NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment – IPL fuel testers to strike over “unfair” omission from bonus scheme following failed mediation

    Source: Workers First Union

    Workers First Union members who work for Independent Petroleum Laboratory Limited (IPL) are set to strike for six days at the end of the month following an unsuccessful mediation session with the company over the omission of union members from a lucrative bonus scheme.
    Laboratory technicians who test fuels, biofuels and other industrial products for supply to airports and others in New Zealand are excluded from a bonus pay scheme that the company will only provide to non-union members, which illegally disadvantages Workers First members, according to Justin Wallace, Workers First Organiser.
    “This kind of situation is unfortunately common in the oil and gas industry,” said Mr Wallace. “Union members have had enough of the unfair disadvantage and voted to strike after many attempts to negotiate in good faith with the company.”
    Mr Wallace said the strike action could have significant implications, particularly for fuel and jet fuel supplies in New Zealand given IPL’s role as a key testing facility in the supply chain to major petrol stations and airports. Delays in laboratory testing at IPL and on-site at airports could slow the certification and release of these fuels, potentially leading to shortages or logistical challenges.
    The strike action is set to take place from March 31st and will last for six days between 12:01AM – 11:59PM on 31 March and 2-6 April. Channel Infrastructure, the owner of IPL, manages a critical 170-kilometre pipeline delivering diesel, petrol, and jet fuel to the Auckland and Northland markets, which constitutes 40% of New Zealand’s fuel demand.
    “Non-union colleagues are supporting our fight for fairness in the workplace – there’s no reason that workers should be presented with a false dichotomy between participating in a pay incentive scheme or negotiating pay increases collectively through regular bargaining,” said Mr Wallace.
    “These are highly experienced senior laboratory staff who are sick of being disadvantaged in the workplace and having their legitimate concerns dismissed by IPL.”
    “Only a very small number of workers are qualified to perform these testing duties, and industrial action is their last resort after exhausting all other options.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment – IPL fuel testers to strike over “unfair” omission from bonus scheme following failed mediation

    Source: Workers First Union

    Workers First Union members who work for Independent Petroleum Laboratory Limited (IPL) are set to strike for six days at the end of the month following an unsuccessful mediation session with the company over the omission of union members from a lucrative bonus scheme.
    Laboratory technicians who test fuels, biofuels and other industrial products for supply to airports and others in New Zealand are excluded from a bonus pay scheme that the company will only provide to non-union members, which illegally disadvantages Workers First members, according to Justin Wallace, Workers First Organiser.
    “This kind of situation is unfortunately common in the oil and gas industry,” said Mr Wallace. “Union members have had enough of the unfair disadvantage and voted to strike after many attempts to negotiate in good faith with the company.”
    Mr Wallace said the strike action could have significant implications, particularly for fuel and jet fuel supplies in New Zealand given IPL’s role as a key testing facility in the supply chain to major petrol stations and airports. Delays in laboratory testing at IPL and on-site at airports could slow the certification and release of these fuels, potentially leading to shortages or logistical challenges.
    The strike action is set to take place from March 31st and will last for six days between 12:01AM – 11:59PM on 31 March and 2-6 April. Channel Infrastructure, the owner of IPL, manages a critical 170-kilometre pipeline delivering diesel, petrol, and jet fuel to the Auckland and Northland markets, which constitutes 40% of New Zealand’s fuel demand.
    “Non-union colleagues are supporting our fight for fairness in the workplace – there’s no reason that workers should be presented with a false dichotomy between participating in a pay incentive scheme or negotiating pay increases collectively through regular bargaining,” said Mr Wallace.
    “These are highly experienced senior laboratory staff who are sick of being disadvantaged in the workplace and having their legitimate concerns dismissed by IPL.”
    “Only a very small number of workers are qualified to perform these testing duties, and industrial action is their last resort after exhausting all other options.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health – and 3 things to avoid

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dileep Sharma, Professor and Head of Discipline – Oral Health, University of Newcastle

    Jiri Hera/Shutterstock

    Around one in three Australians delayed their visit to a dentist in the last financial year – or didn’t go at all – due to cost.

    Given it doesn’t look like dental treatment is being added to Medicare any time soon, what can you do?

    Most oral and dental diseases are preventable, if you take care of your teeth and mouth. In-between visits to the dentist, here’s what you can do to avoid preventable issues – and blow-out costs.

    What causes diseases in your mouth?

    More than 1,000 species of microbes live in the mouth. Most dental and oral diseases are due to an imbalance or overgrowth in these microbes within the plaque (or “biofilm”).

    Plaque gathers on the hard surfaces inside the mouth (your teeth), as well as soft surfaces (such as your tongue). Removing plaque manually with brushing and flossing is the most effective way to maintain oral health.

    Plaque starts to form immediately after brushing, which is why you should remove it regularly.

    Things to do

    1. Brush twice a day

    Use a toothbrush with soft bristles (either electric or manual). Soft bristles remove plaque without damaging the teeth or gums. A fluoridated toothpaste will help strengthen the teeth.

    Brush for at least two minutes, using a sweeping and scrubbing motion, away from the gums. It’s a good idea to start at the back teeth and work your way through to the front teeth. Don’t forget to scrub the biting surface of the teeth.

    2. Floss

    Don’t skip this step – it’s crucial to clean in-between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Once a day should be enough.

    Whether you use floss, a pick, a bottle brush or other devices may depend on the space between your teeth.

    3. Clean your tongue

    To completely remove the microbes, it’s also important to clean your tongue regularly (twice daily). You can use a toothbrush while you’re already brushing, or a special tongue scraper – just don’t brush or scrape too hard.

    Brushing twice a day is important to remove bacteria in the mouth and on the teeth.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Things to avoid

    1. Sugary drinks and refined food

    What we eat and drink can affect the mouth’s pH.

    When bacteria in the mouth break down sugars, they produce acids. The acidity can dissolve minerals in the teeth and lead to decay.

    Refined foods – such as white bread, cakes and pastries – can easily be broken down by the mouth’s bacteria. So, having a lot of them, as well as sugary drinks, can damage the teeth and cause cavities.

    Water is the best choice to drink with your meals. Sparkling and soda water are acidic and can lead to mineral loss from the teeth, even when they are unflavoured. There is evidence flavoured sparkling water can be as harmful as orange juice.

    2. Tobacco and vaping

    Smoking or using smokeless tobacco (such as chewed tobacco or snuff pouches) is linked to oral cancer.

    Nicotine is also known to increase the severity of gum diseases – even when inflammation isn’t visible.

    This is true for both smoking and smokeless tobacco (such as chewed tobacco or snuff pouches).

    Vaping also increases your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

    3. Too much alcohol, tea and coffee

    Drinking a lot of coffee, tea or red wine can stain your teeth. So if you’re concerned about your teeth appearing yellow or brown, it’s best to limit your intake.

    Drinking alcohol is also linked to an increased risk of developing oral cancers, which most commonly affect the tongue, floor of the mouth, cheek and palate.

    Drinks that are fizzy and sugary can damage the teeth.
    Svetlana Foote/Shutterstock

    Your mouth’s health is linked to your overall health

    Leaving oral diseases untreated (such as gum disease) has been linked to developing other conditions, such as liver disease, and pre-existing conditions getting worse.

    This is particularly evident if you have diabetes. Evidence shows it’s easier to manage blood sugar levels when gum diseases are properly treated.

    You can keep an eye on symptoms, such as bleeding gums which may be an early sign of gum disease. If symptoms that worry you, talk to your GP or diabetes educator. They may be able to refer you to a dentist if needed.

    Dileep Sharma receives funding from Dental Council of NSW, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, International College of Dentists and Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre for his dental research projects. He is affiliated with The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and Australian Dental Association.

    – ref. Going to the dentist is expensive. Here are 3 things you can do to protect your oral health – and 3 things to avoid – https://theconversation.com/going-to-the-dentist-is-expensive-here-are-3-things-you-can-do-to-protect-your-oral-health-and-3-things-to-avoid-250786

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Southern suburbs man charged after child exploitation material found

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A southern suburbs man was arrested today charged with two counts of disseminating child exploitation material and two counts of possessing child exploitation material.

    On Wednesday 26 March, Investigators from the South Australian JACET, a joint taskforce between South Australia Police and Australian Federal Police, attended a southern suburbs address as a result of an online conversation between the accused and a covert online police officer.

    Investigators and Digital Evidence Specialists arrested a 43-year-old man from the address.

    Initial forensic digital examinations allegedly located child exploitation material on the man’s two mobile phones.

    Further forensic examination will be conducted, and additional charges may be laid.

    The arrested man was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Tomkins, Investigations Manager of JACET, stated, “Alongside our partner agencies, we are absolutely committed to prosecuting anyone who goes after our community’s most vulnerable.

    “We maintain our online presence with an unwavering dedication to identify those who would prey on our children, who quite innocently are utilising the internet for a variety of reasons.

    “It is confronting and challenging for the investigators to engage with such persons however the officers are relentless in their pursuit of those who believe they can operate on the internet and prey on our children.”

    Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report

    If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on Triple Zero (000).

    CO2500012584

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Fivecast revolutionizes financial crime investigations with AI-driven online insights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, March 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fivecast today launched its cutting-edge, AI-driven digital intelligence platform into the financial crime compliance market, enabling financial institutions to radically streamline financial crime investigations, anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), and enhanced due diligence (EDD) through online data analytics.

    Fivecast empowers financial investigation teams to swiftly and efficiently assess customer risk across masses of online information. The Fivecast platform delivers relevant and actionable information from a vast range of online data sources, enabling broad digital footprint discovery combined with in-depth, AI-driven multi-media data analysis. Current sources and methods used for financial intelligence investigations are missing critical, risk-based information about customers, leading financial institutions to grossly underestimate their risk exposure.

    The need for accurate, timely, and global data has never been greater. The global regulatory landscape is rapidly changing, demanding new data sources to meet evolving due diligence requirements for AML compliance. This is highlighted in guidance and consent orders from Government agencies and financial regulatory bodies across Europe, the US, and Australia. In 2024, global penalties related to financial crime imposed by U.S. regulators alone surpassed $4.3 billion.

    Duane Rivett, Fivecast Co-founder and VP of Strategic Growth, said: “The vastly superior speed and accuracy of our digital intelligence platform streamlines slow, labor-intensive processes in a highly sensitive area for financial institutions. Just as national security agencies use our solutions to analyze extremist or terrorist networks online, banks are doing the same with a slightly different focus on EDD, AML, and KYC.”

