NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Report shows Govt’s callous lack of support for system at breaking point

    Source: Green Party

    A new report from Aotearoa Educators’ Collective, released today, has confirmed what teachers, students, and whanau have been calling out for years–our learning support system is overstretched, underfunded, and simply not working.

    “This report paints a stark picture of systemic strain, with those working in learning support being pushed to breaking point,” says Green Party Education Spokesperson, Lawrence Xu-Nan.

    “Education should serve the wellbeing and potential of all mokopuna—not just those whose needs align with the status quo. We have all the tools we need to give them that and more, but it requires serious investment and support for our workforce.

    “However, the Government is intent on making cosmetic tweaks, like fragmented and reactive funding, while ignoring the core issue: the system was never set up to work properly in the first place. 

    “Every announcement to date from this coalition has tinkered around the edges to make the numbers look prettier, rather than prompting genuine change that benefits our tamariki, their whānau, kaiako, kaimahi, and the wider communities.

    “Today’s report shows decades of neglect, growing pressure, and a workforce pushed to breaking point. The Government’s cancellation of 33 pay equity claims–many of which affect teachers and support staff–makes it blatantly clear they’re not serious about fixing it.

    “Further, the new Education and Training Amendment Bill completely fails to recognise the actual need of our education system.

    “The Greens’ plan lays out real solutions. As a starting point: nationalising ECE, expanding free school lunches, and building a learning support system where every child belongs.

    “Our plan will put children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making and policy, where it should have been all along,” says Lawrence Xu-Nan.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Nine Aid Trucks Are Not Enough: The Occupying State’s Token Gesture in Gaza Must Be Condemned – PFNZ

    Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    May 19, 2025 – Auckland, New Zealand – In a clear act of defiance against international humanitarian obligations, the occupying state has permitted only nine aid trucks to enter the Gaza Strip — covering both the devastated north and south. This paltry number of trucks represents a deliberate and cynical attempt to circumvent global decisions calling for unrestricted humanitarian access.

    Under the guise of permitting aid, this token gesture is being used to claim compliance while continuing to suffocate more than two million Palestinians trapped under siege. It is a tactic designed to deflect international criticism and ease diplomatic pressure without meaningfully alleviating the catastrophic conditions faced by civilians.

    This is not aid — it is manipulation. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands immediate, full, and unhindered access to food, water, medical supplies, and shelter for all areas of the Strip. The international community must see through these performative measures and act decisively.

    We call on governments, humanitarian agencies, and civil society around the world to intensify public and political pressure on the occupying state. It is imperative that world leaders hold it accountable for its ongoing violations and demand an end to the blockade, the siege, and these deceptive, life-threatening tactics.

    Every minute of delay costs lives. Nine trucks are not enough. Gaza needs justice, not crumbs.

    Maher Nazzal
    Palestine Forum of New Zealand

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Urgent and after-hours care support welcome, but Budget must tackle GP funding and retention – Genaro

    Source: GenPro

    The General Practice Owners Association is welcoming a $41 million a year uplift in funding for urgent and after-hours care services and hopes the government’s newly proactive approach to supporting family doctors continues in Thursday’s Budget.

    “The after-hours and urgent care system is under considerable stress – about 10 urgent care services closed in the last two years – so it’s encouraging the government is funding improvement to urgent and after-hours care, but the devil is in the detail,” said Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of GenPro.

    In particular more detail is required on rural services, which are under considerable stress, and on the split in funds for five new regional services, the expansion of others, and support for those already operating.

    “This $164 million injection over four years and other recent announcements by senior ministers show the government is serious about tackling the crisis in primary health care.
     
    “Looking forward, the best thing the Budget could contain is a 10 percent uplift in the government’s contribution to general practice, which covers approximately half a patient’s consultation fee.

    “The government’s contribution has gradually fallen over the past 20 years, a period when an aging population, changing health needs, rising costs, and stretched hospitals have piled more work and cost on family doctors.

    “The result is that many general practices have closed or reduced their services, GP salaries have failed to keep pace with overseas, and recruitment hasn’t kept up with GPs leaving or retiring. We expect considerable upward pressure on patient fees unless there is a substantial funding boost in the Budget.

    “The government currently puts $1.3 billion or just 4 percent of its $30 billion health budget toward general practice.  A 10 percent uplift is urgently required in 2025/26 just to catch up and maintain existing services, with more investment needed in later years.

    “General practice would also like the Budget to include progress on a new method for funding general practice to replace the current flawed ‘capitation’ model.

    “A new model has been worked on for years by successive governments. But we’re still waiting for an outcome. The need is urgent as the old model hasn’t kept pace with the needs of patients and is resulting in longer waiting times to see a family doctor,” Dr Chambers said.

    GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health attends 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday (May 19, Geneva time).

         Professor Lo and the Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, attended the Assembly as members of the Chinese delegation. The theme of this year’s Assembly is “One World for Health”, and the discussions cover a wide range of issues, including universal health coverage, prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health emergency preparedness and response, mental health and social connection, standardisation of medical devices nomenclature and the International Health Regulations. The Minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), Mr Lei Haichao, delivered a speech about healthcare developments of the Mainland at the plenary session.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Alchera X Strengthens Partnership with WatchTowers to Deliver Internationally Acclaimed AI-Powered Premium Wildfire Detection Across Australia

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alchera X (“AX”), a leading AI SaaS company specializing in visual and facial recognition technologies, is proud to highlight the success of its strategic partnership with Australia-based WatchTowers Network, a pioneer in emergency response technology. At the heart of this collaboration is FireScout, Alchera X’s cutting-edge AI system for real-time wildfire smoke detection—now a trusted tool in emergency operations centers across multiple continents.

    What began three years ago as a promising integration effort to save property and lives in Australia, has matured into a fully operational, field-tested system that is transforming the way emergency services detect and respond to wildfires. Leveraging WatchTowers’ situational awareness platform, WatchTowers Command, FireScout has successfully been monitoring thousands of square miles 24/7, delivering automated wildfire detection alerts to first responders, that save precious minutes when every second counts.

    “We built FireScout with one goal in mind: to give emergency responders critical time and insight to act before wildfires escalate,” said Michael Plaksin, President & CEO of Alchera X. “Our partnership with WatchTowers proves that when advanced AI is combined with operational expertise, the result is smarter, faster, and more effective fire detection with 99.9% accuracy.”

    Real-World Impact

    Through rigorous real-world testing supported by the Minderoo Foundation, FireScout has been deployed in over 1,000 fire events, demonstrating exceptional accuracy in diverse conditions—including remote terrain, nighttime operations, and long-distance detection up to 37 miles (60 km) from a WatchTowers station. The system significantly reduces false positives by learning continuously from every confirmed or dismissed fire, increasing and improving the system’s accuracy over time.

    As an example, FireScout detected smoke 10 minutes before emergency services were alerted via 911 in Sonoma County, California —offering emergency responders a critical window (or what’s known as “Golden Minutes”) to quickly react and help save property and lives.

    Seamless Integration and Trusted Reliability

    FireScout was meticulously integrated into the WatchTowers Command platform, allowing AI-generated alerts to trigger automated workflows—such as hazard flagging, camera zoom-ins, and inter-agency coordination—without manual intervention. The result is a streamlined response system that empowers teams to focus on action rather than surveillance.

    As noted regarding WatchTowers’ recent press release:

    “FireScout’s performance speaks for itself, but what truly sets Alchera X apart is their hands-on, solution-focused approach. From day one, they collaborated with us to help us overcome integration challenges and streamline the user experience for frontline teams. Their commitment to partnership—not just their premium wildfire detection product—has been instrumental in delivering real-world impact. We’re proud to work alongside them as a trusted technology partner.”

    Global Reach, Expanding Impact

    AX has already deployed its FireScout technology in the United States & Canada, Australia & the APAC Region, as well as parts of Europe, and are working with several partners to expand globally. FireScout was recently showcased at the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Conference in Reno over the past few years to global acclaim. Its versatility and reliability make it a cornerstone technology for agencies seeking to modernize their wildfire detection strategies.

    FireScout leads the charge in real-time smoke detection, empowering emergency services with earlier, smarter alerts. Alchera X is an AI SaaS company based in Los Angeles, specializing in real-time visual and facial recognition solutions. One of its premier products, FireScout, leverages advanced machine learning to detect wildfires through live video analysis, helping emergency services act quickly and decisively. Alchera X is dedicated to safeguarding people, property, and ecosystems through innovation that makes a real-world difference protecting over 5 million square miles globally.

    As climate volatility drives more frequent and intense fire seasons, Alchera X is committed to advancing the capabilities of FireScout—making it faster, more adaptable, and easier to deploy across new regions and networks around the world.

    About WatchTowers
    WatchTowers Network builds real-time intelligence systems that help emergency agencies coordinate fast and effective responses. Its flagship platform, WatchTowers Command, brings together visual feeds, detection tools, and operational workflows into one seamless interface designed for high-stakes decision-making.

    About AX
    Founded in 2016, AX is an artificial intelligence Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) company that has developed award-winning proprietary technology in the areas of facial and visual artificial intelligence (AI) including facial recognition, wildfire detection, augmented reality, and more. AX develops and distributes innovative products that enhance safety and security across various industries worldwide.

    AX’s FireScout product provides artificial intelligence to utilize visual recognition in real time on a 24/7/365 basis for wildfire detection. Our technology seamlessly integrates into existing camera/monitor systems. We offer the most informative, effective, and supportive user interface system in the market today. Our AI has been used on over 1,000 cameras throughout the Western United States and is considered to be the de facto standard in AI.

    Join the Conversation: Follow us on LinkedIn – AX and FireScout, Twitter and YouTube.

    Media Contact:
    Palak Kapasi
    Head of Marketing & Public Relations, AX
    AXmedia@alcherainc.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/24a2e04f-8574-488c-8a71-751920111ae0

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6c2c22c9-3070-4486-a005-49b40eed5cf5

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ce8dedbf-f95c-41c2-bf3f-bb82abca7c2c

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 15 years ago, I urged the AFL to launch a mental health round. Now it’s time for action

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pat McGorry, Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne

    The death of former AFL footballer Adam Selwood, less than four months after the death by suicide of his twin Troy, is an unfathomable tragedy for the Selwood family.

    The devastating news has sent shockwaves through the AFL and wider Australian communities.

    The shock and grief have prompted many people, from current and former AFL players to fans and media commentators, to seek actions and solutions.

    The immediate priority is to ensure the Selwood family and anyone who is currently struggling with mental ill-health and may be adversely impacted by this latest tragedy, is supported and offered hope for the future.

    In addition, the AFL community and mental health advocates have implored the AFL to introduce a mental health round, similar to its other themed rounds such as its ANZAC commemorations or the current Sir Doug Nicholls round, which celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, cultures and communities.

    Better late than never?

    I first raised the idea of a mental health round for the AFL in 2010 with then-CEO Andrew Demetriou after I was fortunate enough to be named Australian of the Year.

    This allowed me gain access to prominent leaders to champion the fight against the alarming rise of mental ill-health in Australia – especially young people.

    The idea never materialised, but I strongly believe a mental health round can play a significant role in reimagining the national conversation on mental health.

    However, there are pros and cons to this, and it is critical it is approached in a strategic fashion that goes beyond just awareness and anti-stigma campaigns.

    It must instead deliver real and meaningful reform to reduce the impact of mental ill-health and preventable deaths from suicide.

    The problem we face

    Mental ill-health affects all Australians directly or indirectly – suicide is the number one cause of death for people under 40.

    More than 3,000 families every year lose a loved one to suicide and these are largely preventable deaths.

    This growing public health crisis creates a huge burden that is social, emotional and economic.

    In 2021, the Productivity Commission estimated the cost to Australia of our neglect of mental ill-health and suicide: around A$200 billion per year.

    Up to 75% of all mental disorders begin before the age of 25.

    Suicide is the biggest killer of young people, and two in five young people now experience mental ill-health every year, a 50% increase since 2007.

    Athletes sit within the peak age of risk for mental ill-health, and elite sport can come with unique pressures that heightens risk.

    While the AFL and most clubs have engaged strongly around this issue and have sought to provide support for current and former players, the wider mental health crisis extends far beyond the boundaries of the sporting arena.

    Now the AFL has a unique opportunity to drive significant change.

    Benefits and risks of a mental health round

    A mental health round would build on key recommendations from The Lancet Psychiatry’s 2024 commission on youth mental health.

    Produced by a global consortium of world-leading psychiatrists, psychologists, academics and young people, it identified the need for “high-profile societal champions” to help sustain “high-quality media attention, which is crucial to any political campaign”.

    It highlights societal champions (such as sporting bodies and figures), alongside the unified voice of health and research experts “play a key role in ensuring a message is received by a wider audience and appeals to the public in order to gain support from policy makers”.

    This approach must be underpinned by powerful storytelling, which emphasises:

    Positive stories of effective care and innovation, combined with credible first-person accounts from service users and their families and carers.

    The AFL is uniquely positioned to deliver this by uniting athletes, fans, media platforms and grassroots programs.

    It has taken on this role before with positive results, improving awareness and raising money for our ANZACs, as well as the fight against motor neurone disease (MND) – a relatively rare condition compared to mental illness and suicide.

    However, it is imperative any such approach moves beyond the well-meaning but tired awareness campaigns that merely encourage people to “check on your mates”, “speak up if you’re struggling” or suggest the solution is simply a matter of improving “resilience”.

    That can be code for “just pull yourself together” or “toughen up” – language that is all too familiar in footy circles.

    Some elements of the sporting media may need to look in the mirror here.

    Anti-stigma campaigns are similarly ineffective in isolation.

    A key objective of a mental health round should also be to engage and empower grassroots Australian communities to demand investment the mental health crisis urgently requires.

    There is not much use urging people to seek help if expert mental health care is inaccessible or of poor quality. We can rely on world-class cancer care when we need it, but not so mental health care.

