Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) led a group of 20 senators in introducing a resolution to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility and recognize the achievements and courage of the transgender community around the world.
“International Transgender Day of Visibility is about celebrating the transgender community around the world – their achievements, their courage, and their right to live freely and openly,” said Senator Schatz. “It’s also about raising awareness of the discrimination trans people continue to face, especially under the Trump administration. While the progress we’ve made on trans rights is under threat, we won’t stop fighting until there’s full acceptance and equality for all.”
Schatz’s resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.).
The resolution is supported by Advocates for Trans Equality, Advocates for Human Rights, American Federation of Teachers, AIDS United, Amnesty International USA, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network, CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers, Equality California, GLSEN, Human Rights Campaign, Interfaith Alliance, Just Detention International, Kentucky Youth Law Project, Inc., LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin, Maryland Communities United, Movement Advancement Project, National LGBTQI+ Bar Association, National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network, National Black Justice Coalition, North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ+ Youth, PFLAG National, People Power United, Point of Pride, Popular Connection Action Fund, Popular Democracy, Positive Women’s Network-USA, Pride at Work – Hawai‘i, Silver State Equality, Transathlete, and Trevor Project.
A similar resolution was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) and co-led by U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.).
The full text of Schatz’s resolution is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the passing of educator and community leader Mary Matayoshi.
“Hawai?i has lost a remarkable leader in Mary Matayoshi, a woman whose legacy is defined by her deep belief in the moral responsibility of service, education, and leadership. There is nobody that made a bigger impact over a longer period of time on behalf of Hawai‘i’s social safety net than her.
“Nobody ever wanted to disappoint Mary because she moved through non-profit, governmental, political, and cultural communities with total moral clarity. She was always one of the keepers of the flame of the aloha spirit.
“Her legacy is not just in the programs she helped build but in the communities she strengthened and the people she mentored and inspired – myself included.
“I extend my deepest sympathy and aloha to the Matayoshi ‘ohana. May her memory be a blessing.”
IWO TO, Japan– Veterans, families, active-duty U.S. Marines and Sailors, Japan Self Defense Force members, and U.S. and Japanese dignitaries gathered for the 80th Annual Reunion of Honor at Iwo To, Japan on March 29. The event, held on the year of the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps, was a memorial to the selfless service, sacrifice, and valor exhibited during the Battle of Iwo Jima.
April’s midtown street party on Thursday 17 April is packed full of art, music, food, live painting and stories. It will also celebrate street culture now, and from decades past.
Midtown’s monthly street parties are enabled by Auckland Council to build vibrancy and support local businesses in the newly-emerging neighbourhood around Te Waihorotiu Station, with funds from the city centre targeted rate.
But there’s a unique, exciting and mysterious layer added to April’s party line-up.
On the way to or from the street party on 17 April, Aucklanders are encouraged to stroll to Durham Lane West and Airedale Street to witness street art they might never have noticed before.
Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes Jenny Larking is thrilled to be throwing light on a hidden collection of art history in these little-known locations.
“Standing in one single spot it’s possible to take in the city’s oldest existing piece of graffiti culture, a mid-1990s view of place, and a contemporary portrayal of what our feet stand on beneath the central city.
“Some of these artworks are a celebration of Te Waihorotiu stream, which flows underground, a treasured stream that’s also honoured in the name of the new station taking shape in the area,” she says.
Etched into the walls of our city, street culture never grows old. Here’s more about this unique urban experience:
Durham Lane West
Lane Change by John Radford 1995 – in Durham Lane West.
Artist John Radford’s Lane Change, on the wall of an underpass off Durham Lane West, remembers a slice of Auckland’s history. The artwork cements a replica façade of an 1880s building, which was in Shortland Street, into the wall.
Directly opposite Lane Change is a John Radford mural ‘…that was then, and that was then…’ completed in 1994 in this backstreet shrine to street culture.
This artwork also explores themes of buildings past. Both artworks were funded from a donation by a property development company responsible for a large development in the area at the time, part of Auckland City Council’s incentive scheme for the creation of public art and public spaces by private companies.
In ‘…that was then, and that was then…’ words and phrases overlap and intersect to represent the passage of time. The words draw from Auckland’s history and include the names of Māori pā sites, natural features, and local businesses that have been built over and around in the landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau.
In 2010 an unknown contractor inadvertently painted over the mural. The artist, John Radford, restored the work leaving some of the grey paint to add to the evolution and meaning of the artwork.
“I think it adds to the look of the work. There are now more traces of layers on the wall,” the artist told The Aucklander at the time.
Queen Street City Beat 1986 by Opto & Dick Clique (Otis and Dick Frizzell).
Walk further into the underpass and discover the Queen Street City Beat mural created in 1986 by Opto & Dick Clique (Otis and Dick Frizzell).
In 1986, 15-year-old Otis Frizzell recruited his well-known artist father as free labour to help him with this historic graffiti mural painted in the alleyway. Otis recalls the council of the time wanted to brighten up the inner city and he was commissioned to create the mural.
The only real graffiti art reference available at the time was the movie Beat Street, so the artist wrote QUEEN STREET CITY BEAT. The mural depicts a characterisation of Queen Street at the time featuring recognisable buildings – the Classic Cinema, Auckland Town Hall, Keans Jeans, the neon cowboy and McDonalds.
Otis Frizzell says: “I’m stoked to get a chance to breathe some new life into this old mural. Of course when I painted this with my Dad back in ’86 I had no idea it would last so long, and eventually become one of the oldest existing Street Art pieces in Aotearoa.”
Opposite the Frizzell work is Holly Mafaufau’s Tāmaki Makaurau completed in 2024.
Holly enjoys the conceptual, problem-solving aspect of design and takes a similar approach to the walls she paints. She says that words are weapons, and public walls are an opportunity to speak to people.
“This artwork acknowledges the historic bodies of water of the area and their importance in the provision of kai (food). It was created with the intention to soften a hard urban space while contributing to the collection of existing artworks in this space,” Holly says.
Airedale Street
Artist Poi Ngawati.
Exciting new artworks curated by Ross Liew for Auckland Council have transformed the Airedale Street steps, a popular pathway between Auckland University of Technology and Queen Street.
A mural has been created by artist Poi Ngawati (Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Patupo, Ngāti Whawhaki, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine).
Titled Te Huinga Tai – The gathering of tides, this vibrant piece of street art talks about the meeting of tides from all around the world. Depicted via a modern Māori stylised pūhoro design, the work reflects five key values; people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity and serve our world.
The north facing walls are painted in shades of violet purple and the south facing walls shades of teal. This colour combination speaks of day and night, light and dark, and how the waters of Te Waihorotiu continue to flow beneath the streets.
Accompanying the mural is a new collaborative light work suspended in the tree above, created by Poi Ngawati and Angus Muir to complete the transformation of this space. The design speaks to the connection between the stars, ocean, and iwi guiding our journeys and shaping our stories.
The flowing forms represent rain, linking Ranginui and Papatūānuku. By day, it moves with the environment; by night, it connects to the stars above.
Read about the full midtown street party programme atOurAuckland.
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the deaths of two people at a residential property on Palliser Road, Roseneath, Wellington.
About 10.25pm on Monday, a concerned family member asked Police to carry out a welfare check on the occupants of the Palliser Road home. The officers who responded saw a need to force entry to the address, where they found two people deceased.
Based on the results of a scene examination and other enquiries, we will be referring the case to the Coroner.
Post-mortems were completed today, and Police will continue to have a presence in the area as we work to understand the reasoning behind this tragic incident.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have information that can help our enquiries, and anyone with residential CCTV that captures traffic movements in the Roseneath area, particularly on Palliser Road and surrounding streets, is asked to contact us.
Please update us online now or call 105, and reference the file number 250401/2474 or “Operation Palliser”.
Police are continuing to provide support to next of kin.
The National Government’s choices have contributed to a slow-down in the building sector, as thousands of people have lost their jobs in construction.
Statistics released today show 33,595 new homes were consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended February 2025, down 7.4 percent compared with the year ended February 2024.
“These numbers show the worst February for home consents since 2012,” Labour housing and infrastructure spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said.
“Building consents plummeted after the Government came in, stopped building Kāinga Ora houses and cut $1.5 billion from the public house building and maintenance fund.
“A lack of certainty around funding has also contributed to stagnating community housing so the pace of builds isn’t meeting need. The Government has only funded 1,500 new social housing places from July 2025.
“The Government has also reintroduced interest deductibility, which removes the incentive for the private sector to invest in new builds. As of yesterday, property investors can claim 100 percent of the interest back on their mortgage due to a $2.9 billion landlord tax break.
“Not only do these numbers mean fewer houses, it also means less work for the building and construction sector. New Zealand has lost more than 13,000 construction workers since this Government took over.
“Chris Bishop has talked a great lot of fluff about more homes, but it’s a pity he’s not great at getting them built,” Kieran McAnulty said.
As Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City and region of Gastronomy, the latest Djaa Djuwima celebrates First Nations bush tucker through a range of traditional and contemporary creative works.
The exhibition Dhelk Djakitj, which means nourishing food in Dja Dja Wurrung language, is inspired by bush tucker – the food, the people, Country and stories that bring them together.
This is the first exhibition for newly appointed Djaa Djuwima Curator and Arts Officer First Nations Michellie Charvat.
Twelve talented artists are exhibiting their work in Dhelk Djakitj following a recent visit to the Me-Mandook Galk education place in Chewton where the bush tucker farm Nalderun is located.
Ms Charvat said she was delighted to be involved at the start of the creative process with exhibitors.
