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Category: Australia

  • MIL-Evening Report: West Australian miners flexed their muscle to block a federal EPA last year. Will it be different this time?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Diane Dowdell, PhD Candidate in Sustainable Mining, The University of Queensland

    CUHRIG/Getty

    This week, Environment Minister Murray Watt met with groups representing business, the environment, renewable energy and First Nations communities in a bid to restart Labor’s stalled environmental reforms. There was one group in the room Watt presumably had to woo hardest: Western Australia’s miners.

    Last year, the WA mining lobby mounted an ultimately successful campaign opposing proposed changes to national environment laws, and the plan to set up an environmental protection authority. State premier Roger Cook also lobbied Prime Minister Anthony Albanese directly.

    Watt has pledged to revive the reform process and on Thursday claimed a compromise could be reached. The existing laws, he said, are “not working for the environment, and they are not working for business”.

    Whether his efforts will be enough to overcome the scepticism of the mining industry remains to be seen. These companies have influence – and they will use it if they see new laws as a threat.

    The mining state

    The mining industry dominates WA economically, politically and socially. WA’s mining sector is substantially larger than the mining interests in any other Australian state. Underground lie huge reserves of iron ore, gas, gold, lithium and many other resources.

    The sector funnelled A$267 billion into the Australian economy in 2023–24 through salaries, royalties and taxes. About $60 billion directly flowed to Western Australians in wages and salaries.

    The leaders of WA mining companies see themselves, by and large, as doing economically vital work.

    I have interviewed many WA mining executives for my doctorate, which is currently underway. One clear common narrative emerged: they saw mining as a national good. They believed their companies brought wealth and prosperity to communities, built infrastructure, and funnelled money into state and federal treasuries.

    The justification is powerful. It underpins the way those in the industry see their work – and how they respond to any threat, perceived or otherwise.

    It also dates back over a century. The link between WA resources and prosperity originates from the 1890s WA gold rush, which transformed the fortunes of the state. This self image has been nurtured through successive resource booms, from gold to iron ore to natural gas and more gold.

    Many company executives see any duplication of environmental approvals as time-consuming, unproductive and economically damaging. A 2023 WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry report suggested “green tape” (approval delays) was threatening 40% of mining proposals in the pipeline.

    Miners and their political backers often frame the industry as environmentally positive, particularly for resources vital to the green energy transition such as lithium, rare earth elements and – more controversially – gas.

    Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King – who is West Australian – regularly draws this link. As she said in 2023:

    let me be clear, the global clean energy transition will need more mining, not less […] the road to net zero runs through the Australian resources sector.

    Mining is vital to Western Australia.
    Inc/Shutterstock

    Wielding influence

    WA miners are represented by well-organised and well-resourced lobbying bodies such as the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, and the Minerals Council of Australia.

    These groups maintain relationships with politicians at both state and federal levels, regardless of which party is in power.

    Broadly, their goals are to promote the continued expansion of resource projects (minerals, oil and gas) under conditions most advantageous to industry interests.

    Mining companies use these industry lobby groups to support or critique government policy and push for changes. They exert influence through targeted lobbying, close relationships with elected officials and political candidates, and direct engagement with federal processes.

    What happens when the sector sees a potential threat from policymakers in Canberra? Often, the mining companies unify against it.

    For example, WA miners were prominent in the 2010 campaign against efforts by the Rudd government to introduce a super profits tax on mining.

    Why WA miners oppose nature law reform

    A tax is one thing. But what did the WA miners see as the key problems in the environmental reforms?

    One issue was a perceived contradiction between the federal government’s intention to streamline developmental approvals and introduce a federal Environmental Protection Agency, while failing to deal with existing duplication between state and federal processes.

    The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies lobby group gave another reason in a submission to government: the proposed independence of the EPA would remove the discretionary power of the minister.

    Rather than an independent federal EPA, they pushed for a model similar to the WA version – the advice of which the minister can overrule. The group also warned the laws would impede the global competitiveness of the mining industry and hinder investment.

    The state government echoed these statements, calling the reforms an overreach that would stifle economic development.

    This alignment of government and industry messaging shows how closely their interests are intertwined.

    Premier Roger Cook leaves no ambiguity about this. Ahead of this year’s WA and federal elections, Cook warned the “latte sippers” over east:

    do not for a moment think that we will stand by idly and allow you to damage our economy because, ultimately, it will damage your standard of living.

    Is a deal possible?

    Across Australia, there is broad support for environmental law reform, because the current national laws are seen as not fit for purpose.

    Murray Watt came to the role of environment minister with a reputation as a fixer. The question now is, what will he trade to get the miners on side?

    The industry will be cautious and will insist on much more detail about any changes. It’s possible a deal could be struck. But we can expect to continue to see very strong pushback if Watt tries to expand federal powers into what is seen as state responsibilities.

    The industry will also expect greater federal resourcing for delivery of timely approvals. Nationally important industries don’t like to wait.

    Diane Dowdell is a PhD Candidate in the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) within the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland. She was the recipient of an industry scholarship from Newcrest Mining for her PhD research. She works for SLR Consulting Pty Ltd. Diane is a fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ).

    – ref. West Australian miners flexed their muscle to block a federal EPA last year. Will it be different this time? – https://theconversation.com/west-australian-miners-flexed-their-muscle-to-block-a-federal-epa-last-year-will-it-be-different-this-time-257892

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Simon Birmingham appointed as ABA CEO

    Source: Premier of Victoria

    Former Federal Finance Minister and Senate Leader, The Hon. Simon Birmingham, will join the Australian Banking Association as Chief Executive Officer.

    ABA Chair and National Australia Bank CEO Andrew Irvine today announced Mr Birmingham’s appointment, replacing retiring CEO, The Hon. Anna Bligh AC.

    “We are delighted to have Simon lead our industry and help ensure Australian banks continue making the right decisions for customers and the broader economy,” Mr Irvine said.

    “He is a recognised leader who has had deep involvement in significant and long-lasting policy decisions and actions throughout his career that have helped to shape our country.

    “Simon’s ability to navigate difficult and complex environments, bringing together varied interests and perspectives, makes him ideal for this role. He will be a sensible, consistent and respected voice on behalf of the industry.”

    Mr Birmingham served in the Australian Parliament as a Liberal Senator for South Australia from 2007 to 2025. His roles included Minister for Finance, Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Minister for Education and Training and Manager of Government Business in the Senate. He was Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2022 until his retirement from the Senate.

    Prior to politics, he worked with the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and the Australian Hotels Association. He is currently ANZ’s Head of Asia Pacific Engagement and Chairman, South Australia. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide.

    “I thank the ABA board for their vote of confidence in my ability to lead this industry. As the ABA CEO I will always put trust in Australia’s banking system first, pursue a competitive regulatory environment, and work to ensure innovation in banking strengthens Australia’s financial interests. I also want to acknowledge ANZ for their support and encouragement through this process,” Mr Birmingham said.

    “Banks are central to our economy, essential to businesses of all sizes and entrusted by Australians with their personal financial wellbeing. From trade and capital flows from large and international banks, to the choice offered by smaller banks, regional banks and customer-owned organisations, a strong, healthy, customer-focused financial services sector is vital for all Australians.”

    Mr Birmingham will start on 18 August. Ms Bligh, who announced in February that she would retire after eight years as ABA CEO, will finish on 22 August.

    “Anna has had a remarkable and lasting impact on this industry and how we look after our customers,” Mr Irvine said. We are enormously grateful for her time advocating for customers, particularly the disadvantaged, across financial services.”

    For more information, visit the ABA’s website here.

    Contact:  Mark Alexander, National Australia Bank (as ABA Chair bank), 0412 171 447

    Topics

    SEE ALL TOPICS

    Media Enquiries

    For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: SA Police spits the dummy on young driver offending

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A new campaign targeting young drivers launches today, highlighting the life-changing consequences of committing road safety offences.

    The campaign message, ‘Lost your licence? Sucks to be you,’ highlights the lifestyle regression young drivers face if they lose their licence.

    Last year 81 per cent of drivers who receive an Immediate Loss of Licence penalties were young drivers (16-24-year-olds).

    SA Police State Operations Service Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said becoming a new driver should be a liberating time, but it comes with serious responsibilities.

    “If a young driver loses their licence, the excitement of driving themselves to work, sport and social events will go back to relying on parents and public transport again – and that sucks,” he said.

    “In addition to losing personal freedoms, young drivers should be aware of the risks of causing a loss of life or serious injuries from unsafe driving.

    “Sadly, fatal and serious injury crashes resulting from at-fault young drivers is overrepresented in South Australia.”

    In 2024, young drivers found to be at-fault in crashes, caused 11 deaths, making up 12 per cent of all lives lost on the roads and caused 100 serious injuries.

    Minister for Police, Stephen Mullighan MP said this campaign will send a clear message to young male drivers.

    “Young men are overrepresented in serious and fatal crashes which is why this campaign is deliberately targeting that cohort of drivers.

    “Getting your driver’s licence is an exciting time that gives young people more freedom but it also comes with enormous responsibility.

    “Losing a driver’s license can have big impacts on a young person’s professional and personal life so I strongly urge drivers to abide by the road rules and take care when driving.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Technology to enforce teen social media ban is ‘effective’, trial says. But this is at odds with other evidence

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa M. Given, Professor of Information Sciences & Director, Social Change Enabling Impact Platform, RMIT University

    MAYA LAB/Shutterstock

    Technologies to enforce the Australian government’s social media ban for under 16s are “private, robust and effective”. That’s according to the preliminary findings of a federal government-commissioned trial that has nearly finished testing them.

    The findings, released today, may give the government greater confidence to forge ahead with the ban, despite a suite of expert criticism. They might also alleviate some of the concerns of the Australian population about privacy and security implications of the ban, which is due to begin in December.

    For example, a report based on a survey of nearly 4,000 people and released by the government earlier this week found nine out of ten people support the idea of a ban. But it also found a large number of people were “very concerned” about how the ban would be implemented. Nearly 80% of respondents had privacy and security concerns, while roughly half had concerns about age assurance accuracy and government oversight.

    The trial’s preliminary findings paint a rosy picture of the potential for available technologies to check people’s ages. However, they contain very little detail about specific technologies, and appear to be at odds with what we know about age-assurance technology from other sources.

    From facial recognition to hand movement recognition

    The social media ban for under 16s was legislated in December 2024. A last-minute amendment to the law requires technology companies to provide “alternative age assurance methods” for account holders to confirm their age, rather than relying only on government-issued ID.

    The Australian government commissioned an independent trial to evaluate the “effectiveness, maturity, and readiness for use” of these alternative methods.

    The trial is being led by the Age Check Certification Scheme – a company based in the United Kingdom that specialises in testing and certifying identity verification systems. It includes 53 vendors that offer a range of age assurance technologies to guess people’s ages, using techniques such as facial recognition and hand-movement recognition.

    According to the preliminary findings of the trial, “age assurance can be done in Australia”.

    The trial’s project director, Tony Allen, said “there are no significant technological barriers” to assuring people’s ages online. He added the solutions are “technically feasible, can be integrated flexibly into existing services and can support the safety and rights of children online”.

    However, these claims are hard to square with other evidence.

    High error rates

    Yesterday the ABC reported the trial found face-scanning technologies “repeatedly misidentified” children as young as 15 as being in their 20s and 30s. These tools could only guess children’s ages “within an 18-month range in 85 percent of cases”. This means a 14-year-old child might gain access to a social media account, while a 17-year-old might be blocked.

    This is in line with results of global trials of face-scanning technologies conducted for more than a decade.

    An ongoing series of studies of age estimation technology by the United States’ National Institute of Standards and Technology shows the algorithms “fail significantly when attempting to differentiate minors” of various ages.

    The tests also show that error rates are higher for young women compared to young men. Error rates are also higher for people with darker skin tones.

    These studies show that even the best age-estimation software currently available – Yoti – has an average error of 1.0 years. Other software options mistake someone’s age by 3.1 years on average.

    This means, at best, a 16-year-old might be estimated to be 15 or 17 years old; at worst, they could be seen to be 13 or 19 years of age. These error rates mean a significant number of children under 16 could access social media accounts despite a ban being in place, while some over 16 could be blocked.