    Fivecast solutions empower financial investigation units to efficiently and accurately assess a customer’s risk profile to rapidly identify predicate crimes and customer risk exposure and adopt a genuine risk-based approach to compliance while minimizing compliance costs.

    About Fivecast:
    Fivecast is a world-leading provider of digital intelligence solutions that enable financial institutions to efficiently and accurately assess a customer’s risk profile, uncovering actionable insights critical to reducing business risk while driving down the cost of compliance. Fivecast was born out of a unique collaboration between government agencies and world-leading research institutions to tackle big data challenges like those facing financial institutions today.
    www.fivecast.com

    Media Contact:
    Monica Brink – Sr Director, Marketing
    Monica.brink@fivecast.com 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c3bca299-cead-4de1-9142-e768a865dc69

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Non-compete clauses make it too hard to change jobs. Banning them for millions of Australians is a good move

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William van Caenegem, Professor of Law, Bond University

    Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock

    The Labor government used this week’s budget to announce it plans to ban non-compete agreements for employees on less than A$175,000 per year, a move that will affect about 3 million Australian workers.

    Describing them as “unfair”, a media release by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said non‑compete clauses “are holding back Australian workers from switching to better, higher‑paying jobs”. Banning non-compete clauses could lift the wages of affected workers by up to 4%, the government has said.

    The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry quickly called the measure “heavy-handed”, arguing that very few employees, according to businesses, turn down employment due to non-compete clauses.

    However, research I did with colleagues from Melbourne and Monash universities showed very few employees signing a new job contract ever think about the end of the relationship and what might happen after.

    Workers often accept non-compete clauses with little understanding or regard for their practical implications.

    What the law currently says

    The current law says contractual clauses that stop departing workers from taking a new job in their preferred line of work, often for long periods of time, are – in principle – unenforceable.

    That is, however, unless a court says a particular non-compete clause is “reasonably required” to protect a “legitimate interest”.

    Therein lies the problem: it is hard to predict when, where or under what circumstances a court will find a particular clause is “reasonably required”.

    Our research concluded this uncertainty favoured employers with greater nous and resources.

    These employers have the advantage over employees, who are rarely willing or able to go to court arguing their non-compete clause is invalid.

    This has a chilling effect on the mobility of employees. In other words, these clauses make it harder for workers to change jobs.

    That’s detrimental to labour market competition and can hold back knowledge-sharing and economic growth.

    Global efforts to ban non-compete clauses

    In California, non-compete clauses have long been banned. Many economists have identified this as among the key reasons for the success of the Californian knowledge economy. This example also featured in a submission I made (with researcher Caitlyn Douglas) to a 2024 Treasury review into non-compete clauses in Australia.

    US research from 2021 also found non-compete clauses can hinder labour mobility. They can impede fundamental freedoms such as freedom of employment and freedom of general competition.

    In 2024, under President Biden, the US Federal Trade Commission banned non-competes clauses across the US.

    However, the ban has been blocked due to legal challenges in the US Federal Court. It’s also been reported the Trump administration may kill off these reforms altogether.

    The UK government proposed in 2023 limiting non-competes to a maximum of three months.

    Holding employees back

    Unlike in some countries, Australian law does not require employers to compensate their ex-employee for loss of income during their non-compete period.

    This means that if workers comply and do not work in the field they’re most skilled for, they will take a serious financial hit for months or more.

    This is another detrimental effect of non-compete clauses. They really hurt if the worker in question is lower paid and has very specific skills (such as hairdressers or dental assistants).

    In that respect, Labor’s mooted ban on such clauses for employees on less than $175,000 is well conceived.

    Courts will usually only enforce a non-compete clause if its terms are reasonable to protect a legitimate interest, such as trade secrets an employee has learned during their employment.

    However, it’s mostly higher-ranked employees that have access to really significant trade secrets, such as technical information, confidential business plans or pricing structures.

    Higher paid employees are also more often the “public face of the business”. A court might decide it’s fair to say such workers can’t leave and the next day turn up as the main face of a competing business.

    And the new government proposal won’t leave employers without any recourse against employees who take their genuine trade secrets and pass them on to their new employers. They will still be able to sue for breach of confidence.

    Non-competes really hurt if the worker in question is lower paid and has very specific skills (such as hairdressers or dental assistants).
    Dorde Krstic/Shutterstock

    Challenges for reform

    The proposed reforms are well supported by authoritative legal and economic research.

    The federal government will have to consider carefully how to make sure the prohibition cannot be easily circumvented.

    And they’ll have to ensure these reforms don’t make it more likely judges will find restraints valid for those on more than A$175,000. Labour and knowledge mobility remain crucially important for them too.

    Another key challenge will be ensuring a ban doesn’t encourage practices or clauses restricting competition to emerge or become too prevalent.

    That could include “garden leave” clauses. These give a departing employee a long notice period, during which they are paid but do not work and are isolated from their employment (and instead “doing the gardening” at home).

    The risk is that if employers can no longer include non-compete clauses in contracts, they might use long garden leave provisions more often.

    Although it is good that “garden leave” employees get paid during that period (unlike during a non-compete term), they are still isolated from their work, stagnating in their skills and unable to move to new employment.

    William van Caenegem received funding from the Australian Research Council a decade ago for some of the research referred to in this article.

    – ref. Non-compete clauses make it too hard to change jobs. Banning them for millions of Australians is a good move – https://theconversation.com/non-compete-clauses-make-it-too-hard-to-change-jobs-banning-them-for-millions-of-australians-is-a-good-move-253101

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Measles alert for Sydney Airport and western NSW

    Source: Australian Green Party

    NSW Health is advising people to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case who was infectious while visiting locations at Sydney Airport and western NSW.
    The case recently returned from South East Asia where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles in several countries including Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
    People who were on board the below flight or attended the following locations at the times stated should watch for the development of symptoms. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
    ​Wednesday 19 March 2025

    Jetstar Flight JQ62 departed Ho Chi Minh City at 10:30pm on Tuesday 18 March 2025, arriving in Sydney at 10:50am on Wednesday 19 March 2025
    Sydney International Airport arrivals terminal and baggage claim from 11:00am to 12:00pm

    Friday 21 March 2025

    Ochre Medical Centre Parkes, 335 Clarinda St, Parkes from 10:15am to 11:15am

    Monday 24 March 2025 

    Parkes Health Service Emergency Department, 2 Morrissey Way, Parkes 12:00pm midday to 7:00pm

    Dr Victor Carey, Western NSW Local Health District Public Health Physician said anyone who visited the above locations at those times should monitor for symptoms.​
    “Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes,” Dr Carey said.
    “Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.”
    “It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms up until 11 April 2025.
    “It’s important for people to stay vigilant if they’ve been exposed, and if they develop symptoms, to please call ahead to their GP or emergency department to ensure they do not spend time in the waiting room with other patients.
    “We want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. The measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough.
    “This should be a reminder for everyone to check that they are protected against measles, which is highly infectious.
    “Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
    The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
    Children under the age of 12 months can have their first dose of MMR up to six months earlier if they are travelling to areas with a high risk for measles. Parents should consult their GP.
    People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
    For more information on measles, view the measles factsheet.
    If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. ​

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on March 25, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,97,724.73 6.25 5.15-6.65
         I. Call Money 18,953.50 6.30 5.15-6.45
         II. Triparty Repo 4,11,280.25 6.21 5.50-6.40
         III. Market Repo 1,65,836.08 6.35 5.70-6.60
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,654.90 6.60 6.60-6.65
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 345.50 6.42 6.05-6.50
         II. Term Money@@ 220.00 – 6.80-7.30
         III. Triparty Repo 2,735.75 6.78 6.40-7.25
         IV. Market Repo 999.41 6.80 6.80-6.80
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Tue, 25/03/2025 1 Wed, 26/03/2025 95,653.00 6.26
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Tue, 25/03/2025 1 Wed, 26/03/2025 389.00 6.50
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 25/03/2025 1 Wed, 26/03/2025 1,77,285.00 6.00
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -81,243.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo Fri, 21/03/2025 5 Wed, 26/03/2025 46,204.00 6.26
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Fri, 21/02/2025 45 Mon, 07/04/2025 57,951.00 6.26
      Fri, 14/02/2025 49 Fri, 04/04/2025 75,003.00 6.28
      Fri, 07/02/2025 56 Fri, 04/04/2025 50,010.00 6.31
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       9,517.09  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     2,38,685.09  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     1,57,442.09  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on March 25, 2025 9,49,616.35  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending April 04, 2025 9,28,983.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ March 25, 2025 95,653.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on March 07, 2025 54,323.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    ^ As per the Press Release No. 2024-2025/2082 dated February 05, 2025, Press Release No. 2024-2025/2138 dated February 12, 2025, and Press Release No. 2024-2025/2209 dated February 20, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2024-2025/2460

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The 2025 federal budget fails the millions of voters who want action on Australia’s struggling environment

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Neal, Senior lecturer in Economics / Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney

    Commentators have branded last night’s federal budget as an attempt to win over typical Australian voters concerned about the cost of living, ahead of what is expected to be a tightly fought federal election.

    The budget’s big-ticket items included tax cuts and energy bill relief, plus measures to make childcare and healthcare cheaper.

    There was little in the budget dedicated to stemming Australia’s environmental crises. Given this, one might assume the average voter cares little for action on conservation and curbing climate change. But is this true?

    Polling suggests the clear answer is “no”. Voters consistently say they want more government action on both conservation and climate change. As the federal election looms, Labor is running out of time to show it cares about Australia’s precious natural environment.

    What environmental spending was in the budget?

    The main spending on the environment in last night’s budget had been announced in the weeks before. It includes:

    These measures are welcome. However, the overall environment spending is inadequate, given the scale of the challenges Australia faces.

    Australia’s protected areas, such as national parks, have suffered decades of poor funding, and the federal budget has not rectified this. It means these sensitive natural places will remain vulnerable to harms such as invasive species and bushfires.

    More broadly, Australia is failing to stem the drivers of biodiversity loss, such as land clearing and climate change. This means more native species become threatened with extinction each year.

    Experts say conserving Australia’s threatened species would cost an extra $2 billion a year. Clearly, the federal budget spending of an extra $50 million a year falls well short of this.