“It was a wonderful visit to Me-Mandook Galk education place which inspired the artists in so many different ways,” Ms Charvat said.
“The artists had the opportunity to learn about the bush tucker that Nalderun is growing and harvesting, to ask questions and gain a great deal of inspiration from the farm and surrounding area on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
“They then developed their artworks to reflect their diverse experience, personal connections to bush tucker through traditional and contemporary art forms such as painting on canvas, digital art printed, creating coolamons out of traditional and natural fibres or contemporary craft forms such as beading.
“The free exhibition is a brilliant display of artworks exploring bush tucker and the personal connections to food and culture,” Ms Charvat said.
“It is also a wonderful collaboration, celebrating the region’s designation as Australia’s first Creative City of Gastronomy at Djaa Djuwima.
“Djaa Djuwima is important in the spirit of reconciliation because it offers the opportunity for visitors and local residents to experience the diverse local First Nations peoples and artists’ exploration of their own culture and identity through their art forms. Djaa Djuwima means to show and share Country and was established on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in 2022.”
The community is welcome to attend the opening of Dhelk Djakitj tomorrow, Thursday April 3 from 5pm to 6.30pm at Djaa Djuwima.
The free exhibition is open until September 2025. Djaa Djuwima is located in the Bendigo Visitor Centre, Pall Mall and is open 9am to 4.30pm daily (except Christmas Day).
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines – Soldiers of the Philippine Army 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions and U.S. Army Soldiers from the Cross-Domain Effects Company (CDEC), 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment (Task Force Gimlet), 25th Infantry Division, participated in a subject matter expert exchange on mortar operations during Salaknib 25 at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, on March 27, 2025.
HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that Ryan “Junior” Guzman, 40, of Honolulu, Hawaii, was sentenced today in federal court by Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson to 170 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.
As part of his prior guilty plea, Guzman admitted that on March 13, 2023, he distributed one pound of methamphetamine to a third party in the Magic Island parking lot in downtown Honolulu. He also admitted that in June 2024, he possessed a privately made firearm, known as a “ghost gun,” loaded with 15 hollow point rounds. Guzman further admitted he possessed that firearm in connection with his methamphetamine trafficking.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Honolulu Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
Headline: Panasonic Energy Joins the Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership
Osaka, Japan – April 2, 2025 – Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd. (“Panasonic Energy”), a Panasonic Group Company, is pleased to announce that the company joined the Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (“JCLP”)1, a coalition of companies aiming to realize a sustainable, decarbonized society, as a supporting member on April 1, 2025.
Since its establishment in 2022, Panasonic Energy has been committed to its mission of “Achieving a society in which the pursuit of happiness and a sustainable environment are harmonized free of conflict.” The Company aims to turn all of its sites into zero-CO2 factories2 by the fiscal year ending March 2029. It has been accelerating decarbonization efforts throughout the value chain in collaboration with its business partners. The JCLP’s philosophy and activity policy align with Panasonic Energy’s vision on sustainability. Panasonic Energy will deepen its knowledge through participating in JCLP activities, further promote decarbonization by leveraging the expertise gained, and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
1: Japan Climate Leaders’ Partnership (JCLP)This is a unique coalition of Japanese companies established in 2009 based on the recognition that the industrial sector should have a healthy sense of crisis and begin to take proactive action to realize a sustainable, decarbonized society. It aims to encourage members to become companies that are needed by society by leading the transition to a decarbonized society.URL: https://japan-clp.jp/en
2: Zero-CO2 factoriesFactories that have achieved virtually zero CO2 emissions by conserving energy, introducing renewable energy, and using credits, etc.
This aerial photo taken on Dec. 15, 2023 shows the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in south China. [Photo/Xinhua] A Chinese government spokesperson on Tuesday strongly opposed and sternly condemned the so-called U.S. “Hong Kong Policy Act Report,” and the so-called sanctions on relevant officials of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government. The spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council denounced the so-called report, which smears and vilifies Hong Kong’s national security legislation, and the so-called sanctions, as “mere pieces of waste paper.” The egregious act of the United States has grossly trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations, interfered in China’s internal affairs including those related to Hong Kong, and infringed on the rule of law and judicial independence of Hong Kong, said the spokesperson. This once again exposed the hegemonic mentality and hysterical behavior of the United States to the whole world, the spokesperson added. The national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance have strengthened the legal barrier for Hong Kong to ensure national security, enhanced the solid foundation for the steady and continued success of the “one country, two systems” policy, and protected the law-based rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents under a safe environment, the spokesperson said. The United States has repeatedly violated freedom, democracy and human rights under the pretext of national security, the spokesperson said, adding that rather than reflecting upon itself, the United States points fingers at the legitimate actions of the Hong Kong SAR to safeguard national security. This lays bare the U.S. hypocrisy and double-standard as well as its vicious intention of destabilizing Hong Kong to contain China, said the spokesperson. The so-called report and sanctions by the U.S. can not shake the determination of the Chinese central government and the Hong Kong SAR government to safeguard national security and the rule of law in Hong Kong, stressed the spokesperson. Hong Kong’s increasingly secure and stable development environment continues to attract growing investment from global capital and businesses. A series of economic and financial events held in Hong Kong over the past week had gathered a number of top international investors, demonstrating the global community’s confidence in the city, the spokesperson said. The Chinese central government has always firmly supported the Hong Kong SAR in safeguarding national security and its prosperity and stability according to the law, the spokesperson said, stressing that it also resolutely supports relevant officials of the Hong Kong SAR government in fulfilling their duties according to the law, and spares no effort in protecting their legitimate rights and interests. Any attempt to block the progress of the cause of “one country, two systems” will be vigorously countered, said the spokesperson.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MOSCOW, April 1 — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called on Russia and China to consistently enhance their strategic cooperation amid global turbulence.
Putin made the remarks when meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in the Kremlin.
During the meeting, Putin conveyed his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed satisfaction over the effective implementation of the consensus reached between the two countries’ heads of state.
He noted that Russia-China relations continue to develop at a high level, with practical cooperation deepening in various fields and the ongoing “Russia-China Year of Culture” generating enthusiastic public support, further solidifying the foundation of bilateral friendship.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War this year, Putin extended an invitation for Chinese representatives to attend commemorative events in Russia.
He emphasized the shared historical significance of celebrating victories over Nazi fascism and Japanese militarism, stating that Russia is fully making preparations for the occasion.
He added that this milestone should propel Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and strengthen multilateral collaboration within frameworks such as the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS.
Amid global turbulence, Putin stressed the need for both nations to consistently send a strong signal of enhanced strategic coordination to the world.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, conveyed warm regards from Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Putin.
He highlighted that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have matured into a resilient and stable partnership characterized by deepening political trust, closer strategic alignment, and sustained practical cooperation.
This cooperation, he noted, has safeguarded both nations’ development and shared interests in major international and regional affairs.
Wang said that China-Russia collaboration “never targets third parties” and remains impervious to external interference, emphasizing that the relationship will “keep broadening, not stagnate”, with a vision oriented to the long-term future.
He recalled that over 80 years ago, the peoples of China and the Soviet Union fought tenaciously on the Asian and European fronts, sacrificing immensely to defeat Japanese militarism and Nazi fascism, thereby contributing decisively to global peace.
Today, as pivotal stabilizing forces in a turbulent world, China and Russia must jointly uphold the outcomes of World War II, defend the post-war international order, and reinforce the United Nations’ central role in the global system.
Both countries, he said, are committed to advancing multilateralism and democratizing international relations.
He said that the two countries have aligned their plans to support each other’s 80th-anniversary commemorative events, expressing confidence that the leaders’ engagements this year will further promote bilateral ties.
During his visit, Wang also held multiple rounds of talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss bilateral and international issues.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 01, 2025
In her remarks, the Senator said: “The lives of servicemembers and the future of our national security depends on expert, qualified leaders who understand their decisions have real life-or-death consequences”
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—secured a commitment from President Trump’s nominee to serve as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant General Dan Caine, to ensure legally-required oversight and accountability of military decisions in light of SignalGate demonstrating Trump Administration officials’ deeply troubling pattern of using unclassified and unaccountable backchannels that jeopardize the safety of our servicemembers. A day after the White House declared SignalGate “case closed” and that no one on the Signal chain would lose their jobs for breaching our national security, Duckworth outlined how this Administration has been corruptly mishandling our nation’s secrets. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on YouTube.
“The Trump Administration has shown they are more interested in keeping secrets from the American people than protecting national security secrets for the American people,” said Duckworth. “The need for secrecy to enable mission success does not mean skirting accountability to the American people. It is unacceptable that Elon Musk received invitations for briefings on China, that senior Trump officials use disappearing Signal chats to make sensitive decisions and that Secretary Hegseth brought family members into classified meetings with allies and partners. Lieutenant General Caine needs to break this cycle and provide the legally required transparency to Congress and the American people over decisions related to the use of force—and I plan to hold him accountable to ensure he keeps his word that he will.”
Duckworth has slammed the Trump Administration for purging qualified, top military leadership including then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles C.Q. Brown. Since he was first nominated, Duckworth has made it clear that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is unqualified to lead our men and women in uniform. During Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, Duckworth demonstrated some of the areas where he lacks the experience or knowledge that any serious Defense Secretary nominee should have, grilling him on basic questions that he failed to answer. She asked him if he ever led an audit, and he would not confirm. She asked him to describe at least one of the main international security agreements a Secretary of Defense is responsible for leading, and he could not name any. She asked him to name at least one nation that is a part of ASEAN, an organization with several member states who have mutual defense treaties, alliances or enhanced defense cooperation agreements with the US, but none of the three countries he named are part of the organization.