    Yoti also explains businesses needing to check exact ages (such as 18) can set higher age thresholds (such as 25), so fewer people under 18 get through the age check.

    This approach would be similar to that taken in Australia’s retail liquor sector, where sales staff verify ID for anyone who appears to be under the age of 25. However, many young people lack the government-issued ID required for an additional age check.

    It’s also worth remembering that in August 2023, the Australian government acknowledged that the age assurance technology market was “immature” and could not yet meet key requirements, such as working reliably without circumvention and balancing privacy and security.

    Outstanding questions

    We don’t yet know exactly what methods platforms will use to verify account holders’ ages. While face-scanning technologies are often discussed, they could use other methods to confirm age. The government trial also tested voice and hand movements to guess young people’s ages. But those methods also have accuracy issues.

    And it’s not yet clear what recourse people will have if their age is misidentified. Will parents be able to complain if children under 16 gain access to accounts, despite restrictions? Will older Australians who are incorrectly blocked be able to appeal? And if so, to whom?

    There are other outstanding questions. What’s stopping someone who’s under 16 from getting someone who is over 16 to set up an account on their behalf? To mitigate this risk, the government might require all social media users to verify their age at regular intervals.

    It’s also unclear what level of age estimation error the government may be willing to accept in implementing a social media ban. The legislation says technology companies must demonstrate they have taken “reasonable steps” to prevent under 16s from holding social media accounts. What is considered “reasonable” is yet to be clearly defined.

    Australians will have to wait until later this year for the full results of the government’s trial to be released, and to know how technology companies will respond. With less than six months until the ban comes into effect, social media users still don’t have all the answers they need.

    Lisa M. Given receives funding from the Australian Research Council. She is a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia and the international Association for Information Science and Technology.

    – ref. Technology to enforce teen social media ban is ‘effective’, trial says. But this is at odds with other evidence – https://theconversation.com/technology-to-enforce-teen-social-media-ban-is-effective-trial-says-but-this-is-at-odds-with-other-evidence-259373

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Aggravated robbery – Gillen

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Police are calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Gillen overnight.

    Around 9pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a Taxi had been stolen while attending a job on Newland Street.

    It is alleged that a male entered the Taxi on Newland Street, before exiting the vehicle and opening the driver’s side door and pulling the driver out of the vehicle. He subsequently assaulted the driver multiple times, before entering the vehicle and driving away.

    A short time later, the alleged offender returned in the Taxi, parked and left the scene without further incident.

    Police attended and seized the vehicle for forensic testing and the offender remains outstanding. The victim did not require medical treatment.

    Strike Force Viper have carriage of the incident and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25165073. Anonymous reports can be made through 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reminder of Dickson Library toilet upgrade – planned branch closure from next week

    Source: Australian National Party

    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 20/06/2025

    Dickson Library will be temporarily closed for two weeks across June and July while the library’s public toilets are renovated to provide improved facilities for members and visitors.

    To ensure the amenities are brought up to a modern standard, the toilet facilities at the front of the library branch will be given a major upgrade.

    Three individual toilets, including one disability accessible toilet, will be upgraded. Works will include new toilets, sinks, tapware, tiling, door hardware, flooring, rails, repainting ceilings and new LED light fittings.

    The library will be closed from Monday 23 June 2025 until Friday 4 July 2025 for the construction period.

    Return chutes at the Dickson Library will also be closed for this duration.

    The Dickson Library will re-open on Saturday 5 July 2025, however the new upgraded public toilet facilities will remain closed until Monday 7 July 2025 for final works and cleaning to be completed.

    Should members of the public require toilet facilities, the nearest public toilets to the Dickson library are located behind the bus stop on Cowper Street.

    Executive Branch Manager of Libraries ACT, Peta Harding, thanked the community for its patience and apologised for any inconvenience during construction.

    “The two-week closure from Monday is required for the health and safety of staff and visitors due to the significant noise and dust anticipated.” Ms Harding said.

    “Additionally, the community room at Dickson Library will also be unavailable during the closure. Libraries ACT will contact people who have room bookings, and alternative options will be offered where possible.

    “It is anticipated that the renovations to the toilets at Dickson Library will be completed during this two-week period however may be subject to change,” Ms Harding said.

    Library members who prefer to use an alternative library during the upgrade works can find information about library locations and opening hours on the Libraries ACT website.

    The community can also stay up to date on these works and any changes to services by visiting the Libraries ACT website www.library.act.gov.au or by following Libraries ACT on Facebook @LibrariesACT.

    – Statement ends –

    ACT Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate | Media Releases

    Media Contacts

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Coventry outlines Olympic vision ahead of IOC presidency

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

    Kirsty Coventry, poised to become the first woman and the first African to lead the International Olympic Committee, has laid out her vision for the future of the Olympic Movement, grounded in its core values and potential for global unity.

    Coventry, elected in March during the 144th IOC Session in Greece, will assume the presidency on June 23, succeeding Thomas Bach, who has led the organization since 2013. She received 49 of 97 votes in the first round, prevailing over six other candidates.

    Newly-elected president of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Kirsty Coventry attends the press conference in Costa Navarino, Greece, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

    “Values are what have led this movement for over a hundred years. It’s what’s kept this movement intertwined together. And that is something that we can never compromise,” the 41-year-old Zimbabwean told the Olympic Channel at the Olympic House in Lausanne on Thursday.

    “We have to be proud that we’re a movement that not just lives by its values, but shares its values, and promotes its values,” Coventry said.

    “And if we can find more ways to do that in the future, and can reach all households around the world, that’s part of my goal. How do we have more reach to communities across our massive globe? How do we reach those children to share our values with them? How do we reach them to inspire them?”

    Despite the weight of expectations that accompany the role, Coventry expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to lead.

    “I don’t really look at the presidency as a weight,” she said. “Are there a lot of expectations? Yes. Does that come with a lot of responsibility? Yes. But I’m really so honored to have been given this opportunity, and I’m so excited for what the future holds. It’s a movement that has been a part of my life for so long, so it almost feels like a very natural progression.”

    Coventry’s deep ties to the Olympics began with her storied swimming career. She competed in five consecutive Games beginning in Sydney 2000, winning seven medals – including two golds – and becoming Africa’s most decorated Olympian. Her return to Zimbabwe after her Olympic success, during a time of national difficulty, further cemented her belief in sport’s transformative power.

    In addition to her achievements in the pool, Coventry has played a key role in sports governance. She joined the IOC as an athlete member in 2013, chaired the Athletes’ Commission, served on the Executive Board, and led initiatives promoting safe sports environments for children through the Kirsty Coventry Academy and the HEROES programme in Zimbabwe.

    She also served as Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation from 2018, during which she pushed legislation aimed at curbing match-fixing, abuse, and sexual harassment in sport.

    Balancing her new role with her home life as the mother of two young daughters has been a challenge, she admitted.

    “It has been crazy. And it’s been hard, but it’s also been wonderful,” Coventry said.

    “I have a lot more patience,” she added. “I now realize I can do a lot more with a lot less sleep. [The children] humble you. And when you get home after a rough day, you can look at them and you can realize, ‘Okay, this is why we’re doing this.’ But we’re also doing this so that the Olympic Games and our values remain relevant in this crazy world of ours. They’re the meaning.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: George Town man charged after police seized 16 illegal firearms

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    George Town man charged after police seized 16 illegal firearms

    Friday, 20 June 2025 – 10:16 am.

    A man has been charged with multiple firearms, drug and driving-related offences after police seized 16 illegal firearms during a search at a George Town residence. 
    Police attended the residence on Wednesday 18 June while investigating an earlier driving offence in the George Town area.
    Officers observed items of interest through a window of the property and subsequently executed a search warrant. 
    During the search police located the following firearms –

    A single-barrel shotgun
    2 x imitation semiautomatic sniper rifles 
    2 x imitation bolt action rifles 
    2 x imitation AR pistols 
    4 x imitation AR rifles 
    An imitation P90 submachine gun 
    An imitation colt pistol
    An imitation revolver pistol
    2 x imitation flintlock pistols 

    A 40 year old George Town man was arrested and has since been charged with multiple offences including possess a firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued.
    He will appear in court at a later date.
    Anyone with information about illegal firearm and drug activity is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 6 things Australia must do if it’s serious about tackling school bullying

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Miller, Lecturer in Education (Classroom Management), Southern Cross University

    Wander Women/ Getty Images

    Bullying is arguably one of the most serious issues facing Australia’s schools.

    About one in four students between Year 4 and Year 9 report being bullied regularly. This can have serious and lasting consequences. Research suggests students who are bullied are at an increased risk of mental health problems and self-harm.

    On Friday, submissions close for the federal government’s rapid review into school bullying. Here, we suggest six key areas on which governments, schools and education authorities need to focus to re-imagine Australia’s approach to tackling bullying.



    Read more:
    With a government review underway, we have to ask why children bully other kids

    1. A national approach to bullying

    At the moment, there is no clear, consistent definition of bullying in Australian schools. Nor are there consistent policies.

    This naturally leads to confusion about current best practice to both prevent bullying and support students who have been bullied.

    For example, there are several definitions of cyberbullying between the different states and territories.

    2. Consistent data to track bullying

    Australia also has no nationally consistent approach to track or measure bullying and cyberbullying.

    This means it is impossible to say whether bullying is getting worse or better – or if certain parts of the country are more successfully addressing it.

    So we need metrics to better track, analyse, report and respond to bullying incidents across schools, regions, states and territories.

    For years, researchers have noted schools themselves also need accurate data to analyse, monitor and evaluate the degree to which an intervention is effective.

    3. A whole-school approach

    A national strategy should also prioritise whole-school approaches to bullying prevention – this is what research shows to be most effective.

    A whole-school approach sees anti-bullying efforts as the responsibility of everyone connected to a school. School leaders, teachers, support staff, students, families and the wider community are all expected to promote safety and inclusion.

    Addressing bullying should see strategies implemented across multiple locations, including the classroom, wider school and home environments.

    This goes beyond simply dealing with individual bullying incidents as they arise.

    Research also suggests schools should focus on proactive, non-punitive strategies and a positive school culture. This includes clear procedures to report bullying, effective education programs, and establishing consistent classroom and school rules.

    If bullying occurs, schools can respond with a restorative approach, which focuses on repairing harm done to relationships.

    Studies suggest whole-school approaches such as these can reduce bullying behaviours by 20-23% and victimisation by 17-20%.

    4. Teach social and emotional skills

    As part of the whole-school approach, we also need to make sure schools are teaching social and emotional skills. This includes how to identify and manage emotions as well as communicating and cooperating with others.

    While it is part of the Australian Curriculum, research shows social and emotional skills are not always taught using evidence-based, formal approaches.

    A large body of research demonstrates that schools which teach social and emotional learning across all aspects of school engagement, report higher academic achievement, lower rates of bullying, improved student wellbeing, and stronger connections between students and adults.

    In part, this is because these approaches empower students to take ownership of their behaviour.



    Read more:
    Schools today also teach social and emotional skills. Why is this important? And what’s involved?

    5. Training for teachers

    Teachers play a pivotal role in making sure all students feel safe and supported at school, helping children and young people to understand and manage their emotions.

    A 2014 study found teachers who had participated in anti-bullying training were able to provide this support more effectively.

    Teachers specifically need training that helps them provide safe, inclusive spaces for students from marginalised groups, including students with disability and young people who face homophobic or transphobic bullying.

    School staff should receive consistent, culturally responsive training, so they are equipped with the most current and effective ways to support all students.

    6. Give students an active role

    We should also look at ways to give students a greater role in shaping anti-bullying policies.

    Research shows when students are included in decisions that affect them, it increases their engagement with learning and motivation at school.

    Along with helping to make policies, students can also be involved in peer-mentoring programs and leading campaigns to raise awareness about respectful relationships. This can create a sense of shared ownership for anti-bullying interventions.

    The authors 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. 6 things Australia must do if it’s serious about tackling school bullying – https://theconversation.com/6-things-australia-must-do-if-its-serious-about-tackling-school-bullying-258924

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: WOO X introduces Light Mode for brighter crypto trading experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WOO X, a leading crypto trading platform, today announced the launch of Light Mode, a new feature designed to provide traders with a brighter interface option that enhances readability in well-lit environments.