    In addition to rapid and free access to high quality care, we also need a major boost to scientific research to create new treatments and fuel prevention.

    The AFL is already a case study in how to galvanise medical research in another neglected area via its partnership with the FightMND campaign, an incredible initiative that has raised both public engagement and precious funds for scientific discovery.

    A step forward?

    To honour the tragic deaths of Adam and Troy Selwood and the tens of thousands of families who have been are devastated by suicide in recent years, Australia needs to do something about it.

    The AFL is uniquely positioned to take a decisive leadership role on this issue.

    But a mental health round must ensure public mental health experts are central to its design and delivery, so it drives not just conversation but real, lasting change.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Patrick McGorry receives funding from the NHRMC, NIH, Wellcome Trust and other research funders fro scientific research in mental health and suicide prevention. I am a member of the AFL’s mental health advisory committee.

    – ref. 15 years ago, I urged the AFL to launch a mental health round. Now it’s time for action – https://theconversation.com/15-years-ago-i-urged-the-afl-to-launch-a-mental-health-round-now-its-time-for-action-256995

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Woman charged over apartment burglary

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Police have made arrests following an early morning burglary at a Devonport apartment building.

    Two offenders were seen allegedly breaking into the Queens Parade complex just before 2am.

    Waitematā East Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant CJ Miles says Police quickly deployed into the area.

    “Our staff were on scene quickly and located a vehicle travelling away from the scene,” she says.

    “The vehicle was stopped on Lake Road in Hauraki and its occupants were spoken to.”

    A 39-year-old woman, who was a passenger, has since been charged with a raft of offences.

    She will appear in the North Shore District Court today charged with burglary, possession of instruments for burglary, resisting Police and possession of methamphetamine utensils.

    Another passenger taken in custody, a 27-year-old woman, had warrants for her arrest for failing to appear in court.

    Police enquiries remain ongoing into the burglary.

    “I’d like to acknowledge the work of our night shift team in their response,” Senior Sergeant Miles says.

    “It highlights the benefits of having good quality CCTV operating around your property.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Help Introduce Resolution Recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    May 19, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) helped U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and U.S. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY-06) introduce a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to mark May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The resolution recognizes the significant contributions that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities have made to this country.
     “No matter what anyone says, AANHPI stories are the American story—from our struggles to our triumphs, our diversity has always made our nation stronger,” said Duckworth. “Every Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the trailblazers who came before us, uplift diverse stories and celebrate our community as we continue to forge that path toward a better tomorrow where the American Dream remains within reach for all.”
    “I’m joining my Senate colleagues to introduce this resolution, recognizing the numerous contributions and achievements of the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities while also acknowledging the hardships they have faced. As a diverse nation, we are made stronger by celebrating the heritage and traditions of Asian Americans and uplifting their stories,” said Durbin. “Not just this month, but every day, it is also our responsibility to condemn and combat racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans.”
    Along with Duckworth, Durbin and Hirono, this resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR). 
    Full text of the resolution is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Speight’s Fiji coup had more to do with power, greed than iTaukei rights, says Chaudhry

    Today marks the 25th anniversary of the May 19, 2000, coup led by renegade businessman George Speight.

    The deposed Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, says Speight’s motive had less to do with indigenous rights and a lot more to do with power, greed, and access to the millions likely to accrue from Fiji’s mahogany plantation.

    On this day 25 years ago, the elected government was held hostage at the barrel of the gun, the Parliament complex started filling up with rebels supporting the takeover, Suva City and other areas in Fiji were looted and burnt, and innocent people were attacked just because of their race.

    Chaudhry said indigenous emotions were “deliberately ignited to beat up support for the treasonous actions of the terrorists”.

    He said the coup threw the nation into chaos from which it had not fully recovered even to this day.

    Chaudhry said using George Speight as a frontman, the “real perpetrators” of the coup, assisted by a group of armed rebels from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), held Chaudhry and members of his government hostage for 56 days as they plundered, looted and terrorised the Indo-Fijian community in various parts of the country.

    The Fiji Labour Party leader said that, as with current Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the first two coups in 1987, so with Speight in May 2000, that the given reason for the treason and the mayhem that followed was to “protect the rights and interests of the indigenous community”.

    Chaudhry said today that it was widely acknowledged that the rights of the indigenous community was not endangered either in 1987 or in 2000.

    He added that they were simply used to pursue personal and political agendas.

    Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka with former prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry . . . apology accepted during the Girmit Day Thanksgiving and National Reconciliation church service at the Vodafone Arena in Suva. Image: Jonacani Lalakobau/The Fiji Times

    The FLP leader said those who benefitted were the elite in Fijian society, not ordinary people.

    Chaudhry said this was obvious from current statistics which showed that currently the iTaukei surveyed made up 75 percent of those living in poverty.

    He said poverty reports in the early 1990s showed practically a balance in the number of Fijians and Indo-Fijians living in poverty.

    Prisoner George Speight speaking to inmates in 2011 . . . he and his rogue gunmen seized then Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his government hostage in a 2000 crisis that lasted for 56 days. Image: Fijivillage News/YouTube screenshot

    The former prime minister says it was obvious that the coups had done nothing to improve the quality of life of the ordinary indigenous iTaukei.

    Instead, he said the coups had had a devastating impact on the entire socio-economic fabric of Fiji’s society, putting the nation decades behind in terms of development.

    Chaudhry said the sorry state of Fiji today — “the suffering of our people and continued high rate of poverty, deteriorating health and education services, the failing infrastructure and weakened state of our economy” — were all indicators of how post-coup governments had failed to deliver on the expectations of the people.

    He said: “It is time for us to rise above discredited notions of racism and fundamentalism and embrace progressive, liberal thinking.”

    Chaudhry added that leaders needed to be judged on their vision and performance and not on their colour and creed.

    Republished with permission from FijiVillage News.

    2000 attempted coup leader George Speight with a bodyguard and supporters during the siege drama in May 2000. Image: Fijivillage News

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Strong demand and reduced domestic competition have contributed to significant earnings for Qantas Group and Virgin Australia

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Australia’s two largest airline groups have both recorded strong financial results for the first half of 2024-25, reflecting a number of factors including strong ongoing demand for flying and limited domestic competition, the ACCC’s latest Domestic Airline Competition report has found.

    Qantas Group reported earnings before interest and taxes of $1.5 billion for the first half of 2024-25, with $916 million coming from its domestic operations across both Qantas and Jetstar.

    Of the Qantas Group’s total earnings, Qantas Domestic, including Qantaslink, contributed the highest share of the group’s earnings at $647 million. Much of this result can be attributed to the airline’s dominance in the corporate travel market – Qantas Group had an 80 per cent share of the corporate travel market over the reporting period, coinciding with a resurgence in demand.

    “The high half-yearly earnings reported by Qantas Group reflect its dominance of the domestic airline sector, with Qantas and Jetstar accounting for over 60 per cent of passengers,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

    The domestic operations of Jetstar recorded the biggest increase in earnings across the Qantas Group, increasing by 53.7 per cent between the first half 2023-24 and 2024-25, to $269 million. Jetstar Domestic became the sole low-cost carrier in Australia after the exit of Tigerair in 2020, and again when Bonza collapsed in April 2024.

    “Jetstar has been able to capitalise on the continued absence of competitive pressure from another low-cost carrier in the domestic market to increase its market share and operating margin,” Ms Brakey said.

    While Virgin Australia does not publicly report half-year results, its then CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, said in February that the airline group had achieved record profits in the first half of the current financial year, following its post-administration restructure under Bain Capital.

    After the withdrawal of Rex from routes connecting capital cities, Virgin Australia has increased its share of passengers to 34.4 per cent in March 2025, up from 31.3 per cent from a year prior. Virgin Australia also secured three of Rex’s Boeing 737 aircraft leases, which has facilitated its ability to add seat capacity and improve network resilience.

    Record passenger volumes in April following weather disruptions in March

    Although the data was not yet available for this report, airlines and airports were expecting a significant increase in travellers in April with school holidays, Easter and ANZAC day all condensed into a three-week period. Airservices Australia noted that 17 April 2025 (the Thursday before Good Friday) was the busiest day for domestic travel in the past five years.

    This follows disruptions to travel in March, when passenger levels declined by 4.9 per cent compared to March 2024, which can be attributed to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and associated severe weather events along the east coast of Australia.

    Flights operating between Brisbane-Sydney and Brisbane-Melbourne experienced a 9.9 per cent and 9 per cent reduction in passengers in March 2025 respectively. Meanwhile, Gold Coast and Maroochydore airports experienced the biggest decline in passengers over this period by 30.2 per cent and 25.1 per cent respectively.

    The weather disruptions also contributed to the average industry flight cancellation rate increasing significantly in March 2025 to 5 per cent, compared to the long-term industry average of 2.2 per cent.

    Despite the disruptions caused by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the on-time arrival rate has improved over the past six months to levels just below the long-term industry average of 80.7 per cent. The average industry on-time arrival rate was 80.2 per cent in March 2025, an improvement from 74.5 per cent in October 2024.

    “It is encouraging to see the on-time arrival rate improving as this means travellers can have more confidence that their flight will arrive at the time they booked,” Ms Brakey said.

    Seasonal patterns driving recent movements in airfares

    Following a peak in October 2024, the average airfare fell by 16.1 per cent in the three months to January 2025, before increasing again by 9.6 per cent by March 2025.

    “The trends observed in average airfares since January reflect seasonal factors and are broadly consistent with those observed in previous years,” Ms Brakey said.

    “Average airfares have come down from their peak in October 2024.”

    Demand for domestic air travel in the first quarter of 2025 was lower than 12 months prior. However, 2024 was a particularly unusual year by comparison due to significant events that led to unprecedented demand for flights to Melbourne and Sydney, such as the Taylor Swift concerts in February 2024, which in turn led to higher airfares as demand outstripped supply. The Easter long weekend also fell in March last year which contributed to the increase in demand for travel during this time.

    Background

    On 6 November 2023, the Treasurer directed the ACCC to recommence domestic air passenger transport monitoring. Under this direction the ACCC is to monitor prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of domestic air passenger transport services for a period of three years and to report on its monitoring at least once every quarter.

    The ACCC collects data from Jetstar, Qantas, Rex and Virgin Australia for monitoring purposes.

    Rex entered voluntary administration in July 2024 but continues to operate its regional services. The government is guaranteeing regional flight bookings for Rex customers throughout the voluntary administration process.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dairy conversions: What’s the story?

    Source: PISA results continue to show more to be done for equity in education

    Changes in the regulatory environment for National Environmental Standards for Freshwater

    The  National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F 2020) temporary agricultural intensification regulations controlling the conversion of land to dairy farmland expired on 1 January 2025.

    Before this date, under the NES-F 2020, consent was required to convert to dairy farming.

    At the time those temporary restrictions on dairy conversions were put in place, the expectation was that regional councils would notify new freshwater plans or change existing plans, to manage effects on water quality.

    Central Government has since introduced restrictions on plan changes that would have given effect to the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. A replacement National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) is currently being prepared and will give new national direction on managing water quality.

    While consent is no longer required for a change in land use to dairy farming, there are still consenting controls in place under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) to protect the environment. Both existing and new dairy farms must hold consent for animal effluent discharges.

    Farms may also require water permits for the taking and use of water in the dairy shed.

    Applications for these activities still need to be considered through the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) process with a consideration of the effects of these activities on the environment.

    A consent may also be required for the use of land for farming in general, but that requirement isn’t specific to dairy farming.

    Farming and the environment

    We know that water quality is degraded in some parts of Waitaha. This means we carefully consider all consent applications for the discharge of animal effluent to evaluate the effects of the proposed discharge relative to the existing state of the local environment. Every consent application is considered on a case-by-case basis following RMA process; we can’t pre-determine decisions.

    The likelihood of a new dairy effluent discharge permit being open for public input (being publicly notified) and/or being granted will depend on the state of the receiving environment, the effect of the proposed operation, and the proposed mitigations.

    For example, declining water quality trends in the area where dairy farming is proposed may require a consent applicant to demonstrate how the conversion will not worsen, or in some cases improve, local water quality outcomes.

    If the likely adverse effects of the proposal are deemed to be more than minor, they will be publicly notified to give the wider community an opportunity to be heard.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Matariki Festival’s 2025 programme launches

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    The Matariki Festival programme for 2025 launches today via the Matariki Festival website.

    This season’s programme celebrates wai (water), with a whakataukii at its heart:

    Waitaa ki te Maanuka,

    Waitii ki te Mangatangi,

    Waipuna ki te Rangi.

    Ngāti Tamaoho, in partnership with Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland Council), is proud to present Matariki Festival for their second year as iwi manaaki (partner iwi).

    Ngāti Tamaoho invites Aucklanders and visitors to be drawn to the cultural, environmental, and spiritual significance of water, guided by a reflection on three stars in the Matariki star cluster in particular.

    Matariki star cluster can be seen mid-left.

    Waitaa is the star of the sea and ocean, Waitii is the star of fresh water, and Waipunarangi symbolises rain.

    For Ngāti Tamaoho, Waitaa connects through Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (the Manukau Harbour), Waitii connects through the Mangatangi Awa (a river flowing through the Hunua Ranges) and Waipunarangi connects with the rain bringing life to their fertile lands in the southern part of the Auckland region – Pukekohekohe.

    Matariki Festival is a celebration of the Māori New Year for all to enjoy across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year it spans five weeks from 7 June to 13 July.

    Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki (Matariki Festival Day) at Auckland Botanic Gardens on 20 June. Photo credit Grant Apiata.

    Matariki Festival, known as Matariki ki te Wai in 2025, will see Ngāti Tamaoho hosting cultural activities, community events, water blessings and storytelling focused on their whakapapa (genealogy) and kaupapa (purpose).

    [embedded content]

    Regional celebrations, with community events, exhibitions and workshops will take place across the Auckland region with Matariki ki te Manawa in the city centre. These activities will bring local iwi, environmental groups and artists together.

    Matariki Festival closes with a concert featuring Māori artists to celebrate the promise of the new year.

    Head to the Matariki Festival for the full festival line-up. 

    Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki (Matariki Festival Day) on 20 June celebrates the rising of the Matariki star cluster above the horizon in the north-east skies at dawn.

    The city centre with the most visibility of te ao Māori (Māori worldview) in its streetscapes in the world, will light up at around this time also, with a full programme heralding the Māori New Year.

    Tūrama returns to Queen Street for Matariki Festival 2025; photo Auckland Council.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Proposed temporary fisheries closure offshore of Napier Port, to the take of all finfish, shellfish, and seaweed

    Source: police-emblem-97

    Have your say

    Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust has requested a temporary closure offshore of Napier Port, Hawke’s Bay, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

    The requested closure would prohibit the take of all finfish, shellfish, and seaweed for 2 years. The closure is to be called Te Oho o Parapara rāhui.

    This request follows a previous temporary closure known as Te Rāhui o Moremore. The new request is to provide additional time to support further species establishment in the area and to develop long-term protection strategies.

    Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the area.

    Document requesting the closure

    Te Oho o Parapara rāhui Section 186A temporary closure application [PDF, 168 KB]

    The proposed closure area

    The proposed area is approximately 0.11 square kilometres, and encompasses the artificial reef located approximately 6 km northeast of Napier Port. The reef was created as a result of the development of the port’s new wharf, named Te Whiti.

    Proposed Te Oho o Parapara Rāhui temporary closure map [PDF, 637 KB]

    Making your submission

    The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

    Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

    While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

    Spatial Allocations
    Fisheries Management
    Fisheries New Zealand
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140.

    Public notice

    A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the ‘Hawke’s Bay Today’ on Tuesday 20 May 2025.

    Related information

    Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

    Find out more about temporary closures .

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

    If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

    Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Katherine Reilly Named SEC Acting Inspector General

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the appointment of Katherine Reilly as the agency’s Acting Inspector General. Ms. Reilly is currently serving as a Deputy Inspector General at the SEC. She replaces Deborah Jeffrey, who has served as the SEC’s Inspector General since 2023 and is retiring.

    “Our Inspector General’s office champions transparency and seeks to root out redundancy and overlap to ensure our agency is running as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “Katherine possesses the experience and expertise to continue these oversight efforts. We also thank Deb for her leadership and dedication in this area during these past two years.”

    Prior to her arrival at the SEC, Ms. Jeffrey served as inspector general at AmeriCorps for 11 years after working in the private practice of law for 25 years. She holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review.

    Ms. Reilly joined the SEC’s Office of Inspector General in 2020 as Counsel to the Inspector General. She later served as Acting Inspector General in a rotating role prior to Ms. Jeffrey’s arrival and served as the Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations from December 2022 to March 2025.

    Ms. Reilly began her career as an antitrust lawyer at the Federal Trade Commission before transitioning to private practice in the field of antitrust and commercial litigation. She joined the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) in 2005 and ascended to become Director of Legal Services before leaving in 2013 to join the U.S. Department of Justice Executive Office for Immigration Review, where she served in the roles of Chief Counsel for Employee and Labor Relations as well as Deputy Director. In June 2019, Ms. Reilly returned to the USPS-OIG as Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Mission Support.

    Ms. Reilly is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees. Ms. Reilly also has a Master of Laws degree from The University of Melbourne, Australia.

    The SEC’s Office of Inspector General is an independent unit that promotes the integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness of the SEC’s critical programs and operations through rigorous and objective oversight.

    Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, inspectors general have a dual and independent reporting relationship to the Commission and Congress. Appointments are made without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or investigations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Caught on camera: Gang member arrested in Paihia

    Source: New Zealand Police

    An eagle-eyed camera operator alerted Police to a person possessing a firearm in Paihia overnight.

    “At around 2am Police were notified by Kaitaia cameras that a male had been seen on CCTV pulling what appeared to be a firearm from his pants,” Mid North Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Barratt says.

    “He was observed holding it on camera for a few seconds before adjusting it and placing it back into his pants.”

    Units were dispatched to the location and located the man a short distance away after carrying out area enquiries.

    Senior Sergeant Barratt says the firearm he was allegedly possessing has not been located at this stage and enquiries are ongoing.

    Police have since located methamphetamine paraphernalia.

    “This was great work by the camera operator who as part of proactive prevention has observed this male, and we were able to locate and charge him,” Senior Sergeant Barratt says.

    “We will continue to act on this sort of information to keep our communities safe.”

    A 37-year-old male, who is a patched Black Power member, has been charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm and possessing utensils for methamphetamine. He will appear in the Kaikohe District Court today.

    ENDS.

    Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Hits Back at Tim Walz’s Dangerous Rhetoric Comparing ICE to Gestapo

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    While politicians like Gov. Walz fight to protect criminal illegal aliens, ICE officers will continue risking their lives to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles  

    WASHINGTON – Following Governor Tim Walz’s sickening rhetoric calling Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents “Trump’s modern-day Gestapo,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is setting the facts straight on the bravery of our ICE enforcement agents. Every day they risk their lives to arrest vicious criminal illegal aliens let into our country by the previous administration.  

    “Governor Walz’s comments comparing ICE agents to the Gestapo is sickening. This type of rhetoric and demonization of ICE officers has led to our officers facing a 413% increase in assaults,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “While politicians like Walz fight to protect criminal illegal aliens, our ICE officers will continue putting their lives and safety on the line to arrest murderers, kidnappers, and pedophiles that were let into our country by the previous administration’s open border policies.” 

    Below are just a few examples of violent criminal aliens ICE has arrested in Tim Walz’s Minnesota: 

    On May 1, 2025, ICE arrested Abdirashid Elmi, a 50-year-old illegal alien from Somalia. His criminal history includes convictions for murder, driving while intoxicated, and disorderly conduct. 

    On April 24th, ICE announced the arrest of Erick Martinez Mondragon, a 25-year-old illegal alien from Mexico and a member of the 18th Street gang. He served time for robbery and possession of a firearm. 

    On April 25, ICE announced the arrest of Marco Quizhpi Granda, an illegal criminal alien from Ecuador. He was previously convicted for criminal sexual conduct with a child. 

    On January 26, 2025, ICE arrested Octavio Juarez-Bonilla, an illegal alien from Mexico. He previously possessed child pornography on a work computer. 

    On February 19, 2025, ICE arrested Thailand Oh, a 25-year-old illegal alien from Laos. Oh’s criminal history includes convictions for domestic assault and weapons charges. Oh has had a final order of removal since April 5, 2024. 

    On May 9, 2025, ICE arrested Jorge Padilla Mendez, an illegal alien from Ecuador. He was previously arrested for robbery. Padilla was ordered removed by an immigration judge on August 28, 2024. 

     
    On May 9th, ICE announced the arrest of Abymahel Torres-Arriaga, a 36-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. He has a conviction for selling heroin/meth/fentanyl from the Goodhue County District Court in Red Wing, MN.  

    On May 8th ICE announced the arrest of Edgar David Felipe-Mendez, an illegal alien from Guatemala. He has a previous conviction of conspiracy to sell heroin/meth/fentanyl from the Goodhue County District Court in Red Wing, MN,  

    On April 30, 2025, ICE arrested Blong Yang, His past criminal convictions include carrying a concealed weapon and fourth degree sexual assault. Yang has had a final order of removal since April 19, 2023.  

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters, Slotkin & Bergman Urge Swift Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for Northern Michigan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI), and Elissa Slotkin (MI), as well as U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01), are calling on President Trump to declare a Major Disaster for northern Michigan following the severe winter storms in late March. In their letter, the lawmakers supported Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for assistance for Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle, Kalkaska and Mackinac Counties, as well as the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. The National Weather Service has ranked this as one of the most significant ice storms ever recorded in northern Michigan. 

    “Starting on March 28, northern Michigan experienced extreme winter weather, including a prolonged period of freezing rain which resulted in severe ice accumulation,” the lawmakers wrote. “This caused widespread destruction to homes, businesses, and infrastructure, causing long-term power outages for hundreds of thousands of residents.” 

    The lawmakers continued: “The affected counties also have poverty and unemployment rates that exceed the national average, and seven of the counties have a higher unemployment rate than Michigan’s state average. The disaster area also includes a significant population of individuals who are older than 65 years of age, have disabilities, or receive retirement income. As you know, these factors indicate that these communities are particularly vulnerable after disasters and increases the need for federal assistance to ensure equitable recovery.” 

    State and federal officials estimate the storm caused $137 million in immediate response costs and inflicted severe damage to homes and infrastructure. Given the scale of the damage from this storm, and as the state continues to recover from three other state-declared disasters in the past two years, federal assistance is needed to help these Michigan communities fully recover. 

    “We commend the great work the federal government has done in helping Michigan recover from previous disasters,” continued the lawmakers. “However, in the absence of a federal disaster declaration, Michigan will not have the capacity to ensure these communities receive the aid they need to fully recover. We urge your speedy approval of this request.”  

    Text of the letter is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Congresswoman Barragán Leads Congressional Letter Opposing Trump Administration’s Semiconductor Tariff Proposal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 8, 2025

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Congresswoman Barragán Leads Congressional Letter Opposing Trump Administration’s Semiconductor Tariff Proposal

    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) led a group of her Democratic colleagues on the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee in calling on President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to abandon proposals to impose sweeping tariffs on the semiconductor industry.

    The letter, signed by House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui and subcommittee members Greg Landsman and Jennifer McClellan, warns that the proposed tariffs would increase costs for consumers, disrupt American manufacturing, undermine U.S. competition, and strain relationships with key international allies—all without achieving the stated goal of boosting domestic production.

    “These tariffs will increase the cost of essential technologies like smartphones, laptops, and broadband equipment, and will act as a direct tax on American consumers,” wrote the group of Democratic lawmakers. “The result: reduced productivity, limited access to essential tools, and slower economic growth.” 

    “Rather than resorting to punitive trade measures that risk backfiring economically and geopolitically, the United States should double down on policies that support domestic semiconductor production and strengthen our long-term competitiveness,” they continued. “We urge you to abandon these ill-conceived tariff plans and instead work with Congress, industry leaders, and international allies to bolster American innovation, secure our supply chains, and build a technology economy that serves American workers and consumers.”

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

    President Trump and Secretary Lutnick:

    We have serious concerns with your reported plans to impose sector-specific tariffs on semiconductor products, including chips, telecommunications equipment, and consumer electronics. These tariffs would raise prices for consumers, disrupt American manufacturing, and damage our nation’s global competitiveness—all while failing to meaningfully strengthen national security or domestic production.

    These tariffs will increase the cost of essential technologies like smartphones, laptops, and broadband equipment, and will act as a direct tax on American consumers. The result: reduced productivity, limited access to essential tools, and slower economic growth.

    The United States currently lacks the capacity to rapidly relocate large-scale technology manufacturing to our country. Structural challenges—including a shortage of workers trained in high-tech manufacturing and underdeveloped semiconductor infrastructure—make such a transition unrealistic in the short term. Tariffs will not solve these issues and could instead deepen them by inflating costs, discouraging investment, and weakening the long-term position of the United States technology industry.

    The ongoing uncertainty surrounding this tariff plan has already disrupted financial markets and injected instability into critical sectors of our economy. The technology industry depends on predictable, long-term policy—not abrupt changes that create confusion for investors, suppliers, and businesses.

    These tariffs could also provoke diplomatic fallout with some of our most trusted allies. Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia are potential targets for these tariffs. These are all vital partners in our technology supply chains and unnecessary tariffs could jeopardize the resilience of our supply chains and the strategic alliances that have long supported American leadership in innovation.

    Additionally, a disruption to American technology imports from allied nations could undermine the Federal Communication Commission’s efforts to implement the Secure and Trusted Networks Reimbursement (“Rip and Replace”) Program. Rip and Replace, which has received strong bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress, strengthens our national security by supporting providers who are working to replace insecure network equipment from Chinese vendors like Huawei and ZTE, while simultaneously maintaining network connectivity for consumers across the country. By disrupting global supply chains and raising the overall cost of replacing network infrastructure, the proposed tariffs could needlessly strain the Rip and Replace program’s budget and delay program implementation.

    The consequences of supply chain disruptions would also be particularly acute in the race to deploy 5G infrastructure and to lead in artificial intelligence. Access to cutting-edge components is essential to maintaining leadership in 5G, as well as in AI development. Disrupting access to these components would not only slow American progress but would also give China an unnecessary—and avoidable—strategic advantage.

    We are especially alarmed by reports that these tariffs will be enacted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a provision designed to protect national security. This seems incompatible with the imposition of tariffs that damage alliances and delay technological innovation – that would in fact compromise our national security. As the Department of Defense made clear in its 2022 report Securing Defense-Critical Supply Chains, disruptions to allied supply lines—particularly in microelectronics—pose a direct threat to military readiness.

    Rather than resorting to punitive trade measures that risk backfiring economically and geopolitically, the United States should double down on policies that support domestic semiconductor production and strengthen our long-term competitiveness. Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act precisely for this purpose—to revitalize American semiconductor manufacturing, create high-quality union jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign supply chains, especially those vulnerable to authoritarian influence or geopolitical instability.

    We urge you to abandon these ill-conceived tariff plans and instead work with Congress, industry leaders, and international allies to bolster American innovation, secure our supply chains, and build a technology economy that serves American workers and consumers.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Qifu Technology Announces First Quarter 2025 Unaudited Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, China, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qifu Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: QFIN; HKEx: 3660) (“Qifu Technology” or the “Company”), a leading AI-empowered Credit-Tech platform in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

    First Quarter 2025 Business Highlights

    • As of March 31, 2025, our platform has connected 163 financial institutional partners and 268.2 million consumers*1 with potential credit needs, cumulatively, an increase of 11.1% from 241.4 million a year ago.
    • Cumulative users with approved credit lines*2 were 58.4 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase of 11.6% from 52.3 million as of March 31, 2024.
    • Cumulative borrowers with successful drawdown, including repeat borrowers was 35.5 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase of 13.8% from 31.2 million as of March 31, 2024.
    • In the first quarter of 2025, financial institutional partners originated 24,401,374 loans*3 through our platform.
    • Total facilitation and origination loan volume*4 reached RMB88,883 million, an increase of 15.8% from RMB76,784 million in the same period of 2024 and a decrease of 1.1% from RMB89,885 million in the prior quarter. RMB43,811 million of such loan volume was under capital-light model, Intelligence Credit Engine (“ICE”) and total technology solutions*5, representing 49.3% of the total, an increase of 15.1% from RMB38,053 million in the same period of 2024 and a decrease of 8.3% from RMB47,796 million in the prior quarter.
    • Total outstanding loan balance*6 was RMB140,273 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase of 5.5% from RMB132,964 million as of March 31, 2024 and an increase of 2.4% from RMB137,014 million as of December 31, 2024. RMB78,681 million of such loan balance was under capital-light model, “ICE” and total technology solutions, an increase of 11.4% from RMB70,641 million as of March 31, 2024 and a decrease of 1.2% from RMB79,599 million as of December 31, 2024.
    • The weighted average contractual tenor of loans originated by financial institutions across our platform in the first quarter of 2025 was approximately 10.17 months, compared with 10.10 months in the same period of 2024.
    • 90 day+ delinquency rate*7 of loans originated by financial institutions across our platform was 2.02% as of March 31, 2025.
    • Repeat borrower contribution*8 of loans originated by financial institutions across our platform for the first quarter of 2025 was 95.1%.

    1 Refers to cumulative registered users across our platform.
    2 “Cumulative users with approved credit lines” refers to the total number of users who had submitted their credit applications and were approved with a credit line at the end of each period.
    3 Including 2,022,501 loans across “V-pocket”, and 22,378,873 loans across other products.
    4 Refers to the total principal amount of loans facilitated and originated during the given period. Retrospectively excluding the impact of discontinued service, which did not have and is not expected to have a material impact on our overall business, financial condition, and results of operations.
    5 “ICE” is an open platform primarily on our “Qifu Jietiao” APP (previously known as “360 Jietiao”), we match borrowers and financial institutions through big data and cloud computing technology on “ICE”, and provide pre-loan investigation report of borrowers. For loans facilitated through “ICE”, the Company does not bear principal risk.
    Under total technology solutions, we have been offering end-to-end technology solutions to financial institutions based on on-premise deployment, SaaS or hybrid model since 2023.
    6 “Total outstanding loan balance” refers to the total amount of principal outstanding for loans facilitated and originated at the end of each period, excluding loans delinquent for more than 180 days. Retrospectively excluding the impact of discontinued service, which did not have and is not expected to have a material impact on our overall business, financial condition, and results of operations.
    7 “90 day+ delinquency rate” refers to the outstanding principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans that were 91 to 180 calendar days past due as a percentage of the total outstanding principal balance of on- and off-balance sheet loans across our platform as of a specific date. Loans that are charged-off and loans under “ICE” and total technology solutions are not included in the delinquency rate calculation.
    8 “Repeat borrower contribution” for a given period refers to (i) the principal amount of loans borrowed during that period by borrowers who had historically made at least one successful drawdown, divided by (ii) the total loan facilitation and origination volume through our platform during that period.

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights

    • Total net revenue was RMB4,690.7 million (US$646.4 million), compared to RMB4,482.3 million in the prior quarter.
    • Net income was RMB1,796.6 million (US$247.6 million), compared to RMB1,912.7 million in the prior quarter.
    • Non-GAAP*9 net income was RMB1,926.2 million (US$265.4 million), compared to RMB1,972.4 million in the prior quarter.
    • Net income per fully diluted American depositary share (“ADS”) was RMB12.62 (US$1.74), compared to RMB13.24 in the prior quarter.
    • Non-GAAP net income per fully diluted ADS was RMB13.53 (US$1.86), compared to RMB13.66 in the prior quarter.

    9 Non-GAAP income from operations, Non-GAAP net income, Non-GAAP operating margin, Non-GAAP net income margin and Non-GAAP net income per fully diluted ADS are Non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on these Non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section of “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Statement” and the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.

    Mr. Haisheng Wu, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Qifu Technology, commented, “First quarter came in stronger than typical seasonal trend despite the ongoing macroeconomic challenges. We observed an increase in users’ activities early in the quarter as public sentiment slightly improved in response to the strong stimulus messages delivered by government officials. However, we remain prudent in our business planning as tariff-related economic uncertainties may persist throughout this year. We will continue to focus on improving the quality and sustainability of our business.

    During the quarter, we issued a record amount of ABS as the overall funding environment remained supportive. As a result, the blended funding cost continued to decline sequentially. Approximately 56% of the quarter-end loan balance was under the capital-light model, ICE and total technology solutions, demonstrating the efficiency of our platform services. The contribution from non-credit risk bearing services also continued to help us mitigate certain risks in a challenging environment. During the quarter, nearly half of our new credit line users were acquired through embedded finance partners, which we also refer to as API channels, as we further diversify our user acquisition channels. Loan volumes through the API channels increased significantly in the quarter.

    With the growing maturity and efficiency of large language models, we will continue to allocate more resources to the application of AI across our credit service offerings. We expect that these AI-powered tools will not only allow us to serve our users with better offerings at greater efficiency but also enable our financial institution clients to better utilize the cutting-edge AI technologies, through our open platform. We believe these efforts will enable us to better navigate through the current environment and position us well to capture long-term opportunities through innovative technologies, enhanced products and collaborative models.”

    “We are pleased to start 2025 with another quarter of solid financial results despite an uncertain macro environment. For the first quarter, total revenue was RMB4.69 billion and Non-GAAP net income was RMB1.93 billion,” Mr. Alex Xu, Chief Financial Officer, commented. “During the quarter, we successfully completed the US$690 million convertible notes offering and it gave us ample resources to accelerate our share repurchase programs. Our strong financial position enables us to consistently execute our strategy, support business initiatives, and enhance returns to our shareholders.”

    Mr. Yan Zheng, Chief Risk Officer, added, “In the first quarter, we maintained a relatively stable risk profile as users’ activities came in stronger than normal. Although overall risk performance fluctuated from the best level we achieved in the prior quarter, it remained well within our target range. Among key leading indicators, Day-1 delinquency rate*10 was 5.0% in the first quarter, and 30-day collection rate*11 was 88.1%. While macro volatility may induce short-term fluctuation in risk metrics, we look forward to maintaining relatively stable risk performance in the coming quarters as we seek growth opportunities in 2025.”

    10 “Day-1 delinquency rate” is defined as (i) the total amount of principal that became overdue as of a specified date, divided by (ii) the total amount of principal that was due for repayment as of such specified date.
    11 “30-day collection rate” is defined as (i) the amount of principal that was repaid in one month among the total amount of principal that became overdue as of a specified date, divided by (ii) the total amount of principal that became overdue as of such specified date.

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

    Total net revenue was RMB4,690.7 million (US$646.4 million), compared to RMB4,153.2 million in the same period of 2024, and RMB4,482.3 million in the prior quarter.

    Net revenue from Credit Driven Services was RMB3,110.9 million (US$428.7 million), compared to RMB3,016.3 million in the same period of 2024, and RMB2,889.5 million in the prior quarter.

    Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy were RMB429.8 million (US$59.2 million), compared to RMB243.8 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB363.0 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to an increase in capital-heavy loan facilitation volume and longer effective loan tenor. The sequential increase was primarily due to the increase in effective loan tenor.

    Financing income*12 was RMB1,817.2 million (US$250.4 million), compared to RMB1,535.0 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,667.3 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential increases were primarily due to the growth in the average outstanding balance of the on-balance-sheet loans.

    Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities was RMB778.2 million (US$107.2 million), compared to RMB1,166.0 million in the same period of 2024, and RMB761.8 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year decrease was mainly due to the decrease in the average outstanding balance of off-balance-sheet capital-heavy loans during the period.

    Other services fees were RMB85.6 million (US$11.8 million), compared to RMB71.5 million in the same period of 2024, and RMB97.4 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential changes reflected the changes in late payment fees under the credit driven services due to changes in collection rates of late paid loans.

    Net revenue from Platform Services was RMB1,579.8 million (US$217.7 million), compared to RMB1,136.9 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,592.8 million in the prior quarter.

    Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light were RMB373.7 million (US$51.5 million), compared to RMB502.7 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB515.1 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential decreases were primarily due to the decreases in capital-light loan facilitation volume.

    Referral services fees were RMB1,004.6 million (US$138.4 million), compared to RMB548.8 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB907.2 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential increases were mainly due to the increases in loan facilitation volume through ICE.

    Other services fees were RMB201.5 million (US$27.8 million), compared to RMB85.4 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB170.5 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential changes reflected trends in other value-added services and late payment fees.

    Total operating costs and expenses were RMB2,716.0 million (US$374.3 million), compared to RMB2,789.1 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB2,591.9 million in the prior quarter.

    Facilitation, origination and servicing expenses were RMB714.5 million (US$98.5 million), compared to RMB736.0 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB734.7 million in the prior quarter.

    Funding costs were RMB122.7 million (US$16.9 million), compared to RMB156.0 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB126.8 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential decreases were mainly due to lower average costs of ABS and trusts, partially offsetting by increases in fundings from ABS and trusts.

    Sales and marketing expenses were RMB591.5 million (US$81.5 million), compared to RMB415.6 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB523.9 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential increases were primarily due to the increase in the allocation of marketing resources to embedded finance channels and content feed advertisements to generate more effective leads.

    General and administrative expenses were RMB196.5 million (US$27.1 million), compared to RMB106.4 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB156.1 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential increases were primarily due to an increase in share-based compensations.

    Provision for loans receivable was RMB823.2 million (US$113.4 million), compared to RMB847.9 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB598.4 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year decrease reflected the Company’s consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with its underlying loan profile. The sequential increase was primarily due to an increase in loan origination volume of on-balance-sheet loans and the Company’s consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with its underlying loan profile.

    Provision for financial assets receivable was RMB39.9 million (US$5.5 million), compared to RMB99.0 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB63.3 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year decrease reflected the Company’s consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with its underlying loan profile. The sequential decrease was mainly due to the decline in capital-heavy loan facilitation volume.

    Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets was RMB68.4 million (US$9.4 million), compared to RMB111.5 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB77.5 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential decreases reflected the Company’s consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with its underlying loan profile and changes in capital-heavy and capital-light loan facilitation volume.

    Provision for contingent liability was RMB159.3 million (US$22.0 million), compared to RMB316.7 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB311.4 million in the prior quarter. The year-over-year and sequential decreases reflected the Company’s consistent approach in assessing provisions commensurate with its underlying loan profile. The sequential decrease also reflected the decline in capital-heavy loan facilitation volume.

    Income from operations was RMB1,974.7 million (US$272.1 million), compared to RMB1,364.1 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,890.3 million in the prior quarter.

    Non-GAAP income from operations was RMB2,104.3 million (US$290.0 million), compared to RMB1,408.7 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,950.0 million in the prior quarter.

    Operating margin was 42.1%. Non-GAAP operating margin was 44.9%.

    Income before income tax expense was RMB2,220.2 million (US$306.0 million), compared to RMB1,526.2 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,932.7 million in the prior quarter.

    Income taxes expense was RMB423.6 million (US$58.4 million), compared to RMB366.1 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB20.0 million in the prior quarter. The sequential increase was mainly due to the writeback of withholding taxes in the prior quarter related to the Company’s dividend payment and share repurchases, as the Company became eligible to a lower tax rate.

    Net income was RMB1,796.6 million (US$247.6 million), compared to RMB1,160.1 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,912.7 million in the prior quarter.

    Non-GAAP net income was RMB1,926.2 million (US$265.4 million), compared to RMB1,204.8 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,972.4 million in the prior quarter.

    Net income margin was 38.3%. Non-GAAP net income margin was 41.1%.

    Net income attributed to the Company was RMB1,800.2 million (US$248.1 million), compared to RMB1,164.3 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,916.6 million in the prior quarter.

    Non-GAAP net income attributed to the Company was RMB1,929.8 million (US$265.9 million), compared to RMB1,208.9 million in the same period of 2024 and RMB1,976.4 million in the prior quarter.

    Net income per fully diluted ADS was RMB12.62 (US$1.74).

    Non-GAAP net income per fully diluted ADS was RMB13.53 (US$1.86).

    Weighted average basic ADS used in calculating GAAP net income per ADS was 140.48 million.

    Weighted average diluted ADS used in calculating GAAP and non-GAAP net income per ADS was 142.62 million.

    Ordinary shares outstanding as of March 31, 2025 was 268,930,496.

    12 “Financing income” is generated from loans facilitated through the Company’s platform funded by the consolidated trusts and Fuzhou Microcredit, which charge fees and interests from borrowers.

    30 Day+ Delinquency Rate by Vintage and 180 Day+ Delinquency Rate by Vintage

    The following charts and tables display the historical cumulative 30 day+ delinquency rates by loan facilitation and origination vintage and 180 day+ delinquency rates by loan facilitation and origination vintage for all loans facilitated and originated through the Company’s platform. Loans under “ICE” and total technology solutions are not included in the 30 day+ charts and the 180 day+ charts:

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/528f864e-af49-4be7-b48b-b2650fa2808a

    http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/12433d9d-4214-431e-b551-59f682e1ed93

    Update on Share Repurchase

    On November 19, 2024, the Board approved a share repurchase plan (the “2025 Share Repurchase Plan”) whereby the Company is authorized to repurchase up to US$450 million worth of its ADSs or Class A ordinary shares over the next 12 months starting from January 1, 2025.

    As of May 19, 2025, the Company had in aggregate purchased approximately 4.4 million ADSs on the open market for a total amount of approximately US$178 million (inclusive of commissions) at an average price of US$40.2 per ADS pursuant to the 2025 Share Repurchase Plan.

    On March 25, 2025, the Board approved a new share repurchase plan (the “March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan”) whereby the Company is authorized to use to the net proceeds from the offering of convertible senior notes due 2030 to repurchase its ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares, which runs in addition to the Company’s 2025 Share Repurchase Plan. On March 27, 2025, the Company announced the completion of the offering of the convertible senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of US$690 million due 2030. Concurrently with the pricing of this offering, the Company repurchased approximately 5.1 million ADSs with an aggregate value of approximately US$227 million at a price of US$44.23 per ADS. The Company expects to use the remaining net proceeds, which is approximately US$450 million, from the offering of the convertible senior notes to repurchase additional ADSs and/or Class A ordinary shares on the open market and/or through other means from time to time under the March 2025 Share Repurchase Plan.

    Business Outlook

    As macro-economic uncertainties persist, the Company intends to maintain a prudent approach in its business planning for 2025. Management will continue to focus on enhancing efficiency of the Company’s operations. As such, for the second quarter of 2025, the Company expects to generate a net income between RMB1.65 billion and RMB1.75 billion and a non-GAAP net income*13 between RMB1.75 billion and RMB1.85 billion, representing a year-on-year growth between 24% and 31%. This outlook reflects the Company’s current and preliminary views, which is subject to material changes.

    13 Non-GAAP net income represents net income excluding share-based compensation expenses.

    Conference Call Preregistration

    Qifu Technology’s management team will host an earnings conference call at 8:30 PM U.S. Eastern Time on Monday, May 19, 2025 (8:30 AM Beijing Time on Tuesday, May 20, 2025).

    All participants wishing to join the conference call must pre-register online using the link provided below.

    Registration Link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10047043-kj87y6.html

    Upon registration, each participant will receive details for the conference call, including dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN. Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin.

    Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at https://ir.qifu.tech.

    About Qifu Technology

    Qifu Technology is a leading AI-empowered Credit-Tech platform in China. By leveraging its sophisticated machine learning models and data analytics capabilities, the Company provides a comprehensive suite of technology services to assist financial institutions and consumers and SMEs in the loan lifecycle, ranging from borrower acquisition, preliminary credit assessment, fund matching and post-facilitation services. The Company is dedicated to making credit services more accessible and personalized to consumers and SMEs through Credit-Tech services to financial institutions.

    For more information, please visit: https://ir.qifu.tech.

    Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Statement

    To supplement our financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Non-GAAP financial measure, which is adjusted from results based on U.S. GAAP to exclude share-based compensation expenses. Reconciliations of our Non-GAAP financial measures to our U.S. GAAP financial measures are set forth in tables at the end of this earnings release, which provide more details on the Non-GAAP financial measures.

    We use Non-GAAP income from operation, Non-GAAP operating margin, Non-GAAP net income, Non-GAAP net income margin, Non-GAAP net income attributed to the Company and Non-GAAP net income per fully diluted ADS in evaluating our operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. Non-GAAP income from operation represents income from operation excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP operating margin is equal to Non-GAAP income from operation divided by total net revenue. Non-GAAP net income represents net income excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net income margin is equal to Non-GAAP net income divided by total net revenue. Non-GAAP net income attributed to the Company represents net income attributed to the Company excluding share-based compensation expenses. Non-GAAP net income per fully diluted ADS represents net income excluding share-based compensation expenses per fully diluted ADS. Such adjustments have no impact on income tax. We believe that Non-GAAP income from operation, Non-GAAP operating margin, Non-GAAP net income, Non-GAAP net income margin, Non-GAAP net income attributed to the Company and Non-GAAP net income per fully diluted ADS help identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that we include in results based on U.S. GAAP. We believe that Non-GAAP income from operation and Non-GAAP net income provide useful information about our operating results, enhance the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allow for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making. Our Non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP results. In addition, our calculation of Non-GAAP financial information may be different from the calculation used by other companies, and therefore comparability may be limited.

    Exchange Rate Information

    This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from RMB to U.S. dollars are made at a rate of RMB 7.2567 to US$1.00, the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of March 31, 2025.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Qifu Technology may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including the Company’s business outlook, beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, which factors include but not limited to the following: the Company’s growth strategies, changes in laws, rules and regulatory environments, the recognition of the Company’s brand, market acceptance of the Company’s products and services, trends and developments in the credit-tech industry, governmental policies relating to the credit-tech industry, general economic conditions in China and around the globe, and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in Qifu Technology’s filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Qifu Technology does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Qifu Technology
    E-mail: ir@360shuke.com

    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)
    except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
           
      December 31, March 31, March 31,
      2024 2025 2025
      RMB RMB USD
    ASSETS      
    Current assets:      
    Cash and cash equivalents 4,452,416 8,578,822 1,182,193
    Restricted cash 2,353,384 3,236,427 445,992
    Short term investments 3,394,073 2,040,269 281,157
    Security deposit prepaid to third-party guarantee companies 162,617 173,437 23,900
    Funds receivable from third party payment service providers 462,112 347,416 47,875
    Accounts receivable and contract assets, net 2,214,530 2,316,593 319,235
    Financial assets receivable, net 1,553,912 1,530,084 210,851
    Amounts due from related parties 8,510 3,242 447
    Loans receivable, net 26,714,428 30,675,633 4,227,215
    Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,464,586 1,510,818 208,196
    Total current assets 42,780,568 50,412,741 6,947,061
    Non-current assets:      
    Accounts receivable and contract assets, net-noncurrent 27,132 20,004 2,757
    Financial assets receivable, net-noncurrent 170,779 189,379 26,097
    Amounts due from related parties 51 39 5
    Loans receivable, net-noncurrent 2,537,749 2,314,826 318,992
    Property and equipment, net 362,774 405,926 55,938
    Land use rights, net 956,738 951,557 131,128
    Intangible assets 11,818 11,420 1,574
    Goodwill 42,414 42,407 5,844
    Deferred tax assets 1,206,325 1,244,757 171,532
    Other non-current assets 36,270 34,112 4,701
    Total non-current assets 5,352,050 5,214,427 718,568
    TOTAL ASSETS 48,132,618 55,627,168 7,665,629
           
    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY      
    Current liabilities:      
    Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-current 8,188,454 6,541,069 901,383
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 2,492,921 3,337,707 459,948
    Amounts due to related parties 67,495 48,442 6,675
    Short term loans 1,369,939 1,219,431 168,042
    Guarantee liabilities-stand ready 2,383,202 2,377,408 327,616
    Guarantee liabilities-contingent 1,820,350 1,794,747 247,323
    Income tax payable 1,040,687 1,054,537 145,319
    Other tax payable 109,161 3,897 537
    Total current liabilities 17,472,209 16,377,238 2,256,843
    Non-current liabilities:      
    Deferred tax liabilities 439,435 569,734 78,511
    Payable to investors of the consolidated trusts-noncurrent 5,719,600 10,354,000 1,426,819
    Convertible senior notes – 4,912,524 676,964
    Other long-term liabilities 255,155 297,730 41,028
    Total non-current liabilities 6,414,190 16,133,988 2,223,322
    TOTAL LIABILITIES 23,886,399 32,511,226 4,480,165
    TOTAL QIFU TECHNOLOGY INC EQUITY 24,190,043 23,063,344 3,178,216
    Noncontrolling interests 56,176 52,598 7,248
    TOTAL EQUITY 24,246,219 23,115,942 3,185,464
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 48,132,618 55,627,168 7,665,629
           
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)
    except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
           
      Three months ended March 31,
      2024  2025  2025
      RMB RMB USD
    Credit driven services 3,016,282 3,110,866 428,690
    Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital heavy 243,766 429,775 59,225
    Financing income 1,534,986 1,817,221 250,420
    Revenue from releasing of guarantee liabilities 1,166,018 778,222 107,242
    Other services fees 71,512 85,648 11,803
    Platform services 1,136,901 1,579,831 217,706
    Loan facilitation and servicing fees-capital light 502,715 373,709 51,498
    Referral services fees 548,824 1,004,622 138,441
    Other services fees 85,362 201,500 27,767
    Total net revenue 4,153,183 4,690,697 646,396
    Facilitation, origination and servicing 736,026 714,492 98,460
    Funding costs 155,963 122,657 16,903
    Sales and marketing 415,617 591,495 81,510
    General and administrative 106,415 196,482 27,076
    Provision for loans receivable 847,921 823,187 113,438
    Provision for financial assets receivable 99,003 39,863 5,493
    Provision for accounts receivable and contract assets 111,473 68,445 9,432
    Provision for contingent liabilities 316,664 159,343 21,958
    Total operating costs and expenses 2,789,082 2,715,964 374,270
    Income from operations 1,364,101 1,974,733 272,126
    Interest income, net 50,058 67,774 9,340
    Foreign exchange gain 82 2,123 293
    Other income, net 111,968 175,600 24,198
    Income before income tax expense 1,526,209 2,220,230 305,957
    Income taxes expense (366,065) (423,631) (58,378)
    Net income 1,160,144 1,796,599 247,579
    Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 4,143 3,576 493
    Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company 1,164,287 1,800,175 248,072
    Net income per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc.
    Basic 3.73 6.41 0.88
    Diluted 3.65 6.31 0.87
           
    Net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc.  
    Basic 7.46 12.82 1.76
    Diluted 7.30 12.62 1.74
           
    Weighted average shares used in calculating net income per ordinary share  
    Basic 312,027,192 280,958,513 280,958,513
    Diluted 318,915,157 285,237,588 285,237,588
           
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)
    except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
         
      Three months ended March 31,
      2024  2025  2025 
      RMB RMB USD
    Net cash provided by operating activities 1,958,267 2,805,685 386,634
    Net cash used in investing activities (3,138,175) (3,240,186) (446,510)
    Net cash provided by financing activities 1,775,409 5,449,071 750,902
    Effect of foreign exchange rate changes 2,095 (5,121) (705)
    Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 597,596 5,009,449 690,321
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period 7,558,997 6,805,800 937,864
    Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period 8,156,593 11,815,249 1,628,185
           
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)
    except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
       
      Three months ended March 31,
      2024 2025 2025
      RMB RMB USD
    Net income 1,160,144 1,796,599 247,579
    Other comprehensive income, net of tax of nil:      
    Foreign currency translation adjustment 2,010 (15,362) (2,117)
    Other comprehensive income (loss) 2,010 (15,362) (2,117)
    Total comprehensive income 1,162,154 1,781,237 245,462
    Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 4,143 3,576 493
    Comprehensive income attributable to ordinary shareholders 1,166,297 1,784,813 245,955
           
    Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results
    (Amounts in thousands of Renminbi (“RMB”) and U.S. dollars (“USD”)
    except for number of shares and per share data, or otherwise noted)
           
      Three months ended March 31,
      2024 2025 2025
      RMB RMB USD
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Income to Net Income      
    Net income 1,160,144 1,796,599 247,579
    Add: Share-based compensation expenses 44,645 129,614 17,861
    Non-GAAP net income 1,204,789 1,926,213 265,440
    GAAP net income margin 27.9% 38.3%  
    Non-GAAP net income margin 29.0% 41.1%  
           
    Net income attributable to shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc. 1,164,287 1,800,175 248,072
    Add: Share-based compensation expenses 44,645 129,614 17,861
    Non-GAAP net income attributable to shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc. 1,208,932 1,929,789 265,933
    Weighted average ADS used in calculating net income per ordinary share for both GAAP and non-GAAP EPS – diluted 159,457,579 142,618,794 142,618,794
    Net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc. – diluted 7.30 12.62 1.74
    Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to ordinary shareholders of Qifu Technology, Inc. – diluted 7.58 13.53 1.86
           
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Income from operations to Income from operations      
    Income from operations 1,364,101 1,974,733 272,126
    Add: Share-based compensation expenses 44,645 129,614 17,861
    Non-GAAP Income from operations 1,408,746 2,104,347 289,987
    GAAP operating margin 32.8% 42.1%  
    Non-GAAP operating margin 33.9% 44.9%  
           

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A 22 year old mystery solved

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A 22 year old Lake Taupo mystery involving a Russian stuntman has been solved thanks to some useful information being sent in following an appeal by Police.

    Artour Melikov was 36 when he was reported missing on 10 September 2002. Turangi Police located his vehicle at the Jellicoe Reserve, 400 metres north of Bulli Point at Lake Taupo.

    Despite extensive search efforts, there was no sign of Artour and Police established he hadn’t been seen since he left Auckland two days prior.

    On 9 January this year, Police were called to a holiday park at Motutere, where several bones were located near a walking track. Police believed the bones were those of Artour, but extensive enquiries had been unable to lead to a positive identification.

    Senior Constable Barry Shepherd QSM, of the Taupo Area Search and Rescue Squad, said following an appeal for information two people have come forward with photos which have enabled Police to formally identify Artour.

    “The two photos sent in have shown clear evidence of his gold teeth and clothing he was wearing when he was found,” Senior Constable Shepherd said.

    “I want to thank these people for coming forward to allow us to formally identify Artour and provide some closure.”

    The case has been referred to the Coroner.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Anti-Bullying Rapid Review open for public submissions

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    Parents, students and teachers are invited to make a submission to inform the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review which has been launched by the Albanese Labor Government. 

    The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review is a key part of the Government’s plans to develop a national approach to addressing bullying in Australian schools. 

    The Review, being led by Dr Charlotte Keating and Dr Jo Robinson AM, is examining current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours.

    The Review will consult broadly with key stakeholders across metropolitan and regional Australia, including parents, teachers, students, parent groups, state education departments and the non-government sector. 

    Submissions will help in understanding the different approaches to responding to bullying in schools and the effectiveness of them.

    Bullying has no place in our schools. Students, teachers and staff should always feel safe in the classroom.

    That’s why we will listen to parents, students, teachers and staff to develop a national strategy that is grounded in evidence and informed by lived experiences.

    The final report of the Review will be presented to all Australian Education Ministers in coming months. 

    Submissions are now open and close on 20 June 2025. 

    Visit www.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-review to make a submission, which can be made anonymously if preferred.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students.

    “All students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence.

    “That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools. 

    “Last year we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country. 

    “We will listen to parents, teachers, students and work with the states and territories to get this right.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Westwego Woman Guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud by Defrauding State Offices of Unemployment Insurance

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced today that REHA JANEE ARVIE,(“ARVIE”), age 34, of Westwego, LA, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Mail Fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349. ARVIE faces up to twenty (20) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, a fine up to $250,000.00, or twice the gross gain to the defendant, or twice the gross loss to any victim, and a $100.00 mandatory special assessment fee.

    According to the indictment, beginning in or around July 2020, ARVIE defrauded, and attempted to defraud, various state offices of Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) through the submission of approximately 100 fraudulent UI applications. ARVIE recruited friends and family, via Facebook, to file these fraudulent UI applications. Additionally, ARVIE filed fraudulent UI applications for herself and others, in various states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Utah, Texas, and the territory of Guam. ARVIE charged those for whom she filed fraudulent UI claims fees, ranging from    $1,200.00 to $1,500.00. For example, ARVIE obtained $267,612.00 in UI benefits from California’s Employment Development Department. Moreover, during the investigation, ARVIE lied to federal agents during an interview.

    Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for September 10, 2025, before United States District Judge Sarah S. Vance.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the Inspector General, is an active member of the PRAC Fraud Task Force.

    “The PRAC was established to promote transparency and facilitate coordinated oversight of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The PRAC’s 20 member Inspectors General identify major risks that cross program and agency boundaries to detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in the more than $5 trillion in COVID-19 spending, including spending via the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. This case was also supported by the PRAC’s Pandemic Analytics Center of Excellence, which applies the latest advances in analytic and forensic technologies to help OIGs and law enforcement pursue data-driven pandemic relief fraud investigations.”

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    The United States Attorney’s Office would also like to acknowledge the assistance of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General; the National Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force; The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee; the United States Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General COVID Fraud Unit; and the California Employment Development Department with this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 19 May 2025 News release Member States approve WHO Pandemic Agreement in World Health Assembly Committee, paving way for its formal adoption

    Source: World Health Organisation

    World Health Organization Member States, meeting today in Committee A of the World Health Assembly, approved a resolution that calls for the adoption of an historic global compact to make the world safer from future pandemics. The WHO Pandemic Agreement will next be considered for final adoption by the Assembly on Tuesday during the plenary session.

    Monday’s approval of the Pandemic Agreement resolution follows a more than three-year process, launched by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, to negotiate the world’s first such accord to address the gaps and inequities in preventing, preparing for and responding to pandemics. This watershed agreement was adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution. It aims to foster stronger collaboration and cooperation among countries, international organizations like WHO, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders to prevent pandemics occurring in the first place, and to better respond in the event of a future pandemic crisis.

    “Governments from all over the world are making their countries, and our interconnected global community, more equitable, healthier and safer from the threats posed by pathogens and viruses of pandemic potential,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “I congratulate WHO‘s Member States for resolving to come together in the aftermath of COVID-19 to better protect the world from future pandemics. Their work to develop this global accord will ensure countries work better, faster and more equitably together to prevent and respond to the next pandemic threat.”

    The Pandemic Agreement and the resolution calling for its adoption will be taken up by the full plenary of the World Health Assembly on Tuesday, 20 May. Immediately after, there will be a High-Level segment featuring statements from Heads of States of multiple countries.

    “The WHO Pandemic Agreement is a demonstration of the shared desire by all people to be better prepared to prevent and respond to the next pandemic, with a commitment to the principles of respect for human dignity, equity, solidarity and sovereignty, and basing public health decisions to control pandemics on the best available science and evidence,” said the Honorable Dr Esperance Luvindao, Minister of Health and Social Services of Namibia, and Chair of the Committee A meeting that adopted today’s resolution. “The costs that COVID inflicted on lives, livelihoods and economies were great and many, and we – as sovereign states – have resolved to join hands, as one world together, so we can protect our children, elders, frontline health workers and all others from the next pandemic. It is our duty and responsibility to humanity.”

    The resolution sets out several steps for taking the world forward and preparing for the Pandemic Agreement’s implementation. It includes the launch of a process to draft and negotiate an annex to the Agreement that would establish a Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS) through an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG). The result of this process will be considered at next year’s World Health Assembly. Once the Assembly adopts the PABS annex, the Pandemic Agreement will then be open for signature and consideration of ratification, including by national legislative bodies. After 60 ratifications, the Agreement will enter into force.

    In addition, Member States also directed the IGWG to initiate steps to enable setting up of the Coordinating Financial Mechanism for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, and the Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL) to “enhance, facilitate, and work to remove barriers and ensure equitable, timely, rapid, safe, and affordable access to pandemic-related health products for countries in need during public health emergencies of international concern, including pandemic emergencies, and for prevention of such emergencies.”

    According to the Agreement, pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in the PABS system will play a key role in equitable and timely access to pandemic-related health products by making available to WHO “rapid access targeting 20% of their real time production of safe, quality and effective vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics for the pathogen causing the pandemic emergency.”  The distribution of these products to countries will be carried out on the basis of public health risk and need, with particular attention to the needs of developing countries and those supported through the GSCL.

    The Pandemic Agreement aligns with the International Health Regulations, amendments to which were adopted by governments at last year’s World Health Assembly to bolster international rules to better detect, prevent and respond to outbreaks.

    Dr Tedros thanked the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) that coordinated and facilitated the process to draft and negotiate the Pandemic Agreement. The WHO Director-General also praised the tireless work and excellence of the WHO Secretariat team that supported the Bureau and Member States, led by Dr Michael Ryan and Dr Jaouad Mahjour.

    “An immensely talented, experienced and driven WHO team was assembled to support the vision of governments to develop this historic Pandemic Agreement,” Dr Tedros said. “This group of individuals, representing so many countries and regions of the world, deserve enormous credit and thanks from the international community for what they have done to help make the world safer for future generations.”

    The INB was established in December 2021, at a special session of the World Health Assembly. WHO Member States were tasked to develop a convention, agreement or other international instrument under the WHO Constitution to strengthen pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. Members of the INB Bureau that guided the process were Co-Chairs Ms Precious Matsoso (South Africa) and Ambassador Anne-Claire Amprou (France), and Vice-Chairs Ambassador Tovar da Silva Nunes (Brazil), Ambassador Amr Ramadan (Egypt), Dr Viroj Tangcharoensathien (Thailand); and Ms Fleur Davies (Australia). Past members included former Co-Chair, Mr Roland Driece (the Netherlands), and former Vice-Chairs Ambassador Honsei Kozo (Japan), Mr Kazuho Taguchi (Japan), and Mr Ahmed Soliman (Egypt).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Upgrades to improve rail reliability

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Train commuters and businesses moving goods around the country will see more reliable rail services, thanks to the Government’s investment of $604.6 million for rail upgrades and renewals through Budget 2025, Rail Minister Winston Peters and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say. 

    “The funding provides $461 million to maintain and renew the rail freight network, and $143.6 million to replace and upgrade the Auckland and Wellington metropolitan rail networks, and will deliver a more productive, efficient and reliable rail network that supports economic growth and productivity,” Mr Peters says.

    “We want railways to succeed for this country – rail freight backs our business, and business backs our cities and provinces.

    “Rail currently moves 13 per cent of national freight and a quarter of New Zealand’s exports, complementing our road freighters’ short-hauls by doing the heavy-haul weights, the long-distance runs, and being the efficient clearing house so coastal ports can handle more export ships.

    “The Rail Network Investment Programme for 2024-2027 is now funded, meaning maintenance, network operations, asset renewals and modest improvements are funded.

    “This programme replaces decades’ old bridges, culverts, and other assets with infrastructure to last for generations to come, and provides the bedrock for growth by the commercially-funded freight operations to move our goods.

    “We have a legacy for rail freight and this builds on it. The Northland line is upgraded from Swanson to Whangārei, new locomotives and shunts are arriving, new wagons are serving customers and more are being assembled in Dunedin, and rail ferries are being secured on the Strait,” says Mr Peters.

    The Government is also funding critical network renewals in Auckland and Wellington.

    “Metro rail investment in Auckland and Wellington will improve the level of service for passengers by addressing overdue and critical renewals work,” Mr Bishop says.

    “A backlog of overdue renewals has made services less reliable, with commuters experiencing ongoing disruption in recent years. Piecemeal network maintenance has increased overall costs and has not delivered the high-performing metro rail service that our cities need to flourish.

    “The poor state of our metro networks has flow-on impacts for performance. For example, temporary speed restrictions are often needed as a safety precaution, leading to increased travel times and disrupting service schedules. 

    “The Budget investment in metro rail will continue to support delivery of modern networks that are more reliable, can be efficiently maintained, ease congestion on the busiest parts of the network, and allow for increased future demand. It will also ensure a better experience for commuters who already make 24 million journeys on the networks each year. 

    “Auckland Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council will also need to meet their fair share of costs to deliver the services we want for metro rail.”

    Editor’s notes for the metro networks and the Wairarapa:

    Recent rail investments include funding through previous Budgets and the National Land Transport Fund of:

    • $159.2 million funding to complete the Rail Network Rebuild programme in Auckland, and to address historic formation, drainage and track issues. This investment is critical to prepare the network for the opening of City Rail Link
    • $107.7 million in Budget 2024 funding for metro rail networks was split between Auckland and Wellington to address the renewals backlog and deliver more reliable services for commuters in our main cities:
      • $48.8 million for Auckland
      • $52.9 million for Wellington
      • $6 million of contingency funding to manage cost escalations on maintenance and renewal works.
    • $137.2 million for upgrades to substations on the Wellington metro rail network, to improve the reliability of services
    • $802.8 million investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail network infrastructure and rolling stock to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Proposed temporary fisheries closures at Tangoiro/Waihirere and Motuoroi, north of Gisborne

    Source: police-emblem-97

    Have your say

    Ngāti Wakarara – Ngāti Hau Takutai Kaitiaki Trust has requested 2 temporary closures at:

    1. Tangoiro/Waihirere
    2. Motuoroi.

    Both areas are north of Gisborne. If granted, the closures would prohibit the take of finfish and shellfish (including crustaceans and rock lobster) for 2 years, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996.

    The request follows a rāhui and previous temporary closures. The request states that additional time is needed for:

    • further population recovery after Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle
    • data collection over a sufficient timescale
    • to establish longer-term protection strategies.

    Fisheries New Zealand invites written submissions from anyone who has an interest in the species concerned, or in the effects of fishing in the areas.

    We are accepting submissions from 20 May until 5pm on 18 June 2025.

    Letter requesting the closures

    Tangoiro Waihirere and Motuoroi Temporary Closure Request 2025 (Redacted) [PDF, 1 MB]

    The proposed closure areas

    The area of the proposed Tangoiro/Waihirere temporary closure covers about 0.7 square kilometres and includes the fisheries waters offshore of Tangoiro and Waihirere Beachs. The proposed area excludes the rock platform at the southern end of Waihirere Beach.

    Map of the proposed Tangoiro/Waihirere temporary closure [PDF, 625 KB]

    The area of the proposed Motuoroi temporary closure covers about 1.2 square kilometres, and includes the fisheries waters between Motuoroi Island and the mainland, from the Lockwood Woolshed to south of the shore caves.

    Map of the proposed Motuoroi temporary closure [PDF, 637 KB]

    Map of both proposed temporary closures [PDF, 519 KB]

    Making your submission

    The closing date for submissions is 5pm on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

    Email your submission to FMSubmissions@mpi.govt.nz

    While we prefer email, you can post your submission to:

    Spatial Allocations
    Fisheries Management
    Fisheries New Zealand
    PO Box 2526
    Wellington 6140.

    Public notice

    A public notice about the call for submissions is scheduled to appear in the Gisborne Herald on Tuesday 20 May 2025.

    About temporary closures

    Section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996 allows the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to temporarily close an area, or temporarily restrict or prohibit the use of any fishing method in respect of an area, if satisfied that the closure, restriction, or prohibition will recognise and provide for the use and management practices of tangata whenua in the exercise of non-commercial fishing rights.

    Find out more about temporary closures

    Submissions are public information

    Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

    People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

    If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

    Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The federal government wants to boost productivity. Science can help

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna D’Alessandro, Professor & Director, Net Zero Institute, University of Sydney

    Daniel Sone/National Cancer Institute

    In the wake of Labor’s resounding victory in Australia’s federal election earlier this month, there has been much talk about flailing productivity in Australia.

    In fact, last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers made clear that the priority for the government’s second term will be to boost productivity. This crucial measure of how much we produce for every hour we work rises a little every year. But growth has slowed over the past decade.

    As part of this, the federal government has tasked the Productivity Commission with a new strategy to enhance productivity. A draft report is expected in July or August, with implementable ideas across five key pillars.

    So far, however, one part of the solution to the productivity slump has received little public attention: boosting support for scientific research.

    Productivity relies on science

    Science can help boost national economic productivity in many ways.

    For one, scientific innovation and creativity can create high value goods and services for both Australian and international markets. And translating this research into real-world economic benefits builds a workforce that combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills with business skills.

    This is important because it fosters technological innovation and supports evidence-based decision making. It also empowers individuals to solve complex problems in the face of technological change. This ultimately drives productivity growth.

    Australian scientific solutions will also need to be at the fore if the Future Made in Australia agenda is to realise its goal of stronger public-private sector relationships and a more resilient economy.