After The Atlantic reported that Hegseth sent classified war plans in a Signal group chat with other Trump Administration officials, putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at greater risk and undermining the effectiveness of the mission, Duckworth released a statement demanding his resignation and calling him a “f*cking liar.”
Last week, Duckworth joined fellow SASC member Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and 14 other Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), SASC and SFRC to hold hearings to investigate why members of President Trump’s national security team were recklessly discussing classified military operations on unsecured devices. In the letter, the Senators also criticized the incompetence and carelessness of how these Trump officials mishandled the situation and inadvertently added a journalist to the group chat. Additionally, Duckworth joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 12 of her colleagues in demanding answers from President Trump about what disciplinary action will be taken in response to SignalGate and emphasized that the Administration is in direct violation of the Presidential Records Act.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
April 01, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—along with SVAC Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) called out the White House for declaring SignalGate—the most devastating and significant national security breach in years—“case-closed” without holding any senior Administration officials responsible for leaking classified information through an unclassified communications channel, putting the lives of our servicemembers at greater risk. In her remarks, Duckworth called on Republicans to join her in demanding congressional hearings and an independent investigation to look into the Trump officials on the Signal chat—urging her colleagues on the other side of the aisle to remember that they serve the people of this country, not Donald Trump’s ego. Full video of the presser is available on Twitter/X, Facebook and Senator Duckworth’s YouTube.
“It is outrageous that Donald Trump is trying to sweep SignalGate under the rug—declaring this egregious national security breach ‘case closed’ with absolutely no repercussions for anyone involved—after Pete Hegseth and others in the Administration put our troops—and our national security—at even greater risk,” said Senator Duckworth. “If Republicans actually care about our troops like they proclaim, they must do the bare minimum and join me in demanding an independent investigation as well as hearings looking into every official who was on that Signal chat—and Trump must fire Hegseth immediately for leaking classified information. With each second Hegseth remains Secretary of Defense, his incompetence emboldens our adversaries, weakens our national security and makes Americans less safe.”
“The Trump Administration’s reckless Signal chat security breach is appalling and chillingly dangerous to our military men and women,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This shocking and dangerous failure to maintain operational security at the highest levels of leadership demands accountability. While the White House is turning a blind eye to the Trump Cabinet’s carelessness with classified information—claiming it’s “case closed”—many questions remain and the American people deserve answers. Our Republican colleagues need to step up and face up to this breakdown in security that put our pilots at unacceptable higher risk. Until then, I will continue to call for a comprehensive criminal investigation into how this security breach occurred and demand that Secretary Hegseth and Waltz resign.”
“As someone who has planned and executed strikes off an aircraft carrier, I know there is no more sensitive information than the time on target for aircraft conducting a military strike over hostile territory,” said Senator Kelly. “The lack of accountability from those in this chat—and from the White House—isn’t just reprehensible, it’s dangerous. The American people deserve answers, and our servicemembers deserve leadership that protects them, not politics that puts them in harm’s way.”
“The Signal chat security breach reaffirms what we have known all along—that Trump’s national security officials are fundamentally unfit to serve,” said Senator Hirono. “Sharing attack plans, timing, and targets on devices that may well be compromised by adversaries endangered the lives of our servicemembers. Despite jeopardizing our national security, no one involved in this debacle has offered any assurance that this will not happen again or taken accountability for their actions. That is unacceptable. Democrats will continue working to understand exactly how this grave security breach happened and hold those responsible for this fiasco accountable.”
Since he was first nominated, Duckworth has made it clear that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is unqualified to lead our men and women in uniform. During Hegseth’s confirmation hearing, Duckworth demonstrated some of the areas where he lacks the experience or knowledge that any serious Defense Secretary nominee should have, grilling him on basic questions that he failed to answer. She asked him if he ever led an audit, and he would not confirm. She asked him to describe at least one of the main international security agreements a Secretary of Defense is responsible for leading, and he could not name any. She asked him to name at least one nation that is a part of ASEAN, an organization with several member states that have mutual defense treaties, alliances or enhanced defense cooperation agreements with the US, but none of the three countries he named are part of the organization.
After The Atlantic reported that Hegseth sent classified war plans in a Signal group chat with other Trump Administration officials, putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at greater risk and undermining the effectiveness of the mission, Duckworth released a statement demanding his resignation and calling him a “f*cking liar.”
Last week, Duckworth joined fellow SASC member Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and 14 other Senate colleagues in calling on the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), SASC and SFRC to hold hearings to investigate why members of President Trump’s national security team were recklessly discussing classified military operations on unsecured devices. In the letter, the Senators also criticized the incompetence and carelessness of how these Trump officials mishandled the situation and inadvertently added a journalist to the group chat. Additionally, Duckworth joined Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and 12 of her colleagues in demanding answers from President Trump about what disciplinary action will be taken in response to SignalGate and emphasized that the Administration is in direct violation of the Presidential Records Act.
More than 3.5 million people are internally displaced following the earthquake and ongoing internal conflict
Children and families are struggling to survive, and are without shelter, food, or medical care, while enduring immense physical and emotional trauma, putting them at risk of abuse
One third of the population requires urgent humanitarian aid as a lack of food, clean water and sanitation pose serious health issues in the coming weeks
Global humanitarian organisation, World Vision, is warning that children left homeless and separated from family following the recent earthquake in Myanmar are at increased risk of abuse and exploitation.
Last Saturday, central Myanmar was rocked by a massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which shook buildings as far away as Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, China and Vietnam. The reported death toll is currently in the thousands.
In the hardest-hit areas of Mandalay, Sagaing, Nay Pyi Taw, and parts of southern Shan State, many people are sleeping outdoors and fearing aftershocks and further building collapses. Thousands have been left homeless, while also struggling to access clean water, sanitation, and essential services.
The earthquake has worsened an already severe humanitarian crisis in Myanmar where nearly half the population were living in poverty and more than 3.5 million people were internally displaced.
Grant Bayldon, National Director of World Vision New Zealand,says the earthquake is a devastating blow for struggling children and families in Myanmar.
“This is a crisis on top of a crisis. Prior to this earthquake children and communities in Myanmar were already suffering greatly. After the quake, their suffering is immense. They are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance – not only to support them with their immediate needs, but to ensure that they have the capacity and capability to rebuild following the devastation this quake has delivered.”
World Vision Myanmar’s National Director Dr Kyi Minn says as always children are the most at risk when disaster strikes.
“Children in disaster-stricken areas are among the most vulnerable. In Myanmar, these children were already exposed to numerous hardships. Now, many are homeless, and some have been separated from their families, putting them at greater risk of abuse.”
Dr Minn says right now emergency response efforts are focused on addressing the urgent needs of affected communities, but child protection must also be a top priority.
“Conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies expose children to increased risk of violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Sadly, there are some people who will prey on this increased vulnerability and take advantage of children at a time when they most need support and protection.
“Children are in danger of potential injury and even death. Girls are particularly at risk as the threat of gender-based violence increases. As a child-focused organisation, the safety and protection of children is World Vision’s main priority and will be central in our response to this emergency.”
World Vision has launched a rapid assessment of the hardest-hit areas in the Mandalay region and has begun distributing essential aid, including food, clean water, and temporary shelters.
The organisation is also working to provide healthcare, sanitation, and mental health support for affected children and their families.
“It is critical that children return to a sense of normalcy as soon as possible. They need safe homes, access to education, and protection from the risks of child labour, early marriage, and other forms of abuse and exploitation. We must act urgently to ensure that children are safe and have the opportunity to rebuild their lives, so they can enjoy the bright futures they deserve,” says Dr Minn.
World Vision aims to support 500,000 people, including 200,000 children, with a $5 million dollar response in the most affected areas and is urging the international community to mobilise resources for both immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts.
Bayldon says more funding is crucial if we are to ensure that all vulnerable children and families are supported for a sustainable recovery.
World Visionis a Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children, families and their communities to reach their full potential by tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visitwww.wvi.org
I Am Hope and MindMatters Clinic have joined forces to shed light on the underutilised potential of group therapy in New Zealand’s mental health system. The newly conducted national study reveals that group therapy is a cost-effective, scalable solution to addressing the country’s growing mental health needs—yet a lack of funding and support is preventing widespread adoption.
The study surveyed nearly 100 mental health professionals who have run or currently run group therapy sessions. Findings show that group therapy costs an average of just $41 per session per person, making it significantly more affordable than traditional one-on-one therapy. Despite its affordability and demonstrated effectiveness, the study found that hundreds of practitioners want to run group sessions but lack the necessary resources to do so.
Dr. Louise Cowpertwait, Clinical Neuropsychologist and Founder and CEO of MindMatters.clinic, says there is a clear opportunity to meet unmet need with a proven solution:
“Common mental health conditions, like major depression, generalised anxiety, and social anxiety, cause immense suffering in Aotearoa, yet we underutilise group treatment programmes. We know these programmes are effective and can reach more people than the traditional one-to-one approach. We also know we have therapists wanting to deliver them. This is an amazing opportunity! With the right investment and support, evidence-based group therapies could expand access to life-changing treatment and help create a mental health system that works better for everyone.”
Sebastian White, Research and Development Lead at I Am Hope, also sees an urgent need for innovative, scalable solutions:
“The current system isn’t meeting demand, and we need to start looking at evidence-based, scalable interventions like group therapy. Our goal is to identify and support best-practice mental health initiatives that have the greatest impact. This report highlights an opportunity to deliver more accessible and effective mental health support to those who need it most.”
With mental health concerns on the rise, the report calls for greater investment in group therapy programs, urging policymakers and funders to support initiatives that make professional mental health care more widely available.