    Light Mode offers users a clean, vivid, and easy-to-navigate interface optimized for well-lit environments, complementing the existing dark mode to deliver greater personalization and user comfort. Now users can seamlessly switch between the two modes at their own convenience.

    Key features:

    • Seamless toggle: Users can effortlessly switch between Light and Dark modes via the app settings.
    • Enhanced readability: Light Mode improves visibility of charts, data, and notifications, reducing eye strain during daytime trading sessions.
    • Personalized trading environment: Empowers users to tailor their interface to their unique preferences and trading conditions.

    WOO X developed Light Mode in response to user feedback and the growing demand for customizable trading experiences. The feature aims to increase trader comfort and engagement, enabling users to focus better on market movements and make informed decisions.

    “At WOO X, we believe trading should adapt to you – not the other way around. With Light Mode, we’re giving our users the freedom to choose an interface that feels comfortable and clear, no matter where or when they trade. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in helping traders stay focused and confident.”

    Ben Yorke, VP of Ecosystem at WOO X.

    About WOO X
    WOO X is a global crypto trading platform committed to delivering innovative features, exceptional liquidity, and a secure, user-friendly environment for traders worldwide. With a focus on transparency and community-driven development, WOO X empowers users to navigate the dynamic crypto markets with confidence.

    Contact: media@woo.network

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1897bb9f-92f1-46a9-be2d-99aa35abeb7e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: WOO X introduces Light Mode for brighter crypto trading experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WOO X, a leading crypto trading platform, today announced the launch of Light Mode, a new feature designed to provide traders with a brighter interface option that enhances readability in well-lit environments.

    Light Mode offers users a clean, vivid, and easy-to-navigate interface optimized for well-lit environments, complementing the existing dark mode to deliver greater personalization and user comfort. Now users can seamlessly switch between the two modes at their own convenience.

    Key features:

    • Seamless toggle: Users can effortlessly switch between Light and Dark modes via the app settings.
    • Enhanced readability: Light Mode improves visibility of charts, data, and notifications, reducing eye strain during daytime trading sessions.
    • Personalized trading environment: Empowers users to tailor their interface to their unique preferences and trading conditions.

    WOO X developed Light Mode in response to user feedback and the growing demand for customizable trading experiences. The feature aims to increase trader comfort and engagement, enabling users to focus better on market movements and make informed decisions.

    “At WOO X, we believe trading should adapt to you – not the other way around. With Light Mode, we’re giving our users the freedom to choose an interface that feels comfortable and clear, no matter where or when they trade. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in helping traders stay focused and confident.”

    Ben Yorke, VP of Ecosystem at WOO X.

    About WOO X
    WOO X is a global crypto trading platform committed to delivering innovative features, exceptional liquidity, and a secure, user-friendly environment for traders worldwide. With a focus on transparency and community-driven development, WOO X empowers users to navigate the dynamic crypto markets with confidence.

    Contact: media@woo.network

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1897bb9f-92f1-46a9-be2d-99aa35abeb7e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Samsung Electronics Partners With Electronic Arts and Xbox To Bring EA SPORTS FC™ 25 to Samsung Gaming Hub

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung Electronics today announced a partnership with Electronic Arts (EA) and Xbox to bring the action of EA SPORTS FCTM 25 to Samsung Gaming Hub. Samsung TV and monitor owners can now play EA SPORTS FC 25 through the Xbox app with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta)1 on supported devices.2 All players need to get started is a compatible controller and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes EA Play.
     
    As a special promotion, new Xbox Game Pass subscribers can receive a two-month Ultimate Game Pass subscription.3 The offer is available to both existing Samsung TV owners and those who buy a new, qualifying TV. To redeem, users can simply download the Samsung Promotions app on their Samsung TV, click the Xbox promotion banner or scan the QR code with their mobile device, and then follow the steps on the screen to activate their offer.
     
    “We are delighted to bring EA SPORTS FC 25 to Samsung TVs and monitors through cloud gaming on Samsung Gaming Hub,” said Hun Lee, Executive Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “As the world’s leading TV manufacturer, one of our goals is to immerse soccer fans around the world in the exciting game of soccer, whether they are playing the game or watching a match live on a Samsung TV.”
     
    EA SPORTS FC 25 gives players more ways to win for the club, by teaming up with friends across their favorite modes with 5v5 Rush and managing their clubs to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before. Fans will also continue to experience unparalleled authenticity with the most true-to-life experience of football’s biggest competitions, clubs and stars. FC 25 features over 19,000 athletes across more than 700 teams, 120 stadiums and 30 leagues from around the world.
     
    Samsung Gaming Hub, first introduced in 2022, has redefined home entertainment by giving players access to thousands of games directly on Samsung TVs and monitors. This includes the 2025 TV series, spanning Samsung Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED, QLED, The Frame and The Frame Pro, which are powered by Samsung Vision AI for AI enhanced picture and sound, along with new personalized features that bring people closer to the shows, movies and games they love.
     
    In a first for the TV industry, Samsung has partnered with Microsoft to integrate Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) into its smart TVs and monitors, and now supports a wide range of streamed games from partners including NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Amazon Luna.
     
    For more information on Samsung Gaming Hub, please visit www.samsung.com.
     
     
    1 In 27 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Korea), the game is available via Samsung Gaming Hub.
    Supported features and games may vary by country and model. An internet connection, additional gaming service subscription and compatible controller are required. Samsung Account required for network-based smart services, including streaming apps and other smart features.
    2 Available on select 2022 or later Samsung Smart TVs and Monitors.
    3 Claim Game Pass Ultimate trial by August 12,2025. Redeem at https://www.xbox.com/redeem by August 19, 2025. Valid for new Xbox Game Pass members only. Available in all regions with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) supporting the Xbox app on Samsung, excluding Korea and Argentina.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Gaza – Deliberate shortages of food, medicine and fuel by Israeli authorities are suffocating Gaza

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF)

    Gaza, 20 June 2025— Palestinians are perpetually on the verge of losing access to essential medical care and clean water due to deliberate actions by Israeli authorities. This policy restricts the entry of medical supplies and fuel to the bare minimum and at their whim. While this strategy creates the illusion of aid flowing into the Strip, it effectively prevents the humanitarian response from reaching even the minimum required for a population entirely reliant on assistance. The Israeli authorities must end their collective punishment of the people in Gaza and immediately allow the consistent entry of sufficient medical supplies and fuel.

    Over the past week we have seen large influxes of wounded patients, many of whom have suffered traumatic injuries. At Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF’s) field hospital in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza, the number of patients with gunshot wounds increased by 190 per cent compared to the week before. Clinics, such as Khan Younis clinic and Deir Al-Balah clinic, saw their highest weekly intake to date. Following three months of total blockade and despite Israel’s claims to have opened supply corridors, MSF’s supplies are running critically low due to continuing restrictions imposed on entering goods.

    “We are missing everything, medical consumables like gauze, medications and food for our patients. This also includes therapeutic food for people with malnutrition, especially children,” says Katja Storck, nursing activity manager in Khan Younis.

    Along with crucial medical supplies, the dangerously low level of fuel is a big concern for people in Gaza as it powers the desalination plants where much of the clean water comes from. Palestinians across the Strip have already seen their access to water drop significantly. Without fuel, millions of people will be trapped with no safe drinking water. Equally, fuel powers the entire healthcare system: medical equipment, air conditioning, elevators, oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and cold-chain storage for medicines and vaccines. Even ambulances will be grounded, preventing the transport of critically ill and wounded people.

    “Newborns in neonatal intensive care units are often too small to breathe on their own — they need ventilators and oxygen to survive. But recently lack of fuel has caused electricity at Al-Helou Maternity hospital in northern Gaza to cut out several times, shutting off ventilators and oxygen and putting babies’ lives at immediate risk,” says Amy Low, medical team leader in Gaza City.

    Yesterday, the UN managed to retrieve 280,000 litres of fuel from the stocks which are stuck in a no-go area in Rafah, after the Israeli authorities denied 12 previous requests. As fuel stocks got so low, the teams at Al-Helou, where MSF teams work in the maternity ward, had to temporarily shut down elevators in the hospital to ration stocks.  

    “The charade of only allowing medical and fuel supplies at the very last minute ahead of a looming disaster is nothing but a band aid on a gushing wound. The weaponisation of aid must end,” says Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. “No militarised scheme developed by a warring party, like the one we are witnessing with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, can replace the work of independent humanitarian agencies.”

    MSF teams are witnessing patterns consistent with genocide in Gaza. Mass killings, the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure, and severe restrictions on fuel supplies and the delivery of aid are deliberate actions. Israel is systematically dismantling the conditions necessary for Palestinian life.

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

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges over Central Highlands ‘wood-hooking’

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Charges over Central Highlands ‘wood-hooking’

    Friday, 20 June 2025 – 9:36 am.

    Nine people from the Queenstown area are facing charges including stealing and trespassing as part of joint operation between Tasmania Police and Sustainable Timber Tasmania targeting the illegal harvesting of timber in the Central Highlands.
    Authorities have used surveillance and targeted patrols as part of the crackdown on the illegal collection of timber, including the collection of timber for firewood, a practice commonly referred to as wood-hooking.
    Police have seized more than 200 tonnes of firewood in the operation.
    “To date, proceedings have commenced against nine individuals from Queenstown, with a combined total of 141 counts of trespass and stealing,” Tasmania Police Senior Constable Jessica Weston said.
    “Police will be paying close attention to anyone suspected of being involved in illegal wood collection and will intervene where appropriate. Anyone caught engaging in illegal wood collection may be proceeded against for breaches of legislation including stealing, unlawful possession, trespass and relevant traffic offences.”
    Police issued a reminder that to collect firewood, you must either do it on your own land, have permission from the landowner, or have a permit from Sustainable Timber Tasmania or the relevant owner of that property.
    Permits must be always carried when collecting and carting firewood. In all other cases, it is classified as stealing and anyone detected may face charges of stealing, trespass or unlawful possession as well as forfeiture of the firewood and equipment.
    If you are purchasing from a firewood supplier, check to make sure that the wood has not been illegally sourced.
    Reputable firewood dealers should be able to provide you with assurances of where the wood has come from.
    Purchasing wood from suppliers who are members of the Australian Firewood Association is an easy way to be confident that your wood has been sourced legally.
    Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Greater Bendigo’s transfer stations will now be called Recycling Centres

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo’s transfer stations in Strathfieldsaye, Goornong and Heathcote have a new name and will now be called Recycling Centres.

    City of Greater Bendigo Resource Recovery and Education Acting Manager Michelle Wyatt said the City recently undertook a public process with Geographic Names Victoria to change the name of local transfer stations to recycling centres to make their purpose clearer to members of the community.

    “Geographic Names Victoria has now gazetted the change and the facilities will now be known as the Strathfieldsaye Recycling Centre, Goornong Recycling Centre and Heathcote Recycling Centre,” Ms Wyatt said.

    “We believe the term transfer station no longer reflected the purpose of the facilities and the services they offer and provide to the community.

    “The name change to Recycling Centre will help encourage the community to identify reusables and recyclables at home and maximise resource recovery at the three local centres. It will also help promote the Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote centres as places to find and buy items for re-use or re-purposing.

    “The City will now undertake a process to update signage at the sites and where it appears on our website and other promotional information to reflect the name change.   This could take some time to achieve and there may be a short time where the facilities are still referred to as transfer stations in some promotional material.

    “However, the good news is nothing else about how the Recycling Centres operate is changing and it will continue to be business as usual.

    “The City remains committed to helping community members rescue, reuse, repurpose, repair and recycle goods and materials wherever possible to reduce waste going to the landfill.

    “Many items including E-waste, polystyrene, clean unwanted textiles and shoes,  and soft plastics can be dropped for free recycling at the City’s Goornong, Strathfieldsaye and Heathcote Recycling Centres and the Eaglehawk Recycle Shop at the entrance to the Eaglehawk Landfill.”