    And global greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. This contributes to ever-worsening climate change, bringing heatwaves, more extreme fires, more variable rainfall and rising seas.

    Contrary to what the federal budget priorities might suggest, Australians are concerned about these issues.

    What does the average voter think about the environment?

    Results from reputable polling provide insight into what the average voters want when it comes to environmental policy and spending.

    When it comes to conservation, the evidence is clear. Polling by YouGov in October last year (commissioned by two environment groups) estimated that 70% of Australians think the Labor government should do more to “protect and restore nature”. The vast majority of voters (86%) supported stronger national nature laws.

    Essential Research polling in October 2023 found 53% of voters think the government is not doing enough to preserve endangered species. About the same proportion said more government action was needed to preserve native forests, and oceans and rivers.

    On climate change, the average voter appears to have views significantly out of step with both major parties. The Australia Institute’s Climate of the Nation report last year found 50% of voters believed the government was not doing enough to prepare for and adapt to climate impacts.

    The report also found 50% of voters supported a moratorium on new coal mines in Australia, 69% support charging companies a levy for each tonne of carbon pollution they emit, and 69% are concerned about climate change.

    Also in 2024, a Lowy Institute poll found 57% of Australians supported the statement that “global warming is a serious and pressing problem, and that we should take steps now to mitigate it even if it involves significant costs”.

    There’s a caveat here. As the cost-of-living crisis has worsened, the issue has edged out all others in terms of voter concerns at the upcoming election.

    For example, in January this year, Roy Morgan polling found 57% of voters considered cost of living one of their top-three issues of concern. Only 23% considered global warming a top-three issue.

    However, global warming was still more of a concern for voters than managing the economy (22%), keeping interest rates down (19%) and reducing taxes (15%). It was tied with reducing crime (23%).

    It’s also important to note that climate change and cost-of-living pressures are not separate issues. Research suggests that as climate change worsens, it will cause inflation to worsen.

    Labor’s unmet election promises

    The singular focus on the cost of living in last night’s federal budget means environmental spending has been neglected.

    Context matters here. Labor has utterly failed to deliver its 2022 election promise to rewrite federal environmental protection laws and create an environmental protection agency.

    The government could have used this budget to repair its environmental credentials going into the next election – but it didn’t. The many voters concerned about the environment might well wonder if Labor considers the environment a policy priority at all.

    The upcoming election result may show whether minor parties and independents better reflect the Australian electorate’s views on this important issue.

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

    – ref. The 2025 federal budget fails the millions of voters who want action on Australia’s struggling environment – https://theconversation.com/the-2025-federal-budget-fails-the-millions-of-voters-who-want-action-on-australias-struggling-environment-253099

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Delivering a new Academy for Health Sciences in Central Queensland

    Source: Historic Cooma Gaol listed on the NSW State Heritage Register

    The Albanese Government and the Crisafulli Government will fund the establishment of a new Academy for Health Sciences in Rockhampton.

    The Academy will help to fast track high-achieving local students into careers as doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals.

    This is an investment to strengthen Medicare and boost the pipeline of health workers in regional Queensland.

    The Academy will cater for students from Years 10 to 12 and connect them to professionals in health sciences and research.

    The Albanese Government will support the establishment of the Academy through a $80 million investment, towards the Crisafulli Government’s existing commitment to deliver this key regional project.

    The Crisafulli Government will seek to establish a direct partnership with Central Queensland University. 

    This will also allow students to gain credit for university health science degrees while still at school, and follow their passion for health sciences without needing to move away from their families or communities.

    The recent record number of graduates to progress through Queensland’s Regional Medical Pathway program demonstrates the strong pipeline of home-grown future health professionals outside metropolitan areas.

    The Rockhampton campus will be the first regionally-based Queensland Academy, and demonstrates the Crisafulli and Albanese Government’s commitment to restoring and strengthening regional health services.

    The details of the Academy’s implementation are under consideration by the Crisafulli Government, with the final location to be determined through further planning and consultation.

    Comment attributable to Minister Clare: 

    “This is an important investment which will support young people in Central Queensland to become nurses, paramedics and doctors. 

    “This is all about building a better and fairer education system and strengthening the pipeline of key workers that regional Queensland needs.”

    Comment attributable to Minister King:

    “The Albanese Government is delivering the infrastructure and facilities our communities need. 

    “This health sciences academy is part of our landmark investment in Central Queensland, alongside the $7.2 billion being invested by the Australian Government in the Bruce Highway safety upgrade.”

    Comment attributable to Minister Langbroek: 

    “This funding contribution from the Albanese Government is incredibly significant, coupled with the planning and consultation work we’ve already done, this election commitment is well underway.

    “The Academy will help students across Central Queensland who are interested in a health career to connect with professionals in health sciences and research.

    “I look forward to continuing to work with State Health Minister Tim Nicholls and our local MPs to fulfill our commitment to deliver this vital project for Central Queensland.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Third person before the courts following aggravated robbery, Invercargill

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have taken a third young person into custody in relation to an aggravated robbery in Invercargill.

    At around 3.30am on Monday 24 March, Police were alerted to four people entering a store on North Road. The group targeted cigarettes and tobacco before fleeing in a vehicle.

    Today, Police located the youth and took them into custody without incident.

    The young person appeared in Invercargill Youth Court today.

    Police continue to investigate the aggravated burglary and further arrests are likely.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Recycling made easy at City’s waste drop-off weekend

    Source: South Australia Police

    Take part in the City’s annual Community Waste Drop-Off Weekend on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April 2025 at the Ashby Operations Centre.

    Open from 8am to 4pm all weekend, this event offers an easy and environmentally friendly way to dispose of bulky and hard-to-recycle items including:

    • Tyres (limit of four per household)
    • E-waste
    • Cardboard
    • Polystyrene.

    Last year, more than 900 residents took part in the event, which saw an impressive amount of waste collected, including:

    • 9,775 kg of e-waste, equivalent to 36.89 tonnes of carbon offset, the same as 12 flights between Perth and Sydney in carbon emissions
    • 1,341 tyres, stacked up they would cover half the area of the Sydney Opera House
    • 5.5 tonnes of cardboard, which is about the weight of three adult elephants; and
    • 29 cubic metres of polystyrene, enough to fill roughly 14 average-sized refrigerators!

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the annual event helped reduce waste to landfill and tackle illegal dumping

    “The community waste drop-off weekend is the perfect opportunity to clear out unwanted, bulky items and make sure they’re disposed of responsibly,” she said.

    “Recycling isn’t just about disposing of waste, it’s about coming together as a community to protect our future.

    “Together, we’re creating a cleaner, greener community, and this event is just one way to help reduce waste.”

    Can’t get down to drop off your bulky waste? You can always check out more info on the City’s bookable bulk service or head to nearby recycling centres like Wangara Greens Recycling Facility, Tamala Park or Balcatta Recycling Centre.

    Event details:

    • Date: Saturday 5 April and Sunday 6 April 2025
    • Time: 8am to 4pm each day
    • Location: Ashby Operations Centre, (north entrance), 1204 Wanneroo Road, Ashby

    After dropping off your recycling, tree’t yourself!

    The City will also be giving away free native shrubs and tree seedlings as part of the City’s Wannagrow program for the WA Tree Festival. These will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday 5 April until stocks last.

    For more details including what you can and can’t drop-off, visit the Community Waste Drop-Off Weekend event page. Limits and conditions apply.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Statement – Commonwealth Budget

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    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 25/03/2025

    The ACT Government welcomes the wide range of initiatives in the 2025-26 Commonwealth Budget that will benefit Canberrans and our city.

    Continued cost of living relief for all Canberrans

    The ACT Government welcomes new relief for Canberrans who need it most, with tax cuts across the board including a further exemption for low-income earners with increases to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds.

    We also know that Canberra households have faced significantly rising costs over the past two years, which thankfully have started to moderate. The $150 Energy Bill Relief for every household in the ACT will provide much needed relief for nearly two hundred thousand Canberra households as well as small businesses.

    Across the five jurisdictions in the National Electricity Market, the ACT is expected to have the lowest standing offers in 2025-26 – the future is renewable.

    Additionally, the Commonwealth Government’s largest investment in Medicare since its inception will help take some of the pressure off our hospital system and continue to ensure Canberrans get the care they need when they need it.

    Canberrans deserve to be able to access bulk-billed GPs and appropriately funding primary care is critical to address the complexities of demand in our health system.

    Funding for an additional urgent care clinic in Woden is delivered through the budget, as is a boost to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that will benefit all Canberrans.

    Canberrans are more likely than any other Australians to have a tertiary qualification and so will disproportionately benefit from further reductions in HECS-HELP debts; we want more Canberrans to attain tertiary qualifications for the jobs of the future and for more Australians to choose our great universities as their preferred place of study.

    Housing

    The ACT Government remains committed to delivering on the targets set out in the National Housing Accord and we are working to deliver above our per capita share of the national target of 1.2 million homes. We know that increasing housing supply will improve housing affordability, access and choice for Canberrans.

    The ACT Government welcomes the increased income and property price caps under the Government’s Help to Buy scheme which will support more Canberrans to enter the housing market with lower deposits and smaller mortgages. Purchase of homes of up to $1 million in Canberra will now be supported under the scheme, up from $750,000.

    The ACT’s apprentices in residential construction will benefit from $10,000 in cost of living completion payments, which will support the construction industry to build more homes.

    National Capital Investment Framework

    The ACT Government welcomes this additional investment into major transport infrastructure across our city.

    We will continue to work in partnership with the Commonwealth Government to deliver projects that create local jobs and strengthen our economy.

    This pipeline of investment supports our broader strategic objectives for transport planning including unlocking land for more housing, new public transport routes and improving connections with our surrounding region.

    The Budget commits another $53.5 million as part of the 2025-26 to support the next stage of growth and ensure projects across the territory can actually be delivered. This includes:

    • $30 million to complete the Monaro Highway Upgrade
    • $20 million to complete for the Monaro Highway Upgrade Stage 2 Upgrades
    • $3.5 million to complete the duplication of Gundaroo Drive

    The Budget also provides a $30 million boost over five years for the ACT under the Roads to Recovery program, which will go directly to maintaining the ACT’s existing road network. This includes $8.6 million for resurfacing the Kings Highway near Kowen.

    Under the previous Commonwealth Government, Commonwealth infrastructure investment for Canberra lagged behind the rest of the country.

    Public Service

    A strong Australian Public Service is crucial to Canberra’s economy and local businesses. The ACT Government welcomes the continued strong support for the Public Service by the Commonwealth Government which has supported continued low unemployment and strong wage growth across the broader economy.

    Over this term of government, the Commonwealth Government has supported this growth in the APS across every part of our city. The ACT Government welcomes the continued investment in the National Security Office Precinct which started construction earlier this year.

    An alternative approach of severe and prolonged cuts to the Australian Public Service would be an attack on Canberra’s economy and local businesses.

    National Broadband Network

    The ACT will be the largest proportionate beneficiary from a $3 billion investment the National Broadband Network. This investment will see 100,000 more Canberrans connected with faster and more reliable internet by upgrading remaining fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network.

    – Statement ends –

    Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wolf Pack sprints through Freedom Shield 25

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea — The 8th Fighter Wing continues to sharpen its warfighting edge during Freedom Shield 25, reaffirming its ability to generate airpower simultaneously from multiple locations in support of air component objectives March 10-21, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Empowering young changemakers in Wanneroo

    Source: South Australia Police

    We’re pleased to welcome 12 local primary schools into the 2025 City of Wanneroo School Leadership Program.

    Since 2019, the program has fostered leadership, teamwork and community connection among young people in our community and has helped nearly 500 students develop confidence and skills to lead positive change within their community.

    As part of the program, participating students band together to create a community action project that focuses on improving the environment, safety, advocacy, inclusion or health in their neighbourhoods.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the program played an important role in shaping the future leaders of our communities.

    “The School Leadership Program empowers young people to make a real difference in their own backyard, and investing in our young people is investing in the future of the City of Wanneroo,” she said.

    “Through this program, we are not only developing leadership skills but also fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility that will benefit our community for years to come.”

    This year’s participating schools are:

    • Alkimos Primary
    • Carnaby Rise Primary
    • Carramar Primary
    • Clarkson Primary
    • East Wanneroo Primary
    • Mindarie Primary
    • Our Lady of Mercy Primary
    • Quinns Rocks Primary
    • Rawlinson Primary
    • St Anthony’s Wanneroo
    • St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary
    • Tapping Primary

    The program kicks off with the Youth Leadership Forum on 8 May, where students will engage in interactive workshops, hear from inspiring leaders and start developing their Community Action Projects.

    Stay tuned as these young changemakers embark on their leadership journey.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Boost U.S. Cultural Trade Amid Competition From China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Cultural Trade Promotion Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s creative industries and expand cultural exports. By bolstering the creative economy, this legislation will help U.S. businesses—including Native-owned, small, and rural enterprises—reach new global markets, create jobs, and strengthen America’s influence abroad amidst increasing competition from China.

    “America’s creative industries are a powerful force, driving jobs at home and shaping perceptions of our country abroad. Recently, China has doubled down on promoting its cultural exports, and we’ve been falling behind,” said Senator Schatz, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “This bipartisan bill will help us level the playing field by expanding export opportunities for American businesses everywhere from Maui to Memphis so that our creative economy remains the global leader.”

    “We cannot allow China to continue to outpace the United States in overall cultural exports, and Tennessee is home to countless creative entrepreneurs who need support to export their products and grow their businesses,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would improve access to international shipping services for these small businesses to strengthen our economy and promote high-quality American goods.” 

    Over the past decade, China has aggressively expanded its cultural trade through coordinated government investments and programs. In 2014, China surpassed the United States in overall cultural exports, and it continues to leverage cultural promotion as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Meanwhile, America’s cultural trade surplus has declined, dropping from $31.5 billion in 2019 to $17.8 billion in 2021 before rebounding slightly to $21 billion in 2022, according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

    The Cultural Trade Promotion Act would direct the Foreign Commercial Service to promote U.S. creative economy goods abroad and require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to include the creative economy in its annual governmentwide strategic plan. The bill would also improve access to international shipping services for small businesses by facilitating collaboration between the International Trade Administration and the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, it would promote products from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned businesses and include a representative of the creative industries on the Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Giant panda Fu Bao returns after health scare

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Visitors take photos of giant panda Fu Bao on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Southwest China’s Sichuan province. [Photo/China News]
    After more than 100 days of rest, giant panda Fu Bao returned to public display on Tuesday at the Shenshuping base in Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest Sichuan province, according to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.
    In December, she was observed trembling while foraging and was immediately subjected to a physical examination and close monitoring by keepers and veterinarians.
    After undergoing a series of medical tests, including blood work and screenings for parasites and infectious diseases, no abnormalities were found. Fu Bao was then moved to a non-exhibit area for rest.
    In January and February, the panda exhibited normal estrus behavior, during which she received meticulous care from keepers and veterinarians. Renowned experts from Beijing were also invited to collaborate with the panda base’s veterinarians for a joint consultation to further investigate potential causes of the trembling.
    The latest test results for Fu Bao show no abnormalities. Experts have determined that she is fit for display based on her current condition and medical examination results.
    Fu Bao was born in July 2020 at South Korea’s Everland theme park in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul. She is the first offspring of Hua Ni and Yuan Xin, a pair of giant pandas leased from China to South Korea in 2016.
    Her birth marked the first time a giant panda was born in South Korea, and she quickly became a beloved figure. Everland said that since her public debut in January 2021, she has attracted more than 5.4 million visitors.
    In April last year, in accordance with international agreements, Fu Bao was sent to China. Her departure was met with an emotional farewell from thousands of fans who gathered at Everland to see her off.
    Fu Bao’s arrival in China has also sparked interest among South Korean tourists. Travel agencies have offered “panda tourism” packages to Sichuan, allowing fans to visit her in her new habitat.
    Some avid South Korean panda fans alleged mistreatment of Fu Bao shortly after her arrival in China, pointing to a patch of fur loss on her neck.
    The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda refuted the claims, saying that tests suggested no abnormalities such as allergies, scabs or thickening of the skin. A spokesperson for the center said the Shenshuping base will continue to closely monitor and care for Fu Bao. To ensure her well-being, the base will adjust display times or suspend displays based on her health status and weather conditions.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dream becomes a reality for EIT Auckland Valedictorian | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

    Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

    7 minutes ago

    When Mai Nguyễn first arrived in New Zealand in April 2023, she could only dream of one day standing on stage delivering the valedictory speech at her own graduation.

    Yesterday, (March 25), she did just that — speaking as Valedictorian and graduating with a Master of Digital Business at one of two EIT Auckland ceremonies at the Aotea Centre.

    “I’m so proud of it, super proud,” Mai says. “When I first started studying, I helped out at graduation ceremonies. I watched the valedictorians speak and I dreamed of being one of them. And now, it’s come true.”

    EIT Auckland Valedictorian Mai Nguyễn has graduated with a Master of Digital Business.

    Originally from Vietnam, Mai holds a Bachelor in Hospitality Management and had a successful career in marketing at a cybersecurity company before moving abroad with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An. Despite the challenges of starting over in a new country, Mai embraced every opportunity with determination and heart.

    She completed her Master of Digital Business at EIT Auckland and quickly became a valued part of the student community, serving as a student representative and mentor.

    That sense of support is something she felt from the moment she enrolled. “The EIT philosophy of providing the support to succeed is true. From day one, I felt it. Even when I lost my first assignment due to a technical issue, and the librarian from Napier helped me late at night. That meant so much.”

    She describes the Auckland campus as small but warm — a place where “everyone knows your name” and where international students are truly looked after.

    “I always felt like I belonged. There’s something special about how EIT supports students. They see more than just your grades; they see your heart and your effort.”

    EIT Auckland Valedictorian Mai Nguyễn pictured with her husband Tran Khanh Hiep and their then two-and-a-half-year-old son Tran Khanh An on their way to New Zealand.

    Now working as a business development manager for an immigration company, Mai helps other migrants find their path in Aotearoa. She hopes to become a licensed immigration advisor and continue supporting Vietnamese students who want to study in New Zealand — including, she hopes, at EIT.

    “I still tell EIT staff, if you ever need my help, I’ll be there,” she says. “I believe in what EIT offers — not just education, but care.”

    “I wasn’t always this helpful or reflective,” she adds. “Back in Vietnam, I was career focused. But studying here helped me grow. I realised that success isn’t just about what you achieve — it’s about the impact you have on others.”

    To new international students, Mai offers heartfelt advice.

    “Change is not scary, it’s part of growth. You might suffer and struggle, but everything will be fine in the end. Do good, and good will always come back to you.”

    EIT Auckland Campus Director Cherrie Freeman says this achievement is a testament to Mai’s dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence throughout her studies.

    “The team at EIT is incredibly proud of all that Mai has accomplished. We are also deeply grateful for the unwavering support she has shown to the student community. Time and time again, Mai stepped up to help—whether by helping, providing guidance, or simply being there when needed. Her willingness to lend a hand, often on short notice, and her consistent presence on campus, sometimes on a daily basis, have made a significant impact.

    “Mai has truly earned this distinction, and EIT wishes her all the best in her future endeavours. She will always have a special place in the EIT family.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Senegal

    Source:

    We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in Senegal. Protests in Senegal have turned violent, resulting in several deaths and injuries. Avoid protests and public gatherings, limit unnecessary travel and remain vigilant. Mobile communications may be disrupted without notice. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media for updates. The Australian High Commission in Accra currently has very limited capacity to provide consular assistance in Senegal.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media Advisory: Dog graduation

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    New Zealand Police will host the latest dog graduation on Thursday 27 March at 1pm. 

    Handlers and their dogs will be celebrating in front of whānau and friends and members of the New Zealand Police executive and the New Zealand Army. 

    Graduating from the police patrol dog course are ‘Delta’ teams from Auckland, Waikato, Eastern, Central, and Wellington Districts.

    Also graduating from their Explosives Detector Dog (EDD) course are three handler and dog teams from No 2 Field Squadron.

    Media are invited to attend the prizegiving which starts at 1pm at the Police Dog Training Centre, Dante Road, Trentham. 

    Please arrive at 12.45pm and RSVP attendance to:  media@police.govt.nz

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Raf Epstein, Melbourne Mornings, ABC Radio

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Raf Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers has delivered his fourth Budget. He’s the federal Treasurer. Good morning.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Raf. How are you?

    Epstein:

    I’m good. Look, people on $45 grand might really need it, but people earning $200 grand don’t need an extra $500 a year in a tax cut. High earners are getting tax cuts. Why?

    Chalmers:

    Well, every Australian taxpayer’s getting another 2 tax cuts in addition to the one that started rolling out in July. And that’s what we’re doing in the Budget. We’re topping up the tax cuts.

    And when you cut the bottom rate from 19 cents all the way down to 14 cents, that flows to every taxpayer. That’s just how the tax system works. But the benefits will be disproportionately felt for people on lower incomes, younger people, people entering the workforce, and that’s deliberate.

    Epstein:

    Why are high income earners getting it? I just want to understand the rationale. You and I don’t need that money. It could be better spent by the government, it could be targeted at people who need it. Why are we getting it?

    Chalmers:

    Because the way the tax system works is it’s a marginal tax system and when you cut the bottom rate, it means that every taxpayer benefits and the –

    Epstein:

    – that’s an explanation. That’s not a reason.

    Chalmers:

    The only easy way to limit the tax cuts is to provide it in people’s tax returns. We’ve done that in the past, but we wanted to make this a weekly, enduring, ongoing benefit to people. The benefit, when you combine our 3 tax cuts together is an average tax cut of about $50 a week.

    You ask me about cost‑of‑living relief more broadly. It’s not the only thing we’re doing. You know, strengthening Medicare is about out of pocket health costs, cheaper medicines, energy bill rebates, cutting student debt. These are all of the ways that we are responsibly helping people with the cost of living.

    Epstein:

    Without an election, would there have been tax cuts?

    Chalmers:

    Yes, we’re very keen to top up the tax cuts which started flowing in July. And that’s because we recognise that even though we’re making a heap of very encouraging progress in the fight against inflation, we’ve got inflation down lower and earlier in the budget than was expected, even at the end of last year.

    But we know that people are still under pressure and so we’re providing cost‑of‑living relief, really one of the main focuses in the Budget. And, and we’re doing that in a whole bunch of ways and giving people 2 more tax cuts to top up the tax cuts, which are already flowing, is a very effective way of doing that.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers, as Treasurer, your shared equity scheme, it is extra help for some people to buy a house, but there’s not much for most people trying to buy a house. Why do you keep kicking that can down the road?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t think we are. You know, the Help to Buy scheme, the expansion means about 40 – helping about 40,000 Australians into the housing market. That’s a significant amount of people. But it’s not the only thing we’re doing in housing.

    There’s about $33 billion being invested in housing in all kinds of responsible ways, from social and affordable housing to the Help to Buy scheme, to working with the states to open up new estates and make sure that it’s got the infrastructure that it needs.

    We’re investing in housing in a whole bunch of ways. We know that there’s a shortage. It’s one of the big challenges in our economy, as you and I have spoken about, I think, on a number of occasions, Raf and that’s why we’re doing something about it.

    Epstein:

    But aren’t those changes on the edges? The big changes are how we incentivise people to build wealth. Negative gearing, capital gains, like that’s the big lever that you haven’t pulled?

    Chalmers:

    We haven’t. That’s correct. But whether it’s cost of living or housing, it’s best not to look at any one measure in isolation. You look across what we’re doing in housing, we’ve got the most ambitious housing programme of any government in my lifetime.

    Epstein:

    Are you scared of negative gearing changes?

    Chalmers:

    We’re not going down that route because we’re not convinced that it would build more homes to change that. We’ve made that clear. And our emphasis is on housing supply. We want to build more homes, 1.2 million homes in the next 5 years. That’s going to be difficult. It’s ambitious, but it’s achievable if everybody does their bit.

    We’ve shown a willingness and enthusiasm to invest in housing because we know it’s the source of a lot of this cost‑of‑living pressure, which is still hanging around. We know we don’t have enough homes. That’s why we’re acting decisively with $33 billion of investment.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers is the Treasurer on 774. We’ll have a word to the Shadow Treasurer, Angus Taylor, soon as well.

    Treasurer, if you had 60 seconds in a lift with Donald Trump, what would you say to him?

    Chalmers:

    I think I’d tell President Trump, exactly what I told his Treasury Secretary in Washington D.C. a few weeks ago. Ours is an economic relationship of mutual benefit. They run a big trade surplus with us, they enjoy tariff‑free access to our markets. We believe that should be taken into consideration and we will always speak up for and stand up for our interests.

    Epstein:

    Do you think he cares about Australia?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t think that’s a question really for me. You’d have to ask him. But I do believe whoever is in the White House and whoever is in the Lodge, this is such an important economic relationship and security relationship, it benefits both countries. And we will continue to make our case to stand up and speak for our interests.

    We don’t want to trade away the things that we’re proud of in Australia, things like the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that I invested in in the Budget. We want to make sure that we’re strengthening that because Australians need us to, not weakening it because American multinationals want us to. So that’s been in the mix. That’s been some of the things that have been discussed. I would make the same points to President Trump that I made to his Treasury Secretary.

    Epstein:

    You did pull a bit of a rabbit out of your hat with the tax cuts last night. One thing you did not mention is Melbourne’s suburban rail loop. Why not?

    Chalmers:

    Because we’d already funded that. As you know, I think the funding got released a few weeks ago. But that’s been in our, that $2 billion or so has been in our budget for a while. Usually in the Budget speech, you mentioned the new things.

    Epstein:

    You don’t think it’s a sketchy project, you’ve got faith in it?

    Chalmers:

    Well, it’s cleared the hurdles. And So we’re providing that $2 billion. We believe in it. We think it’s a project worthy of Commonwealth investment. That’s why Catherine King, my colleague, has been working closely with the Victorians to provide and release that funding for Suburban Rail Loop. But in the Budget speech last night, we focused on Sunshine Station because that’s part of a big new investment we’re making in the Airport Rail line.

    Epstein:

    Tobacco excise. I think it’s about $1.40 of tax per cigarette at the moment. That is failing in your Budget. You’re taking in even less money than you thought you would. It’s failing on the streets. Why are you sticking with that while shops are burning?

    Chalmers:

    There are 2 reasons why tobacco excise is down. There’s a good reason and there’s a bad reason. Good reason is more people giving it away. But I do acknowledge the essence of your question, which is we’ve got a challenge here and too many people are avoiding the excise, and that’s why we’ve actually invested a substantial amount of money and resources in the Budget last night to try and crack down on people avoiding the excise. There’s a lot of money in the Budget for compliance and enforcement because we do have a problem there. I acknowledge that. We’re doing something about it.

    Epstein:

    Will we ever get a surplus?

    Chalmers:

    We’ve delivered 2 surpluses, Raf.

    Epstein:

    I’m talking looking forward.

    Chalmers:

    I know, but this is too easily lost. When we came to office, there were deficits in every year, we turned 2 of them into surpluses. And we’ve shrunk the deficit this year and that’s helping us get debt down this year by $177 billion. I think that is too easily lost.

    We do acknowledge there are structural issues in the budget in the medium term and in the longer term. That’s what’s motivated us in terms of making spending on the NDIS and in aged care more sustainable. We have made a structural difference, a structural improvement to the budget over time with those measures. But the work of budget repair is ongoing.

    In every single one of our 4 Budgets, we’ve had savings. We’ve tried to. When we’re investing money in helping with the cost of living or strengthening Medicare, we’ve done it in the most responsible way that we can, which recognises these pressures on the budget.

    Epstein:

    Thanks so much for your time this morning.

    Chalmers:

    Appreciate it, Raf. All the best.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers there, the federal Treasurer.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Sarah Abo and James Bracey, Today Show, Channel 9

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    James Bracey:

    Now more on the Albanese government’s fourth federal Budget. Jim Chalmers catching the country off guard with a surprise tax cut for every Australian, a move the Coalition is calling an election bribe.

    Sarah Abo:

    And the Treasurer joins us live now from Parliament House in Canberra. Good morning to you, Treasurer, or should I call you the re‑election salesman with a Budget like that? $5 a week barely buys a cup of coffee. Can it buy an election?

    Jim Chalmers:

    It’s more than that, Sarah, that’s the first point. If you combine the 3 tax cuts that Labor is providing, it’s around $50 a week on average. It’s not the only cost‑of‑living help that we’re providing. We know that cost of living is front of mind for most Australians and it’s absolutely front and centre in the Budget. The tax cuts, strengthening Medicare, cheaper medicines, cutting student debt, providing energy bill rebates. This is all about providing the most cost‑of‑living help that we can in the most responsible way that we can.

    Bracey:

    Treasurer, why across the whole board, for everyone with this tax cut? We spoke to Kirsty earlier, cafe owner, mother of 7, who says the $5 bucks a week just won’t touch the sides.

    Chalmers:

    That’s only one of the 2 tax cuts that we’re providing, and 3 in total in our time in office, the average –

    Abo:

    But why is it for everyone Treasurer?

    Chalmers:

    The average is $50 a week. That’s the first point.

    Abo:

    Shouldn’t you prioritise the first 2?

    Chalmers:

    When you cut the bottom rate of tax, it flows right up and down the income scale, so it’s a tax cut for every taxpayer. These are modest tax cuts, they’re responsible tax cuts, but they’re meaningful when you take them in combination with the tax cuts which are flowing already, we’re topping up those tax cuts and we’re also providing cost‑of‑living relief in other ways.

    Abo:

    It’s barely going to help those top part of the brackets, as you know but it will, if it was doubled, be more of an impact for those underneath. I mean, there is still a big household onus now to find savings. The cost‑of‑living pressures are unlikely to change in the short term.

    Chalmers:

    That’s why we’re helping people with the cost of living. We’ve made a lot of progress together as Australians on inflation and in our economy more broadly. The Australian economy is turning a corner and that’s a very good thing. But we know that there’s more work to do. That’s why we’re providing more cost‑of‑living help and that’s why it beggars belief that the Coalition is opposing this cost‑of‑living relief.

    What it means for the election is that it’s a simple choice between Labor cutting taxes to help with the cost of living versus Peter Dutton’s secret cuts which will make people worse off. Peter Dutton wants to cut everything except income taxes and that will be part of the choice that we’ll be asking people to make at the election.

    Bracey:

    There really is no Treasurer budget for an election and you set aside a further billion dollars for that election. What is up your sleeve?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t agree with that characterisation. It’s a budget about building Australia’s future and strengthening Medicare and helping with the cost of living. When it comes to that line in the Budget about decisions taken but not announced, that’s actually very small by historical standards. There are good reasons to have a small amount of money provisioned for in that way. If you compare that with earlier budgets, that line item is actually incredibly small.

