NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police hammer home security warning

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Police in Counties Manukau South say a recent increase in burglaries from construction sites is a timely reminder to builders to ensure security is up to standard.

    In the past week, Police have charged four people in relation to industrial burglaries in areas including Pukekohe, Pōkeno and Papakura.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, of Counties Manukau South CIB, says items including tap wear, light fittings, building materials, tools and appliances yet to be installed have been the targets of most burglaries.

    “As a result of our investigations, four people have been charged with various offences in connection to these burglaries in the past week, on top of others last month.

    “One of the four has also been charged with seven separate shoplifting charges and other driving matters.

    “Forensic evidence, CCTV and other investigative methods have been used to progress our enquiries.

    “It’s pleasing we have been able to hold these offenders to account for their actions, while also returning some of the stolen goods to their rightful owners.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says the burglaries are a reminder to all those involved in the construction industry to ensure appropriate steps are made to secure building sites.

    “We also encourage anyone who is the victim of a burglary to report it to Police straight away.

    “Burglaries, thefts or any suspicious behaviour should be reported to us on 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 after the fact.”

    Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says enquiries remain ongoing and Police are not ruling out further arrests or charges.

    Four men, aged between 26-45, have been charged with the respective burglaries Police have linked to them.

    TOP TIPS

    Police recommend a variety of measures to secure your building site:
    •             Install security gates
    •             CCTV
    •             Security patrols
    •             Labelling/marking/engraving valuable items (like tools)
    •             Recording serial numbers
    •             Ensure building materials and appliances are secured and/or installed soon after delivery

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Unwelcome but necessary: a week’s more night work needed Humphrey St/SH6 intersection, Queenstown

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Much weaker than anticipated ground conditions at the road work site near Queenstown’s Kawarau River bridge means a week’s more work, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

    Instead of ending on 21 February, the night work will run through to Friday morning, 28 February, says Peter Standring, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA in Central Otago.

    “We know this work, which is happening overnight to avoid most daytime traffic, is unwelcome to local residents given the noise generated and vibrations from machinery removing the old road layers,” says Mr Standring. “But it is essential we get the asphalting right. As a result, we need to excavate deeper than anticipated to get a lasting road surface.”

    The NZTA crews are using a stronger pavement mixture for this section of SH6 to extend its life as much as possible, but they still need a solid sub-surface underneath it, he says. The site is managed with Stop/Go traffic management overnight, creating short delays.

    Work started on 9 February, 8 pm to 6 am, and will now run for the extra third week to the end of February, Sunday nights to Thursday nights.

    “Crews will continue to do whatever they can to fit in the noisiest activity in the early part of the night,” says Mr Standring. “We thank everyone for being patient while we get this highway reconstruction done to a high standard to last for many years.”

    The highway is down to 30km/hour daytimes while the night work is underway.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘It’s a house battery you can drive around’ – how a handful of Australians are selling power back to the grid from their cars

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott Dwyer, Research Director, Energy Futures, University of Technology Sydney

    24K-Productions

    Our cars sit unused most of the time. If you have an electric vehicle, you might leave it charging at home or work after driving it. But there’s another step you could take. If you have a bidirectional charger, you can set it to sell power back to the grid when demand is high.

    Fewer than ten people across Australia actually do this, because the technology – known as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) – is very new. To date, it only works with a single car model (Nissan LEAF) and a single charger (Wallbox Quasar 1). We’ve estimated the number of users based on sales of this charger. The chargers are expensive and there’s a thicket of regulations to navigate.

    But that could soon change. Last year, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen announced new Australian standards and communications protocols for bidirectional chargers in a bid to make it mainstream. Cheaper EVs and bidirectional chargers will make this more appealing.

    If it takes off, V2G could become extremely useful to the power grid as a way to release power as required and stabilise the grid against fluctuations.

    This week, Australia’s renewable energy agency released a V2G roadmap, which notes widespread uptake could “materially reduce electricity costs for consumers and accelerate national emissions reduction”.

    To understand why people are using the technology and the challenges to do so, we interviewed five early adopters from New South Wales and South Australia. Our findings are released today.

    A bidirectional charger is necessary to sell power back to the grid.
    doublelee/Shutterstock

    Setting up V2G isn’t easy

    Our interviewees reported a long, complex journey to set up V2G. These early adopters had no playbook to follow, so the process was one of trial and error.

    Some relied on professional networks or social media groups to gather information. They spent significant time and energy finding electricians, installers and charger manufacturers to set up their systems. Strata approvals were required. They also had to negotiate with power retailers and distributors.

    Delays were common, especially when seeking approval from the energy distributor. Some interviewees reported delays of months to years.

    Most interviewees had experience in a technical field such as engineering or technology. Some reported a significant learning curve, while others using new software from their retailer reported a smoother “set and forget” process.

    So why do it? Our interviewees had several reasons, ranging from getting the most out of expensive assets (solar and the EV) to offsetting power bills entirely.

    Four out of five interviewees reported making a small profit of about A$1,000 annually instead of a bill. Many wanted to be able to reduce dependence on the grid and reduce their environmental impact.

    As one told us:

    you originally think of it as a car you can also use to power your house. [But actually] it’s a house battery you can drive around.

    Maximising savings

    Typically, our interviewees plugged their car in at home during the day to charge from their rooftop solar. In the evenings when power prices peaked, they used an app to sell power back to the grid. This maximised their cost savings for charging the car battery and their earnings from the grid.

    For instance, a V2G user was alerted by their energy retailer that power prices had spiked to over $20 per kilowatt hour – far above normal rates of 25–45 cents. They immediately set their car and home battery to sell power back to the grid. In two hours, they sold 28 kilowatt hours of power to the grid and made more than $560. As they told us: “I look forward to more such events.”

    Our interviewees often monitored energy prices, solar output and car battery levels to optimise their output. To avoid their EV battery getting too low, they set a lower limit – say 30% of charge – after which their car would stop exporting power.

    This photo shows the setup of one of our early adopter interviewees. Pictured is the Nissan LEAF and bidirectional charger. For years, this has been the only car model compatible with vehicle to grid, but this is set to change.
    Author provided, CC BY-NC-ND

    Is there a downside?

    One of the main reasons people are sceptical of V2G is due to concern about accelerated degradation of the battery.

    This is a common concern. But to date, there’s no consensus showing V2G shortens the battery life of EVs significantly. One recent study shows it increases degradation by 0.3% a year. But another showed V2G might actually extend battery life in some scenarios.

    Last year, we surveyed more than 1,300 members of a motoring organisation about their view of V2G technology. We found battery warranty was a bigger concern than battery life. This is because most EV manufacturers other than Nissan don’t mention V2G in their battery warranties, leading drivers to believe they might void their warranty by using V2G.

    Awareness of V2G technology is growing. The survey also found almost 40% of respondents were very or somewhat familiar with V2G, a jump from the 17% who reported familiarity in 2022. Among EV owners, almost 90% reported knowledge of the concept.

    Moving beyond early adopters

    For V2G to go mainstream, the process must be much simpler, cheaper and easier to set up.

    To accelerate uptake, reliable, accessible information is essential.

    Expanding government incentive programs to include bidirectional chargers would cut the upfront cost and make it more accessible.

    Even within the EV supply chain, knowledge of V2G is limited. Car dealerships will need to know which models work with V2G.

    Electricians may need specific training to install and maintain these chargers.

    EVs are falling in price as manufacturers vie for market share and cheaper options become available. V2G capabilities might help boost sales for competing car companies.

    As more motorists switch to EVs, interest in V2G will increase. While V2G can boost the appeal of EVs, there are others, such as Vehicle-to-Home (using your car to power your home during blackouts or to save money) and Vehicle-to-Load (using your EV to run power tools or appliances).

    Each of these can help consumers get more value from the vehicles parked in driveways and garages.

    Scott Dwyer receives funding from iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre and the NRMA for this project.

    Scott Dwyer receives funding from iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre and the NRMA for this project.

    Kriti Nagrath receives funding from iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre and the NRMA for this project.

    – ref. ‘It’s a house battery you can drive around’ – how a handful of Australians are selling power back to the grid from their cars – https://theconversation.com/its-a-house-battery-you-can-drive-around-how-a-handful-of-australians-are-selling-power-back-to-the-grid-from-their-cars-249696

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: You’re playing (or watching) sport and someone blurts out a racial slur. The next 60 seconds are crucial

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aish Ravi, Lecturer in Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusive Education, Monash University

    In October last year, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) launched Dealing with the Moment: Anti-Racism in Community Sport, a free online course designed to help community coaches, parents, umpires and players respond to racism in sport.

    The course equips people with the tools they need to intervene effectively when racism occurs, ensuring everyone feels safe, welcome and respected.

    One of the key recommendations from the course is what to do if you hear someone say something racist on the sports field.

    Why racist remarks are so damaging

    Racist remarks hurt more than just a player’s feelings — they attack their sense of belonging and identity on the field.

    I know from my own experiences.

    During my years playing various community sports as a young adult, including Australian rules football, soccer and cricket, I was often one of the only people of colour.

    In those moments, I wanted my play and skills to be the focus but unfortunately, my appearance often made me stand out, which led to racist comments.

    Those remarks were deeply offensive and hurtful. They made me feel like I didn’t belong or shouldn’t be there.

    Racism in sport sends a harmful message: that someone doesn’t belong because of their skin colour or background. These incidents leave lasting emotional and psychological scars, even if they don’t result in physical harm.

    Why I helped develop the course

    I worked on developing the course to address a significant gap in how racism is handled in community sport.

    The course aims to ensure all sport participants have a positive and inclusive experience and that everyone understands the importance of addressing racism immediately – in the moment.

    It’s not good enough to delay action, even if that’s how it has often been done in the past. Some organisations claim that delaying action allows for thorough investigations and careful consideration.

    However, this is often a strategy to protect reputations and minimise backlash rather than address the root causes of the problem.

    Such delays can silence victims, perpetuate harm, and show a lack of genuine commitment to tackling systemic racism. Immediate action is necessary to demonstrate accountability and foster meaningful change.

    We must do better. We need to see progress, not stagnation.

    So, what should you do after a racist comment?

    If you don’t have time to dive into the full course, here are the key lessons:

    • the first 60 seconds are crucial: intervening immediately sends a strong message that racism won’t be tolerated and shows support for the victim

    • understand racism: recognise what racism is and how it affects people. Never dismiss someone’s experience by saying it’s “not racism” or telling them to “get over it”. Just because the harm isn’t physical doesn’t mean it’s not significant

    • take action: the course provides clear guidance on how to respond effectively to incidents of racism and support those affected.

    Why are the first 60 seconds so cruical?

    Acting early allows you to nip the issue in the bud by calling it out and intervening on the spot. It leaves no room for misinterpretation of events or for the narrative to shift.

    The longer the delay, the more time it allows for the situation to be downplayed, the narrative to change, or for excuses to be made.

    Ultimately, delays often result in the issue being swept under the carpet, with no one taking accountability for the harm caused.

    Immediate action demonstrates clarity, conviction, and a genuine commitment to addressing racism.

    Strategies for coaches, parents and officials

    Everyone — coaches, parents, officials, players and spectators — has a role to play when dealing with racism. Here are some practical strategies:

    • acknowledge and act: staying silent is not an option. A simple statement like “that’s not okay” sends a strong message of support and sets a clear standard of behaviour

    • use your authority: coaches can address players directly, officials can stop play, and parents can challenge inappropriate behaviour from the sidelines. Everyone has the power to intervene

    • educate yourself: take the course or learn more about racism so you feel confident and empowered to act

    • don’t minimise the impact: never tell someone to brush it off or suggest it’s not a big deal. Acknowledge their feelings, show empathy, and take the situation seriously

    • apply this to all inappropriate behaviour: these strategies aren’t limited to racism. They apply to misogynistic, homophobic, or other harmful remarks as well.

    Sport should be for everyone

    We live in a multicultural society – a melting pot of diverse cultures that is beautifully reflected on our streets and in our classrooms. It would be wonderful to see this diversity equally represented in community sport.

    Greater representation on the field and in the stands would create a sense of belonging and allow all players to thrive, regardless of their background.

    This is why addressing racism is so crucial — it paves the way for more inclusive and equitable participation in sport.

    The goal is to make sport a space where diversity is celebrated, teamwork is valued, and everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination.

    We can all play a part in creating lasting change.

    Aish Ravi receives funding from organisations for consulting work on training and education and evaluation work. She is also on various volunteer committees advocating for change.

    – ref. You’re playing (or watching) sport and someone blurts out a racial slur. The next 60 seconds are crucial – https://theconversation.com/youre-playing-or-watching-sport-and-someone-blurts-out-a-racial-slur-the-next-60-seconds-are-crucial-248671

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: USAID Cuts – Uncertainty around PEPFAR program puts millions of people at risk – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    New York/Johannesburg/Brussels, February 13, 2025 — The decision by the US government to temporarily freeze funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) alongside all other foreign aid for at least a 90-day period has had immediate effects on people living with HIV (PLHIV), said Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) today. Although the US has since clarified that certain treatment programs can continue at least until April, we are concerned that critical elements of the PEPFAR program remain frozen.

    “More than three weeks since the US government froze PEPFAR funding, there is still widespread confusion and uncertainty as to whether this critical lifeline for millions of people has been cut off,” said Avril Benoît, chief executive officer of MSF USA. “Despite a limited waiver covering some activities, what our teams are seeing in many of the countries where we work is that people have already lost access to lifesaving care and have no idea whether or when their treatment will continue. MSF is calling on the US government to immediately resume funding for the full range of PEPFAR operations as well as other critical health and humanitarian aid.”

    On February 1, after over a week of chaos and a freeze of activities, the US government issued a limited waiver allowing for the resumption of some programming with specific guidance for HIV. However, that guidance was unclear, and it did not immediately reach PEPFAR country teams. Across our broad network, MSF did not see a single organization able to resume work as a result of this limited guidance on waivers. On February 6, the US government issued clarified guidance on HIV care and treatment and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) programs.

    However, we remain concerned that key areas of HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support are not included in this additional guidance, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for all vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ people and sex workers, specific interventions for adolescents girls and young women in high prevalence countries, and community-led monitoring programs. These services are essential to ensuring a successful response to the epidemic.

    While MSF does not accept US government funding and will not be directly affected by cuts or freezes to PEPFAR, many of our activities are contingent on the programs that have been interrupted. In some places we’ve had to adapt and change our activities and the indirect effects of these freezes have already been felt in our projects in various parts of the world.

    In Sub-Saharan Africa, where MSF runs several HIV/AIDS and related health programs, we are already witnessing impacts on patients. In South Africa, many clinics providing HIV services, including testing, treatment, and PrEP through PEPFAR-funded organizations have been shuttered, leaving people confused and distressed about where to access their critical medication. In Mozambique, a major partner organization of MSF that provided comprehensive HIV services had to stop activities completely. In Zimbabwe, most organizations providing HIV services have also stopped work, disrupting in particular the DREAMS program aimed at decreasing new HIV infections in adolescent girls and young women.

    “Any interruption to HIV services and treatment is deeply distressing to people in care and an emergency when it comes to HIV treatment,” said Tom Ellman, director of the South Africa Medical Unit at MSF Southern Africa. “HIV medicines must be taken daily or people run the risk of developing resistance or deadly health complications.”

    In Democratic Republic of Congo, the aid freeze was already affecting the most successful model of antiretroviral drug distribution ever implemented in the capital city of Kinshasa: the community-run free distribution and peer support points, known locally as “PODIs”. In a country where stigma against people living with HIV is massive and poverty remains a barrier to care, PODIs have proven to be a medically necessary approach for addressing delays or therapy abandonment. With PEPFAR-supported points of care now closed and other activities frozen, thousands of people were left without support and with a high risk of developing advanced HIV. MSF teams supporting advanced HIV disease care in Kinshasa might not be able to meet the increased demand if disruptions persist.

    In South Sudan, approximately 51 percent of people living with HIV know their status, and 47 percent are on treatment. A discontinuation of this program will have devastating effects on thousands of people and their communities.  MSF has worked alongside PEPFAR providing essential HIV care in this context and has seen firsthand how this program saves lives. The support of PEPFAR in this country is critical.

    PEPFAR-supported programming is deeply interconnected with and reliant on other components of the US foreign aid system, specifically implementation support provided by USAID and technical and other assistance provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Given that the foreign aid freeze and stop-work orders continue to affect these other agencies, and staff from these agencies have been put on immediate leave or recalled, it is unclear when and how even the limited activities now allowed will be able to restart.

    “These disruptions will cost lives and upend years of progress against this virus,” said Benoit. “Every day that passes is an emergency for millions of people for whom PEPFAR is a lifeline.”

    PEPFAR-supported programming has been heavily integrated into key aspects of the broader health systems of partner countries over the last 20 plus years and as a result the consequences of these disruptions have been far-reaching. For this reason, some of the services affected go beyond purely HIV treatment and prevention, such as in Uganda, where PEPFAR-funded aspects of infectious disease surveillance and response, including for Ebola virus, have been stopped.

    “When MSF first started treating people with HIV/AIDS in South Africa 25 years ago, there were no ARV medicines on the shelves, every diagnosis felt like a death sentence, and communities were desperately trying to curb the virus’ spread,” said Ellman.

    Since then, PEPFAR support has helped save more than 25 million lives and encouraged the fight against HIV to be a truly global one. But continued success relies on continued access to the full range of HIV-related programs, services, and goods including prevention services and treatment, population-specific and targeted programs, programs related to gender-based violence, and other critical areas, said MSF.

    As health care providers, we are deeply concerned by these disruptions to this lifesaving program.

    “Even temporary interruptions to key components of PEPFAR will harm people at risk of acquiring HIV and people living with HIV,” said Benoît. “We urge the US government to immediately resume all funding of critical humanitarian and health aid, including the full range of PEPFAR operations.”

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Cantwell Reintroduce Bills to Lower Prescription Drug Prices, Drive PBM Accountability

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and former Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, are reintroducing two bipartisan bills to combat the high cost of prescription drugs and provide greater transparency of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
    “Iowans are fed up with the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs and eager for Congress to act to put a stop to pharmacy benefit managers’ shady practices. These bipartisan legislative solutions will bring much-needed transparency to prescription drug pricing and ensure the federal government can effectively target the abusive practices that unfairly drive up drug costs,” Grassley said.  
    “For too long, Americans have been left in the dark while PBMs – the mysterious middlemen – manipulate prescription drug prices. We need to hold PBMs accountable for skyrocketing drug costs. With these bipartisan bills, I’m continuing to fight for accountability and transparency in the drug market so we can shine a light on unfair practices and make sure patients get a fair deal on the medications they need,” Cantwell said.
    Prescription Pricing for the People Act:
    This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to complete a 6(b) study examining the effects of consolidation on pricing in the PBM industry, as well as other potentially abusive behavior by PBMs. The bill instructs the FTC to provide policy recommendations to Congress to improve competition and protect consumers.
    Grassley has welcomed the FTC’s interim staff reports on opaque PBM practices. The interim staff reports are a direct result of Grassley’s prior requests for a 6(b) study on potential anti-competitive practices in the prescription drug industry, as well as his bipartisan demands for a status update in light of FTC’s significant delays. Once passed, this legislation will bring the FTC 6(b) study to completion. The bill falls within the jurisdiction of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
    Additional cosponsors are Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and James Lankford (R-Okla.).
    The bipartisan proposal is supported by the AARP, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, American Pharmacists Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Community Oncology Alliance, National Community Pharmacists Association and National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.
    Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act:
    This bill bans deceptive and unfair pricing schemes, prohibits arbitrary claw backs of payments made to pharmacies, and requires PBMs to report to the FTC on how much money they make through spread pricing and pharmacy fees. The bill falls within the jurisdiction of the Senate Commerce Committee.
    Additional cosponsors are Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).
    The bipartisan proposal is supported by the AARP, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, American Pharmacists Association, Association for Clinical Oncology, Association of Mature American Citizens, Autoimmune Association, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Community Oncology Alliance, National Community Pharmacists Association and National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.
    “AARP, which advocates for the more than 100 million Americans aged 50 and over, is pleased to support the Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2025 and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act of 2025. We value your ongoing bipartisan efforts to lower drug prices for consumers and taxpayers. It is outrageous that Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, AARP.
    “APhA supports Senators Grassley’s and Cantwell’s reintroduction of the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act, which would go a long way toward addressing PBMs’ anticompetitive business practices putting many independent pharmacies out of business and creating ‘pharmacy deserts’ in rural and underserved communities, where the neighborhood pharmacy may be the only health care provider for miles. We also support the Prescription Pricing for the People Act directing the FTC to report on ways to enforce antitrust and consumer protection laws. APhA stands ready to work with Senators Grassley and Cantwell and the FTC to not only examine PBMs’ anticompetitive business practices but to take the necessary actions to end them,” said the American Pharmacists Association.
    “The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) commends Senators Grassley and Cantwell for once again taking an early lead in introducing pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) legislation in the 119th Congress. The Prescription Pricing for the People Act (S.113 in the 118th Congress) and the Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act (S.127 in the 118th Congress) lit the fuse for additional legislation in both the Senate and the House to stop the top PBMs from harming patients, especially those with cancer. We thank Senators Grassley and Cantwell for their leadership in reintroducing these bills in the 119th Congress. Americans face medication delays and denials, as well as higher costs and waste, at the hands of the top PBMs, especially CVS/Caremark, Cigna/Express Scripts, and United/Optum Rx, which control 80 percent of the prescription drug market. They have to be stopped from harming cancer patients and others with serious diseases. It’s time for Congress to act now!” said Ted Okon, Executive Director, Community Oncology Alliance (COA).
    “Increased transparency into PBM operations is critical to understanding the many ways their underhanded tactics lead to increased costs, delayed access to care, and an unfair marketplace for independent pharmacies – tactics that need swift, significant reforms. The PBMs’ attempt to block every action to increase transparency in the drug delivery system should concern everyone from patients to policymakers. We’re grateful to our allies in Congress like Sens. Grassley and Cantwell for keeping these bills on their agenda and pushing for accountability and change. PBM reform cannot wait,” said B. Douglas Hoey, CEO, National Community Pharmacists Association.
    “IBD patients deserve to understand why PBMs are making the decisions that they do, and whether these decisions are financially motivated or based on science. They should also share in any cost savings achieved by PBMs. The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act would make great strides in revealing the true motives and operating practices of PBMs, and in aligning their incentives with increased patient access to medications,” said Erin McKeon, Director, Federal Advocacy, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
    “The Pharmacy Benefit Manager Transparency Act of 2025 would prevent anti-competitive practices and require PBMs to operate with full transparency. This bill ensures that PBMs can no longer manipulate pricing, prioritize profits over patients, or exploit loopholes that drive up costs. AMAC Action is committed to protecting seniors from predatory pricing schemes and ensuring they have access to affordable prescription medications. We commend you both for leading this bipartisan effort and urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation to bring long-overdue transparency and accountability to the PBM industry,” said Andrew J. Mangione Jr., Senior Vice President, AMAC Action.
    About Pharmacy Benefit Managers
    PBMs were initially formed in the 1960s to process claims and negotiate lower drug prices with drug makers. Now, PBMs administer prescription drug plans for hundreds of millions of Americans.
    Today, three PBMs control nearly 80 percent of the prescription drug market. They serve as middlemen, managing every aspect of the prescription drug benefits process for health insurance companies, self-insured employers, unions and government programs.
    They operate out of the view of regulators and consumers — setting prescription costs, deciding what drugs are covered by insurance plans and how they are dispensed, pocketing unknown sums that might otherwise be passed along as savings to consumers, and undercutting local independent pharmacies.
    This lack of transparency makes it impossible to fully understand if and how PBMs might be manipulating the prescription drug market to increase profits and drive-up drug costs for consumers.
    Background:
    Grassley has long championed efforts to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Three pieces of legislation authored and coauthored by Grassley have been signed into law to combat anticompetitive practices and stop drug makers from reaping profits at the expense of taxpayers and consumers. Grassley has also led in-depth congressional investigations to expose those responsible for prescription drug price gouging.  
    Other actions include:
    January 2025: Grassley welcomed the FTC’s second interim staff report on PBMs and urged congressional and executive branch action.
    July 2024: Grassley welcomed the FTC’s interim staff report on PBMs and urged congressional and executive branch action.
    January 2024: Grassley sent a letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into the health care industry’s most powerful prescription drug middlemen.
    November 2023: The Finance Committee adopted a Grassley-led provision to strengthen oversight of CMS and hold PBMs accountable. 
    July 2023: The Finance Committee adopted several Grassley-led PBM accountability provisions. 
    March 2023: The Senate Commerce Committee passed a Grassley-backed bill to hold PBMs accountable for unfair practices driving up costs for consumers.
    February 2023: The Senate Judiciary Committee — which Grassley currently chairs — passed five Grassley-led bills to boost competition in the pharmaceutical industry and improve patients’ access to more affordable prescription drugs.
    October 2022: Grassley led a bipartisan letter urging the FTC to complete its investigation into PBMs to shine light on drug pricing practices.
    January 2021: Grassley and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released a two-year bipartisan investigation into insulin price gouging.
    August 2018: Grassley requested the FTC assess pharmaceutical supply chain intermediaries.
    Learn more about Grassley’s persistent efforts to lower prescription drug costs HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Willis’ supermarket announcement all talk, no plan

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Nicola Willis’ latest supermarket announcement is painfully weak with no new ideas, no real plan, and no relief for Kiwis struggling with rising grocery costs.

    “New Zealanders struggling with the cost of their weekly grocery shopping don’t need more vague promises from Nicola Willis, they need real action,” Labour commerce and consumer affairs spokesperson Arena Williams said. 

    “When Labour was in government, we took bold action to break up the supermarket duopoly. We banned restrictive land covenants, enforced mandatory wholesale access, and introduced a Grocery Commissioner to hold the industry to account. We didn’t just talk about competition, we legislated for it.

    “If National was serious about tackling the supermarket duopoly it would build on the real progress Labour made. Instead, all Nicola Willis is offering is no new ideas, no deadlines, and no clear policies.

    “It’s a smokescreen for a government that is floundering when it comes to the cost of living,” Arena Williams said.

    “Nicola Willis talks about ‘growth’, but the only growth we’ve seen is in the number of job losses, the number of Kiwis leaving, and the number of homeless Kiwis,” Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

    “Willis’ announcement is part of a troubling trend of all talk and no action. This government has failed to deliver on their FamilyBoost promises, they’re failing on ferries, and now they’re failing to seriously address grocery prices.”

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Puruatanga Road, Martinborough

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Four people on a shared bicycle have been injured in a serious crash with a car in Martinborough.

    The collision happened on Puruatanga Road, between Regent Street and Todds Road, about 10.45am.

    At least one person is being flown to hospital with critical injuries. Three others have serious injuries.

    The driver of the vehicle is uninjured and is being spoken to by Police. 

    The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and the road will likely remain closed for some time. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fiscal indicators in line with expectations

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The latest financial statements show the Government’s books are tracking broadly as expected, with some indicators in better shape than forecast at the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update last year.
    The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the six months ended 31 December 2024 were published by Treasury today.
    Treasury reports a $400 million improvement in the Government’s headline operating balance indicator, OBEGALx, compared to what was forecast. Net core Crown debt is $700 million lower than forecast.
    “The Government is committed to returning OBEGALx to surplus and to bringing net core Crown debt below 40 per cent of GDP,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
    “Prudence with taxpayers’ money supports the Government’s work to grow the economy, invest in things that matter most to New Zealanders and build resilience to future shocks.”
    The publication of the statements coincides with the launch of the Government’s Going for Growth progress report, which lays out the work already underway, as well as the work planned, to grow New Zealand’s economy.
    “Economic growth supports the ability and speed with which we can rectify the Government’s financial position.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Tiny splendid peacock spiders have the fastest known jump among their kin – new study

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ajay Narendra, Associate Professor of Insect Neuroethology, Macquarie University

    Pranav Joshi

    Jumping spiders – one of the largest spider families – get their name from the extraordinary jumps they make to hunt prey, to navigate and also to evade predators.

    Male jumping spiders also jump to escape from cannibalistic females and competing males. So they are under tremendous pressure to jump efficiently and rapidly.