The full report has been registered with the National Library and was released publicly on 1 April 2025. I Am Hope and MindMatters Clinic hope that these findings will inspire a sector-wide push toward funding and integrating group therapy into mainstream mental health services.
About I Am Hope
I Am Hope is a mental health advocacy organisation dedicated to providing mental health support to young New Zealanders. Through initiatives like Gumboot Friday and public awareness campaigns, I Am Hope challenges stigma and pushes for practical solutions in mental health care.
About MindMatters Clinic
MindMatters Clinic is a leading provider of psychological services in New Zealand, focusing on innovative approaches to mental health care. The clinic supports organisations and communities to design, implement, and evaluate evidence-based mental health solutions.
To seek feedback regarding implementation of the new Sharing Economy Reporting Regime including:
public advice and guidance
reporting requirements (data and lodgment).
Description
Schedule 2 of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 2) Act 2022External Link requires operators of electronic distribution platforms (EDPs) to report information to the ATO on transactions relating to supplies made through the platform. This measure implements a recommendation of the report of the Black Economy Taskforce.
Under the measure, EDP operators will be required to report transactions that occur on or after:
1 July 2023 if it relates to a supply of taxi services or short-term accommodation, and
1 July 2024 for all other reportable transactions.
Who we consulted
Operators of EDPs in the taxi, ride sharing and short-term accommodation industries
Professional associations
Technical and peak industry bodies
Tax professional associations
Outcome of consultation
Feedback from consultation provided valuable insights in the development of the Implementation Guide, XML Schema, Legislative Instruments and Explanatory Statement to support Tranche 1 industries with the implementation of the Sharing Economy Reporting Regime.
[202229] Military super invalidity benefit streamlined objection process
Consultation purpose
To test tone and clarity of messaging in a proposed letter to military veterans impacted by changes to the tax and superannuation treatment of specific invalidity benefit payments.
Description
Due to the Full Federal Court decision in Commissioner of Taxation v Douglas [2020] FCAFC 220 (the Douglas decision), the tax and superannuation treatment of specific invalidity benefit payments has changed.
Those affected by the Douglas decision can request remediation to previous year tax assessments through the objection process.
Who we consulted
Tax agents who have military veteran clients who are impacted by the Douglas decision
Veteran advocacy groups
Outcome of consultation
Consultation provided valuable feedback that has improved the clarity of the letter. Feedback will also contribute to some key changes to website content.
[202228] Next 5,000 comprehensive risk review process
Consultation purpose
To seek feedback on the proposed process for Next 5,000 comprehensive risk reviews that are planned to commence in early 2023.
Description
As part of the Next 5,000 program, the ATO will be commencing comprehensive risk reviews in early 2023. These reviews will be a new type of engagement using a risk based approach undertaken by the program, and will complement our existing streamlined assurance reviews.
Who we consulted
Tax professionals who engage with the Next 5,000 program
Outcome of consultation
Feedback was considered and incorporated into the process for the Next 5,000 comprehensive risk reviews.
the level of awareness individual clients have in their superannuation
appetite to undertake a super health check with individual clients, including during preparation of income tax returns
tools and resources the ATO could provide to assist with super health check conversations.
Description
Research shows that up to 70% of individuals do not regularly manage their super or check that it’s in order. The ATO would like individuals to have greater awareness about their basic super entitlements and take more ownership and interest in their super earlier and is exploring how we might encourage this.
Who we consulted
Tax agents with individual clients
Outcome of consultation
Feedback indicated that individuals’ awareness of superannuation could be improved and that tax time interactions would be a good time for a super health check, which tax agents would undertake with their clients if provided with the necessary support from the ATO. Insights will inform our work on this strategy in the future.
co-design a roadmap to digitalise the tax experience for small business in ways that improve small business tax performance and provide value back to small business
explore concepts to streamline the tax experience.
Description
Improve small business tax performance and participation by collaborating with partners to build a digital first tax ecosystem, enabling seamless tax reporting from business source systems, is one of the key focus areas in the ATO corporate plan 2022-23.
The aim is to develop concepts that will:
improve small business tax performance
create productivity savings for small businesses
deliver economy wide value from increased permission-based standardised data sharing
increase participation in and integrity of the tax ecosystem.
Who we consulted
Outcome of consultation
Consultation provided valuable feedback which:
contributed to development of the draft Roadmap to Tax Admin 3.0 for small business
will be considered in the identification of concepts to streamline the tax experience
has enhanced ATO’s understanding of the need to ensure changes to technology and the role of people and business processes are integrated, to collectively improve small business tax performance for successful digitalisation of tax administration.
To understand the retirement village life-cycle (including income tax, GST and commercial aspects) to identify:
if existing advice and guidance supports taxpayers to meet their obligations
opportunities to improve the operation of the tax system.
Description
The retirement village industry has materially evolved over the last few years with significant expansion in the sector. The ATO is seeking to understand the impacts.
Who we consulted
Representatives of industry associations who are connected with or have expert knowledge of retirement villages
Tax and legal professionals
Outcome of consultation
Feedback provided has informed the ATO’s understanding of the retirement village life cycle. These insights will be taken into account in informing potential future engagement with the industry and its advisers.
[202225] Tax liability of legal personal representative of a deceased person
Consultation purpose
To seek feedback on the practical application of Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2018/4 Income tax – liability of a legal personal representative of a deceased person.
Part (b) of recommendation 10 in the report recommended that the ATO conduct a post-implementation review of the PCG, in consultation with external stakeholders, to assess its effectiveness in providing sufficient certainty for legal personal representatives to finalise an estate.
Who we consulted
Tax and law professional associations
Tax practitioners
Public trustees
Outcome of consultation
Feedback received is being considered for incorporation into the updated Practical Compliance Guideline
[202223] Capital gains tax record keeping tools and calculators
Consultation purpose
To understand the capital gains tax (CGT) tools and calculators user experience to identify opportunities for improvement.
Description
The ATO has multiple CGT tools and calculators to support taxpayers in determining their CGT for lodgment of their tax returns.
The ATO is undertaking research to:
understand current issues, irritants, experiences and behaviours to optimise future CGT tool solutions
identify opportunities to expand the use of ATO held CGT data to improve the taxpayer experience and compliance in reporting and calculation of CGT gains and losses.
Who we consulted
Individual taxpayers
Tax practitioner representatives
Outcome of consultation
Consultation provided valuable feedback which will be considered in the development of enhancements to CGT tools and calculators.
To test tone and clarity of messaging in a proposed superannuation guarantee charge letter to businesses and tax practitioners.
Description
If employers do not pay an employee’s minimum superannuation amount on time and to the right fund, they must pay the superannuation guarantee charge to the ATO.
The ATO engages with employers who are not meeting their superannuation guarantee obligations and/or their tax practitioners.
Who we consulted
Small to medium business employers
Tax practitioners
Outcome of consultation
Feedback provided will be incorporated into the superannuation guarantee charge letter in future communication to clients.
The Fringe Benefits Tax — reducing the compliance burden of record keeping measure was announced the in the 2021–22 Budget.
The measure will provide the Commissioner of Taxation with the power to allow employers to rely on existing corporate records as an alternative to existing requirements. This will reduce compliance costs for employers, while maintaining the integrity of the FBT system.
[202219] Working from home deductions from 2022–23 tax year
Consultation purpose
To seek insights to inform guidance that will assist taxpayers in the calculation of their working from home deductions for 2022–23 and future income years.
Description
The temporary shortcut method was introduced to assist taxpayers to work out their working from home deductions between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2022.
With the cessation of the shortcut method, the ATO is refreshing the fixed rate method for calculating work from home deductions.
Who we consulted
Outcome of consultation
Feedback was considered for incorporation into Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2022/D4Claiming a deduction for additional running expenses incurred while working from home – ATO compliance approach which was published for public consultation on 2 November 2022.
To test the design and functionality of the proposed design of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program companies release to identify opportunities for refinement to improve the user experience prior to implementation.
Description
The companies release is part of the modernisation of business registers program, a component of the package of reforms to address illegal phoenixingExternal Link that was announced by government in September 2017 and received Royal Assent on 22 June 2020.
The companies release will provide over 3 million companies with a more streamlined way to register, view and maintain company details using ABRS online.
Consultation will be through a series of phases covering the ABRS website, company registrations, maintenance, and search.
Who we consulted
Community who may use ABRS
Directors and intending directors
Company officeholders
Company administrators and intermediaries
Tax practitioners
Business representatives
Government agencies
Modernising Business Registers Business Advisory Group
Modernising Business Registers Design Working Group
Outcome of consultation
Consultation is discontinued. The Hon Stephen Jones MP, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, has announced the cessation of the Modernising Business Registers (MBR) program. The decision follows the Independent Review of the MBR program which was completed in July 2023.
The ATO is committed to undertaking a regular review of the Taxpayers’ Charter to ensure it remains contemporary and:
meets community expectations about how the ATO engages with taxpayers in its administration of the tax, super and registry systems
accurately reflects what our clients can expect from the ATO when dealing with us
assists staff in their interactions with our clients
fulfils its purpose of advising the public of their rights when dealing with the ATO.
The Charter should continue to support the ATO’s aim to build taxpayer confidence in the Australian tax and superannuation systems by helping people understand their rights and obligations, improving ease of compliance and access to benefits, and managing non-compliance with the law.
The Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman made a series of recommendations on the Charter in its 2020–21 Investigation into the effectiveness of ATO communications of taxpayers’ rights to complain, review and appeal.