    Abo:

    The surpluses are firmly in the review mirror, aren’t they, Treasurer? I mean, what a legacy; 10 years of deficit. Now you’re staring down extraordinary debt as far as the eye can see and without a real concrete plan to pay for it.

    Chalmers:

    I think it’s unusual, Sarah, that your question doesn’t acknowledge that when we came to office there were only deficits, and we turned 2 of them into surpluses and we shrunk the deficit for this year. We’ve made a lot of progress in the Budget. We’ve helped engineer the biggest ever nominal improvement in the Budget position in a single parliamentary term. More than $200 billion improvement, much less debt than what we inherited from our predecessors and that’s making a structural improvement to the budget as well. We have got the budget in better nick. We’re providing responsible cost‑of‑living help, we’re strengthening Medicare and we’re investing in the future of this country. And we’re doing that in the most responsible way that we can.

    Bracey:

    There’s a legitimate crisis in amongst all this though, Treasurer. The tobacco taxes collapsed to a 14‑year low. It’s blown a $17.6 billion hole in the tax base. Meanwhile, we see fire bombings almost daily, fuelling the black‑market wars that are going on as we speak. So, what will the government be doing about it all?

    Chalmers:

    There are 2 reasons why tobacco excise goes down. One of them is a good reason, one of them is a bad reason. The good reason is more and more people giving up the darts, which is what we want to see. But the bad reason is the case that people are finding more ways around tobacco excise. That’s why we’ve invested a substantial amount of money in new resources for compliance and enforcement. We do know there’s an issue. We acknowledge that. That’s why we’re trying to resource some more compliance and some more enforcement, because there has been some leakage in the Budget in that regard.

    Abo:

    Long night for you, Treasurer, and an early start. Thank you for joining us this morning and speaking to our audience. Appreciate it.

    Chalmers:

    Nice to talk to you both. Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Headline and underlying inflation fall in February

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    New figures show that headline and underlying inflation fell last month.

    This is more positive and promising news that shows we’re making progress together in the fight against inflation.

    Monthly inflation fell to 2.4 per cent in the year to February 2025.

    Annual trimmed mean inflation fell to 2.7 per cent.

    Today’s headline result was below the median market expectation.

    Inflation was high and rising when we came to government and now it’s much lower and falling.

    Headline inflation has been at or below the midpoint of the Reserve Bank’s target band for six consecutive months.

    Underlying inflation has been below three per cent for three consecutive months.

    This is even more proof that inflation continues to moderate in our economy.

    The Budget we handed down this week continues the fight against inflation and shows that Treasury now expects inflation to return sustainably to the target band six months sooner – in the middle of this year, rather than at the end.

    Today’s result is a reminder of our substantial and sustained progress in the fight against inflation.

    Under Labor, inflation is down, wages are up, unemployment is low, interest rates have started to come down and we’ve topped up our tax relief to give every taxpayer two new tax cuts from next year.

    We know that these monthly numbers are volatile and can bounce around but the direction of travel on inflation is clear.

    On the official quarterly measure, inflation under Labor is almost a third of the 6.1 per cent we inherited. Australia’s inflation is now lower than most major advanced economies.

    While most other advanced economies have paid for progress on inflation with much higher unemployment, growth going backwards, or a recession, we’ve managed to preserve the progress we’ve made in our labour market while inflation has come down.

    Electricity prices fell 13.2 cent in the year to February but would have fallen only 1.2 per cent without the energy rebates for every household we are rolling out with the states.

    Rents rose 5.5 per cent in the year but would have increased 6.8 per cent without the recent increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

    Even with this substantial progress, we know people are still under pressure and that’s why our cost‑of‑living help is so important.

    We’re delivering two new tax cuts that will put an average of about $50 a week back in taxpayers’ pockets when combined with our tax cuts from 2024.

    Our Budget is all about helping with the cost of living and finishing the fight against inflation, strengthening Medicare and building Australia’s future.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Notification of avian influenza and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection

    Source: FairTrading New South Wales

    Key messages

    • From 1 April 2025, avian influenza and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection will become notifiable conditions in Victoria.
    • Avian influenza in a person will become an urgent notifiable condition. Medical practitioners and pathology services must notify cases immediately (as soon as practicable, and in any case, within 24 hours) upon diagnosis to the Department of Health. Pathology services must also provide written notification within 5 working days.
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection will become a routine notifiable condition for pathology services only. Pathology services must provide written notification of Vibrio parahaemolyticus detection or isolation in a clinical specimen to the Department of Health within 5 working days.
    • Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of birds that can rarely affect people. Those who have had close or prolonged contact with infected birds or other animals or their contaminated environments are at highest risk of infection.
    • Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection most commonly presents as acute gastroenteritis associated with consumption of raw and undercooked seafood.

    What is the issue?

    The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 requires that prescribed conditions and micro-organisms are notified to the Department of Health. This law exists to monitor, prevent and control the occurrence of infectious diseases and other specified conditions to protect the Victorian community from further illness.

    From 1 April 2025, avian influenza will become an urgent notifiable condition and Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection will become a routine notifiable condition for both medical practitioners and pathology services in Victoria.

    Making these conditions notifiable enables public health response actions to be initiated more promptly and facilitates the collection of more comprehensive and accurate surveillance data.

    Avian influenza, commonly referred to as ‘bird flu’, is a contagious infection of birds, caused by multiple avian influenza viruses. Wild birds are considered the natural host for these viruses. Sometimes these viruses spill over from wild birds into domestic bird populations causing disease. Several outbreaks have previously occurred in Australia among commercial flocks of birds. In May 2024, Australia reported its first human case of avian influenza H5N1 in a returned overseas traveller.

    Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a bacterium found in marine waters that most commonly causes acute gastroenteritis with watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever and headache. Illness is primarily associated with consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters and other shellfish. In Australia, several multi-jurisdictional outbreaks linked to locally grown oysters have occurred over the past ten years, with significant human health, economic and international trade impact. Less commonly Vibrio parahaemolyticus can also cause wound infection when sea water contaminates an open wound.

    Who is at risk?

    Most people are not at risk of avian influenza, as the viruses do not spread easily from birds to people. People who have close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or animals or their contaminated environments are at highest risk of infection.

    Although limited human-to-human transmission of avian influenza viruses may have occurred in some instances, sustained human-to-human transmission has not been identified to date.

    People cannot be infected with avian influenza through eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak.

    Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection can infect individuals of any age. Risks factors for developing severe disease include underlying chronic illness, being immunocompromised, consumption of antibiotics and medications that reduce stomach acid levels.

    Vibrio parahaemolyticus does not usually spread from person to person, however, person-to-person transmission is possible if there is poor personal hygiene.

    Diagnosis

    Diagnosis of avian influenza is confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for avian influenza viruses, on nasopharyngeal and throat swabs. As sample collection may induce coughing, where avian influenza is suspected swabs should be collected in a negative pressure room if available and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

    Not everyone with symptoms of influenza needs to be tested for or notified as having suspected avian influenza.

    A suspected case of avian influenza requires both clinical evidence and epidemiological evidence. Epidemiological evidence may include:

    • close contact with a probable or confirmed human avian influenza case
    • exposure to birds, bird carcasses, or to environments contaminated by bird faeces, in an area with suspected or confirmed avian influenza infections in birds or other animals
    • consumption of raw or undercooked poultry products from an area with suspected or confirmed avian influenza infections in birds
    • close contact with a confirmed avian influenza infected animal other than birds (for example, cat or pig)
    • handling samples suspected of containing avian influenza virus in a laboratory or other setting.

    For more information refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia Surveillance Case Definition – Avian influenzaExternal Link.

    Diagnosis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection relies on laboratory detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by nucleic acid testing or isolation of the bacterium from an appropriate clinical specimen. For more information refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia Surveillance Case DefinitionExternal Link.

    Confirmed cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection are designated based only on definitive laboratory evidence and are therefore required to be notified by pathology services.

    Recommendations

    For medical practitioners

    • From 1 April 2025, medical practitioners must notify all patients with suspected or confirmed avian influenza to the Department of Health immediately (as soon as practicable and within 24 hours) upon diagnosis by telephone on 1300 651 160 (24/7). Notifying medical practitioners will be connected to the appropriate Local Public Health Unit.
    • Seek laboratory confirmation urgently for all suspected cases of avian influenza. All suspected cases should be discussed with the relevant Local Public Health Unit who can provide advice on testing and coordinate with the laboratory.
    • All samples should be sent for urgent testing at the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL). Record relevant clinical details, suspected diagnosis and risk factors on the request form.
    • Consider the need for contact management of patients with avian influenza. This may include post-exposure prophylaxis in eligible high-risk contacts. For further advice, refer to an infectious disease specialist or contact your Local Public Health Unit (after hours contact via 1300 651 160).
    • Further information about the notification process and the Public Health and Wellbeing legislation are available on the Notifiable infectious diseases, conditions and micro-organisms page.

    For pathology services

    • From 1 April 2025, pathology services must notify any isolation or detection of avian influenza (subtype of Influenza A) to the Department of Health immediately (as soon as practicable and within 24 hours) upon diagnosis by telephone on 1300 651 160 (24/7). Notifying pathology services will be connected to the appropriate Local Public Health Unit. Pathology services must also follow up with written notifications within 5 working days.
    • From 1 April 2025, pathology services must provide written notification of any isolation or detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus within five working days to the Department of Health by electronic laboratory report (ELR) or by faxing the laboratory report to 1300 651 170.

    More information

    For more information, please contact the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 (24/7).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Research reveals gender bias blind spot among men in local leadership

    Source:

    26 March 2025

    Men in local leadership positions are unaware of gender leadership disparities and are less likely to challenge dominant stereotypes compared to women, suggests new research by the University of South Australia.

    UniSA researchers interviewed more than 30 people in local leadership roles in regions experiencing industrial transformation, across government, business, sporting clubs, religious organisations and academia. All participants were from communities directly affected by the closure of Australia’s automotive industry in 2017, in suburban Melbourne, northern Adelaide and Geelong. They were interviewed in 2023 about gendered stereotypes that existed when the crisis unfolded and progressed, as well as when COVID hit.

    The findings suggest that women and men leaders agreed on what makes a good leader. However, women experienced daily impacts related to gender leadership stereotypes and actively worked to break down these biases. On the other hand, men leaders tended to be unaware of gender differences, believing they didn’t exist.

    Lead researcher Dr Lynette Washington says the men in the study largely accepted dominant gender leadership norms without questioning them, limiting their ability to push for alternative leadership styles which might assist to drive real change in regions undergoing a major industrial shift.

    “The thing that was most striking was that when we spoke to women, they immediately identified that they were impacted by stereotypes and they undertook detailed, sophisticated work to deconstruct those ideas. They understood how stereotypes impacted them, they thought about that impact regularly and deeply, and it was very much front of mind for them,” she says.

    “When we asked the men about gender bias, they didn’t believe that it existed for women or men leaders. And because of that, they couldn’t deconstruct these ideas to understand how they functioned and impacted people in the workplace.”

    The research was centred around the concept of ‘place-based leadership’, a collaborative, community-led approach to leadership that aims to improve the social and economic outcomes for a specific community.

    Dr Washington says place-based leadership is not much so much about the job a leader is doing but the way they’re doing it – with an emphasis on collaboration, leading through persuasion, soft power and networking.

    “It’s about their understanding and care of the place. Many place-based leaders live in the place they lead and key to being a placed-based leader is having a connection or a personal investment,” she says.

    “The findings of our study suggest that greater awareness of gender in leadership would help create more inclusive and effective leadership and this could lead to fairer outcomes.”

    One of the research participants shared her experience with gender bias in local government. 

    “The first time I stood up to speak in council the town clerk said to me, “Well that’s very nice. Now be a good girl and sit down,” she said.

    Researchers have documented gender bias in leadership since the 1970s, a phenomenon that US researcher Dr Virginia Schein called “think manager, think male”. Dr Washington explains the issue now is that men must do more to help deconstruct bias.

    “If men can’t take that first step of acknowledging gender stereotyping in the workplace is real, they can’t do the work to address it. Women are acknowledging it and working hard to deconstruct and change it, but part of the reason it’s not progressing in the way that it needs to is that men aren’t also doing that work to the degree that is required for change,” she says.

    “Without equality in leadership, we can’t access the full wealth of knowledge, experience and ability that exists in places. Left behind places need to access the full range of skills and abilities that they hold to ensure they can meet the challenges ahead.

    “Places like the northern suburbs in Adelaide and Geelong in Victoria experienced significant disruption when the car manufacturing industry closed and were also hit hard during the pandemic. We need the best possible leadership in these places and that means challenging old ways of leading and introducing new, more effective leadership styles. One way to do that is to have a greater awareness of gender within leadership.

    “This will result in more equal outcomes across the regions.”

    To access the research paper: Washington, L., Beer, A., & Kulik, C. T. (2024). Gender, place leadership and levelling up across regions. Contemporary Social Science, 19(4), 583–601. https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2024.2441856

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview: Dr Lynette Washington, Research Fellow, UniSA E: Lynette.Washington@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Melissa Keogh, Communications Officer, UniSA M: +403 659 154 E: Melissa.Keogh@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: TPG pays penalties for alleged non-compliance with its Functional Separation Undertaking

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    TPG Telecom Limited has paid $75,120 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with four infringement notices for alleged contraventions of the Telecommunications Act by failing to comply with its joint functional separation undertaking.

    TPG’s undertaking includes obligations designed to ensure separation of wholesale and retail functions as required by the carrier separation rules in the Telecommunications Act.

    The ACCC alleges that, from 31 August 2023 to 22 May 2024, TPG failed to have measures in place to prevent staff of its wholesale and retail businesses from accessing the other’s premises unless accompanied to the extent practicable while on the premises, as required in the undertaking.

    It is alleged that on four occasions a senior TPG wholesale staff member worked unaccompanied in offices where TPG retail staff were located without any physical or other security barriers separating the respective staff.

    The staff separation obligations are intended to prevent staff from the two businesses sharing sensitive information that could favour TPG’s own retail operations over third-party retailers on its Vision Network.

    Although there was no evidence that sensitive information was shared, the alleged conduct had the potential to affect competition in relation to the supply of retail broadband services to a significant number of consumers.

    “This is our first enforcement action for an alleged contravention of the carrier separation rules as we continue to focus on promoting competition in essential services, such as telecommunications,” ACCC Commissioner Liza Carver said.

    “Carriers must comply with the carrier separation rules which are designed to promote retail competition and choice for consumers on alternative fixed-line broadband networks.” 

    “The new telecommunications infringement notice powers allow us to respond quickly to instances of non-compliance. However, where warranted, we will not hesitate to pursue matters in the Federal Court and seek significant penalties, of up to $10 million per contravention,” Ms Carver said.

    Background

    On 7 April 2022, the ACCC accepted a joint functional separation undertaking given by TPG on behalf of the TPG Retailers and TPG Wholesalers under Part 8 of the Telecommunications Act.

    The undertaking was given under the carrier separation rules in the Telecommunications Act, which require superfast network operators to operate on a wholesale-only basis, unless they seek an exemption from the ACCC. This means that a company that controls a superfast broadband network cannot supply retail services over it unless there is a class exemption or a functional separation undertaking in place.

    On 4 September 2024, the ACCC issued the ACCC Telecommunications (Infringement Notices) Guidelines 2024 informing telecommunications operators of the ACCC’s approach to exercising its infringement notice powers for failure to comply with the carrier separation rules under Part 8 of the Telecommunications Act.

    The ACCC has also published industry guidance on the carrier separation rules that provides an overview of the obligations which apply to network operators and intermediaries supplying retail services, including apartment building owners, property managers and retirement village operators.

    Details of the infringement notices given to TPG are available on the Telecommunications infringement notices register.

    Note to editors

    The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

    The ACCC Chair, as an authorised infringement notice officer, can give an infringement notice when they have reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain civil provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China remains center of global manufacturing value chains: report

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A panel discussion themed on “Global Free Trade Port Development” is held during the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, south China’s Hainan Province, March 25, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China continues to be the center of global manufacturing value chains, according to a report released by the Boao Forum for Asia Tuesday.

    The report, titled Asian Economic Outlook and Integration Progress Annual Report 2025, noted that since 2017, global trade in intermediate goods has been more reliant on China than on North America. In 2023, global dependence on China for intermediate goods stood at 16 percent, compared with 15 percent for North America.

    The trade frictions provoked by the United States in 2018 have not elevated its position in the global value chains of manufacturing, the report added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Honorary Fellow, Asia Institute, The University of Melbourne

    This week’s budget will come as a relief to Australia’s neighbours in the Indo-Pacific that rely on development assistance. The Albanese government did not follow the lead of US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in cutting its foreign aid.

    The Trump administration froze foreign assistance and dismantled the US Agency for International Development (USAID) when it came into office. Meanwhile, the UK announced 40% aid cuts of its own.

    It is to Australia’s credit this has not happened here. Australia’s development budget remains intact this year and in forward estimates.

    Sensible policymakers seem to recognise that Australia’s strategic circumstances are different. As a nation surrounded by low- and middle-income countries, Australia cannot vacate the field on development issues without enormous reputational, diplomatic and strategic damage.

    This budget shows Australia is committed to its region – with 75% of the foreign assistance budget flowing to the Indo-Pacific – and sees development partnerships as a way to solve shared problems.

    What’s in the budget for aid and development

    The details of the development budget show Australia has been listening to its partners to identify critical gaps and reprioritise funds.

    In the Pacific, funding has risen to a historic high, with no country receiving less aid. There have been changes in focus to respond to the US funding cuts, including programs on HIV/AIDS in Papua New Guinea and Fiji and gender-based violence in the Pacific.

    This fits with Australia’s desire to be a partner of choice – and to prevent an increased Chinese presence in the region.

    In Southeast Asia, Australia has increased its aid to all countries and has shifted funding, particularly in health where the US was a major donor.

    This is in Australia’s interest. A new program on Indonesian human and animal health, for example, will help prevent health system failures in areas such as tuberculosis and polio elimination on Australia’s doorstep.

    Funds have also been reallocated to support civil society organisations working in vital areas like media freedom and human rights, which would have been a casualty in the US cuts.

    There was also a shift in humanitarian funding to Myanmar and Bangladesh, where the US aid withdrawal has left Rohingya refugees in a desperate state.

    Importantly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is helping local organisations survive US cuts by allowing temporary flexibility in the use of grant funding to help them continue to deliver essential services.

    Beyond these reprioritisations, the other heartening thing about the budget is its normality.

    It maintains funding for assistive technology for people with disabilities and an Inclusion and Equality Fund to support LGBTQIA+ civil society organisations and human rights defenders. There are programs on maternal health, including reproductive rights.

    The future is still precarious

    However, it would be wrong to think this budget will fill the gaps left by the US withdrawal.

    The ANU Development Policy Centre estimates that traditional OECD donors will cut at least 25% of their aid by 2027. It said, “when that much of a thing goes missing, it’s clearly at risk of collapse”.

    Some development organisations will close their doors, potentially including household names that Australians have donated to for years. This is a time of huge transformation for the sector.

    Another future problem will be maintaining multilateral institutions that rely on US funding – including the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, World Bank and Asian Development Bank. This will require a concerted effort with other countries.

    So, while the Australian budget shows a government deploying current funding as intelligently as possible, there will eventually be limits to this approach.

    In the “new world of uncertainty” described in the treasurer’s budget speech, it simply won’t be possible to meet Australia’s strategic aims and keep development spending at its current rate. It is still far away from 1% of the federal budget.

    At some point, Australia must rethink the trajectory of its international commitments.

    Analysis by the Development Intelligence Lab, a think tank working on development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, has shown that over the last 25 years, the international parts of the federal budget – defence, intelligence, diplomacy and development – have held steady at around 10%.

    In a time of disruption, this might need to change. In 1949, for example, Australia invested almost 9% of the federal budget on development and diplomacy alone – not including defence.

    Those in the foreign aid sector can celebrate Australia has not pulled back on its commitments like the US and UK. At the same time, we should expect the next government will inevitably be called on to do more.

    Melissa Conley Tyler is Executive Director at the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D), an initiative funded by the foreign affairs and defence portfolios and hosted by the Australian Council for International Development..

    – ref. Australia stands firm behind its foreign aid in the budget, but the future remains precarious – https://theconversation.com/australia-stands-firm-behind-its-foreign-aid-in-the-budget-but-the-future-remains-precarious-253028

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Leak of US military plans on Signal is a classic case of ‘shadow IT’. It shows why security systems need to be easy to use

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Murray, Professor of Cybersecurity, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

    Yesterday, The Atlantic magazine revealed an extraordinary national security blunder in the United States. Top US government officials had discussed plans for a bombing campaign in Yemen against Houthi rebels in a Signal group chat which inadvertently included The Atlantic’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.

    This is hardly the first time senior US government officials have used non-approved systems to handle classified information. In 2009, the then US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton fatefully decided to accept the risk of storing her emails on a server in her basement because she preferred the convenience of accessing them using her personal BlackBerry.

    Much has been written about the unprecedented nature of this latest incident. Reporting has suggested the US officials involved may have also violated federal laws that require any communication, including text messages, about official acts to be properly preserved.

    But what can we learn from it to help us better understand how to design secure systems?

    A classic case of ‘shadow IT’

    Signal is regarded by many cybersecurity experts as one of the world’s most secure messaging apps. It has become an established part of many workplaces, including government.

    Even so, it should never be used to store and send classified information. Governments, including in the US, define strict rules for how national security classified information needs to be handled and secured. These rules prohibit the use of non-approved systems, including commercial messaging apps such as Signal plus cloud services such as Dropbox or OneDrive, for sending and storing classified data.

    The sharing of military plans on Signal is a classic case of what IT professionals call “shadow IT”.

    It refers to the all-too-common practice of employees setting up parallel IT infrastructure for business purposes without the approval of central IT administrators.

    This incident highlights the potential for shadow IT to create security risks.

    Government agencies and large organisations employ teams of cybersecurity professionals whose job it is to manage and secure the organisation’s IT infrastructure from cyber threats. At a minimum, these teams need to track what systems are being used to store sensitive information. Defending against sophisticated threats requires constant monitoring of IT systems.

    In this sense, shadow IT creates security blind spots: systems that adversaries can breach while going undetected, not least because the IT security team doesn’t even know these systems exist.

    It’s possible that part of the motivation for the US officials in question using shadow IT systems in this instance might have been avoiding the scrutiny and record-keeping requirements of the official channels. For example, some of the messages in the Signal group chat were set to disappear after one week, and some after four.

    However, we have known for at least a decade that employees also build shadow IT systems not because they are trying to weaken their organisation’s cybersecurity. Instead, a common motivation is that by using shadow IT systems many employees can get their work done faster than when using official, approved systems.

    Usability is key

    The latest incident highlights an important but often overlooked lesson in cybersecurity: whether a security system is easy to use has an outsized impact on the degree to which it helps improve security.

    To borrow from US Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, we might say that a system designer who prioritises security at the expense of usability will produce a system that is neither usable nor secure.

    The belief that to make a system more secure requires making it harder to use is as widespread as it is wrong. The best systems are the ones that are both highly secure and highly usable.

    The reason is simple: a system that is secure yet difficult to use securely will invariably be used insecurely, if at all. Anyone whose inbox auto-complete has caused them to send an email to the wrong person will understand this risk. It likely also explains how The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief might have been mistakenly added by US officials to the Signal group chat.

    While we cannot know for certain, reporting suggests Signal displayed the name of Jeffrey Goldberg to the chat group only as “JG”. Signal doesn’t make it easy to confirm the identity of someone in a group chat, except by their phone number or contact name.

    In this sense, Signal gives relatively few clues about the identities of people in chats. This makes it relatively easy to inadvertently add the wrong “JG” from one’s contact list to a group chat.

    Signal is one of the most secure messaging apps, but should never be used to store and send classified information.
    Ink Drop/Shutterstock

    A highly secure – and highly usable – system

    Fortunately, we can have our cake and eat it too. My own research shows how.

    In collaboration with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group, I helped develop what’s known as the Cross Domain Desktop Compositor. This device allows secure access to classified information while being easier to use than traditional solutions.

    It is easier to use because it allows users to connect to the internet. At the same time, it keeps sensitive data physically separate – and therefore secure – but allows it to be displayed alongside internet applications such as web browsers.

    One key to making this work was employing mathematical reasoning to prove the device’s software provided rock-solid security guarantees. This allowed us to marry the flexibility of software with the strong hardware-enforced security, without introducing additional vulnerability.

    Where to from here?

    Avoiding security incidents such as this one requires people following the rules to keep everyone secure. This is especially true when handling classified information, even if doing so requires more work than setting up shadow IT workarounds.

    In the meantime, we can avoid the need for people to work around the rules by focusing more research on how to make systems both secure and usable.

    Toby Murray receives funding from the Department of Defence. He is Director of the Defence Science Institute, which is funded by the Victorian, Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments. He previously worked for the Department of Defence.

    – ref. Leak of US military plans on Signal is a classic case of ‘shadow IT’. It shows why security systems need to be easy to use – https://theconversation.com/leak-of-us-military-plans-on-signal-is-a-classic-case-of-shadow-it-it-shows-why-security-systems-need-to-be-easy-to-use-253036

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What makes a good search engine? These 4 models can help you use search in the age of AI

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Coghlan, Senior Lecturer in Digital Ethics, Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne

    beast01/Shutterstock

    Every day, users ask search engines millions of questions. The information we receive can shape our opinions and behaviour.

    We are often not aware of their influence, but internet search tools sort and rank web content when responding to our queries. This can certainly help us learn more things. But search tools can also return low-quality information and even misinformation.

    Recently, large language models (LLMs) have entered the search scene. While LLMs are not search engines, commercial web search engines have started to include LLM-based artificial intelligence (AI) features into their products. Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Overviews are examples of this trend.

    AI-enhanced search is marketed as convenient. But, together with other changes in the nature of search over the last decades, it raises the question: what is a good search engine?

    Our new paper, published in AI and Ethics, explores this. To make the possibilities clearer, we imagine four search tool models: Customer Servant, Librarian, Journalist and Teacher. These models reflect design elements in search tools and are loosely based on matching human roles.

    The four models of search tools

    Customer Servant

    Workers in customer service give people the things they request. If someone asks for a “burger and fries”, they don’t query whether the request is good for the person, or whether they might really be after something else.

    The search model we call Customer Servant is somewhat like the first computer-aided information retrieval systems introduced in the 1950s. These returned sets of unranked documents matching a Boolean query – using simple logical rules to define relationships between keywords (e.g. “cats NOT dogs”).

    Librarian

    As the name suggests, this model somewhat resembles human librarians. Librarian also provides content that people request, but it doesn’t always take queries at face value.

    Instead, it aims for “relevance” by inferring user intentions from contextual information such as location, time or the history of user interactions. Classic web search engines of the late 1990s and early 2000s that rank results and provide a list of resources – think early Google – sit in this category.

    Librarians don’t just retrieve information, they strive for relevance.
    Tyler Olson/Shutterstock

    Journalist

    Journalists go beyond librarians. While often responding to what people want to know, journalists carefully curate that information, at times weeding out falsehoods and canvassing various public viewpoints.

    Journalists aim to make people better informed. The Journalist search model does something similar. It may customise the presentation of results by providing additional information, or by diversifying search results to give a more balanced list of viewpoints or perspectives.

    Teacher

    Human teachers, like journalists, aim at giving accurate information. However, they may exercise even more control: teachers may strenuously debunk erroneous information, while pointing learners to the very best expert sources, including lesser-known ones. They may even refuse to expand on claims they deem false or superficial.

    LLM-based conversational search systems such as Copilot or Gemini may play a roughly similar role. By providing a synthesised response to a prompt, they exercise more control over presented information than classic web search engines.

    They may also try to explicitly discredit problematic views on topics such as health, politics, the environment or history. They might reply with “I can’t promote misinformation” or “This topic requires nuance”. Some LLMs convey a strong “opinion” on what is genuine knowledge and what is unedifying.

    No search model is best

    We argue each search tool model has strengths and drawbacks.

    The Customer Servant is highly explainable: every result can be directly tied to keywords in your query. But this precision also limits the system, as it can’t grasp broader or deeper information needs beyond the exact terms used.

    The Librarian model uses additional signals like data about clicks to return content more aligned with what users are really looking for. The catch is these systems may introduce bias. Even with the best intentions, choices about relevance and data sources can reflect underlying value judgements.

    The Journalist model shifts the focus toward helping users understand topics, from science to world events, more fully. It aims to present factual information and various perspectives in balanced ways.

    This approach is especially useful in moments of crisis – like a global pandemic – where countering misinformation is critical. But there’s a trade-off: tweaking search results for social good raises concerns about user autonomy. It may feel paternalistic, and could open the door to broader content interventions.

    The Teacher model is even more interventionist. It guides users towards what it “judges” to be good information, while criticising or discouraging access to content it deems harmful or false. This can promote learning and critical thinking.

    But filtering or downranking content can also limit choice, and raises red flags if the “teacher” – whether algorithm or AI – is biased or simply wrong. Current language models often have built-in “guardrails” to align with human values, but these are imperfect. LLMs can also hallucinate plausible-sounding nonsense, or avoid offering perspectives we might actually want to hear.

    Staying vigilant is key

    We might prefer different models for different purposes. For example, since teacher-like LLMs synthesise and analyse vast amounts of web material, we may sometimes want their more opinionated perspective on a topic, such as on good books, world events or nutrition.

    Yet sometimes we may wish to explore specific and verifiable sources about a topic for ourselves. We may also prefer search tools to downrank some content – conspiracy theories, for example.

    LLMs make mistakes and can mislead with confidence. As these models become more central to search, we need to stay aware of their drawbacks, and demand transparency and accountability from tech companies on how information is delivered.

    Striking the right balance with search engine design and selection is no easy task. Too much control risks eroding individual choice and autonomy, while too little could leave harms unchecked.

    Our four ethical models offer a starting point for robust discussion. Further interdisciplinary research is crucial to define when and how search engines can be used ethically and responsibly.

    Damiano Spina has received funding from the Australian Research Council and is an Associate Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S).

    Falk Scholer has received funding from the Australian Research Council and is an Associate Investigator of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S).

    Hui Chia and Simon Coghlan do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What makes a good search engine? These 4 models can help you use search in the age of AI – https://theconversation.com/what-makes-a-good-search-engine-these-4-models-can-help-you-use-search-in-the-age-of-ai-252927

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –