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Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha 2’ designer discusses new characters and creative process

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Shen Wei, the character designer behind China’s top-grossing animated film “Ne Zha,” recently spoke with China.org.cn about his challenging journey in designing characters for “Ne Zha 2,” following the overwhelming success of the original film in 2019.

    Shen Wei, the character designer for the “Ne Zha” series. [Photo courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]

    “Ne Zha 2” joined the highly vibrant Spring Festival film season lineup and debuted on Jan. 29. Building on the remarkable success of its predecessor, this five-year project continues to draw inspiration from the mischievous yet endearing character from the Ming dynasty novel (1368-1644) “The Investiture of the Gods.” It also introduces a “dimensional upgrade” that includes new characters, thrilling battle scenes, more than 1,900 visual effect shots, and enhanced details for IMAX.

    When discussing the challenges of character design amid high audience expectations after a five-year wait, Shen emphasized the importance of two concepts: continuity and innovation.

    “I believe finding the right balance between continuity and innovation is essential,” Shen said. “The audience has already embraced elements of the original, so it’s impossible to completely break away from the established framework. Our approach is to carry forward the essence of the first film into the sequel while innovating and improving on existing techniques.”

    “Ne Zha 2” includes a substantial increase in new characters, tripling the number from the first film. A promotional video reveals that nearly every character has received unique battle designs instead of reusing previous designs. Shen noted that this approach demanded considerable effort and time. His goal was to immerse the audience in a story that feels authentic and engaging, ensuring that each character is fully developed and relatable.

    Designs for several characters from “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]

    “I’d like to clarify that while I contributed to many of the characters in the films, such as the soldiers and sea creatures, I did not create them alone. They were created by many team members due to the substantial workload,” Shen explained. “However, we all share the same principle that our character designs must serve the film and its storytelling.”

    One new character that impressed Shen is Ao Shun, a legendary dragon king. His complex armor, made entirely of blades, along with his unique fighting style, presented significant development challenges. Shen worked closely with Yang Yu, the creator of the “Ne Zha” film series, known by his nickname Jiaozi, to explore various iterations of the character’s costume and performance style. Despite these challenges, overcoming obstacles in designing Ao Shun made the creative process particularly memorable for Shen.

    Shen also shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about Jiaozi. “There were times when I might not fully grasp the specific points Jiaozi wanted to convey,” Shen said. “In those cases, he often performed the characters in person or via video calls to help me understand them better. Pure textual descriptions could be difficult to fully comprehend. When you incorporated performance elements – such as actions, expressions, and tone, as Jiaozi did – everything changed.”

    In 2019, the first installment grossed over 5 billion yuan ($690 million) in the Chinese market and $726 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. It received a positive response from international audiences. Regarding his expectations for “Ne Zha 2,” Shen expressed hope that the film would convey Eastern culture, aesthetics, and the core spirit of the Chinese nation to global viewers, further promoting cultural heritage worldwide.

    A poster for “Ne Zha 2.” [Image courtesy of Coloroom Pictures]

    Enlight Media’s Coloroom Pictures has announced that “Ne Zha 2” will open in a wide range of global markets, including North America, Australia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and South Africa, though specific release dates have yet to be set.

    Looking ahead, Shen expressed a strong interest in exploring projects that involve extraterrestrial and futuristic creatures amid the resurgence of Chinese animation. Such themes, he said, “allow me to explore new ideas and unleash my imagination.” He noted that character design is a creatively rich and rewarding process.

    “As part of the industry, we look forward to a vibrant landscape where diverse types of animation can be presented, enabling various audiences to discover what they enjoy,” added Shen.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Mitchell, Lecturer in Criminology, Deakin University

    MirasWonderland/Shutterstock

    Young people’s access to gender-affirming medical care has been making headlines this week.

    Today, federal Health Minister Mark Butler announced a review into health care for trans and gender-diverse children and adolescents. The National Health and Medical Research council will conduct the review.

    Yesterday, The Australian published an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a federal inquiry, and a nationwide pause on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors.

    This followed Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls earlier this week announcing an immediate pause on access to puberty blockers and hormone therapies for new patients under 18 in the state’s public health system, pending a review.

    In the United States, President Donald Trump signed an executive order this week directing federal agencies to restrict access to gender-affirming care for anyone under 19.

    This recent wave of political attention might imply gender-affirming care for young people is risky, controversial, perhaps even new.

    But Australian courts have already extensively tested questions about its legitimacy, the conditions under which it can be provided, and the scope and limits of parental powers to authorise it.

    What are puberty blockers?

    Puberty blockers suppress the release of oestrogen and testosterone, which are primarily responsible for the physical changes associated with puberty. They are generally safe and used in paediatric medicine for various conditions, including precocious (early) puberty, hormone disorders and some hormone-sensitive cancers.

    International and domestic standards of care state that puberty blockers are reversible, non-harmful, and can prevent young people from experiencing the distress of undergoing a puberty that does not align with their gender identity. They also give young people time to develop the maturity needed to make informed decisions about more permanent medical interventions further down the line.

    Puberty blockers are one type of gender-affirming care. This care includes medical, psychological and social interventions to support transgender, gender-diverse and, in some cases, intersex people.

    Young people in Australia need a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria to receive this care. Gender dysphoria is defined as the psychological distress that can arise when a person’s gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. This diagnosis is only granted after an exhaustive and often onerous medical assessment.

    After a diagnosis, treatment may involve hormones such as oestrogen or testosterone and/or puberty-blocking medications.

    Hormone therapies involving oestrogen and testosterone are only prescribed in Australia once a young person has been deemed capable of giving informed consent, usually around the age of 16. For puberty blockers, parents can consent at a younger age.

    Gender dysphoria comes with considerable psychological distress.
    slexp880/Shutterstock

    Can a child legally access puberty blockers?

    Gender-affirming care has been the subject of extensive debate in the Family Court of Australia (now the Federal Circuit and Family Court).

    Between 2004 and 2017, every minor who wanted to access gender-affirming care had to apply for a judge to approve it. However, medical professionals, human rights organisations and some judges condemned this process.

    In research for my forthcoming book, I found the Family Court has heard at least 99 cases about a young person’s gender-affirming care since 2004. Across these cases, the court examined the potential risks of gender-affirming treatment and considered whether parents should have the authority to consent on their child’s behalf.

    When determining whether parents can consent to a particular medical procedure for their child, the court must consider whether the treatment is “therapeutic” and whether there is a significant risk of a wrong decision being made.

    However, in a landmark 2017 case, the court ruled that judicial oversight was not required because gender-affirming treatments meet the standards of normal medical care.

    It reasoned that because these therapies address an internationally recognised medical condition, are supported by leading professional medical organisations, and are backed by robust clinical research, there is no justification for treating them differently from any other standard medical intervention. These principals still stand today.

    What if parents disagree?

    Sometimes parents disagree with decisions about gender-affirming care made by their child, or each other.

    As with all forms of health care, under Australian law, parents and legal guardians are responsible for making medical decisions on behalf of their children. That responsibility usually shifts once those children reach a sufficient age and level of maturity to make their own decisions.

    However, in another landmark case in 2020, the court ruled gender-affirming treatments cannot be given to minors without consent from both parents, even if the child is capable of providing their own consent. This means that if there is any disagreement among parents and the young person about either their capacity to consent or the legitimacy of the treatment, only a judge can authorise it.

    In such instances, the court must assess whether the proposed treatment is in the child’s best interests and make a determination accordingly. Again, these principals apply today.

    If a parent disagrees with their child, the matter can go to court.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Have the courts ever denied care?

    Across the at least 99 cases the court has heard about gender-affirming care since 2004, 17 have involved a parent opposing the treatment and one has involved neither parent supporting it.

    Regardless of parental support, in every case, the court has been responsible for determining whether gender-affirming treatment was in the child’s best interests. These decisions were based on medical evidence, expert testimony, and the specific circumstances of the young person involved.

    In all cases bar one, the court has found overwhelming evidence to support gender-affirming care, and approved it.

    Supporting transgender young people

    The history of Australia’s legal debates about gender-affirming care show it has already been the subject of intense legal and medical scrutiny.

    Gender-affirming care is already difficult for young people to access, with many lacking the parental support required or facing other barriers to care.

    Gender-affirming care is potentially life-saving, or at the very least life-affirming. It almost invariably leads to better social and emotional outcomes. Further restricting access is not the “protection” its opponents claim.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For LGBTQIA+ peer support and resources, you can also contact Switchboard, QLife (call 1800 184 527), Queerspace, Transcend Australia (support for trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary young people and their families) or Minus18 (resources and community support for LGBTQIA+ young people).

    Matthew Mitchell has a contract with Bristol University Press for a forthcoming book on the legal regulation of gender-affirming hormones for transgender young people in Australia.

    – ref. Can a child legally take puberty blockers? What if their parents disagree? – https://theconversation.com/can-a-child-legally-take-puberty-blockers-what-if-their-parents-disagree-248651

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview – Doorstop, Melbourne

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    MARY DOYLE, MEMBER FOR ASTON: Well hello everyone, and welcome here to Boronia Heights Primary School and where Matt is the, I was about to say Premier. Where Matt is the boss of the school, that’s right. So thank you, and what a warm welcome Matt’s given us here this morning. And I’d like to also welcome Premier Jacinta Allan, Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare, and also the State Education Minister, Ben Carroll. Thank you guys for coming here on this very auspicious occasion too, the signing of the agreement that just happened. Now I’d like to introduce our Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese. Thank you.

    ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, thanks very much, Mary, and it’s fantastic to be back here in the electorate of Aston that you so ably represent with such passion and commitment. And there’s nowhere that it’s more important to be in Australia than in a school, particularly when we’re talking about education.

    Before speaking about why we’re here today, I do want to address the joint counter terrorism major investigation in Dural in Sydney. The AFP Commissioner and ASIO Director-General are continuing to work with New South Wales Police. It is critical that the police are able to continue to conduct this investigation. It remains an active one. We know that some people are in custody over issues related to this investigation. There’s zero tolerance in Australia for hatred and for antisemitism. And I want any perpetrators to be hunted down and locked up – it’s as simple as that. They have no place in this sort of engagement. It’s designed to create fear and terror in the community, and it will not succeed. Because our community is stronger than the cowards who engage in this sort of activity.

    Can I say about why we’re here today – for Labor, nothing is more important than education. It is in our DNA. And what we are doing today here in Victoria is so important. Working in cooperation with Jacinta Allan and her Government, including Minister Ben Carroll. And I want to give a big thank you to Jacinta and Ben for the leadership that they have shown in bringing this arrangement to a conclusion. Of course, it’s not about politicians and it’s not about government. It’s actually about the kids who we sat down with today. Them being able to have access to the best opportunities in life that come from a great start in life. And a great start in life means best quality public education and it means making sure that no child falls behind.

    What this agreement does is not just inject $2.5 billion of additional funding into Victorian schools, but in addition to that, it’s an agreement, quite frankly, Jacinta and her Government are doing it already, which is how do we address some of the concerns that parents have had over a period of time about things like learning and phonics and the basics of literacy and numeracy? How do we lift people up? What this funding will do is enable for testing to not have to wait for NAPLAN, not have to wait until a child is 8, but make sure that in the early years, if someone needs extra assistance, they can get it. They can get that smaller group tutoring or indeed one on one learning as well. This is so important, that every child has the opportunity to be the best that they can. To lift them up, which is what good quality schools and good quality learning will do. And a shout out as well to our teachers, many of whom are here. They do fantastic work. No one goes into teaching because of the salary that it provides. They go because of the satisfaction that they get from watching a young mind expand and grow and watching people learn. The young people we met in there this morning, were telling myself and the Premier, that the best thing about school is learning. How good is that? To hear that from a six year old really brightens your day because it is so important as we move forward. We have a great partnership with the Allan Government here in Victoria. Fair funding for schools has been talked about for a long period of time. 14 years ago, David Gonski brought down his report. What we’re doing here is actually delivering, doing in the best tradition of Labor Governments, in the best tradition as well of Australia helping out our youngest Australians.

    JACINTA ALLAN, PREMIER OF VICTORIA: Thanks, Prime Minister. Thank you. Well, I’d like to echo the Prime Minister and Mary’s thanks for Boronia Heights Primary School for their really warm welcome to us here this afternoon and thanks to Mat for your leadership of this great school and thanks to the school leaders as well to Zoe and Samuel, Mackenzie and Ryan who have led us around this school so beautifully. And along with Ben and Mary and Jason, I’d also like to acknowledge Jackson Taylor, the local State Member for this fabulous local community.

    And as you can see, this week in Victoria, it’s back to school week. It’s back to school for tens of thousands of students and their families as we gear up for another school year. And I know families just want the very best start in life for their kids. And that best start comes from getting a good, strong education. And that good, strong education can be found in any one of our great government schools here in Victoria. And that’s why, that’s why this agreement that we have signed today – been negotiating for a little while – but signed today, this agreement is about demonstrating that federal Labor governments, state Labor governments are going to continue to back, back the work that principals like Mat do in our great government schools, back teachers, back staff, most importantly back the students as well so that they can get and continue to receive that top quality education. And it was back to school week for my own family as well. And as I dropped my kids off to school this morning in Bendigo, I could see the excitement, I could see the energy and I can see firsthand what a difference Labor governments make when they invest in our government schools. And that’s why this announcement today and this agreement today is just so important. $2.5 billion over the next 10 years of additional funding.

    And I want to thank the Prime Minister, thank Jason and thank Ben for reaching this agreement. Because this is going to go directly to supporting students, supporting teachers, but also those families I talked about earlier who just want the best for their kids, regardless of their background, regardless of what part of the state they’re from, they know they can get that opportunity at our government schools. Also too, I think it’s important to note that this investment comes on top of the existing investment that Victorian Labor Governments have been making in our government schools here in Victoria. $17 billion in new school buildings right across the state. And if I can make the point, since 2018, 50 per cent of all new schools in Australia have been built right here in Victoria. We’ve worked hard to support our teachers and staff with a whole range of initiatives. We’re also supporting the teachers of the future with free uni degrees, supporting that pipeline of teachers for the year ahead. The work that Ben has done on phonics has been so important. We also, though, focus on the whole student as well and the wellbeing and cost of living pressures that we know families are experiencing. And that’s why the rollout of the School Saving Bonus. Ben’s just told me that today it’s just ticked over $100 million has been redeemed through the school saving bonus. That’s $100 million that supported families, $100 million that stayed in families’ pockets because we’ve supported them with some of those essential back to school costs. That’s what Labor Government investment looks like. Teachers, staff, school, buildings and supporting families with those cost of living pressures. And that’s why this agreement is just so important. Because it means for the decade ahead we can continue to plan, continue to support the great work of our schools here in Victoria and continue to support families as they want the best for their kids. So, does Federal and State Labor governments and we’re going to continue to support them every step of the way.

    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Well, this is a big deal and this is a big day for public schools in Victoria. You want to know what this is about? It’s about the young people sitting behind these desks just out of shot here at the moment. And it’s about those year one students that we saw in the classroom just a moment ago and the ones that will follow them and kids who aren’t even born yet. This is about the future. This is about making sure that every child gets a great start in life, what every parent wants for their child, a great education. And what every Australian child deserves. That’s what this is about. And I tell you what, this is real leadership in action. Prime Minister, this wouldn’t have happened without your leadership and I want to thank you for it. Premier, I want to thank you for your leadership as well. As you said, this is a classic example of two Labor governments working together in the interests of Australian children and the future of our country. You get it. You know how to get things done and you get how important what’s happening in that classroom really is.

    The power of education to change lives, the power of a great education system to change nations. And that’s what this fundamentally is about. And I want to thank my dear friend Ben Carroll, a real reforming Education Minister who’s doing the heavy lifting here in Victoria already. And these reforms will help to fund and resource more of what Ben is already driving here in Victoria. You know, this is $2.5 billion. But more important than that, this is tied to real reform. This is about making sure that kids who fall behind at school when they’re little catch up and keep up and that more kids finish high school. We’ve seen over the last 10 years across the country a decline in the number of kids finishing high school in public schools. We’ve got to turn that around. It’s more important to finish high school today than when we were kids. And if we’re going to turn that around, it means early intervention, it means phonics checks and numeracy checks when kids are little in year one. The sort of things that we were seeing in that classroom a minute ago. And it’s about early intervention, providing more individual support for those children, perhaps out of a classroom of 30 into a classroom of three to help them to catch up and then they keep up, then more kids will finish high school and go on to TAFE if they want, or uni if they want, get the job of their dreams. So, fundamentally, that’s what it’s all about. It’s about making sure that every child in Australia gets a great start in life. What every mum and dad wants and what every Australian child deserves.

    BEN CARROLL, DEPUTY PREMIER OF VICTORIA AND MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: Thank you to all my colleagues that are here today. I also just want to give a shout out to Justin Mullaly from the Australian Education Union because the Australian Education Union have played a pivotal role in getting us where we are today. And $2.5 billion in Commonwealth additional funding for the State of Victoria, the Education State. We know public education is the most important investment in our future. We also know that 73 per cent of disadvantaged kids are in the public education system and this funding will go straight to them to support them going on to live their dreams and their life of purpose. This is a big day in the Education State. I think Anthony Albanese, today, has got the mantle of the Education Prime Minister. Also Premier Allan, who has led from the front, been with me every day working very hard to get this deal done. And I thank Premier Allan for not only her leadership in the schools agreement, but the work she’s done championing children that focus on early intervention through pre-prep, the Free TAFE, the free university degrees for teachers. This is a game changer for our education system. To Jason Clare, we’ve worked incredibly hard over the journey on this. It’s been a 12 month journey. But I’ve got to say, Jason, we’ve always been on the unity ticket when it comes to what’s best for our kids. World’s best practice in the classroom. And as the Prime Minister and Jason alluded to, the funding is one big important component and it will go to those public school kids. But there’s the other elements to it. There’s bringing in world’s best practice inside the classroom. The phonics literacy checks, the mathematics checks, the support for wellbeing. We are so proud as a Labor Government that every school is getting the mental health support and the nursing program being rolled out. That is so really, really important. I thank Premier Allan, Prime Minister, Jason Clare. For the very first time, Gonski, now, that had that vision of a needs based, sector blind education system is coming true today. No longer will a young child in any part of the State of Victoria start schooling in grade prep and go right through to year 12 without full and fair funding. We have ended that and that is a credit to the Federal Labor Government and the State Labor Government and it shows you great federalism working very well in the national interest and for our future, which is our children. Thank you.

    PRIME MINISTER: Thanks, Ben. We’re happy to take questions.

    JOURNALIST: Can I just ask you about the incident in New South Wales. When were you first briefed on the caravan incident?

    PRIME MINISTER: I get briefed regularly by the national security agencies. We don’t talk about operational matters, obviously, for obvious reasons.

    JOURNALIST: Chris Minns has said when he was briefed, can you say when you were?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, what I do, is I don’t comment on operational matters. There are two issues that are my priority. The first is making sure that people are kept safe. The second, which is related to that, is making sure that any investigations aren’t undermined and that the police and national security agencies are able to do their work. I get ongoing briefings. Every day I get a national security briefing. And indeed, just this morning, we had a full meeting of the National Security Committee.

    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, just asking you about the Toorak dinner that was on the paper today. Was that a fundraiser for Labor?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, I have dinner with people. Although it was reported as a lunch, my recollection is it was a dinner. It was nowhere near as long as it’s been reported either, I’ve got to say. But I engage with people. And I’m having a dinner tonight too, and I’ll have lunch at some stage today. That’s what you do. And I had breakfast this morning as well.

    JOURNALIST: So, Prime Minister, back on the caravan. Just following on from what Simon was saying, so, with the timeline of this Premier Minns was saying he was briefed on the 20th, you had a National Cabinet meeting on the 21st to discuss matters to do with antisemitism. So, was this something that was raised at the National Cabinet meeting? And if it wasn’t, isn’t it something that should have been raised, given that all the First Ministers were dealing with their own problems?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, I’ve been asked this before. And I repeat, I don’t intend to go through operational matters, nor do we go through the detail of what’s discussed at Cabinet meetings or National Cabinet meetings or National Security Committee meetings.

    JOURNALIST: The Opposition Leader says it’s entirely predictable that the nation has seen this escalation in antisemitic incidents. What’s your response to that?

    PRIME MINISTER: This is a time for unity and for the country to come together against these atrocities and these appalling acts. Not a time to look for political partisanship or to make political points. I don’t intend to do so. I intend to do my job, which is to work with the police and national security agencies. I must say they do an extraordinary job. We want people hunted down and put in the clink. That is what we want. And there have been a range of arrests made. Some of those have been made public, were made public on the 21st. I take the advice of the police and national security agencies for when those matters become public so that we ensure that ongoing investigations are not undermined. There is a common sense approach to this and I note that the New South Wales Police Commissioner has made comments on that this morning as well.

    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you have any update on the status of Oscar Jenkins?

    PRIME MINISTER: We continue to request the Russian authorities to provide more information. They have provided information at this point, but we don’t take anything we hear off the Putin regime at face value. So, we want to – we have made it very clear that we think Mr. Jenkins should be released. We don’t think that he should have to suffer from ongoing incarceration and will continue to make representations, but we’ll also continue to work as we will with Ukraine as well, on ascertaining further information.

    JOURNALIST: Are there any certain under which you’d consider a prisoner swap for Oscar Jenkins?

    PRIME MINISTER: No, well, Australia doesn’t have prisoners in those circumstances –

    JOURNALIST: There aren’t a couple of suspected Russian spies in Brisbane?

    PRIME MINISTER: What we want is for Mr Jenkins to be able to return home.

    JOURNALIST: Do you have any message for the Jenkins family?

    PRIME MINISTER: My heart goes out to you. This is a really difficult time for you. And the fact that some information has been made available, will be a difficult time. And we stand with you and we continue to offer every assistance that we can to these families.

    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, do you intend to fund both Melbourne Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop and the Airport Rail Link?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, there’s no link between the two things. We have funding available here for Victorian infrastructure. Suburban Rail Loop is an important project for a growing city. And I’ve been in consultation with the Premier. Minister King is looking after infrastructure. But one of the things about our cities and people will see this when Melbourne Metro opened. When I was the Infrastructure Minister some time ago, there was $3 billion from the Commonwealth for Melbourne metro. It was cut by Tony Abbott. For Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, both – all suffered, all three Eastern capitals suffered from a clogging in the centre. Now, the keys to that have been in Sydney, the metro, in Brisbane, the Cross River Rail project and in Melbourne, Melbourne metro. But the next stage is how do you get around this growing city that will be Australia’s largest without having to go into the city and out again? That’s what Suburban Rail Loop is about.

    JOURNALIST: So the $2.2 billion will be given to Victoria before the Federal election? I mean, it was committed at the last election. Will it be handed over to Victoria before?

    PRIME MINISTER: It’s in our Budget and we are working through those issues for early works. Because one of the things about Suburban Rail Loop that I know, as well, is it’s not just about a rail line. It’s about housing and it’s about infrastructure more broadly as well, and about making this great city of Melbourne more liveable, more sustainable and more productive.

    JOURNALIST: Could an airport rail be built sooner?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, airport rail – I’m not the infrastructure Minister for Victoria.

    JOURNALIST: But you’re in charge of the money. Is it a priority or is SRL, for you?

    PRIME MINISTER: No, it’s not a matter of either or. That’s like saying, is Boronia Heights Public School a priority or is the school down the road a priority? We regard – they’re two very different projects. All of Victorian infrastructure is a priority. I’ll give you the big tip on the difference between us and the former Government. The former Government reduced Victorian infrastructure funding to about eight per cent of the national funding. Under my Government, that won’t happen. Under my Government, Victoria will always get its fair share.

    JOURNALIST: Just on the railway link. Is there currently an additional $2 billion on offer for the Commonwealth to build the airport rail link?

    PRIME MINISTER: I’m not sure what you’re referring to.

    JOURNALIST: Well, previously there’s been $5 billion. (Inaudible). This is a lot of money, and it’s important.

    PRIME MINISTER: Negotiations are taking place.

    JOURNALIST: Is there $2 billion on the table, in addition to the $5 billion from both the Commonwealth and the state that’s been previously committed to?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, I suggest you ask Minister King. Those discussions take place between, with due respect, as Prime Minister, we run a big Budget across a whole lot of portfolios. I’m here today announcing significant funding for public schools. The Infrastructure Minister deals with state and territory jurisdictions on specifics of the infrastructure program.

    JOURNALIST: Do you think it’s possible to have Suburban Rail Loop work happening in one side of the city and then Melbourne Airport happening at the same time, or would they have to be separate?

    PRIME MINISTER: There’s lots of projects happen across lots of cities. You know, I’m a Canberran these days. There’s a light rail project under construction and there’s roads under construction around Canberra, let alone in a city the size of Melbourne. You need to deal with the growth in the West of this great city and the growth in the East of this great city, and indeed the growth in the North. I note you haven’t mentioned there’s a pretty significant road project here in the North East that has how much Commonwealth funding? That has $5 billion. And I’ve been to that project that’s under construction right now. We will do a range of projects here in Victoria. And can I say this as well, not just in Melbourne, but in regional Victoria as well.

    JOURNALIST: It is a point of quite some contention in Victoria whether we can afford to do both. Are you saying we can afford to do both? Will you tell taxpayers if you’ll prioritise one over the other?

    PRIME MINISTER: I’m saying that Victoria will get its fair share of infrastructure funding from my Government, unlike what the former Government did. That, for reasons unbeknown really, ripped that $3 billion out of Melbourne Metro, ripped money out of Victorian road projects and never put anything back.

    JOURNALIST: Can we return to the caravan and particularly the broader issues of antisemitism? I’m not drawing a direct link here, but there was an interesting speech Richard Marles made at the Sydney Institute the other night, two nights ago. And he said, ‘questioning the right of Israel to exist strikes at the heart of global Jewry. It is antisemitic’. He said, ‘denying Israel’s right to defend itself is an attempt to delegitimise Israel’s existence and has dangerous real world consequences, including here in Australia’. And the reason I ask is I think it talks about the thing that’s been the heart of the pro-Palestinian protest in many forms has been this delegitimisation of Israel. Do you agree that we are seeing the real world consequences of that and somehow this has got to stop because it’s gotten out of control?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course I agree that antisemitism has to stop, full stop. People need to be put, people need to be hunted down as is occurring. People are being arrested, they’re being charged, and they’re in the clink without release, without bail. That is occurring. If you go back to the resolution that was passed with the support of both major parties in the Parliament after the October 7 terrorist atrocities – that spoke about Israel’s right to defend itself, I spoke about that on the Sunday as well. I support what has been Australia’s long standing bipartisan position. The UN decision in 1947 for 1948 wasn’t for the creation of one state, it was for the creation of two – the state of Israel and the state of Palestine. I support a two state solution where both Israelis and Palestinians are able to live in peace and security. Now to do that, in order to achieve that, clearly there needs to be as well some reform on the Palestinian side. Hamas can play no role in any future state. I go back to that resolution which I looked at it the other day. Quite frankly, history treats it well. The fact that the Parliament came together at that time and overwhelmingly, with the exception of the Greens who can speak for themselves, they overwhelmingly, the Parliament passed that resolution. That was a good thing. Thanks very much.

    JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the Labor Party was right there. I mean you make the point, I mean Doc Evatt was right there. Formation of Israel played a crucial path to his role in the UN. The question I had for you, and I was hoping you could answer it, is whether or not this continuing question of Israel’s existence is fuelling antisemitism?

    PRIME MINISTER: We support the right of Israel to exist.

    JOURNALIST: But the question about whether you agree that it’s fuelling antisemitism?

    PRIME MINISTER: That what is? Sorry, you’re not being clear about your question.

    JOURNALIST: The continual questioning of Israel’s right to existence. Whether that fuels antisemitism?

    PRIME MINISTER: Well, I can speak for myself. I think that one of the issues that I certainly always say very clearly is that it is in the interests of Israelis, obviously, that Israel has a right to exist with security. It’s also in the interest of Palestinians that Israel has a right to exist with security as well. You need a solution that stops a cycle of violence. The solution that is being negotiated out, if you actually take a bit of a step back, look at what a solution looks like. And it looks like, as has been advocated by the United States and others such as Antony Blinken, is the creation of is Israel firstly being recognised by countries such as Saudi Arabia and others in the region. It is then Palestine being able to step forward with a path towards security for Palestinians as well. Obviously, the international community has a role to play in that. Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Fireworks showcase ushers in snake

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Scores of people gathered on both sides of Victoria Harbour tonight to watch the Chinese New Year fireworks display to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

    The 23-minute show consisted of nine scenes with a total of 23,888 firing shells.

    The lucky red number 8 kicked off the show, wishing prosperity and happiness to all.

    Red peonies, silver peonies and red hearts bloomed to epitomise how elite talent from all over the world set their sights on Hong Kong and contribute to a greater tomorrow.

    In the eighth scene, six adorable panda head images greeted the crowds, while the finale showcased wandering star pattern fireworks, wishing continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for people.

    The event was co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic Violence – Papunya

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a 51-year-old man in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Papunya yesterday.

    Shortly after 12am on 30 January, police received reports that the 51-year-old man was driving a vehicle dangerously within the community. The offender has allegedly intentionally struck a 26-year-old male relative before exiting the vehicle and making threats with a machete.

    The 26-year-old victim was taken to the local clinic with a suspected fractured pelvis and spine.

    The 51-year-old was arrested and currently remains in custody with charges expected to laid.

    Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone with information to call police on 131 444 and quote reference P25029611 . Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    Support services for those affected by domestic or family violence are available, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline (13 11 14).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – There should be nothing controversial in the public service reflecting the public they serve – CPSU

    Source: Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU)


    The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents members in the Australian Public Service (APS), says Peter Dutton’s comments show he is intent on mimicking the US President and fundamentally misunderstands the role of the public service.

     

    Today, Peter Dutton took aim at cultural diversity and inclusion in the APS, promising to axe roles with responsibility for ensuring the public sector workforce reflects the communities they serve.

     

    The move is the latest in a series of announcements Mr Dutton has made on the public sector that echo the US President, including appointing a new shadow minister for government efficiency mimicking Trump’s appointment of Elon Musk to a new US Department of Government Efficiency, and promising to cut 36,000 public sector jobs.

     

    Quotes attributable to CPSU National Secretary, Melissa Donnelly:  

     

    “Today’s comments from Peter Dutton are straight from the Trump playbook, demonstrating his lack of ideas, and his lack of understanding of modern workplaces.

     

    “What Mr Dutton fails to comprehend is that a workforce that reflects the public they serve is better able to deliver essential services effectively. 

     

    “Having staff with lived experience of disability, for example, means the NDIA has a deeper understanding of how to improve and more effectively target disability services to Australians.

     

    “Likewise, the National Indigenous Australians Agency workforce needs to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander workers whose first-hand experiences are critical to the agency’s work.

     

    “Inclusion and diversity may sound like an easy target to Mr Dutton and Mr Trump, but for people who access public services, the value of having someone who speaks their language and understands their experience is immeasurable.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Prepare now ahead of heightened bushfire conditions

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Temperatures are set to soar into the high 30s and low 40s across Victoria with the chance of dry thunderstorms and lightning in the western and central districts. 

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan is urging all Victorians to ensure they are prepared as the fire season will continue for several more weeks.  

    “With multiple significant fires already burning in the Grampians and Little Desert, this stretch of hot and dry weather could make conditions even more challenging for firefighters. 

    “We need all Victorians, particularly those in high-risk areas, to act now. Don’t wait until it’s too late,” he said. 

    “Review your bushfire survival plan, discuss it with your family, and ensure everyone knows what to do if a fire threatens your area.” 

    For Halls Gap resident Trish Ravenhall, the importance of being prepared became clear when the recent Grampians fire reached her community.  

    Earlier this month, as smoke intensified in the area, Trish and her family made the decision to evacuate. 

    “Even though we were quietly confident we could have stayed to defend the house, we knew if something went wrong, we may not get assistance, and we would not be able to leave as there is only one road out of our street,” Trish said. 

    “In hindsight, we should have been more prepared before we got the evacuation message, with an emergency kit ready to go.” 

    With little time to think, she and her family grabbed what they could and left, later realising they had forgotten several essential items. 

    Trish and her family have now refined their bushfire survival plan, creating a detailed checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten in an emergency. 

    “People need to have a bushfire plan and an evacuation kit ready with medications, phone chargers, food for pets, and anything else you’ll need,” she said. 

    “Do it not just for yourself but for your family, your neighbours, and the emergency services who are there to protect us. They should be focused on fighting the fire, not wondering where people are and if they’re safe.” 

    With heatwave conditions approaching, CFA is urging residents to: 

    • Finalise your bushfire survival plan. Discuss with family members what you will do and when you will leave. 
    • Pack an emergency kit with medications, important documents, pet supplies, and essentials. 
    • Stay informed via VicEmergency alerts and warnings. Conditions can change rapidly.  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Accelerating community electrification across Australia

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      News

    • Date

      31 January 2025

    • Classification

      Demand response

    In 2024, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy requested ARENA to consider expanding funding to support more community electrification demonstration projects across Australia.

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) continues to be committed to supporting innovative electrification projects that will help accelerate the transition to electrification and emissions reduction. Since 2018, ARENA has invested $144.5 million into 49 projects that achieve this purpose.

    Community electrification holds the promise of unlocking renewable energy demand across the residential sector, reducing bills and giving households a stake in the clean energy transition.

    ARENA’s announcement on 4 May 2024 of $6.2 million for SA Power Networks’ “Energy Masters Project” alongside the 15 October 2024 announcement of $5.4 million in support for the “Electrify 2515” Project in North Wollongong are early and leading examples of community electrification demonstration projects of this type.

    Under the Flexible Demand focus area, ARENA looks to support high merit, innovative projects that enable flexible demand for residents. Projects that overcome barriers and deliver the required infrastructure to orchestrate and integrate consumer energy resources to maximise the value of those resources.

    As part of any process associated with this focus area, ARENA is engaging with industry and other key stakeholders to understand the opportunities that are available, and which are consistent with our strategic priorities and funding model.

    We are also committed to ensuring that any projects that receive funding from ARENA deliver new insights and knowledge that can be shared across industry and meets our independent assessment and board approval process.

    ARENA applies a rigorous probity and merit-based approach, which gives government and all stakeholders confidence in the quality of projects we fund.

    ARENA has found over time that successful projects have strong project proponents who can manage technical, regulatory and delivery risk and can access finance to share the project’s costs.

    More information about the types of projects ARENA funds and how to apply for funding can be found on the ARENA website.

    Questions and funding enquiries related to community electrification can be directed to proposals@arena.gov.au.

    ARENA media contact:

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 128KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Construction begins on new Port Stephens refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Construction begins on new Port Stephens refuge for women and children escaping domestic violence

    Published: 31 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

    The NSW Government is building a safer New South Wales for regional women and children with construction now beginning on a new safe haven in Port Stephens.

    Built under the Core and Cluster program, $7.2 million is being invested in a new six-unit refuge in Port Stephens being developed by Hume Community Housing.

    The Core and Cluster refuge model promotes independent living by providing self-contained accommodation located next to a ‘core’ of support that facilitates access to services such as counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support.

    Hume Community Housing is a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider with more than 30 years’ experience, providing social and affordable housing and specialist disability accommodation.

    Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFaNS) has been nominated as the future service provider to deliver tailored support services to victim-survivors at the completed refuge, helping them rebuild their lives and heal from trauma.

    The NSW Government has invested $426.6 million over four years to provide new crisis accommodation across NSW for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence as part of the Core and Cluster program.

    Once all 49 new Core and Cluster refuges are completed, and the replacement of eight existing government-owned women’s refuge buildings are refurbished, they will support more than an additional 2,900 women and children escaping domestic and family violence each year.

    The Minns Labor Government is addressing domestic and family violence at all stages, by investing in primary prevention, early intervention, crisis responses and recovery. Making sure women and children have a safe place to go when they escape abuse is crucial to their recovery and helping them rebuild their lives.

    Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

    “For women and children escaping abusive and violent homes, having a safe haven is vital to begin recovering, healing and rebuilding their lives.

    “The NSW Government is continuing the roll out of Core and Cluster refuges for domestic violence victim-survivors across the state, with a total of 49 new refuges set to be up and running by 2026.

    “We’re proud to partner with local service providers to ensure that Core and Cluster residents receive tailored support so they can regain their confidence, recover and thrive.”

    Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said:

    “Domestic and family violence has a devastating impact on the lives of people in Port Stephens and across the state. It must stop.

    “This new Core and Cluster refuge will be life-changing for local women and children, giving them a safe and secure place to begin rebuilding their lives after trauma.

    “For too long, women and children in our community have had to leave behind their jobs, schools, and support networks to find safety. This refuge means they will now have access to the crisis accommodation and support they need, right here in Port Stephens.”

    Brad Braithwaite, CEO of Hume Housing said:

    “Hume Community Housing is proud to be partnering with the Department of Communities and Justice and Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services to deliver this Core and Cluster refuge.

    “Breaking ground today is just the beginning as we look towards providing a safe place for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence.

    “This is central to Hume’s purpose: to create homes and opportunities for people to heal, rebuild and prosper in vibrant and connected communities.”

    Sue Pollock, Manager Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services said:

    “Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services has been providing services to our community for over 35 years.

    “For most of those years women in our community have been advocating for a refuge to be available for women and children living with domestic and family violence.

    “Women in Karuah Aboriginal Community have been working for nearly two years now to make sure that the refuge will be a place of comfort and safety, a place where women and children can breathe and be nurtured by the surroundings. They have been meeting each week designing and sewing the soft furnishings and mapping out the outdoor and living areas. We are grateful for such generosity of spirit.

    “With the hard work and commitment from women in this community, with Hume Community Housing and funding from Department of Communities and Justice, women and children can now know that a place of safety and respite will exist in their community. A place where they can stay close to their supports, their schools, their jobs. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported and live a life free from violence.”

    Support:

    If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong marks Chinese New Year with dazzling fireworks display

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    As the clock struck eight on Thursday evening, the sky above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour erupted in a kaleidoscope of colors, marking the arrival of the Chinese New Year.

    Fireworks illuminate the sky over Victoria Harbour in celebration of the Spring Festival in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

    This year’s 23-minute fireworks display, a dazzling spectacle of 23,888 pyrotechnic bursts featuring nine scenes, drew over 250,000 residents and tourists to the waterfront, united in celebration of the Year of the Snake.

    The annual event, co-organized by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, is a must-see for many Hong Kong residents and tourists.

    Addressing the crowd on Thursday night, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee underscored the significance of the fireworks display as a centerpiece of the Chinese New Year festivities in Hong Kong, noting that each year’s performance features new elements, bringing fresh brilliance to the skies above Victoria Harbour. Much like the agile snake symbolizes flexibility and adaptability, this reflects the spirit of innovation and resilience of the people of Hong Kong.

    As dusk settled, the promenade at Tsim Sha Tsui buzzed with anticipation. Families, couples, and international visitors staked out prime viewing spots hours in advance, eager to witness the grand spectacle. From Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, the atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter and the chatter of excited spectators.

    The show began with the first scene, titled “A Brand New Beginning,” igniting cheers from the crowd. The scene “Blossoming Prosperity” painted golden ingots in the sky, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The eighth scene, “Double Luck and Goodness,” featured giant panda images against a backdrop of green lighting representing bamboo and decorative silver illumination. Six adorable “panda head” images representing “An An,” “Ke Ke,” “Ying Ying,” and “Le Le,” along with the newborn twins “Elder Sister” and “Little Brother,” illuminated the sky, signifying reunion and happiness.

    The fireworks display reached its climax in the final act, “Harvesting Year of the Snake.” The vibrant scene featured wandering star pattern fireworks dancing against the powerful gongs and drums of the background music “Golden Snake Dance,” wishing continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for the people.

    For many, this was more than just a show; it was a moment of collective celebration and hope. Seventy-year-old local resident Mrs. Suen shared her thoughts: “This is one of the most crowded displays I’ve ever seen. The influx of tourists has added to the festive spirit, and it fills us all with optimism for the year ahead.”

    Among the visitors was Mr. Xu from Zhejiang, who expressed his awe, saying, “Incredible! Emotional!” He had long heard of Hong Kong’s spectacular celebrations and had planned this trip specifically to experience the fireworks. “This is a highlight of our family trip and is definitely worth it,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Victorian Goldfields World Heritage bid celebrates tentative listing

    Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

    The Victorian Goldfields has been officially included on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, a promising step on the road to the goldfields receiving World Heritage Listing.

    The City of Greater Bendigo, City of Ballarat and 13 other Local Government counterparts involved in the bid are today celebrating the exciting news.

    The Tentative List is controlled by the Australian Government. Inclusion on the Tentative List means the Victorian Goldfields is considered a strong candidate to be submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage Listing, which can only be applied for after 12 months on the Tentative List.

    Six sites across the region have been included in the Tentative List, with three additional places identified as being subject to further investigation and the possibility other sites may also be added.

    Over the next 12 months all possible sites will be assessed in preparation for the Victorian Goldfields bid to be submitted formally to UNESCO in February 2026, with a final outcome likely to be determined after mid-2027.

    Getting the Victorian Goldfields on the Tentative List now was critical, as Australia can only make one nomination to UNESCO per year and there are many other places from around Australia that are being considered.

    Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said securing a World Heritage Listing was a long process but today’s Tentative Listing announcement represented a significant milestone.

    “In 2020, international world heritage expert Barry Gamble confirmed the Victorian Goldfields was the best surviving landscape from the 19th century goldrush anywhere in the world. This validation propelled the efforts of the 15 councils involved to continue our push to celebrate and protect this outstanding example of global significance,” Cr Metcalf said.

    “If World Heritage Listing is achieved, it puts the Victorian Goldfields on the same map as the Pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal in India. This would be an incredible achievement for our region, with economic modelling forecasting a Victorian Goldfields World Heritage site could attract 2.5 million new visitors to the region over 10 years, injecting more than $500M into local economies.

    “The sites selected for the Tentative List demonstrate outstanding global heritage significance and celebrate the region’s multi-layered history – from the First Peoples living on Country to the goldrush, and subsequent waves of immigration and the contribution made by people who were chasing riches.”

    The Victorian Goldfields is currently represented in the Tentative List submission by:

    • Castlemaine Goldfields and Historic Townships – pre-eminent alluvial diggings of an early major gold rush in Victoria
    • Creswick and the Deep Lead Landscape – unparalleled example of this rare type of gold mining
    • Bendigo Historic Urban Landscape – one of the world’s most notable gold rush cities 
    • Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin) – an area that evidences Aboriginal connection to Country before, during and after the gold rushes 
    • Great Nuggets Historic Landscape – these diggings yielded the greatest concentration of the largest gold nuggets the world had ever known
    • Walhalla Alpine Mining Landscape –steep topography that guided settlement centred on Victoria’s richest gold mine

    Other places mentioned in the Tentative List submission for inclusion at the World Heritage nomination stage, which will be developed in 2025/2026, include:

    • Ballarat Historic Urban Landscape
    • Beechworth Historic Township and Sluicing Landscape
    • Whroo and the Balaclava Open Cut Mine

    Cr Metcalf said further investigations over the coming 12 months were likely to mean an updated list would make up the final nomination.

    “A working group, led by Heritage Victoria and including Traditional Owners and councils involved in the bid, will lead consultation with the communities where each of the sites are located, including with site owners and nearby residents,” she said.

    “Tentative Listing should be considered a placeholder only. Sites may change and are all subject to consultation, but the focus will be on confirming a list that ensures the best examples of the lasting legacy of the Victorian Goldfields are celebrated and this critical piece of Australia’s history is conserved and shared with future generations.”

    The World Heritage bid is the initiative of a regional partnership made up of 15 councils and the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive, led by the City of Greater Bendigo and the City of Ballarat. The Victorian Government announced $2M to progress the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage nomination in 2023.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: More than 5000 Australian victims receive text warning over romance scam

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    This is a joint media release between the AFP, National Anti-Scam Centre, Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and National Bureau of Investigation

    Editor’s note: Text message screenshot, images from investigation, and audio grabs from AFP Commander Graeme Marshall are available via Hightail

    Authorities have texted more than 5000 potential victims in Australia to warn they may have been targeted by romance scammers based in the Philippines.

    The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), in partnership with the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Collaboration Centre (JPC3), has today texted potential victims, who are mostly male, urging them not to send money to people they’ve met online and outlined next steps to take if they have already sent money to the scammers.

    The potential victims were identified following an investigation by Philippines authorities into a scam compound operating in central Manila, in November 2024.

    More than 300 computer towers, 1000 mobile phones, and thousands of SIM cards were located by Philippines authorities and evidence gathered during the investigation has been shared with international law enforcement partners to help identify potential victims, including those who may not be aware they have been targeted.

    Under Operation Firestorm, the JPC3 identified more than 5000 Australian-based phone numbers linked to messages found on an end-to-end encryption platform on the devices.

    Operation Firestorm is a global operation launched by the JPC3 in August 2024, to address and disrupt offshore organised crime networks deceiving Australians through romance, cryptocurrency and investment scams. 

    The significant amount of technology located during the operation required extensive analysis, and JPC3 technical and cryptocurrency experts spent hundreds of hours extracting crucial evidence.

    It is alleged the scammers, using popular online dating apps, tricked victims into a fake online romantic relationship, before convincing them to purchase legitimate cryptocurrency. They would request a minimum first investment between AUD $300 – $800 dollars, before encouraging the victim to invest more money.

    The suspected scammer would then deceive the victim into transferring funds from the legitimate crypto exchange account into the scammer’s account.  

    Most of the Australian victims targeted were men over 35. The fraudsters posed as either a Filipino female working in Australia or a local female resident in the Philippines.

    The investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of more than 250 suspects by Philippine law enforcement authorities.  

    AFP Commander Cybercrime Operations Graeme Marshall said the investigation highlighted the importance of international partnerships in disrupting serious organised cybercrime networks while supporting victims.

    “The AFP worked closely with our partners, the National Anti-Scam Centre and Philippines Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation, to ensure Australians targeted by this malicious scam were identified and given advice to help protect themselves online,” AFP Cmdr Marshall said.

    “We urge anyone who received a text message warning from the National Anti-Scam Centre to take it very seriously and refrain from sending money to people you’ve met online.

    “If you have already sent someone money or cryptocurrency, please report it to your bank immediately, then to police via ReportCyber. To help others avoid similar scams, you can also report it to ScamWatch.

    “When it comes to romance scams, our message to the public is simple: protect your heart and your wallet. If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.

    “There are many warning signs someone you’ve met online could be trying to scam you. In this case, the scammer would ask to move the conversation from an online dating app to an end-to-end encryption messaging platform.

    “Cybercriminals commonly use this technique to protect themselves from being reported and removed from online dating or social media platforms.

    “We urge the public to familiarise themselves with the warning signs of romance scams to help protect themselves, loved ones, friends and family when interacting with people online.”

    Australian Competition & Consumer Commission Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said in 2024, Australians reported losing $23.6 million to dating and romance scams.

    “Romance scammers prey on people seeking connection.  Criminals build trust over time and often abuse this trust by encouraging people to make large investments leaving victims with significant financial losses and emotional distress,” Ms Lowe said.

    “We encourage people to always independently verify any investment opportunity via trusted sources such as an Australian registered financial advisor.”

    How to stop, check and protect yourself from romance scams

    • Never send money or cryptocurrency to anyone you’ve met online. Be sceptical of any requests for money, no matter how genuine the story may seem.
    • Verify the person’s identity. Take things slow and be wary if their story doesn’t add up or if they refuse to video chat or meet in person. Conduct reverse image searches on their profile pictures at https://images.google.com.
    • Beware of overly affectionate behaviour. If someone you’ve just met online starts professing love quickly, it’s a red flag.
    • Be careful of what you share. Never disclose personal information or send intimate photos to people you don’t know as this may be used to blackmail you or steal your identity.

    What to do if you’re a victim of a scam

    • Stop all communication with the scammer
    • Take screenshots of conversations and profiles before blocking the scammer on all platforms.
    • Contact your bank if you have transferred money or suspect unusual account activity.
    • Report it to police at www.cyber.gov.au.
    • Report suspected scams to www.scamwatch.gov.au to help others avoid similar scams.
    • If you were contacted via social media, report it to the social media platform.
    • Use strong, unique passphrases on your accounts and enable Multi-Factor Authentication wherever possible.
    • If you are concerned your identity has been compromised, contact the national identity and cyber support service, IDCARE, at www.idcare.org. 
    • If you, or someone you know needs help, we encourage you to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, who provide 24/7 support services.

    The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement and key industry and international partners to fight cybercrime and prevent harm and financial loss to the Australian community.

    We are committed to equipping all Australians with the knowledge and resources to protect themselves against cybercrime.

    Watch our cybercrime prevention videos and protect yourself against being a victim.

    If there is an immediate threat to life or risk of harm, call 000.

    Media enquiries:
    AFP Media: (02) 5126 9297

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 27-2025: Scheduled Outage: Saturday 16 February to Sunday 16 February 2025 – BICON, EXDOC

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    31 January 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients required to use the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) during this planned maintenance period.

    All clients required to use the Export Documentation (EXDOC) system during this planned maintenance period.

    Information

    Due to scheduled infrastructure maintenance, there will be an outage to BICON and EXDOC from 23:59 Saturday 15 February to 05:00 Sunday 16 February 2025 (AEDT).

    Action

    …

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police investigate house fire in Warrane

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police investigate house fire in Warrane

    Friday, 31 January 2025 – 12:19 pm.

    Police are investigating a house fire that was reported to emergency services around 3:10am this morning in La Perouse St Warrane.Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police attended and the fire was quickly extinguished with an initial estimate of damage of $100,000. No one was home at the time of the fire.Anyone with information is asked to contact South East CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $3 million to support leak detection and water efficiency

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: $3 million to support leak detection and water efficiency

    Published: 31 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Water

    The Minns Labor Government is charging ahead with its commitment to save billions of litres of water by injecting $3 million into round 2 of its innovative Active Leak Detection Project, helping to boost long-term water security for regional towns and cities across New South Wales.

    It forms part of the hugely successful Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program that has secured $11.3 million in further funding, on top of an initial $12.5 million investment, to continue its activities in the regions over the next two years.

    The program has already achieved impressive results between 2022 and 2024, clocking up a staggering 7,500 megalitres (ML) per year in water savings in over 60 regional locations.

    This next round aims to save up to 4,000ML of water per year, or enough to meet the annual water needs of around 20,000 NSW regional households.

    The active leak detection project uses cutting-edge equipment including noise loggers, electronic listening sticks, ground microphones and leak noise correlators to detect leaks within local water networks that will then be repaired by local councils.

    Crews will survey approximately 6,000 kilometres of regional water supply mains across more than 40 high priority areas that are severely impacted during dry months including Warrumbungle Shire, Warren, Moree Plains, Forbes, Cobar, Dubbo and Lithgow.

    The NSW Government is locking in more locations over the coming weeks.

    The next stage of the program will also focus on identifying leaks in residential properties, with homeowners to be notified if issues are found. Work commenced in January and will be rolled out until June 2026.

    The $35.3 million Water Efficiency and Regional Leakage Reduction Program aims to create a more sustainable and resilient water future for country towns and cities across the state.

    For more information, visit the Regional Leakage Reduction Program webpage. 

    NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:

    “Our leak detection program has been smashing it out of the park by recovering a massive 7,500 megalitres of water in regional NSW per year since 2022 that would have otherwise gone to waste.

    “That’s why I am absolutely thrilled to announce that we are rolling the program out to even more locations across the state over the next two years.

    “While water levels are currently stable, the next drought could be just around the corner, so projects like this one are a simple solution to make the most of the water we already have by identifying and fixing leaks across local networks.

    “You’d be amazed at how much town water gets lost every year because of cracks or holes in pipelines, which is why using high-tech equipment to pinpoint these leaks is one of the most effective ways to safeguard our long-term water supply.”  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ- Kiribati fallout: A ‘Pacific way’ perspective on the Peters spat

    A NZ-born Kiribati member of Parliament, Ruth Cross Kwansing, has tried to bring in some Pacific common sense into the diplomatic tiff between her country and Aotearoa New Zealand. Her original title on her social media posting was “A storm in a teacup: Kiribati, New Zealand and a misunderstanding over diplomacy”.

    COMMENTARY: By Ruth Cross Kwansing

    We were polarised by the United States last week, but in the same way that a windscreen wiper distracts you from the rain, our Pacific news cycle and local coconut wireless became dominated by a whirlwind of speculation after New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced a review of New Zealand’s aid to Kiribati.

    This followed what was perceived as a snub by our President Taneti Maamau.

    The New Zealand media, in its typical fashion, seized the opportunity to patronise Kiribati, and the familiar whispers about Chinese influence began to circulate.

    Amidst this media manufactured drama, I found myself reflecting on “that” recent experience which offered stark contrast to the geopolitical noise.

    We had the privilege of attending the ordination of a Catholic Priest in Onotoa, where the true spirit of Kiribati was exemplified in the splendour of simplicity. Despite limited resources, the island community, representing various faiths, came together to celebrate this sacred event with unparalleled joy, hilariousness and hospitality from silent hands that blessed you with love.

    Hands that built thatched huts for us to sleep in, wove mats, cooked food, made pillows and hung bananas in maneabas to provide for guests from all over Kiribati and Nauru. Our President, himself a Protestant, had prioritised and actively participated, embodying by example, the unity and peace that Bishop Simon Mani so eloquently spoke of.

    We laughed, we cried, and we felt the spirit of our loving God.

    Spirit of harmony
    That spirit of harmony and hope we carried from recent experiences felt shaken overnight by news of New Zealand’s potential aid withdrawal. Social media in Kiribati erupted with questions and concerns, fuelled by an article claiming that New Zealand was halting aid due to President Maamau “snubbing” of Deputy Prime Minister Peters.

    Importantly: President Maamau would never in a millennium intentionally “snub” New Zealand or any foreign minister. The reality is far more nuanced.

    At the end of 2024, President Maamau announced to his Cabinet Ministers that he would delegate international bilateral engagements to Vice-President Dr Teuea Toatu or other Ministers and Ambassadors appropriately. Thereby enabling him to focus intently on domestic matters, including the workplan for our national necessities outlined in the KV20 vision and 149 deliverables of his party manifesto.

    NZ’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters . . . his spat with Kiribati described as a “storm in a teacup”. Image: RNZ/Reece Baker

    While the Vice-President was prepared to receive the New Zealand delegation, it seems Minister Peters was insistent on meeting with the President himself, leading to the cancellation of his trip.

    This insistence on bypassing established protocol is not only unusual but also, well let’s just say it with as much love as possible: It’s disrespectful to Kiribati’s sovereignty.

    It is also worth noting that the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia recently visited Kiribati and engaged with the Vice-President and Cabinet Ministers without any such reluctance.

    New Zealand’s subsequent announcement of an aid review, including a potential threat to the $2 million funded RSE scheme, has understandably caused serious anxiety in Kiribati.

    Devastating impact
    The potential loss of funding for critical sectors like health, education, fisheries, economic development and climate resilience would of course have a devastating impact on our people.

    After committing $102 million between 2021-2024 these are major threats to public health where $20 million was invested in initiatives like rebuilding the Betio Hospital, training doctors, building clinics, NCD strategic planning and more, $10 million in education, $4 million in developing the fisheries sector, it’s an expansive and highly impactful list of critical support for capacity strengthening to our country.

    While New Zealand has every right to review its aid programme to Kiribati or any developing country, it is crucial that these kinds of decisions are based on genuine development processes and not used as a tool for political pressure.

    Linking Pacific aid to access to political leaders sets a questionable precedent and undermines the principles of partnership, mutual respect and “mana” that underpins the inextricably linked relationships between Pacific nations.

    The reference to potential impacts on I-Kiribati workers in New Zealand under the RSE scheme is particularly concerning. These hardworking individuals contribute significantly to the New Zealand economy in a mutually beneficial arrangement.

    We deserve to be treated with fairness and respect, not weaponised to cut at the heart of what drives our political motivations — providing for our people, who are providing for our children.

    Despite this unfortunate situation, I believe that dialogue and understanding along with truth and love will prevail.

    Greater humility needed
    In the spirit of the “effectiveness, inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability” that upholds New Zealand’s own development principles, we should all revisit this issue with greater humility and a commitment to resolving such misunderstandings.

    As a New Zealand-born, Australian/Tuvaluan, I-Kiribati politician representing the largest constituency in Kiribati, I have zero pride or ego and will never be too proud to beg for the needs of the people I serve, who placed their faith in a government that would put them first.

    We would love to host Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and a New Zealand government delegation in Kiribati, and we are indescribably grateful for the kinds of support provided since we gained independence in 1979. Our history stretches back even further than that, when New Zealand’s agricultural industry was nourished by phosphate from Banaba, and we continue to treasure the intertwined links between our nations.

    Let us prioritise cooperation and mutual respect over ego and political posturing. Let’s drink fresh coconuts and eat raw fish together and talk about how we can change the world by changing ourselves first.

    The “tea party” of Pacific partnership must continue to strengthen, and deepen, ESPECIALLY when challenged to overcome misunderstandings. It should always be one where Pacific voices are heard and respected lovingly, while we work towards a collective vision of health, peace and prosperity for all.

    But if development diplomacy ever fails, we’ll remember that I-Kiribati people are some of the most determined and resilient on this planet. Our ancestors navigated to these “isolated isles of the Pacific” surrounded by 3.5 million km of ocean and found “Tungaru” which means “a place of JOY”.

    We arrived in this world with nothing, and we’ll leave it with nothing, and we get to live our whole lives not feeling sorry for ourselves in this island paradise of ours, this place of joy, where we are wealthy in ways that money cannot buy.

    We will survive

    Ruth Maryanne Cross Kwansing was elected an independent member of Parliament in Kiribati in 2024. She later joined the Tobwaan Kiribati Party.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: While you sleep, these insects are working hard on the night shift to keep our environment healthy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tanya Latty, Associate Professor, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney

    photosounds/Shutterstock

    As night falls over Australia’s forests, grasslands and backyards, the hidden world of nocturnal insects stirs to life. In many ecosystems, overall insect activity actually peaks at night, especially in warmer regions of the world.

    These nighttime creatures play essential roles in ecosystems, providing services such as pollination, waste decomposition, and pest control. Here are some of the remarkable insects that come out after dark – and why they matter.

    Moths: the stars of the night shift

    While their flashier daytime relatives, the butterflies, often steal the spotlight, moths are the hidden stars of the night shift.

    An estimated 22,000 species of moth call Australia home, and most are nocturnal, although some are diurnal (day active) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).

    Many species feed on flower nectar using their long, straw-like mouthparts, transferring pollen between flowers as they go.

    In the Snowy Mountains, for instance, scientists found moths carry pollen from 19 different plant species.

    While some moths feed on a wide variety of plants, others have evolved highly specialised relationships with specific flowers.

    For instance, more than 500 species of leaf flower trees (Phyllanthus) across tropical Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific are dependent on tiny leaf flower moths (Epicephala) for their pollination.

    The trees’ flowers attract moths by producing nectar at night, when the moths are most active.

    The larvae of moths, caterpillars, also play a vital role in ecosystems. For example, the larvae of Mallee moths (Oecophoridae) feed on dry leaves in the leaf litter, making them essential for the decomposition of tough, dry plant material.

    Without their tireless work breaking down organic matter, leaf litter can accumulate to problematic levels.

    Although most caterpillars feed on plant material, some have unusual diets. Trisyntopa neossophila caterpillars, for example, feeds on the faeces of parrots nesting in termite mounds.

    Some caterpillars are even predators. The larvae of the brown scale moth (Mataeomera coccophaga), for instance, eats scale insects.

    Moths and their larvae provide a fat and protein-rich food source for many animals, including humans.

    Once so abundant they famously blanketed the 2000 Sydney Olympics, large bogong swarms have become increasingly rare, putting at risk species that depend on them for essential nutrients.

    Busy night beetles

    Seeing the tiny, flashing lights of fireflies dancing through the darkness on a summer night is a magical experience.

    Fireflies are actually beetles in the family Lampyridae, and 25 species call Australia home.

    Each firefly species uses its own distinctive flash pattern to communicate with potential mates.

    When large numbers of the same species gather, they can synchronise their light pulses, creating a breathtaking light show.

    The fireflies’ distinctive light is produced through a biochemical reaction involving a molecule called luciferin and an enzyme called luciferase. When these interact in the presence of oxygen, they emit light.

    Adult fireflies do not eat but firefly larvae mostly eat snails, which helps keep snail populations under control.

    Beetles in the scarab family are often active at night. Large numbers of Christmas beetles (Anoplognathus spp) flying around porch lights used to be a common sight, but numbers appear to be in decline.

    Some native dung beetles, such as the five-horned dung beetle (Onthophagus pentacanthus), are also nocturnal. Hardworking dung beetles play a vital role by breaking down animal dung, helping to recycle nutrients and improve soil health.

    Lacewings and mantisflies

    Lacewings belong to an ancient group of insects (Neuroptera) named for the delicate, lace-like net pattern of veins on their wings.

    Most adult lacewings are nocturnal predators, feeding on smaller insects using their hollow, scissor-shaped mouthparts to catch and suck the nutrients from their prey.

    Several lacewing species are effective pest controllers and are used in agriculture to manage pests such as aphids and mealybugs.

    Mantid lacewings, also known as mantisflies, resemble a strange hybrid between a mantis and a fly but are actually in the same group as lacewings.

    The larvae of mantisflies are poorly studied, but most species are believed to be predators of insects, although some are predators of spider eggs. By eating other insects, mantisflies may play a role in controlling pest populations.

    Protecting these night shift workers

    Artificial lights at night are causing serious disruption to insects on the night shift.

    Insects often become disoriented, flying in endless circles around bright lights, burning energy they cannot afford to lose. This confusion can lead to exhaustion or death.

    Artificial lighting at night can also disrupt nocturnal insect reproduction. And, predators such as owls and bats may learn to hunt around artificial lights where prey becomes more concentrated and vulnerable.

    The exact reasons why nocturnal insects are drawn to light remain unclear, but recent research suggests that some nocturnal insects use light to maintain stable, level flight by orienting their bodies so light hits their upper surface.

    This system works well when the only lights present at night are the Moon and stars, but fails when artificial lights disrupt the night.

    We can help protect nocturnal insects by:

    • turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night, especially during summer when many insects are breeding
    • using motion-activated lights to reduce light pollution
    • reducing or eliminating the use of insecticides in our gardens.

    Small changes can make a big difference to help protect the insects working hard overnight to keep our ecosystems healthy.

    Tanya Latty co-founded and volunteers for conservation organisation Invertebrates Australia, is former president of the Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour and is on the Education committee for the Australian Entomological Society. She receives funding from the Australian Research Council, NSW Saving our Species, and Agrifutures Australia.

    – ref. While you sleep, these insects are working hard on the night shift to keep our environment healthy – https://theconversation.com/while-you-sleep-these-insects-are-working-hard-on-the-night-shift-to-keep-our-environment-healthy-246483

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji’s HIV crisis is a regional challenge that demands a regional response

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon McLennan, Senior Research and Teaching Fellow, School of Health, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    In the words of UNAIDS Asia Pacific Regional Director Eamonn Murphy, rising HIV infections in Fiji “put the entire Pacific region at risk”.

    Fiji’s minister of health declared an official HIV outbreak in January, citing 1,093 new cases from January to September 2024 – triple the number from the same period in 2023.

    The World Health Organization defines a disease outbreak based on the number of cases being in excess of normal expectations. Similar to an epidemic, an outbreak typically refers to a more limited geographic area.

    Declaring an outbreak enables prompt public health response measures and mobilises domestic and international resources to respond to the crisis.

    Why is there an HIV outbreak?

    The outbreak has been attributed to Fiji’s ongoing methamphetamine crisis. The island nation is a major hub for drug trafficking to Australia and New Zealand, contributing to an upsurge in drug use.

    Preliminary Ministry of Health data show half of the newly diagnosed individuals receiving anti-retroviral therapy contracted HIV through injecting drugs.

    However, the crisis extends beyond drug use. Increasing urbanisation, homelessness and unemployment, coupled with disconnection from traditional land and culture, contribute to risky health behaviours.

    Many Fijians express concern that eroding family values are driving this behaviour, with reports of children as young as eight using drugs, engaging in prostitution or begging.

    Low HIV awareness and social stigma compound these factors. Many Fijians are reluctant to get tested and, if positive, to receive care. Knowledge of HIV prevention is low: a 2021 survey found less than a third of those aged between 15 and 24 had comprehensive HIV knowledge.

    A decade of underfunding and reduced international support has also undermined Fiji’s HIV prevention strategies and service. This has exacerbated low levels of HIV/AIDs awareness, and the deterioration of health and treatment services.

    Why is the region at risk?

    Fiji is a regional hub for education and business, attracting students and economic migrants from across the region. There’s a real risk the virus will spread to other island nations via returning workers and students, potentially undetected for long periods.

    Fiji is also a major tourist destination. Unsuspecting visitors, whose fun in the sun extends to drug use or unsafe sexual activities, may be at risk.

    There is also a risk of reputational damage for the tourism industry, whose success relies on marketing Fiji as a safe and happy destination. With Fiji still recovering from COVID’s impact on tourism, the new crisis is a major threat.

    Fiji is also experiencing significant outward migration (5% net in 2023), mostly to Australia and New Zealand. This raises the risk of virus spread through established migration pathways, including labour mobility policies such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme and New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer schemes.

    The HIV surge will be costly for the country and the region. HIV/AIDS strains household finances through lost income and increased healthcare costs, diverts public spending from other areas, with flow-on impacts for national and regional economies.

    What is being done to combat the outbreak?

    The Ministry of Health’s 90-day HIV Outbreak Response Plan fast-tracks high-impact interventions. These include harm-reduction programs, condom distribution, and prophylactic pre-exposure treatment.

    This complements the HIV Surge Strategy 2024–2027, a long-term road map for strengthening Fiji’s health system based on the United Nations’ global “95-95-95” targets: 95% rates of testing, treatment and viral suppression in the population.

    However, as the health minister noted, the outbreak declaration “reflects the alarming reality that HIV is evolving faster than our current services can cater for”.

    Consequently, external assistance is ramping up. The UN Development Programme has delivered 3,000 anti-retroviral drugs to Fiji. The Australian government’s Indo-Pacific HIV Partnership with UNAIDS is also supporting Fiji to scale up prevention.

    Funding is starting to trickle down to the front lines. For example, with support from Australia and New Zealand, the Fiji Reproductive and Family Health Association is working with experts on awareness, prevention and care strategies to reverse the surge.

    Fiji is not immediately affected by US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the World Health Organization and a threatened defunding of HIV treatment programs around the world. But the uncertainty makes addressing the outbreak even more urgent.

    Duty of care: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, 2022.
    Getty Images

    What can Australia and New Zealand do at home?

    Both countries bear particular responsibility and face specific risks. Their domestic drug markets drive regional trafficking, fuelling Fiji’s meth crisis and the HIV outbreak.

    Continued support for regional anti-narcotics initiatives is crucial, as is addressing domestic drug demand.

    As beneficiaries of Fijian labour migration, Australia and New Zealand also have a duty of care for migrants. This includes education, screening and treatment for Pacific communities, and access to preventive treatments which are currently not funded for migrants in either country.

    Finally, tourists and travellers need to be educated about the risks, and take precautions.

    The outbreak declaration demonstrates Fiji’s commitment to addressing the crisis but success will require regional cooperation.

    Australia and New Zealand are key stakeholders whose domestic policies and support can significantly affect the outbreak’s trajectory, contribute to a unified Pacific response and protect regional public health.

    Sharon McLennan gratefully acknowledges the valuable input and guidance of Avendra Prakash (Chair, Reproductive & Family Health Association of Fiji), Dr Akisi Ravono (University of Fiji) and Dr Johanna Thomas-Maude (Victoria University of Wellington).

    Sharon McLennan receives funding from the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

    – ref. Fiji’s HIV crisis is a regional challenge that demands a regional response – https://theconversation.com/fijis-hiv-crisis-is-a-regional-challenge-that-demands-a-regional-response-248536

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Creation of the Gods II’ brings Chinese mythology to global audiences

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The creators of the epic fantasy sequel “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” said the new film will showcase the beauty and wonders of Chinese culture and mythology to audiences worldwide.

    The cast and crew of “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” pose for a photo at the premiere in Beijing, Jan. 29, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    Pop icon and actor Kris Phillips reprises his role as the main villain, King Zhou, in the second installment of Wuershan’s ambitious trilogy. However, he also took on another crucial role in this film: translation.

    “I have seen the film six or seven times already on various occasions because I was working on the English subtitles for its international release,” Phillips said. During the Spring Festival, “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” debuted in Chinese theaters and was simultaneously screened in nearly 20 countries and regions, including North America, Australia and the United Kingdom, starting Jan. 29, the first day of Chinese New Year.

    Phillips emphasized the importance of accurate translation: “I particularly cared about the English translation because it was essential for global audiences to understand ‘Creation of the Gods,’ a complex story filled with numerous characters. There were many Chinese terms, such as ‘Kunlun’ and the distinction between immortals and gods, that foreign viewers might not understand. Therefore, I had to find ways within the subtitle lines to include explanatory information.”

    A still from “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” shows King Zhou, portrayed by Kris Phillips. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    As a Chinese American who has immersed himself in both cultures for decades, Phillips was well-suited for the role. Once his English subtitles were completed, translations into other languages, such as French and German, followed based on his work.

    In the wake of the first film’s success, overseas audiences actively pushed for a simultaneous release of the sequel. “Now we have done it, fulfilling our promise,” director Wuershan said. “We will let audiences around the world experience the charm of Chinese culture.”

    After dedicating more than a decade to creating and crafting the trilogy, Wuershan saw “Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms” earn 2.64 billion yuan ($363 million) at the box office in 2023. The film became a cultural phenomenon, launching and revitalizing the careers of both young and veteran actors like Yu Shi and Kris Phillips.

    The second film, “Demon Force,” also based on the Ming dynasty novel “The Investiture of the Gods,” follows Ji Fa, the future founding king of the Zhou dynasty, and strategist Jiang Ziya as they defend their homeland, Xiqi. With the support of Kunlun immortals Yang Jian and Ne Zha, the heroes face off against the formidable demonic army of King Zhou’s Shang dynasty, commanded by the cunning Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong and the fierce female general Deng Chanyu.

    A still from “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force” depicts an epic battle scene infused with magic. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    Before the film’s premiere in Beijing on Jan. 29, the cast and crew toured eight cities to promote it, starting in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Wuershan noted that they had visited Zhengzhou many times to explore museums and draw inspiration from local culture during the creative process, as this area was the heart of the Shang dynasty and its capital. The crew also visited other historic sites and museums across China, including locations in Shaanxi province, where the Zhou dynasty originated, to gather ideas for props and costumes.

    “Integrating traditional culture into the ‘Creation of the Gods’ trilogy is something I am passionate about,” Wuershan said. “Traditional culture needs to come alive, blend with our lives, and become a source of strength. In areas such as costumes, character designs, weapons, and sets, we invited many inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to collaborate on the designs. We hope to demonstrate that Chinese traditional culture is still powerful and encourage more inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to join us in building this mythological epic.”

    Even the two new significant characters are deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Deng Chanyu is a Mulan-style warrior, inspired in part by Lady Fu Hao, the first Chinese female general and royal consort during the Shang dynasty. The crew visited Fu Hao’s tomb and memorial site for research, and actor Nashi dedicated 506 days to training and filming. “History gives me strength, inspiration, and motivation, driving me to bring the brilliance of the character Deng Chanyu to the big screen,” she said.

    Still photos from “Creation of the Gods II” showcase Deng Chanyu and Wen Zhong, two major new characters in the film. [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    For the role of Grand Preceptor Wen Zhong, actor Wu Hsing-kuo — also a theater actor and Peking Opera performer — deliberately integrated movements and techniques from traditional opera into the character’s gestures and fighting styles. His approach aimed to ensure that Wen not only maintained a dignified posture but also embodied the essence of Chinese aesthetics.

    The furious charge of iron-shod hooves, dazzling displays of magic, and the presence of mythical beasts come together to create striking visual moments, reflecting the crew’s dedication to their craft. Since work began in June 2014, the “Creation of the Gods” trilogy has involved extensive preparation, filming and post-production, now in its eleventh year. The “Demon Force” production team included 14 creative departments and over 11,000 staff members from 21 countries and regions. This vast team managed all aspects of the film, including acting, stunts, filming, props and special effects. Every detail was meticulously crafted, contributing to a vivid and engaging Chinese mythological epic.

    The film benefited from the support of an Oscar-winning team. Barrie M. Osborne, known for his work on “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, served as a production consultant. James Schamus, who contributed to the Oscar-winning “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” consulted on the script. Tim Yip, who won the Oscar for best art direction for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” in 2001, took on the role of art and costume design consultant. Douglas Hans Smith, recognized for his work on “Independence Day,” which won the Oscar for best visual effects in 1997, served as the film’s senior visual effects supervisor. This collaboration of artistic vision and rich traditional Chinese culture results in a stunning array of visuals.

    A poster for “Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.” [Photo courtesy of Beijing Culture]

    “After the first movie laid the foundation and introduced the characters, the second installment broadens the narrative to feature epic battles between gods and demons. It is truly a brilliant and amazing film!” Phillips told China.org.cn.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Delivering record investments in SA’s south east

    Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements

    The Albanese Government is delivering a record investment in South Australia’s south east, and is adding nearly $7 million to improve housing, childcare, economic, tourism and sports facilities.

    This additional funding for the electorate of Barker is delivered through the Albanese Government’s Growing Regions and regional Precincts and Partnership programs which fund projects that help our regions thrive.

    We are investing $3.5 million in the Kingston Childcare and Child services project to deliver a new childcare centre, consultation offices for child allied health service professionals, and a designated space for children’s playgroups and family members.

    The Penola community will get improvements to the facilities at the Penola Football Club and Community Sports Hub with Albanese Government funding of $1.4 million for the redevelopment.

    The Albanese Government is investing $508,000 in the Tailem Bend Precinct Plan which will progress planning for the 10th Street Housing Development and for streetscape upgrades of the main street, highway corridor and connecting areas.

    We are also investing in the Mid Murray region’s plans to build a vibrant tourism hub with a grant of $1.5 million.

    The project will develop a business case, identify tourism assets, and create a precinct plan connecting 11 towns in the council district.

    The Growing Regions Program continues to be highly valued by local communities with a number of worthwhile applications having been received. We look forward to continuing to work with proponents and local councils on these important projects.

    Our grants programs are merit-based and transparent, replacing the legacy of rorts and politicised grants programs by the Liberals and Nationals which were criticised by the Australian National Audit Office.

    The announcements today build on the significant investments already made by the Albanese Government across the Barker electorate.

    We have already invested $17.7 million in Barker from the first round of the Growing Regions Program, more than $900, 000 for Stream 1 of the Housing Support Program and $193,000 for Tintinara Aerodrome. 

    We have also invested $950 million dollars in major projects such as the National Freight Highway Upgrade Program, Princes Highway and Sturt Highway upgrades, the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund, a safety package for rural roads and Riverland Network Flood Resilience upgrades.

    Local councils in the electorate have received a 55% increase in funding for local roads with the Roads to Recovery investment rising $25.5 million to $68.7 million over five years.

    This is a direct result of the Albanese Government decision to double the funding for the Roads to Recovery program to $1 billion a year.

    For more information on the Albanese Government’s regional funding programs, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/regional . 

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King: 

    “The Albanese Government is building Australia’s future, investing in the infrastructure locals want that will grow the economy, provide jobs and improve community facilities.

    “Developing housing, childcare, tourism and sports facilities helps strengthen economies and helps communities to thrive.

    “We understand how important infrastructure is in regions like the south east which is why we prioritise working with local communities.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia, Don Farrell:

    “From families in Kingston and budding athletes in Penola, to residents in Tailem Bend and small businesses across the Mid Murray, we are investing in local communities.

    “Developing the infrastructure locals need will support our regions to prosper – delivering for families and small businesses and creating new opportunities for tourism in our state’s spectacular southeast.

    “I am proud to be part of an Albanese Government that is committed to building Australia’s future and delivering for regional communities across South Australia.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update: Fatal crash Craigmore

    Source: South Australia Police

    A man has died following a fatal crash at Craigmore this morning.

    Just after 8.30 am today (Friday 31 January), police and emergency services were called to Uley Road after reports of a crash between a black Volkswagen sedan and a white Holden sedan.

    Sadly, the driver a 49-year-old man from Hewett died at the scene.

    Road closures are still in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

    The man’s death is the 12th life lost on SA roads this year.

    Police urge anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: CH4 Global to open the world’s first EcoPark to grow Asparagopsis to reduce methane emissions from cows TODAY

    Production begins at CH4 Global’s first full-scale EcoPark

    ADELAIDE, Australia – January 30, 2024 – CH4 Global, Inc., will today officially open phase one of its first full-scale EcoPark, where it has begun to grow and process Asparagopsis in 10 large-scale cultivation ponds with a combined capacity of 2 million litres – capable of producing 80 metric tonnes of the seaweed each year.

    Over the next year, the facility will expand to 100 ponds capable of producing enough Asparagopsis to serve 45,000 cattle per day – a significant step toward meeting demand from CH4 Global’s existing commercial partners in Australia and beyond. With additional investment, the facility could eventually expand to 500 ponds capable of serving hundreds of thousands of cattle per day.

    Built at Louth Bay, 23km south of Port Lincoln on Eyre Peninsula, the EcoPark consists of research and development facilities, a seedling hatchery, patented in-land growth ponds, and harvesting and drying technologies to convert Asparagopsis into CH4 Global’s Methane Tamer products – allowing end-to-end production.

    The EcoPark will sustainably grow methane-reducing Asparagopsis at scale. Asparagopsis, which is a red seaweed native to South Australia, drastically reduces methane emissions from cows by up to 90 per cent.

    CH4 Global founder and Chief Executive Dr Steve Meller said the EcoPark was the first commercial facility of its kind, enabling the scalable propagation of Asparagopsis to meet the needs of feedlots under contract. CH4 Global’s system delivers consistent, high-quality production at a fraction of the cost, enabling profitability throughout the value chain without government subsidies.

    With its proprietary pond-based system, CH4 Global aims to reduce production costs by up to 90 per cent compared to conventional tank-based methods, enabling rapid scaling while positioning CH4 Global to deliver its feed supplement at a price point that ensures profitability throughout the agricultural value chain.

    “The EcoPark allows us to now grow Asparagopsis at-scale, providing more Methane Tamer to the feedlots and farmers we are already working with, and to meet the needs of the increasing number of organisations contacting us to help them change the feeding habits of their cows as we start bending the climate curve,” Dr Meller said.

    “We are well and truly working towards eliminating one billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and reaching 150 million cattle by 2030 through our local and international partnerships with feedlots and farmers, and it’s fantastic to see beef from these cows hitting shelves in Australia and heading overseas.”

    Dr Meller said the Louth Bay EcoPark was an essential step on the climate journey and would be positive for the Eyre Peninsula community and economy.

    CH4 Global has committed to preventing the creation of one gigatonne of CO2 emissions by 2032.

    To do so, CH4 Global needs to reach 150 million cattle —10 per cent of the world’s total.“Along with supporting farmers in South Australia, Queensland and overseas to reduce emissions, we’re working closely with the Eyre Peninsula community by having worked with local contractors to build the EcoPark, sourcing local materials and providing regional jobs.”

    CH4 Global has also been working with First Nations communities across South Australia, including with the planting of native species and on a land management plan, and providing a gathering space on-site.

    CH4 Global has implemented a sustainable design framework for Louth Bay and future EcoParks, guiding the use and management of energy and natural resources, waste and GHG emissions, and efficient use of eco-friendly materials.

    As part of its sustainable design framework, CH4 Global has remediated the 14ha site and will be responsible for 13km of beach. Remediation has included removing 5,000 tonnes of concrete tanks – crushed and recycled; 11.76 tonnes of HDPE to be recycled in Adelaide, 10 tonnes of plastic aquaculture trays and other plastic equipment for filtering water and other purposes, which have been rehomed and reused within the community; and sent five tonnes of steel to recycling.

    About CH4 Global

    CH4 Global, founded in 2018, is on an urgent mission to bend the climate curve, through collaboration with strategic partners worldwide. We deliver market-disruptive products that enable the food industry value chain to radically reduce GHG emissions.

    The company’s first innovation, Methane Tamer feed additives for feedlot cattle, harnesses the power of Asparagopsis seaweed to reduce enteric methane emissions by up to 90 per cent.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Speed thrills: why are so many sports getting faster?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin Norton, Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, UNSW Sydney

    If you scroll through YouTube and watch sporting contests from yesteryear, one of the first things you’ll likely notice is how slow the games are compared to modern sports.

    Not just the athletes’ speed (or lack of), but the pace of ball movement.

    This is because the game speed of most sports continues to increase.

    Why are sports getting faster?

    There is no universal definition of game speed, but it is often measured using metrics such as passing rate, ball velocity or average player movement speed during games.

    Increased passing rates can be seen when players retain the ball for shorter periods before passing it to a teammate.

    Faster ball and average player speeds have been shown in many field sports including AFL, soccer and basketball.

    Faster action followed by longer recovery breaks is the way many sports have evolved over the past few decades.

    In National Hockey League ice hockey games, for example, there are around 300 player rotations (shifts) per team. Shift lengths decreased by 7% to about 45 seconds each during a 10-year period to 2010 as the game sped up.

    Shorter shifts mean higher game speed before players can recover on the bench.

    Some sports deliberately alter rules to increase the game speed and scoring.

    Spectators report a preference for fast action and seem happy to have this interrupted by longer breaks as players catch their breath.

    What about speed in soccer?

    I recently studied this phenomenon in World Cup soccer matches. I found passing rates and ball speed were consistently increasing for both men and women over multiple World Cup tournaments.

    The study showed passing rates increased by 19% for men and 26% for women across the past nine tournaments. Average ball speed increased by 7% for men and 18% for women over the same time.

    It is clear men’s and women’s soccer matches are speeding up.

    The benefits of fast attacking play

    The need for speed is driven by scoring benefits: if a team can move the ball often and with accuracy, this reduces the time for opposition teams to organise defensively.

    Disorganised defensive structures are easier to penetrate, as gaps open among opposition players.

    For example, faster passing rates in basketball have been linked to more scoring attempts and baskets scored. This is especially crucial after a turnover, when defences are poorly organised.

    Faster play requires quick and precise decision-making, such as perfect timing to move to the best position to receive the ball, or to draw dangerous opposition players away from the action.

    This quicker play requires delivering better skills at high speeds, such as catching or trapping the ball on the run. It involves anticipating where to move and when to react with stealth-like movements.

    It also involves greater physical fitness and the ability to repeat high-intensity efforts – a fitter player can recover quicker and accumulate less fatigue. This can help the athlete use optimal power and with fewer skill errors.

    On top of that, evidence shows player “density” is increasing in many field sports, which both reduces the time to react and mandates superior skills in the congested player traffic.

    Accurate passing and precision timing through this crowded space is essential.

    Even moving your own body through clogged space requires agility and power. Because of this, much of the training time for professionals is dedicated to games on reduced field space to improve these requirements and to refine decision-making skills.

    In elite sport, those who are efficient in these areas generally remain in the sport while others fall by the wayside.

    Managers in the English Premier League look for a minimal passing efficiency (finding a teammate with each pass) of 70%. Less than this can have disastrous consequences for the athlete.

    Passing effectiveness is also used heavily in NFL quarterback ratings and in the AFL.

    Sometimes speed can have its downsides

    There are risks with faster play, though.

    Moving offensively with speed means the attacking team is also vulnerable to counterattack if they lose possession: when an attacking team turns the ball over, they, in turn, are out of (defensive) position and vulnerable to quick movement by the opposition.

    So knowing when to move fast and when to progress more steadily are also key skills and regularly rehearsed.

    Another potential problem of higher-speed sports is the relationship to higher injury rates.

    Colliding with opposition players involves increased kinetic energy that must be absorbed by athletes’ bodies. This can result in bone fractures and concussion rates that are elevated with fast impact forces.

    Faster running speeds also result in more muscle pulls and strains.

    What might this mean for the future?

    The increasing speed of sports could have several impacts in the future, namely in the talent identification and player recruitment space, and in women’s sports.

    Due to genetic constraints, athletes generally can’t improve their speed as easily as other physical attributes like endurance or strength. This means recruiters are likely to prioritise fast athletes in a spiralling pace race.



    Read more:
    Why are some people faster than others? 2 exercise scientists explain the secrets of running speed

    In some sports, including our soccer study, the speed of women’s sport was found to be increasing at a faster rate than men’s.

    Over a comparatively short history of professional sport, women have demonstrated dramatic and impressive gains. This may mean the speed and style of women’s sports will increasingly resemble the speed and style of the men’s games.

    Kevin Norton has received funding from sporting organisations including AFL, NRL, ARU, IRB, ESL.

    – ref. Speed thrills: why are so many sports getting faster? – https://theconversation.com/speed-thrills-why-are-so-many-sports-getting-faster-247803

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/30/2025 Blackburn, Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Help Tennesseans Recover from Natural Disasters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) joined Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to provide relief for impacted taxpayers in states that have issued state-level disaster declarations. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has the authority to postpone filing deadlines in the event of a presidentially-declared federal disaster, but this does not extend to state-level emergencies.
    “When a disaster like Hurricane Helene hits, the last thing Tennesseans should have to worry about is meeting a tax-filing deadline,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act empowers the governor to extend tax deadlines, giving Tennesseans the flexibility to focus on disaster recovery.”
    “Nevadans experiencing natural disasters deserve tax relief, regardless of whether the state receives a federally recognized disaster declaration,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My bipartisan, bicameral bill would ensure that Nevada taxpayers impacted by wildfires, winter storms, floods, and more have the financial flexibility they need to recover.”
    “Louisianians have worked tirelessly to rebuild after historic storms took their toll, so giving them the time they need to file taxes after a natural disaster is a no-brainer. Since Louisiana can’t always rely on Washington to get us the relief we need when we need it, this bill would make sure that Louisianians get tax extensions that are crucial for recovering after our state declares a natural disaster. I’m glad to partner again with Sen. Cortez Masto on this effort,” said Senator Kennedy.
    “When disaster strikes, the burden families face on the long road to recovery is overwhelming. This bipartisan bill provides financial flexibility for Americans impacted by disaster so they can focus on rebuilding their lives and livelihoods,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    FILING RELIEF FOR NATURAL DISASTERS ACT:

    The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act would allow the governor of a state or territory to extend a federal tax filing deadline in the event of a state-declared emergency or disaster, which happens automatically for federally-declared disasters. Extending this authority to states gives them the ability to provide relief independent of the federal government’s involvement in an emergency or natural disaster.
    The legislation would also expand the mandatory federal filing extension from 60 days to 120 days.
    Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Community consultation report on display for Mandalong Road at Morisset

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 31 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    The proposed upgrade to Mandalong Road at Morisset, southwest of Newcastle, has taken another step forward with the community consultation report for the preferred design display now published. 

    The Australian Government is investing $56 million and the NSW Government is investing $20 million in upgrades to Mandalong Road.

    The community and key stakeholders were invited to have their say on the preferred design for the proposed upgrade from 26 June to 4 August last year.

    This design includes replacing the existing roundabout at the intersection of Wyee Road and Freemans Drive with traffic lights, a shared path between Ourimbah Street and Gimberts Road, as well as two new bus stops on Dora Street.

    The Gimberts Road/Gateway Boulevard roundabout will now be separately upgraded by a private developer.

    A total of 202 submissions were received during the display period, including 190 survey responses and 12 emails.

    The consultation report includes feedback on the design, operational and network impacts, environmental impacts, project concerns and suggestions.

    Feedback received about the preferred design has been considered as work on the concept design and environmental assessment continues.

    Timing for construction is yet to be confirmed and is dependent on planning approvals and the finalisation of project costings and funding arrangements.

    Consultation will continue with key stakeholders and the community will be kept informed as the project progresses.

    For further information on the community consultation report and the project, visit the website of Transport NSW.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “Mandalong Road provides a critical link from the M1 Pacific Motorway to Morisset and the southern part of the Lake Macquarie local government area.

    “This upgrade will improve traffic flow and safety for about 17,000 road users daily, while helping meet the future needs of an increased population and employment in the Morisset area.

    “The upgrade will also support retail, industry, commercial and housing growth along the corridor, with potentially upwards of 5,000 new dwellings in the surrounding area.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

    “We know this is an important project for the community with more than 200 submissions received during the consultation period.

    “As part of the survey, respondents were asked to provide feedback on the level of project importance and support of the preferred design.

    “I was pleased to note that 90 per cent of survey respondents believe the project to be very important or important, and more than 80 per cent supported the preferred design.

    “I’m proud to be part of a government getting the work done to improve the daily lives of people living in NSW.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Hunter Dan Repacholi:

    “These traffic upgrades will be really significant for local and visiting motorists and pedestrians in terms of safety and also minimising delays on their journeys in this part of the lower Hunter.

    “We will continue to engage with the NSW Government, key stakeholders and the community to deliver the best option for traffic and pedestrian movement in Morriset.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper:

    “Upgrading Mandalong Road is the most important transport priority in southern Lake Macquarie.

    “Like other frustrated locals, I have been calling for a solution to the traffic and safety issues at Mandalong Road for years.

    “With its strategic position, the Morisset area is poised to experience a surge in people, jobs, homes and industrial and commercial development. Upgrading Mandalong Road, along with other infrastructure and services, is essential to support this growth and help Morisset realise its full potential.”

    Quotes attributable to Duty MLC for Lake Macquarie, Emily Suvaal:

    “This is a key step in the upgrade process and I welcome the work the NSW Government, together with the Commonwealth, is doing to improve traffic conditions for motorists in Lake Macquarie.

    “The much-needed Mandalong Road upgrades will significantly improve local traffic conditions and this next stage of consultation is vital to getting that work done.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Off the plan contract laws under review to provide greater certainty to buyers

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 31 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government

    Developers could face financial penalties for failing to deliver homes and unfairly profiting off buyers under reforms being considered by the NSW Government.

    Feedback is being sought on stronger protections for consumers in off the plan contracts for homes and land in NSW, to guide the delivery of new housing and prevent lengthy delays that leave people out of pocket.

    An off the plan contract is an agreement for the sale and purchase of a property that is yet to be developed or constructed. These contracts can apply to the sale of a proposed lot in a strata or community land scheme or to the sale of land in a conventional subdivision.

    The reforms are being designed to help increase housing supply by providing greater certainty and clearer deadlines for home buyers and to free up land for development faster by removing outdated restrictions on development sites.

    The reforms are intended to help more people achieve the Australian dream of home ownership and build greater confidence in the housing market by improving protections for buyers and preventing developers from delaying homes they have been contracted to deliver.

    About five per cent of 180,000 residential purchases in NSW last financial year were off the plan contracts which allow a buyer to commit to purchasing a property before the complex is built or land is subdivided.

    Potential reforms being released for comment aim to tighten contract rules to give buyers a clearer understanding of when they can expect to move into their new home, reducing uncertainty and the risk of being left behind in the market when a contract is cancelled.

    This could include scrapping the ability for developers to draw the contract out with indefinite sunset clauses which give buyers no clear path forward, or ability to exit the arrangement.

    Other proposed changes the NSW Government is considering include:

    • Making sunset clauses mandatory in contracts so that buyers can withdraw if sunset events do not occur by a set time
    • Requiring developers to disclose the status of the development against construction milestones so buyers have a better understanding of timeframes and potential risks
    • Limiting a developer’s ability to extend sunset dates only for certain reasons beyond the developer’s control such as weather or supply issues, and imposing time limits on extensions
    • Requiring developers to take reasonable steps to meet dates by potentially introducing penalties for inaction.

    The Government is also looking at unlocking potential development sites by making it easier to remove private, outdated agreements from land titles (known as obsolete restrictive covenants) which can limit how land is used or developed.

    Covenants can continue to bind future landowners indefinitely, even if they become outdated – for example, an obsolete covenant may prevent more than one property from being built on the land or ban the use of certain building materials.

    To support the reforms, the Office of the Registrar General has released a discussion paper called ‘Contracts and Covenants: Reforms to support development of land’ outlining the options.

    The community is invited to respond to survey questions or upload a submission on the reform proposals and share their experiences on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say platform.

    The consultation will lay the groundwork for legislation to be developed in 2025.

    The Contracts and Covenants consultation is open until 7 March 2025.

    To have your say, visit: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/offtheplan-contracts-covenants 

    Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

    “Buying a home is one of the most stressful experiences for an individual, these proposals are designed to provide greater certainty and consistency. This review is about making sure home buyers have the right protections and information they need to make informed decisions.”

    “Off the plan contracts play a crucial role in supporting essential housing supply initiatives in NSW. They allow buyers to purchase property early in the development process, while giving developers the confidence and financial security to build.”

    “We know that most developers do the right thing, but we don’t want situations where businesses try to run down the clock on a contract to sell to a higher bidder or mislead consumers by unfairly changing the goalposts for when they can move into their dream home.”

    “These reforms are designed to provide greater transparency as well as encourage the delivery of new homes. These proposals are about encouraging developers to be upfront about timelines and challenges to assist homeowners.”

    “We encourage people to have their say on these proposals which aim to boost consumer confidence in the off the plan contract process and help NSW achieve our housing targets.”

    Registrar General Danusia Cameron said:

    “Off the plan buyers need more information and support than buyers of established homes because they are not able to inspect a property before committing to buy it.”

    “It is important that the laws governing off the plan contracts also arm buyers with appropriate safeguards, meet the needs of the community and address emerging issues in the sector to ensure there is continued confidence in the process.”  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Charges – Drug offences – Katherine

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force have arrested a man in relation to a drug seizure that occurred in Katherine yesterday.

    On Thursday 30 January, the Northern Substance Abuse Intelligence Desk, with the assistance of the Dog Operations Unit and Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant at a residence in Katherine South. 

    A 50-year-old man was arrested following the seizure of 1.2kg of cannabis, 19 bottles of rum, 123 cans of beer and a quantity of cash.

    The alleged offender has been charged with the Supply Schedule 2 Dangerous drug – Commercial Quantity, Possess Schedule 2 Dangerous Drug – Commercial Quantity and Unauthorised Sale of Liquor.

    He has been remanded to appear in Katherine Location Court on today.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Byron May said “The seizure of these items will have a significant impact towards the reduction of alcohol-related harm and anti-social behaviour in the community.  Northern Territory Police will continue to target those who seek to profit from exploiting the vulnerable people in our community.”

    Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs to our communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Contract awarded for transformational Tonkin Highway project

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    A major job-creating road project in Perth’s south has reached a critical milestone with a contract now awarded.

    The $1 billion Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade Project will see the transformation of the south-east of Perth, delivering a 14-kilometre extension of Tonkin Highway as well as major upgrades to Thomas Road.

    The extension of Tonkin Highway will include a four-lane dual carriageway from Thomas Road all the way to South Western Highway, including a number of grade-separated interchanges, underpasses and roundabouts.

    The project will also cater for the recreational needs of the area with several equine underpasses, and a new principal shared path along the entire 14-kilometre extension.

    It will also benefit local communities in Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott and Gosnells which currently contend with large volumes of heavy vehicles on local roads, travelling to and from the South West and Wheatbelt regions.

    Upgrades to Thomas Road will include duplication of 4.5-kilometres between Kargotich Road and South Western Highway, new principal shared path and upgrades to a number of local intersections including Kardan Boulevard, Masters Road and Plaistowe Boulevard.

    Construction of the project is scheduled to commence in mid-2025 with completion anticipated by late-2028 and is set to support around 4,400 direct and indirect jobs, marking a significant boost for the local economy.

    The contract to deliver the project has been awarded to the Tonkin Extension Alliance consortium which includes BMD, Civcon Civil and Project Management, Georgiou Group, BG&E, and GHD, bringing together a wealth of expertise and experience to deliver one of Western Australia’s most significant road infrastructure projects.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “The Australian Government is proud to partner with the Western Australian Government to deliver this transformative project, which will significantly enhance Perth’s south-east by reducing traffic pressure and improving connectivity.

    “This project will deliver significant benefits to Western Australia’s freight and logistics network, by creating a high-standard north-south transport link, improving road safety, freight efficiency, and connectivity for residents, businesses, and commuters.

    “The project is part of a broader investment to the Tonkin Highway that will deliver a high-standard north-south transport link, including key upgrades such as the Tonkin Highway Gap.”

    Quotes attributable to WA Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti:

    “Our Government understands the critical importance of transport infrastructure projects – they create thousands of jobs, deliver significant economic benefits to local businesses and communities, and ensure our transport network can meet the needs of our growing population.

    “The extension of Tonkin Highway will be a game-changer for the movement of freight to and from the South West and Wheatbelt, and provide a safer road network for people living in suburbs like Byford, Armadale, Kelmscott and Gosnells who currently contend with large volumes of heavy vehicles on local roads.

    “This extension complements METRONET’s Byford Rail Extension and other safety improvements in the area, ensuring better access to our transport network for communities in the south.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Burt Matt Keogh:

    “This $1 billion project is a great example of the Albanese Government working in partnership with the Cook WA Labor Government to make the journeys of people in our south-eastern corridor faster and safer.

    “We have seen incredible growth through the suburb of Byford and that means every day you’re getting more and more interaction between local traffic and trucks.

    “Extending Tonkin Highway will get trucks off South Western Highway, which will support this rapidly growing area, giving this community the roads they deserve.

    “This will make a huge difference to everyday life – whether it’s dropping the kids at school or going up to the city, this is game changing project for the south-eastern suburbs.”

    Quotes attributable to State Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones:

    “The Tonkin Highway Extension and Thomas Road Upgrade project will ease traffic pressure on local roads, making them safer and reducing travel times for our community.

    “This project will better connect our fast-growing suburbs to jobs and education opportunities while improving safety for local families.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The big chill: is cold-water immersion good for our health?

    Source: University of South Australia

    31 January 2025

    From early ocean dips to ice-cold polar plunges, cold-water immersion is increasingly popular among athletes and wellness warriors. But how much of the hype is backed by science?

    In the most comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of its kind, University of South Australia researchers have taken a deep dive into the effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing.

    Analysing data from 11 studies with 3177 participants, researchers found that cold-water immersion may lower stress, improve sleep quality, and boost quality of life.

    UniSA researcher Tara Cain says the study reveals time-dependant and nuanced effects on health and wellbeing measures.

    “Cold-water immersion has been extensively researched and used in sporting contexts to help athletes recover, but despite its growing popularity among health and wellbeing circles, little is known about its effects on the general population,” Cain says.

    “In this study, we noted a range of time-dependant results. Firstly, we found that cold-water immersion could reduce stress levels, but for only about 12 hours post exposure.

    “We also noted that participants who took 20, 60, or 90 second cold showers reported slightly higher quality of life scores. But again, after three months these effects had faded.

    “Benefits may be gained from cold showers as well, with one study reporting that participants who took regular cold showers experiencing a 29% reduction in sickness absence.

    “We also found some links to cold-water immersion and better sleep outcomes, but the data was restricted to males, so its broader application is limited.

    “And while there have been many claims that cold-water immersion experiences can boost your immunity and mood, we found very little evidence to support these claims.”

    Cold-water immersion involves immersing the body partially or fully in cold water, in temperatures typically ranging from 10-15 degrees Celsius, and in this study, data was only included if exposure was at or above chest level, and for a minimum time of 30 seconds. It included cold showers, ice baths and cold plunges.

    Co-researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ben Singh says the study also showed that cold-water immersion caused a temporary increase in inflammation.

    “At first glance this seems contradictory, as we know that ice baths are regularly used by elite athletes to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness after exercise,” Dr Singh says.

    “The immediate spike in inflammation is the body’s reaction to the cold as a stressor. It helps the body adapt and recover and is similar to how exercise causes muscle damage before making muscles stronger, which is why athletes use it despite the short-term increase.

    “Knowing this, people with pre-existing health conditions should take extra care if participating in cold-water immersion experiences as the initial inflammation could have detrimental health impacts.”

    Researchers say that while the findings highlight the potential benefits of cold-water immersion, they also underscore the highly time-dependent and contextual nature of its effects.

    “Whether you are an elite athlete or everyday wellness seeker – it’s important to understand the effects of what you put your body through,” Cain says.

    “Right now, there isn’t enough high-quality research to say exactly who benefits most or what the ideal approach is to cold-water immersion. More long-term studies, among more diverse populations, are needed to understand its lasting effects and practical applications.”

    Notes to editors:

    The full paper – Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis – by Tara Cain, Dr Jacinta Brinsley, Dr Hunter Bennett, Dr Max Nelson, Prof Carol Maher and Dr Ben Singh is available online: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0317615

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

    Contacts for interview:  Tara Cain E: Tara.Cain@unisa.edu.au
    Dr Ben Singh E: Ben.Singh@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield M: +61 E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Review of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The Albanese Government is directing the Treasury to undertake a comprehensive review of the Compensation Scheme of Last Resort (CSLR) to ensure victims of financial misconduct have a sustainable avenue for redress.

    This is all about ensuring the scheme remains sustainable into the future for consumers and for the industry.

    Taking care of consumers is the focus of the scheme, it’s the focus of the Albanese Government and it will be the focus of this review.

    At the same time, Australians need access to affordable high quality financial advice.

    The advice industry was abandoned and decimated by the former Coalition government as the number of advisers has fallen from 28,000 in January 2019 to less than 16,000 today. This raised costs on advisers and the cost of advice for Australians.

    The government has taken action to rebuild the financial advice industry. In our first 12 months, we introduced legislation to establish a pathway for experienced advisers to continue providing financial advice, which has retained over 4,000 advisers that could otherwise have exited the industry.

    We are also undertaking the most significant reform to the financial advice laws in over a decade through our Delivering Better Financial Outcomes package which will cut red tape, reform statements of advice and help advisers use their professional judgment to better support clients.

    As recommended by the Ramsay Review, the CSLR is fully funded by industry.

    New data from the operator of the CSLR shows that industry will have to provide $78 million to compensate victims in 2025–26, largely as a result of the liquidation of financial advisory firm United Global Capital Pty Ltd.

    Ensuring the scheme is sustainably funded will be an important focus of the review.

    The government legislated the CSLR in 2023, after the former government failed to take action despite the scheme being a recommendation of the 2017 Ramsay Review and the Banking Royal Commission.

    The CSLR ensures victims can access some compensation in circumstances of genuine last resort where misconduct has occurred in the provision of personal financial advice, credit intermediation, securities dealing and credit provision.

    While industry has provided broad support for the CSLR, it’s important that there is confidence that the scheme is meeting its objective in a way that is sustainable for both companies and consumers.

    Whether it’s our reforms to get a fair go for families and farmers at the checkout or our big and broad competition agenda to ease the cost of living for Australians, taking care of consumers is one of the Albanese Government’s highest priorities.

    We’ll continue to do everything we can to safeguard consumers and ensure all Australians have access to affordable and quality financial advice.

    Further information, including the terms of reference, can be found on the Treasury website.

    MIL OSI News –