NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Report a breach of Australian foreign investment rules

    Source:

    When to report a breach

    You can confidentially report a breach of the foreign investment rules. This includes whether you suspect or know of a breach.

    If you have breached your foreign investment obligations, contact us as soon as you can. We will prioritise your issue and help you to comply with the rules.

    Who can report a breach

    We welcome information from anyone in the community with concerns about suspected illegal activities by a foreign person owning Australian residential property. Your information will help us safeguard Australia’s national interest, businesses and economy.

    If you are a foreign person, you should also tell us if you think you have broken the foreign investment rules. If you let us know as soon as possible, the penalty may be lower than if we detect your breach.

    What types of breaches you can report

    Some examples of breaches you can report to us include:

    Purchasing and financing properties

    A foreign person may have broken the rules by:

    Failing to register

    A foreign person may have broken the rules if they do not:

    • register their investment on the Register within the prescribed timeframe
    • update the details of the asset if their situation changes.

    Purchasing established dwellings

    For purchases before 1 April 2025, a foreign person may have broken the rules if they do any of the following:

    • purchase an established dwelling but do not live in it while they are in Australia
    • rent out or demolish the established dwelling acquired as their principal place of residence
    • purchase an established dwelling but do not sell the property within 6 months of their temporary residency visa expiring
    • purchase an established dwelling for redevelopment but rent it out instead of redeveloping it to increase the number of dwellings
    • purchase more than one established dwelling as a temporary resident
    • purchase an established dwelling but don’t redevelop it within 4 years
    • demolish an established dwelling but do not replace it with 2 or more dwellings
    • do not sell an established dwelling previously used for staff accommodation and leave it vacant for 6 months or more.

    From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027, foreign persons are banned from purchasing established dwellings in Australia (limited exceptions apply). This includes temporary residents purchasing an established dwelling for use as a principal place of residence.

    A foreign person may have broken the rules if they purchase an established dwelling after 1 April 2025 unless they are exempt or one of the limited exceptions apply.

    Purchasing vacant land

    A foreign person may have broken the rules if they purchase vacant land but don’t develop it by constructing one or more dwellings on the property within 4 years.

    Occupying a dwelling

    A foreign person may be in breach of the rules if they provide incorrect information to us about whether a dwelling was vacant or occupied.

    Third parties

    A third party, such as a stockbroker, lawyer, solicitor, conveyancer, real estate agent or other adviser, may have broken the rules relating to residential land, if they knowingly assist another person to breach the law by doing any of the following:

    • aiding, abetting, counselling, or procuring a contravention
    • inducing (by threat, promise or otherwise) a contravention
    • conspiring with others to affect a contravention
    • being, directly or indirectly, knowingly concerned in, or party to, a contravention.

    For examples of third-party breaches, see Guidance Note 14 – Compliance and Penalties (Residential Land) on the Foreign investment websiteExternal Link.

    Officer of a corporation

    An officer of a corporation may be subject to penalties if they authorise or permit a breach of the foreign investment rules, or fail to prevent such a breach from occurring.

    How to report a breach of the foreign investment rules

    If you know or suspect someone is breaking the foreign investment rules or want to tell us about your breach, you can report it by:

    • completing the tip-off form
    • phoning us on 1800 060 062
      • if you prefer to speak to us in a language other than English, phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 for help with your call
      • if you are a tax professional, you can provide information by phone on 13 72 86 (Fast Key Code 3 4)
    • writing to us – mark your letter ‘in confidence’ and post it to

    AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE
    TAX INTEGRITY CENTRE
    LOCKED BAG  188
    ALBURY NSW 2640.

    When we receive information through a tip-off, we will cross check the information provided and decide if further action is needed. It’s important to include as much detail as possible so we can investigate fully.

    How to complete the tip-off form

    Complete the ATO tip-off form on our website or in the ATO app and select Start.

    If you are voluntarily reporting a breach you have made as a foreign person, include as much detail as possible.

    At Who is this about select who you are reporting for:

    • Individual, include their
      • property address
      • name (or the name of their company)
      • phone number
      • social media details (for example, username and profile address)
      • nationality.
    • Business, include the
      • business name
      • Australian business number (ABN) (if known)
      • business address
      • phone number
      • website details
      • social media details (for example, webpage and profile addresses).
    • What is this about – select Other, then Illegal purchase of Australian property by a non-resident.
    • Provide as much detail as possible about the reported behaviour, including
      • activities and behaviour that may be in breach of the foreign investment rules
      • the name of the property being reported and, if known
        • the purchase date and price
        • the selling agent
        • the status of the property (if it is vacant, rented or owner occupied)
        • any other information you have about this property.
    • Include your contact details as we may need to contact you for more information. Your details remain confidential in accordance with privacy laws.

    Before submitting the form, check you have provided the relevant information and supporting documentation. Provide as much detail as you can so we can fully assess the information.

    Remember to make a note of the reference number when you submit the form. You will need to quote it if you want to add information later.

    Examples of past tip-offs of foreign investment breaches

    Examples of cases we received as a tip-off include:

    Illegal purchase of established dwelling

    We received a community tip-off about a foreign non-resident who didn’t apply for foreign investment approval before buying an established residential property. As this was a breach of the rules, the foreign person had to pay a $12,600 infringement penalty.

    The foreign person was unable to move into the property or redevelop it to create 2 new dwellings. This was considered contrary to national interest and the foreign person had to sell the property.

    Breach of conditions – renting an established dwelling

    A tip-off was made about a foreign person who had rented out their established residential property through a real estate agent. This was in breach of the conditions listed on their foreign investment approval.

    The foreign person had to pay a $12,600 infringement penalty and move into the property as a condition of their foreign investment approval.

    Breach of conditions – not redeveloping and renting

    A member of the building and construction industry made a tip-off that 3 properties were held by an individual foreign person and associated trusts in breach of their foreign investment approval conditions. They breached the conditions of their approval by renting out one established property and not redeveloping the others within the approved timeframe. Infringement penalties were imposed and the properties had to be sold.

    Incorrect statement in vacancy fee return

    A foreign person stated in their vacancy fee return that they had occupied their dwelling for 6 months or more in accordance with the vacancy fee rules. However, our investigation showed the person was overseas for more than 6 months of the year.

    We helped the person understand that having a friend occupy the residence did not meet the definition of ‘residential occupation’ as defined by the foreign investment rules. They had to pay a $89,300 vacancy fee liability.

    How your privacy is protected

    Your privacy is protected by the Privacy Act 1988 and the strict secrecy provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, the Taxation Administration Act 1953 and other tax laws.

    Due to privacy laws, we are unable to share details specific to any foreign investment compliance investigation. We won’t be able to tell you of the outcome of our investigations. We equally respect your privacy in reporting the suspected breach, as well as the privacy of the owner of the reported property.

    For more information, see ATO privacy policy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: How to apply or vary an approval to buy residential property

    Source:

    Are you a foreign person buying residential property

    If you are a foreign person, you need to apply for approval by lodging an application before you buy or acquire residential property in Australia.

    To apply for approval or vary an existing approval, use the residential application in Online services for foreign investorsExternal Link.

    An application fee is payable. For more information about the fees payable, see Residential fees for a foreign person. Your application cannot be reviewed until payment has been made in full. For instructions on how to pay the application fee see How foreign investors make payments or view transactions.

    If you are planning to buy one property in a specific state or territory within 12 months, consider if an Exemption certificate suits your needs.

    If you plan to buy a new dwelling from a property developer, ask the developer if they already have an exemption certificate for the dwelling. If they do, you

    • do not need to apply for approval if the purchase price of the property is under $3 million
    • need to apply for approval if the purchase price of the property is over $3 million.

    In Online services for foreign investorsExternal Link, you can also:

    • check on the status of your application
    • view previous applications lodged after 1 January 2021.

    How to apply for approval

    Before starting an application, the foreign person profile must be complete. To prevent errors, log in to Online services for foreign investorsExternal Link and update any missing details such as your phone number. For more information, see Manage your details in Online services for foreign investors.

    There are conditions that you must meet when applying for approval to buy a residential property. For information on these conditions, see Apply to buy residential property as a foreign person.

    For information relevant to your situation, see Types of residential applications to choose from.

    To lodge your application or vary an existing approval, from Online services for foreign investors select either:

    • Lodgments then Residential application, or
    • the Lodge or pay residential application quick link.

    Then select Add, then Start, and select the type of residential application that applies to your situation.

    Ensure you have the information you need to complete the application, as:

    • you must complete the application in one session
    • the service will time out after 25 minutes of no activity
    • you cannot save your progress and complete later.

    You can use the Print-friendly version to print or save your completed application as a PDF.

    Types of residential applications to choose from

    Choose the type of residential application that applies to your circumstances:

    New dwelling

    A new residential dwelling is a dwelling that:

    • will be, is being, or has been built on residential land
    • has not been previously sold as a dwelling
    • has not been previously occupied or was not occupied for more than 12 months if it was sold in a development.

    To apply for approval to purchase a new dwelling, you will need to know:

    • the relationship between the purchasers in this application – that is, sole purchaser, joint tenant or tenants in common
    • the property address
    • if a contract has been signed for the purchase of the property, and if so, if it is conditional
    • the expected purchase price of the property ($AUD)
    • the purchase method (auction, ballot, private offer, tender)
    • the date of auction or closing date of tender or ballot, if relevant
    • the tenant in common ownership percentage, if relevant

    If relevant, you will need to provide these attachments:

    • the contract, cover letter, passport, drivers licence, bridging visa.

    Established dwelling

    From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027, foreign persons are banned from purchasing established dwellings in Australia (limited exceptions apply). This includes temporary residents purchasing an established dwelling for use as a principal place of residence. Temporary residents can still apply for approval to purchase vacant land or new dwellings.

    An established dwelling is an existing dwelling on residential land and is not a new dwelling as described above.

    To apply for approval to purchase an established dwelling, you will need to indicate what you plan to do with the property, either:

    You will need to know:

    • the relationship between the purchasers in this application – that is, sole purchaser, joint tenant or tenants in common
    • the property address
    • if a contract has been signed for the purchase of the property
    • the expected purchase price of the property ($AUD)
    • the purchase method (auction, ballot, private offer, tender)
    • the date of auction or closing date of tender or ballot, if relevant
    • the tenant in common ownership percentage, if relevant.

    If relevant, you will need to provide these attachments:

    • the contract
    • your bridging visa.

    If redeveloping the property, you will also need to know:

    • how many dwellings currently exist on the property
    • how many dwellings will be built on the property.

    Vacant land

    Land is vacant if there’s no substantive permanent building on it that can be lawfully occupied by persons, goods, or livestock. Land that previously had an established dwelling on it is generally not considered to be vacant land.

    To apply for approval to purchase vacant land, you will need to know:

    • the property address
    • the relationship between the purchasers in this application – that is, sole purchaser, joint tenant or tenants in common
    • if a contract has been signed for the purchase of the property, and if so, if it is conditional
    • how may dwellings will be built on the property
    • the expected purchase price of the property ($AUD)
    • the purchase method (auction, ballot, private offer, tender)
    • the date of auction or closing date of tender or ballot, if relevant
    • the tenant in common ownership percentage, if relevant.

    If relevant, you will need to provide these attachments:

    • the contract
    • your bridging visa.

    Exemption certificate

    An exemption certificate allows you to purchase one property in a specified state or territory within the next 12 months. It allows you to bid or make offers on multiple properties, provided you only acquire one property. You can only proceed with purchasing one property per exemption certificate.

    You would apply for an exemption certificate instead of making a residential application for:

    • a new dwelling
    • an established dwelling (for significant redevelopment or staff accommodation only), or
    • vacant land.

    To apply for an exemption certificate, you will need to know:

    • the property type – new dwelling, established dwelling (significant redevelopment or staff accommodation only) or vacant land
    • the relationship between the purchaser/s in this application – that is, sole purchaser, joint tenant or tenants in common
    • the state or territory in which you are looking to purchase a property (one only)
    • the expected purchase price of the property ($AUD)
    • the tenant in common ownership percentage, if relevant.

    In your application, if you answer YES to the question, ‘Has a contract of sale been signed?’, you must attach the contract and your relevant visa.

    In the case of joint tenants, you will need to confirm that all purchasers are aware of their obligations.

    Variation – simple

    A simple variation is a minor change to a processed application. For example, correcting a spelling error of the name of the purchaser or property being purchased.

    To apply to make a simple variation, you will need to:

    • know the foreign investment (FIRB) ID from the original application
    • know the relationship between the purchasers in this application – that is, sole purchaser, joint tenant or tenants in common
    • include details of the non-material error (if a correction)
    • attach a cover letter with the reason and full details of your variation request.

    Variation – complex

    A complex variation is a change that is not considered minor. For example, to change or remove a condition or extend the validity period of the no-objection notification or exemption certificate.

    If you need to substantially change the original approval or increase the property limit on an exemption certificate, you will need to submit a new residential application instead of a variation.

    To apply to make a complex variation, you will need to:

    • know the foreign investment (FIRB) ID from the original application
    • know the application fee amount of the original application – this is required to calculate the correct fee
    • know the relationship between the purchasers in this application – that is, sole purchaser, joint tenant or tenants in common
    • attach a cover letter with the reason and full details of your variation request and any other information that may help us review the variation.

    If you are requesting further time for construction, you also need to provide:

    • the current status of the construction
    • the project timeline
    • supporting documents – such as building quotes, or development approval.

    If you are in breach of your approval conditions, you need to:

    • outline why you have not been able to meet your conditions
    • provide supporting evidence.

    If you are making a request to sell the property, you need to outline the details of how you intend to sell the property and when.

    Mortgagee interest

    A mortgagee interest is when a foreign person lends money to another person to purchase a property and the loan is secured by the property, for example included on the title.

    The mortgagee (lender) must lodge a residential application if a security interest is held over Australian residential land before they enter the lending arrangement.

    To apply for a mortgagee interest, you will need to know:

    • the applicant details, and review and update any incomplete details
    • the property address
    • the property type – that is, new or existing dwelling or vacant land
    • the expected mortgage amount ($AUD)
    • if a contract has been signed for the mortgage over the property, and if so, if it is conditional.

    Include any attachments that may help us to review the application, such as:

    • the loan agreement
    • a cover letter letting us know if the borrowers or lenders are close relatives
    • the contract (if relevant).

    New or near-new dwelling exemption

    This application type is for property developers only, to apply for a:

    • new and near-new dwelling exemption certificate
    • near-new dwelling exemption certificate only
    • near-new dwelling exemption certificate related to an advanced off-the-plan certificate.

    To complete the application, the property developer will need to provide:

    • the property address
    • details if there is an existing structure on the land
    • the proposed development expenditure ($AUD)
    • how many dwellings will be included in the development
    • the average price per dwelling ($AUD)
    • the estimated total sales revenue ($AUD)
    • how many dwellings have already been sold
    • when construction is intended to start and due to finish
    • details if the development has received development approval – if yes
      • date the development was approved
      • name of the granting authority
      • development approval number.

    Include any attachments that may help us to review the application, such as:

    • copies of any contracts
    • development approvals
    • architectural plans and artist impressions
    • marketing schedules
    • a cover letter
    • development construction schedules
    • a copy of the advanced off-the-plan certificate, if applicable.

    For more information, see Exemption certificates for property developers.

    You can have a different contact for your application from your authorised contacts listed in your profile. If we have questions about your application, we will contact the person listed in your application.

    You can review and update your preferred contact details by selecting either:

    • Entity – the details are prefilled. Business or entities also need to specify an individual
    • Another contact – provide a name, email, phone, role (lawyer or solicitor, migration agent, real estate agent, accountant, conveyancer, other), company legal name, country.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Are you a foreign person buying property in Australia?

    Source:

    Definition of a foreign person

    The definition of a ‘foreign person’ is complex and may apply to individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities, in ways that are not immediately obvious.

    The legal definition of a foreign person is in Guidance Note 2 – Key Concepts published on the Foreign investment websiteExternal Link.

    The term is defined in Part 1, Section 4 of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975.

    If you are unsure if you are a foreign person, you should seek independent legal advice for help.

    Individuals considered foreign persons

    You are a foreign person if you intend to buy Australian residential or commercial property, and you are not a:

    • citizen of Australia
    • permanent resident of Australia, or
    • New Zealand citizen with a special category visa.

    A permanent resident who is not ordinarily a resident in Australia may be a foreign person in some circumstances.

    Temporary residents considered foreign persons

    From 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027, foreign persons are banned from purchasing established dwellings in Australia (limited exceptions apply). This includes temporary residents purchasing an established dwelling for use as a principal place of residence. Temporary residents can still apply for approval to purchase vacant land or new dwellings.

    You are a foreign person in the Australian foreign investment legislation if you are a:

    • temporary resident in Australia, or
    • New Zealand citizen who is non-resident in Australia.

    Special rules apply to temporary residents who purchased an established dwelling (or received foreign investment approval to buy an established dwelling) before 1 April 2025.

    A temporary resident is an individual who:

    • holds a temporary visa that allows them to stay in Australia for a continuous period of 12 months or more (regardless of the time remaining on the visa), or
    • resides in Australia, has submitted an application for a permanent visa and holds a bridging visa that allows them to stay in Australia until their application is finalised.

    Business or non-individuals considered foreign persons

    Generally, the following are considered foreign persons:

    • the corporation in which an individual not ordinarily resident in Australia, a foreign corporation or a foreign government holds a substantial interest
    • a corporation in which 2 or more persons hold an aggregate substantial interest, each of whom is one of the following
      • an individual not an ordinarily resident in Australia
      • a foreign corporation
      • a foreign government
    • the trustee of a trust in which an individual not ordinarily resident in Australia, a foreign corporation or a foreign government holds a substantial interest
    • the trustee of a trust in which 2 or more persons hold an aggregate substantial interest, each of whom is one of the following
      • an individual not ordinarily resident in Australia
      • a foreign corporation
      • a foreign government
    • a foreign government
    • any other person that meets the conditions, prescribed by the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Regulation 2015.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appointments – SAP Expands ANZ Leadership with Two Key Appointments

    Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners

    Hires Brian Senior and Gretta Svendsen to Double-Down on Public Sector and Accelerate Growth

    SAP NEWSBYTE – March 31, 2025 – SAP today announced it has strengthened its leadership team in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) with two strategic appointments, accelerating momentum in one of its fastest-growing cloud markets.  Brian Senior joins as Executive General Manager, Federal Government, SAP ANZ, to boost public sector engagement. Gretta Svendsen, joining as Executive General Manager – Corporate, SAP ANZ will drive new customer acquisition through partner expansion and SAP’s digital channel.

    Commenting on the appointments, Angela Colantuono, President and Managing Director SAP ANZ, said, “Businesses across ANZ are navigating increasing pressure to digitise and speedily innovate. For more than 35 years, SAP has worked with ANZ businesses to operate, compete and deliver value.  Now, with our modern cloud and AI solutions, both existing and new customers are turning to us to adapt and scale in this era.   The combined expertise and vision that Brian and Gretta bring, combined with their deep relationships in the public sector and with partners, will play a vital role as SAP continues to deliver solutions that create real impact.”

    Deepening commitment to the government and public sector

    SAP is fully committed to helping the government and public sector simplify operations and drive productivity. Strengthening this focus, Brian joins SAP in Canberra with extensive experience of over 20 years in sovereign hyperscale cloud solutions across Federal, Defence, State and Education sectors within ANZ. Brian’s deep understanding of the public sector landscape, combined with his direct experience in shaping and delivering cloud solutions previously at both Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS), will be instrumental in driving SAP’s strategic initiatives working with the government and public sector. A key aspect of Brian’s role will be to champion the successful adoption and expansion of the Whole of Government agreement between SAP and the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA).

    “My background and experience in sovereign cloud solutions have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of government agencies. As a long-time Canberran, I am thrilled to join SAP and apply this knowledge locally when working with our customers. With SAP’s deep history across the government and public sector in ANZ, I am excited to help even more organisations maximise the transformative impact of AI and cloud technologies, as they accelerate their digital journey while improving efficiency gains, fostering innovation, and delivering enhanced services to citizens,” said Brian Senior.

    Driving growth through partners and digital channels

    Recognising the crucial role partners play in driving value for customers across their entire lifecycle, for 2025 and beyond SAP ANZ has expanded the opportunities for partners to work directly with customers.

    In her new role, Gretta will be responsible for accelerating SAP’s partner-led growth strategy and strengthening collaboration and operational excellence to deliver greater value to customers. Building on a successful trial across Australia and New Zealand in 2024, she will lead the expansion of this go-to-market model, enabling partners to play a pivotal role in accelerating innovation and business transformation.  With a strong digital sales record, Gretta is posed to leverage the SAP Digital Hub in ANZ, to provide customers with resources and automation to maximise their investment.

    “I’m always excited by new challenges and driven by helping customers transform. With AI reshaping business operations, we’re in an era of innovation. SAP is poised to lead, and to stay ahead, we must scale through our partners and digital channels—that’s the future,” said Gretta Svendsen, who will be based in Sydney.

    Visit the SAP ANZ News Center: https://news.sap.com/australia/

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Staff who are volunteers too

    Source:

    Lukasz Lipnicki

    Whether they become staff members first then join a brigade, or vice versa, these dedicated CFA members live and breathe CFA – and love it.

    Lukasz Lipnicki, South East Region
    With CFA volunteers at the heart of what he does as both a firefighter and staff member, Lukasz Lipnicki well and truly embodies the spirit of CFA and community service.    

    Working as a regional brigade administrative support officer for the past five years, Lukasz coordinates volunteer sustainability projects in the region, such as the District 9 and District 27 Women’s Network, Women’s Challenge Camp, and Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.

    On the other side of the hose, Lukasz reflects fondly on his near four years as a Cockatoo Fire Brigade member, particularly enjoying the regular contact he gets with volunteers as it reminds him of why they do the work they do.   

    “Overall, being a CFA volunteer is fun. I enjoy the camaraderie of the brigade, the nature of the work, the callouts and more broadly being a part of our organisation for our community,” Lukasz said.  

    “I’m currently the brigade’s health and safety officer. My job has helped me understand the dynamics and the nuances of how CFA systems and processes work.   

    “Every day I travel across the south-east interacting with members in Districts 9, 10 or 27, even as far out as 11. Having the language and understanding of what firefighters face on the ground is invaluable.  

    “Having completed the General Firefighter course and attended incidents, working alongside other emergency services and being deployed to major fires has allowed for relatable conversations and the opportunity to build rapport.”  

    Lukasz said whether they are rolling out region-wide strategies, delivering supplies, or considering where to park when visiting stations, they are mindful of making each other’s lives a little easier.  

    “Our staff and volunteers lead busy lives and give CFA so much while asking for so little,” Lukasz said. “I think it’s important that, wherever we can, we all consider how best to support each other in the decisions we make.”  

    Given Lukasz’s nature to assist in times of need, when Cockatoo was hit by a severe storm in February 2024, he was able to lend a hand to his brigade members behind the scenes.   

    “I decided to head to IGA to grab a few roast chooks, bread rolls, and a slab of soft drink for when they came back to refuel and swap crews,” Lukasz said. “Pulling up to a hot meal and something to drink brought a lot of smiles out.” 

    Tegan Kearney, South West Region
    Tegan Kearney can be found tackling spreadsheets and helping managers and executives manage their budgets in her day job at CFA as the Senior Finance Business Partner in the Financial Planning and Analysis Team. But her work with CFA extends beyond the dollars and cents.   

    As a volunteer for Grovedale Fire Brigade in Geelong, Tegan doesn’t hesitate to roll up her sleeves and help her local community.   

    After getting a job at CFA in 2019 shortly before the Black Summer fires, Tegan said she was overwhelmed with the camaraderie she saw in CFA, even from people working from a desk.   

    “It was like nothing I had ever experienced in my career before, having come from a banking background,” Tegan said. “Everyone was focused on the fires no matter what their role. They put aside their usual tasks and turned their attention to how they could help.  

    “Whether it was working in an incident management team in a finance or logistics capacity, backfilling someone else with specific skills so they could be freed up to help, driving people or resources to where they need to be, everyone just did what they could.”  

    Seeing how well everyone worked together towards a common goal encouraged Tegan to think about how she could contribute even more and that led her to knock on the door of Grovedale Fire Brigade.

    Being a volunteer in the same location as your work is a unique experience, but Tegan said it is one she loves.   

    “My roles are completely different but they both ultimately work towards the same outcome of supporting CFA to protect lives and property,” Tegan said.   

    Tegan is grateful CFA encourages her passion for volunteering as well as working.    

    “My work colleagues are really good and understanding of my role as a volunteer. They support me to attend callouts or deployments wherever possible.”   

    Tegan said she loved CFA and felt lucky to be able to work and volunteer with such an organisation.   

    “CFA is an organisation you can be proud to be a part of, whether you are working at HQ, supporting the brigades on the ground or jumping on a truck,” Tegan said. “It’s all important work and it’s a good feeling knowing you are contributing to that.”

    Will Hodgson, West Region
    In 1991, 14-year-old Will Hodgson boarded a bus home from Fiskville after a CFA training session, unaware that over the next 34 years the organisation would become a central part of his life.  

    What began as a way to help his community following the Warrandyte bushfires that year has grown into a lifelong commitment to fire and emergency services.  

    “During the fires in ’91, I remember feeling helpless watching the helicopters and fire trucks as smoke filled the air. I made a phone call to North Warrandyte brigade and haven’t looked back since,” Will recalled.  

    “I’ve been turning out since I was 14 years of age – the rules were a bit different back then.”  

    Will’s volunteer CFA journey has been marked by steady progression.  

    “I spent more than 16 years at North Warrandyte, then transferred to Christmas Hills and then onto Warrandyte, moving through the officer ranks in all three brigades.”  

    His professional career with CFA began in 2008 as a pad operator at Bangholme training ground working on volunteer and promotional courses. Over the years, he has taken on numerous roles, including working on the Road Crash Rescue Support Project.  

    Today, Will is the captain of Warrandyte brigade and a full-time employee with Fire Rescue Victoria seconded to CFA as the pad supervisor at Central Highlands training ground in Ballan.  

    “Balancing the dual roles has its challenges, but ultimately it’s been rewarding,” he said. “The bonus of playing in both worlds is gaining a holistic understanding of what the organisation is trying to achieve. I’ve also become a bit of a conduit for other volunteers looking for guidance.” 

    Will has been deployed to some of Victoria’s most significant incidents and travelled interstate.  

    Reflecting on his journey, Will said, “I didn’t think this would be a career path, but CFA showed me you can learn new skills and be given opportunities. I was lucky enough to turn a hobby into a career and a passion. 

    “I’d never have dreamed that the 14-year-old on a bus to Fiskville would one day be responsible for a CFA training facility. Set yourself a dream; you never know what’s possible.”  

    Tanya Lumley, North East Region
    Seeing her dad volunteering with CFA during the Ash Wednesday fires started a long-lasting love of CFA within Tanya. She is a member of Strathbogie brigade and works in the Volunteer Sustainability Team (VST). 

    Originally a volunteer with Boneo brigade, Tanya recently transferred to Strathbogie brigade, where she said she is incredibly lucky to have an amazing mentor.

    “I was sad to leave an awesome brigade, and joining a new brigade felt a little like starting again,” Tanya said. “But seeing my new team in action on the fireground and how willing they were to share their skills and knowledge, made me happy about my new brigade home.”

    Tanya said she loved both her VST role and being a volunteer at CFA and she was lucky the roles complemented each other. 

    “Although I’m only new to the role in VST, I can see that it allows for a great understanding of the diverse experiences and needs of brigades and volunteers,” she said. 

    “On the other hand, learning from the experienced and skilled members of my brigade equips me with valuable knowledge that I can take to my day job. Working on projects that help to empower brigades, having experienced what it’s like in a brigade, is incredibly rewarding. It’s a bit of a symbiotic experience.”

    Tanya has a strong connection to the community and she’s happy that CFA embodies this value and gives her a place where she can uphold it in both her personal and professional life. 

    “Being a member of a CFA brigade embodies community for me – a bunch of people working together to do good. At my brigade and office I’m surrounded by dedicated people who are passionate about making a difference. That’s such a wonderful place to be.” 

    Tanya said balancing work and volunteering for her is no different from all the other volunteers who give up their time. 

    “Just like all members who have a job and volunteer for CFA, we do what we can and what we have time for. We all have families and hobbies and interests outside of these roles and they’re just as valuable and important,” she said. 

    Despite being a new staff member, Tanya said she was already feeling good about taking her passion for CFA and making it her day job, and she’s pleased to be working with fantastic people.

    Submitted by News and Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update: Attempted murder arrest at Morphett Vale

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A woman has been arrested following a violent altercation at Morphett Vale that resulted in two people sustaining stab wounds.

    Police and paramedics were called to Columba Street, Morphett Vale about 12.45am on Saturday 29 March by reports of a serious assault.

    When officers arrived, they located the occupant of the house, a 27-year-old Morphett Vale man, with multiple stab wounds.

    He was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but they are no longer believed to be life-threatening at this time.

    It will be alleged that four people attended and forced their way into the property and a violent altercation occurred inside the house.

    While police were at the scene at Morphett Vale, another man, aged 22 from Port Noarlunga, also presented at Flinders Medical Centre with serious stab wounds, believed to have occurred in the same incident.

    Southern District CIB detectives, with the assistance of Major Crime detectives, and forensic response officers, attended and examined the scene overnight.

    This incident is not believed to be random.

    A 21-year-old woman from Christie Downs was arrested and charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass and attempted murder.  She was refused police bail and will appear in Christies Beach Magistrates Court on Monday 31 March.

    The investigation is continuing and anyone with information that may assist or has any CCTV or dashcam footage from the street is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 0000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.

    CO2500013126

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: RBA and ASIC Act on Deep Concerns with ASX

    Source: Airservices Australia

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (the regulators) have taken further steps to address their increasing concern over the management of operational risk at ASX, following the CHESS batch settlement failure incident that occurred on 20 December 2024.

    In a joint letter to ASX, the regulators expressed their deep concerns about the potential for operational incidents, such as the CHESS batch settlement failure, to affect the ability of the CHESS system to reliably service the Australian equities market until CHESS is replaced. The regulators also highlighted their concern about the speed and nature of ASX’s remediation actions following the initial incident.

    In response, the RBA has taken the unprecedented step of reassessing the compliance of ASX Clear Pty Limited and ASX Settlement Pty Ltd with the RBA’s Financial Stability Standards outside the usual annual assessment cycle. The RBA has downgraded its assessment of these entities’ compliance with the “Operational Risk” standard from partly observed to not observed. A rating of not observed is made when the RBA has identified serious issues of concern that warrant immediate action.

    In addition, ASIC has directed ASX, under section 823BB(4) of the Corporations Act 2001, to engage an expert approved by ASIC to undertake a technical review of CHESS. This review and any remediation will provide greater confidence to regulators, and the public, in the stability and operational resilience of the current CHESS platform.

    RBA Governor Michele Bullock said, ‘It is deeply disappointing that the regulators need to take these actions today. But they are necessary. ASX operates critical infrastructure that plays a central role in the financial system. ASX’s management of operational risk has been a concern for RBA staff and the Payments System Board for some time, and the recent CHESS incident has underscored those concerns. The underlying issues that we have raised need to be addressed as a matter of priority to strengthen the resilience of the CHESS system.’

    ASIC Chair Joe Longo said, ‘Our actions underscore our increasingly deep concerns with ASX’s management of the CHESS system, and we will continue to consider further action. The technical review of ASX’s core technology infrastructure is necessary given the ongoing concerns the regulators have raised about ASX’s operational resilience. It is troubling that these risks were realised in this major incident.’

    The regulators together outlined their expectations that ASX needs to give the highest priority to the immediate remediation of issues that caused and exacerbated the December 2024 incident.

    If not urgently addressed, the regulators are prepared to take further regulatory action. This could include the use of the regulators’ new powers under reforms to modernise the regulatory framework for Financial Market Infrastructures, which came into effect in September 2024, and further rulemaking under the Competition in Clearing and Settlement reforms.

    Background

    The RBA and ASIC are co-regulators of licensed CS facilities and have separate, but complementary, responsibilities for the licensing and supervision of CS facilities licensees.

    These responsibilities include supervising each CS facility licensee’s compliance with the obligation to do all things necessary to ensure that the facility’s services are provided in a fair and effective way, to the extent it is reasonably practicable to do so. In carrying out supervision and assessment of CS facilities, the RBA and ASIC work closely as appropriate.

    The RBA supervises CS facilities from the perspective of the facilities’ importance to the stability of Australia’s financial system. This includes the power to determine financial stability standards for the purpose of ensuring that CS facility licensees conduct their affairs in a way that causes or promotes overall stability in the Australian financial system.

    ASIC’s regulatory action announced today are in addition and separate to ASIC’s investigation into ASX Settlement Pty Ltd (ASX Settlement) for suspected contraventions of section 821A of the Corporations Act.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, Mayor Bass Convene Congressional Leaders As Los Angeles Continues Preparations for FIFA World Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    LOS ANGELES – Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, in collaboration with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, convened members of the Los Angeles County Congressional Delegation today to discuss ways that local and federal government can work together and ensure that the coming major world events benefit the region for decades to come. B-roll available here.

    “All eyes will be on the United States for the next decade of international sporting events. As the host of seven major competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Los Angeles will take center stage,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “The success of these games depends on a coordinated effort, and I am proud to have co-hosted this briefing to further strengthen our federal-local partnership. I look forward to continued collaboration with Mayor Bass, my congressional colleagues, and the administration to ensure the City of Stars shines bright for all to see.”

    “It’s my goal that the coming world events benefit every part of our city and region,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “By working together, we will make sure that we get as much support as possible to deliver events that are safe, successful, and fiscally responsible while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.”  

    The Delegation heard directly from Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission President & CEO Kathryn Schloessman, LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover, and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to discuss shared priorities and ways to prepare the region for coming world events. The Delegation also heard from Executive Director of the Office of Major Events Paul Krekorian. Executive Director Krekorian was appointed by Mayor Bass to coordinate City departments and external stakeholders, ensuring that upcoming major events generate positive economic impacts that benefit all Angelenos.

    Members of the LA County Congressional Delegation at the convening included: 
     

    • U.S. Representative Judy Chu (CA-28)
    • U.S. Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30)
    • U.S. Representative Gil Cisneros (CA-31)
    • U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37)
    • U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ANZSOG Executive Fellows Program nominations

    Source: Leadership Development Centre

    Nominations for New Zealand public servants to attend the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) Executive Fellows Program (EFP) open 18 March.

    On behalf of Head of Public Service, the Leadership Development Centre co-ordinates agency nominations for the ANZSOG EFP.

    Nominations require chief executive endorsement.

    Executive Fellows Program (EFP)

    EFP is designed exclusively for senior public sector executives. The program challenges leaders to develop new perspectives in a highly interactive setting while exploring contemporary issues. This year, ANZSOG are offering a single cohort mid-year.

    The upcoming EFP The program will commence with an orientation session on 7 July 2025, 9am-12pm AEST, online via Zoom and consist of 2 modules, both held in Australia:

    • Module 1: 14 July -18 July 2025, face-to-face in Sydney
    • Module 2: 21 July -25 July 2025, face-to-face in Brisbane

     See the ANZSOG website for more detailed information.

    EFP virtual information session

    ANZSOG are holding an online information session on 26 March at 6.30-7.15pm NZ time. Register and find out more about the event on the ANZSOG website.

    Closing date for expressions of interest to LDC 

    Expressions of interest open 18 March and close 5pm, Friday, 23 May.

    Executive Fellows Program Expression of Interest Nomination Form [DOCX, 37 KB]

    Contact

    If you have any queries or questions email Lynn Evans, Kaitohutohu/Advisor – Leadership Development Centre: lynn.evans@ldc.govt.nz

    Go back to homepage

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 75

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 75
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    510 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Southeast Lower Michigan
    Northwest Ohio
    Lake Erie
    Lake Huron

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 510 PM until
    1000 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…A well-developed squall line will move quickly
    northeastward from Indiana into Lower Michigan and northwest Ohio
    through this evening, with a continued threat for damaging winds of
    60-75 mph, isolated large hail near 1 inch diameter, and possibly a
    tornado or two with embedded circulations.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 55
    statute miles east and west of a line from 25 miles northeast of
    Saginaw MI to 50 miles southwest of Findlay OH. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…WW
    73…WW 74…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    23050.

    …Thompson

    SEL5

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 75
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    510 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Southeast Lower Michigan
    Northwest Ohio
    Lake Erie
    Lake Huron

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 510 PM until
    1000 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Isolated large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…A well-developed squall line will move quickly
    northeastward from Indiana into Lower Michigan and northwest Ohio
    through this evening, with a continued threat for damaging winds of
    60-75 mph, isolated large hail near 1 inch diameter, and possibly a
    tornado or two with embedded circulations.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 55
    statute miles east and west of a line from 25 miles northeast of
    Saginaw MI to 50 miles southwest of Findlay OH. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…WW
    73…WW 74…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    23050.

    …Thompson

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW5
    WW 75 SEVERE TSTM MI OH LE LH 302110Z – 310200Z
    AXIS..55 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    25NE MBS/SAGINAW MI/ – 50SW FDY/FINDLAY OH/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /22NE MBS – 19NW ROD/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23050.

    LAT…LON 43788262 40508330 40508539 43788483

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU5.

    Watch 75 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (40%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (30%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (10%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (90%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 74

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL4

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 74
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    345 PM CDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Southwest Arkansas
    Far Southeast Oklahoma
    North into Northeast Texas

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 345 PM until
    1000 PM CDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
    inches in diameter likely
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms are forecast to
    develop and rapidly intensify this afternoon and persist into the
    evening. Supercells capable of large to very large hail will be
    possible with the stronger storms.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
    statute miles east and west of a line from 40 miles north northwest
    of Hot Springs AR to 40 miles west southwest of Corsicana TX. For a
    complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
    update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…WW
    73…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
    few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    27025.

    …Smith

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW4
    WW 74 SEVERE TSTM AR OK TX 302045Z – 310300Z
    AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    40NNW HOT/HOT SPRINGS AR/ – 40WSW CRS/CORSICANA TX/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /50ESE FSM – 15NE ACT/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..3 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27025.

    LAT…LON 35009231 31809601 31809805 35009443

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU4.

    Watch 74 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (20%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (60%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 73

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL3

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 73
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    415 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Southwest Lower Michigan
    Lake Michigan

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 415 PM until
    900 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Scattered large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…A well-developed squall line with bowing segments will
    move quickly northeastward from Indiana into southwest Lower
    Michigan through the afternoon/evening. Swaths of damaging winds
    (60-75 mph) are likely with this squall line, along with the
    potential for isolated large hail and a tornado or two with embedded
    circulations.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
    statute miles east and west of a line from 40 miles north of Grand
    Rapids MI to 10 miles southwest of Kalamazoo MI. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    23050.

    …Thompson

    SEL3

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 73
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    415 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Southwest Lower Michigan
    Lake Michigan

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 415 PM until
    900 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Scattered large hail events to 1 inch in diameter possible
    A tornado or two possible

    SUMMARY…A well-developed squall line with bowing segments will
    move quickly northeastward from Indiana into southwest Lower
    Michigan through the afternoon/evening. Swaths of damaging winds
    (60-75 mph) are likely with this squall line, along with the
    potential for isolated large hail and a tornado or two with embedded
    circulations.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
    statute miles east and west of a line from 40 miles north of Grand
    Rapids MI to 10 miles southwest of Kalamazoo MI. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 70…WW 71…WW 72…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 65 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    23050.

    …Thompson

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW3
    WW 73 SEVERE TSTM MI LM 302015Z – 310100Z
    AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    40N GRR/GRAND RAPIDS MI/ – 10SW AZO/KALAMAZOO MI/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM E/W /29NE MKG – 28SE PMM/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23050.

    LAT…LON 43458432 42128452 42128686 43458672

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU3.

    Watch 73 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (20%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Low (5%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (70%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (40%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (40%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Low (20%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (90%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pursuit ends in arrest

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A pair have been arrested after a pursuit through the western suburbs yesterday evening.

    ​Just before 6.30pm on Sunday 30 March, patrols spotted a white Holden sedan stationary in Edward’s Park, Adelaide. The vehicle was stationary within an area only permitted for authorised vehicles to access. Police indicated for the driver to speak to police before he drove away from police. Police activated emergency lights, indicating for the driver to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to drive from police.

    The car stopped for a short time and then took off again. Police followed the car as it headed west on Port Road.  PolAir were quickly in the air and tracked the car as it travelled south on Tapley Hills Road and onto West Lake Boulevard.  The driver drove through two red lights on Cheltenham Parade and Addison Road.

    The car was tracked through the back streets of Pennington and then west onto Grand Junction Road.   The car was successfully spiked as it approached Addison Road and the vehicle came to a stop on Grand Junction Road.

    The driver and the passenger refused to exit the car and officers had to break the car window to arrest the occupants.

    The driver, a 27-year-old man from Ingle Farm, was breath tested and he provided a positive result of 0.107 – more than double the legal limit.  He was charged with dangerous driving to escape a police pursuit, failing to stop, driving whilst unlicenced and a raft of other traffic offences.

    The passenger, a 28-year-old woman from Queensland, was charged with resisting arrest.  They have both been refused police bail and will appear in Port Adeliade Magistrates Court on Monday 31 March.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pedestrian dies in crash on Wakefield Street

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A pedestrian died after being struck by a car on Wakefield Street in the city last night.

    Police and emergency services were called to the intersection of Wakefield Street and Frome Street, Adelaide about 9.30pm on Sunday 30 March by reports of a collision.

    It is believed the pedestrian was crossing Wakefield Street when he was struck by a Nissan four-wheel drive, then by a second vehicle, a Mazda station wagon.

    Sadly, the 65-year-old Adelaide man died at the scene.

    The driver of the Nissan, a 61-year-old Mitchell Park man, was arrested by Major Crash officers and charged with cause death by careless driving.  He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 18 June.

    The driver of the Mazda, a 20-year-old Hillcrest man, is assisting police with their enquiries.

    Both vehicles were towed from the scene for forensic examination.

    Major Crash investigators closed Wakefield Street while they examined the scene overnight, but the road has reopened.

    The pedestrian’s death is the 23rd life lost on South Australian roads so far this year.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Some Gen Zs are taking a ‘micro-retirement’. It’s one way to address burnout – but it comes with risks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sugumar Mariappanadar, Senior Academic Researcher – Human Resource Management and Management, Australian Catholic University

    Dmitry Molchanov/Shutterstock

    For young people in the early stages of their career, the idea of waiting 40 years or more to retire might feel like a marathon. For those already feeling burnt out, it can be an excruciating thought.

    So – why not take a break or two somewhere along the way?

    The concept of “micro-retirement” is having a moment. While the term appears to have been first coined in 2007, it’s recently found new popularity on social media.

    The idea is that retirement doesn’t have to be a fixed, clearly defined period at the end of your working life. Rather, it’s possible to restore your human energy and levels of wellbeing by dipping in and out of it, with small or large career breaks.

    Many onlookers have pointed out that the underlying concept is not a new idea. Sabbaticals and other kinds of career breaks have been a feature of the workforce for a long time.

    However, the trend gripping some of the Gen Z workforce on social media appears to be slightly different. And while it’s trying to solve some legitimate problems, it could also carry some unique risks.

    Taking a break

    The notion that rest is crucial – that humans shouldn’t just work themselves into the ground – is very old indeed.

    Major religions around the world have long preached the importance of rest and restoration for human beings to survive the hardship of paid work.

    Letting employees get burnt out isn’t a good outcome for anyone.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Career breaks, however, are a bit different from the ordinary rest opportunities we get such as weekends, public holidays and annual leave. There are a few different types.

    The first is the full-time career break, such as a sabbatical. This is where an employee, in consultation with their employer, hits pause for an extended period.

    This might be to enjoy travel, develop new hobbies or complete training necessary for career progression. However, the company typically continues to pay a salary (or a percentage of it) during the mutually agreed period.

    In Australia, many employees are entitled to paid long service leave after serving between seven and 10 years with the same employer, depending on which state or territory they’re in.

    Taking a full-time job part-time, can also constitute a kind of career break for some. This is where an employee reduces their working hours or days and earns reduced pay compared to full-time work.

    Other types of long-term leave can include parental leave and leave for medical assistance.

    In Belgium, a government scheme allows employees to take a career break of up to a year, during which they receive a paid allowance from the government. Previous research into the scheme showed 76% of employees taking full-time career breaks from both public and private sectors were aged between 25 and 49.

    In Belgium, a government scheme allows people to take career breaks.
    Werner Lerooy/Shutterstock

    Micro-retirement might be different

    When Gen Z is talking about micro-retirement, they often aren’t talking about exactly the same thing as a paid, mutually agreed sabbatical.

    For many, micro-retirement is a voluntary choice to terminate their employment and support their living through personal savings or government support.

    But they are trying to solve similar problems: the health and wellbeing risks associated with pushing too hard – or for too long – at work.

    Research by the World Health Organization found the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke that could be attributed to long working hours increased by 29% between 2000 and 2016.



    Read more:
    What’s the difference between burnout and depression?

    The energy ceiling

    My own previous research has examined the “ceiling effect” of human energy. This is when an employee’s energy depletion reaches a tipping point due to their work and begins to affect their wellbeing.

    When employees reach the tipping point, or ceiling effect at work, they often use coffee and alcohol as a coping mechanism. This has long-term negative impacts on health.

    Sleep also becomes a problem, which can lead to “presenteeism” – where employees show up physically to work but function poorly. This can cost businesses in lost employee productivity.

    Flexible or hybrid work can be a double-edged sword that leads to intrusion on home life.

    Like any extended break, micro-retirement is a way to replenish or restore the energy depleted. Research into Belgium’s career break scheme found it did improve individual physical and mental health – but it’s important to remember this scheme paid an allowance.

    What are the risks?

    Micro-retirement might be a new label. But drawing parallels from research into career breaks, there is evidence of so-called “scarring” effects.

    This is where the future wages of an individual attempting to re-enter the job market after a career break may be lower than if they had an uninterrupted career.

    This can impact physical and mental health, and lead to lower income levels in retirement.

    Businesses may not be too inclined to develop policies to implement paid career breaks such as sabbaticals. That may lead more young people to take their own unpaid breaks.

    Outside of taking extended breaks, there’s a broader discussion to be had about increasing productivity by redesigning the way we work every day with sustainability and flexibility in mind.

    It’s crucial there are ways for employees to disengage from work on a daily basis to restore and replenish their energy.

    In addition to his academic post at Australian Catholic University, Sugumar Mariappanadar is a senior sustainability advisor at InSync Australia, where he has advised businesses on environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability business strategy.

    – ref. Some Gen Zs are taking a ‘micro-retirement’. It’s one way to address burnout – but it comes with risks – https://theconversation.com/some-gen-zs-are-taking-a-micro-retirement-its-one-way-to-address-burnout-but-it-comes-with-risks-252505

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘It is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder’: school principals speak about stress, violence and abuse in their jobs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Kidson, Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University

    Isuzek/Getty Images

    School principals around Australia are responsible for about 4.5 million staff and students in almost 10,000 schools. Not only do they oversee students’ progress, but they are also responsible for the performance of staff and the wellbeing of everyone at their school. Their jobs are huge.

    As we have previously tracked in our annual survey of principals, their jobs are also extremely stressful and they are subject to regular abuse – often from parents.

    Our latest survey shows these trends are not changing. And more than 50% of those we surveyed are seriously thinking about quitting.

    Our research

    Since 2011, we have surveyed Australian school leaders. This includes principals, deputy principals, and other school leaders such as heads of junior or senior schools.

    In our new report, we surveyed almost 2,200 people, which is more than 20% of Australian school leaders. In 2024, we surveyed primary and high school leaders from government, independent and Catholic schools all around the country.

    This makes it the most comprehensive data set on principals’ health and wellbeing in Australia. It is also the longest-running survey of its type in the world.

    The survey asked almost 2,200 school leaders about their jobs and wellbeing.
    Sol Stock/ Getty Images

    High workloads and stress

    Previous surveys have shown school principals face unsustainably high workloads and high levels of stress. Unfortunately, these trends continue in our latest 2024 results.

    School leaders work an average of 54.5 hours a week during term time and 20.6 hours during holidays. They nominated the “sheer quantity of work” as the biggest source of their stress.

    This was closely followed by “lack of time to focus on teaching and learning” and “student-related issues”.

    As a high school principal from Western Australia told us:

    I do love what I do however it is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder.

    Generalised anxiety and depression reports have also increased from last year’s survey. Severe anxiety was reported by 14.8% of participants, up from 11.4% in 2023. Moderate depression is reported by 11.1% of participants, up from 10.6%.

    Critical incidents

    For the first time, our 2024 survey asked principals about the number of “critical incidents” they have to deal with. These are defined as an “often unexpected event that may involve loss or threat to wellbeing or personal goals”.

    Nearly three-quarters (73.7%) said they had experienced a critical incident while in their role. The most common type of incident was violence and security threats (43.9%). Suicide and suicidal threats represented 12.6% of reported incidents. Participants also reported medical emergencies (10.3%) and custody or child-protection incidents (7%).

    As one NSW principal told us:

    I think it is untenable for principals to continue to be under constant stress at this level and am aware that many of my colleagues are also retiring or considering retiring. I have only just turned 59 and would like to work for another 5-10 years but can’t continue due to the ridiculous workload and pressure.

    Schools are not safe for principals

    An increasing number of principals report being subject to offensive behaviours that are unacceptable in any workplace – let alone one that involves children and young people.

    Nearly 55% reported they are subjected to threats of violence, 57% are subjected to gossip and slander, and 35% are subjected to cyberbullying. These are the highest levels we have ever reported.

    When asked “from whom”, more than 65% of school leaders said parents and caregivers. Students also contribute, but unfortunately, so do staff. They were the source of 29% of “gossip and slander” reported by school leaders.

    As one ACT school leader told us:

    The major cause of distress are parents. Parents behave in an unreasonable manner, have ridiculous expectations and think that because they went to school they can therefore run a school. Principals are constantly defending staff from parents. Parents are rarely told to stop and desist by Education Support Offices.

    While many principals report loving their jobs, stress and abuse are constant features.
    Rawpixel.com/ Shutterstock

    Many prinicpals want to leave

    In 2023, we first asked the question whether school leaders seriously consider leaving their job. More than half (56%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement.

    It’s pleasing to report this has reduced slightly to 53% nationally, but the trend is, unfortunately, not consistent across the country.

    For example, the figure in NSW has dropped from 63% to 51%, but in Victoria it has increased from 48% to 54%. Policymakers across jurisdictions could benefit from working together to address these findings, to see what is working and what is not.

    How can we help?

    The demands on today’s school principals are significant – the work takes an emotional toll – and this means we need different approaches to supporting them.

    It’s why we recommend education departments and school boards provide “reflective supervision” for school leaders. This gives professionals a regular chance to reflect on what they are doing with a confidential and experienced practitioner in the field, which in this case would be another experienced school leader.

    This is a widespread practice in other demanding workplaces, such as family violence, healthcare, and child mental health. Practitioners in these fields benefit through improved management of their own wellbeing, which in turn helps them support their clients and patients.

    We also need to make sure governments regularly and routinely consult principals about education policy.

    Schools and education departments should also explore alternative models to make the job more sustainable. This could include co-principals or job sharing models.

    Without change, too many leaders will leave too quickly, without anyone left to replace them.

    Herb Marsh receives funding from ARC research grant funding

    Theresa Dicke has received funding from ARC and still receives funding from several peak principal associations to complete this research.

    Paul Kidson 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. ‘It is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder’: school principals speak about stress, violence and abuse in their jobs – https://theconversation.com/it-is-a-seriously-difficult-role-and-only-getting-harder-school-principals-speak-about-stress-violence-and-abuse-in-their-jobs-253327

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Brisbane 2032 is no longer legally bound to be ‘climate positive’. Will it still leave a green legacy?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcus Foth, Professor of Urban Informatics, Queensland University of Technology

    When Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it came with a widely publicised landmark promise: the world’s first “climate-positive” games.

    The International Olympic Committee had already announced all games would be climate-positive from 2030. It said this meant the games would be required to “go beyond” the previous obligation of reducing carbon emissions directly related to their operations and offsetting or otherwise “compensating” for the rest.

    In other words, achieving net-zero was no longer sufficient. Now each organising committee would be legally required to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than the games emit. This is in keeping with the most widely cited definition of climate-positive.

    Both Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 made voluntary pledges. But Brisbane 2032 was the first contractually required to be climate-positive. This was enshrined in the original 2021 Olympic Host Contract, an agreement between the IOC, the State of Queensland, Brisbane City Council and the Australian Olympic Committee.

    But the host contract has quietly changed since. All references to “climate-positive” have been replaced with weaker terminology. The move was not publicly announced. This fits a broader pattern of Olympic Games promising big on sustainability before weakening or abandoning commitments over time.

    A quiet retreat from climate positive

    Research by my team has shown the climate-positive announcement sparked great hope for the future of Brisbane as a regenerative city. We saw Brisbane 2032 as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to radically shift away from the ongoing systemic issues underlying urban development.

    This vision to embrace genuinely sustainable city design centred on fostering circular economies and net positive development. It would have aligned urban development with ecological stewardship. Beyond just mitigating environmental harm, the games could have set a new standard for sustainability by becoming a catalyst to actively regenerate the natural environment.

    Yet, on December 7 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) initiated an addendum to the host contract. It effectively downgraded the games’ sustainability obligations.

    It was signed by Brisbane City Council, the State of Queensland, the Australian Olympic Committee and the IOC between April and May 2024.

    The commitment for the 2032 Brisbane Games to be climate positive has been removed from the Olympic Host Contract.
    International Olympic Committee

    Asked about these amendments, the IOC replied it “took the decision to no longer use the term ‘climate-positive’ when referring to its climate commitments”.

    But the IOC maintains that: “The requirements underpinning this term, however, and our ambition to address the climate crisis, have not changed”.

    It said the terminology was changed to ensure that communications “are transparent and easily understood; that they focus on the actions implemented to reduce carbon emissions; and that they are aligned with best practice and current regulations, as well as the principle of continual improvement”.

    Similarly, a Brisbane 2032 spokesperson told The Conversation the language was changed:

    to ensure we are communicating in a transparent and easily understood manner, following advice from the International Olympic Committee and recommendations of the United Nations and European Union Green Claims Directive, made in 2023.

    Brisbane 2032 will continue to plan, as we always have, to deliver a Games that focus on specific measures to deliver a more sustainable Games.

    But the new wording commits Brisbane 2032 to merely “aiming at removing more carbon from the atmosphere than what the Games project emits”.

    Crucially, this is no longer binding. The new language makes carbon removal an optional goal rather than a contractual requirement.

    A stadium in Victoria Park violates the 2032 Olympic Host Contract location requirements.
    Save Victoria Park, CC BY

    Aiming high, yet falling short

    Olympic Games have adopted increasingly ambitious sustainability rhetoric. Yet, action in the real world typically falls short.

    In our ongoing research with the Politecnico di Torino, Italy, we analysed sustainability commitments since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. We found they often change over time. Initial promises are either watered down or abandoned altogether due to political, financial, and logistical pressures.

    Construction activities for the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi, Russia, irreversibly damaged the Western Caucasus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rio 2016 failed to clean up Guanabara Bay, despite its original pledge to reduce pollutants by 80%. Rio also caused large-scale deforestation and wetland destruction. Ancient forests were cleared for PyeongChang 2018 ski slopes.

    Our research found a persistent gap between sustainability rhetoric and reality. Brisbane 2032 fits this pattern as the original promise of hosting climate-positive games is at risk of reverting to business as usual.

    Victoria Park controversy

    In 2021, a KPMG report for the Queensland government analysed the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of the Brisbane 2032 games.

    It said the government was proposing to deliver the climate-positive commitment required to host the 2032 games through a range of initiatives. This included “repurposing and upgrading existing infrastructure with enhanced green star credentials”.

    But plans for the Olympic stadium have changed a great deal since then. Plans to upgrade the Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, have been replaced by a new stadium to be built in Victoria Park.

    Victoria Park is Brisbane’s largest remaining inner-city green space. It is known to Indigenous peoples as Barrambin (the windy place). It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register due to its great cultural significance.

    Page 90 of the Olympic Host Contract prohibits permanent construction “in statutory nature areas, cultural protected areas and World Heritage sites”.

    Local community groups and environmental advocates have vowed to fight plans for a Victoria Park stadium. This may include a legal challenge.

    The area of Victoria Park (64 hectares) compared with Central Park (341h), Regent’s Park (160h), Bois de Vicennes (995h).
    Save Victoria Park

    What next?

    The climate-positive commitment has been downgraded to an unenforceable aspiration. A new Olympic stadium has been announced in direct violation of the host contract. Will Brisbane 2032 still leave a green legacy?

    Greater transparency and public accountability are needed. Otherwise, the original plan may fall short of the positive legacy it aspired to, before the Olympics even begin.

    Marcus Foth receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is a Senior Associate with Outside Opinion, a team of experienced academic and research consultants. He is chair of the Principal Body Corporate for the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, chair of Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance, and a member of the Queensland Greens.

    – ref. Brisbane 2032 is no longer legally bound to be ‘climate positive’. Will it still leave a green legacy? – https://theconversation.com/brisbane-2032-is-no-longer-legally-bound-to-be-climate-positive-will-it-still-leave-a-green-legacy-246672

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Uncertainty and pessimism abound. Will fear be enough to push Dutton into office?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University

    Tony Abbott was once unelectable. So were Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.

    And so was Peter Dutton, not so long ago. But opinion polls over much of 2024 and early 2025 indicated otherwise, and a nightly assault of pre-election political advertising – as my wife and I watched reruns of Law & Order: Criminal Intent – suggested that the Liberals had done their research and needed to humanise their man.

    Devotees of Detectives Goren and Eames in that venerable program were able to enjoy briefly reviewing Detective Senior Constable Dutton’s time as a Queensland cop, as well as his splendid business career (which has received some closer scrutiny since) and his more recent meeting and greeting of ordinary Australians as a likeable everyman and all-round good guy.

    The ad sometimes played twice in a particular break: the saturation coverage suggested that the Liberals had done rather well with donors. Unfortunately for Dutton, we later gained a deeper insight into the very high priority he attaches to rattling the can for the Liberal Party. Dutton’s decision to attend a fundraiser in Sydney while a cyclone was descending on Queensland did him immense damage, recalling his predecessor’s “I don’t hold a hose, mate” response to the Black Summer bushfires of 2020-21.

    If historical precedent is any guide, Dutton’s task should be somewhere between formidable and impossible. When Australians elect their national governments, they can normally assume they are doing so for at least two terms. The last one-termer was the Labor government of James Scullin, elected in October 1929 and sent into oblivion via an election held a few days before Christmas in 1931.

    Scullin was a victim of the century’s greatest international economic crisis; governments everywhere faltered or disintegrated under similar pressures. The economic challenges faced by the present Labor government have been more modest. But will it suffer a similar fate to Scullin’s Depression-era administration?

    Normally, the rarity of one-termers might have provided Anthony Albanese with a measure of reassurance. But we live in an era where historical precedent seems to count for little.

    That was clear enough even at the 2022 election. It was unprecedented in several respects. There was nothing resembling the atmosphere of excitement of 1972, 1983 and 2007 – or, for that matter, 1929 – which had brought Labor governments to power from opposition and awarded them solid or large majorities.

    Labor’s majority on the floor of the House of Representatives following the 2022 election was piddling – a mere three seats, and just two after the election of a speaker. Its primary vote was about 32%. It won just five of the 30 available seats in the third most populous Australian state, Queensland.

    There had never been a Labor victory like this one. Its exceptionalism haunts Labor’s efforts to gain re-election in 2025.

    Labor won in 2022 rather like many state Labor oppositions have won in recent decades. The margin was narrow. The unpopularity of a government, and its leader, was there to be exploited. Again and again, state Labor oppositions have fallen over the line at an initial election, sometimes able only to form minority government: Bob Carr, Mike Rann, Peter Beattie, Steve Bracks and Annastacia Palaszczuk were all examples.

    Voters seemed at best grudging in their support, but enough were willing to give Labor a go and then look over the results when a new election came round a few years later. In each case, governments were able to consolidate, sometimes winning landslide victories by establishing their credentials, exploiting incumbency, and building new constituencies.

    There were signs Albanese might do the same after May 2022. His slim three-seat majority became a five-seat advantage when Labor’s Mary Doyle won the Aston byelection on April 1 2023 – a seat deep in the traditional Liberal heartland. As late as the Dunkley byelection of March 2 2024, also in Melbourne, the base of electoral support that had seen Albanese into office almost two years before looked to be more or less intact.

    Part of the problem for the Coalition seemed to lie with Dutton himself. Would Australians vote for him? Or to put it more precisely: would the kinds of voters in the mainland capital cities who had turned so sharply against Scott Morrison in 2022 shift their votes to a figure as conservative and as bleak as Dutton?

    That bleakness always struck me as being a bigger problem than the conservatism. Australians routinely elect conservative prime ministers. They elected Malcolm Fraser when they thought he was a conservative (as indeed he was). Then they elected him twice more. They elected John Howard, who had proudly called himself the Liberal Party’s most conservative leader ever. Then they elected him another three times. They elected Abbott, even if buyer’s remorse quickly followed. They elected Morrison when the Coalition had seemed dead in the water.

    But leaders such as Howard and Morrison were much more optimistic than Dutton. They both seemed to think Australia was a pretty good place full of pretty good people and that all things being equal, the future was likely to be pretty good too while there were pretty good blokes in charge (but, of course, it would be much better under a Coalition government, which had the best blokes).

    Abbott, to be sure, was more pessimistic – his description of the Syrian conflict as a struggle between “baddies” and “baddies”, and his references to “death cults”, said more about his habit of reducing complexity to melodrama than it did about that Middle East. Yet Abbott’s outlook, at least as expressed publicly while in office, was nowhere near as dismal as Dutton’s.

    For Dutton, the enemy is close to home, menacing us in the dark. His bleakness is in a league of its own.

    Lech Blaine’s portrait in his Quarterly Essay Bad Cop was convincing: Dutton was a man formed and perhaps damaged by his experience as a policeman, and a political hardman in the habit of painting whole groups of people – commonly politically vulnerable – as a threat to society. Dutton evokes a vision of good people besieged by bad, of the decent and law-abiding as in constant danger of being swamped by the immoral and the criminal – or possibly mugged on their way home from a Melbourne restaurant.

    As 2024 unfolded, no one doubted there was sufficient dissatisfaction with Labor building, especially in many outer Australian suburbs, to do the government serious damage at an election. Persistently high interest rates had increased the cost of a mortgage. Inflation had moderated, but living standards had taken a beating. The chattering classes started talking of the inevitability of minority government, but they usually meant minority Labor government. Then they started talking about minority Coalition government, as the polls turned nastier for Labor.

    Labor spirits have revived in recent weeks after Dutton’s missteps over Cyclone Alfred, a comfortable victory in the Western Australian election, and opinion polling that shows the ALP ahead on a two-party preferred count. Still, uncertainty abounds.

    Albanese often campaigned poorly last time: will he again falter? Dutton, meanwhile, is untested as leader in an election campaign, has little policy on the table, and has a habit of going missing when there are hard questions to be answered.

    For me, the key to this election is whether there is a sufficient number of voters, concentrated in the right places, who share enough of Dutton’s pessimism about their own circumstances and, to a lesser extent, about the general state of the country. If, indeed, there is enough congruence between Dutton’s bleakness and theirs, Australia may well have a new government and a new prime minister by winter.

    But Dutton’s blessed run might well have now come to an end. Inflation has moderated, the Reserve Bank has made a cut to interest rates, and a sense of scepticism seems to have settled in about Dutton among voters taking a serious look at him as a potential prime minister a few weeks ago.

    He now looks more like Old Mother Hubbard with a bare policy cupboard, desperately seeking to shore up the hard right vote against depredations from Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, than Australia’s answer to Donald Trump.

    Frank Bongiorno 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. Uncertainty and pessimism abound. Will fear be enough to push Dutton into office? – https://theconversation.com/uncertainty-and-pessimism-abound-will-fear-be-enough-to-push-dutton-into-office-247360

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney

    Now that the election has been called for May 3, parliament has been dissolved and the caretaker government period has commenced. During this period, the caretaker conventions require the government to exercise self-restraint. It must stick to routine government business and not embark on major new commitments.

    There are commonly claims in the media that various actions by the government breach the caretaker conventions. Before the accusations start flying, here are the basics to help you make your own assessment.

    Why do we have caretaker conventions?

    There are two reasons for caretaker conventions. First, once parliament is dissolved, the government can no longer be called to account by parliament. It should therefore be more restrained in its actions while not under parliamentary scrutiny.

    Second, as a matter of fairness, the government should not be entering into binding commitments immediately before an election, if they will burden an incoming government. It is unfair for an outgoing government to stack important statutory positions with its own people or enter into contracts that commit a new government to policies it opposes.

    When do the caretaker conventions apply?

    The caretaker conventions commence from the moment parliament is dissolved. They continue until the election result shows the existing government has been returned to office or a new government is formed.

    If there is a hung parliament, it may take a few weeks before we know who will form the new government. If important matters have to be resolved during that prolonged caretaker period, the opposition may be consulted to try to get a cooperative outcome. The existing government, however, retains full legal power to act at all times.

    How do the caretaker conventions restrict government actions?

    Before each federal election, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet issues a document called Guidance on Caretaker Conventions. It sets out the rules for ministers and public servants.

    During the caretaker period, a government must avoid:

    • making major policy decisions that are likely to commit an incoming government
    • making significant appointments
    • entering into major contracts or undertakings, such as entry into treaties or other international agreements.

    Whether a decision, appointment or policy is major, is a matter of judgement. In making this assessment, consideration is given to whether it is likely to be controversial or a matter of contention between the government and the opposition. The cost of the decision and its impact on future resources and policies will also be considered.

    Both the government and the opposition can still, of course, make election commitments about future action. The caretaker conventions only apply to actions taken within the caretaker period. They also do not apply to decisions made and actions taken before the caretaker period commenced, even if they are only announced after it has commenced.

    The public service and the caretaker period

    Rules have also developed on the fair use of the public service and public resources before and after elections. Technically, these are not part of the caretaker conventions, which concern self-restraint by ministers. But because they concern fairness in relation to elections, they are often lumped in with the caretaker conventions and they are included within the official guidance document.

    These rules are based upon obligations imposed on public servants by statutes and other instruments, such as the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth), and APS Code of Conduct. They require public servants to behave in an impartial and apolitical manner. They also require that public resources not be used to advantage political parties during an election campaign.

    It is also customary to restrict the use of government advertising during the caretaker period to necessary matters, and those that do not highlight the role of ministers or promote the achievements or policies of the government.

    Two recent examples show how these rules can become controversial during an election campaign. In 2013, the Rudd Labor government was criticised by the opposition for breaching the caretaker conventions by running ads, within Australia, about asylum-seekers not being settled in Australia. The ads were reluctantly approved by public servants under a ministerial direction that they were obliged to obey.

    The opposition was happy for the ads to be run in overseas countries, as a source of information and deterrence, but regarded their publication in Australia as partisan and breaching the rules. Opposition spokesperson Scott Morrison called it a “shameless and desperate” grab for votes, with the government spending taxpayers’ money to advertise to the vote-people, rather than the boat people.

    On the day of the 2022 election, the Morrison Coalition government instructed the Department of Home Affairs to publish a statement that a boat containing asylum seekers had been intercepted.

    It requested that this information be emailed immediately to journalists and tweeted by the Australian Border Force. The issue was highly political. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a press conference before any announcement had been made that:

    I’ve been here to stop this boat. But in order for me to be here to stop those that may come from here, you need to vote Liberals and Nationals today.

    Officials published a factual statement about the boat, because they were required to act as directed by the minister. But, as a subsequent investigation revealed, they refused requests to amplify the controversy by sending material to journalists and to publish it on social media, as this would breach their obligations to be apolitical.

    Who enforces the caretaker conventions?

    The caretaker conventions are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by a court. But some governors-general have given effect to the conventions by deferring action on anything that would breach them. Then, when the election is over, a new government can decide whether to proceed with the matter.

    Breaches by public servants of their obligations under codes of conduct and the Public Service Act can have real consequences, such as disciplinary action being taken against them.

    While conventions are not legally enforceable, they ordinarily work because there is agreement among political actors that these rules are fair and politically binding on them. Controversy in the media about breaches of conventions can raise public anger. Punishment is left in the hands of the voters.

    Anne Twomey has received funding from the Australian Research Council and occasionally does consultancy work for governments, parliaments and inter-governmental bodies.

    – ref. What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-caretaker-conventions-and-how-do-they-limit-governments-during-election-periods-251366

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Show your working: how the ‘open science’ movement tackles scientific misconduct

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danny Kingsley, Visiting Fellow, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University

    VTT Studio/Shutterstock

    In December 2001, a small but lively meeting in Budapest, Hungary, launched a whole new international movement. The resulting Budapest Open Access Initiative opened with the words: “An old tradition and a new technology have converged to make possible an unprecedented public good”.

    This was the first definition of open access and referred to harnessing the internet to make scientific research openly available, without a subscription. It was a “statement of principle, a statement of strategy, and a statement of commitment”.

    More than two decades later, the open access movement has broadened beyond simply research articles. It now incorporates research data, protocols, software and all aspects of the research process. The universal term for this is “open science”.

    With its focus on transparency, open science offers part of the solution to the growing problem of scientific misconduct.

    A system that enables misconduct

    Academic institutions and researchers are focused on a very narrow set of metrics for success. These come down to authorship on a publication being the most valued currency in academia because this is the primary measure towards career progression and academic prestige.

    Another industry resulting from these metrics is the international university ranking systems. These are run by commercial organisations that publish lists of universities, which in turn promote their institution as being in the “top X%” of whichever list they have done well in.

    Despite widespread criticism, these systems continue to give institutions incentive to reward their academics for publishing in certain journals for the purpose of raising their rank.

    With its focus on transparency, open science offers part of the solution to the growing problem of scientific misconduct.
    ssi77/Shutterstock

    This “publish or perish” push is undermining science.

    For example, it has opened up several exploitative industries, such as predatory publishers. These are entities that exploit authors by charging fees for publication without providing adequate editorial services.

    Also on the rise are covert entities known as “paper mills”, which manufacture academic articles (either using a human or a machine) and submit them to journals on behalf of paying researchers. This causes serious issues for editors who need to work through an increasing number of rubbish articles to choose which ones are genuine before sending them out for review by other researchers.

    These paper mills create major problems for the scientific record. Some experts believe they are also illegal.

    Many of the current problems with research integrity were highlighted by a 2024 study, which estimated that as many as one in seven papers is based on suspect data. A whole new area of research called forensic scientometrics has developed to try to identify some of these questionable publishing practices.

    Science does have a way of correcting itself through retractions, where a problematic paper is withdrawn from the journal and a retraction notice put up instead. But identifying problem papers is only part of the solution. For example, one 2024 study found less than 5% of all papers identified as retracted were actually removed from journal websites.

    University ranking systems give institutions incentive to reward their academics for publishing in certain journals.
    Olga Kashubin/Shutterstock

    Working openly improves science

    So how can making science more open and transparent help?

    When we talk about research integrity, we often look to the integrity of the researcher – expecting them to show “moral character”. However, ultimately it is the integrity of the research itself that really matters.

    Working in an open environment helps research integrity in several ways.

    Making the data used for the work freely available means the work can be better scrutinised. This is something that would have helped prevent the publication of the now-retracted study in The Lancet examining whether the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine was effective at treating COVID. The study was retracted after investigations revealed the data the research was based on was deeply flawed and unable to be verified.

    Requiring clinical trials to be registered means drug studies that are unfavourable or show no effect cannot be buried.

    Reviewing the “instruction manuals” of how research studies are going to be conducted, called the protocols, before the studies are undertaken also ensures more rigorous research. That’s because the quality of the protocols determines the robustness of the work.

    These are just a few of the ways open science creates an environment where poor research practice is much harder to undertake.

    Working openly won’t necessarily stop bad actors. But it will make it much harder for them to operate without being noticed.

    A true paradigm shift

    A 2022 study on open access policies in Australian universities showed only 50% had an open access policy at the time, even though this is a requirement under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

    Despite this, there is some hope for open science in Australia.

    For example, in 2024, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia convened a roundtable event to discuss how to transition to a fair and equitable open research system. This led to the formation of the National Open Science Taskforce, which is currently co-ordinating open activity in Australia.

    Internationally, the European Union was an early advocate for open science, beginning work on the European Open Science Cloud in 2015.

    Individual European countries are forging ahead, with The Netherlands having a National Open Science program and Ireland launching its National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment in 2019.

    The EU-funded Open and Universal Science is being implemented by a consortium of 18 organisations across the world. It’s due to be completed this year.

    Countries worldwide also submitted their first reports last month on their implementation of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

    Open science is a radical departure from traditional research practices. As the summary report of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s roundtable event says, transitioning to it requires “a true paradigm and cultural shift”.

    But for the sake of improving research integrity, this shift is urgently needed.

    Danny Kingsley is a member of the National Open Science Taskforce, a Board member of FORCE11 (Future of Research Communications and eScholarship) and a member of the Royal Society Advisory Group on the Future of Scientific Publishing.

    – ref. Show your working: how the ‘open science’ movement tackles scientific misconduct – https://theconversation.com/show-your-working-how-the-open-science-movement-tackles-scientific-misconduct-249020

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 70

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 70
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    100 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southern into east central Illinois
    Central and southwest Indiana
    Extreme northwest Kentucky
    Extreme southeast Missouri

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 100 PM until
    800 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
    to 2 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A band of thunderstorms is expected to intensify this
    afternoon from Illinois into Indiana while spreading northeastward.
    Damaging winds of 60-70 mph will become the most common threat with
    bowing segments. Embedded circulations, and any supercells that
    form ahead of the line, will pose a tornado (possibly an isolated
    strong tornado) and large hail threat (1-2 inch diameter).

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 30 miles east northeast of Danville IL
    to 15 miles southeast of Carbondale IL. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 23045.

    …Thompson

    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 70
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    100 PM EDT Sun Mar 30 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Southern into east central Illinois
    Central and southwest Indiana
    Extreme northwest Kentucky
    Extreme southeast Missouri

    * Effective this Sunday afternoon and evening from 100 PM until
    800 PM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes likely with a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Widespread damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
    Scattered large hail likely with isolated very large hail events
    to 2 inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…A band of thunderstorms is expected to intensify this
    afternoon from Illinois into Indiana while spreading northeastward.
    Damaging winds of 60-70 mph will become the most common threat with
    bowing segments. Embedded circulations, and any supercells that
    form ahead of the line, will pose a tornado (possibly an isolated
    strong tornado) and large hail threat (1-2 inch diameter).

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 70 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 30 miles east northeast of Danville IL
    to 15 miles southeast of Carbondale IL. For a complete depiction of
    the watch see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS
    WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 23045.

    …Thompson

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW0
    WW 70 TORNADO IL IN KY MO 301700Z – 310000Z
    AXIS..70 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    30ENE DNV/DANVILLE IL/ – 15SE MDH/CARBONDALE IL/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 60NM E/W /12S BVT – 56E FAM/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 23045.

    LAT…LON 40368574 37628778 37629034 40368840

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU0.

    Watch 70 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (30%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    High (80%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Low (10%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (50%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (>95%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Refreshed Florey Oval officially open

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The refresh was officially opened during an event at Florey Primary School, with Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan in attendance.

    The Florey Oval Refresh project at Florey Primary School has opened, with a portion of the Florey dry land oval transformed into a natural play space for students and wider community use.

    The oval was officially opened during an event held at the school, with Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet Sheridan in attendance.

    The project’s final design was shaped by feedback from Florey Primary School students and the local community during the public consultation process in 2023.

    It was further developed with the school and representatives of the Ngunnawal community. The yarning circle – named after Aunty Violet – offers students a calm space to gather and chat with a focus on strengthening connection to community and country.

    The result is a natural open space that promotes outdoor activity. It will be an engaging space for Florey Primary students to enjoy as part of their learning.

    Outside of school hours, the public space offers great facilities for the wider community to relax, exercise and connect.

    The new-look oval now boasts an all-abilities bike pump track and a small, irrigated lawn oval with goal posts. There is also a new outdoor activity and play space within the school boundary.

    With plenty of seating, areas for inquisitive play, garden beds, fruit trees and open space there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Progress continues on Gungahlin Tennis Facility

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new facility will seek to include 10 full-sized courts, among other features.

    Canberrans can now give their feedback on the proposed Gungahlin Tennis Facility, to be located in Amaroo.

    A Development Application (DA) has been submitted as the project nears the construction phase.

    The new facility will seek to include 10 full-sized courts, two hot shots courts, a hitting wall, LED lighting, female friendly changerooms, parking and a pavilion.

    Design development and construction is being undertaken in consultation with Tennis Australia and Tennis ACT, as well as the ACT community.

    The DA process will provide a further opportunity for community feedback during the public notification period.

    Pending approval of the DA, the ACT Government will release a tender to engage a construction contractor to deliver the works.

    Canberrans love their tennis – there are currently 6400 members and many more Canberrans actively engaged in tennis programs and participation opportunities.

    As well as providing more options for tennis-lovers, the project will support jobs during its construction phase.

    The community can provide feedback through the DA process until 14 March.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Expanded health care services and support

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The ACT Government is also investing in bolstering the health workforce.

    The ACT Government is continuing to invest in the health infrastructure, services and workforce needed to meet the growing needs of the Canberra community.

    The Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital will open later this year. It will deliver a bigger emergency department, more operating theatres and more treatment spaces.

    The ACT Government has announced an additional $17 million to expand emergency services in the Critical Services Building and critical care across the campus.

    The additional investment includes:

    • two dedicated triage points within the new Emergency Department with more triage nurses and administrative staff that will reduce waiting times to triage, leading to better outcomes for patients and staff
    • a dedicated Behavioural Assessment Unit within the new Emergency Department. This six-bed unit will be staffed by a dedicated team of doctors and nurses who will provide specialist assessment and care for patients with complex needs
    • an expanded Medical Emergency Team to deliver vital services across the larger acute care footprint on the Canberra Hospital campus that will grow the service with more Advanced Practice Nurses and a new Nurse Practitioner position to support critically unwell patients.

    Medical imaging services will continue to grow across the Canberra Hospital campus with a new MRI machine in the Critical Services Building. The new MRI machine will enable more scans per week, helping to manage demand and reduce wait times.

    This funding builds on the government’s significant investment of more than $122 million to operationalise the Critical Services Building in the 2023–24 ACT Budget.

    The ACT Government is also investing in bolstering the health workforce.

    An additional $27 million in funding will improve benefits for nursing, midwifery, and allied health professionals to aid in the retention and attraction of these vital health workforces.

    This investment will fund initiatives currently under negotiation with industrial partners including professional development opportunities and recognition of advanced skills and specialist expertise.

    There will also be a team dedicated to hiring specialist doctors and other health professionals.

    The ACT Government’s investments in the well-being, development and remuneration of the health workforce aim to ensure Canberra health workers remain among the best paid in the country.

    Construction on the Critical Services Building is progressing well with the new hospital building on track to open in the third quarter of this year.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: New Active Travel Plan to get more Canberrans outdoors

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new plan outlines Canberra’s future cycling network.

    Encouraging more Canberrans to walk and ride across Canberra’s extensive path network will be aided by further ACT Government investment in active travel initiatives.

    The government’s Active Travel Plan 2024–2030 aims to drive a connected, safe and convenient active travel network in the ACT.

    The new plan outlines ways to help Canberrans choose active travel options over other modes of travel.

    Active travel options include:

    • walking
    • cycling
    • micromobility vehicles – such as e-scooters.

    The aim is to make these options safer, more accessible, convenient and enjoyable – whether for transport, recreation or social activities.

    Community feedback gathered over the past two years helped shape both the Plan and Design Guide. These documents support the design and prioritisation of the ACT’s walking and riding infrastructure and programs.

    The Plan’s priority is safe infrastructure for walking and riding. It highlights key walking areas and outlines Canberra’s future cycling network.

    Other actions include providing more secure bike parking and targeted programs to remove barriers and encourage people to use active travel and public transport.

    New funding for active travel infrastructure

    The ACT Government will provide a further $4 million in funding to support active travel improvements.

    This is part of a 50:50 funding agreement with the Australian Government under the Commonwealth’s Road Safety Program.

    The additional funding comes in addition to the $29.5 million in funding provided in the 2023–24 ACT Budget to support active travel, and brings total spending across the budget and forward estimates on active travel to over $94 million.

    The Kingston Cycleway: a key active travel project

    The Kingston Cycleway is a key active travel project proposed to receive funding under the Road Safety Program. The new high-quality cycleway connecting Kingston and the Inner South through to the City on the C2 cycle route will be delivered in two stages.

    Construction of the first stage – a pop-up bi-directional protected cycle lane on Bowen Drive between the Kings Avenue underpass and Bowen Park – will begin in the coming weeks.

    The government is trialling this infrastructure in Canberra, with funding also committed to investigate other corridors suited to pop-up cycle lanes.

    Detailed design of the second stage, connecting Bowen Park with Cunningham Street via Eastlake Parade, will start in the coming months.

    Additional projects proposed include:

    • a new pedestrian crossing on New South Wales Crescent, improving safe access to Telopea Park
    • improvements to the City to Woden C4 cycle route via the Lake Burley Griffin cycling circuit on Alexandrina Drive in Yarralumla, including raised crossings, lighting and signage
    • improvements to the City to Belconnen C3 cycle route through a new raised crossing on Bauhinia Street, O’Connor
    • upgrades to the cycling crossing point on the Adelaide Avenue on-ramp at the Hopetoun Circuit intersection, including a pedestrian crossing and cycle lane improvements
    • a new raised pedestrian crossing on Bowman Street in Jamison
    • pedestrian safety improvements on Beasley Street at the bus stops in front of the Torrens shops, including two new kerb ramps to facilitate crossing.

    These investments build on the significant pipeline of active travel projects already underway.

    Existing projects include the Garden City Cycle Route, new shared paths along Sulwood Drive and William Hovell Drive, and improvements to paths around Lake Ginninderra and the Tuggeranong foreshore.

    With Canberra consistently ranking as one of Australia’s best cities for walking and cycling, it’s hoped the new plan will help even more Canberrans embrace active travel options.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Canberrans invited to shape future of City Hill park

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The community is invited to have their say on historic City Hill park by drawing or describing their ideas.

    The ACT Government is seeking to gather community ideas on how to make City Hill park a more welcoming, comfortable and engaging public space.

    The community is invited to have their say on the historic site by drawing or describing their ideas.

    The six-week consultation is open until 25 March.

    Community members, schools and other groups are encouraged to share their ideas.

    Canberrans can help shape the future of this green space as the City Centre expands over the coming decade to serve thousands more residents, workers and visitors.

    The initiative will culminate in a physical City Hill ideas exhibition, an opportunity to discover what has been submitted and add more ideas and visions to the exhibition.

    A ‘Discover City Hill Day’ will also take place on 11 March. This will include a First Nations Walk on Country alongside tours with experts in landscape architecture, active travel and local heritage.

    The physical exhibition showcasing the ideas from the community will be open at Civic Library from 9 to 25 March.

    It is envisaged the park will act as a centrepiece between the evolving Acton Waterfront, the Canberra Theatre Centre redevelopment and connecting light rail.

    To share your drawing or ideas on the future of City Hill park or to have your say on the Canberra Civic and Cultural District concept, go to: yoursayconversations.act.gov.au/cityhill

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: What’s in store for Tuggeranong foreshore

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Upgrades will make the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

    If you’ve recently visited the Tuggeranong foreshore, you will have seen closures and temporary fencing. There is construction happening to improve the Lake Tuggeranong foreshore area.

    These upgrades will create a more liveable, people-focussed and active space for the Tuggeranong community to enjoy.

    The ACT Government expects the upgrades to finish by mid-2024.

    Here’s what Tuggeranong residents will see over the coming months:

    Tuggeranong Town Park Playground

    The existing playground has been demolished to create the new playground. The new space will create more opportunity for accessible play. The equipment that is planned to be installed includes:

    • an accessible carousel
    • a climbing tower
    • a swing
    • a double flying fox
    • a climber rope
    • a balance challenge
    • a sand digger
    • a sand digger with equal access
    • sandstone logs
    • boulders
    • a bike repair station
    • bike racks.

    The area will also feature rubber softfall on the ground. There will be furniture for people to sit and picnic around the playground. Landscaping and grass will make a better green space surrounding the play space.

    Boardwalk, walkways, paths and crossings

    The area is being changed to make it easier to navigate and more enjoyable for the community to use.

    Reclaimed timber decking is being installed along the boardwalk. A new pergola structure will be constructed, providing shade and shelter.

    Paths will be widened and repaved. New line markings will help separate pedestrian and cyclists travelling in opposite directions. New signage will make it easier to know where you’re going.

    New trees are being planted, and new furniture, including more seating, will be installed. This will allow people to sit and enjoy the green space and lake at a safe distance from the paths.

    The crossing at Bartlett Place will be upgraded to make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists. This will include a new asphalt speedbump, new streetlights and updated line marking.

    The existing pedestrian connections on Reed Street will be improved through concreting and asphalt paving.

    Toilet blocks

    Over the coming months, the toilets will close while upgrades are completed. The dilapidated public toilet will be removed and replaced with two new accessible facilities.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Raymond celebrates 50 years with City Services

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    What started as a love of gardening turned into a 50-year career for Raymond.

    The ACT public service offers a wide range of career opportunities, but it’s not often you celebrate someone who has contributed 50 years of service.

    Fifty years ago, Olivia Newton John dominated the music charts and Burger Rings hit the supermarket shelves.

    Also at this time, a young man named Raymond Russell began working with what is now the ACT Government’s Transport Canberra and City Services directorate.

    While he’s worn a variety of hats during his half-century, Raymond has been a mower operator for the past two decades.

    He loves his job mowing across Canberra – even with the city’s often-changeable weather that can cause rapid grass growth or ground that can’t be mown after heavy rain.

    “I love when we go out and people like to talk to you,” he said.

    “I love talking to the public. I get a lot of compliments from them which is great. If they’ve got a dog, I talk about their dogs. And what’s going to go on in the future in their area. And they get quite excited sometimes. Some people, they just like to talk.”

    A keen gardener, Raymond’s early years were grounded in horticulture.

    “I loved gardening and I used to go out with my mother – she used to enter flower shows – and I used to go and help her a lot, so I decided to do gardening myself,” Raymond said.

    Working in City Services turned out to be something of a family affair.

    Raymond’s father used to work at the old Dickson depot and his eldest brother worked with the directorate too.

    The mowing veteran has certainly seen some change over 50 years.

    “When I first started off at one of the depots I was given a very small sit-on mower. It’s a lot better nowadays obviously.”

    Raymond says he loves living and working in Canberra. And he takes great pride in his 50 years of service.

    “I just absolutely love that I got this far. I never expected that when I started. Not many people can do it. I just want to stay here while I can. I’ll probably retire … soon!” he said.

    Find out more about the mowing program and what Raymond and the rest of the crews work on at https://www.cityservices.act.gov.au/public-land/maintenance/grass-mowing.

    Find out more about employment opportunities in the ACT public service at https://www.jobs.act.gov.au/home

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Moving ahead on essential city infrastructure

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Design work for Stage 1 of EPIC’s redevelopment will include a new large multipurpose exhibition hall to accommodate larger exhibitions, galas and large-scale events.

    Funding will be provided through the ACT Government Budget Review to progress planning on three of Canberra’s major precincts – Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), a new Convention Centre Precinct and the Bruce Sports, Health and Education Precinct.

    This investment will support further investigation of a new rectangular stadium in Bruce.

    The stadium will form part of an expanded sports, health and education precinct.

    It will link investments in the AIS precinct, CIT Bruce, University of Canberra and the Northside Hospital.

    Design work will also begin for a new Convention Centre Precinct in Canberra’s city centre.

    This will include new convention facilities and an indoor Entertainment Pavilion suitable for live music and major indoor sporting events.

    Design work for Stage 1 of EPIC’s redevelopment will include a new large multipurpose exhibition hall to accommodate larger exhibitions and gala sit-down dinners for thousands.

    It will also cater for multiple large-scale community-based events. The first stage will also include new intersections and a new public entrance.

    The redevelopment will allow existing events to grow and for multiple events to be held concurrently.

    The Budget Review will also support the refurbishment of Fitzroy Pavilion at EPIC, with $4.6 million to be invested this year to refurbish the pavilion and turn it into a versatile event space.

    This will meet the immediate demand for large-scale community and multicultural events in Canberra.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: More affordable rental homes for Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Construction of the new homes will commence later this year and is expected to be completed in 2026, ready for families to move in.

    The ACT Government has announced the construction of 70 new affordable rental homes in Phillip.

    Supported by the ACT Government’s $60 million Affordable Housing Project Fund, CHC Australia and the Canberra Southern Cross Club, the new homes will be part of a new 140-unit Build-to-Rent development in Phillip.

    The homes will be located adjacent to the Stellar Canberra health and wellness centre.

    Construction will commence this year and is expected to be completed in 2026, ready for families to move in.

    The Government established the Affordable Housing Project Fund last year to grow the supply of affordable rental properties in Canberra and strengthen the community housing sector.

    Since it was launched, the Fund has offered financial support for six projects (subject to finalising funding agreements) with the potential to deliver about 280 new affordable rentals for Canberrans.

    Community housing providers and developers are encouraged to submit proposals to access the fund at any time. More information can be found in the government’s Affordable Rental Prospectus.

    Build-to-Rent, which is aimed at providing affordable housing to long-term renters, is an important part of the Government’s ACT Housing Strategy to improve rental supply and affordability.

    The Government will announce further community housing partnerships soon for Build-to-Rent projects.

    “With a dire shortage of rental accommodation that is affordable for lower income earners such as essential workers, CHC is delighted that the ACT Government is supporting community housing providers to grow affordable rental supply,” CHC Australia CEO Andrew Hannan said.

    “Together with our valued partner, the Canberra Southern Cross Club, we cannot wait to turn soil on our new mixed-tenure market and affordable Build-to-Rent development in Phillip that will deliver 70 affordable rental units for the community.”

    This year’s Budget Review will also progress the proposed MyHome project in Curtin, with $500,000 committed for planning and design work.

    MyHome is designed to provide long-term supported residential accommodation and care for 15 people with an enduring mental illness.

    The project will be built on Uniting Church land and led by Wesley Mission working with MyHome in Canberra, a local community organisation, and Woden Valley Uniting Church.

    Canberra is on track to reach 500,000 people by 2027. These initiatives will help ensure the right mix of housing options to meet the growing city’s needs.

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