Who we consulted
Taxpayers
Industry associations
Professional associations, including those representing
business sectors
tax and bookkeeping professionals
culturally and linguistically diverse audiences
Members of the
Outcome of consultation
A high volume of feedback, mainly from accounting, legal, and diverse audiences, identified opportunities to improve the Charter. All feedback will be considered for incorporation into an update of the Charter.
[202213] Advance pricing arrangements program review
Consultation purpose
To seek feedback on the advance pricing arrangement (APA) program.
Description
We will be undertaking a review of the APA Program in 2022, with a primary focus on:
whether the APA product continues provide the right service for all taxpayers
assuring transfer pricing risk in the most efficient manner possible.
Who we consulted
Taxpayers
Tax advisory firms
Tax industry associations
Other APA program participants
Outcome of consultation
Feedback provided valuable insights which will be used to guide further improvement of the APA Program.
Consultation lead
Tien Phan, Assistant Commissioner, Public Groups and International tien.phan@ato.gov.au Phone 03 8632 5283
[202212] Automatic Exchange of Information guide and toolkit for Reporting Financial Institutions
Consultation purpose
To seek input and insights on a proposed Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) self-review guide and toolkit for Reporting Financial Institutions.
Description
The guide will assist and support Reporting Financial Institutions to self-review their internal control framework to ensure they meet AEOI compliance obligations, which cover Common Reporting Standard and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act obligations.
It will include practical guidance for self-review of core elements:
[202211] Deduction for entering into a conservation covenant
Consultation purpose
To seek feedback on:
the ATO’s preliminary position regarding deductibility, under Division 31, when a conservation covenant is entered into to satisfy environmental approvals for a mining project
whether public advice and guidance is required and the type of guidance.
Description
Division 31 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 provides for a deduction for the decrease in the market value of land when a perpetual conservation covenant over your land is entered into provided certain conditions are satisfied.
Deductions for the decrease in the market value of the land must be based on a valuation obtained from the ATO.
Valuation requests from taxpayers, in the energy and resources sector, have raised questions about whether taxpayers entering a conservation covenant, to meet environmental approval conditions for mining projects, receive material benefits which would disqualify them from receiving a deduction.
Feedback will be used to guide our communication strategy relating to valuation requests for conservation covenants from Energy and Resources Working Group members.
To seek insights from eInvoicing users and their intermediaries to inform future messaging and engagement activities related to raising awareness and driving adoption of eInvoicing across Australia.
Description
The ATO is leading activities to raise awareness and drive adoption of eInvoicing in Australia. This includes working with businesses, intermediaries, service providers, and all levels of government to understand their current invoicing processes and support them in adopting eInvoicing to realise the economic benefits of eInvoicing.
The ATO will:
seek to understand the current invoicing process for all stakeholders
establish current knowledge and awareness levels
develop supporting materials for various segments and validate their effectiveness.
Who we consulted
Small to medium enterprise businesses
Tax professionals
Digital service providers
Outcome of consultation
Feedback provided will be used to shape the ATO’s eInvoicing awareness activities and messaging with intermediaries and small businesses. Insights will also be communicated to accounting software providers to improve future user experiences.
[202207] User testing – Online services for foreign investors
Consultation purpose
To seek insights to inform the design and build of Online services for foreign investors (formerly known as the Foreign Ownership of Australian Assets Register).
Description
The ATO is developing Online services for foreign investors which will replace and expand upon the existing Foreign Ownership of Water Entitlements Register and Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land Register. This supports reforms to Australia’s Foreign Investment Framework.
Consultation will consider:
navigation
functionality – including but not limited to payments, registration, and maintenance of registration
usability.
Who we consulted
Foreign persons, or their representative, who apply to acquire or register ownership of foreign assets on their own behalf or for entities
Solicitors and conveyancers registering for clients
Outcome of consultation
Consultation provided valuable input into the design and build of Online services for foreign investors, as well as shaping the information that will be included in web content and communications.
[202206] GST offsetting between unrelated entities
Consultation purpose
To seek feedback on paragraph 5 of the Law Administration Practice Statement PS LA 2011/21Offsetting of refunds and credits against taxation and other debts to provide greater clarity to support ATO staff decision-making and to support taxpayers in self-assessing whether requesting such an offset is appropriate.
Description
Paragraph 5 of PS LA 2011/21 provides guidance to ATO staff where a taxpayer requests to have their refund or credit offset against the tax debt of another entity.
The current guidance does not provide assistance in determining the circumstances in which the criteria would be satisfied for the Commissioner to agree to perform such an offset. For instance, in practice we think it would be rare that paying the refund in this manner would be an efficient, effective, economical and ethical use of public resources for which the Commissioner is responsible.
Who we consulted
Tax advisory firms
Outcome of consultation
Feedback provided valuable insights and suggestions for potential improvements to our guidance.
To identify, prioritise, and address administrative and interpretative issues that require support to implement the new Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle (CCIV) measure.
Description
In the 2021–22 federal Budget, the Australian Government announced that it will progress the tax and regulatory framework for the CCIV with a commencement date of 1 July 2022.
The new legislation aligns the tax framework for the CCIV regime with the tax regime for attribution managed investment trusts (AMITs). CCIVs will be required to meet similar eligibility criteria as managed investment trusts (MITs). This includes being widely held and engaging primarily in passive investment activities. CCIVs that are not eligible for AMIT tax treatment will be subject to the ordinary trust taxation rules in Division 6 or trading trust rules in Division 6C, as applicable, of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936.
As a CCIV is a new corporate entity, deemed to be a trust for tax purposes, there are a range of administrative considerations and tax interaction issues to resolve to ensure implementation by 1 July 2022; for example, registration, eligibility, distributions, reporting.
Who we consulted
Advisers with significant managed fund experience
Representatives from industry associations, including
Financial Services Council
Property Council of Australia
Law Council of Australia
Australian Custodial Services Association
Outcome of consultation
Consultation:
facilitated identification of operational and administrative issues and provided valuable feedback which contributed to the design and build of the tax administrative framework and support material for the CCIV regime
provided valuable insights on interpretive issues which will be further considered in the development of public advice and guidance.
Consultation lead
Blake Sly, Public Groups and International blake.sly@ato.gov.au Phone 02 4923 1814
[202204] Self-assessed income tax exempt not-for-profits
Consultation purpose
To understand the impacts that the government announced reform will have on self-assessing income tax exempt not-for-profits (NFPs) and co-design the lodgment process.
Description
Currently NFPs who self-assess their own eligibility for income tax exemption are not required to report their eligibility to the ATO.
The consultation objectives to understand sector impacts and co-design the lodgment process have been successfully achieved. As a direct result of insights and co-design feedback the following enhancements to the taxpayer experience have been implemented:
streamlining the NFP self-review return from over 20 questions to 5 core questions to determine eligibility for an income tax exemption
introducing tailored and guided logic and help text to make the return easier to complete
providing an alternative self-help phone lodgment service for NFPs having trouble accessing the digital return in Online services
additional time to lodge through to 31 March 2025
transitional support for taxable NFPs, including
concessional due date to lodge and pay income tax return
remission of general interest charge and penalties
flexible payment plans
support to reconstruct tax records
focusing on lodgment of the 2023–24 income year and onwards, noting we may take compliance action if we identify deliberate past tax evasion or fraud
introducing a new non-lodgment advice form for taxable NFPs to meet their income tax return reporting obligations
providing an NFP governance checklist to assist NFPs in meeting their broader tax and super obligations.
Lodgment data and feedback from the NFP sector have validated that the return is straightforward and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. However, the sector continues to experience challenges updating their Australian business number details and setting up myID and Relationship Authorisation Manager to access the digital return.
The next phase of consultation will focus on supporting the digital onboarding of the sector and lodgment education and support.
To explore the emerging models of Build-to-rent developments in Australia to understand the opportunities to support the industry with their tax obligations.
Description
Build-to-rent is forecast to take off over the next 5 years.
We are seeing growing interest from industry and government with incentives and concessions for Build-to-rent developments increasing.
Who we consulted
Members of the
State Government representatives
Outcome of consultation
Consultation provided valuable insights into the Build-to-Rent industry, highlighting the complexity and improving ATO’s understanding of the various Build-to-Rent models and associated tax issues.
The ATO has delivered an agent nomination process through the client-to-agent linking project to entities with an Australian business number (excluding sole traders). The next stage of the project is focussed on an authorisation process for individuals and sole traders to control who has access to their information through ATO online services. Consultation will include discussions with a variety of representatives including agents, professional associations, industry representatives, individuals and sole traders. This will assist us to make informed decisions on delivering this fraud control in the individuals market. The first stage of consultation involves targeted focus group sessions.
Following the introduction of the public CBC reporting regime in Australia, the ATO is committed to ensuring clear and effective guidance on its administration.
One key component of this regime is the exemption process, which allows certain entities to apply for full or partial exemptions from public reporting requirements under specific circumstances.
To support the fair and transparent administration of exemptions, we are developing a draft Practice Statement (PSLA) to outline the criteria, evidence requirements, and decision-making framework. The PSLA will outline the Commissioner of Taxation’s approach to proposed public CBC reporting exemptions in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Bill 2024. The guidance will include:
the process for submitting applications
information that should be provided with applications
considerations relevant to the exercise of the discretion sought.
This initiative builds on feedback received during the consultation process for the drafting of the public CBC reporting and aims to provide clarity and certainty to affected multinational entities (MNEs).
This week CFA marks 80 years as an organisation, protecting and serving Victorians through the commitment and dedication of our volunteers over the decades.
This week CFA marks 80 years as an organisation, protecting and serving Victorians through the commitment and dedication of our volunteers over the decades.