    We studied the jumping abilities of miniature male and female Australian peacock spiders. We found that the males – incredibly light creatures, weighing just 2 milligrams – have the highest acceleration among any known jumping spider.

    Our study is the first to explore and identify differences in how male and female jumping spiders undertake their impressive jumps. It’s now published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

    A male Australian splendid peacock spider.
    Pranav Joshi

    Unique hydraulics

    Jumping is an energetically “expensive” movement strategy. To perform it, animals have to launch themselves from a surface by coordinating the movement of numerous body parts.

    Some invertebrates, like ants, jump with the help of their muscles. Others, like fleas, use energy stored in internal structures that are rapidly released to trigger a leap.

    Jumping spiders are different – they use a unique semi-hydraulic system. They don’t have muscles to extend their legs and power the jumps. Instead, they extend their legs by increasing the pressure of the haemolymph (fluid analogous to blood in invertebrates) in their legs, which triggers the jump.

    Peacock spiders are well known for the elaborate courtship display males carry out to court females. It has captured the attention of biologists and non-scientific audiences alike. The display includes extending and waving their third pair of legs and opening the colourful flap-like extensions on the abdomen.

    The quantitative description of jumping movements, known as jump kinematics, has only been conducted for four of the 6,000+ jumping spider species known worldwide. On top of this, scientists have never investigated differences in jump dynamics in male and female spiders.

    Because male and female peacock spiders differ strongly in size from each other, they present a unique opportunity to identify sex-specific differences in jump kinematics.

    Spiders on campus

    We studied the Australian splendid peacock spider (Maratus splendens) found both on the Macquarie University campus in Sydney and in the surrounding area.

    The females weighed more than twice as much as males, and the heaviest female was 6.6 times heavier than the lightest male. We scanned male and female specimens using micro-computed tomography and carried out a 3D reconstruction to determine the centre of mass of each sex.

    Micro CT reconstruction of the male of the Australian splendid peacock spider with centre of mass highlighted by a circle.
    Ajay Narendra

    We then filmed the jumps of male and female spiders using a high-speed camera, and tracked the animals’ centre of mass during each jump. From this, we measured a suite of kinematic measures, including jump take-off angle, acceleration, and g-force.

    We found that these lighter male peacock spiders have a distinct jump choreography and kinematics compared to the heavier females.

    High, fast and steep

    We discovered that the splendid peacock spiders accelerated at 127.8 m/s² – more than twice as fast as the previous highest known acceleration in jumping spiders.

    This rapid acceleration may have evolved to escape from predators or to track and capture fast-moving prey in their natural environments.

    Though the lighter males accelerated faster, after controlling for body mass we found that acceleration in males was slower compared to females. Males and females experienced accelerations equivalent to 13.03 times and 12.5 times the force of gravity, respectively.

    Interestingly, the jumps of males were at a steeper angle than those of females, which is likely an adaptation to rapidly escape from females and other males.

    A question that remained was which of the four pairs of legs powered this rapid jump. To figure this out, we tracked multiple joints on all of the spiders’ legs throughout the jump.

    We found that the joint on the third pair of legs had an extremely acute angle before jumping, and rapidly changed to something like a straight angle after attaining maximum acceleration. Our results show that it’s the third pair of legs that propels the splendid peacock spider into its impressive jumps.

    Ajay Narendra receives funding from Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Tiny splendid peacock spiders have the fastest known jump among their kin – new study – https://theconversation.com/tiny-splendid-peacock-spiders-have-the-fastest-known-jump-among-their-kin-new-study-247241

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Science reforms: Save Science Coalition releases latest toll of science roles in wake of further cuts at Callaghan Innovation

    Source: Save Science

    Over 200 science roles have been cut from the sector since July last year, bringing the total number of roles lost in the government science sector to approximately 570. That is despite the Government trumpeting science as a key to economic growth.
    New figures released by the Save Science Coalition, a group of 30 scientific societies and unions, include an additional proposed 63 roles to be disestablished at Callaghan Innovation as the latest casualties of Government cuts. Staff at Callaghan Innovation were made aware of the proposal on Wednesday.
    “The latest cuts at Callaghan Innovation are a direct result of Government decisions to remove the majority of the organisation’s funding by 30 June this year,” explained Dr Lucy Stewart, spokesperson for the Save Science Coalition.
    “This isn’t stopping – we are expecting hundreds of additional jobs to be lost. We are aware of continuing restructuring occurring at Callaghan Innovation, AgResearch and Manaaki Whenua. This is on top of the Government’s proposed restructure of the science sector, which may result in yet further job losses unless the Government makes a clear plan to retain staff through this process.”
    “The Science System Advisory Group report highlighted that retention of the skilled workforce in this sector was of utmost importance. So far, it is difficult to see how the Government is upholding this principle when we are seeing job cuts continue even after the publication of the much-awaited report.”
    The Save Science Coalition also emphasised that funding the sector is critically important.
    “The Science System Advisory Group announcements included no additional funding for the sector, either to fund the reform programme or the ongoing science. While the reforms may help reduce unproductive competition between agencies, which is a positive thing, the benefits of the changes can only fully be realised if there is appropriate funding made available,” explained Stewart.
    “Merging and rebranding institutions costs money, but according to Cabinet papers the proposed changes are to be funded out of existing allocations. Furthermore, there is no commitment to retaining current scientific expertise, at the same time as the Government talks about wanting to attract new talent to our country. We know many researchers have already been forced to relocate offshore.”
    “The Cabinet papers noted that Aotearoa New Zealand receives a return of $3.50 for each dollar invested in science, innovation and technology. For science to be the solution to New Zealand’s economy, as the Prime Minister has so keenly told us, then he needs to front up and invest in it.”
    The Save Science Coalition has written to Science Minister Dr Shane Reti to discuss these matters.
    The Save Science Coalition was set up in May 2024 and completed a report documenting the cuts to science funding and staffing which was released in July 2024. The group has now released an update to the report, detailing additional cuts made between July 2024 and February 2025. The Coalition has also published its collective response to the reforms announced in January 2025.
    The Save Science Coalition’s goals are:
    – to oppose cuts to science funding and science staff across government institutions
    – to highlight and catalogue what is being lost through the current cuts
    – to defend support for world-leading indigenous research including mātauranga Māori
    – to make the case for a foundation of support for public science and re-committing to a target of 2% of GDP to be invested in research and development in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    Current Save Science Coalition member organisations are:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: BusinessNZ – Growth plan endorsed

    Source: BusinessNZ

    BusinessNZ has endorsed the Going for Growth plan released by the Minister for Economic Growth, outlining actions to be taken or underway to lift economic and productivity growth.
    BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich said the proposed reform of taxation, savings and competition policy offered potential for invigorating the economy, and individual businesses stood to gain from the reforms.
    “For example, efforts towards promoting global trade and investment will be a significant boost for NZ exporters, while domestic businesses will gain from the reform of procurement rules that will give more ability for firms to tender for government business.”
    Katherine Rich said the plan’s focus on innovation and AI was well-placed.
    “Recent analysis by Accenture and Microsoft indicates the potential for annual GDP growth of up to $100 billion by 2038, based on greater uptake of AI by NZ businesses.
    “We would expect the Going for Growth plan to stimulate a more productive business environment, allowing businesses to invest in digital and AI technologies, to drive even further productivity and economic growth,” Mrs Rich said.
    The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: United nations Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai: 35 UN entities, 15 Secretariat Departments, Offices to Gather under Theme “United for a Better Future”

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Two months from today, the United Nations will welcome visitors to a dedicated pavilion in the Empowering Zone of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan under the theme “United for a Better Future”.  The United Nations Pavilion is proud to host exhibits and programming that represent the work of 35 UN entities and 15 UN Secretariat departments and offices.

    The United Nations pavilion will feature highlights of eight decades of impact, current efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to address global challenges and humanitarian crises, as well as a vision of a sustainable future that is possible only through collective action and multilateral collaboration.  The UN Pavilion will also host special weekly exhibits and events aligned with the Expo’s theme weeks, United Nations international days and other priorities to promote sustainable development, human rights, climate action and peace and security.  Visitors can also purchase UN and SDG-related merchandise at the giftshop located inside the pavilion.

    Confirmed participating UN entities include:

    • United Nations Secretariat
      • Department of Global Communications
      • Department of Economic and Social Affairs
      • Department of Peace Operations
      • Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
      • Development Coordination Office
      • Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
      • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
      • United Nations Global Compact Office
      • United Nations Mine Action Service
      • United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
      • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
      • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
      • United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
      • United Nations Road Safety Fund / Special Envoy for Road Safety
      • United Nations Youth Office
    • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
    • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
    • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
    • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
    • International Labour Organization (ILO)
    • International Maritime Organization (IMO)
    • International Organization for Migration (IOM)
    • International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
    • International Trade Centre (ITC)
    • Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
    • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
    • Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
    • Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific)
    • United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
    • United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
    • United Nations Development Programme
    • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
    • United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women)
    • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
    • United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
    • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
    • United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
    • United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
    • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
    • United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
    • United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
    • United Nations University (UNU)
    • United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV)
    • United Nations Water*
    • Universal Postal Union (UPU)
    • World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)
    • World Food Programme (WFP)
    • World Health Organization (WHO)
    • World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

    The UN Pavilion will also host prominent guest speakers, including senior UN officials, leading experts, celebrities and advocates, who will share their insights and experiences on global challenges and solutions.

    “In the year that the United Nations will turn 80 years old, the UN Pavilion presents key milestones since 1945 that have reshaped values and the world as we know it.  We will also showcase examples of the UN in our daily lives and a vision of a world in which everyone thrives in peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet,” said Maher Nasser, Commissioner-General of the United Nations at Expo 2025.  “It is our hope that our pavilion will serve as a dynamic platform for learning, collaboration and inspiration for action.” 

    The video interview of Mr. Nasser is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MBS_DOB_k8.

    Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, will run from 13 April to 13 October and is expected to attract over 28 million visitors.  The UN Pavilion will be open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

    For additional information about the United Nations presence at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, please contact Naomi Ichikawa, UN Department of Global Communications (New York), at email:  nichikawa@un.org.

    __________

    * UN Water is a coordination mechanism, comprising United Nations entities (members) and international organizations (partners) working on water and sanitation issues.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – Ruling out compensation for Golden Mile businesses will put Wellingtonians’ jobs at risk

    Source: Business Central

    The decision to rule out compensation for businesses on the Golden Mile will put jobs and livelihoods at risk, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce warns.
    A three-year redevelopment of Courtenay Place is set to begin in April, the Wellington City Council confirmed today. In doing so, the Council rejected calls to offer compensation or rent relief while major construction is taking place.
    Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Arcus says it’s far too early to rule out forms of business support:
    “Businesses are the heartbeat of our central city – without them, there would be no Golden Mile at all.
    “We all know the city centre needs an upgrade, but construction of this size and scale will pose huge risks to businesses – and that means jobs will be at stake.
    “It’s hugely concerning to hear the Council say they won’t consider compensation for business. The lesson of the City Rail Link in Auckland is that projects like this drive businesses to the brink.
    “That’s why Auckland offers compensation to business in the form of rent relief,” Arcus said.
    The $12m Targeted Hardship Fund was set up in 2021 to help businesses affected by construction. Arcus said it offers a proven model Wellington City Council could adopt.
    “We already have the solution. Let’s get together and make it work,” Arcus said.
    “The question always comes down to funding, but central city businesses already pay millions of dollars into a fund for moments like this.”
    The Downtown Targeted Rate – also known as the Downtown Levy – is an extra charge on central city businesses worth more than $17m a year.
    “That fund was set up at the request of business to help the central city economy,” said Arcus.
    “Instead, it’s being used to subsidise Council facilities like Tākina Convention Centre and the Carter Observatory. Is that really the right way to use that money at a time when businesses are at risk?
    “It’s also troubling read reports the Council is planning to let out empty shopfronts on a month-to-month basis. We should be doing all we can to keep people in business, not planning what to do when they’re gone.
    “We do believe Golden Mile needs a refresh, and we want to work with the Council on a vision we can all get behind,” he said. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Māori descent population: 2023 Census

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Māori descent population: 2023 Census – 13 February 2025 – Māori descent population: 2023 Census provides information and data on Māori descent population concepts through a number of different products, such as Aotearoa Data Explorer tables, an infographic, and a methods paper, Māori and iwi population concepts in the 2023 Census.

    Māori descent statistics tell us about the number of people usually living in New Zealand who descend from Māori. These statistics provide important insights into the needs and outcomes for Māori, and help determine the number of Māori and general electorates and their boundaries.

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: SH1B Telephone Road upgrade work set to begin

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Construction is set to start next week on an upgrade to the rail crossing on State Highway 1B Telephone Road, east of Hamilton, which will reopen to traffic by the middle of the year, Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says.
    “Economic growth and productivity are a priority for the Government, and I’m pleased this upgrade work is finally getting underway to enable the road to reopen to vehicles and freight,” Mr Bishop says.
    “The package of improvements being delivered will see the road level raised, and new escape lanes built. The road surface will be raised by up to 410mm over a distance of 90 metres on Telephone Road north of the rail crossing and on Telephone Road/Holland Road/Marshmeadow Road south of the rail crossing.
    “Escape lanes built on the north side of Holland Road, will ensure longer vehicles heading south do not stack across the rail line as they wait to turn into Holland Road. For vehicles travelling east on Holland Road and wanting to turn left into Telephone Road, the escape lane provides a safe place to wait if access to Telephone Road is blocked by a train.
    “Safety at the intersection will also be improved with more line marking and signage, including new electronic warning signs when a train is approaching.  
    “As part of the upgrade involves raising the road level, from Wednesday 19 February the intersection of Telephone Road, Holland Road and Marshmeadow Road will be closed to all traffic until the end of construction. This is expected to take around 3 months. 
    “I appreciate the patience of the local community, and strong advocacy of local MP Tim Van de Molen, to bring us to this important milestone. I also want to thank NZTA, KiwiRail, and Waikato District Council for their work to find a pragmatic and cost-effective solution. I look forward to this work being completed as soon as possible, so we get traffic moving over the rail crossing once again.”
    Notes to Editor:

    The rail crossing on SH1B Telephone Road was previously considered one of the most dangerous in New Zealand. The crossing was not level, resulting in low vehicles scraping rail and, in April 2022, dislodging a section of track. The distance between the rail and the intersection was also short, resulting in a high collision risk as cars wait to turn onto Holland Road. Both of these risks are being addressed in this work, enabling a safe reopening of the crossing. 
    As a result of an incident in April 2022 KiwiRail and NZTA decided to immediately close the rail crossing until it could satisfy the safety requirements to reopen. Since then, SH1B traffic has been required to detour along Holland Road, Waverley Road and Seddon Road, adding approximately 10 minutes to through journeys. 
    Following the closure, NZTA commissioned a detailed report on the future options for the crossing from consultants WSP. The report explored a range of options from low-cost interventions such as barrier arms, limited access to light vehicles and judder bars, to more complex options that involved significant engineering work to reconfigure the rail crossing and adjacent intersection.  
    NZTA remained committed to investigating practical and affordable solutions to allow the Telephone Road railway crossing to reopen and continued to work with KiwiRail. This led to the new design which met requirements to allow the rail crossing to reopen.  
    Another important factor in the new design meeting safety requirements is the reduction in traffic volumes, particularly the lower number of trucks, using SH1B following the completion of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cousins reunite in Grampians fire fight

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Terence Dwyer and Stephen Walls

    It was a bittersweet reunion for two firefighter cousins who crossed paths while battling the Western Victoria fires, with one lending a hand from ACT and the other a local to the region.

    Recently retired CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer from Grampians region, Stephen Walls stepped into a familiar role as the night Deputy Incident Controller at the Horsham Incident Control Centre on 6 February while ACT Rural Fire Service firefighter and cousin Terence Dwyer was on the fireground finishing his final shift for the week. 

    Having had experience in a level three control role for over 20 years and as a current volunteer firefighter with Newstead Fire Brigade, Stephen was happy to offer his support and expertise in an area he was well accustomed to.

    “When my first night shift started, the Little Desert fire was making a bit of a run to the east on the northern border and ran around 6km in an hour which required a few hours of work and back burning overnight to round that up to reduce the risk to the community,” Stephen said.

    “The night shift Incident Management Team (IMT) that I was part of was managing the fire overnight and preparing the shift plans for the following day. A big part of this is trying to allocate resources appropriately for the day and debriefing with day shift crews returning in.

    “We had interstate crews in a base camp in Horsham and some FFMVic crews in Halls Gap, so we were trying to manage the deployments to make sure people didn’t have to travel large distances, given one side of the fire to the other was the best part of two hours.”

    Although a fleeting exchange, it was the first time Stephen and Terence had worked on the same fire together.

    “Our grandmother’s family comes from Gymbowen in the Wimmera, immediately south of the Little Desert fire, and was somewhat under threat when it was a making a run,” Stephen said.

    “We crossed paths at the base camp on my first night, just as he was returning from the fire edge, so it wasn’t really a social catch up, but more a debrief,” Stephen said.

    “I waved him and the other interstate firefighters from ACT and NSW off in the morning from Horsham.

    “Terence visits the area more regularly than I do with his family, but we’ve still got many family and friends down that way, so it was nice to reconnect there, albeit the circumstances.”

    As a local tradesman and volunteer for 23 years in ACT with a specialty in remote firefighting, Terence was pleased he saw Stephen while assisting an area that means a lot to their family.

    “I messaged Stephen to let him know I was heading down there, as he is great at making an effort when he in my neck of the woods, and he just happened to say he was too,” Terence said.

    “I really enjoyed the deployment down to the Grampians, we were very well looked after at the base camp.

    “We were in a strike team of five Ultra Light tankers and worked predominantly along the Western edge of the Grampians, patrolling, mopping up and dealing with some spot overs.

    “It was very interesting to work in different types of country and we enjoyed chatting to other crews on the fireground from different parts of the region and worked well with crews from South Australia forestry.

    “It was nice to see the improvement in the fire while we were there, as the Wimmera dealt with some difficult weather conditions both through the high temperatures and some bad storms.”

    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Household spending flat in January as Aussies take a break after stronger fourth quarter – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    Spending stalled at 153.4 in January, following a strong sales spending to finish 2024.

    The monthly CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index was flat in January, unchanged at 153.4, as consumers took a breather from opening their wallets following sale activity in the final months of 2024.  

    Modest spending increases were seen across six of the 12 spending categories, with the most notable uplifts seen in spending on Motor vehicles (+1.5 per cent), Insurance (+1.2 per cent), and Health (+1.0 per cent).  

    The biggest spending falls in January were in Education (-1.8 per cent), driven by reduced spending on universities, Hospitality (-1.0 per cent) and Household Goods (-0.9 per cent).

    “The flat January HSI result was somewhat expected following the spike in spending we saw in the last three months of 2024 off the back of Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day sales. Essentials made up the three highest spending categories in the month as consumers pulled back on discretionary spending,” CBA Senior Economist Belinda Allen said.

    “We expect the RBA to lower interest rates at their first meeting of the year next week which will help provide a boost to consumer spending over the coming months. We anticipate a total of 100 basis points of monetary policy easing throughout 2025 to drive an improvement in the consumer spending pulse.”

    On an annual basis, homeowners with a mortgage (+3.0 per cent) have surprisingly seen a larger increase in spending compared to those who own their home outright (+2.8 per cent), while renters continue to lag (+2.0 per cent).

    “The increase in spending by those with a mortgage can be attributed to the fact that not only are this cohort likely at a stage of life where they’re spending on essential items, they’re still dedicating a significant share of their wallet to recreation and entertainment,” Belinda Allen concluded.

    The CommBank HSI index tracks month-on-month data at a macro level and is based on de-identified payments data from approximately 7 million CBA customers, comprising roughly 30 per cent of all Australian consumer transactions.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Māori descent population: 2023 Census

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Māori descent population: 2023 Census – 13 February 2025 – Māori descent population: 2023 Census provides information and data on Māori descent population concepts through a number of different products, such as Aotearoa Data Explorer tables, an infographic, and a methods paper, Māori and iwi population concepts in the 2023 Census.

    Māori descent statistics tell us about the number of people usually living in New Zealand who descend from Māori. These statistics provide important insights into the needs and outcomes for Māori, and help determine the number of Māori and general electorates and their boundaries.

    Files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – WEL Networks partnering with Copperleaf to improve asset investment decision making

    Source: WEL Networks

    WEL Networks is partnering with Copperleaf, an international leader in offering end-to-end asset lifecycle management solutions.
    Copperleaf’s Decision Analytics Solution will help WEL Networks to optimise its investment planning and ensure that critical infrastructure plans are aligned with the organisation’s vision and strategic goals.
    “We’re excited to announce this Copperleaf partnership today,” said WEL Networks Chief Executive, Garth Dibley.
    “As a community-owned organisation, by utilising the Copperleaf Portfolio™ we will be able to achieve significant improvements in safety, customer experience, cost efficiency and asset performance for the benefit of our communities.”
    “WEL Networks’ commitment to improving the resilience, safety, and efficiency of its network is commendable,” said Aaron Tunnicliff, Copperleaf Account Executive.
    “They are an innovative organisation that has been on the forefront of delivering new grid technologies such as renewable energy and network monitoring solutions.
    “We’re excited to help them unlock improved capital expenditure management and accelerate their planning cycle.
    “Copperleaf’s solution will provide the insights and traceability needed for more transparent and accountable decision making.”
    “By joining the Copperleaf Community, WEL Networks will be part of a collaborative and innovative group of industry leaders who learn from each other and share best practices to drive the future of decision making,” added Stefan Sadnicki, Copperleaf Managing Director, EMEA & APJ. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland Regional Council $600k of Climate Resilient Communities Funding to be allocated

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    $600k of Climate Resilient Communities Funding to be allocated
    The Northland Regional Council is finalising a list of more than 20 projects around the region which will share $600,000 of funding designed to help build climate resilience.
    During the council’s Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 consultation, the region’s communities had emphasised the importance they placed on council taking a leading role in helping to build that resilience.
    That had resulted in the council establishing a $600,000 fund to support communities to prepare for the growing effects of climate change and the natural hazard risks our region faces.
    The council – which had an overwhelming response with 96 applications requesting $3.2 million in funding – is currently finalising more than 20 projects that met the fund criteria and aimed to build community capacity and strengthen connections to build community resilience.
    Successful applications are expected to be made public shortly.
    Scholarship applications close
    Applications for Northland Regional Council’s (NRC) Tū i te ora Scholarship have closed.
    NRC says it received more than 20 applications for its scholarship, which recognises and supports students to undertake study, research or training that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions.
    Council will award the six scholarships in May, with each recipient set to receive $4000 to assist with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026.
    24/7 NRC Incident Hotline
    The Northland Regional Council operates a 24/7 incident hotline (0800) 504 639.
    You can call this number to report all pollution and environmental incidents, including oil or chemical spills, water pollution, dangerous boating, and navigation hazards and breakdowns of navigation lights.
    Northland Regional Council on social media
    You can follow council on its social channels:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Electronic card transactions: January 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Electronic card transactions: January 2025 – 13 February 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.

    Key facts

    All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.

    Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.

    January 2025 month

    Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the January 2025 month (compared with December 2024) were:

    • spending in the retail industries decreased 1.6 percent ($103 million)
    • spending in the core retail industries decreased 1.5 percent ($86 million).

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fire and Emergency New Zealand deploys aviation specialist to Tasmanian fires

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Fire and Emergency New Zealand has sent a wildfire aviation specialist to Australia to run the aerial attack on several large bushfires in the north west of Tasmania.
    Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Ken Cooper says the Tasmanian Fire Service and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service have been managing a number of significant vegetation fires sparked by dry lightning strikes since 3 February.
    “The fires are in challenging terrain and the Tasmanians have been mostly managing the fires with aircraft while ground crews battle the fires accessible by road,” he says.
    It is expected the current significant fires will continue to burn uncontained for several weeks, causing ongoing resourcing and fatigue management pressures.
    Our specialist arrived in Tasmania on Wednesday and has relieved the Tasmanian Air Operations Manager. They will be providing the overall coordination of aerial operations across the fires over the next two weeks.
    “Our thoughts are with our neighbours in Tasmania, and we are happy to answer the call for help,” Ken Cooper says.
    Fire and Emergency supports other countries in their time of need. Alongside predecessor organisations, we have been deploying personnel internationally to wildfire emergencies for more than 20 years.
    This deployment is Fire and Emergency’s 75th international wildfire deployment since 2000. There have been 1544 firefighters deployed during this time. Note: this number does not include non-wildfire deployments, such as for natural disasters.
    “When Fire and Emergency receives a request for firefighting assistance, we firstly consider the fire conditions in Aotearoa before we decide if we can support our international colleagues,” Ken Cooper says.
    “These international deployments are not only beneficial for the countries that receive help, but also to our people. They gain valuable experience and skills in dealing with large scale and complex wildfires, which can be different from the types of fires they usually encounter back home.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Economy – NZ Treasury: Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the six months ended 31 December 2024

    Source: The Treasury

    The Interim Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the six months ended 31 December 2024 were released by the Treasury today.

    The December results are reported against forecasts based on the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (HYEFU 2024), published on 17 December 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year.

     


      

      Year to date Full Year
    December
    2024
    Actual1
    $m    		 December

    2024
    HYEFU 2024
    Forecast1
    $m    		 Variance2
    HYEFU 2024
    $m    		 Variance
    HYEFU 2024
    %    		 June
    2025
    HYEFU 2024
    Forecast3
    $m
    Core Crown tax revenue 59,944 59,715 229 0.4 120,623
    Core Crown revenue 66,575 66,284 291 0.4 134,038
    Core Crown expenses 68,879 69,322 443 0.6 144,638
    Core Crown residual cash (11,206) (10,722) (484) (4.5) (16,610)
    Net core Crown debt4 185,834 186,575 741 0.4 192,810
              as a percentage of GDP 44.1% 44.2%     45.1%
    Gross debt 199,099 193,413 (5,685) (2.9) 206,558
              as a percentage of GDP 47.2% 45.9%     48.3%
    OBEGAL excluding ACC (OBEGALx) (3,501) (3,885) 384 9.9 (12,868)
    OBEGAL (4,571) (4,878) 307 6.3 (17,317)
    Operating balance (excluding minority interests) (348) (1,464) 1,116 76.2 (10,161)
    Net worth 187,459 186,373 1,086 0.6 177,492
              as a percentage of GDP 44.5% 44.2%     41.5%
    1. Using the most recently published GDP (for the year ended 30 September 2024) of $421,702 million (Source: Stats NZ).
    2. Favourable variances against forecast have a positive sign and unfavourable variances against forecast have a negative sign.
    3. Using HYEFU 2024 forecast GDP for the year ending 30 June 2025 of $427,252 million (Source: The Treasury).
    4. Net core Crown debt excludes the NZS Fund and core Crown advances. Net core Crown debt may fluctuate during the year largely reflecting the timing of tax receipts.

    Core Crown tax revenue at $59.9 billion was $0.2 billion (0.4%) higher than forecast, with the largest variance in GST being $0.3 billion (1.5%) above forecast.

    Core Crown expenses at $68.9 billion were $0.4 billion (0.6%) below forecast. The variance is mostly timing in nature and was spread across a range of functional spending areas.

    The operating balance before gains and losses excluding ACC (OBEGALx) was a deficit of $3.5 billion, $0.4 billion less than the forecast deficit. When including the revenue and expenses of ACC, the OBEGAL deficit was $4.6 billion, $0.3 billion less than the deficit forecast.

    The operating balance deficit of $0.3 billion was $1.1 billion less than the deficit forecast. This is largely owing to the variances to forecast in net gains and losses for the six months to December 2024, with net losses on non-financial instruments being $1.4 billion lower than forecast, partly offset by net gains on financial instruments being $0.8 billion lower than forecast.

    The core Crown residual cash deficit of $11.2 billion was $0.5 billion more than the deficit forecast and was largely timing in nature with personnel and operating payments occurring earlier than anticipated.

    Net core Crown debt at $185.8 billion (44.1% of GDP), was broadly in line with forecast ($186.6 billion or 44.2% of GDP). While the core Crown residual cash deficit was higher than forecast, its impact on net core Crown debt was more than offset by higher than forecast net gains on financial instruments and the Reserve Bank’s issuance of circulating currency.

    Gross debt at $199.1 billion (47.2% of GDP) was $5.7 billion higher than forecast largely owing to higher than forecast derivatives in loss and issuances of Euro Commercial Paper. However, this increase in gross debt was broadly offset by a corresponding increase in financial assets therefore this has not flowed through to the net core Crown debt measure or to net worth.

    Net worth at $187.5 billion (44.5% of GDP), was $1.1 billion higher than forecast largely reflecting the operating balance results. Net worth consisted of total Crown assets of $597.9 billion ($13.0 billion higher than forecast) and total Crown liabilities of $410.5 billion ($11.9 billion higher than forecast).

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pair admit stealing ski boat from St. Mary Lake property on Blackfeet Indian Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREAT FALLS — A man and a woman today admitted they stole a ski boat and trailer from property on St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said.

    The defendants, Tiffany Rae Morris, 37, of Shelby, and Levi Jacques Carl Johnson, 44, of Kevin, each pleaded guilty in separate hearings to theft within Indian Country. Morris and Johnson face a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing was set for June 25. The defendants were released pending further proceedings.

    In court documents, the government alleged that on June 9, 2024, Morris and Johnson stole a ski boat and trailer from the property of the victim, identified as John Doe. The property is on St. Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Doe reported the theft to law enforcement and posted about it on Facebook. An investigation identified Morris and Johnson as potential suspects, based on video surveillance. The following day, a landowner in the Cut Bank area notified law enforcement that a boat had been abandoned on his property and that he thought it was the stolen boat. John Doe responded to the scene and identified his boat. The boat’s identifying decals had been removed. In interviews with law enforcement, Morris and Johnson admitted to stealing the boat. After the theft was circulated on Facebook, the defendants wanted to return the boat but were afraid of being apprehended and abandoned it in the field. Johnson reported that the decals came off when he power-washed the boat. The boat was a 2007 Ski-doo Challenger 180, valued at more than $1,000.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services, Glacier County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consumer NZ warns of car rental company’s questionable practices

    Source: Consumer NZ

    A recent investigation reveals how autoUnion pressures customers into paying large bonds to cover the excess on an insurance policy some believe is dodgy.

    Chris Schulz, senior investigative journalist at Consumer NZ, is warning those looking for an affordable car hire option in Auckland or Christchurch to avoid car rental company autoUnion. Despite alluringly cheap daily rates, Schulz believes autoUnion’s cheap deals could end up costing a fortune.

    Consumer initially received a tip-off from an autoUnion customer, Jesse Ashwell, about the car rental company’s potentially fraudulent practices.

    “Ashwell bought insurance online when she first booked her car, but when she turned up at the car yard, she was asked to pay a $3,000 bond to cover the insurance excess on an additional ‘basic cover’ insurance policy.

    “She didn’t receive a copy of an insurance policy document or any information about autoUnion’s insurance provider – despite requesting it,” says Schulz.

    Ashwell says: “I refused to pay a $3,000 bond so it took two and a half hours to sort out the rental. When I finally got to the car, I found a dirty, smelly Toyota Aqua.”  

    “The car broke down on the third day of hire. Ashwell was accused of filling it up with the wrong petrol (which she denies and has a receipt to prove) and her credit card was charged over $1500 to cover the damage autoUnion alleged she’d caused” says Schulz.

    “We’re concerned autoUnion is targeting people looking for a super-cheap rental car, charging them a hefty bond to cover their insurance excess and then finding a reason to hold onto that bond.”

    A spokesperson for autoUnion explained it is a budget rental car company and admitted it had had issues with some customers being confused by the company’s insurance policies – especially if they’d already paid for insurance when booking through a third-party company. But the spokesperson said autoUnion would never attempt to scam people in this way.  

    But Schulz believes autoUnion is up to no good and likely to be breaking the law.  

    He urges others looking to hire a cheap rental car to avoid autoUnion at all costs.

    “It’s understandable that people will be tempted when a rental car is that cheap – but, in the case of autoUnion, it’s not worth it.

    “Ashwell was pressured to buy an additional insurance product that we haven’t seen any evidence exists, accused of something she’s confident she didn’t do and then charged for alleged damage.  

    “AutoUnion’s behaviour is unacceptable and we’re concerned others may have been stung by similar charges.”

    If you’ve had a similar experience to Ashwell, please share your story with us at playfair@consumer.org.nz.  

    “We want to get to the bottom of what’s going on with autoUnion, and if necessary, shut down this practice.”

    Tips for renting a car

    Check to see if the company is registered with the Rental Vehicle Association

    Read reviews and check the terms and conditions of any deal before entering into a contract. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

    Book directly through the rental company’s website.

    Car hirers should be up front about their insurance policies and provider’s details.

    If you’re asked to pay a bond, make sure you know what the bond covers and read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

    Notes

    You can read more details about Consumer’s investigation into auto-Union on its website: Is an Auckland car rental company profiting from ‘fake’ insurance? ( https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-fikwx-ijjdkdttjk-j/ )

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Govt Cuts – Axing 63 roles at Callaghan Innovation will drive essential skills out of the country and undermine Government growth agenda – PSA

    Source: PSA

    New redundances at Callaghan Innovation will undermine the country’s capacity to commercialise innovations of New Zealand businesses, which the Government claims it is so focussed on, says the union for Callaghan Innovation workers, the Public Service Association.
    Last night, Callaghan Innovation told 63 workers their roles were being made redundant, including 16 commercialisation roles, 14 scientists and engineers, 6 Māori Innovation roles, and others working in data, digital, product design, risk and audit, marketing, government engagement and technical support.
    “The Government is dismissing the very workers who could help grow the economy,” said PSA Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. “People working in those commercialisation roles have the skills to turn ideas into internationally marketable products and services quickly and successfully.”
    Last month, Science Minister Shane Reti told Callaghan Innovation’s Board Chair that Callaghan would lose most of its funding well before its formal disestablishment, and before any new science organisations have been set up through the science system reforms recently announced. That will see around 75 science staff out of work and forced to find work overseas.
    “The Minister is driving workers with essential knowledge out of the country. By defunding Callaghan Innovation before it’s disestablished, the Minister is forcing staff into redundancy with nowhere in New Zealand for them to go to.”
    Cabinet papers released alongside the science reform announcements stated that the Minister would conduct a review of capability within Callaghan Innovation that could be retained and transferred elsewhere. However, this review resulted in minimal change.
    “Callaghan Innovation staff were never given an opportunity to have input on this review,” said Fitzsimons. “The Minister has made decisions without even talking to the people who are losing their livelihoods over this.
    “The Minister must treat Callaghan Innovation staff with dignity and respect and find ways to keep these highly skilled staff in New Zealand. Otherwise, we’ll lose more people offshore while New Zealand becomes a less attractive place to be a scientist.
    “How will that help the Government’s economic growth agenda?”
    Previous statement on cuts at Callaghan Innovation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Feedback wanted on working with engineered stone

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says the consultation on working with engineered stone closes in one month and hopes to hear from businesses, workers in the industry and people working with other materials that contain crystalline silica.

    “I want to understand what is currently being done to manage the risks, and whether additional regulation is needed,” says Ms van Velden.

    The consultation outlines a full range of possible regulatory responses, from strengthening current requirements to implementing a full ban. 

    “There are a range of views on this topic, and I want to build a comprehensive picture of current workplace practices and how risks are currently being managed.”

    Engineered stone is a popular kitchen and bathroom bench material used in New Zealand homes and businesses. In its solid form, engineered stone does not have hazardous properties. 

    It is the dust that is generated from cutting, grinding, or polishing engineered stone that has the potential to cause harm when it is breathed in. Silicosis is an occupational disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica, typically over a period of 20 years or more. Engineered stone workers can develop accelerated silicosis, a more aggressive form of silicosis, after just three to ten years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. 

    “I was encouraged by the volume and quality of submissions in my recent system-wide health and safety consultation and am looking forward to seeing the results of the consultation on working with engineered stone.  

    “Like the broader health and safety system, I need to balance the safety of workers with ensuring any regulatory changes are proportionate and effective at managing the risks.

    “I’m keen to hear from all industries in which respirable crystalline silica is generated including/such as mining, quarrying, tunnelling, roading, foundries, construction, manufacturing of concrete, bricks and tiles, abrasive blasting, monumental masonry work, concrete drilling, grinding, fettling, mixing, handling and dry shovelling,” says Ms van Velden. 

    “You still have time to make a submission by going to MBIE’s website. The consultation closes at 5pm on 18 March 2025.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Electronic card transactions: January 2025

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Electronic card transactions: January 2025 – 13 February 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.

    Key facts

    All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.

    Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.

    January 2025 month

    Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the January 2025 month (compared with December 2024) were:

    • spending in the retail industries decreased 1.6 percent ($103 million)
    • spending in the core retail industries decreased 1.5 percent ($86 million).

    Files:

     

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ABC News with Patricia Karvelas

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: As we mentioned in our headlines, the Government says they are prepared to acquire Rex Airlines if a suitable buyer for the collapsed business isn’t found. Now, rival regional airlines have questioned why the Federal Government has refused to meet with them to discuss their offers of support on key Rex routes. The Nationals say any move by the Government to buy out Rex should be a last resort.

    [Excerpt]

    DAVID LITTLEPROUD: We don’t want the taxpayer to have to prop up what should be a commercially viable enterprise. The reality is Rex proved that until they took a change of course, and it’s difficult for then other smaller aviation companies to actually compete with the Australian taxpayer if we enter it. So, what needs to happen is that we need to accelerate the process to allow the solution to be created by the aviation sector themselves. They’re willing and able. They’re prepared to come to the table, but they’ve been locked out because it’s been the unions that have been dictating to the Government about who can actually put their hand up to buy Rex. 

    [End of excerpt]

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: To tell us more, Transport Minister Catherine King joins us live. Catherine King, welcome. 

    CATHERINE KING: Hi. It’s really lovely to be with you.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: It is. You have put this on the table, but you say it’s not your preference. So, what? Is it just a political tactic?

    CATHERINE KING: No, not at all. What we’ve seen, and we’ve been working with the voluntary administration right the way along, the first sort of thing that we had to do was we put in the guarantee, so you’ll either fly or you’ll get your money back. Luckily, that hasn’t had to be drawn on, passenger numbers are keeping up. The next thing we had to do is – obviously, there was a first sale process that was not successful and we are working our way with the administrators on how can we best support a second sale process – we have come to the party with a credit, a line of credit, in order to keep the administration going. It’s not a grant. It’s a line of credit so that the administration can keep flying the airline. And then, what we’ve also done is stepped into the shoes of the largest creditor so that the company doesn’t get liquidated while we have this second sale process.

    What we’ve said today is that it’s abundantly clear that a second sale process won’t be successful without government support. And we are saying we are prepared to, where there are credible bidders that make its way through the administration process, that we will negotiate that support. Which is also why I can’t meet with individual airlines because they are potential bidders. [Indistinct]…

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts] Okay. Because the Financial Review is reporting that 43 airlines under the Regional Aviation Association of Australia wrote to you last year requesting a meeting that you wouldn’t.

    CATHERINE KING: I can’t meet with them for probity reasons because some of them will be bidders and they will be in a negotiation again, possibly against each other, and I will have to treat every bidder equally, which is why they need to work through the administration. So I can’t, for probity reasons, meet with them. I have met with their peak body before, I meet with them regularly, but I can’t meet with individual airlines who may be bidders in terms of Rex itself.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: The RAAA Chief Executive has said that you’ve refused to meet them, but also says that they want to put forward a market-based solution for their association’s members. So, perhaps something quite different. 

    CATHERINE KING: Yep.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Isn’t that worth pursuing?

    CATHERINE KING: They can now do that. That’s what this has opened up today, through this second sale process. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Talks over] Has that meeting happened?

    CATHERINE KING: They can now do that, but I can’t meet with them because-

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts] The department can?

    CATHERINE KING: The department’s been meeting with potential bidders all the way along, and that’s been happening. That’s been happening all the way along. But I can’t meet with them because this is now a process where the Government will step in with some support, and we will need to treat every single bidder exactly the same. And so, I don’t know who those are going to be so I can’t meet with individual potential bidders, and I really welcome that there are airlines wanting to do that. 

    What I don’t want to see, though, is the cannibalisation of the routes, and some people saying, well, we want this bit, not this bit, and it really hollowing out.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Talks over] Correct. I was going to go to that, because some people are proposing different- 

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: What’s wrong with that if it provides a commercial solution rather than the government stepping in?

    CATHERINE KING: It might provide a solution. But again, what – from the first principles of policy – what the Government wants to do is keep routes in regional aviation. We want to keep them flying and we want to make sure they’re viable, not just in the short term but in the longer term as well. Which is why we think the second sale process won’t be successful without government support, and that’s why we’ve got this process now in place. It may be-

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts]When you say with government support…

    CATHERINE KING: Yep.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: …does that look like a sort of co-ownership model? Like, what sort of [indistinct] could it look like?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah. At the moment, we’re very open to all of that. And different bidders will come forward and say, you know, we will buy the airline if you do X, Y and Z. And that is the competitive tension that needs to happen as part of this second sale process.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Talks over] Does that mean the government could have, let’s say, a 40 per cent stake?

    CATHERINE KING: It could say that. But the biggest barrier for a sale of this airline at the moment has been that the planes are old and it is highly capital intensive to replace them. And so, that has been the largest barrier. And again, we will have to look at what someone is bringing to the table and what is the best value for taxpayer money; where we’re we going to be able to keep as many of the routes going as possible – I want to keep all of them going if we can; and-

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts]Well, is that a guarantee, if I can just pick you up on that? 

    CATHERINE KING: I would like to but, obviously, we’re going to- that is in the hands of whoever purchases the airline. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Shouldn’t it be, actually, a pre-condition that you must keep them all open?

    CATHERINE KING: It is certainly one of the things that we will be looking at as part of that process. But at the first principle, what the Government is absolutely determined to do is to keep regional aviation and regional communities connected. I was pretty shocked today to see some of the commentary from the National and the Liberal Party who are, basically – I don’t know what that was about today – who are, basically I think, abandoning regional communities and regional aviation.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Well, they’re arguing there should be a commercial solution.

    CATHERINE KING: Well, and we’re saying that as well, but we’re also saying that if there isn’t, we are saying that we will start the process to consider if government should acquire it. We’ll need to do that with states and territories as partners, they subsidise a lot of these routes currently. And we’ll need to start the process for that as the buyer of last resort. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Okay. And the buyer of last resort, does that mean that sort of states and territories go in with you?

    CATHERINE KING: We would certainly- we’re certainly in discussions with states and territories who subsidise many of the intrastate routes, which are their responsibility now. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: And can you give me a sense of which states are showing an interest in going in?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, every state wants to keep regional aviation going. All of them want regional aviation to… Rex flies everywhere. There’s more than 40 routes that are different routes that are flown weekly. Almost half of those are routes where they’re the only airline that actually flies in. And that’s pretty critical to getting people in regional communities to medical appointments, to their homes, to keep businesses going, to get FIFO workers in. They’re pretty- it’s a pretty important piece of economic infrastructure for our regions. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Just on another topic, but still very much in your portfolio, is it right that the Victorian Government wants a top-up to the contentious Suburban Rail Loop? 

    CATHERINE KING: So, I mean, it’s in- all in the public domain. I must admit, I’ve been reluctant to comment on this because there’s a fair bit of gossip going around and it’s unhelpful, I think, as we [Indistinct] not you just-

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts] I am happy for you to just tell us the facts now.

    CATHERINE KING: So I will say- yeah. So on Suburban Rail Loop, I have released the $2.2 billion. Infrastructure Australia and my department have now assessed that and recommended that money be released to the Victorian Government on the basis of very specific things that it will be going towards. And so I have now signed that off. And the Victorian Government, I’m sure, will be receiving the news of that now as we speak. So you’ve got [Indistinct].

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Talks over] So, can you just be clear, that’s not- just the distinction, I know that they’re asking for a top up. You’re saying that’s not the top up? That’s…?

    CATHERINE KING: No, that’s the- so that’s the existing money that we’ve had on the table for Suburban Rail East. We will continue discussions, as we do through budget processes with every state and territory, and the Victorians are no different, who come to us with an ask. But I’ve been pretty consistent in terms of suburban rail to say there are still some hurdles that the Victorian Government will need to overcome in relation to advice that I will receive from Infrastructure Australia about particularly the costings around value capture before the Commonwealth can make another investment.

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: So you’re not convinced that this is a value for money proposition? 

    CATHERINE KING: I do think it’s a really good project. As a Victorian, I actually know- you know, and I grew up in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne. That was my home and was my home well into my 20s. And I would catch that Glen Waverley train…

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Talks over] Same here.

    CATHERINE KING: [Indistinct]…train into the city as a 14-year-old all the time. I’ve seen the huge population growth around Box Hill where you and I would go shopping and you’d take your friends there as well. So really, it’s an important project for the city. It’s a big project for the city. You know, I’m a supporter of it, but I also need to make sure that I’m getting value for money for Australian taxpayers’ dollars and [Indistinct].

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts] So, to be clear, you’ve now- you said that they’ll be finding out now you’ve handed over two- just to be clear?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah. The 2.2, which was the election commitment we made, Infrastructure Australia and the- my department have now provided me with advice on the assessment of their- the project appraisal report, which is pretty routine. That’s what I do. And that’s now been released to the Victorian Government. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Okay. And that now draws a line for a while, you’re saying no extra funding?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, what I’m saying to them is there’s some more work that will need to be done before further investment in Suburban Rail Loop. But there’s also other projects, of course, that we continue to talk to the Victorians about. I work with very closely [Indistinct]…

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: [Interrupts] Because it brings me to the Werribee by-election and some of the lessons there. There are parts of your heartland who feel very neglected. Is that part of the lesson here?

    CATHERINE KING: I think that, again, I stood with Jacinta Allan to talk about and to put money into a road project, two road projects in Werribee, and they had been worked with and negotiated on and talked with the Victorian Government well over six months ago. You know, they were not new. They were things that the Victorian Government had brought to me to say, we need to invest in the West. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: But beyond that, you’re talking about something that’s already committed. There’s clearly more demand [Indistinct]…

    CATHERINE KING: [Interrupts] Yeah, absolutely. And that’s what happens through budget processes, through the mid-year economic financial outlook. They come to me with projects that they want to invest in, they want us to co-invest in, and they do that all the way around the state. They’ve done- you know, in regional communities, they’ve put $1 billion into a road blitz to really deal with potholes and a range of things in regional communities. You know, we’re really keen to partner with them on a whole range of projects, and we’ll keep talking to them as part of the budget process. 

    PATRICIA KARVELAS: Catherine King, thanks for coming in. 

    CATHERINE KING: Good to talk to you.

    MIL OSI News –