program over the next 10 years is $21 billion.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“We’re investing in this critical first step towards a freight rail bypass that will build Wagga Wagga’s future.
“We’ve listened to the concerns of the local community here in Wagga Wagga, which is more than I can say for the Coalition Government who signed off on these designs in the first place.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill:
“Wagga Wagga is a powerhouse of agriculture and innovation, and a freight bypass could capitalise on its location and connection to national and interstate transport links.
“This project will look at how we can make Wagga safer, and provide it with a better, more efficient freight route – supporting freight operators and businesses in the region.”
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
HONOLULU, Hawaii – The United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) convened the 2nd Annual Regional Security Cooperation Board (RSCB) from February 19-21, 2025. Co-hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the ROK Ministry of National Defense (MND), this pivotal forum brought together senior defense officials and security cooperation professionals from across the Indo-Pacific region to advance bilateral and multilateral security cooperation initiatives. The U.S. Embassy Seoul’s Deputy Chief of Mission Joy Sakurai and ROK MND’s International Policy Bureau Director General Lee Seung Buhm delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of strengthening regional alliances and partnerships to address shared security challenges.
The RSCB reflects a growing commitment to foster alignment on security cooperation efforts, identifying new opportunities for defense collaboration with like-minded partners across the Indo-Pacific region. The event directly supports the Regional Cooperation Framework, endorsed by U.S.-ROK Defense Chiefs during the 54th Security Consultative Meeting.
The outcomes of this year’s discussions will feed into future engagements, reinforcing the shared commitment to regional peace and stability.
Source: Asia Development Bank
Produced by ADB, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, and the United Nations Development Programme, the report looks at workforce disruption and underscores the need to boost training, improve social protection, and target gender equality. It highlights how sectors including renewable energy and sustainable fisheries can create jobs and why digitalization and innovative financing mechanisms are key to pushing countries toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor
Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has survived a vote of no confidence after weeks of political turmoil.
In a vote today, she defeated the motion by 34 votes in favour and 15 against.
The motion was prompted by a split in the ruling FAST Party, which saw Fiame leading a minority government.
But in a shock move today, FAST members voted alongside Fiame’s faction to register a resounding defeat against Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s motion.
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Papalii Lio Masipua, had granted the opposition’s formal request for a vote of no confidence against Fiame on Friday.
Tuilaepa, who is also the head of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), confirmed that the Speaker approved the motion in writing and allowed five members from the opposition bench to speak on it.
According to Samoa’s constitutional requirements, the MP who commands the majority of MPs should be elected as Prime Minister or continue as Prime Minister.
‘Another desperate attempt’
However, the Samoan government stated Tuilaepa’s move was “another desperate attempt to stir political drama” ahead of the no-confidence vote.
Political upheaval hit Samoa just three days into 2025 when the chair of the ruling FAST party and Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries La’auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed he was facing criminal charges.
On January 10, Mata’afa removed La’auli’s ministerial portfolio and subsequently removed three of her Cabinet ministers.
But La’auli remained chair of the FAST Party, and went on to announce the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.
This decision was reportedly challenged by the removed members.
Fiame then removed 13 of her associate ministers.
Laauli acknowledged the challenge of holding a vote of no confidence, but refrained from disclosing the party’s position, stating they would wait until Tuesday.
First female prime minister
Fiame is Samoa’s first female prime minister. She had heritage — her father, Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u, was the country’s first prime minister.
She took office following the April 2021 election, but that devolved into political crisis.
The caretaker HRPP government locked the doors to Parliament in an attempt to stop the then prime minister-elect from being sworn into office following her FAST Party’s one-seat election win.
Two governments claimed a mandate to rule, and the United Nations urged the party leaders to find a solution through discussion.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the country had a new government after it judged the impromptu swearing-in by the newcomer FAST party on May 24 was legitimate under the doctrine of necessity.
It took until July for the incumbent, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, to concede.
Fiame went to school and university in Wellington, New Zealand, but her studies were interrupted in 1977 when she returned to Samoa to help with court cases around the succession of her father’s titles following his death in 1975.
In 1985, she was elected as MP for Lotofaga, the same seat held by her father and then her mother after his death.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Researcher and advocate Anton Blank (Ngāti Porou-Ngāti Kahungunu) this week launches new resources for teachers, to address racism in the classroom.The Oranui (www.oranui.co.nz) resources for teachers include a 20 minute video module, and a short book REWIRE: understanding racism and how to undo it.
“The resources help teachers explore their own implicit biases towards Māori and Pasifika students,” Anton Blank says.
Implicit biases influence human behaviour. They are aversions and preferences that sit below the level of our conscious awareness. Implicit biases are informed by stereotypes and can run counter to our explicit beliefs and values.
“Everyone is influenced by stereotypes that circulate in the social world. We can manage the influence of these stereotypes on our thinking and behaviour by being mindful. This is the focus of the new resources, which explain the dynamics of racism and how to undo it.”
Anton Blank argues that all stereotypes are harmful, because they promulgate generalisations about social groups that aren’t necessarily true.
“Around the world, people of colour are more likely to be negatively stereotyped when it comes to issues like intelligence, work ethic and violence.”
Recent data shows that more than 70 percent of Māori and Pasifika are failing NCEA numeracy standards, which equates to every third student in secondary schools overall.[1]
“I find these numbers absolutely terrifying. Forty-one percent of New Zealand’s under 18-year-olds are now Māori and Pasifika. These populations are youthful — bottom-heavy compared to the ageing Pākehā cohort — so they will continue to grow and fill our schools.
“The most important influence within this data is, I believe, the quality of teacher engagement. Decades of research shows that of all groups of students, teachers have lowest expectations of Māori and Pasifika.”
The Pygmalion Effect describes how teachers’ expectations determine, to a large part, students’ educational outcomes.[2] If Māori children are to achieve, teachers must lift their expectations of students and treat all students as having the same potential for achievement.
Research from the US also shows that the quality of teacher engagement is very important in underprivileged areas, and upgrading teachers’ skills has the most effect on achievement in those schools. In Aotearoa, 40% of Māori students live in the two most deprived deciles in the country.[3]
The Oranui resources for teachers include a 20 minute video module, and a short book REWIRE: understanding racism and how to undo it.
“The resources encourage teachers to explore their own attitudes towards Māori and Pasifika students. Teachers tend to expect these students to disengage from the learning. As a result, teachers make less effort with them.
“These students internalise these beliefs and by secondary school, they group themselves together at the back of the classroom, where they attract less attention from teachers than Pākehā and Asian students.
“Māori students do succeed in Māori educational settings, however, where they feel seen in the classroom, and their potential is nurtured by their teachers.
“For almost ten years, I have worked with teachers across the motu. All of them say they want to see Māori students succeed.
“It is not correct to say that they are deliberately excluding Māori and Pasifika students from learning in the classroom. Rather, teachers are working under pressure, which is when their behaviour is triggered by the automatic and implicit biases described here.”