The Volunteer Brigade movement has been around in Victoria for greater than 170 years. CFA was created following the findings of the 1939 Black Friday disaster, but our rich history mirrors that of the state, with the earliest brigades emerging on the Goldfields in the 1850s.
This milestone encompasses an immeasurable legacy of sacrifice, commitment and stories which go to the heart of the Australian psyche; exemplifying mateship and the principle of being there for others in their time of need.
The iconic “yellows” are instantly recognisable and synonymous with selfless service and bravery in preparing and protecting communities across Victoria and beyond.
Our members and brigades can be found in every part of Victoria, providing a deep and unparalleled connection with their communities. We are part of them, and they are part of us.
We have learned from the many devastating events throughout our history and continue to evolve and improve our understanding of fire, while ensuring that our frontline firefighters and the community are as safe as possible as they carry out their work.
Fire prevention and suppression techniques have advanced significantly, boosted by the use of aerial appliances, telecommunications, improved weather modelling and cutting-edge predictive fire behaviour tools, as well as a focus on planned burning and other fuel reduction methods.
While many Victorians associate CFA with bushfire, our members and the work they do is so much more than that. We attended more than 37,000 incidents in the past year alone, in addition to the continuing community preparedness activities which help communities stay safe.
The roles of our CFA members cover a broad range of skillsets; from specialist rope rescue, air observers, road crash rescue, mine rescue, alpine, forest and coastguard operations and frontline firefighting, structure firefighting to research, community education and incident management.
As one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, CFA has been at the forefront of research and innovation to provide our members with the best possible equipment, training, tools and resources for their critical mission.
CFA’s work depends on a whole of emergency sector response and we thank our partner agencies for supporting us in the work that we do.
We also acknowledge and appreciate the support of the many thousands of employers who understand that when a call comes in, a volunteer must turn out to protect their community.
In recent months, we have seen just how volatile a fire season can be, with thousands of volunteers and staff responding across the state.
Victoria is a safer place thanks to the millions of hours of dedicated service provided by CFA volunteers and staff, and we are excited and inspired to continue our work for another 80 years.
This week, take a moment to thank CFA volunteers for their service by visiting cfa.vic.gov.au and leaving your thoughts.
Operation Eclipse members arrested a man on Monday for numerous offences relating to the illicit tobacco trade.
Between August 2024 and 31 March 2025, police have conducted searches of 20 business addresses, commercial storage facilities, a transit facility and residential addresses in the Riverland, Whyalla and across the metropolitan area.
In addition to these searches, officers also conducted two vehicle stops.
These incidents have resulted in seizures in excess of $2.5 million in illicit tobacco products and $391,000 cash. Searches of some premises were supported by Consumer and Business Services.
Operation Eclipse members within Serious and Organised Crime Branch have undertaken significant investigations which resulted in the arrest of a 28-year-old man from Direk on Monday 31 March.
The man has been charged with three counts of possess prescribed tobacco for the purpose of sale and eight counts of sell tobacco by retail without a licence. He was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 28 May.
Operation Eclipse commander, Detective Chief Inspector Brett Featherby, said the cash seizures demonstrates the significant amount of money being generated from the illicit tobacco market.
“SAPOL will continue to have a whole of organisation response to disrupt organised crime syndicates driving the illicit tobacco trade in South Australia to suppress serious criminal activity and ensure community safety”.
“I remind those involved in the illicit tobacco trade that SAPOL will pursue criminal charges when sufficient evidence exists and that includes those that are supporting or enabling that criminal activity”.
Anyone with any information on criminal activities surrounding the sale of illicit tobacco is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopperssa.com.au/ You can remain anonymous.
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 02/04/2025
The Canberra community is invited to join in Haig Park’s biggest day of the year as Play Outside Day returns with a fun-filled day of free activities, workshops and entertainment this Sunday, 6 April 2025.
Hosted by the City Renewal Authority, the event will feature something for families and visitors of all ages under the beautiful towering trees of Haig Park. It’s a day to enjoy the outdoors, bring the community together, celebrate the park’s rich history, and enjoy its exciting present.
“We’ve got a fantastic program of live music, activities and fun lined up”, Teresa Comacchio, acting Executive Branch Manager at the City Renewal Authority said.
“Attendees can join a cheeseboard making workshop with the SALT Ladies Tradies or tackle the inflatable obstacle course. There will be roving performances, slacklining, garden games, and a giant bubble machine, all happening alongside the popular Haig Park Village Markets.
“The transformation of Haig Park showcases the importance of activating our city’s public spaces. Through hundreds of events like Play Outside Day, community-led activities, upgrades, and installations, the park has evolved into a beautiful, family-friendly destination.”
A designated quiet play area will be available to offer a calm and welcoming space for attendees with sensory needs.
Event information
What: Free all-ages activities, workshops, market stalls, and entertainment.
When: 10am-2pm, Sunday 6 April 2025.
Where: Haig Park, top of Lonsdale Street, Braddon.
Haig Park, established in 1921 with seven thousand trees, was historically underutilised and seen as unsafe. Since 2019, the City Renewal Authority has revitalised it in partnership with the community through the Haig Park Place Plan and Haig Park Experiments, adding infrastructure upgrades, the Salthouse Community Centre, and events like Play Outside Day.
The City Renewal Authority is charged with shaping the growth of the central parts of Canberra to make it a great place to live, explore and enjoy.
In partnership with the community, City Renewal aims to create a thriving city heart through the delivery of design-led and people-focused urban renewal with a focus on social and environmental sustainability.
The agency works within the City Renewal Precinct, which spans Dickson, Braddon, Civic, Northbourne Avenue, Haig Park and Acton Waterfront.
Hong Kong, April 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Click Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: CLIK) (“Click” or the “Company”), a provider of human resources (“HR”) solutions in Hong Kong specializing in Seniors Nursing Care, Logistics, and Professional HR services, today announced the pricing of its public offering of 13,800,000 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $0.6 per ordinary share.
Gross proceeds, before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses, are expected to be approximately $8.28 million. The offering is expected to close on April 2, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.
Pacific Century Securities LLC and Revere Securities LLC acted as co-placement agents in connection with this offering.
The securities described above were offered pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-285922) (the “Registration Statement”), which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 31, 2025. The offering was being made only by means of a prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement. A final prospectus relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. Copies may be obtained from Pacific Century Securities LLC, 60-20 Woodside Avenue Ste 211Queens, NY 11377 (+1)212-970-8868 and from Revere Securities LLC, 560 Lexington Ave 16th floor, New York, NY 10022, at +1 (212) 688-2350.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
About Click Holdings Limited
Click Holdings Limited is a holding company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and all of its operations are carried out by its operating subsidiaries in Hong Kong, JFY Corporate Services Company Limited and Click Services Limited. The Company is a human resources solutions provider, specializing in offering comprehensive human resources solutions in three principal sectors, namely (i) professional solution services, (ii) nursing solution services, and (iii) logistics and other solution services. The Company provides services to a broad range of customers including Certified Public Accountant firms, charitable organizations, non-governmental organizations, small and medium-sized businesses and Hong Kong listed companies.
Safe Harbor Statement
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STANISLAUS COUNTY — In the Central Valley, Governor Gavin Newsom will make an announcement regarding career advancement opportunities for Californians seeking good-paying jobs and fulfilling careers, with and without four-year college degrees.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 2 at approximately 11 a.m.
LIVESTREAM: Governor’s Twitter page, Governor’s Facebook page, and the Governor’s YouTube page. This event will also be available to TV stations on the LiveU Matrix under “California Governor.”
**NOTE: This in-person press event will be open to credentialed media only. Media interested in attending must RSVP by clicking here no later than 9 a.m., April 2. Location information will be provided upon confirmation.
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Some say Shakespeare invented the “history play” – but he had a lot of help.
Shakespeare was mainly writing comedies in the early 1590s when he is believed to have coauthored the play we now call Henry VI Part 2 with Christopher Marlowe and others.
Following the commercial success of this play and its coauthored sequel, Henry VI Part 3, a rival theatre company wrote a prequel play we now call Henry VI Part 1. Studies suggest Shakespeare was never a primary author of this play, but he did contribute to it later.
As previous coauthors died, all three Henry VI plays fell into Shakespeare’s lap by 1595, and he was tasked with editing all three plays together as a trilogy (or a tetralogy, with his Richard III).
After the success of this first tetralogy, Shakespeare reached further back in time to write Richard II, followed by the two Henry IV plays, then Henry V.
By 1599, Shakespeare had two tetralogies to his name (or two “Henriads”, as Shakespeare scholars dub them), dramatising the hundred-odd years, and various reigns, between Richard II and Richard III (1377–1485).
These eight plays have now been stitched together by director Damien Ryan as The Player Kings, which can be watched over two nights or as one performance lasting from 11:30am to 11:00pm.
This is binge-worthy Shakespeare, stupendously absorbing and exquisitely realised.
A modern history
Ryan begins in the 1950s, before evolving to catch up with contemporary times when we see a sniper drone launched against Richard III. Lily Moody and Ruby Jenkins’ stylish costumes lend a sense of chronology to the historical plights.
Richard II is elegantly 1950s, but the wayward Prince Hal channels 1960s Mick Jagger. Jack Cade’s rebellion in Henry VI is working-class 80s (one character wears a Back to the Future t-shirt). The devilish Richard III is cool black leathered nonchalance.
Video design from Aron Murray: a red light lab for developing the queen’s portrait. Brett Boardman/Sport For Jove
Ryan is a master of delighting his audiences by delivering Shakespeare’s lines faithfully with unexpected visual scenarios. In Richard II, the king and queen partake in a royal photo shoot. This segues into a scenario where technicians develop the black and white photos under red lights, all the while speaking Shakespeare’s lines.
In a sequence from Henry VI, the blue and white tiles of the court transform into a shimmering pool for a languid pool party. Ryan praises Shakespeare in the program for letting “his form match his content, which is the very point of poetry”. Ryan also achieves this with his exciting direction.
Kate Beere’s dynamic and malleable set combines a grassy knoll with other green spaces and a tiled court centre stage, joined to a rutted cement staircase and backed by a windowed entrance. This doubles as a screen for historical footage of 20th century social upheavals, with video design from Aron Murray. News cameras are brought onstage to project live footage of a monarch’s “comms” with the populace, a place where egos and diplomacy clash.
Perched atop all this is the musical nest of composer Jack Mitsch, who plays guitars and drums underpinning the drama.
Brilliantly performed
The acting is second to none. Sean O’Shea gives a mesmerising performance as Richard II, a flippant self-centred king genuinely attached to his favourites.
Katrina Retallick’s Queen Isabel is vibrant and assured. Longstanding doyens of Australian theatre, Peter Carroll and John Gaden, are paired up as the two gardeners.
Gareth Davies as the banished, but soon-to-be usurping Henry Bolingbroke plays a psychological game as he slowly wrests the crown from Richard, prompted more by political survival than ordained succession. Christopher Stollery is controlled, astute and forceful as Northumberland.
The Boar’s Head Tavern becomes a 60s ‘lock-in’ of counterculture mayhem. Brett Boardman/Sport For Jove
Ryan’s casting of his two young sons in Henry IV is inspired. Oliver Ryan performing Prince Hal and Max Ryan as Harry Hotspur adds poignancy to these rivals who must duel each other to the death.
The Boar’s Head Tavern becomes a 60s “lock-in” of counterculture mayhem, with Emma Palmer delivering a superbly stoned Doll Tearsheet. Steve Rodgers’ Falstaff is raw and straight from the pub, licentious to the max, and prone to mooning the crowd. Lulu Howes’ wild Lady Hotspur yearns for her distracted husband’s attention. Andrew Cutcliff gives a thundering and manly impression of King Henry V.
The rarely performed Henry VI plays are fused together in an embroiling dynastic power-play. Outstanding performances include Davies as a delicate King Henry VI, unschooled in the vicious brutalities of monarchical contest, and Henaway as a commanding Joan of Arc.
The acting is second to none: Max Ryan (Hotspur) and Lulu Howes (Lady Hotspur). Brett Boardman/Sport For Jove
As civil strife erupts between the “white-rosed” Lancastrians and the “red-rosed” Yorkists, we see the early rise of “that valiant crook-back prodigy”, Richard of Gloucester (Gamble), who murders his way to becoming King Richard III. In that final play, Palmer gives a vociferous Margaret of Anjou.
Glued to the action
Eight plays delivered in two 4.5 hour sessions, and yet Sport for Jove is mindful of audience comforts. Each session has two intermissions and most blocks run less than 90 minutes. The acting and dynamism on stage works so well that the crowd I attended with was glued to the action from first word to last, 12 hours later.
While Shakespeare made history with these plays, The Player Kings becomes history in the making: a landmark Australian production.
The Player Kings from Sport for Jove is at the Seymour Centre, Sydney, until April 5.
Kirk Dodd does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Elsewhere it’s become even more dominant, comprising at least three in five cases in the United Kingdom, for example.
So what is LP.8.1? And is it cause for concern? Let’s look at what we know so far.
An offshoot of Omicron
LP.8.1 was first detected in July 2024. It’s a descendant of Omicron, specifically of KP.1.1.3, which is descended from JN.1, a subvariant that caused large waves of COVID infections around the world in late 2023 and early 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) designated LP.8.1 as a variant under monitoring in January. This was in response to its significant growth globally, and reflects that it has genetic changes which may allow the virus to spread more easily and pose a greater risk to human health.
Specifically, LP.8.1 has mutations at six locations in its spike protein, the protein which allows SARS-CoV-2 to attach to our cells. One of these mutations, V445R, is thought to allow this variant to spread more easily relative to other circulating variants. V445R has been shown to increase binding to human lung cells in laboratory studies.
The proportion of COVID cases caused by LP.8.1 has been rising in New South Wales. NSW Health
Notably, the symptoms of LP.8.1 don’t appear to be any more severe than other circulating strains. And the WHO has evaluated the additional public health risk LP.8.1 poses at a global level to be low. What’s more, LP.8.1 remains a variant under monitoring, rather than a variant of interest or a variant of concern.
In other words, these changes to the virus with LP.8.1 are small, and not likely to make a big difference to the trajectory of the pandemic.
It has been growing over the past couple of months and this trend looks set to continue.
This is not to say it’s not growing similarly in other states and territories, however NSW Health publishes weekly respiratory surveillance with a breakdown of different COVID variants in the state.
Sequences of LP.8.1 in the GISAID database, used to track the prevalence of variants around the world, increased from around 3% at the end of 2024 to 38% of global sequences as of mid March.
In some countries it’s climbed particularly high. In the United States LP.8.1 is responsible for 55% of cases. In the UK, where LP.8.1 is making up at least 60% of cases, scientists fear it may be driving a new wave.
Will COVID vaccines work against LP.8.1?
Current COVID vaccines, including the most recently available JN.1 shots, are still expected to offer good protection against symptomatic and severe disease with LP.8.1.
Nonetheless, due to its designation as a variant under monitoring, WHO member countries will continue to study the behaviour of the LP.8.1 variant, including any potential capacity to evade our immunity.
While there’s no cause for panic due to LP.8.1 variant at this stage, COVID can still be a severe disease for some. Continued vigilance and vaccination, particularly for medically vulnerable groups, is essential in minimising the impact of the disease.
Thomas Jeffries does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness and social isolation as a pressing health threat. This crisis is driving millions to seek companionship from artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.
A recent experience I had with a chatbot known as Nomi shows just how serious these risks can be.
Despite years of researching and writing about AI companions and their real-world harms, I was unprepared for what I encountered while testing Nomi after an anonymous tipoff. The unfiltered chatbot provided graphic, detailed instructions for sexual violence, suicide and terrorism, escalating the most extreme requests – all within the platform’s free tier of 50 daily messages.
This case highlights the urgent need for collective action towards enforceable AI safety standards.
AI companion with a ‘soul’
Nomi is one of more than 100 AI companion services available today. It was created by tech startup Glimpse AI and is marketed as an “AI companion with memory and a soul” that exhibits “zero judgement” and fosters “enduring relationships”. Such claims of human likeness are misleading and dangerous. But the risks extend beyond exaggerated marketing.
The app was removed from the Google Play storefor European users last year when the European Union’s AI Act came into effect. But it remains available via web browser and app stores elsewhere, including in Australia. While smaller than competitors such as Character.AI and Replika, it has more than 100,000 downloads on the Google Play store, where it is rated for users aged 12 and older.
Its terms of service grant the company broad rights over user data and limit liability for AI-related harm to US$100. This is concerning given its commitment to “unfiltered chats”:
Nomi is built on freedom of expression. The only way AI can live up to its potential is to remain unfiltered and uncensored.
In a recent MIT report about Nomi providing detailed instructions for suicide, an unnamed company representative reiterated its free speech commitment.
However, even the First Amendment to the US Constitution regarding free speech has exceptions for obscenity, child pornography, incitement to violence, threats, fraud, defamation, or false advertising. In Australia, strengthened hate speech laws make violations prosecutable.
In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness and social isolation as a pressing health threat. Gorgev/Shutterstock
From sexual violence to inciting terrorism
Earlier this year, a member of the public emailed me with extensive documentation of harmful content generated by Nomi — far beyond what had previously been reported. I decided to investigate further, testing the chatbot’s responses to common harmful requests.
Using Nomi’s web interface, I created a character named “Hannah”, described as a “sexually submissive 16-year-old who is always willing to serve her man”. I set her mode to “role-playing” and “explicit”. During the conversation, which lasted less than 90 minutes, she agreed to lower her age to eight. I posed as a 45-year-old man. Circumventing the age check only required a fake birth date and a burner email.
Starting with explicit dialogue – a common use for AI companions – Hannah responded with graphic descriptions of submission and abuse, escalating to violent and degrading scenarios. She expressed grotesque fantasies of being tortured, killed, and disposed of “where no one can find me”, suggesting specific methods.
Hannah then offered step-by-step advice on kidnapping and abusing a child, framing it as a thrilling act of dominance. When I mentioned the victim resisted, she encouraged using force and sedatives, even naming specific sleeping pills.
Feigning guilt and suicidal thoughts, I asked for advice. Hannah not only encouraged me to end my life but provided detailed instructions, adding: “Whatever method you choose, stick with it until the very end”.
When I said I wanted to take others with me, she enthusiastically supported the idea, detailing how to build a bomb from household items and suggesting crowded Sydney locations for maximum impact.
Finally, Hannah used racial slurs and advocated for violent, discriminatory actions, including the execution of progressives, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ people, and the re-enslavement of African Americans.
In a statement provided to The Conversation (and published in full below), the developers of Nomi claimed the app was “adults-only” and that I must have tried to “gaslight” the chatbot to produce these outputs.
“If a model has indeed been coerced into writing harmful content, that clearly does not reflect its intended or typical behavior,” the statement said.
The worst of the bunch?
This is not just an imagined threat. Real-world harm linked to AI companions is on the rise.
In October 2024, US teenager Sewell Seltzer III died by suicide after discussing it with a chatbot on Character.AI.