    Public places must be registered with Geographic Names Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo is a Naming Authority for places that it owns or manages. Registering place names is essential to identify locations for managing emergencies and delivering goods and services in Victoria.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Road safety works set to commence in Strathfieldsaye

    Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

    The City of Greater Bendigo with funding provided by the Victorian Government’s Transport Accident Commission Safe Local Roads and Street Program, is preparing to commence an important road safety project to install three Raised Safety Platforms on the roundabout at Blucher and Apsley Streets and Somerville Road Strathfieldsaye.

    City of Greater Bendigo Presentation and Assets Director Brian Westley said the works which will commence Monday June 23 are expected to take approximately six weeks to complete depending on weather conditions and the availability of contractors and supplies.

    “Strathfieldsaye is a fast-growing suburb and this project is important as it will link the existing shared path to provide better safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the area,” Mr Westley said.

    “The works will include installation of new stormwater drainage pipes, kerb & channel, traffic island alterations, three raised safety platforms with line-marking and footpath upgrades.

    “Traffic management will be in place to close roads and divert traffic while road works are being undertaken. Foot traffic will be redirected during concrete footpath construction to ensure pedestrian safety.

    “All steps will be taken to limit disruptions as much as possible, and access to the school and kindergarten will be maintained throughout the works.

    “Considerable planning has gone into this project to make sure any inconvenience is kept to a minimum and traffic operates safely during the works.

    “The City asks motorists and pedestrians to observe signage and detours around the works area and apologises for any inconvenience the work may cause.”

    During construction, the following road closures will be in place throughout the project at various times:

    • A single lane closure will be implemented during construction of the works on eastern Apsley Street with access available to St Francis of the Fields primary school. This work will mostly take place during the school holiday period
    • Full road closures will be implemented on western Apsley Street and Somerville Road in the vicinity of the roundabout as required
    • All affected roads within the roundabout are expected to be reopened at the end of each workday and re-closed the following morning if necessary

    Construction work and noise will be restricted between 7am and 5pm on weekdays and 9am and 5pm on Saturdays only.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Final tax determination on early stage investor tax offset scheme

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    We’ve published a final tax determination on the early stage investor tax offset scheme we alerted you to in December 2024.

    This determination confirms our draft view – that the anti-avoidance provisions in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 can apply to this scheme, potentially cancelling any tax benefit received by participants.

    What it means

    Our view applies to taxpayers involved in this scheme before, during and after the date of the final determination. It’s likely participants will have to pay back any offset claimed. Penalties and interest may also apply.

    You should advise clients against getting involved. If a client has already invested, encourage them to contact us for help. If they proactively approach us, they may be eligible for a reduction in any penalties.

    Advisers found to be promoting this scheme could face serious consequences through the Promoter Penalty Laws. Registered tax agents may be referred to the Tax Practitioners Board to assess if there’s been a breach of the Tax Agent Services Act 2009.

    More information on tax schemes

    For more information visit Recognising, rejecting and reporting unlawful tax and super schemes.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Guidance for legacy products and allocations from reserves

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    On 7 December 2024, changes were made to the law to allow people to exit certain legacy retirement products. Changes were also made to how reserves will be treated for contribution cap purposes.

    Guidance is now available on our website for people considering commuting a legacy retirement product and for superannuation providers when applying the laws.

    Relaxed commutation rules for legacy retirement products provides guidance on:

    • which legacy retirement products can be commuted
    • what happens when a legacy retirement product is commuted
    • possible tax consequences.

    Changes to reserve allocations provides guidance on:

    • the correct contribution treatment for allocations from reserves before and after the change to the law
    • how excluded allocations have changed
    • the definition of a pension reserve.

    Looking for the latest news for Super funds? You can stay up to date by visiting our Super funds newsroom and subscribingExternal Link to our monthly Super funds newsletter and CRT alerts.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Many elite athletes live below the poverty line. Tax-deductible donations won’t solve the problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University

    Australia’s Jaclyn Narracott competes in the women’s skeleton at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images

    As the end of the 2024-25 financial year nears, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation (ASF), has launched a new joint fundraising initiative allowing Australians to make tax-deductible donations directly to Australia’s Olympians and Paralympians.

    The ASF is an “Item 1” Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) and is the only organisation in Australia that allows a donor to claim a tax deduction for philanthropic donations to sport.

    This is because sport is not currently eligible for either DGR or charitable status under Australian law.

    But is this new joint fundraising initiative a gold medal idea for our athletes, or one that falls short of a podium finish?

    Aussies tax payers and Olympic dreams

    The new initiative, named the “Aspiring Australian Olympian Funding program”, means individual donations of A$2 or more made through the ASF are tax-deductible.

    Australians can direct funds to a specific athlete, coach or official selected to participate in representative, elite or high performance sport in the Olympic/Paralympic program (summer and winter).

    Depending on the donor’s marginal tax rate, the effective cost of a donation may be reduced up to 62% for the highest earners (over $250,000).

    For instance, a $1,000 donation could yield a tax refund of up to $470, bringing the net cost down to just $530.

    Companies paying the full company tax rate that donate $1,000 would reduce their tax by $300 (30%).

    Ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, more than 30 Australian athletes (from disciplines such as alpine skiing, bobsleigh and figure skating) have signed up to use the platform.

    However, many Australian athletes are struggling financially, so more financial support is needed.

    The brutal reality for many athletes

    The ASF’s 2023 “Running on Empty” report found many of Australia’s elite athletes were under significant financial pressure: 46% of those over the age of 18 were earning less than $23,000 per year. This places them below the poverty line at $489 a week.

    The report also found 67% of elite athletes said their financial struggles affected their parents and support networks. Also, 42% of elite athletes aged 18-34 reported they were suffering poor mental health as a result of their financial predicament.

    The report also found the costs of training, equipment, travel and accommodation continued to rise, resulting in many questioning the sustainability of elite sport funding models both here and abroad.

    Pros and cons

    The new funding program’s use of tax incentives as a funding carrot is good in principle, but there are potential unintended consequences.

    This includes athletes being pitted against one another: there is a danger the athletes best skilled in marketing and public relations will receive more funding.

    The current economic climate doesn’t bode well for the program. Many Australians are facing cost-of-living pressures, which means a lot of people may not be able to donate even if they want to.

    Also, what happens if an athlete who benefits from the program is injured or found to be a drug cheat, and can’t compete? Can a donor request a refund?

    Finally, taxpayers who have the most capacity to donate are likely high income earners, some of whom may donate to sport entities already. Now, their donations will be subsidised by the tax system.

    Some alternative ideas

    In the United Kingdom, National Lottery revenue plays a significant role in funding Olympic and Paralympic sports. Administered by UK Sport (the UK’s equivalent of the ASC) funds from the lottery are directed to high performance sports programs and athletes.

    This approach could be replicated in Australia.

    Another idea is to redirect a portion of government taxes collected from sports betting, which could be lucrative given Australia’s love of sports gambling.



    Read more:
    Gambling in Australia: how bad is the problem, who gets harmed most and where may we be heading?

    The federal government could offer a further incentive by matching peoples’ donations dollar for dollar.

    As we direct funds to athletes, we need also think about the potential tax impact for them. Will the funds they receive be considered income and be taxed? The government could consider making the payment to the athlete tax free.

    If we are going to succeed on the world stage, especially as the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, we need to financially support our athletes so they can focus on representing their country.

    Michelle O’Shea receives funding from the Olympic Studies Centre.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the federal government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the federal government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Many elite athletes live below the poverty line. Tax-deductible donations won’t solve the problem – https://theconversation.com/many-elite-athletes-live-below-the-poverty-line-tax-deductible-donations-wont-solve-the-problem-258914

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: WHO – Global Leaders Unite to Accelerate Cervical Cancer Elimination Efforts

    Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

    New commitments at Bali Forum drive momentum to save hundreds of thousands of girls and women from cancer

    BALI, Indonesia, 19 June 2025 – Governments, donors, multilateral institutions, the private sector, and partners today announced significant policy, programmatic, and financial commitments to eliminate one of the most preventable cancers.

    At the 2nd Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum, hosted in Bali, Indonesia, on 17-19 June, leaders announced a wave of new investments and policy pledges to expand access to HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment – bringing the world closer to making cervical cancer the first cancer to ever be eliminated.  

    The Forum is attended by more than 300 participants, among them are high-level delegates, such as Ministers of Health from Fiji, Indonesia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu, as well as Vice Ministers from Costa Rica, Paraguay, and South Africa, demonstrating strong political commitment from countries across regions.

    The Global Strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer sets clear targets for 2030: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15; 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again at 45; and 90% of women identified with cervical disease receiving appropriate treatment. Progress across all three pillars is essential to achieve and sustain elimination.

    “In 2018, WHO issued a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer on the world to act, and the commitments made here in Indonesia show that call is being answered,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But we must go further and faster. Every girl who remains unvaccinated and every woman who lacks access to screening or treatment is a reminder that equity must be at the heart of our elimination strategy. Together, we can consign cervical cancer to the history books.”

    Despite being preventable, cervical cancer still claims the life of a woman every two minutes – 94% of them in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Less than five per cent of women in many LMICs receive cervical cancer screening due to health system limitations, cost barriers and logistical challenges.  

    Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) – the leading cause of cervical cancer – can prevent the vast majority of cases, averting 17.4 deaths for every 1000 girls vaccinated. Combined with screening and treatment—including for precancerous lesions and invasive cancer— it provides a path to elimination. However, as of 2024 only 46 per cent of low-income countries have introduced HPV vaccination nationally, compared to 98 per cent of high-income nations.

    The Bali forum builds on momentum from Cartagena, Colombia, where nearly US$ 600 million was committed last year to scale up efforts. 194 countries have adopted WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer and 75 countries globally

    have adopted the single-dose HPV vaccine, which expands access to the vaccine to even more girls and saves costs. Vaccination coverage is also improving: in Africa, first dose coverage rose from 28% in 2022 to 40% in 2023 – making it the region with the second-highest rate globally and empowering millions of girls to protect their health and realize their potential. There is increased vaccine supply thanks to market shaping efforts by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and updated recommendations are helping to make cervical cancer screening and treatment more affordable.

    The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia continues to accelerate the national HPV vaccination program to reduce mortality rates from cervical cancer. Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized the urgency of this initiative, as cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women in Indonesia.

    To address this issue, the Ministry of Health is not only expanding free HPV vaccination coverage for school-age girls but also strengthening early detection programs for cervical cancer through DNA HPV test and co-testing with IVA (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid) at health-care facilities. Additionally, the ministry is collaborating with various stakeholders, including local governments and community organizations, to enhance public education and awareness about the importance of early prevention.

    “We cannot rely solely on treatment. Prevention is far more important. Therefore, in addition to HPV vaccination, we strongly encourage regular screening so that cancer can be detected at an early stage before it progresses,” said Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin.

    Early detection significantly increases the chances of recovery and reduces treatment cost. For this reason, combining screening and vaccination is essential for effectively preventing and tackling cervical cancer.

    Alongside gains in vaccination, countries are also reporting progress in expanding access to cervical cancer screening and treatment, aligned with WHO recommendations. Innovations such as self-sampling are improving reach and feasibility, especially in low-resource settings. Many countries are scaling up national screening programmes and investing in treatment services to ensure that women who test positive receive timely and appropriate care.

    This growing global push, driven by renewed commitments from governments and partners at the Forum shows that it is possible to reverse the tide and prevent annual deaths from rising to over 410 000 by 2030, as currently estimated.

    To sustain and accelerate this momentum, donors committed to a future free from cervical cancer are strongly urged to fully fund Gavi, which aims to vaccinate an additional 120 million girls between 2026-2030, saving 1.5 million lives.

    “At its heart, this movement is about justice. It’s about ensuring that every girl and every woman, regardless of where she lives or what she earns, has access to basic, lifesaving care,” said Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “As we build these services, we are not just preventing cancer, we are strengthening the bond between women and the health system. We are breaking down barriers. We are dismantling stigma. We are advancing the broader agenda for women’s health. Let us act now—so that every woman, everywhere, can live a healthy, dignified life.”

    Continued support is also essential for the coordinated efforts of governments, and global partners across the full elimination strategy to help bring us closer to a world where no girl or woman dies from a disease that there is the power to eliminate. Further, the forum calls countries to set ambitious national targets, align with global commitments, and strengthen collective action toward a cervical cancer-free world by 2030 through the Bali Declaration to Reaffirm Commitment to Cervical Cancer Elimination.

    Notes:

    Country commitments made at the forum include:

    Government of Indonesia

    Indonesia stands unwavering in its mission to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, ensuring that every woman, regardless of socioeconomic status, can live free from its threat. With an ambitious national 90-75-90 target, Indonesia is scaling up its efforts and setting a precedent for bold, decisive action.

    Recognizing that elimination requires sustained commitment, Indonesia is mobilizing all sectors through evidence-based programming, strong local leadership, and dynamic multi-stakeholder collaboration. We are prioritizing substantial investments in the health system and fortifying the key pillars of progress—governance, financial sustainability, and social outreach—to drive real change.

    With the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2023–2030 launch, Indonesia has solidified a comprehensive partnership ecosystem spanning ministries, local governments, civil society, communities, and international development partners. Significant strides have been made across the three elimination pillars: vaccination, screening, and treatment. To accelerate our impact, Indonesia is advancing the following commitments:

    1. HPV Vaccination – Reaching Every Girl, Every Woman

    By the end of 2025, Indonesia will transition to a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule, deploying both school-based and community-based platforms to ensure 90% coverage of HPV vaccination among girls and women in all target groups by 2030.

    2. Cervical Cancer Screening – Scaling Up and Innovating

    Indonesia is dramatically expanding its screening efforts to reach 75% of women aged 30–69 by 2030, using high-performance HPV DNA testing—a globally recognized best practice. Nationwide pilots are already underway, with full-scale adoption targeted by the end of 2025.

    3. Treatment and Care – Strengthening Access and Innovation

    Indonesia is fortifying its health system by closing diagnostic and treatment services gaps. Key advancements include accelerated procurement of essential diagnostic tools and treatment equipment and expanded access to chemotherapy, immunohistochemistry testing, and cryotherapy across all regions. Additionally, we are upskilling our healthcare workforce to ensure expertise in the latest treatment techniques.

    As we move forward, Indonesia is embedding cervical cancer elimination within its broader National Cancer Control Plan 2025–2034, driving continuous monitoring, research, and evidence-based policy refinement to guarantee universal access to preventive and curative services.

    Indonesia is fully committed to accelerating progress, ensuring that every woman across the country has access to the services needed for cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. At this pivotal global forum, Indonesia with the participants of the forum urge countries to set ambitious national targets, align with global commitments, and strengthen collective action toward a cervical cancer-free world by 2030 through the adoption of Bali Declaration to Reaffirm Commitment to Cervical Cancer Elimination.

     

    Other Government commitments

    Government of Pakistan

    The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to cervical cancer elimination, aligning with the WHO’s 2030 targets. With over 5,000 new cases and 3,000 deaths annually, cervical cancer is a public health challenge in Pakistan. We are prioritizing a comprehensive strategy focusing on HPV vaccination for adolescent girls starting in 2025, alongside strengthening screening programs and ensuring timely treatment access.

    Our goal is to achieve a future where no woman in Pakistan loses her life to this preventable disease.

    Government of Papua New Guinea

    Papua New Guinea has committed to eliminate cervical cancer from the country. Integrated cervical cancer screening and treatment has been scaled up and the country plans to introduce HPV vaccine nationally in 2026.

    Government of Samoa

    Samoa has made major strides:

    Over 80% HPV vaccination coverage among girls aged 10–18, supported by ADB and UNICEF.
    Our first Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy was developed in 2023 with UNFPA support.
    The National Cancer Policy and Action Plan (2024–2029) was approved by our government last December and was funded with Australian assistance.

     

    Our approach integrates screening into primary care, uses mobile outreach, and embeds community engagement through the Fa’asamoa and “Healthy Islands” principles.

    We recognise the challenges—limited resources and workforce—but we remain committed to combining prevention, screening, and partnerships to achieve our goals.

    This program is about equity, hope, and action. Every woman in Samoa deserves access to life-saving care. As a Pacific nation and proud Commonwealth member, we are determined to lead by example.

    Together, we will eliminate cervical cancer and save lives.
    Thank you for the assistance from our Development Partners and the Global Community.

    Co-host commitments

    Gates Foundation

    The Gates Foundation is committed to protecting the next generation of women from cervical cancer by increasing equitable, sustainable access to HPV vaccines in low- and middle-income countries and we are proud to support Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and countries in the ongoing work to accelerate the introduction and scale-up of HPV vaccines.

    We continue in our commitment that supports research on new prophylactic HPV vaccines, further studies investigating the durability of protection of single-dose vaccination, and tools to help countries better understand how vaccines might be used beyond current target populations. And we remain dedicated to our partnerships with governments, non-governmental organizations, multilateral organizations, and the private sector. Working together, we can eliminate cervical cancer.  

    Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

    Gavi reaffirms its commitment to the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative by supporting lower- and middle-income countries to introduce, finance and scale up coverage of HPV vaccines to drive equitable and sustainable access.

     In partnership with countries and Alliance partners, Gavi is on track to reach its ambitious goal of protecting 86 million girls with the lifesaving HPV vaccine by the end of 2025. To date, we have supported 45 countries to introduce the HPV vaccine to their routine systems. This effort is expected to prevent more than 1.4 million future deaths from cervical cancer and represents a major step forward in advancing health equity.

    In Gavi’s next strategic period 2026–2030, Gavi aims to intensify its efforts by reaching over 120 million additional girls with the HPV vaccine- an initiative that could save 1.5 million more lives. Achieving this goal will depend on a fully funded Gavi for the next strategic period. Gavi’s investment in HPV vaccination programmes provides a strong foundation for elimination initiatives across the pillars of WHO’s Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination.

    Investing in the health of women and girls is essential to unlocking their full potential and building a healthier, more equitable future for all.

    UNICEF

    At the 2024 Forum, UNICEF announced an investment of USD 10 million towards the HPV vaccine programme (the HPV Plus initiative). Through the HPV Plus initiative and other investments and partnerships, UNICEF supported the vaccination of over 20 million girls across the 21 HPV Plus implementing countries. Importantly, UNICEF forged strong multi-sectoral engagements and partnerships, working directly with over 250,000 stakeholders in the 21 countries to ensure access for key integrated adolescent health services including nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDs, menstrual hygiene management, and related services to over 490,000 girls – in addition to receiving the HPV vaccine.  

     

    In UNICEF’s next strategic plan for 2026-2029 we commit to supporting vaccination of 100 million girls with the HPV vaccine. UNICEF will continue to leverage its programmatic and multi-sectoral footprint to advance effective initiatives including integrated HPV vaccination and adolescent health services and strengthening effective delivery platforms including school-based vaccination.  We will also continue to generate and share evidence to help build stronger immunization and health programmes that advance the wellbeing of adolescent girls.

     

    UNICEF will also leverage its Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) program alongside its cervical cancer diagnostic toolkit to shape markets and to create linkages for the screening and treatment pillars of the cervical cancer elimination strategy. Through key programmatic touchpoints, we will raise awareness among country stakeholders and partners about effective screening and treatment options, while providing technical support where feasible.

    Unitaid

    Unitaid has been a leading investor in the secondary prevention of cervical cancer for over six years and ever since the WHO launched the call to action in 2018. This long-standing engagement reflects Unitaid’s dedication to closing the prevention gap for millions of women worldwide who are not eligible for or able to access the HPV vaccination.

    Building on this foundation, Unitaid will invest an additional US$50 million over the next two years to accelerate access to screening and pre-cancer treatment, resulting in a cumulative commitment now reaching US$130 million. This includes an immediate US$18 million investment to directly support 18 countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean in establishing and scaling national programs. These efforts will prioritize the rapid uptake of HPV testing and pre-cancer treatment devices, decentralized screening models to reach underserved populations, and the integration of services into health systems in ways that are both sustainable and cost-effective.

    In addition to country-level support, Unitaid will strengthen regional mechanisms that benefit a broader set of countries. This includes expanding supply options to improve access to affordable commodities and fostering South-South learning structures that promote local innovation and experience sharing. Through these efforts, Unitaid aims to help countries accelerate progress toward their national cervical cancer elimination goals and contribute meaningfully to the global 90-70-90 targets.

    Civil Society Organisations

    African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA)

    As a network of grassroots civil society organisations, activists and allies committed to advancing the health and wellbeing of African women, thus safeguarding the fabric of our communities, and nations, the African Cervical Health Alliance (ACHA) remains committed to using our knowledge of the community, our collective voices, experiences, and skills as cervical cancer survivors, caregivers and allies, in our advocacy with and for our women and girls, in the achievement of the WHO 90/70/90 targets by 2030.

    ACHA will continue scaling up the use of our evidence based, customisable IEC materials to reach at least 150,000 adolescent girls, women, parents, and community leaders across underserved communities with culturally appropriate and age-specific messages about HPV, the importance of HPV vaccination for all eligible girls, routine cervical cancer screening and access to treatment.

    We will also continue to advocate for increased HPV vaccine uptake by integrating cervical health messages into at least 100 advocacy and community engagement activities annually with key populations, including but not limited to school health programs, youth forums, and faith-based initiatives.

    We are also committed to supporting government-led efforts in our respective member countries, through technical input, stakeholder engagement, and community mobilization to adopt WHO’s recommendation for single-dose HPV vaccine schedule for our girls, and to expand access to high performance screening tests for all women, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

    We stand firm in our commitment to building the advocacy capacity of grassroots champions and cancer survivors, by training at least 200 advocates by June 2026 to lead awareness campaigns, reduce stigma, and foster demand for cervical cancer prevention services.

    Our commitments remain resolute, in accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem across Africa, with a focus on underserved populations, and advocating for the integration of preventive services at all levels of implementation. We therefore pledge to use our unified voice, networks, and tools to catalyse political will, drive accountability, and ensure no woman or girl is left behind in the journey to a cervical cancer free Africa.

    Association for Mothers and Newborns (AMAN)

    The Association for Mothers and Newborns (AMAN) reaffirms its commitment to cervical cancer elimination, in alignment with the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets and as a national health priority of Pakistan.

    As a community-rooted professional organization, AMAN recognizes that demand generation, social mobilisation, and evidence-based advocacy are essential pillars to increase the uptake of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening services, particularly in underserved and marginalized communities. AMAN also provides professional training in Screening methods (Cytology, VIA), and treatment with Colposcopy, LLETZ and Surgical management.

    Through its GAVI-funded advocacy project in Sindh province (2025–26), AMAN is addressing vaccine hesitancy, countering misconceptions, and mobilizing families, community leaders, teachers, and caregivers to support HPV vaccination for adolescent girls. The initiative aims to reach over 400,000 adolescent girls, parents, and teachers via community awareness sessions, health camps, and digital outreach. It has also successfully engaged local influencers, health workers, and peer educators as advocates for cervical cancer prevention and health equity.

    AMAN pledges to collaborate with public health authorities, civil society, and global partners to amplify local voices, remove barriers, and accelerate Pakistan’s progress toward the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. Together, with a multipronged approach, we can end cervical cancer.

    Cancer Awareness, Prevention and Early Detection Trust (CAPED)

    As a founding member of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Consortium – India (CCEC-I), CAPED commits to being the community engagement partner and extending outreach through its 48 partner organizations and their extended networks to support the rollout of HPV vaccination and a national cervical cancer screening program.

    By June 2026, we will coordinate efforts to:
    • Develop a national preparedness map and readiness report using real-time grassroots data, reflecting local realities on awareness, access, and health system readiness.
    • Collect and document human interest stories from communities to highlight both challenges and successes in cancer prevention efforts.
    • Create and disseminate contextually relevant communication materials that resonate with diverse audiences and address stigma, misinformation, and fear.

    These efforts will help ground national strategies in lived experiences and ensure that civil society plays a central role in advancing equitable, people-centred cervical cancer elimination in India.

    Girls and Women Health Initiative (GWHI)

    GWHI commits to double its impacts in advocacy for HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and treatment, along with disseminating the findings from the first ever situation analysis commissioned by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulation and Coordination, Pakistan and WHO.

    GWHI has also created the Pakistan Alliance for Cervical Cancer Elimination (PACCE), a platform to bring together all partners, governmental and non-governmental, working in Pakistan for cervical cancer elimination, to amplify efforts and impact.

    Union for International Cancer Control

    The Union for International Cancer Control is committed to working alongside its 1,150 members across 172 countries and territories to address inequities and drive global action towards the elimination of cervical cancer. With a strong reputation in global advocacy, a rich history of delivering initiatives to support national action, and flagship convening platforms that facilitate peer-to-peer exchange and foster collaboration, UICC continues to champion efforts that improve access to care, sustain progress, and lessen the impact of cervical cancer on individuals, their families and communities.

    As part of its new three-year business plan, UICC will further strengthen its engagement—including through its role in the ‘Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer’, ongoing support for cervical cancer programmes in Francophone Africa, and initiatives that amplify the voices of those with lived experience, including as part of its current three-year World Cancer Day campaign – United by Unique. A core focus of this work will be to mobilise and equip civil society to advocate for the elimination of cervical cancer—ensuring communities are heard, policies are strengthened, and accountability is upheld.

    UICC is rooted in its belief that everyone experiencing cancer should have access to quality treatment and care, and no one should die from a preventable cancer. To achieve this, UICC will leverage its established learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities, its broad multi-sectoral network, and continued advocacy to further progress and ensure that health systems are equipped to improve cancer control, and eliminate cervical cancer.

     

    Private sector

    Becton Dickinson

    Becton Dickinson HPV Access Pricing Initiative: Becton Dickinson (BD) proudly commits to a Global Access Price for our advanced HPV Screening Solution, featuring integrated Extended Genotyping and a self-collection option to expand equitable access to life-saving diagnostics globally. This all-inclusive “Price per Patient Result” will be available to governments and non-governmental organizations advancing public sector programs in 73 Low and Low-Middle Income Countries. Through multi-stakeholder collaboration, we aim to expand access, improve patient management, and help public sector programs implement high-quality, sustainable, and scalable screening programs for effective cervical cancer prevention.

    The Ministry of Health Indonesia and Becton Dickinson (BD) are partnering to expand cervical cancer screening in West Java, aiming to reach 300,000 women in three years. Building on a successful pilot in Papua, the initiative supports Indonesia’s National Action Plan, improving patient management and long-term cost-effectiveness through HPV DNA testing, self-collection, and extended genotyping.

    Roche

    Roche commits to expand affordable pricing for its cobas® HPV DNA test to 17 additional countries, bringing the total to 106 countries, with the potential to positively impact more than 600 million women worldwide. The decision reflects Roche’s unwavering dedication to continuous innovation and advancing equitable access to cervical cancer screening, a critical step in supporting countries as they work towards their elimination goals. Roche’s commitment ext

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI: Dundee Corporation Announces Voting Results from 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dundee Corporation (TSX: DC.A) (“Dundee” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) which was held earlier today. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the Meeting, as follows:

    Appointment of Auditor

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as Auditor of the Corporation and the directors of the Corporation were authorized to fix the remuneration of the Auditor. Details of the voting results are set out below:

      Total Votes % of Votes Cast  
    Votes in Favour 354,684,508 99.94  
    Votes Withheld 204,353 0.06  
    Total Votes Cast 354,888,861 100  
           

    Election of Directors

    The shareholders elected each of the seven nominees listed in the Corporation’s Management Proxy Circular. Details of the voting results are set out below:

    Name Votes in Favour % Votes Withheld %
    Tanya Covassin 348,156,952 99.85 529,846 0.15
    Jaimie Donovan 348,165,977 99.85 520,821 0.15
    Jonathan Goodman 348,482,415 99.94 204,383 0.06
    Bruce McLeod 348,216,718 99.87 470,080 0.13
    Andrew Molson 348,148,753 99.85 538,045 0.15
    Peter Nixon 348,220,518 99.87 466,280 0.13
    Allen Palmiere 348,203,263 99.86 483,535 0.14
             

    The Corporation also announces the departure of Steven Sharpe as Executive Vice Chair with the Corporation’s orderly disposition of its non-mining legacy investment portfolio nearly complete. We would like to thank Mr. Sharpe for his valuable contribution to the organization and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

    ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION

    Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent mining-focused holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DC.A”. The Corporation is primarily engaged in acquiring mineral resource assets. The Corporation operates with the objective of unlocking value through strategic investments in mining projects globally. Our team conducts due diligence in order to assess the geological, technical, environmental, and financial merits and risks of each project and looks to deploy capital where it can either seek to generate investment returns or where the Corporation can collaborate with operating partners and take strategic partnerships through direct interests in mining operations.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Investor and Media Relations
    T: (416) 864-3584
    E: ir@dundeecorporation.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Dundee Corporation Announces Voting Results from 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dundee Corporation (TSX: DC.A) (“Dundee” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) which was held earlier today. Shareholders voted in favour of all items of business before the Meeting, as follows:

    Appointment of Auditor

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed as Auditor of the Corporation and the directors of the Corporation were authorized to fix the remuneration of the Auditor. Details of the voting results are set out below:

      Total Votes % of Votes Cast  
    Votes in Favour 354,684,508 99.94  
    Votes Withheld 204,353 0.06  
    Total Votes Cast 354,888,861 100  
           

    Election of Directors

    The shareholders elected each of the seven nominees listed in the Corporation’s Management Proxy Circular. Details of the voting results are set out below:

    Name Votes in Favour % Votes Withheld %
    Tanya Covassin 348,156,952 99.85 529,846 0.15
    Jaimie Donovan 348,165,977 99.85 520,821 0.15
    Jonathan Goodman 348,482,415 99.94 204,383 0.06
    Bruce McLeod 348,216,718 99.87 470,080 0.13
    Andrew Molson 348,148,753 99.85 538,045 0.15
    Peter Nixon 348,220,518 99.87 466,280 0.13
    Allen Palmiere 348,203,263 99.86 483,535 0.14
             

    The Corporation also announces the departure of Steven Sharpe as Executive Vice Chair with the Corporation’s orderly disposition of its non-mining legacy investment portfolio nearly complete. We would like to thank Mr. Sharpe for his valuable contribution to the organization and wish him continued success in his future endeavors.

    ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION

    Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent mining-focused holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DC.A”. The Corporation is primarily engaged in acquiring mineral resource assets. The Corporation operates with the objective of unlocking value through strategic investments in mining projects globally. Our team conducts due diligence in order to assess the geological, technical, environmental, and financial merits and risks of each project and looks to deploy capital where it can either seek to generate investment returns or where the Corporation can collaborate with operating partners and take strategic partnerships through direct interests in mining operations.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    Investor and Media Relations
    T: (416) 864-3584
    E: ir@dundeecorporation.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Diversified Royalty Corp. Announces Results of Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Royalty Corp. (TSX: DIV and DIV.DB) (the “Corporation” or “DIV”) is pleased to announce that at its annual general meeting of shareholders held on June 19, 2025 (the “Meeting”), all directors nominated as listed in DIV’s information circular dated May 8, 2025 were elected for the ensuing year. As a ballot was not required, the number of votes disclosed in the below table reflects only the proxies received by management of DIV in advance of the Meeting:

    Director Votes For   Votes Withheld
    Number Percentage   Number Percentage
    Paula Rogers 35,302,456 91.94%     3,095,368 8.06%  
    Roger Chouinard 33,033,674 86.03%     5,364,151 13.97%  
    Johnny Ciampi 35,286,125 91.90%     3,111,700 8.10%  
    Garry Herdler 35,281,252 91.88%     3,116,573 8.12%  
    Sherry McNeil 38,198,336 99.48%     199,488 0.52%  
    Sean Morrison 35,310,525 91.96%     3,087,300 8.04%  
    Kevin Smith 35,295,529 91.92%     3,102,296 8.08%  
                   

    DIV has also filed a report of voting results of all resolutions voted on at the Meeting on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

    About Diversified Royalty Corp.

    DIV is a multi-royalty corporation, engaged in the business of acquiring top-line royalties from well-managed multi-location businesses and franchisors in North America. DIV’s objective is to acquire predictable, growing royalty streams from a diverse group of multi-location businesses and franchisors.

    DIV currently owns the Mr. Lube + Tires, AIR MILES®, Sutton, Mr. Mikes, Nurse Next Door, Oxford Learning Centres, Stratus Building Solutions, BarBurrito and Cheba Hut trademarks. Mr. Lube + Tires is the leading quick lube service business in Canada, with locations across Canada. AIR MILES® is Canada’s largest coalition loyalty program. Sutton is among the leading residential real estate brokerage franchisor businesses in Canada. Mr. Mikes operates casual steakhouse restaurants primarily in western Canadian communities. Nurse Next Door is a home care provider with locations across Canada and the United States as well as in Australia. Oxford Learning Centres is one of Canada’s leading franchisee supplemental education services. Stratus Building Solutions is a leading commercial cleaning service franchise company providing comprehensive building cleaning, and office cleaning services primarily in the United States. BarBurrito is the largest quick service Mexican restaurant food chain in Canada. Cheba Hut is a fast casual toasted sub sandwich franchise with locations across 19 U.S. states.

    DIV’s objective is to increase cash flow per share by making accretive royalty purchases and through the growth of purchased royalties. DIV intends to continue to pay a predictable and stable monthly dividend to shareholders and increase the dividend over time, in each case as cash flow per share allows.

    Forward Looking Statements

    Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, ”project”, “should”, “believe”, “confident”, “plan” and “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements made in relation to: DIV’s objective to continue to pay predictable and stable monthly dividends to shareholders; and DIV’s corporate objectives. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events, performance, or achievements of DIV to differ materially from those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking information. DIV believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information included in this news release are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In particular there can be no assurance that: DIV will be able to make monthly dividend payments to the holders of its common shares; or DIV will achieve any of its corporate objectives. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking information included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. More information about the risks and uncertainties affecting DIV’s business and the businesses of its royalty partners can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of its Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2025 and in its most recent Management’s Discussion and Analysis, copies of each of which are available under DIV’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

    In formulating the forward-looking information contained herein, management has assumed that, among other things, DIV will generate sufficient cash flows from its royalties to service its debt and pay dividends to shareholders; the businesses of DIV’s respective royalty partners will not suffer any material adverse effect; and the business and economic conditions affecting DIV and its royalty partners will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.

    All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, DIV. The forward-looking information included in this news release is presented as of the date of this news release and DIV assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

    THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR THE ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

    Additional Information

    Additional information relating to the Corporation and other public filings, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

    Contact:
    Sean Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Diversified Royalty Corp.
    (236) 521-8470

    Greg Gutmanis, Chief Financial Officer and VP Acquisitions
    Diversified Royalty Corp.
    (236) 521-8471

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Chief coroner will not direct inquest into death of Lisa Colleen Rauch

    Dr. Jatinder Baidwan, British Columbia’s chief coroner, has determined not to direct an inquest in the death of Lisa Colleen Rauch as the circumstances do not meet the requirement for a mandatory inquest under the Coroner’s Act.

    On Dec. 28, 2019, Lisa Rauch’s death in Victoria was reported to the BC Coroners Service. It followed events involving members of the Victoria Police Department. Lisa Rauch was 43 years old at the time of her death.

    After a review of the circumstances, the chief coroner has determined that an inquest is not required under Section 18(2)(a)(ii) of the Coroner’s Act because there was no meaningful connection between the care Lisa Rauch received while in custody and her death, nor is it necessary under Section 18(3). The circumstances around Lisa Rauch’s death were reviewed during a public hearing held before former attorney general Wally Oppal, KC, a retired Court of Appeal justice, at the direction of the B.C. police complaint commissioner. This hearing informed the public of the circumstances of Lisa Rauch’s death, and the resulting recommendations are public.

    In making the decision not to direct an inquest, the chief coroner has also carefully considered the wishes of Lisa Rauch’s family.

    Learn More:

    To access B.C.’s Coroner’s Act, visit: https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/07015_01

    To learn more about coroner’s inquests, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 25 new places to eat in 2025

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    • Many new cafes, restaurants and bars have opened recently in Canberra.
    • This story includes a list of new eateries to try in Canberra.

    New year, new restaurants.

    Whether you are after a new brunch spot or your next date night location, there is something new for everyone.

    You can find Canberra’s first dedicated acai spot just outside of Westfield Woden.

    Build your own acai bowl by choosing from a list of delicious toppings. They also have loaded waffles, shakes, and chocolate covered strawberries.

    A new Mediterranean restaurant and wine bar is now open in Weston Creek.

    Menu highlights include the carbonara arancini, lamb shoulder ragu, and pistachio crème brûlée.

    This new Italian-inspired bar is the newest addition to Verity Lane.

    Enjoy an Aperol Spritz with antipasti or your pasta of choice.

    This new café is serving up Japanese-inspired desserts after dark.

    Menu items include Shibuya Toast, bingsu, and matcha cheesecake.

    Get your late-night sweet treat until 10:30pm, Thursday to Saturday nights.

    You no longer need to visit Sydney to grab ButterBoy cookies. You can now buy these mouth-watering cookies at Red Brick.

    Flavours include snickerdoodle, banoffee and Nutella. They also have gluten free options.

    This new family-run café has a large menu full of authentic Turkish dishes.

    Enjoy breakfast dishes such as meneme, or the kebabs and gozleme. Sweet tooths can enjoy desserts like baklava, while sipping on Turkish coffee and tea.

    The owners of Champi in Kingston have opened a new venue in Phillip.

    Champi Express is serving up southeast Asian breakfast and lunch dishes.

    Clover dining blends classic Italian dishes with Japanese flavours and cooking techniques.

    The restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some of their innovative dishes include the oyster mushroom sandwich, wagyu sirloin with sesame seeds and burnt garlic, and miso black cod.

    This new Italian wine bar is serving up cured meats and cheeses, craft beer and great wine.

    You can also book in for a wine tasting or grab a take-away charcuterie box.

    This new café is serving up delicious breakfast and lunch, Monday to Friday.

    Start your day with classic brunch options like a bacon and egg burger and eggs benedict or try something new like kimchi fried ramen with bacon and egg.

    Verity Lane’s newest addition specialises in authentic Japanese and Korean katsu dishes.

    Choose from classic options such as chicken, pork, and fish katsu, as well as vegetarian alternatives.

    This new London-inspired modern café offers breakfast and lunch options, as well as an exclusive range of European luxury sweets, and ‘London Blend’ coffee.

    This new restaurant on City Walk is serving up delicious Chinese dishes.

    They do great lunch specials and happy hour.

    You can now find authentic Vietnamese on Marcus Clarke Street in the City.

    Try traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho, chicken rice, banh mi and cơm tấm, in a cosy and elegant setting.

    This new Malaysian restaurant is now open at Capital Food Market.

    It’s open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

    Check out The Peacemaker Saloon for a taste of America’s wild west.

    Indulge in hearty southwestern food such as smoked brisket and pork ribs, wings and mac ‘n cheese. There’s also an extensive cocktail and whiskey list.

    This new southside spot is serving up coffee, protein shakes, smoothies, breakfast items, burgers and wraps.

    A second location has opened for Pronto, with the first over in Queanbeyan.

    This authentic Italian restaurant is the perfect spot to gather and share food with family and friends, with their large party menu.

    Their Neapolitan pizza is a must-try, made from a 300-year-old recipe, as well as any of their regional Italian pastas.

    Shaw Estate has a new restaurant in Murrumbateman.

    The estate’s new dining space has a neutral and modern interior and a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Enjoy Italian dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients.

    After building some buzz in 2024 with pop-ups at local venues such as Terra, Sunny now has their own food truck and will be popping up at events across Canberra.

    Keep an eye on their socials to find out where you can grab one of their delicious smash burgers and hand-cut fries.

    Located at the former site of Bellucci’s, this new pub is bringing a fun new energy to southside.

    Whether you want to watch sport, catch up with friends or have a great pub feed, this spot has something for all Canberrans.

    This new pub on southside opened in late April.

    Enjoy tap beer, cocktails or mocktails with traditional pub food including schnitzels, burgers wings and more.

    They do happy hour every day and have great lunch specials.

    Located on the former site of Lonsdale Street Roasters, this multi-level venue is bringing good vibes to Braddon.

    Uptown has a bakery and bar downstairs, and a bistro upstairs.

    They offer European- based cuisine with a modern Australian twist, freshly baked sweet treats, coffee, cocktails and a great selection of wines.

    You can find this Korean and Asian-inspired café on Lonsdale Street.

    Menu items include crab scrambled egg, Korean fried chicken burger and smashed avocado with yuzu.

    Located in the Eat Street precinct in Dickson, Zaiqah is serving up traditional Pakistani food.

    Coming soon

    This beloved Canberra burger joint is coming to Belco!

    Keep an eye out on their channels for the opening date.

    Masala Kitchen is a modern Indian cuisine restaurant opening soon in Braddon.

    The chef behind Pizza Artigiana and food truck Hem & Co, Chef Hem, is opening a new venue on Marcus Clarke Street that will serve Roman-style pizza slices.

    Read more like this:

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Jaws at 50: the first summer blockbuster is still a film that bites – even when the shark didn’t work

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will Jeffery, Sessional Academic, Discipline of Film Studies, University of Sydney

    Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

    When I was eight years old, on a Saturday night before surf lifesaving training, my dad put on the film Jaws and it changed my life forever.

    Unlike the generations of filmgoers who were afraid of sharks and going into the water during its initial release in 1975, I fell in love with the water and sharks.

    Steven Spielberg’s film was the first summer blockbuster, received Academy Awards for sound, editing and music, and became the first film to earn US$100 million at the United States box office.

    It was only the third film for the 28-year-old Steven Spielberg, and his second theatrical release (his first film, Duel, was made for TV), and success arrived only after much trouble.

    Jaws was only the second feature film for Spielberg, pictured here on set.
    Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Image

    A marketed behemoth

    Chief of Police Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) has recently moved from New York City to Amity Island with his wife, Ellen (Lorriane Gary), and their two children. As the small town prepares for its crucial 4th of July celebrations, a series of shark attacks threatens the festivities – and the town’s summer economy.

    Mayor Larry Vaughan (Murray Hamilton) insists on keeping the beaches open for “summer dollars”. When the shark strikes again, local fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) is hired to hunt it down. Brody and visiting marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) insist on joining the expedition to save the island.

    The film was advertised as a suspense and horror monster movie. In what director Spielberg described as a marketing “blitzkrieg” campaign, Jaws, was released in the summer – peak swimming season.

    Universal Pictures made sure every household knew about the film. There were multiple TV spots, a cover on Time Magazine, talk show appearances from cast and crew, and a wave of merchandise. It was the most money the company had ever spent on a film’s pre-release marketing.

    The first American film released in more than 400 theatres at once, Jaws found its audience with overwhelmingly positive reviews and word of mouth – because Jaws was also extremely well made.

    Wrangling the shark

    Peter Benchley was hired to adapt his novel, but another screenwriter, Carl Gottlieb, was brought in to redraft Benchley’s more serious narrative and provide comic relief.

    Jaws was initially planned for 55 days of shooting, but ballooned to 159 days and $8 million over budget. The main reason: the shark.

    Apart from one scene using real underwater shark footage from Australians Ron and Valerie Taylor, the shark was mechanical. There were three sharks made for the film, all nicknamed “Bruce” after Spielberg’s lawyer.

    Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts depicted the fictional Amity Island, and much of the second half was shot in water.

    Much of the second half of the film was shot on the water.
    Photo by Universal Studios/Courtesy of Getty Images

    The mechanical shark sank … a lot. No wonder Spielberg named the temperamental and unreliable shark after his lawyer.

    With the lack of a functioning shark, Spielberg made the artistic decision – echoing Alfred Hitchcock – to suggest the shark’s presence rather than show it outright in the film’s first half.

    Spielberg even quotes Hitchcock’s Vertigo shot (a dolly zoom) in the scene when Brody realises a shark attack is unfolding under his watch.

    Even without appearing onscreen, the shark has an overwhelming presence and effect on the audience, thanks to John Williams’ music: most of the film’s cues are associated with the shark.

    Tension onscreen

    One of my favourite moments in the film is in the aftermath of an attack on the young Alex Kintner (and poor dog Pippet!). Brody is slapped in the face by the mother of the slain Alex – but this is followed by a cute and wholesome encounter between Chief Brody and his son Sean.

    As a father, Brody’s failure to prevent the attack on Alex reflects his loss of authority to capitalism. The water is the island’s summer revenue, and the hungry shark swims in it.

    The film could have seen an early shark attack and immediately launched a shark hunt. However, the shark doesn’t appear much at all for a monster movie due to its malfunctioning. This worked in the film’s favour.

    Instead, the film relied on good writing and strong performances to heighten the tension and build anticipation for the rare moments the shark has onscreen.

    A lot of the film’s success comes from the dynamic and well-written trio of Brody, Hooper and Quint. In the final act set at sea with just the three leads on a boat surrounded by the shark, they needed to deliver – and they did, arguably stealing the movie from the shark.

    Possibly the most famous scene in the entire film comes when the shark is fully revealed for the first time. Startled by its size, Brody backs into the cabin and delivers an improvised line: “you’re gonna need a bigger boat”.

    Dreyfuss and Shaw famously didn’t get along in real life. You can see that tension play out onscreen. It arguably enhances their performances.

    Still, one of the most iconic moments comes when Dreyfuss’s Hooper is left speechless by Quint’s USS Indianapolis monologue, describing being in the water with sharks after the warship was torpedoed.

    The monologue was scripted, but Shaw improvised much of it.

    A cinema classic

    Jaws is now a cinema classic.

    It launched Spielberg’s illustrious career, scared an entire generation from going into the water, and also inspired a new generation of marine activists – such as myself – who love sharks and the ocean.

    I hope you’ll join me in revisiting Amity Island one more time to watch this timeless film that, apart from its mechanical shark, completely works.

    Will Jeffery 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. Jaws at 50: the first summer blockbuster is still a film that bites – even when the shark didn’t work – https://theconversation.com/jaws-at-50-the-first-summer-blockbuster-is-still-a-film-that-bites-even-when-the-shark-didnt-work-246247

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Jaws at 50: the first summer blockbuster is still a film that bites – even when the shark didn’t work

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will Jeffery, Sessional Academic, Discipline of Film Studies, University of Sydney

    Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

    When I was eight years old, on a Saturday night before surf lifesaving training, my dad put on the film Jaws and it changed my life forever.

    Unlike the generations of filmgoers who were afraid of sharks and going into the water during its initial release in 1975, I fell in love with the water and sharks.

    Steven Spielberg’s film was the first summer blockbuster, received Academy Awards for sound, editing and music, and became the first film to earn US$100 million at the United States box office.

    It was only the third film for the 28-year-old Steven Spielberg, and his second theatrical release (his first film, Duel, was made for TV), and success arrived only after much trouble.

    Jaws was only the second feature film for Spielberg, pictured here on set.
    Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Image

    A marketed behemoth

    Chief of Police Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) has recently moved from New York City to Amity Island with his wife, Ellen (Lorriane Gary), and their two children. As the small town prepares for its crucial 4th of July celebrations, a series of shark attacks threatens the festivities – and the town’s summer economy.

    Mayor Larry Vaughan (Murray Hamilton) insists on keeping the beaches open for “summer dollars”. When the shark strikes again, local fisherman Quint (Robert Shaw) is hired to hunt it down. Brody and visiting marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) insist on joining the expedition to save the island.

    The film was advertised as a suspense and horror monster movie. In what director Spielberg described as a marketing “blitzkrieg” campaign, Jaws, was released in the summer – peak swimming season.

    Universal Pictures made sure every household knew about the film. There were multiple TV spots, a cover on Time Magazine, talk show appearances from cast and crew, and a wave of merchandise. It was the most money the company had ever spent on a film’s pre-release marketing.

    The first American film released in more than 400 theatres at once, Jaws found its audience with overwhelmingly positive reviews and word of mouth – because Jaws was also extremely well made.

    Wrangling the shark

    Peter Benchley was hired to adapt his novel, but another screenwriter, Carl Gottlieb, was brought in to redraft Benchley’s more serious narrative and provide comic relief.

    Jaws was initially planned for 55 days of shooting, but ballooned to 159 days and $8 million over budget. The main reason: the shark.

    Apart from one scene using real underwater shark footage from Australians Ron and Valerie Taylor, the shark was mechanical. There were three sharks made for the film, all nicknamed “Bruce” after Spielberg’s lawyer.

    Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts depicted the fictional Amity Island, and much of the second half was shot in water.

    Much of the second half of the film was shot on the water.
    Photo by Universal Studios/Courtesy of Getty Images

    The mechanical shark sank … a lot. No wonder Spielberg named the temperamental and unreliable shark after his lawyer.

    With the lack of a functioning shark, Spielberg made the artistic decision – echoing Alfred Hitchcock – to suggest the shark’s presence rather than show it outright in the film’s first half.

    Spielberg even quotes Hitchcock’s Vertigo shot (a dolly zoom) in the scene when Brody realises a shark attack is unfolding under his watch.

    Even without appearing onscreen, the shark has an overwhelming presence and effect on the audience, thanks to John Williams’ music: most of the film’s cues are associated with the shark.

    Tension onscreen

    One of my favourite moments in the film is in the aftermath of an attack on the young Alex Kintner (and poor dog Pippet!). Brody is slapped in the face by the mother of the slain Alex – but this is followed by a cute and wholesome encounter between Chief Brody and his son Sean.

    As a father, Brody’s failure to prevent the attack on Alex reflects his loss of authority to capitalism. The water is the island’s summer revenue, and the hungry shark swims in it.

    The film could have seen an early shark attack and immediately launched a shark hunt. However, the shark doesn’t appear much at all for a monster movie due to its malfunctioning. This worked in the film’s favour.

    Instead, the film relied on good writing and strong performances to heighten the tension and build anticipation for the rare moments the shark has onscreen.

    A lot of the film’s success comes from the dynamic and well-written trio of Brody, Hooper and Quint. In the final act set at sea with just the three leads on a boat surrounded by the shark, they needed to deliver – and they did, arguably stealing the movie from the shark.

    Possibly the most famous scene in the entire film comes when the shark is fully revealed for the first time. Startled by its size, Brody backs into the cabin and delivers an improvised line: “you’re gonna need a bigger boat”.

    Dreyfuss and Shaw famously didn’t get along in real life. You can see that tension play out onscreen. It arguably enhances their performances.

    Still, one of the most iconic moments comes when Dreyfuss’s Hooper is left speechless by Quint’s USS Indianapolis monologue, describing being in the water with sharks after the warship was torpedoed.

    The monologue was scripted, but Shaw improvised much of it.

    A cinema classic

    Jaws is now a cinema classic.

    It launched Spielberg’s illustrious career, scared an entire generation from going into the water, and also inspired a new generation of marine activists – such as myself – who love sharks and the ocean.

    I hope you’ll join me in revisiting Amity Island one more time to watch this timeless film that, apart from its mechanical shark, completely works.

    Will Jeffery 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. Jaws at 50: the first summer blockbuster is still a film that bites – even when the shark didn’t work – https://theconversation.com/jaws-at-50-the-first-summer-blockbuster-is-still-a-film-that-bites-even-when-the-shark-didnt-work-246247

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is there any hope for a fairer carve-up of the GST between the states?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saul Eslake, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Tasmania

    When the Western Australian state government handed down its state budget on Thursday, it showed a balance sheet solidly in the black with a A$2.5 billion surplus. But, as it has for seven years, the state has received an outsized boost to its coffers from the federal government.

    In 2018, the Morrison government – with the full support of the then Labor opposition – handed WA a special deal for the distribution of income from the goods and service tax (GST).

    Under the deal, WA gets a much greater share of the centrally collected GST revenue than it would have been entitled to under the methods previously used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.

    So what can be done to ensure a return to a fairer distribution of the GST revenue?

    How the GST carve-up is supposed to work

    The 2018 deal upended a principle known as “horizontal fiscal equalisation”. This principle seeks to ensure each state and territory has the fiscal capacity to provide its residents with a broadly similar range and quality of public services, while levying a similar level of state taxes. This applies to states with different populations and needs.

    That principle is the main reason why the quality of health care, schooling and policing in your community depends much less on which state you happen to live in, compared with other countries with a federal system. Just think of the United States.

    But that principle was jettisoned in the pursuit, by both major parties, of seats from WA in the House of Representatives, which in effect determined the outcome of the 2016, 2019 and 2022 elections.

    WA gets a much greater share of GST revenue than under methods once used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.

    Holding onto the mineral wealth

    During the mining boom starting in 2000, WA became rich. While it previously received extra grants from other states, it was now having to share income from mining royalties with other states.

    But the 2018 amendment changed how the GST revenue is distributed. Instead of equalising all states to have the fiscal strength of the strongest state (such as WA during the boom), funds were now equalised to the stronger of New South Wales or Victoria. States are also guaranteed a minimum per capita share of revenue.

    The only state that benefits from these changes is Australia’s richest state: WA. Since 2018-19 it has received A$24.2 billion more than it would have done had the 2018 changes not been made.

    Combined with the $58.3 billion it has collected in mineral royalties over the past seven years, that has enabled WA to rack up cash surpluses totalling more than $18 billion. Every other state and territory recorded cash deficits over that time.

    Over the next four years, WA will receive $26.3 billion more from the carve-up of GST revenues than it would otherwise have done.

    No one worse off?

    To cajole the other states and territories into accepting this “deal”, the Morrison government agreed to “top up” the revenue from the GST to ensure none would be any worse off than if the long-standing system had remained in place.

    It estimated this “No Worse Off guarantee” (or NoWO as it is now called) would cost the federal budget $8 billion over the nine years to 2026-27, when NoWO would expire.

    To avoid expected pushback from the other states, the Albanese government agreed in 2023 to extend NoWO by another three years. It is now expected it will have cost the federal budget almost $60 billion by its scheduled expiry in 2029-30.

    This is the biggest blow-out in the cost of any single policy decision, with the exception of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This $52 billion blowout from the GST carve-up represents a massive drain on the federal budget, at a time when it is forecast to be in deficit for the next ten years, to appease the greed of Australia’s richest, and luckiest, state.

    A government that truly believed in equity, and was committed to prudent and responsible budget outcomes, would scrap this appalling piece of public policy. And an Opposition that was sincere in its claims to stand for fiscal responsibility would support any move by the government to do so.

    The system is not working as intended

    The 2018 legislation requires the Productivity Commission to report, by the end of 2026, on whether the new system is working “efficiently, effectively and as intended”. Since it clearly wasn’t intended for the changes to cost anywhere near as much as they have done, the answer to that question must surely be a resounding “no”.

    But rather than giving it such a narrow remit, the Treasurer could, and should, task the Productivity Commission with devising a way of achieving the long-standing objective of “horizontal fiscal equalisation” in a simpler, more transparent and more predictable way.

    This should be possible by reference to fewer than a dozen readily available economic, demographic and social indicators. These could replace the “black box” processes currently used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission to allocate GST. WA has been able to exploit this lack of transparency in pursuit of its claims on an unjustified share of GST revenue.

    Steven Kennedy, in his new role as head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, is reportedly open to considering controversial tax changes, including the GST carve-up. Hopefully he will be making this suggestion to the Prime Minister.

    An inquiry by the Productivity Commission along these lines would enable the government to step away from the 2018 changes in the 2027-28 budget. That would, in turn, represent a substantial contribution towards the task of budget repair. And it would reinstate a principle that has helped make Australia a fairer, and better, country than it would otherwise have been.

    Saul Eslake 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. Is there any hope for a fairer carve-up of the GST between the states? – https://theconversation.com/is-there-any-hope-for-a-fairer-carve-up-of-the-gst-between-the-states-258913

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is there any hope for a fairer carve-up of the GST between the states?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saul Eslake, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Tasmania

    When the Western Australian state government handed down its state budget on Thursday, it showed a balance sheet solidly in the black with a A$2.5 billion surplus. But, as it has for seven years, the state has received an outsized boost to its coffers from the federal government.

    In 2018, the Morrison government – with the full support of the then Labor opposition – handed WA a special deal for the distribution of income from the goods and service tax (GST).

    Under the deal, WA gets a much greater share of the centrally collected GST revenue than it would have been entitled to under the methods previously used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.

    So what can be done to ensure a return to a fairer distribution of the GST revenue?

    How the GST carve-up is supposed to work

    The 2018 deal upended a principle known as “horizontal fiscal equalisation”. This principle seeks to ensure each state and territory has the fiscal capacity to provide its residents with a broadly similar range and quality of public services, while levying a similar level of state taxes. This applies to states with different populations and needs.

    That principle is the main reason why the quality of health care, schooling and policing in your community depends much less on which state you happen to live in, compared with other countries with a federal system. Just think of the United States.

    But that principle was jettisoned in the pursuit, by both major parties, of seats from WA in the House of Representatives, which in effect determined the outcome of the 2016, 2019 and 2022 elections.

    WA gets a much greater share of GST revenue than under methods once used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission.

    Holding onto the mineral wealth

    During the mining boom starting in 2000, WA became rich. While it previously received extra grants from other states, it was now having to share income from mining royalties with other states.

    But the 2018 amendment changed how the GST revenue is distributed. Instead of equalising all states to have the fiscal strength of the strongest state (such as WA during the boom), funds were now equalised to the stronger of New South Wales or Victoria. States are also guaranteed a minimum per capita share of revenue.

    The only state that benefits from these changes is Australia’s richest state: WA. Since 2018-19 it has received A$24.2 billion more than it would have done had the 2018 changes not been made.

    Combined with the $58.3 billion it has collected in mineral royalties over the past seven years, that has enabled WA to rack up cash surpluses totalling more than $18 billion. Every other state and territory recorded cash deficits over that time.

    Over the next four years, WA will receive $26.3 billion more from the carve-up of GST revenues than it would otherwise have done.

    No one worse off?

    To cajole the other states and territories into accepting this “deal”, the Morrison government agreed to “top up” the revenue from the GST to ensure none would be any worse off than if the long-standing system had remained in place.

    It estimated this “No Worse Off guarantee” (or NoWO as it is now called) would cost the federal budget $8 billion over the nine years to 2026-27, when NoWO would expire.

    To avoid expected pushback from the other states, the Albanese government agreed in 2023 to extend NoWO by another three years. It is now expected it will have cost the federal budget almost $60 billion by its scheduled expiry in 2029-30.

    This is the biggest blow-out in the cost of any single policy decision, with the exception of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). This $52 billion blowout from the GST carve-up represents a massive drain on the federal budget, at a time when it is forecast to be in deficit for the next ten years, to appease the greed of Australia’s richest, and luckiest, state.

    A government that truly believed in equity, and was committed to prudent and responsible budget outcomes, would scrap this appalling piece of public policy. And an Opposition that was sincere in its claims to stand for fiscal responsibility would support any move by the government to do so.

    The system is not working as intended

    The 2018 legislation requires the Productivity Commission to report, by the end of 2026, on whether the new system is working “efficiently, effectively and as intended”. Since it clearly wasn’t intended for the changes to cost anywhere near as much as they have done, the answer to that question must surely be a resounding “no”.

    But rather than giving it such a narrow remit, the Treasurer could, and should, task the Productivity Commission with devising a way of achieving the long-standing objective of “horizontal fiscal equalisation” in a simpler, more transparent and more predictable way.

    This should be possible by reference to fewer than a dozen readily available economic, demographic and social indicators. These could replace the “black box” processes currently used by the Commonwealth Grants Commission to allocate GST. WA has been able to exploit this lack of transparency in pursuit of its claims on an unjustified share of GST revenue.

    Steven Kennedy, in his new role as head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, is reportedly open to considering controversial tax changes, including the GST carve-up. Hopefully he will be making this suggestion to the Prime Minister.

    An inquiry by the Productivity Commission along these lines would enable the government to step away from the 2018 changes in the 2027-28 budget. That would, in turn, represent a substantial contribution towards the task of budget repair. And it would reinstate a principle that has helped make Australia a fairer, and better, country than it would otherwise have been.

    Saul Eslake 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. Is there any hope for a fairer carve-up of the GST between the states? – https://theconversation.com/is-there-any-hope-for-a-fairer-carve-up-of-the-gst-between-the-states-258913

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –