NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-Evening Report: Barnaby Joyce wants Australia to abandon net zero – but his 4 central claims don’t stack up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ella Vines, Post-doctoral researcher, Green Lab, Monash University

    One-time Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce sought to dominate the first sitting week of the current federal parliament by proposing a divisive plan to reverse Australia’s net zero emissions target.

    The campaign, backed by fellow former Nationals leader Michael McCormack, aims to repeal what Joyce calls Australia’s “lunatic crusade” of net zero by 2050. It comes as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley convenes a working group to set a way forward on climate and energy policy following the Coalition’s historic election defeat.

    Meanwhile, the Albanese government is considering Australia’s next round of emissions reduction targets. And scientists warn just three years remain for the world to keep global warming below the vital 1.5°C threshold.

    If Australia is to take meaningful climate action, federal parliament must engage with the facts honestly and without distortion. So let’s take a closer look at whether Joyce and McCormack’s latest claims withstand scrutiny.

    Claim 1: Australia’s net zero policy will not address climate change

    Joyce describes as “perverse” the notion that Australia’s net zero goal can meaningfully help address global climate change.

    This claim is not backed by science.

    Every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions adds to global warming. What’s more, Joyce’s claim ignores the near-universal agreement of nations signed up to the Paris Agreement – including Australia – to pursue efforts (including domestic measures) to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

    It’s true that collective national efforts to curb warming have so far been insufficient. But that doesn’t mean they should be abandoned.

    Claim 2: Global support for net zero is waning

    McCormack claims there is a growing global shift against net zero, and Joyce describes it as “a peculiar minority position”.

    This statement is not backed by evidence.

    In fact, the number of countries, cities, businesses and other institutions pledging to get to net-zero is growing.

    In the United States, President Donald Trump has dismantled climate policy, damaging that nation’s progress towards net zero. But many US states have retained the target, and global climate action will continue regardless of Trump’s actions.

    A landmark court ruling this week is likely to further strengthen global pressure for nations to ramp up emissions reduction. The advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice observed countries are legally obliged to prevent harms caused by climate change – including by regulating the fossil fuel industry.

    As others have noted, Australia must now reconsider its stance on approving new fossil fuel projects – including those geared to export markets.

    the International Court of Justice said countries are legally obliged to prevent harms caused by climate change.
    JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

    Claims 3: the net zero goal is a security threat

    Joyce claims a net zero policy agenda is “treacherous” for Australia’s security and will “inflame our incapacity” to contend with geopolitical threats.

    But evidence suggests the opposite is true. There is a significant link between climate change and certain types of military conflicts.

    Research predicts the Australian Defence Force will become involved in more wars as the climate crisis escalates, and respond to more frequent climate-related disasters inside our borders.

    Claim 4: net zero is bad for regional Australia

    Both Joyce and McCormack say the net zero target and associated renewable energy rollout is devastating regional Australia. The Institute of Public Affairs, a prominent right-wing think tank, this week launched a documentary making similar claims.

    Joyce cited division in rural communities over renewable energy. In reality, there is significant support in regional Australia for such technology. A poll last year by Farmers for Climate Action found 70% of regional Australians in renewable energy zones support the development of renewable energy projects on local farmland.

    Joyce also pointed to “the removal of agricultural land from production” to support his stance. However, analysis shows very little farmland is required for the clean energy transition.

    What’s more, the cost of inaction is high. Climate change is disproportionately affecting cost of living for regional households – for example, due to higher insurance premiums.

    Joyce also appears deaf to the myriad regional voices calling for stronger climate action.

    The Mackay Conservation Group, for example, is challenging Whitehaven’s Winchester South coal mine in Queensland’s Land Court. Similarly, an environment group based in the NSW Hunter Valley this week successfully appealed the expansion of MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine.

    Only facts can stop a new wave of climate wars

    Clearly, the efforts of Joyce and McCormack to undermine Australia’s net zero goal are not backed by evidence.

    The Coalition must heed the facts – not backbench pressure – as it weighs its climate and energy policy. Only then can Australia avoid reigniting the divisive climate wars that stalled progress and positioned Australia as a global laggard.

    Likewise, the Albanese government must not be distracted from the climate action task. Australia’s next round of climate targets should be based on the best available science, and make a meaningful, credible contribution to the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

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

    – ref. Barnaby Joyce wants Australia to abandon net zero – but his 4 central claims don’t stack up – https://theconversation.com/barnaby-joyce-wants-australia-to-abandon-net-zero-but-his-4-central-claims-dont-stack-up-261837

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘We pose no threat – our aim is to break the siege’: Tan Safi on joining the Handala Gaza flotilla

    No New Zealanders were on board the Handala in the latest arrest and abductions of Freedom Flotilla crew on humanitarian siege-busting missions to Gaza. However, two Australians were and one talks to The New Arab just before the attack on Saturday.

    INTERVIEW: By Sebastian Shehadi

    The Handala, a 1968 Norwegian trawler repurposed by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), set sail for Gaza from southern Italy on July 20, carrying around 21 people and a cargo of food, medical kits, baby formula, water desalination units and more.

    The ship is named after the iconic Palestinian cartoon figure, Handala, who symbolises Palestinian identity, resilience and the ongoing struggle against displacement and occupation.

    Just hours before departure, the crew uncovered deliberate sabotage: a rope tightly bound around the propeller and a sulfuric acid swap mistaken for water, leading to chemical burns in two people.

    Despite this alarming start, the mission continued, echoing the defiance of past flotilla efforts such as the interception of the Madleen in June and the Israeli drone strike on the Conscience in May.

    However, contact with the vessel was reported lost on July 24, with coalition officials warning that communications have been jammed and drones have been seen near the ship, raising concerns about interception or further hostile action.

    The mission resumed following the brief two-hour communications blackout. “Connection has now been re-established. ‘Handala’ is continuing its mission and is currently less than 349 nautical miles from Gaza,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) announced on Telegram on July 25.

    Then on Saturday, the Israeli military attacked the ship and violently detained and “abducted” the entire crew and issued a statement saying they were “safe” and on their way to Israel.

    The New Arab spoke to one of Handala’s crew, Lebanese-Australian filmmaker, human rights activist and journalist Tan Safi, before the arrest to find out more about the mission and why she chose to be on board this mission:

    The New Arab: How’s the mood on the ship at the moment?
     Tan Safi: The morale of everyone at the moment is high, as everyone is happy to be here. Of course, different emotions come up, and we talk them out, but as a collective, we’re all looking out for one another. Everyone is very caring and kind.

    We are a group of 21 people from 10 different countries. We have a very proud grandmother, as well as MPs, nurses, a human rights lawyer, a comedian, an actor, human rights activists and more. We’re from many different walks of life, and we pose absolutely no threat to anyone.

    We’re simply trying to challenge something illegal. Like previous Freedom Flotilla actions, we will be sailing through international waters into Palestinian territorial waters.

    Australian Handala crew member Tan Safi . . . “Back in 2010, we sent a flotilla that was caught in a deadly raid. The Israelis came in a helicopter, boarded the ship and killed nine people instantaneously, while another person died from a coma years later.” Image: FFC

    How are you preparing for the very real threat of Israeli violence?
     Back in 2010, we sent a flotilla that was caught in a deadly raid. The Israelis came in a helicopter, boarded the ship and killed nine people instantaneously, while another person died from a coma years later.

    So we know very well that Israel poses a real threat.

    More importantly, we’ve seen what they’re capable of over the last two years. The most horrific things imaginable. Israeli soldiers are committing endless crimes against Gazan children, and then going into the homes of the Palestinians they’ve murdered and taking selfies in women’s lingerie. We know what they’re capable of.

    Any interception of our vessel would violate international maritime law. The ICJ [International Court of Justice] itself ordered Israel not to interfere with any delivery of international aid. Of course, we know that Israel gets to exist in this world by hopping over international law, without any accountability, without any real sanctions.

    In terms of processing, what might happen to me? I’ve had to do it time and time again whenever I’ve joined FFC missions over the last two years. I’ve had to say goodbye to my friends and family, but also try to keep them reassured.

    Sometimes I feel like I’m lying, to be honest. I tell them that “everything will be okay”. But it’s psychologically impossible to explain.

    Are you worried that Handala is less protected than the last ship, Madleen, which had the global media attention (and protection) of having Greta Thunberg on board?

    A Gaza Freedom Flotilla Instagram poster. Image: Instagram/@loremresists

    No matter how many Instagram followers you have, your life is just as important as the next person’s. We have people on this boat who have Instagram. We have people who do.

    The lives of all these people are as valuable as everyone else’s. I would just try to focus on the fact that we’re all human beings, just as every Palestinian in Gaza is. I’m more worried that Israel’s violence will expand until it’s too late, and people wish that they had done more. The time is now.

    What is your message to global or Australian leaders?
     I’m Lebanese, but I grew up in so-called Australia, a country that has such a dark history. What our politicians forget is that so-called Australia was not theirs to begin with. Australia was, and will always be, Aboriginal land. They can try to hide their dark truths, just like Israel used to as well. But the truth will become exposed in time.

    To this day, Aboriginal people are abused and discriminated against by the state. My message to Australia’s leadership is: how can you watch tens of thousands of men, women and children being slaughtered and still be enabling Israel’s siege and genocide?

    The Australian embassy in Israel sent me a message urging me to “please reconsider your decision to join a humanitarian aid trip to Gaza”. If they’re so concerned about the two Australians on this boat, I would urge them to be more concerned with the millions of Palestinians who are suffering daily.

    The Palestinian cartoon character Handala . . . reimagined with deliberate starvation by the Israeli military forces. Image: X/@RimaHas

    Can you tell us more about daily life and organisation on the ship?
     We all put our hands up to volunteer for various tasks throughout the day. Some of us are more skilled in certain areas than others. For example, we have someone here from France who is a nurse, and they’re helping anyone who is feeling sick.

    We have the proud grandmother, Vigdis from Norway, who loves to cook. And then someone will put their hand up to do the dishes. No one is too good to clean the toilets.

    We’re all helping out to keep this ship organised. We also do shifts, helping out with the crew when needed. No one is sitting around. And if someone is, it’s because it’s really hot or the seas are rough.

    What do you hope Handala will achieve, beyond potentially breaking the siege?
     I hope this action will encourage all forms of solidarity and, more importantly, inspire direct action. I know that protests and non-direct actions serve a purpose, but we have talked and talked and talked at length. I don’t know how people are finding the strength.

    Sometimes when I’m asked to talk at events, I just don’t know what to say, because if you need me to explain this, maybe you will never understand.

    But what we clearly need to do is disrupt the financial flow that enables and fuels this genocide. The BDS movement is huge. People used to look down on it and question its efficacy. But now we’re able to quantify that it’s actually affecting real, big business.

    I’ve always been advocating for that and asking people to be aware of the companies they consume from, such as Unilever, Nestle and Coke. This is having a real impact on these companies that are profiteering from unethical practices to begin with, that extends far beyond the genocide in Gaza.

    Direct action could also involve blockading shipments of weapons from ports and docks, as seen in Greece. It’s amazing to see more countries step up. However, we often see a lot of lip service as well. It takes everyday people to actually stand up and say: “I’m able-bodied. I’m sick to my stomach. I’m gonna listen to my instinct and explore other options”.

    If protesting is not working, explore other options. If there is no direct action group, create one. All it takes is one person to begin.

    Are there any final or other messages you’d like to convey?
     The Handala ship is the 37th boat from the FFC to travel to Gaza. There are thousands of people behind each of these journeys who make these voyages happen.

    The FFC has existed for as many years as Israel’s siege on Gaza has. The FFC exists only because of Israel’s illegal siege.

    We are people from around the world who are united in our shared consciousness and care for Palestine. We pose no threat. I’m looking at a bunch of toys and baby formula. We have as much food as we can carry, but our main goal is to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza because you need to fix a problem at the root of the cause.

    Sebastian Shehadi is a freelance journalist and a contributing writer at the New Statesman. This article was first published by The New Arab. Follow Shehadi on X: @seblebanon

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Better support and oversight for third-party regulators

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    Maritime NZ has established a dedicated Third-Party Oversight Team to work with third-party regulators and provide assurance to the maritime sector that the third-party regulatory system is performing well.

    Third party regulators are entities or individuals, not employed by Maritime NZ, who perform regulatory functions under a delegation or other authorisation. Their functions, depending on the specifically stated delegation or authorisation, can relate to equipment, vessels, training, medical fitness, competency, crew conditions, plans etc.

    Over recent years, various investigations have recommended stronger oversight of third-party regulators. The establishment of the Third-Party Oversight Team is a direct response to these.

    The maritime sector, and the public, rightly expect that all regulatory functions are both efficient and effective, including third-party regulatory functions carried out on behalf of Maritime NZ. Likewise, third party regulators have the right to expect support and clear direction from Maritime NZ.

    The new team’s role is to work with third party regulators to understand how well third-party functions are working, identify any issues that may exist, provide leadership on third-party regulation matters, and identify investments that could help to tackle significant issues.

    Together proactively identifying where any significant issues may exist, allows actions to be taken before serious harm occurs.

    Revenue from maritime levies is funding the new team because effective third-party regulatory functions benefit every participant in the maritime system.

    Our priority is to focus on third-party functions of highest strategic importance and where we have evidence that challenges are present. To achieve this, the team has developed a three-year work programme, which focusses on the third-party regulators in priority order.

    In the first year the team is focussing on marine surveyors (who carry out a very important safety and environmental protection role). Future work will include focussing on recognised organisations and then training colleges and examiners.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reducing councils’ ridiculous use of road cones

    Source: New Zealand Government

    As part of the Government’s drive to cut down on excessive use of road cones – and reducing the eye-watering cost of temporary traffic management – councils will soon be forced to use a commonsense approach to risk assessment before receiving government funding, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

    “New Zealanders have become increasingly irritated by the too-frequently over-the-top use of road cones and costly temporary traffic management around roadworks,” Mr Bishop says.

    “This approach causes drivers unnecessary delays, creates congestion and wastes taxpayers’ money. The previous government spent a whopping $786 million of taxpayers’ money on temporary traffic management in just three years.

    “We campaigned on bringing some much-needed common sense to the use of road cones, and we’re making good progress.

    “NZTA, which builds and maintains our state highway network, has worked with its project contractors to apply pragmatism and critical thinking to the way they use road cones and other temporary traffic management measures.

    “Since we’ve formed Government, the percentage of project costs spent on temporary traffic management has reduced from 15.8 per cent of maintenance costs down to 8.8 per cent, and from 6.0 per cent of the cost of capital projects, down to just 2.3 per cent.

    “This means fewer disruptions for drivers, and less taxpayer money wasted.

    “NZTA has achieved these results by requiring its contractors on state highway projects to shift away from an overly prescriptive Code of Practice which specifies in detail the exact spacing required between road cones, among many other requirements. 

    “They have instead moved to a far more pragmatic guide which allows contractors to use their experience and common sense to keep everyone safe on a worksite, rather than specifying road cone use down to the centimetre.

    “Local roads are owned and maintained by councils. Many of them still use the very prescriptive Code of Practice, which is why we still see ridiculous temporary traffic management measures on local streets, such as quiet cul-de-sacs covered in road cones because of minor work on a footpath.

    “This over-the-top traffic management by councils is costing ratepayers money. The Government has got its own house in order by significantly cutting its temporary traffic management costs on state highways. Some councils are also making good efforts in this area – but now all councils will be required to get on board.

    “The Government funds local council transport projects to the tune of over $1 billion per year through the National Land Transport Fund, which is administered by NZTA. 

    “I am pleased to announce that in future, the NZTA Board will require councils to apply the more pragmatic New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management to their local roadworks contracts before approving government funding for those projects.

    “By requiring local councils to adopt a risk-based approach, we’ll see more sensible use of temporary traffic management on local roads, keeping road workers and others safe, at a more reasonable cost to ratepayers.

    “I’m pleased to see common sense making a return to our roads.”

    Notes to Editor:

    In New Zealand, NZTA and local councils are the primary road controlling authorities. NZTA is responsible for state highways, while local councils manage local roads.
    By 20 December 2025, councils will need to have a plan in place for applying the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management to their contracts. By 1 July 2026, they must apply it to all new contracts, and by 1 July 2027, the guide must be incorporated into all existing contracts.
    Councils will have to report their uptake of the guide to NZTA on a quarterly basis, while NZTA will continue to report monthly on its own temporary traffic management activities.
    More information about the new guidance (the New Zealand guide to temporary traffic management) is on the NZTA website: https://nzta.govt.nz/roads-and-rail/new-zealand-guide-to-temporary-traffic-management

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China to continue playing constructive role in facilitating ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand: Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) — China will adhere to a fair and impartial attitude, continue to maintain close communication with Cambodia and Thailand, actively promote reconciliation and negotiation, and play a constructive role in promoting a ceasefire, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Sunday.

    With international mediation, Cambodia and Thailand recently expressed their willingness to end hostilities, although clashes continue along the border between the two countries, according to media reports.

    Answering a question about China’s position on this situation, the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry drew attention to the fact that Cambodia and Thailand have always been and will be neighbors to each other, and at the same time, both countries are friends and neighbors of China.

    According to him, firmly adhering to the principle of good-neighborliness and mutual trust, as well as properly resolving differences, serve the fundamental and long-term interests of the two countries, as well as peace and stability in the region.

    The official said China was deeply saddened by the casualties on both sides and expressed its sincere condolences.

    As the diplomat pointed out, China hopes that both sides will proceed from the interests of the two peoples, cherish peace and good-neighborliness, maintain calm and restraint, reach a ceasefire at an early date, and peacefully resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, so as to restore peace and stability in the border areas at an early date.

    Noting that Cambodia and Thailand are important members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the spokesperson said ASEAN has been actively promoting a ceasefire between the two sides in recent days. China highly appreciates this and welcomes all efforts to help de-escalate the situation, he added. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The celebrity halo effect: why abuse allegations against powerful men like Brad Pitt are so easily forgotten

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamilla Rosdahl, Senior Lecturer, Australian College of Applied Psychology

    Last month, actor Brad Pitt stepped onto the Formula One circuit as the leading man of the high-octane film F1, backed by Apple Studios, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Pitt’s own Plan B Entertainment.

    During the publicity campaign, cameras followed Pitt at every twist and turn, beaming his heartthrob persona to audiences. The coverage was gushing, with few mentions of the 2016 allegations of physical and emotional abuse made by Angelina Jolie, the award-winning actor and Pitt’s former partner.

    Pitt was never charged over these allegations, but he was under considerable public scrutiny when they first came to light.

    The tone has since shifted. Now, many media outlets are focused on Pitt’s clothing, describing him as looking “effortlessly iconic” and someone who is “just trying to have fun with his style” – a seemingly polished return to the limelight.

    Pitt is far from an exception. He is part of a well-established pattern of powerful men in Hollywood who rebound from scandal quickly, and with seemingly little repercussion.

    Pitt’s career trajectory, bolstered by critical acclaim and PR campaigns, reveals how easily the public memory can be rewritten.

    How the media protects accused men

    One 2019 study that looked at coverage of rape allegations against Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo highlighted how the media helps construct narratives that favour the accused. The allegations came from American woman Kathryn Mayorga, who accused Ronaldo of raping her in 2009.

    The study found Portuguese media and political leaders largely defended Ronaldo, hailing him as a “national hero”. They focused on his career and presumption of innocence, while minimising and discrediting Mayorga’s account.

    When Mayorga reopened the case in 2018, alleging coercion into an earlier settlement, the coverage stereotyped her as a “gold digger”, diverting attention away from the issue of sexual violence. Reports also emphasised “collateral damages”, such as Ronaldo’s club avoiding matches in the United States.

    These findings underscore how the “celebrity halo” can compromise serious coverage of allegations.

    According to Karen Boyle, gender studies professor and author of the 2018 book #MeToo, Weinstein and Feminism, mainstream media and celebrity culture systemically protect powerful men accused of violence against women.

    Celebrity culture is fundamentally patriarchal, Boyle argues, and will centre men even when they’re found to be perpetrators. She writes:

    Even when these men fall, they fall spectacularly, with all eyes on them […] Their stories dominate.

    Instead of drawing attention to female survivors, media narratives orbit around the accused celebrity – including their downfall, legacy and potential redemption.

    The machinery of ‘redemption’

    The post-#MeToo era promised a reckoning. Survivors were to be heard, and powerful men held accountable. Yet the cultural reset hasn’t been what many supporters of the movement hoped for.

    Boyle argues we must understand #MeToo in relation to an ongoing history of popular misogyny which normalises men’s abuse of women.

    The #MeToo movement has faced mounting backlash since it went viral in 2017. Articles in Vox and Dame Magazine highlight how public sympathy is increasingly shifting towards accused men, recasting them as victims of “cancel culture” while sidelining survivors.

    Online platforms such as Instagram, Reddit and Youtbe have also created space for public commentators to blame victim-survivors and make excuses for famous male perpetrators.

    And it’s not just about attraction-leniency theory, wherein physically attractive people are judged more favourably. It’s also about race.

    One 2015 study found media coverage of intimate partner violence by celebrity men was more likely to be portrayed as “criminal” when the man was black.

    “Reports are more likely to include excuses for men’s violence against women when the coverage is of a white celebrity than when the celebrity is black,” said the author Joanna Pepin.

    White men in Hollywood accumulate prestige, status and connections that operate like currency, buffering them from consequences that would derail the careers of others.

    Ideology, power and coercive control

    As a scholar who had been analysing coercive control for more than ten years, I argue power operates not just through institutions, but through discourse: through who gets to speak, who is believed, what is remembered, and what is erased.

    Belief is often unconscious. The public may know violence occurred, but still act as though it didn’t. People choose to forget, to preserve the comforting fiction their favourite heartthrob is a good man.

    My research argues coercive control isn’t limited to perpetrators of domestic violence, but is a widespread tactic employed by high-profile men to assert power and dominance.

    It operates like a modern panopticon. Powerful men can use gendered power and social status to not only trap and discipline victims within an invisible prison, but can extend this control to entire communities.

    Importantly, this control can be subtle. It is often hidden behind performative niceness – hard to see and harder to prosecute.

    Shifting the lens

    Gender studies scholar Judith Butler argues Trump-era politics have actively distorted public conversations about gender, power and accountability. They explain in one interview:

    What we’re seeing with the Trump administration is a normalisation of hatred, of xenophobia, masculinity and misogyny that emboldens far-right groups and legitimises violence against vulnerable populations.

    Moving forward, we need to collectively recognise how media narratives can contribute to our collective amnesia of violence against women.

    We also need to prioritise teaching younger generations about masculine culture and the dangers of gendered violence. And when survivors speak, the focus shouldn’t be on whether they seem “credible” or “emotional enough”, but on the structures that may embolden the men they are accusing.

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

    – ref. The celebrity halo effect: why abuse allegations against powerful men like Brad Pitt are so easily forgotten – https://theconversation.com/the-celebrity-halo-effect-why-abuse-allegations-against-powerful-men-like-brad-pitt-are-so-easily-forgotten-261101

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Want to save yourself from super scams and dodgy financial advice? Ask these questions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes, Academic in Financial Planning, CQUniversity Australia

    Is there anything you can do to protect your superannuation from dodgy providers or questionable financial advice? And if someone rings you out of the blue and tempts you with a better return on your savings – what should you do?

    Around 12,000 Australians with A$1.2 billion in retirement savings have been caught up in three collapsed or frozen funds: First Guardian, Shield and Australian Fiduciaries.

    People have described being cold-called or seeing ads on social media, suggesting they could earn more by leaving their current super fund. Several financial advisers linked to these funds have now been banned for giving “inappropriate advice” to clients, containing “false and misleading statements”.

    As a former financial adviser and now researcher, here are the questions I wish more people asked to screen out scammers and dodgy financial advisers faster – and places to seek help if you need it.

    What do I do if someone calls with an unexpected sales pitch?

    The first thing you need to know is that in Australia we have anti-hawking legislation. This prohibits people making cold calls or unsolicited face-to-face approaches for financial products, such as superannuation.

    If you get a phone call like that, the official advice is now to hang up immediately. If they persist, you could say:

    I didn’t request this cold call. Did you know you’re breaking the law and I can report you?

    They will probably put the phone down! They know they’re not doing the right thing. If they keep talking, hang up.

    Block their number. Tell a family member if you need help. If you’ve shared personal information, call your super fund or bank.

    I’m thinking of switching super funds. What should I ask first?

    Whether you’re talking to a super fund or a financial adviser, my first three questions would be about their fees, what’s known as “the 4Ps” – philosophy, people, process and performance – and risk profile.

    What are the fees?

    Don’t just look at a super fund’s returns: look closely at their fees.

    Your super fund statement will disclose how much administration, insurance premiums, transactions, buy/sell spread and investment fees and costs are being deducted.

    High fees charged by a trustee eat up your super balance over time. If a fund earns 7% annually and charges fees of 0.63% annually, then your actual return is only 6.37%.

    Is the fund a good match on “the 4 Ps”?

    Go to the provider’s website to understand whether the fund’s philosophy reflect your core beliefs about investing and risk.

    Learn about the reputations of the people behind the fund who lead and invest your money.

    Find out what process they use to select and manage investments. Finally, consider how well and consistently the fund has performed over the past five to ten years.

    What’s the risk profile?

    Super funds classify investment options into risk profiles (such as conservative, balanced or growth) to provide you with investments to match your risk tolerance and age.

    You can find a fund’s risk profile on the fund’s website under investment options, in the product disclosure statement and target market determination.

    How can I compare my super fund?

    Want to check if your retirement savings are in an underperforming fund? For the past few years, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has called out MySuper funds that aren’t performing to standard.

    Compare funds with the Australian Tax Office’s YourSuper Comparison Tool.

    How I can find out if a financial adviser’s been in trouble?

    On advisers, you can investigate their reputation or past complaints at:

    If you’re comfortable using OpenAI, such as ChatGPT or CoPilot, you can try searching with the following prompts.

    • “Can you find any complaints or disciplinary actions against (name of adviser/fund)?”
    • “What is the public reputation of (adviser/fund) in financial forums or news?”
    • “Has (adviser/fund) been mentioned in any ASIC enforceable actions, bans or media reports?”

    More action promised, but not yet delivered

    There are echoes in what’s allegedly happened with First Guardian and Shield of Storm Financial’s collapse in 2009, which also hit thousands of people.

    There are bad apples in every industry. Whether it’s in finance or medicine, it’s often colleagues who know who the dodgy operators are. Then it’s a question of whether anyone does anything about it.

    In the case of First Guardian and Shield, other financial advisers helped raise the alarm – unfortunately several years before the corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, acted.

    The commission says they’re now working with the federal government on more “reform options”. But that won’t help the thousands of people currently without access to their retirement savings, uncertain how much of those funds they’ll recover.

    You can seek free counselling and advice from the National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007); Mob Strong Debt Helpline (1800 808 488) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; or the Consumer Action Law Centre.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial advice.

    Angelique Nadia Sweetman McInnes received funding from the Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand and Central Queensland University. She is presently on a panel in her academic capacity assisting the Financial Advice Association of Australia (FAAA) review and update their Professional Standards. She is also a council member of the FAAA Financial Planning Education Council. Angelique was an authorised representative (practicing financial adviser) from 2009 to 2012.

    – ref. Want to save yourself from super scams and dodgy financial advice? Ask these questions – https://theconversation.com/want-to-save-yourself-from-super-scams-and-dodgy-financial-advice-ask-these-questions-261756

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Barnaby Joyce wants Australia to abandon net zero – but his 5 central claims don’t stack up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ella Vines, Post-doctoral researcher, Green Lab, Monash University

    One-time Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce sought to dominate the first sitting week of the current federal parliament by proposing a divisive plan to reverse Australia’s net zero emissions target.

    The campaign, backed by fellow former Nationals leader Michael McCormack, aims to repeal what Joyce calls Australia’s “lunatic crusade” of net zero by 2050. It comes as Opposition Leader Sussan Ley convenes a working group to set a way forward on climate and energy policy following the Coalition’s historic election defeat.

    Meanwhile, the Albanese government is considering Australia’s next round of emissions reduction targets. And scientists warn just three years remain for the world to keep global warming below the vital 1.5°C threshold.

    If Australia is to take meaningful climate action, federal parliament must engage with the facts honestly and without distortion. So let’s take a closer look at whether Joyce and McCormack’s latest claims withstand scrutiny.

    Claim 1: Australia’s net zero policy will not address climate change

    Joyce describes as “perverse” the notion that Australia’s net zero goal can meaningfully help address global climate change.

    This claim is not backed by science.

    Every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions adds to global warming. What’s more, Joyce’s claim ignores the near-universal agreement of nations signed up to the Paris Agreement – including Australia – to pursue efforts (including domestic measures) to limit the average global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

    It’s true that collective national efforts to curb warming have so far been insufficient. But that doesn’t mean they should be abandoned.

    Claim 2: Global support for net zero is waning

    McCormack claims there is a growing global shift against net zero, and Joyce describes it as “a peculiar minority position”.

    This statement is not backed by evidence.

    In fact, the number of countries, cities, businesses and other institutions pledging to get to net-zero is growing.

    In the United States, President Donald Trump has dismantled climate policy, damaging that nation’s progress towards net zero. But many US states have retained the target, and global climate action will continue regardless of Trump’s actions.

    A landmark court ruling this week is likely to further strengthen global pressure for nations to ramp up emissions reduction. The advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice observed countries are legally obliged to prevent harms caused by climate change – including by regulating the fossil fuel industry.

    As others have noted, Australia must now reconsider its stance on approving new fossil fuel projects – including those geared to export markets.

    the International Court of Justice said countries are legally obliged to prevent harms caused by climate change.
    JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

    Claims 3: the net zero goal is a security threat

    Joyce claims a net zero policy agenda is “treacherous” for Australia’s security and will “inflame our incapacity” to contend with geopolitical threats.

    But evidence suggests the opposite is true. There is a significant link between climate change and certain types of military conflicts.

    Research predicts the Australian Defence Force will become involved in more wars as the climate crisis escalates, and respond to more frequent climate-related disasters inside our borders.

    Claim 4: net zero is bad for regional Australia

    Both Joyce and McCormack say the net zero target and associated renewable energy rollout is devastating regional Australia. The Institute of Public Affairs, a prominent right-wing think tank, this week launched a documentary making similar claims.

    Joyce cited division in rural communities over renewable energy. In reality, there is significant support in regional Australia for such technology. A poll last year by Farmers for Climate Action found 70% of regional Australians in renewable energy zones support the development of renewable energy projects on local farmland.

    Joyce also pointed to “the removal of agricultural land from production” to support his stance. However, analysis shows very little farmland is required for the clean energy transition.

    What’s more, the cost of inaction is high. Climate change is disproportionately affecting cost of living for regional households – for example, due to higher insurance premiums.

    Joyce also appears deaf to the myriad regional voices calling for stronger climate action.

    The Mackay Conservation Group, for example, is challenging Whitehaven’s Winchester South coal mine in Queensland’s Land Court. Similarly, an environment group based in the NSW Hunter Valley this week successfully appealed the expansion of MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coal mine.

    Only facts can stop a new wave of climate wars

    Clearly, the efforts of Joyce and McCormack to undermine Australia’s net zero goal are not backed by evidence.

    The Coalition must heed the facts – not backbench pressure – as it weighs its climate and energy policy. Only then can Australia avoid reigniting the divisive climate wars that stalled progress and positioned Australia as a global laggard.

    Likewise, the Albanese government must not be distracted from the climate action task. Australia’s next round of climate targets should be based on the best available science, and make a meaningful, credible contribution to the objectives of the Paris Agreement.

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

    – ref. Barnaby Joyce wants Australia to abandon net zero – but his 5 central claims don’t stack up – https://theconversation.com/barnaby-joyce-wants-australia-to-abandon-net-zero-but-his-5-central-claims-dont-stack-up-261837

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Critics claim gender clinics are seeing an excess of trans boys. But new data suggest otherwise

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ken Pang, Senior Principal Research Fellow and Group Leader, Transgender Health Research Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

    Gender clinics provide multidisciplinary care that helps trans people to explore and affirm their gender identity.

    The number of adolescents referred to gender clinics has increased worldwide in recent years, especially among those who were assigned female at birth.

    This has prompted claims that “social contagion” is driving young people – and in particular, teenagers who were assigned female at birth – to identify as trans and seek medical care.

    But this notion isn’t supported by robust evidence, and our latest research directly challenges this idea.

    Backlash against gender care

    Despite its lack of evidence, the social contagion theory has been used by critics to help fuel an international backlash against adolescent gender care.

    In the United States, more than half of all states have enacted laws or policies limiting access to gender care for those under 18 years.

    In the United Kingdom, laws now prohibit transgender young people under 18 from starting puberty blockers.

    Evidence has now emerged of the adverse consequences of these laws in both the US and UK. This includes sharp declines in mental health and increased suicide attempts among transgender young people.

    Despite this evidence, the Queensland government in Australia recently halted access to puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormones to new patients aged under 18.

    This decision was made even though a 2024 independent evaluation found that gender care in Queensland is safe and evidence-based and recommended that service capacity be increased.

    Trans people seek gender care at different stages of their lives

    Our recently published study examined gender clinic referrals across the entire lifespan.

    We used data from publicly funded gender clinics in Melbourne and Amsterdam across a three-year period between 2016 and 2019. The Amsterdam and Melbourne services received 2,044 and 1,903 referrals respectively.

    We found remarkably similar results in both countries. The majority of adolescent referrals (around 70%) were for trans boys and non-binary people assigned female at birth. However, among adults, this observation was flipped, with the majority of adult referrals being for individuals assigned male at birth.

    Specifically, 55% of referrals of those aged in their 20s were for individuals assigned male at birth. This grew every subsequent decade, reaching around 80% for those in their 50s and beyond.

    What do these findings mean?

    Previous surveys from Sweden, Belgium and the United States indicate the proportion of people assigned male and female at birth who are transgender is roughly equal.

    Assuming these two groups share a similar desire to access gender clinics, you would expect the number of referrals to be around the same over the course of a lifetime.

    Our new findings are consistent with this expectation but the likelihood of referral to gender clinics seems to be influenced by both the sex a person was assigned at birth, as well as their age. While those assigned female at birth are more likely seek referral as adolescents, those assigned male “catch up” in later years.

    So rather than an over-representation of those assigned female at birth, adolescent referral patterns most likely reflect an under-representation of assigned males.

    Why is this happening?

    Trans misogyny is a unique type of discrimination trans girls and women face. It combines transphobia, the hatred for and discrimination against trans people, with misogyny, the prejudice and contempt towards women.

    The impact of trans misogyny is far-reaching. During adolescence, trans girls experience higher rates of bullying and victimisation than trans boys and cisgender peers.

    During adulthood, trans women remain at high risk of abuse and violence. They are also more likely to encounter housing discrimination, homelessness, unemployment and poverty than the general population.

    Faced with such daunting prospects, it seems much harder for trans girls to reveal their gender identity as adolescents at an already uncertain time of their lives.

    But as trans girls progress into adulthood, we suspect an intrinsic desire to express their gendered sense of self eventually tips the balance in favour of “coming out”. As a result, we see more trans women seeking gender care in their 20s, 30s and beyond.

    These new findings suggest we need to do more to support trans adolescents. Rather than being driven by the fear of “social contagion”, we must instead recognise and address the challenges trans adolescents, and specifically trans girls and women, face.

    This article was co-authored by Freya Kahn, a paediatrician working on research projects at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

    Ken Pang receives research funding from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund. He is a member of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, and the editorial board of the journal, Transgender Health.

    Anja Ravine has paid membership of the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health.

    – ref. Critics claim gender clinics are seeing an excess of trans boys. But new data suggest otherwise – https://theconversation.com/critics-claim-gender-clinics-are-seeing-an-excess-of-trans-boys-but-new-data-suggest-otherwise-257817

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney

    A recent landmark court decision could have significant ramifications for several million social security recipients.

    The ruling means the federal government will need to recalculate more than A$4 billion in debts owed to the Department of Social Services, which administers Centrelink.

    Some of the debts – which occurred due to overpayment of benefits – stretch back decades.

    Reminiscent of Robodebt, the problem occurred because an unlawful method – income apportionment – was used to calculate the money Centrelink claimed it was owed.

    The judgement

    From the early 1990s until 2020, more than 5.3 million welfare debts were calculated using income apportionment.

    In the test case Chaplin v Secretary, Department of Social Services, the full Federal Court approved a method proposed by the government to recalculate the debts.

    The court was not asked whether the debts were unlawful – a point the department had already conceded – but whether its remedy was legally sound. In a two-judge majority, the court ruled it generally was.

    Following the judgement, the department swiftly resumed debt recovery, which had been paused in 2023, pending the legal decision. It said in a statement:

    now there is certainty to the legal position, assessments will recommence in line with the court’s decision.

    The scale of the problem

    The unlawful debts are worth $4.31 billion in total, and affect almost three million Australians. About 91% of these debts – $3.93 billion – has already been repaid to Centrelink.

    Another 170,000 debts – totalling $347 million – remain outstanding.

    All the debts – either repaid or still owing – must be recalculated using the revised method approved by the court.

    According to the government, the median debt is $330 and has been owed for 19 years, on average.

    But the judgement does not compel the government to actually recover the money. Some media reports suggest a waiver is being considered.

    For its part, the government says it will “evaluate” the court decision and develop a “suitable response”.

    What is income apportionment?

    An internal anti-fraud policy meant Centrelink was obliged to calculate a person’s income when it was “earned” rather than “received”.

    This led to the use of income apportionment – essentially an educated guess about a person’s fortnightly earnings when their pay cycle didn’t align with their income reporting period.

    This process, which typically produced overpayments to recipients, spread income outside an instalment period, which was contrary to the applicable law. It also attributed earnings to a person for days and fortnights they hadn’t worked.

    Income apportionment was discontinued in 2020. Three years later, the Commonwealth ombudsman found the method was unlawful.

    Is this different to Robodebt?

    While Social Services has sought to distinguish income apportionment from Robodebt, the two methods of calculating debt are comparable.

    Both attributed a person’s daily income beyond the timeframe permitted by law.

    But there are differences in source and scale.

    Where apportionment was personalised by using individual customer payslips, Robodebt used Australian Tax Office records to raise debts en masse.

    Significantly, while the ombudsman said the department’s understanding of the law relating to apportionment was “incorrect”, it was also “genuinely held”.

    On the other hand, the infamous Robodebt scheme was designed to ramp up debt clawbacks. Claims of misfeasance in public office continue to be litigated.

    Other troubling overlaps remain.

    Many individuals affected by apportionment debts raised after 2015 will be the same people served with Robodebt notices.

    Evidentiary burden

    A troubling aspect of the test case was the suggestion by the majority judges – citing High Court precedent –
    that the evidentiary burden could shift to the welfare recipient when overpayments are believed to occur through “wrongdoing”.

    This could force an individual to disprove their alleged debt if a decision-maker concluded the recipient had accidentally under-reported – as occurred in the test case – and a lack of evidence made it difficult for the government to prove its allegation.

    The finding arguably runs counter to the Robodebt Royal Commission’s observation that most welfare recipients lack the power to disprove a debt because their historical records are unavailable.

    The dissenting judge in the case rejected the government’s proposed recalculation method, finding it “not proper” for recovery action to be taken without probative evidence.

    He said the majority decision meant Centrelink could reassess debts in the future after evidence had been lost, and recipients would be powerless to disprove them.

    Expensive fix

    The administrative burden of reassessing these unlawful debts is immense.

    Late last year, a team of 150 public servants, each costing $117,400 per annum, was assigned to rectify income apportionment.

    Their internal sampling revealed 64% of people issued debt bills were overcharged, 29% were undercharged, while 4% are owed a total refund.

    The remediation process has been chaotic.

    In the year following the ombudsman’s report, recipients lodged 531 appeals and made 530 complaints, highlighting the human impact of income apportionment.

    But in a five-month period, a mere 83 cases have been finalised.

    Controversially, Social Services offered to process debts on request, contrary to a provisional finding of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which dismissed the method being used by the department.

    Political choice

    While the Federal Court has seemingly given the government a legal victory, the ultimate outcome will be costly – especially if the debts are waived.

    The court ruling requires recipients be afforded “procedural fairness”, meaning resource-intensive investigations will need to be undertaken into the millions of cases yet to be reviewed.

    The final price tag is yet unknown. In the 2025–26 budget, income apportionment was recorded as a “contingent liability – unquantifiable”.

    Almost all of the outstanding debts would have already been resolved if the government had implemented the Robodebt Royal Commission recommendation that welfare overpayments should not be pursued if they are more than six years old.

    The court’s decision also fails to address the 159 Australians believed to have been criminally prosecuted over unlawful debts since 2018. These people – and likely many more before that year – may have been convicted on defective evidence.

    The response to these issues will be a test for the government.

    Has it learned the lessons of previous egregious mistakes, or will it allow the ghost of Robodebt to continue to haunt our welfare system?

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

    – ref. The ghost of Robodebt – Federal Court rules billions of dollars in welfare debts must be recalculated – https://theconversation.com/the-ghost-of-robodebt-federal-court-rules-billions-of-dollars-in-welfare-debts-must-be-recalculated-261543

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong movies showcased at 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hong Kong movies showcased at 2025 Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal  
         Speaking before the world premiere of “Good Game” on July 27 (Montreal time), the Acting Director of the Toronto ETO, Mr Gavin Yeung, highlighted the efforts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in supporting the development of Hong Kong’s film industry and strengthening Hong Kong’s role as a bridge between East and West for international cultural exchanges.
     
    “The HKSAR Government actively finances the production of small-to-medium budget films, provides funding support for the industry professionals to participate in international film festivals, and subsidises training programmes to nurture young directors and film talent,” said Mr Yeung.
     
         He added that Hong Kong’s film industry has been globally recognised. “Hong Kong boasts a rich pool of creative talent and is one of Asia’s leading filmmaking hubs. Over the past decade, our films and filmmakers have received numerous prestigious international awards,” he noted.
     
    Also present at the screening was the writer and actor of “Good Game”, Ken Law, who introduced the film before the screening and engaged with the audience during a post-screening Q&A session.
     
    The other Hong Kong films featured at the Festival are: “Stuntman”, “A Chinese Ghost Story III”, “The Battle Wizard” and “Bullet in the Head”.
    Issued at HKT 3:54

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Designs unveiled for Newcastle green energy precinct

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The final concept designs have been unveiled for the Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct, which will establish the Hunter region as an industry leader in Australia’s transformation to net-zero.    

    Community members, prospective commercial partners and international investors attended a virtual-reality walk-through of the site today, where the future design of the precinct was brought to life.The Clean Energy Precinct will be located on a disused 220-hectare site on Kooragang Island, just north of Newcastle’s CBD and straddling the south channel of the Hunter River.

    With a $100 million investment from the Australian Government committed in the 22/23 Federal Budget, the Port of Newcastle site will be transformed into a burgeoning industrial hub enabling the production, storage, distribution and export of clean energy products, including green hydrogen and ammonia. The precinct will integrate clean energy production and storage with the Hunter’s Hydrogen Hub gateway projects, the New South Wales Renewable Energy Zones, and offshore wind developments – making it a vital cog in our net zero future.

    The Port of Newcastle has been progressing Front-End Engineering and Design and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies, backed by community consultation and industry engagement, and today’s release of designs allow the public and potential commercial partners to visualise the planned layout of the precinct infrastructure. 

    The precinct infrastructure includes electrical and water services, production facilities, storage, vehicle access, and pipelines for distribution and export.

    The EIS will be released publicly later this year, and construction of the precinct is expected to break ground in 2027. 

    For progress updates on the Clean Energy Precinct, visit the Port of Newcastle’s website. 

    Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “Australia’s largest coal port is diversifying its offering and preparing to accommodate new and growing industries on the shores of the Hunter River. 

    “Newcastle has always been one of the most productive industrial centres in Australia, and we’re ensuring its legacy continues with the Clean Energy Precinct. 

    “It’s crucial that we develop the infrastructure now to be prepared for Australia’s energy future, and that’s exactly what we’re doing here on Kooragang Island.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

    “The Hunter has been an industrial and economic powerhouse for decades, making the Port of Newcastle an ideal location for a Clean Energy Precinct that can support decarbonisation of heavy industry and connect Australia’s renewable resources to the world.

    “The Albanese Labor Government is supporting industrial regions like the Hunter to take advantage of the economic and job opportunities that come with reliable renewable energy.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

    “The Clean Energy Precinct will be the jewel in the crown of Newcastle’s future. 

    “It will create thousands of secure and well-paid jobs for Novocastrians, and stimulate the economy of the CBD and surrounds thanks to its central location.

    “Being here today to see the plans first hand fills me with excitement for what the future holds for our city, it’s people, and the greater Hunter region.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Kakadu upgrades ensure safer access to top tourism spots

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Australian and Northern Territory governments are delivering long-awaited upgrades to key roads in Kakadu National Park to improve visitor access, boost safety and support economic growth.

    The first tender under the Australian Government’s $70 million program of upgrades opens next week, with construction on Kubara Road and Maguk Road set to begin in 2025.

    These works are part of the Australian Government’s $216 million Growing Tourism in Kakadu package.

    The package was announced in 2019 and is now being delivered by the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI) in partnership with Parks Australia and the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.

    Between 2025 and 2027, upgrades will be completed on five visitor roads – Jim Jim Falls, Maguk, Gimbat, Gunlom and Kubara – to improve flood immunity, support tourism and business, reduce closures and extend safe access to some of the Territory’s most iconic sites.

    Importantly, the works will be staged to minimise impact on visitors and operators. 

    Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “With the increase in unpredictable and extreme weather events, it’s important to have resilient roads which allow reliable access for locals and tourists alike.

     “Improving the standard of these roads will reduce closures, increase productivity and drive the tourism economy of Northern Territory. 

    “We want to see tourists flock to Kakadu to take in the best of Australia’s fauna and flora – some of the best anywhere in the world.”

    Quotes attributable to NT Minister for Parks and Wildlife and Tourism and Hospitality Marie-Clare Boothby:

    “Kakadu is a key economic and cultural asset for the Northern Territory, and these upgrades will support our local communities and tourism operators.

    “These improvements will make it easier to visit stunning places like Maguk Gorge, with its stone amphitheatre and plunge pool, and Kubara Pools, near the Nanguluwurr Art Site.

    “It’s about delivering action, certainty and security for Traditional Owners, tourism operators and visitors.”

    Quotes attributable to NT Minister for Logistics and Infrastructure Bill Yan:

    “By raising and sealing roads, installing new culverts, and reducing flooding risks, these upgrades will make key Kakadu attractions safer, more reliable, and open for longer. 

    “Construction will be managed carefully to ensure continued access – delivering certainty for locals and the tourism sector.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour:

    “This investment will make it safer and easier for people to visit some of Kakadu’s most iconic locations and experience this World Heritage wonder.

    “Upgrading these key roads will improve flood resilience and travel conditions, while supporting local businesses and tourism operators.

    “These works are part of our broader commitment to making sure Kakadu remains a world-class destination.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Lights a step closer as construction kicks off on Central Coast Highway with Tumbi road intersection upgrade

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    Safer, more reliable journeys are on the way for motorists who use the Central Coast Highway, with main construction works starting to upgrade the Central Coast Highway-Tumbi Road intersection.

    The Albanese and Minns Labor governments are joining forces to deliver a $65.5 million upgrade that will significantly improve journeys for Central Coast motorists and the 26,000 vehicles using this stretch daily.

    The transformation will slash travel times, improve safety, and boost the local economy with 125 construction jobs supported throughout the build.

    This major investment will be split among the two governments, with the Albanese Government contributing $52.4 million, and the New South Wales Government investing $13.1 million.

    Work has officially begun to replace the existing roundabout with modern traffic lights and expand the highway to two lanes in each direction, to the project boundary. This upgrade will address the notorious bottleneck and improve traffic flow and safety on the Central Coast Highway between Wamberal and Bateau Bay.

    Key project features

    The comprehensive upgrade includes:

    • Traffic lights replacing the roundabout
    • Highway widening to two lanes each way north of the intersection
    • Two right-turn lanes from Tumbi Road onto the highway
    • A right turn lane onto Tumbi Road from the Central Coast Highway southbound
    • Extended left-turn capacity into Tumbi Road
    • Upgraded footpaths and cycling infrastructure
    • Relocated bus stops for better passenger access, with two existing northbound bus stops moved to a common location north of the intersection

    Timeline and consultation

    Following extensive community consultation in 2021-2022 and preparatory works in 2023, Daracon Pty Ltd was awarded the construction contract in March 2025. The project is expected to be completed in 2027, weather permitting.

    More information can be accessed here.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “Endless queues down Tumbi Road will soon be a thing of the past as the Australian Government and the NSW Government work together to upgrade the Tumbi Road intersection.

    “This upgrade will make the intersection safer, reduce delays and improve traffic flow. Traffic lights will also give NSW traffic controllers the ability to make changes to the timing and sequencing of lights to maintain traffic flow even in the busiest holiday periods.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Dobell Emma McBride:

    “The Tumbi Road roundabout is a known bottleneck and I’m delighted to see work start to address this long-standing issue.

    “Replacing the roundabout with traffic lights will help better manage traffic flows, reducing congestion and cutting travel times.

    Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

    “It’s fantastic to see work start to upgrade the Tumbi Road intersection, which is one of the most congested on the Central Coast Highway.

    “This upgrade will improve journey times and reliability for the 26,000 motorists who use this section of road every day.

    “This day has been a long time coming and I’m delighted to be part of a Labor government that is delivering for the people of the Central Coast.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for the Central Coast David Harris:

    “This upgrade will benefit all local road users, whether they are driving, walking, riding or using public transport.

    “This work will make journeys safer and quicker, which is good news for residents, local businesses and transport operators.

    “It’s good news for the local economy too, with the project to create about 125 jobs throughout the construction phase.”

    Quotes attributable to State Member for The Entrance David Mehan:

    “This is a critical upgrade for communities across the Central Coast because the Central Coast Highway is a key regional link.

    “It is absolutely fantastic see this work getting underway.

    “All road users can look forward to reduced congestion and more reliable journeys.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ABC South East NSW Breakfast with Eddie Williams

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    EDDIE WILLIAMS, HOST: Roads, rates, and rubbish, and childcare, disaster recovery, community transport, school holiday programs, even a laundromat. The role of local government has been changing and evolving over the years. It’s been growing. And a new report has found councils across the state are having to foot the bill for one and a half billion dollars in services each year, that they say should be funded by the state and federal governments. This report commissioned by Local Government New South Wales shows councils state-wide are absorbing more so-called cost shifting from the other levels of government, with that cost shifting up by around 10 per cent over the past few years.

    Kristy McBain is the Minister for Local Government, and the Member for Eden-Monaro. Good morning.

    KRISTY MCBAIN, MINISTERREGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND TERRITORIES: Good morning.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: You’ve seen this as a mayor, and now as the federal minister. How much have you seen the role of local councils change?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: I think local councils have substantially changed over the last number of years. I mean, in the last 10 or 15 years I think councils now play a critical role in that emergency response and recovery phase, which, you know, had not typically been the bailiwick of local councils. And I’ve seen that from a community level, and now as the Minister for Emergency Services, the role that councils play in response and recovery is absolutely critical for communities.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: So are they the best placed level of government for that sort of a role?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Yeah, clearly. I mean, they’ve got a local workforce and, you know, they have elected officials from that local area with, you know, that inside knowledge that the other levels of government just don’t have from that hyper-localised perspective. So it’s really important that there is a really strong partnership with local councils to be able to assist in times of emergency.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: Is that partnership there and particularly is the funding there for local councils to play these roles?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Yeah, that’s right. So obviously, you know, we rely heavily on councils in response and recovery, but, you know, that funding is there to assist them, whether it’s the immediate $1 million after a disaster is cleared to assist with clean-up, or whether it’s the ongoing disaster recovery funding arrangements where councils go and assess their infrastructure and then we work with the state government to ensure that funding can be made to- to be handed to councils to ensure that infrastructure can be repaired and replaced.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: What about the more day-to-day community services, things like childcare, aged care, disability care, the other sorts of programs that you see like community transport? Should that be part of the local government purview?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Well, I guess it’s up to every local council to prioritise the services that they’re providing in community. We’ve seen over recent times a number of councils pull out of aged care services in particular and hand those onto not-for-profits or to the market because it is a difficult sector to be operating in. In regards to childcare services, a lot of our councils are providing childcare services because there are no market operators that can do that in those areas, but there are obviously a range of funding buckets for childcare services in particular.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: Yeah, are the funding buckets all kind of working? You know, things like competitive grants are by definition competitive and some councils miss out. Where do things go from here to make sure councils have the money to deliver all this?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Well, I guess when we’re looking at competitive grants, we’re usually looking at new or upgraded infrastructure. So councils have got, you know, their own work to do in terms of understanding what their service and delivery plan is going to look like over any four-year term, what maintenance needs to be done on particular assets, and it’s up to them whether they apply for those grants to upgrade or have new assets in their community.

    We have worked really closely with local councils in particular for a range of the funding options that are available through the federal government. We’re doubling Roads to Recovery, which is an automatic allocation to all of the 537 local council areas across the country to allow them to have more maintenance on local roads. And then we’ve got a range of competitive programs, including the Housing Support Program which is all about that enabling infrastructure to get more housing developments underway.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: What about Financial Assistance Grants? This is something a lot of local government groups talk about. Is the government willing to increase those?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Financial Assistance Grants is over $3 billion every year. This year’s $3.4 billion is allocated across the country to councils. We have brought forward over $1.7 billion in Financial Assistance Grants, which was paid to councils before the end of the financial year, to assist with a range of service delivery for local councils. There’s long been calls to increase that, but we also don’t want to replace the requirement of the states to do their part in this as well, and a lot of that cost shifting we’re talking about is coming from the state government requirements. And we want to make sure that there is enough money for weeds maintenance for local councils. We want to make sure that there is a range of funding opportunities that also come from the state, because it’s a requirement of all three levels of government to be working together.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: All three levels working together? Are you all getting into the same room to try to sort this out?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Look, I chair the Local Government Ministers’ Forum, and we’ve had some broad agreement on some of the things that need to be addressed, including a simple national accounting standard for local governments. It’s different across the jurisdictions. And a national approach to how councils actually, I guess, grade their assets and when they maintain them so that when grants are being applied for, we’re really comparing apples and apples across the country.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: There is a federal inquiry into local government sustainability that’s been underway. Is the Government willing to take some meaningful action, potentially look at some reforms, depending on what that inquiry recommends?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Yeah, well, it’s the first local government inquiry in over two decades. And when we look back 20 years ago, the iPhone wasn’t invented and Silverchair was still a band at the top of the chart. So it’s really important, I think, that the inquiry completes its work. We’ll reconstitute that committee so it can finalise the report. But clearly the reason we’ve done that is so that we can get a really good understanding of where the system needs to improve and how we can make that work.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: You’re hearing from Kristy McBain, the Minister for Local Government and Emergency Management and the Member for Eden-Monaro. On another issue, the NSW Health-funded Goulburn Urgent Care Service has come to an end, attracting and retaining healthcare staff to the regions being one of the challenges cited there. How confident are you that a federally funded Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in Bega will open this year and will stay viable?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Yeah, well, the closure of the Urgent Care Service in Goulburn was a very disappointing outcome for the community, and one I’ve been working to try to prevent. I’ve been advocating with the NSW Government for it to remain open. It was a well-utilised service, but ultimately the service’s contract was negotiated by the NSW Government, and the state needs to work on their model. But the Medicare Urgent Care Clinics have been a real game-changer across our health sector. In Queanbeyan alone, we’ve had more than 12,000 free presentations since it opened last year, which I think is a real testament to how much this was needed. And anecdotally, we’ve heard from a range of people that utilise the Queanbeyan Hospital, and they’ve said that it’s taken significant pressure off the hospital, which is fantastic.

    We’re providing $644 million to establish another 50 Urgent Care Clinics across the country, including in the Bega Valley. The provider will be negotiated through an independent process by the Primary Health Network, and we’re really confident that it will run effectively like it does in a range of other regional areas across the country.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: When will that open?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: It will go through that independent process which is being commissioned at this point in time, and I don’t have an exact date on when that’s due to finish. But as soon as I’ve got some more info, I will be out there sharing it with the community.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: And the way that will work, the way that relationship and provider comes about, is that something that will be ongoing into the long term, or a sort of year-to-year contract? How do you expect that to look?

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Yeah, well the contracts are negotiated and dealt with through the Primary Health Network. It’s run at arm’s length from the federal government because we’ve got Primary Health Networks that cover every corner of Australia, and they do their job in making sure that we’ve got providers that can work within the community, and the Urgent Care Clinics are staffed effectively for our communities.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: Kristy McBain, I appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.

    KRISTY MCBAIN: Great to be with you.

    EDDIE WILLIAMS: The Member for Eden-Monaro, Minister for Local Government and Emergency Management, Kristy McBain.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Boosting transport and construction productivity

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Albanese Government’s focus on boosting productivity across the Australian economy continued to pick up speed this week, as consultation commenced with the transport and construction sectors.

    Two roundtables, hosted by the Hon Catherine King MP, focused on identifying practical and implementable reforms across these vital industries that support the Government’s productivity agenda. 

    The transport and construction sectors are essential to our economy and way of life, shaping how we grow, move, trade and live. They are also enablers for other sectors, from manufacturing to education, and for contributing to productivity growth across the broader economy.

    Discussion at the transport roundtable covered freight movements through the supply chain. From factory to farm gate, through intermodals, imports and exports at ports, including options to improve productivity and alleviate regulatory barriers at each stage. 

    At the construction roundtable, participants discussed options to improve productivity at each of the key stages of infrastructure projects like planning and design, construction, contracting and handover, and challenges faced across Australian jurisdictions. 

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “The Albanese Government is serious about tackling the structural challenges in our transport and construction sectors that can stifle productivity, so we can better support innovation and investment across both industries, with the skilled workforce to match. 

    “I had the privilege of chairing both roundtables and thank all of the industry representatives that contributed to discussions and committed to action. 

    “I look forward to continuing to work with industry and across Government to drive productivity in Australia’s transport and construction sectors.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Q&A – Queensland Media Club

    Source: Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority

    Queensland Media Club Speeches and Q&A here: https://youtu.be/f2DeHcivspg?si=guNHL0f1ZCkMWhwz

     

    JOURNALIST: It’s been 100 days since the Government’s 100-day review. When can Queenslanders expect to see tangible shovels in the ground, concrete rising in Victoria Park? Because as you’ve touched on in your speech, we don’t have a lot of time.

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Well, yes, you’re right, [Journalist], we don’t. And that’s why today we’ve- [Indistinct] have authorised now to start a little preliminary work. So all the geotechnical work that’s got to take place, the soil testing that’s got to take place, is going to be starting from, I would suspect, next week you can start seeing some work. I wouldn’t say the excavators are going to be there next week, but certainly all the prelim work has to take place in terms of the soil testing. Now, that has to happen because each of them have to work out the best location for Victoria Park once they do the testing of the park.

    JOURNALIST: One thing you mentioned in your speech but didn’t touch too deeply on was Brisbane Arena. It sounds like we’re not going to get Brisbane Arena before 2032; can you make a guarantee that we will?

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Oh, we absolutely will get there before 2032. The Gabba will come down in 20- after 2032, but the Brisbane Arena, we are actually- so the document that I just came back from the United States to be part of Brisbane’s next iconic destination which is the Brisbane Arena. We’ve had over 2,200 expressions of interest put in through the website already on that. We are talking to the market at the moment about the Go Print site and then the secondary site which is the Gabba location, about whether it should be combined or two separate sites, depending on what the private sector want to do. But we absolutely will partner with private sector. We will go to procurement on the Brisbane Arena by the end of this year. So I would suspect in the next couple of months my Department, Department of Infrastructure and Planning, will actually formally go and procure them to build the arena. And then next year will be the planning, and I suspect you’ll start seeing it being built from end of next year and into 2027, and it will be built absolutely before 2032. 

    JOURNALIST: You mentioned in your speech too you’d like to see more transport investment from the Federal Government. Minister King, are you open to that? How much money will Queensland provide? Perhaps we can just get our GST back. 

    [Laughter]

    CATHERINE KING: I knew someone would mention that, I just wondered if that would happen. Already the Commonwealth is investing, I think it’s over $27 billion in transport infrastructure here in Queensland. I think in the equivalent states, it’s- I think you’re the highest amount. Every other state is less than that, believe me. So that is the first thing I’m saying. I think also, there are issues around capacity. We can only build so much at any one time. Our priority has absolutely been Bruce Highway. You saw us come in January with the Prime Minister, acknowledge that that is an unfinished piece of business for all of us, and we’re very determined to get that done. That being said, we’re already investing over $12 billion in [Indistinct] infrastructure. We will look at new requests that come through, and they come from every state and territory pretty regularly, I can say. They come through for Queensland in our normal budget processes. We don’t have a budget yet until next year, but really, we’ve been very determined to make sure, you know, we put planning money in, we put planning work in, we get a good idea about what the costs are and then we progress from there. And I’m sure Queensland will do what every other state does and ask for its share of funding. 

    JOURNALIST: Might I come to the working media table for the first question? Is there a microphone here to [Indistinct]…?

    CATHERINE KING: I think we’ve stolen them. We’ve got three up here now. 

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, Fraser Barton from the Australian Associated Press. I asked you when the delivery plan was announced in March about workers and construction and how we’re going to get all these workers. How has the government progressed that? Is- are we still going to quote ransack New South Wales and Victoria for people? And where will all of these workers live given housing shortages in the state?

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Well thank you, great question. I don’t think I used the word ransacked. I said beg, borrow and steal. And now that I’ve signed the deal with the Federal Minister, I guess I can trash Victoria because, who would- do you want to live in Victoria or Queensland? So, interestingly, yesterday I had the Infrastructure Partnerships- I had a meeting with Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, and we talked about the very issue about the workforce and where they’re going to come from. It’s going to be mixed. It’s going to be home-grown talent with the apprenticeships and traineeships coming through the system. It’s going to be new businesses coming into Queensland. It will be looking to New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and getting businesses to relocate to Queensland. Unashamedly, we need to do that. It’s going to be looking at migration, the school migration sector. So that’s how we’ll get the workforce. The second question I always get about the workforce is where are you going to house them? Well, 20,000 in Logan, because I’ve just given the Mayor 135 million, but that 135 million is- pales in- is insignificant compared to the rest that I’m about to announce over the next two weeks, which is the Residential Activation Fund. And that’s a catalytic infrastructure fund designed to help councils get the infrastructure to build the houses. So Mayor Raven at Logan, he said in the media last week that the Logan Council would stop approving buildings if they didn’t have the new wastewater treatment plant. So the $135 million the state are co-contributing with the Council will allow that wastewater treatment facility to be put in place, opening, unlocking 20,000 homes. 

    Now that $2 billion infrastructure fund is happening all around Queensland, and over 50 per cent of that is going to be in regional Queensland. So we’ve got to make sure that we support councils to unlock the land. And as I always say, the issue of the housing crisis is supply, supply, supply. It is the biggest inhibitor at the moment for building houses in Queensland. We’ve already abolished the tax. We abolished our [Indistinct] for first homeowners buying or building their first home in Queensland, so that’s great. We’ve got a better taxation regime. We’ve increased the first home owner grant to $30,000, 15 to 30, we kept that in the budget last week, so that’s a good incentive as well. So we’ve got to build the houses, but you can’t just do it in isolation. You’ve got to look at all of it at the same time.

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, Alex Brewster, ABC News. You’ve refuted reports about the infrastructure around Victoria Park Stadium this morning. When can we expect to see the detail of things like a potential train station, pedestrian bridge, and even a warm-up track around that stadium?

    JARROD BLEIJIE: You used the word refute, Alex, I used the words – I think TMR may have done some brainstorming on where they would like to see certain things and stations. Government have not made decisions on that connectivity yet. And GIICA now, as part of legislation we passed last week, a big proportion of that is transport and mobility. So, those plans now- because the legislation has been put in place, those plans now have to get out to GIICA with Department of Transport and Main Roads.

    And I’ll repeat, on the transport front, it’s the state’s responsibility, a rail between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. The way [indistinct] Sunshine Coast with a Federal Government are giving(*), 50 per cent funding in stage one of that project. So, look, it’ll happen fairly quickly now, I anticipate, that GIICA have the Victoria Park, they’ll have a CEO in a very short period of time, and they’ll be able to get on with the job and work with TMR to find the best location for Victoria Park. And that’s why you can’t put the cart before the horse, because you’ve got to do all the geo tech, which we are now doing on Victoria Park to understand where the best location for the stadium actually is, and then look at the transport hub. 

    Incidentally, I would note that if you look at Victoria Park, Centenary Pool, which is going to be the new National Aquatic Centre, and the Ekka, we just opened Exhibition Station, over at the RNA; there is three or four hubs within 15 minutes of walking already around that. If we can increase it, that’s great, but we will now get to work with the Brisbane City Council and TMR. 

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, Harry Clark from Sky News. How committed are you to holding Olympics rowing on the Mighty Fitzroy in Rockhampton given resistance, including that which is coming from the International Olympics Committee?

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Very committed. It’s in our delivery plan and I spoke to the IOC. Look, I’ve got to say that the International Olympic Committee were very good with us in our discussions with that. As Minister King points out, [indistinct] alterations before. Like any of the venues, we have to go through the PVR process, the project validation process. The five projects that have already been validated, that’s what we’re going to procure on from today. But all of the minor venues obviously have to go through project validation. We did a lot of the project validation whilst the Federal Government was in caretaker mode from my department to look at the costings and all of that. 

    We believe it’s vitally important for Rocky and the kids in Rocky to have a facility, and there has been a lot of public commentary about it. But my God, if you go to Rocky, which I think I’ll be there in a couple of days, if you go to Rocky this time of year, in July, where the Olympic and Paralympic Games are going to be held, the Fitzroy River is a mirror. It is the most beautiful thing, hence why they do state championships and national championships on the Mighty Fitzroy River. 

    And I respectfully said to the International Olympic Committee when they were over here, I said, if it’s okay for Rocky kids and Australian kids to row on the Mighty Fitzroy River, it’s okay for Pierre from Paris to row on the mighty Fitzroy River. And look, the IOC took that well.

    [Laughter]

    JOURNALIST: Has anyone contacted Pierre and asked him? It is the [indistinct].

    JARROD BLEIJIE: I know we did- someone was in a crowd and he did jump up and he said, I’m actually Pierre from Paris. He said, but I’m not a rower. I said, well, maybe you should be. 

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, it’s serious though. The Government has been staunch. Your Sports Minister colleague said he isn’t certain Olympic rowing will be held in Rockhampton, but do you acknowledge that it is not only the Government’s decision? It’s the IOC, the International Federation. And, is there a plan b if they say it’s not good enough? 

    JARROD BLEIJIE:  Well, okay, but is the IOC paying for it? If they don’t want it in Rocky then they pay for it, but they’re not, it’s the State Government and the Federal Government. So, I’m not sure the IOC- we had put it back a little bit on the IOC, but we’ve done it very respectfully. Because we wanted the games to be about regional Queensland and we committed to the people of Rockhampton, who have a great rowing facility, and they’re going to have a better rowing facility. 

    And Minister King and I, and I hope I’m not breaching confidence, we’ve had this discussion about rowing. It’s got to go to the International Olympic Committee Rowing Federation who are actually over here in July. They’ll do all their technical assessments. But that happens with every venue. And in LA the rowing facility does not meet the International Olympic Committee requirements. It’s too short. But do you know what they did? They just said, for the LA it’ll be okay, and they signed off on it. So, they do bend the rules for other venues, including rowing in LA which does not meet the requirements for international rowing. 

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, hi. Jess Bahr here from SBS World News. Just a couple of questions from NRTV. Are you consulting with Traditional Owners to reach an agreement on preserving cultural heritage at Finn Park? And do you think you’ll reach an agreement, or will you override cultural and heritage laws? 

    JARROD BLEIJIE: I think we’ll reach an agreement. Two points, observations I’ll make on that. In the legislation that we passed in Parliament last week, there were two elements to the overriding provisions. One was dealing with environment laws, heritage laws, planning laws, local government laws, and there was a complete override, but we actually did carve it up with cultural heritage provisions for First Nations Australians. So, we actually will still go through a process of consulting with First Nations about Victoria Park. 

    Now, ultimately, if an agreement can’t be reached then the laws have to override. But we actually have put a special provision pursuant to the cultural and heritage legislation that exists in Queensland at the moment, to still go through that process. And part of the deal that we’ve struck with the Federal Government, it was one of the requirements from Minister King and the Federal Government, is that consultation does take place, which we’ve committed to. And that’s in the legislation, that will go through a process through Minister Fiona Simpson’s department, as it does with existing legislation.

    We’ve also committed to Minister King and the Federal Government that community consultation, looking at the precinct plan; looking for as much green space, open space that we can retain in Victoria Park, and we’ve committed to that. So, I’m confident that we will secure support, and we’ll just go through the motions as it is. But we did carve out a particular provision in that, recognising the significance of that issue. 

    JOURNALIST: Andrew from The Guardian. This is a question for both of you. Both of you have gone through elections in the last year, in fact, one two months ago. And in no case was this plan, the Victoria Park plan, brought to the electorate? In fact, at that state level it was explicitly ruled out. Should the electorate have known about this before they voted on that? It’s a big old stadium in the middle of a suburb. Surely, the people would have liked to know that before the decision was made. 

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Well, thank you. I’ll start and, thankfully, you’ve got a question I’ll be able to build you up to divert all the questions to you. Look we were, when we announced the delivery plan, the Premier and I were pretty up front. We apologised, we said sorry. We took the position to the election of no new stadiums. We did the 100-day review and there was also the former government did the [Indistinct] review that recommended Victoria Park. We did take it to the elections about the stadiums.

    But it became apparent during the GIICA review and the 100-day review that there was just no other option, alternative. There was no time now to knock down the Gabba and rebuild the Gabba. The displacement of AFL and cricket was too great and too costly. So, we were pretty up front. I think we said in a room of a thousand people and journos, we stood up and apologised and we said we’ll cop that. It’s not the position we took to the election but it’s the position now that we think is in the best interest of all Queensland, and particularly for the 2032 Games, particularly for AFL, the Lions, the Mighty Lions, and cricket.

    So yeah, I’m not hiding behind the fact that we had a different position from the election, but I think we tried as best we could to explain ourselves and why would we change our position, and why we put in the delivery plan and accepted the recommendations from GIICA. Because if we hadn’t of, you would end up with a Government making political decisions again, and it would’ve gone around in circles, and you would not be in a room today with the Federal Minister and a State Minister, having done the deal, struck the deal to deliver the 2032 Games. You’d be talking about temporary stadiums [Indistinct] spending $2.25 billion, and no procurement process underway. 

    I think it is a different position we took to the election, but we’re pretty up front with it, we apologised. And we said to Queenslanders, this is now our job to explain why we took that position to the election, and explain why because it is now in the best interests of Queenslanders to get on and proceed and do the best that we can.

    CATHERINE KING: Thanks. I’d say, equally, from our point of view is that the delivery plan was provided and the Queensland Government’s response to that in March of this year. We wanted to take some time to look at it and to get the details about what are the costs of new venues, what does that look like. You know, publicly I’ve been very upfront about that. It’s been [Indistinct] as has the Prime Minister, that we’re really keen to see the arena. 

    It’s why we put the Commonwealth’s money there. We know the Prime Minister’s a pretty big fan of live music and we felt, from our point of view, that was good legacy. But that project has now being procured by the private sector. That is a decision the Queensland Government has made and we’ve been faced with the decision, well, given that it is no longer a Games venue and the agreement is about Games venues in terms of funding, what do we do about it? 

    And that’s why we’ve taken our time. We’ve looked at the finances. We have put conditions around the stadium. We recognise that it is a challenging issue for First Nations people, for local green space. We want to make sure that it’s got right and that it is a precinct that everybody can enjoy, and that’s why we’ve taken our time to do that and we’re making this an [indistinct] too.

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, Alex Brewster again. Have you turned your mind to what you might like to see the stadium called? I know you’re a proud monarchist. Would you perhaps like to see it named after a royal name?

    [Laughter]

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Actually, thinking about that, Minister King did not put in her letter of agreement anything about how- King’s Stadium in honour of either Charles or Catherine. Thank you. Food for thought. Thank you, Alex. 

    No, look, we joked in Parliament that it would be the John Sosso Stadium. Well, some people in Queensland have a big fascination with my Director General. He just wants to get on with the job and stay out of the press. But, look, GIICA recommended it be named the Brisbane Stadium – iconic. Just travelling back from the States, all the stadiums over there are named- they do funding deals. Incidentally, all the stadiums are built by the private sector, so if there’s anyone in the room today who wants to chip in as well and help Minister King and I balance our budgets a little more and invest. Because I kept asking all the other- I went to SoFi, I went to AT&T, and I said, how did that level of investment from Government in having all these? And they said, oh no, the building heads of the sporting teams just build these things – and jeez, wow. Lions have got to put in a bit more I think, in cricket. 

    But no, we had I haven’t turned our minds to that yet. We’ll just get shovels in the ground and start building it and then we’ll work out the name of it.

    JOURNALIST: Minister King, can I just jump in there and ask you, when you were negotiating with the State Government, did the Commonwealth put to the state that rowing could be held in Penrith?

    CATHERINE KING: So, what we’ve done as part of the agreement is we’ve provisioned money for Rockhampton, but that is conditional or dependent on the federated body for rowing determining that rowing can go forward there. Obviously, we’ll await that decision, but we’ll provision money for Rockhampton for that to occur. And again, that’s the decision that the Queensland Government has done, and that’s what it wants to do. And obviously, if there’s a different decision taken, we’ll work with the Queensland Government on that. But the Deputy Premier is pretty determined that’s where rowing is going to be.

    JOURNALIST: We’ve also had the Prime Minister suggest Penrith. What’s your view?

    CATHERINE KING: Again, I think that the Prime Minister is a problem solver and I think he knows that there are some challenges with Rockhampton, but we’ll let the Rowing Federation go and have a look at those and make a decision from there. And we’ll provision money for that venture as part of the Minor Venues Program and we’ll work through the processes. And there’s a [indistinct] plan B, then that’ll be a matter for discussion with the Queensland Government. But as I said, the Deputy Premier’s pretty determined and that that’s where rowing’s going to be. We’ll let the Federation do its work.

    JOURNALIST: Mackenzie Scott here from The Australian newspaper. Obviously, you’ve looked into this $7.1 billion deal today but the Treasurer, David Janetzki, has launched his team to start privatisation of certain large infrastructure projects. How much do you expect the public- sorry, the private sector to give in a monetary sense into Games infrastructure?

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Well, we have provisioned for $7.1 billion, that’s the deal. That was the Federal Government that have got to account for that as well. So, it equates to, if you look at the 7.1 billion, it’s not 50-50. It’s nearly 50-50. We’ll call it 50-50. It’s a couple hundred million less than the Federal contributions, a couple hundred million less than our contribution. We’ve stuck to that $7.1 billion figure. 

    Now, that doesn’t include private sector investment. We’ve budgeted on a provision that that is what it’s going to take for the state and the Commonwealth to get those venues, the major venues and minor venues done. If the private sector come into the market and assist GIICA with the stadium develop, minor venues, then that’s a bonus. That’s a bonus for the Federal Government and for the State Government. Those discussions have to take place with GIICA, but that will go through the procurement process.

    So, it’s not that we’ve announced that the private sector will build Victoria Park. We haven’t announced that at all. We have budgeted the money. As I said, our budget is $5.15 billion over the next four years for Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure. So, it’s state and Commonwealth funding, and we’ve kept it at 7.1.

    Catherine and I were talking about this before we came in today, and there’s a lot of people talking to us, oh, but blowouts, blowouts, blowouts. And I said: don’t be guided by the 10 years of blowouts from previous governments in Queensland. There are businesses in Queensland and nationally that actually deliver things on time and on budget. We can’t be in that mindset that everything is just going to blow out. We’ve got to make sure we try and do it on time and on budget. And our budget is 7.1. We’ve not shifted from that. 

    JOURNALIST: Deputy Premier, Rosanna Kingsun from Seven News. Can you rule out whether there will be a new train station at the Olympic Park there as in the paper, or is that not a consideration at all? And a question for Minister King. What would you like to see the State Government and Brisbane City Council include in their new precinct plan?

    JARROD BLEIJIE: Rosie, thank you for the question. I’m not really anything in or out about the transportation. Because what we need to do is work out what will be the best public transportation system around RNA, Victoria Park, the new stadium, and also the National Aquatics Centre. So, I’m not going to rule anything in or out. I’ll be guided by the experts. They’ve got a job to do now to work out what that transportation plan looks like – new stations, no stations. So, we’ll be open to any of the suggestions that come forward, but it’s got to be in the best interest of the commuters to get people around all the venues.

    CATHERINE KING: And that’s really what we will dig for in terms of the transport and mobility plan and not just obviously how people are going to move around the venues, and obviously, the IOC and Australian Olympic Committee will also be interested in those issues.

    In terms of precinct overall, I think what you will see across the globe at the moment is that where stadiums are being built- we’re not the only country that is facing challenges of people being concerned about the cost of those, loss of green space, all of those things. And what you’re seeing- and I think there’s some really interesting examples in the US, in Queens for example. I had the incredible privilege of being able to go and have a look a couple of years ago now, at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium and what they did around there around being able to provide education opportunities for a really incredibly disadvantaged community. 

    As I said in my speech, really I’m interested in more infrastructure [indistinct], not just in sport. We can see what that legacy looks like. But really, the opportunity we have here is to really shape cities, and to shape the way people live and dream about and enjoy those cities. And really, that’s what we’re looking for in the precinct plan. Because we know, long after the Games have finished, there’s people who live in these communities and we want them to be able to utilise those facilities, utilise the green space, be able to utilise transport and love where they live. And that is challenging. 

    As I said, that we’re not the only country in the world who might be aware there’s an election in Tasmania at the moment, and the issue around that there. In the same way, as we’ve said, we’ve funded Macquarie Point Precinct. We just haven’t funded just a stadium, what the life is going to look like down in that particular part of the world. So that’s really the sort of thing we’ll be looking for from both the transport and the precincts point of view.

    MC: Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, that’s where we’ll have to leave it, but I’m sure we’ll have many more of these events in the lead up to 2032. Please join me in thanking the Deputy Premier and Minister King.

    [Applause]

    MIL OSI News –

  • ENG vs IND: Jadeja, Washington pull off epic rescue act as India draw Manchester Test, keep series alive

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India pulled off a remarkable escape to force a draw in the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Sunday, riding on a spirited batting display led by Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.

    Facing a daunting 311-run deficit and reduced to 0/2 early in their second innings, India responded with defiance, batting through more than five sessions for the loss of just two additional wickets. They finished the final day on 425/4, denying England a series-clinching win.

    Skipper Shubman Gill led from the front with a resolute century — his fourth of the series — while Jadeja and Sundar struck unbeaten hundreds of their own, frustrating the hosts in front of a silenced Old Trafford crowd.

    Earlier, England had set up the game with the bat, piling on 669 in their first innings — their fifth-highest total in Test history. But their bowlers failed to make inroads on a pitch that gradually flattened out, allowing the visitors to claw their way back into the contest.

    The result keeps the five-match series alive at 2-1 in England’s favour. The hosts now head to the final Test at The Oval, starting Thursday, needing to avoid defeat to secure the series.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Acting Thai PM to Discuss Thai-Cambodian Border Issue in Malaysia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BANGKOK, July 27 (Xinhua) — Acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Vechayachai will lead a delegation to Malaysia to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border issue, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Hungsub said Sunday.

    In a statement, he said Phumtham Vechayachai would visit Malaysia on July 28 at the invitation of Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of that country, which holds the current chairmanship of ASEAN. The Thai delegation would also include Foreign Minister Marit Sangyampong.

    Malaysia has also invited Cambodian officials to the talks, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expected to attend, Jiraju Hungsub said. The official added that Thailand would not compromise on sovereignty. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mandai North Crematorium And Garden Of Serenity Will Commence Operations On 15 August 2025

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Singapore, 28 July 2025 – The new Mandai North Crematorium (MNC) and Garden of Serenity (GOS), operated by the National Environment Agency (NEA), will begin operations on 15 August 2025. MNC will start with four cremation services daily. Cremation services will be ramped up progressively over the coming months.

    2          The new facilities, spanning approximately 2.4 ha, have been built in anticipation of demographic changes and an ageing population in Singapore. Annual resident deaths are projected to increase from about 25,000 in 2024 to around 40,000 by 2040. The new crematorium will provide additional cremation capacity, and the GOS will provide an additional option for the inland scattering of ashes. They will enable us to continue serving the nation’s needs in the years ahead.

    Facility designed to create a healing environment for the bereaved by integrating greenery and natural lighting within the key spaces

    3          The MNC is designed to house six service halls with viewing halls, transfer halls, and 18 cremators. Currently, three service halls are equipped with nine cremators. The ash collection centre is also ready for operations. NEA will fit out the remaining halls and cremators to meet anticipated demand for cremations.

    Service hall

    4          The new cremation facility offers an innovative design and technological features to enhance operational efficiency, and provide a seamless experience for visitors [1]. Some key features include a layout where service halls and viewing halls are adjacent, reducing walking distances and improving accessibility for all users. Technology is also used to enhance the visitor experience, with automated guided vehicles for coffin transport, and a self-help system at the ash collection centre. A comprehensive process control monitoring system oversees the entire cremation and ash collection process, ensuring service reliability. 

    Layout is designed with key facilities positioned side by side on the same level or connected vertically via escalators and lifts, reducing walking distances for visitors.

    Automated guided vehicle will be used to transport a coffin from hearse drop off to the service hall

    Ash collection station with a self-help system to facilitate collection of cremated ashes

    5          The MNC has been awarded the Green Mark (Platinum) by the Building and Construction Authority for sustainability efforts in building design. The environmental features at the facility include greenery in and around the building, a green roof that reduces the heat island effect, efficient underfloor cooling systems, and adoption of low carbon concrete and sustainable building products [2] to reduce the carbon footprint of the building.

    6          The GOS, Singapore’s second inland ash scattering facility, is located next to the MNC building [3]. It adopts an open garden concept with designated lanes for walkways and ash scattering [4]. It also incorporates a stormwater detention pond designed as a natural pond. The new facility will enable us to meet increasing demands for inland ash scattering service [5].

     

    Garden of Serenity: Landscaping and greenery have been used to create a peaceful, serene garden setting, to provide a dignified and respectful environment for ash scattering

    7          NEA will continue to plan ahead to ensure sufficient government after-death facilities and services, and to provide these services in a way that allows bereaved families to come together to send off their loved ones with dignity and respect.

    ————————————————————

    [1] See Annex A for more details on the design inspiration for the facility

    [2] Certified by the Singapore Green Building Council or on the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme.

    [3] The Garden of Serenity occupies approximately 750 sqm within the new Mandai North facility.

    [4] See Annex Bfor more details on the features at Garden of Serenity.

    [5] Accumulated ash soil will periodically be transferred from the ash scattering lanes to a designated location within the Garden of Peace (located at the Choa Chu Kang Cemetery) due to limited available space at GOS, to ensure that its lanes remain available for continued use. 

     

    ~~ End ~~

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Participants of the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit Visit Luoyang and Praise Its Development

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    LUOYANG, July 27 (Xinhua) — Just before noon on July 26, the square in front of the Dingdingmen Gate Museum in Luoyang, central China’s Henan Province, was filled with ancient sounds as participants of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit climbed the steps, immersing themselves in the atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty’s bustling trade with other countries at the time.

    On this day, about a hundred Summit participants arrived in Luoyang to see with their own eyes the rich historical heritage and modern development dynamics of this city.

    Luoyang Mayor Zhang Yujie warmly welcomed the guests. “Luoyang is the cradle of Chinese civilization, the eastern starting point of the Silk Road, where the capitals of 13 dynasties were located at different times,” he said. “The city has witnessed brilliant pages of trade and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. Today, Luoyang is rapidly building a national innovation city and creating a bridgehead for opening up China’s inland regions to the outside world, actively integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative.”

    Zhang Yujie expressed hope for joint projects with the media of the SCO countries in the format of “Retracing the Silk Road” in order to tell the stories of ancient and modern Luoyang from new angles.

    Standing on the majestic tower of the Dingdingmen Gate, Tlesh Mamakhatov, a leading researcher at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICSA RAS), admired the grandiose layout of the ancient capital.

    “Chinese culture is immensely deep. Confidence in one’s own civilization while respecting others is the key to the prosperity of ancient Chinese culture, economy and the flourishing of the Silk Road,” he stressed.

    Today, according to him, the SCO countries under this banner are following the path of mutual learning between civilizations and harmonious coexistence.

    Guests also visited the immersive project “Empress Wu’s Banquet”, going on a cultural journey through a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty. Based on the gastronomic traditions of the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, the project recreated the atmosphere of banquets – from table setting to dish design. Classic dishes of the Luoyang Banquet Menu / Shuixi / were accompanied by ancient music and dance. Participants, enjoying the delicacies, watched the performance of artists in Tang costumes. This feast was not only a gastronomic but also an aesthetic immersion into the majestic culture of the Tang Dynasty.

    In the “China YTO Group Intellectual Innovation Space”, guests were introduced to the development and production processes of intelligent agricultural machinery, learned about the export of the company’s products, and felt the pulse of modern Luoyang. Participants enthusiastically took pictures against the backdrop of large-sized tractors, giving high marks to premium-class equipment made in China.

    The program ended at the Longmen Grottoes and Temples, where guests experienced the unique charm of China’s largest open-air stone sculpture museum.

    “It is very interesting to visit the historical city of Luoyang and such special places where you can feel the spirit of China,” said Irina Akulovich, Director General of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BELTA), calling her sixth trip to China absolutely “amazing” and “unusual.”

    “I have never seen such sculptures and caves in my life!” I. Akulovich noted with admiration during her visit to this complex, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has a history of more than 1,500 years and represents the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fatal accident at QMH site probed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Hospital Authority (HA) has expressed concern over a fatal accident today on a construction site at Queen Mary Hospital (QMH), where the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD) is carrying out redevelopment works.

     

    This afternoon, a worker employed by a lift engineering subcontractor was trapped in one of the lift shafts. Site management staff immediately called the Fire Services Department to rescue the worker, who was subsequently certified dead upon arrival at QMH’s accident and emergency department.

     

    After receiving a report of the accident, the Labour Department immediately deployed staff to the site and is now conducting an investigation.

     

    Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, the HA extended its sincere condolences to the deceased worker’s family. It also directed the ArchSD to ensure that the contractor involved provides appropriate assistance to the bereaved and supports them in handling the worker’s after-death arrangements.

     

    The HA said site staff from the ArchSD immediately contacted the contractor after the accident to follow the matter up. The contractor has been urged to take the incident seriously and to adopt all necessary measures as soon as possible to ensure site safety. The contractor has also been requested to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident and submit a report to the ArchSD and the HA, with a view to preventing similar accidents from happening again.

     

    The HA added that it will urge the ArchSD and the contractor to fully co-operate with the Labour Department and enforcement agencies in their investigations.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hospital Authority’s statement regarding an industrial accident at Queen Mary Hospital redevelopment project construction site

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Hospital Authority’s statement regarding an industrial accident at Queen Mary Hospital redevelopment project construction site 
    The redevelopment project of QMH is being carried out by the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD). This afternoon, the HA was notified by the ArchSD that a worker employed by a lift engineering subcontractor was trapped in one of the lift shafts during work. The site management of the contractor immediately called Fire Services Department to rescue the worker, who was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of QMH for emergency treatment. The worker was certified dead upon arrival at the Accident and Emergency Department.
     
    The HA expresses deep sorrow over this incident and extends its sincere condolences to the deceased worker’s family. The HA has directed the ArchSD to ensure that the contractor provides appropriate assistance to the family and supports them in handling the family member’s after-death arrangements.
     
    The HA is very concerned about the incident. Since the lifts involved in the project have not yet undergone all required works and adjustments, and have not been handed over for use and management by QMH. The HA is aware that site staff from the ArchSD immediately contacted and followed up with the contractor after the accident. The contractor has been urged to take the incident seriously and to adopt all necessary measures as soon as possible to ensure site safety. The contractor has also been requested to thoroughly investigate the cause of the incident and to submit a report to the ArchSD and the HA as soon as possible to prevent similar accidents from happening again.
     
    The HA has always placed paramount importance on industrial safety at hospital construction sites. The HA notes that the contractor will report this incident to the Labour Department, and the HA will also urge the ArchSD and the contractor to fully co-operation with the Labour Department and other relevant enforcement agencies in their investigation.
    Issued at HKT 22:41

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • India-UK FTA reflects nation’s growing strength: Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) reflects the growing strength and global standing of the country.

    Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a felicitation ceremony here, the Union Minister described the FTA as the most comprehensive free trade agreement India has signed to date.

    “This agreement is a result of the trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built globally. It has enabled India to negotiate and finalise trade deals with developed nations, not as competitors but as complementary partners,” Goyal said.

    He added that the FTA would unlock new opportunities for India and stands as a testament to the country’s rising stature on the world stage.

    The Minister noted that over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has transformed from a fragile economy into one of the world’s top five.

    “By 2027, India will become the third-largest economy globally,” he said.

    Goyal also highlighted that India’s growing confidence has empowered it to engage in successful free trade agreements with advanced economies.

    Negotiations are currently underway with countries such as New Zealand, Oman, and the United States, as well as with the 27-member European Union.

    He further emphasised that the Modi government has opened new avenues for farmers, fishermen, and industries, leading to a sharp rise in exports.

    The government aims to double exports in the next five years. “Millions of youth are finding employment in the services sector, and the world now recognises PM Modi as one of the most respected and popular global leaders,” Goyal stated.

    In a post on social media platform X, the Minister also said, “Today, India is not just being seen — it is dominating global markets.”

    He spoke in detail about the benefits the India-UK Free Trade Agreement is bringing to various sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, gems and jewellery, the fishing community, textiles, electronics and IT, and services.

    Goyal added, “Under Prime Minister Modi’s decisive leadership, India has established a strong and influential identity on the global stage. The India-UK FTA is a living example of that progress. It is a historic agreement that is opening new doors for every section of Indian society.”

    He further said that this step is extremely significant in every sense, as it will help fulfil the vision of a developed India by 2047.

    —IANS

  • India-UK FTA reflects nation’s growing strength: Piyush Goyal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday said that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) reflects the growing strength and global standing of the country.

    Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a felicitation ceremony here, the Union Minister described the FTA as the most comprehensive free trade agreement India has signed to date.

    “This agreement is a result of the trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built globally. It has enabled India to negotiate and finalise trade deals with developed nations, not as competitors but as complementary partners,” Goyal said.

    He added that the FTA would unlock new opportunities for India and stands as a testament to the country’s rising stature on the world stage.

    The Minister noted that over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India has transformed from a fragile economy into one of the world’s top five.

    “By 2027, India will become the third-largest economy globally,” he said.

    Goyal also highlighted that India’s growing confidence has empowered it to engage in successful free trade agreements with advanced economies.

    Negotiations are currently underway with countries such as New Zealand, Oman, and the United States, as well as with the 27-member European Union.

    He further emphasised that the Modi government has opened new avenues for farmers, fishermen, and industries, leading to a sharp rise in exports.

    The government aims to double exports in the next five years. “Millions of youth are finding employment in the services sector, and the world now recognises PM Modi as one of the most respected and popular global leaders,” Goyal stated.

    In a post on social media platform X, the Minister also said, “Today, India is not just being seen — it is dominating global markets.”

    He spoke in detail about the benefits the India-UK Free Trade Agreement is bringing to various sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, gems and jewellery, the fishing community, textiles, electronics and IT, and services.

    Goyal added, “Under Prime Minister Modi’s decisive leadership, India has established a strong and influential identity on the global stage. The India-UK FTA is a living example of that progress. It is a historic agreement that is opening new doors for every section of Indian society.”

    He further said that this step is extremely significant in every sense, as it will help fulfil the vision of a developed India by 2047.

    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Call for objective information was made at the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    ZHENGZHOU, July 27 (Xinhua) — Participants at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Media and Think Tank Summit held in Zhengzhou, capital of central China’s Henan Province, from July 23 to 27 stressed the importance of properly publicizing the SCO’s cooperation and outstanding achievements.

    “We are very well aware that we, journalists, are shaping the news agenda and are starting to talk more and more about the countries of the global South,” said Irina Akulovich, director general of the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BELTA), citing the fact that, according to estimates, the agency has already released several hundred articles about the SCO in recent months.

    According to her, today people need short and quick information, and social networks in many ways do not take responsibility for the information they provide, which leads to the truth having a harder time getting through.

    We must teach people to use information correctly, as well as to trust state media and analytics, said I. Akulovich.

    “That is why we must learn to quickly, interestingly and concretely talk in accessible language about what is happening and what our countries are doing to change this world,” she emphasized.

    According to Mirzohid Rakhimov, director of the Coordination and Methodological Center for the Modern History of Uzbekistan at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, it is very important for the media to cover the history of the formation of the SCO, showing the path the organization took from its first steps to such a large national formation.

    He believes that lecture courses dedicated specifically to the SCO and what the media shows are also useful in that the SCO countries can exchange experiences in development with each other.

    “In recent years, I have visited Chinese universities several times and observed society, the city. I can say that the Chinese experience of transforming science and education is very useful for the countries of Central Asia. I think that here countries can learn a lot from each other in terms of studying aspects of the development of society, so it is important for the media to show all this comprehensively and objectively,” he said.

    Director of the Kyrgyz Center for Expert Initiatives “Oi Ordo” Igor Shestakov said: “Today it was said that one of the tasks of the SCO is to provide objective information. And here the role of analytical centers and mass media is very high.”

    Having stated that he is a regular reader of the Xinhua News Agency and learns news about China through it, I. Shestakov noted that with its network of correspondent offices in almost all SCO countries, Xinhua serves as an important example.

    “We should be guided by the Xinhua model and communicate more not on the Internet, not by phone, but on forums like these,” he said.

    In his view, people in China and Central Asia learn about the SCO from experts and the media, which therefore play a very important role. However, it is important to talk about the organization objectively, he added.

    The five-day event brought together around 400 representatives from approximately 200 leading media outlets, renowned think tanks and government agencies from 26 SCO countries, as well as international and regional organizations such as the UN, the SCO Secretariat, etc.

    As noted in the Zhengzhou Consensus released during the summit, the media and think tanks of the SCO countries should give full play to their roles as bridges and links to jointly and properly report on the SCO cooperation and showcase its outstanding achievements, thereby bringing wisdom and strength to the promotion of peace, stability, prosperity and development in the region and the world. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Premier’s statement on Korean War Veterans Day

    Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Korean War Veterans Day:

    “We mark this day in remembrance of more than 26,000 Canadians who served during the Korean War. We honour the ultimate sacrifice of the 516 Canadians who lost their lives during the three-year conflict, as well as more than 1,200 who were wounded.

    “On June 25, 1950, troops from North Korea invaded South Korea. United Nations forces soon joined the conflict in defence of that sovereign nation.

    “Men and women in the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force joined 17 other UN member nations in serving in the region. Approximately 7,000 Canadians served as peacekeepers following the July 27, 1953, armistice.

    “Once viewed as a ‘forgotten war,’ the Korean War is now recognized as an important part of Canada’s military history. Over three years, Canadians fought a gruelling and courageous battle on the land, at sea, and in the air, and we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all who served.

    “We honour their service, their sacrifice and their bravery.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • Vaccines prevented over 2.5 million COVID deaths worldwide: Study

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Vaccines have prevented more than 2.5 million deaths caused by SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, according to a new study.

    Led by researchers from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy, the study found that one COVID-related death was avoided for every 5,400 vaccine doses administered.

    About 82% of the lives saved involved people who were vaccinated before contracting the virus. Additionally, 57% of the total lives saved were during the Omicron period, and 90% of the deaths prevented were among individuals aged 60 and above.

    Overall, the study estimated that vaccines saved 14.8 million years of life globally—equivalent to one year of life saved for every 900 doses administered. The findings were published in the JAMA Health Forum journal.

    “Previous studies attempted to estimate lives saved by vaccines using different models, timeframes, or regional data,” said Dr. Angelo Maria Pezzullo and Dr. Antonio Cristiano. “However, this study is the most comprehensive to date. It uses global data, includes the Omicron period, quantifies life years saved, and is based on fewer assumptions regarding pandemic trends.”

    For the analysis, researchers examined global population data and applied a series of statistical models to determine who became ill with COVID-19—either before or after vaccination—and during or after the Omicron period, including age and mortality outcomes.

    “We compared this data with modeled estimates assuming no COVID vaccination. This allowed us to calculate how many people were saved and the number of life years gained due to vaccination,” explained Dr. Pezzullo.

    The study also revealed that 76% of the saved life years were among people over 60. However, residents of long-term care facilities accounted for only 2% of the total benefit.

    Children and adolescents accounted for just 0.01% of lives saved and 0.1% of life years saved. Similarly, young adults aged 20–29 contributed 0.07% of lives saved and 0.3% of life years saved, the researchers noted.

    —IANS

  • MIL-Evening Report: Debunking the theological gaslighting of Israel-supporting Imams

    Muslims, and the global community, must rally around the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights: to exist, to return home, and to live free from occupation.

    ANALYSIS: By Shadee ElMasry

    In our world today, one would be hard-pressed to find a reputable, well-known scholar or group of scholars who support Israel. Of course, the keywords here are “well-known” and “reputable”, after a “misguided” delegation of European Imams travelled to Israel to placate the Israeli occupation and sponsor the genocide of the Palestinian people.

    It is increasingly common to find these figures, Muslim apologists for Israel, who have breached the Islamic tenet of standing against injustice, laundering their authority to provide cover for Israel’s crimes against humanity against their brothers and sisters in Palestine and across the wider Arab world.

    We live in a world of shameless opportunism, where the poisoned fruit of “normalising” relations with the Israeli occupation is weighed against moral conviction and our duty to stand with the afflicted Palestinians.

    A few weeks ago, this tradeoff played out across our screens.

    The delegation’s visit, which included 15 European Imams, was led by the controversial Hassen Chalghoumi (known for supporting Nicolas Sarkozy’s burqa ban) and involved meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has been accused of inciting genocide.

    Clearly, their consciences weren’t troubled by the catastrophic famine now gripping Gaza, a “hell on earth” where women and children are killed for scrambling to get flour, and men are killed without rhyme or reason.

    I, like many companions across mosques and online feeds, was dumbfounded by the delegation’s complicity. This visit happened at a time when we as Muslims, and the global community, must rally around the Palestinian people’s inalienable rights: to exist, to return home, and to live free from occupation, especially as they face an existential threat.

    Delegation swiftly denounced
    The delegation was swiftly denounced. Al-Azhar University stressed that they “do not represent Islam and Muslims.” Worshippers walked out of UK mosques. A Dutch Imam was suspended.

    But this isn’t just about them. We need to ask how this happened and ensure it does not repeat with us. As one scholar said, if an Imam sees the community fall into usury, then gives his Friday sermon on adultery, the Imam has betrayed his congregation.

    The same is the case with Muslim apologists for Israel.

    To understand their motives, we must examine three theological “traps” these figures use to justify their support for Israel, or at least the very least, their silence over Palestine. The first of which is the “Greater Good Trap”.

    They claim that “speaking up against Israel will result in more harm than good”. But only the Prophet Muhammad’s silence constitutes tacit approval. Their reasoning doesn’t hold up.

    A weak-willed person will always accept this reasoning because it allows them to have their proverbial cake and eat it: they gain spiritual cover for remaining silent. As we’ve seen, the scholar will say: “Yes, I can speak, but then our school will get shut down, or we’ll lose funding. For the sake of the greater good, I must remain silent.”

    Israel, I’m sure, is delighted by this self-censorship. But we should also ask how it is that so many non-scholars, non-Muslims, and non-Arabs are speaking the truth about the Gaza genocide, while Islamic scholars remain silent.

    It raises eyebrows, at the very least.

    ‘Pure theology’ trap
    The second trap is the “Pure Theology” trap. Here, the scholar says: “Sound belief is the most important thing. How can we support the Palestinians when they resort to armed conflict? Their theology is flawed. I prioritise the truth, what’s wrong with that?”

    But what they overlook is that falsehood has degrees. It is foolish to denounce one error while ignoring a greater one.

    To attack a people’s doctrinal shortcomings while staying silent on their oppression is not principled; it is a failure to understand the fiqh of priorities.

    This trap lies in misplacing truths: loudly condemning the religious mistakes of Israel’s victims while conveniently forgetting the far graver injustice of Israel itself and the violent context that brought it into being.

    The final, and most sophisticated, trap that Muslim apologists for Israel use is metaphysical: they attempt to misdirect Muslims to a higher order of spiritual thought about the Divine will.

    They ask what sounds like a noble question: “Why is Allah doing this to us? It must be because of our sins. Israel is merely a tool God is using to punish us or purify us.”

    But the catch here is that the spiritual angle often (but not always) becomes a cover for pacifism. These figures that travelled to Israel, for instance, actively promote inaction. They showed no emotion, no voice, when witnessing the oppression of their own; only when it came to their sponsors did they find something to say.

    Suffer in silence
    The idea here is to suffer in silence, to clothe disengagement in the language of spiritual endurance.

    In the end, this is precisely what Israel and its supporters want: to keep the spotlight off themselves. Any diversion, theological or otherwise, is welcome. As we know, the oppressor laughs at those who fixate on what is bad while ignoring what is worse. And that is the danger behind all three traps.

    Yet despite these efforts, something far more powerful holds. The drive within the hearts and minds of Muslims to carry the burden of the Palestinian people, to speak their truth and fight for their freedom has not been extinguished.

    It is sustained by faith, shared memory, and the belief that justice is not a slogan but a sacred duty. We ask Allah for continued guidance and protection, and the strength to continue this noble and just cause. Ameen.

    Dr Shadee Elmasry has taught at several universities in the United States. Currently, he serves as scholar in residence at the New Brunswick Islamic Center in New Jersey. He is also the founder and head of Safina Society, an institution dedicated to the cause of traditional Islamic education in the West. This article was first published by The New Arab.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • PM Modi lauds fish farmer who turned Maoist-hit Gumla into aquaculture hub

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spotlighted a compelling example of grassroots transformation, sharing a poignant story from Gumla district in Jharkhand — a region once shadowed by Maoist violence that now glows with the promise of peace and livelihood.

    The Prime Minister narrated the journey of Om Prakash Sahu, a young man from Basia block who once stood at the precipice of violence but chose a different path.

    Amid threats and isolation, Sahu took up fish farming, gradually steering others toward peaceful employment.

    His determination sparked a quiet revolution — turning a conflict-ridden zone into a hub of aquatic entrepreneurship. Once marked by deserted villages and widespread migration, Gumla has witnessed a steady turnaround.

    Sahu’s initiative, bolstered by the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, opened avenues for training, infrastructure, and financial support, leading to the creation of multiple fishponds across the block.

    “Today, over 150 families in Basia — including many who were once part of Maoist groups — have embraced aquaculture. They now enjoy dignified livelihoods within their own villages and are contributing to local employment,” the Prime Minister said.

    “If the path is right and there is trust in the mind, the lamp of development can be lit even in the most difficult circumstances,” he added.

    The transformation of Gumla reflects the broader narrative PM Modi emphasised in Mann Ki Baat — how resilience, coupled with government-backed schemes, can redirect lives from despair to productivity.

    His remarks drew attention not only to individual courage but also to the enabling role of targeted development policies.

    As the country nears the 78th Independence Day, the Prime Minister’s message resonated deeply: that true freedom lies not just in governance but in empowering citizens to rewrite their own stories.

    The example of Gumla stands as a beacon — where darkness once reigned, the light of hope now flickers through community-led change and state support.

    IANS