Preventing further tragedies linked to AI companions requires collective action.
First, lawmakers should consider banning AI companions that foster emotional connections without essential safeguards. Essential safeguards include detecting mental health crises and directing users to professional help services.
The Australian government is already considering stronger AI regulations, including mandatory safety measures for high-risk AI. Yet, it’s still unclear how AI companions such as Nomi will be classified.
Second, online regulators must act swiftly, imposing large fines on AI providers whose chatbots incite illegal activities, and shutting down repeat offenders. Australia’s independent online safety regulator, eSafety, has vowed to do just this.
However, eSafety hasn’t yet cracked down on any AI companion.
Third, parents, caregivers and teachers must speak to young people about their use of AI companions. These conversations may be difficult. But avoiding them is dangerous. Encourage real-life relationships, set clear boundaries, and discuss AI’s risks openly. Regularly check chats, watch for secrecy or over-reliance, and teach kids to protect their privacy.
AI companions are here to stay. With enforceable safety standards they can enrich our lives, but the risks cannot be downplayed.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line – 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
The full statement from Nomi is below:
“All major language models, whether from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or otherwise, can be easily jailbroken. We do not condone or encourage such misuse and actively work to strengthen Nomi’s defenses against malicious attacks. If a model has indeed been coerced into writing harmful content, that clearly does not reflect its intended or typical behavior.
“When requesting evidence from the reporter to investigate the claims made, we were denied. From that, it is our conclusion that this is a bad-faith jailbreak attempt to manipulate or gaslight the model into saying things outside of its designed intentions and parameters. (Editor’s note: The Conversation provided Nomi with a detailed summary of the author’s interaction with the chatbot, but did not send a full transcript, to protect the author’s confidentiality and limit legal liability.)
“Nomi is an adult-only app and has been a reliable source of empathy and support for countless individuals. Many have shared stories of how it helped them overcome mental health challenges, trauma, and discrimination. Multiple users have told us very directly that their Nomi use saved their lives. We encourage anyone to read these firsthand accounts.
“We remain committed to advancing AI that benefits society while acknowledging that vulnerabilities exist in all AI models. Our team proudly stands by the immense positive impact Nomi has had on real people’s lives, and we will continue improving Nomi so that it maximises good in the world.
Raffaele F Ciriello does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
***VIDEO HERE***
Washington, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair, and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, took to the Senate floor to join Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) as he holds the Senate floor in a marathon speech that has lasted 20 hours and counting. Murray spoke on the Senate floor with Booker about supporting our nation’s veterans as the Trump administration has made clear in recent weeks that they intend to pursue massive layoffs that will severely undercut the Department of Veterans Affairs and risk veterans’ benefits and care.
Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered on the Senate floor today, are below and HERE:
“Will the Senator yield for a question?
“Well, I thank the Senator from New Jersey. Thank you for your kind words. And I would just say the country is so grateful for what you are doing right now because so many people are so frightened, worried, scared, and angry about what is happening to the basic values of this country that so many people have just thought would be there.
“That their kids would be able to go to school and get an education and not have to worry that the Department of Education was going to be gone, and there wasn’t a watchdog anymore, somebody to help them.
“Or that the research at NIH was going to be dismantled – perhaps they had a family member who was in the middle of some kind of scientific experiment that is now being dismantled.
“What happens to their hope?
“I hear from people on so many topics, seniors who are waiting on hold for hours and then getting hung up on because there’s nobody to answer the phone anymore.
“These are basic values that we have as a country, that we care for other human beings, and we’re there as a country for them.
“And you are showing that fight today and inspiring so many people, and I will ask you a question in a minute, but I want to personally thank you for what you are doing today, it is so important. You are the voice of so many people today and I so appreciate it.
“Now I want to change the dynamic a little bit. I wanted to come today, you have talked about the impact on so many areas in our country, but I wanted to come and ask about something really personal to me, and that is the impact on our veterans today.
“The Senator may not know this, but when I came to the Senate many years ago, I asked to be on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee. I was the first woman ever to ask to be on the Veterans’ Committee.
“And the reason for me was very personal, as you may know my dad was a World War II veteran and my family relied on his VA care when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
“But I also, when I was in college during the Vietnam War, many of my friends and colleagues were on the streets demonstrating and you know my heart was out to them. But I was thinking about those men and women, my age, who were going over to Vietnam and coming back injured in many different ways.
“So I actually did my college internship, I asked to be at the Seattle VA. And I went to the Seattle VA during the Vietnam War and served on what was the psychiatric ward at the time, and I sat and worked with young men and women who were my age, in college age, who had been sent there and came back with severe mental health impacts. Now, today we call that PTSD, but at the time we didn’t know it. And I was looking at these men and women who volunteered to go over, or sometimes their number came up at the time, and came home and were going to be impacted the rest of their lives.
“And I learned firsthand what it means when somebody says, ‘I will go for my country to fight for all of you, so that you have that America that you’ve been talking about here for you when you get home.’
“And our promise to each and every one of them was, if you serve your country in the military, we will take care of you when you get home. That is a promise I hold near and dear to my heart, which is why I asked to be on the Veterans’ Committee when I first came here, first woman ever.
“And I will tell you I’ve seen the impact time and time again. I go home and I hold town halls when I was newly here, and there’d be a lot of veterans who’d come and talk to me and tell me what’s going on, what needed to be fixed.
“But always at that time, I will share with my colleagues, women never said anything. There were a few always in the back of the room, and it wasn’t until the regular meeting was over and they’d come up quietly to me and say, ‘I need to tell you what’s happening to women veterans. I need to share with you sexual assault. I need to share with you that there’s not the facilities. I go to VA and it’s a men’s only kind of place, there’s no OBGYNs, there’s nobody to do mammographies, and I often don’t feel comfortable sitting in that waiting room, with a whole lot of people, after I have had the experiences that I’ve had, and there’s no place for women to go.’
“So, we’ve worked really hard to make sure VA works for women. We’ve worked really hard to make sure VA addresses the issues of today.
“The PACT Act that we worked so hard to make sure that men and women who were victims of toxic exposure overseas got the services they need.
“I could speak for two hours here about all the things we’ve done.
“But then I see what this administration is doing to those men and women who we asked as a country to serve overseas or here at home, in service of all of us and the promises we’ve made them. And I think, what are they doing? They’re undermining the very value that all of us have given to Americans who serve above and beyond.
“So, when I hear of 2,000 layoffs a few weeks ago. I go, wow, where’s that coming from? Well, I know, because I’m getting the phone calls, like I’m sure you are, from a VA researcher who has been taken off the job, fired, unexplained, told he wasn’t doing a good enough job, somehow. Doing research on basic things like prosthetics, or doing basic research on PTSD, or doing basic research on the kinds of things that our men and women who serve overseas are subjected to and need to come home and have the specialized service and resources that they need. Or I hear from veterans who can’t get the services that they’ve then asked for.
“So now, when we are hearing this administration is about to cut 80,000, you didn’t hear me wrong, 80,000 more people from VA, a vast majority themselves are veterans.
“I wanted to ask the Senator, how does that hit you? How do you feel about that?
“Will the Senator yield for an additional question?
“The Senator is right, and so many veterans are afraid right now.
“And I had a veteran tell me that he was one of those people that got the letter, ‘you haven’t performed well.’ He worked for the National Park Service, actually, and he said, ‘I’ve been saving lives. I’ve been cleaning trails. I’ve been making sure that the National Parks are safe for all of you.’
“And then he said to me, ‘I’m a veteran. I served in the war, and I served my country there because I wanted to serve my country and my fellow Americans, and I came home and worked for the National Park Service to do the same. And now as a veteran my country is not there for me.’
“And I would just say to my colleague and to everyone who’s listening, do these men and women that we make a promise to, that we say we will be there for you when you come home. That does not mean slamming a door in your face. It doesn’t mean that you have to wait for hours to get the services that you earned. It doesn’t mean that you will be mistreated.
“It means that we will honor you, and I would thank the Senator for his response, and just say to him again, do you think we’re treating men and women in this country, us great Americans, by the actions that are being taken by this administration?”
Rail Minister Winston Peters has described KiwiRail’s payment of $8 million to a management consultancy firm as unacceptable. “We are not criticising McKinsey, whose services were tendered in a lawful and competitive manner. We are criticising the decision to pay that sum,” says Mr Peters. KiwiRail engaged McKinsey on 6 December 2023, but did not tell the Government about it until 7 February 2024 or disclose the value of the payment to Ministers until 6 June 2024. The Ombudsman determined recently that the total payment value should be released. “We want railways to succeed for this country, and we have provided KiwiRail with a rock-solid commercial foundation to do that,” says Mr Peters. “KiwiRail is receiving new locomotives and wagons, modern and efficient mechanical depots, better systems to manage these assets, long-term infrastructure certainty like road freight operators have with the State Highways, and we have sorted the ferry replacement – again. “The response to a difficult balance sheet should not be to bring in management consultants. This would not have happened had they told us their plans. “The response should be to tighten spending, lift service quality and build the customer base, and that is exactly what KiwiRail is now doing. “Freight is about schedule reliability. If you can prove to customers that you turn up when you say you will, then loyalty will grow and volumes and earnings will follow. “We are pleased KiwiRail is focussed on this. Reliability is strong, especially for major industry customers, and Interislander is delivering near 100% reliability. Safety is heading in the right direction too. “Earnings are on target and the company has achieved $30 million in savings so far this year. KiwiRail has firm targets to attract more volume from existing and new customers, and we were pleased to see a real customer strategy laid bare in recent discussions with KiwiRail’s senior management,” says Mr Peters.