    The so-called fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, refers to the rapid digitisation and automation of manufacturing industry technologies and processes. It not only relies on science to realise the enormous opportunities of digital technologies, but also to ensure they are harnessed sustainably.

    For example, science can help address the serious concerns relating to the huge energy and resource cost of artificial intelligence.

    Recognising the role of science

    The government seems to recognise the role scientific research and innovation can play in boosting productivity.

    For example, in 2024 it fully launched the Australian Economic Accelerator, which was announced by the former Coalition government two years earlier. This scheme is designed to foster and build productivity by supporting university research in Australia that has the potential for commercialisation.

    Australia’s new national science and research priorities also highlight the crucial role of science in addressing Australia’s complex energy and environmental challenges.

    But there are still some fundamental problems in the world of science that are limiting productivity growth in Australia.

    A widening gap

    One of these problems relates to research and development – or R&D – funding.

    Australia’s investment in R&D as a percentage of gross domestic product has been declining for many years. It has dropped from 2.25% in 2008–9 to 1.68% in 2021–22. At the same time, other advanced economies have increased their R&D spending, leading to a widening gap. The OECD average is 2.7%.

    Multiple leading bodies have called out this decline as a threat to Australia’s long-term productivity. That’s because R&D spending in science fosters innovation and creativity – two major factors in productivity growth.

    Another problem is the declining support for fundamental science which isn’t done with any application in mind, but can be equally important in the long term to enhancing productivity.

    Consider the discovery of penicillin. Or of the double helix structure of DNA. These are just some scientific breakthroughs that were not initially focused on practical applications, but ultimately proved transformative.

    This kind of scientific research requires sustained support, allowing knowledge to grow. We have seen the results of this in action and its impact even more recently. Scientists had worked on mRNA vaccines for decades before the vaccine breakthrough achieved during the COVID pandemic.

    A nation at a crossroads

    Australia is at a crossroads. Simply increasing funding in the short term through measures such as Australia’s Economic Accelerator is, at best, a band-aid solution. What’s needed to properly tackle the problem is thoughtful reform and long-term, strategic planning to secure the nation’s prosperity for decades to come.

    There is some hope for this, thanks to the government’s comprehensive review of the R&D sector. This review aims to align R&D with national priorities, maximise the value of existing investments, harness public-private partnerships, and strengthen collaboration between research and industry.

    The review is engaging a wide range of stakeholders and is designed to deliver long-term transformation.

    Addressing productivity in these areas could yield substantial benefits. It could build Australia’s industrial and economic self-sufficiency. And it could broaden our field of view around productivity and how it can be boosted through long-term investment in science and R&D reforms.

    By implementing robust R&D reforms and driving productivity across all sectors, Australia can set itself up for sustained growth and international influence.

    Deanna D’Alessandro receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Kate Harrison Brennan was an Advisor to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and is a member of the Australian Labor Party.

    – ref. The federal government wants to boost productivity. Science can help – https://theconversation.com/the-federal-government-wants-to-boost-productivity-science-can-help-256567

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Personal Loans for Bad Credit – Credit Clock Rated Best In US 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Atlanta, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    If you are looking for a personal loan but having problems because of bad credit, we have you covered. We have found the best personal loan lender just for you. Our top lender has a flexible repayment period; check out Credit Clock below to learn why it’s our number one lender.

    Click Here to Apply

    With the prices of goods in the U.S. soaring while wages remain constant, many people are left at the mercy of loans due to their limited income levels. However, accessing a loan in such tough economic times can also be hectic, especially with a bad credit score.

    To help alleviate this problem, our team has scoured the personal finance market and identified a list of brokers from whom you can quickly get personal loans for bad credit without having to undergo any credit checks. This is made possible by a network of lenders that focus more on the borrower’s ability to repay the loan than credit ratings.

    Top Personal Loans for Bad Credit

    With these brokers, securing a personal loan for bad credit from these lenders is straightforward. Just click on the provided links and follow the simple application process.

    If you seek further information to make an informed choice among lenders, continue reading for an in-depth review of each option.

    1. Credit Clock: Reliable personal loans for bad credit

    Credit Clock is a unique personal loan for bad credit lenders that stands out from the rest by offering its services for 24 hours. It doesn’t have conventional and strict working hours that limit when you can apply for a personal loan for bad credit. As such, you can apply for a loan when you need it.

    With such flexible services, Credit Clock manages to keep its loans for bad credit low by having low interest rates and eliminating upfront costs and hidden charges that may add to the cost of the loan.

    Credit Clock’s online platform allows you to access personal loans for bad credit of up to $5,000. Tagging along with this lending range are the following benefits of utilizing Credit Clock’s platform:

    • Fast loan approvals.
    • Flexible loan amounts.
    • Negotiable and flexible repayment terms.
    • It has a quick and convenient application process.
    • Quick loan payouts.

    Credit Clock is a reliable personal loan for bad credit lenders with reputable lenders who see that you get the financial assistance you need when you need it most.

    What Is a Personal Loan for Bad Credit?

    A personal loan for bad credit is an unsecured financial lifeline designed for individuals with a less-than-favorable credit history, mostly characterized by a low credit score due to past financial challenges, missed payments, or defaults. For that reason, personal loans for bad credit are only offered by specialized lenders willing to work with borrowers despite their poor credit scores and ratings.

    Compared to conventional loans, personal loans for bad credit come with relatively higher interest rates. This is because lenders charge a higher rate to compensate for the increased risk associated with borrowers with subprime credit scores.

    Something else to note about personal loans for bad credit is that the loan amounts available are smaller, the repayment periods are shorter, and monthly payments are potentially higher than normal conventional loans.

    Eligibility Criteria for Personal Loans for Bad Credit

    Personal loans for bad credit, like other conventional loans, have requirements that should be met before approval, even though they differ. Below are the factors that are considered for eligibility for personal loans for bad credit:

    • Citizenship or permanent residency – You must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.
    • Age requirement – The minimum age for a personal loan to be approved is 18.
    • Verifiable income – You ought to have a verifiable and reliable source of income, be it from employment, self-employment, government benefits, or any other sources.
    • Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) – To qualify, you should have a favorable debt-to-income ratio.
    • Active bank account – You must have an active bank account, which will be used for loan disbursement and automatic repayments.
    • Contact Information – You must provide a valid phone number and/or an active email address for communication between you and the lender.

    Meeting these eligibility requirements increases your chances of approval when applying for personal loans for bad credit. As they are easy to meet, the approval rates for online personal loans for bad credit are often relatively high.

    Who Can Benefit from Personal Loans for Bad Credit?

    Throughout their existence, personal loans for bad credit have gained popularity because they cater to a diverse range of individuals, including:

    • Individuals with low credit scores – People with low credit scores often turn to personal loans for bad credit because they have difficulties qualifying for prime loans offered by traditional lenders as they are rendered high-risk borrowers, making many lenders hesitant to approve their requests.
    • Individuals with limited credit history – As borrowers with limited credit history often struggle to access traditional loans, personal loans for bad credit offer them an opportunity to establish credit and access financing, even with their limited credit profiles.
    • Borrowers with past financial difficulties – Individuals who have experienced financial setbacks like bankruptcy or foreclosure find it challenging to qualify for conventional loans. For this reason, they turn to personal loans for bad credit as they are more accessible.
    • Self-employed workers – Self-employed borrowers often contend with inconsistent income flows, and consequently, they may need to borrow funds during periods of insufficient income to cover expenses. As it may be a tough feat for them to meet the requirements of conventional loans, personal loans for bad credit offer access to financing when needed.
    • Low-income borrowers – Borrowers with low incomes frequently turn to personal loans for bad credit because they struggle to meet the debt-to-income ratio requirements associated with conventional loans. Thus, relying on personal loans for various purposes provides a more accessible financing option.

    Tips for Managing Personal Loans for Bad Credit

    When appropriately managed, personal loans for bad credit can be a powerful tool that helps you attain financial freedom and stability. Below are tips on how to manage personal loans for bad credit:

    • Create a budget – By developing a comprehensive budget that outlines your income and expenses, you get a clear picture of your financial situation and enable you to allocate funds effectively.
    • Make timely payments – Ensure you make your repayments on time to avoid late fees and penalties, which have the potential to impact your credit score negatively. You can consider setting up automatic payments or creating reminders to stay on top of due dates.
    • Cut expenses and increase income – Identifying areas where you can cut expenses and redirect those savings toward debt repayment and exploring ways to increase your income will accelerate your progress in paying off personal loans for bad credit.
    • Seek professional advice – You can seek guidance from a credit counseling agency or a financial advisor who will provide personalized strategies to help you navigate your specific debt challenges and create a manageable repayment plan.
    • Practice self-discipline and patience –By being patient and disciplined, you will be better positioned to stay committed to your debt repayment plan, which requires consistent effort and perseverance.

    By following these tips and adopting responsible financial habits, you can better manage your loans for bad credit, improve your overall financial health, and work toward achieving your financial goals.

    How Can I Effectively Use a Personal Loans for Bad Credit?

    Personal loans for bad credit offer financial assistance to individuals despite their credit challenges. Below, we will delve into some of the most common and practical ways people utilize these loans.

    • Debt consolidation – Personal loans for bad credit can combine high-interest debts and multiple loans into a single personal loan, which helps you manage your debt more effectively.
    • Emergency expenses – Personal loans for bad credit provide a financial safety net for unexpected and urgent expenses when you don’t have readily available funds.
    • Credit score improvement – Personal loans for bad credit can be used as a strategic tool to start rebuilding your credit history. This is done by borrowing responsibly and making timely payments, which will demonstrate improved financial responsibility, potentially opening up access to better loan terms.
    • Small business ventures – If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or a small business owner with bad credit, you can turn to a personal loan with bad credit to kickstart or expand your business.

    Alternatives to Bad Credit for Personal Loans

    • Secured loans – As secured loans require collateral, they often offer lower interest rates compared to unsecured personal loans, such as personal loans for bad credit.
    • Credit unions – By being a credit union member, you become eligible for loans with favorable loan terms as they have relatively lower interest rates. Additionally, credit unions may be willing to work with members with less-than-perfect credit, making them a good alternative.
    • Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending – P2P lending platforms connect borrowers with individual investors who fund loans and usually have less stringent credit requirements and lower interest rates than other lending institutions.
    • Credit counseling – Nonprofit credit counseling agencies are a go-to alternative as they provide financial advice and assistance to individuals struggling with debt. They can also help create budgets, negotiate with creditors for lower interest rates, and offer more effective debt management plans to consolidate and repay debts.
    • Negotiating with creditors – If you have existing debts, you can consider negotiating with creditors to improve your repayment terms by considering aspects such as interest rates, repayment periods, or even settlements.
    • Building credit – By improving your credit, you will, over time, become eligible for more favorable loan options with better terms than personal loans for bad credit.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can personal loans for bad credit be used to start or invest in a small business?

    Yes, some borrowers use personal loans to launch or support small businesses. However, assessing the risks and considering alternative business financing options is important, especially if more significant amounts are needed.

    What should I do if I suspect I’ve been offered a predatory loan with excessively high interest rates?

    If you believe you’ve encountered a predatory lending situation, consult a financial advisor or legal expert to understand your rights and explore potential remedies. You can also report predatory lending practices to regulatory authorities.

    Can I use a personal loan for bad credit to pay off my tax debt?

    Yes, personal loans can be used to pay off tax debt. However, it’s essential to compare the interest rate on a loan with the potential interest and penalties from unpaid taxes to determine if it’s financially beneficial.

    Is there a difference between personal loans for bad credit and payday loans?

    Yes, there’s a significant difference. Personal loans for bad credit typically have longer terms and lower interest rates than short-term payday and high-interest loans.

    Company Name: Payday Ventures Ltd (trading as Credit Clock)
    Email: business@paydayventures.com
    Phone: +44 208 064 1293

    Disclaimers & Disclosures

    Editorial Independence & Liability Notice
    The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice or an endorsement of any specific product or service. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness, no guarantee is made regarding the validity or reliability of the information presented. In the event of factual errors, outdated content, or inaccuracies, all parties involved in the publication and distribution of this content — including syndication partners — are held harmless. This article may contain errors or omissions and is subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the reader to verify all product terms with the relevant lender or service provider prior to taking any action.

    Age & Status Requirements
    Loan products discussed are available only to individuals aged 18 and over. All offers are subject to eligibility, verification of personal and financial status, and additional checks performed by the lender.

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    This website operates strictly as a loan connection service and is not a lender. Credit Clock does not make any credit decisions, does not issue loans or lines of credit, and does not determine loan terms. The service utilizes proprietary algorithms to match users with lenders based on their application details, preferences, and lender availability. The operator of the site does not charge consumers any fee for this matching service.

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    Loan Availability & Options
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    Representative APR & Loan Terms
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: From the Liver King to ultramarathons, fitness influencers are glorifying extreme masculinity where ‘pain is the point’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Cornell, PhD Candidate in Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

    Netflix/Untold: The Liver King

    A new Netflix documentary about a shirtless supplement salesman who claimed to be “natural” and was exposed as a fraud might seem like a punchline.

    But Untold: The Liver King is more than just a character study of a well-known fitness influencer; it’s a case study of performative masculinity in the world of social media.

    Brian Johnson, better known as the Liver King, built a brand on extreme workouts, eating raw organ meat, and evangelising about masculinity. He preached “ancestral living” and radical self-control, all while secretly using steroids.

    And his rapid rise to popularity reveals how social media rewards the spectacle of hypermasculinity – especially when it leans into extreme behaviours.

    Extreme self-discipline, extreme exercise, extreme eating and extreme “wellness” have all become forms of public performance on social media.

    From influencers pushing steroids or “wellness” lifestyles, to the growing popularity of ultramarathons, a new model of masculinity is going viral: control your body, grit through pain, workout hard, and make sure everyone hears about it.

    The rise of ‘discipline content’

    Social media apps and websites such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, are flooded with content that frames pain and extreme physical effort as markers of masculine worth.

    One analysis of male fitness YouTubers found they established authority and discipline through a mix of visible physical strength and affiliations with commercial fitness brands. In some cases, the influencers explicitly listed their personal records or showcased their physique post-training as proof of their “masculinity” and discipline.



    Read more:
    Why banning gym selfies could do us all a lot of good

    Influencers also often frame extreme leanness and muscularity as indicators of moral virtue and discipline, even when achieving it has taken a negative physical or mental toll on them. The look of discipline has become more valuable than the outcome of it.

    Posts are often wrapped in the language of “resilience”, “discipline” and militaristic rhetoric. Men are told to “go to war” in the gym, to “stay hard”, and to generally treat life like a battlefield.

    What’s being sold isn’t stoicism: it’s pseudo-stoicism – a term researchers have coined to describe emotional suppression masquerading as strength and discipline.

    Pain is the point

    Strava’s 2023 Year in Sport report found Gen Z athletes are 31% less likely to exercise for health reasons compared to older generations. Instead, they are more likely to train with a focus on athletic performance – that is, to push their physical limits, improve metrics such as speed or distance, and outperform others.

    The same report shows a surge in extreme endurance activity. Compared to 2023 data, uploads (activities shared with others) of gravel bike rides grew 55%, trail runs grew 16%, and ultramarathon-style workouts grew by 9%.

    Take Nedd Brockmann, who ran across Australia in 2022, and last year ran 1,600 kilometres in ten days to raise money for charity – all while sharing his self-imposed physical torture.

    Or take the countless fitness content creators pushing themselves through punishing routines for the camera.

    These cases reflect a deeper shift of fitness being turned into spectacle, wherein suffering becomes a sign of legitimacy, and pain is “proof” that you’re serious.

    Such extreme content, which is often visually striking, can also be pushed by social media algorithms. Research shows how social media platforms systematically boost content that is intense, emotionally charged, and morally loaded.



    Read more:
    Get big or die trying: social media is driving men’s use of steroids. Here’s how to mitigate the risks

    In other words, posts that provoke a reaction are more likely to get promoted. And
    content relating to “wellness” extremism is designed to provoke, as it is visceral, performative, and packed with motivational and self-help anecdotes.

    Why this matters

    This is a potential public health issue.

    Social media platforms amplify and monetise these performances, often pushing the most extreme content to the top. And influencers make money, above the money made from directly these platforms, from selling supplements, gear and coaching plans. At the same time, they act in more and more extreme ways to get further amplified by algorithms.

    The risks of this dynamic, for both the viewers and creators, are very real. They range from hormone damage, to mental and physical decline, to injury, and even death.

    But there is also a deeper ideological harm, as young men are fed a narrow and punishing idea of what it means to be a man. They are taught pain equals purpose, and that if you’re not suffering, you’re not trying.

    Where to from here?

    Public health agencies need to reckon with this form of digital hypermasculinity.

    Extreme fitness influencers aren’t just poor role models; they’re the product of a system that profits from insecurity and spectacle. The goal shouldn’t be to ban or censor this content. But we do need to challenge its dominance, and offer alternatives.

    That means engaging young men in offline spaces, such as the Tomorrow Man project, where they have an outlet for community and relationship building.

    It means creating counter-narratives that don’t mock, but model, healthier versions of ambition and masculinity. For instance, the Movember campaign’s podcast Dad in Progress explores the various challenges and experiences faced by new dads.

    It also means holding platforms accountable for the way they amplify extreme content.

    In the absence of healthier narratives, self-flagellation is the only thing young men will have to aspire to.

    Samuel Cornell has received funding from Meta Platforms, Inc. His research is supported by a University of New South Wales Sydney, University Postgraduate Award.

    – ref. From the Liver King to ultramarathons, fitness influencers are glorifying extreme masculinity where ‘pain is the point’ – https://theconversation.com/from-the-liver-king-to-ultramarathons-fitness-influencers-are-glorifying-extreme-masculinity-where-pain-is-the-point-256817

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ Budget 2025: anything less than a 5% increase in health funding amounts to merely standing still

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Professor of Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Health Minister Simeon Brown. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

    Minister of Health Simeon Brown claimed earlier this year that health funding in New Zealand has never been higher and that suggestions of underfunding are “fake news”.

    On the bare statistics, Brown isn’t wrong. The allocation to Vote Health has indeed increased from NZ$18.2 billion in 2018-19 to $29.6 billion in the 2024-25 budget.

    Yet for many working in the publicly-funded health system things have never seemed so bad, with daily stories of under-staffing and increasing levels of stress.

    So, how much should the government be spending on health? Any answer needs to factor in the broader context of the health system, and where we sit historically and comparatively.

    The health system is subject to significant cost pressures, few of which are unique to New Zealand. People are generally living longer, but more of that longer life span is spent in ill health.

    At the same time, New Zealand’s population profile has changed significantly over the past 40 years. There is a lower proportion of working-age people paying income tax to support those who are older.

    Technological advances, on balance, drive up health expenditure – more is possible, so more is expected. And compared with other parts of the economy, health services are labour-intensive.

    Around two thirds of health expenditure is on staff, and health workforce shortages are a global problem (again, driven by demographic change). All these factors mean health costs rise faster than inflation.

    Taking all of this into account, a recent health economics analysis calculated that to continue to deliver the same level of service in the United Kingdom (which has very similar health system characteristics to New Zealand), public spending on health would need to increase by 2.8% in real terms (above inflation) each year.

    Then we need to factor in population growth, which has recently been between 1.5% and 2% per year in New Zealand. In this context, a 4-5% increase in Vote Health amounts to merely standing still.

    People are living longer, but more of that longer life is spent in ill health.
    Getty Images

    Long-term deterioration

    We also need to put our current situation in historical and international context.

    The most appropriate indicator for international comparison is “publicly mandated health expenditure” (PMHE) as a percentage of GDP, as this excludes private expenditure (private health insurance and “out of pocket” payments).

    Total health spending typically constitutes 10-12% of GDP in high-income countries, and PMHE is typically around 8%. In the 2010s, however, New Zealand’s PMHE dropped from 7.8% (2012) to 7% of GDP (2017). Meanwhile, Australia, Canada and the UK all remained at or above 8% during that time.

    This represents a significant long-term deterioration which heightened the stress on our health system before and after the COVID pandemic.

    Even when our PMHE as a percentage of GDP is comparable to Australia and other countries, our per-capita health expenditure is significantly less because our GDP per-capita is lower.

    The most significant budget boost in recent years was in 2022. But this was largely soaked up by pay rises for health professionals that resulted from underfunding during the 2010s.

    The current government finds itself in a very tight spot. This is partly because of international economic conditions and demographic trends, but also due to self-imposed constraints.

    Even in such a large budget, there’ll be little room for major initiatives in health unless savings are found from existing areas. That is rarely feasible in health. As is true in most years, there could be up to three big-ticket items. If so, what should they be?

    What Budget 2025 should include

    First, the government needs to boost capital expenditure in health. A recent analysis by the UK Institute for Government shows that public service productivity, including in the health sector, fell sharply during and after the COVID pandemic. The New Zealand treasury reported similar productivity declines.

    The UK report concluded these declines were primarily due to physical capacity constraints – clinical staff can’t be more productive when there is not enough physical space and diagnostic equipment.

    Earlier this month, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a $400 million increase in the annual capital allowance across all of government. Let’s see how much of the total $4 billion capital allowance is channelled into health.

    A second priority should be primary healthcare. Here, the health minister has already announced a range of initiatives, headlined by $285 million of additional performance-based funding over three years. This is a welcome commitment, and the most significant boost in primary care funding since the mid-2000s.

    However, it’s unlikely this will redress erosion over the past 20 years of primary care “capitation” funding (the amount a GP practice receives per enrolled patient).

    This funding formula also needs to be modernised to better reflect where needs are highest and account for rising acuity and complexity of conditions in primary healthcare. This would relieve some pressures on hospital emergency departments and medical wards.

    Third, investment to retain and attract health workers across the whole sector is vital. Given the demographic and epidemiological changes, proactively preparing for a mid-21st-century health workforce will require funding to support emerging models of health services, particularly in primary and community settings, including programmes such as Access and Choice and comprehensive primary and community care teams.

    These priorities, and any government commitment to them in Budget 2025, must be understood against the backdrop of sustained historical underfunding.

    The government is likely to claim health is a big winner in Budget 2025. Unless increases are significantly greater than 5%, such a claim will bring little respite to the health sector.

    In any case, the race that counts is a marathon, not a sprint. New Zealand is well back in the field, struggling not to lose further ground.

    Tim Tenbensel receives funding from the New Zealand Health Research Council.

    – ref. NZ Budget 2025: anything less than a 5% increase in health funding amounts to merely standing still – https://theconversation.com/nz-budget-2025-anything-less-than-a-5-increase-in-health-funding-amounts-to-merely-standing-still-255593

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘No pain, no gain’: why some primary students are following intense study routines

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christina Ho, Associate professor in Social and Political Sciences, University of Technology Sydney

    MNStudio/ Shutterstock

    Every year, thousands of New South Wales students sit a test to determine places for highly sought-after selective high schools. These are academically selective public schools often associated with high Year 12 scores.

    While there has long been a level of expectation around selective school entrance, the most recent round of testing has shone a fresh light on the pressures some young people are experiencing.

    Media reports have described some students studying for 18 months to prepare for the selective school test, with multiple sessions of tutoring each week.

    Earlier this month, police were called to control crowds at two testing centres as parents and students from one session overlapped with another. This is also the first year the tests have been done online and there were technical difficulties as students tried to complete exams.

    One exam invigilator told The Sydney Morning Herald about the stress they witnessed among students.

    We were dealing with kids who were freaking out and totally traumatised by what was going on. You could not make up a worse nightmare than what we went through that day.

    It’s not surprising children were upset. The pressure to perform well on test day is enormous. As my previous research has found, some families believe entry into a selective school will secure their child’s future.

    As my new research with colleagues suggests, this sees some families place huge pressure on students to study and prepare for academic tests in primary school.

    Not just a NSW thing

    Most (albeit not all) of Australia’s selective schools are in NSW.

    But there is pressure around other tests in the primary years. There are similar levels of competition for lucrative private school scholarships around Australia, which children sit as early as Year 3. Many of these are determined by centralised tests.

    Tutoring companies also offer programs for primary students preparing for NAPLAN tests in Year 3 and Year 5, as well as the “opportunity class” test in NSW (for an academically selective stream for Year 5 and 6).

    Our research

    In ongoing, as yet unpublished research on education cultures among migrant communities in Sydney, colleagues and I are focusing on 38 families with children in upper primary school.

    In 2022 and 2023, we interviewed students, parents and teachers at six schools in high and low income areas of Sydney. All schools included large numbers of Asian migrants, allowing us to compare different groups’ approaches to education.

    While not necessarily representative of all Asian migrant families, or all families with school-aged children in general, we found intensive preparation for the selective test was common in this group, especially among those students already enrolled in an opportunity class.

    The tutoring routine

    Many students preparing for the selective test told us they attended private tutoring three or more days per week, in addition to completing home based study. Some had begun this routine up to 12 months before to the test.

    One mother, whose son attended tutoring every day, at three different centres, on top of two hours of daily homework, told us,

    That’s how we prepare for selective […] You need to be methodical […] no pain, no gain.

    Other parents explained they resorted to private tutoring because schools did not teach what was needed to succeed in the selective tests.

    Not only do children spend afternoons, evenings and weekends in tutoring centres, they are also often giving up most if not all recreational, sporting and other extracurricular activities, narrowing their focus to acing the test.

    Families also postpone holidays, outings and other potential distractions. Many of our student participants aiming for a selective school told us they never socialised with their friends outside of school time.

    Sometimes they even neglected their school work so as to focus on the selective test. One teacher told us many of her students were absent from school in the week prior to the test, to ramp up their preparation.

    How does this impact students?

    This culture of extreme study and competitive schooling raises profound questions about the implications for student wellbeing. Some students spoke about their fatigue. As one student said:

    I work up to late at night. So sometimes I feel drowsy and I yawn a bit and have water in my eyes.

    Their teachers also expressed concern about insufficient sleep and heightened stress caused by the pressure to get into a selective school. They described students’ tears if they were not successful when the results came out.

    One teacher said he had a “blanket rule” of not talking about the tests in the classroom, because his students were so preoccupied with ensuring they were doing enough preparation.

    Other teachers reflected on students’ fear of taking risks because of the culture of perfectionism associated with scoring and ranking through tests.

    Some students stop doing other activites to prepare for the selective schools test.
    Maria Sbytova/ Shutterstock

    What does the research say?

    International research shows an association between high-stakes testing in primary years and issues with children’s mental health and academic confidence. There is also a negative association with students’ achievement in maths and literacy. That is, students who experience pressured exams were more likely to experience anxiety and depression, and not do as well in core subjects as those who did not experience this pressure.

    Some parents in our study expressed concern for their child’s wellbeing. But others saw stress a positive sign of engagement and commitment, and necessary for securing the all important place in a selective school.

    Given many are recent migrants, without established networks in Australia, and fearful of racial discrimination against their children, they believe education to be the most crucial foundation for future success.

    However, we need more research on the impacts of these parental aspirations and anxieties on the next generation. And a broader discussion about the benefits of selecting some students – who may have benefited from extensive and expensive private tutoring – to go to separate, high-performing government schools.

    Megan Watkins, Greg Noble and Alexandra Wong all contributed to the research on migrant families mentioned in this article, as part of a larger Australian Research Council-funded project.

    Christina Ho received funding from the Australian Research Council to conduct this research.

    – ref. ‘No pain, no gain’: why some primary students are following intense study routines – https://theconversation.com/no-pain-no-gain-why-some-primary-students-are-following-intense-study-routines-256815

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –