NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Parkline Place new workplace hub for NSW Government agencies

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Parkline Place new workplace hub for NSW Government agencies

    Published: 30 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Lands and Property

    The NSW Government is set to take up residence in a new workplace hub in the heart of Sydney from early 2025.

    Parkline Place is a 39-storey energy efficient tower building located on the corner of Pitt and Park Streets above Gadigal metro station. The development has created 600 construction jobs and will support up to 4000 workers spanning across the government and private sectors.

    The NSW Government’s central property agency, Property and Development NSW (PDNSW) has negotiated the lease arrangements for the four agencies, and is leading the CBD Workplace Hub design and delivery project, which aims to provide modern and sustainable government workplaces as public sector workers return to the office.

    The lease arrangements are as follows:

    • A 12-year lease for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with the agency now occupying four floors since the start of January.
    • A 12-year lease for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) for flexible touchdown space across three floors. The agencies are due to move into the building from April 2025.
    • A 13-and-a-half-year lease for the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO) to occupy three full floors, plus another floor partially, with the agency set to relocate in mid-2026.

    The leases support the NSW Government’s net zero emissions targets. Parkline Place is fully electric and powered by renewable energy, and targets net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions in operation. It is also designed to achieve 5.5-star NABERS Energy, 3.5-star NABERS Water, and 6-star Green Star Design and As-Built V1.3 sustainability ratings.

    The development has been delivered and will be managed by Investa, on behalf of co-owners Oxford Properties Group and Mitsubishi Estate Asia, with four government agencies to occupy more than 10 floors in the building.

    For more information about the CBD Workplace Hub at Parkline Place, visit the Parkline Place workplace hub page.

    Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

    “Our leases at Parkline Place will provide public servants with quality and sustainable modern workplaces. They will support flexibility and increased collaboration to deliver better service outcomes for the people of NSW.”

    Investa Head of Leasing Mark Podgornik said:

    “We are delighted to welcome the NSW Government this year as one of the first tenants at Parkline Place.”

    “Many major employers are progressively bringing employees back to the office and placing significant value on creating a desirable workplace experience for their people through access to amenity, connected and sustainable workplaces. We are pleased to help facilitate this at Parkline Place.”

    Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) Secretary Kiersten Fishburn said:

    “This new touchdown space offers a great opportunity for our Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure’s employees to access modern facilities conveniently located near the new Metro and other excellent transport options. It also provides a prime location for them to engage with sector colleagues and key stakeholders in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney to host Rugby World Cup final and semi-finals

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Sydney to host Rugby World Cup final and semi-finals

    Published: 30 January 2025

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for Jobs, Minister for Sport, Minister for Tourism

    NSW is the big winner from the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 host city announcement, with our state set to host more games than any other, including both semi-finals and the final.

    The third largest sporting event in the world, the Rugby World Cup has delivered decades of drama including Wallabies glory, extra-time heartbreak and Nelson Mandela hoisting the trophy alongside the Springboks.

    All of that history, along with 24 national teams, an estimated 215,000 visitors, and hundreds of millions of global TV viewers, will culminate in NSW for six weeks in October and November in 2027.

    The host city agreement has resulted in 17 of a total 52 games being played in NSW, with Newcastle hosting four pool matches and Sydney hosting 13 fixtures, including five pool matches, two Round of 16 matches, two quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final set to take place at Stadium Australia on November 13.

    Destination NSW estimates the tournament will inject more than $610 million into the state’s visitor economy and be Sydney’s biggest sport event in over 20 years.

    In addition to the direct social and economic benefits, the right to host the finals will mean Sydney is centre stage for the global television audience, providing immeasurable marketing impact for the NSW visitor economy.

    The announcement confirms NSW as a premier destination for world class sporting events including the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Sail GP and the Sydney Marathon which recently gained world marathon major status.

    Supporting major events is a key part of the Minns Labor Government’s strategy to grow the visitor economy. In October the government committed to a new ambitious growth target of $91 billion of visitor expenditure by 2035, a 40% increase on the previous 2030 goal.

    Sydney has a proud Rugby World Cup history, having hosted six games during the inaugural tournament in 1987 and 16 games – including the final – when Australia last hosted in 2003. The NSW Government is also proud to support this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour while Australia will also host the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

    In the lead up to the event Chair of Destination NSW Sally Loane will lead a committee tasked with maximising the tourism opportunities of hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup.

    NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

    “It’s great to see NSW come out on top – securing hosting rights to the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

    “Staging the finals and having more matches than any other state, demonstrates just how attractive NSW is as a destination for global sporting events.

    “To all those keen rugby fans across the globe – it’s time to lock in your travel plans. Not only will you get to watch some fantastic sport, but you will also get to tour the best state in the world, home to extraordinary national parks and unparalleled Harbour views.”

    Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:

    “With more games than any other state, NSW will be the home of the tournament which means hundreds of thousands of fans will travel here and experience what our incredible state has to offer.”

    “The stadiums and the streets of Sydney and Newcastle will be absolutely buzzing during the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.

    “Hosting world class events is a key part of our strategy to significantly grow the NSW visitor economy over the next ten years.”

    “My message to rugby fans around the world is – come for the rucks and mauls, stay for the food, the wine, the beaches and cultural experiences!”

    Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:

    “Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be a festival of rugby union like no other that will inspire the next generation of players.

    “The choice of Sydney to host the tournament’s final match – along with both semi-finals and the bronze final – reflects the city’s position as world class sporting events capital, and the NSW Government is excited to welcome the world’s best rugby teams – and their fans – in 2027.

    “For 6 weeks, we are going to be centre stage for the sporting world.

    World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson said:

    “We are delighted to reach another significant milestone on our journey to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027. The selection of these incredible host cities reflects our commitment to bring Rugby World Cup to Australians’ backyard and maximise the tournament’s positive impact and sporting legacy in all host communities.

    “Australia’s iconic cities and rich culture will create an extraordinary atmosphere for fans and players alike, uniting an entire nation for six unforgettable weeks. We look forward to working with host cities to make this tournament one for the ages.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Euroa members recognised for fire medical response

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Euroa Fire Brigade has been recognised for their exemplary community service in CFA’s Fire Medical Response (FMR) Program, going beyond their primary mission of firefighting.

    On Sunday, 26 January, the brigade was officially awarded the title of Community Organisation of the Year as voted by the Euroa community for their strong commitment and dedication in this space.

    CFA and Ambulance Victoria (AV) rolled out the new FMR program in December 2024 that sees CFA brigades dispatched simultaneously to cardiac arrests with the nearest ambulance, allowing CFA crews to provide life-saving CPR, defibrillation, and support to patients.

    Euroa was one of the first brigades to sign up to provide life-saving support in response to Triple Zero (000) calls alongside Tatura, Numurkah, Yarrawonga, Huntly, Kyneton, Bairnsdale, Orbost and Lakes Entrance brigades.

    Captain of 15 years, Damon Rieusset said any acknowledgement from your peers is something to be proud of, but members were just happy to be of assistance to rural families in need.

    “Although it is only in its infancy, it is nice for our members to be recognised for the efforts they put in. We’re all ready and willing to go when needed,” Damon said. 

    “What it brings for the community is the greatest part. If it stops a family wondering if they could’ve done more, that’s the most important thing.”

    The team is currently made up of more than 14 volunteers who have completed more than 40 hours of professional face to face training by AV and over 16 hours of online training to be deemed competent to provide this vital service.

    “Everyone who put their hand up to do the training knew it wasn’t going to be an easy day in the office, but it’s for the greater good and we would highly recommend other brigades get involved in the program if they can,” Damon said.

    “Most of our members have done first aid training and were comfortable walking into the sessions with basic knowledge.

    “However, it’s been pleasing to see the members gain the additional expertise and advance their abilities – all which will go a long way in providing them with greater confidence when faced with the task.”

    The Rotary Club of Euroa nominated the brigade for the esteemed title, noting their efforts have not only improved the safety and wellbeing of the Euroa community, but also strengthened the bonds that hold the community together.

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why the WHO has recommended switching to a healthier salt alternative

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Xiaoyue (Luna) Xu, Scientia Lecturer, School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney

    goodbishop/Shutterstock

    This week the World Health Organization (WHO) released new guidelines recommending people switch the regular salt they use at home for substitutes containing less sodium.

    But what exactly are these salt alternatives? And why is the WHO recommending this? Let’s take a look.

    A new solution to an old problem

    Advice to eat less salt (sodium chloride) is not new. It has been part of international and Australian guidelines for decades. This is because evidence clearly shows the sodium in salt can harm our health when we eat too much of it.

    Excess sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure, which affects millions of Australians (around one in three adults). High blood pressure (hypertension) in turn increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney disease, among other conditions.

    The WHO estimates 1.9 million deaths globally each year can be attributed to eating too much salt.

    The WHO recommends consuming no more than 2g of sodium daily. However people eat on average more than double this, around 4.3g a day.

    In 2013, WHO member states committed to reducing population sodium intake by 30% by 2025. But cutting salt intake has proved very hard. Most countries, including Australia, will not meet the WHO’s goal for reducing sodium intake by 2025. They WHO has since set the same target for 2030.

    The difficulty is that eating less salt means accepting a less salty taste. It also requires changes to established ways of preparing food. This has proved too much to ask of people making food at home, and too much for the food industry.

    There’s been little progress on efforts to cut sodium intake.
    snezhana k/Shutterstock

    Enter potassium-enriched salt

    The main lower-sodium salt substitute is called potassium-enriched salt. This is salt where some of the sodium chloride has been replaced with potassium chloride.

    Potassium is an essential mineral, playing a key role in all the body’s functions. The high potassium content of fresh fruit and vegetables is one of the main reasons they’re so good for you. While people are eating more sodium than they should, many don’t get enough potassium.

    The WHO recommends a daily potassium intake of 3.5g, but on the whole, people in most countries consume significantly less than this.

    Potassium-enriched salt benefits our health by cutting the amount of sodium we consume, and increasing the amount of potassium in our diets. Both help to lower blood pressure.

    Switching regular salt for potassium-enriched salt has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and premature death in large trials around the world.

    Modelling studies have projected that population-wide switches to potassium-enriched salt use would prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack and stroke) each year in China and India alone.

    The key advantage of switching rather than cutting salt intake is that potassium-enriched salt can be used as a direct one-for-one swap for regular salt. It looks the same, works for seasoning and in recipes, and most people don’t notice any important difference in taste.

    In the largest trial of potassium-enriched salt to date, more than 90% of people were still using the product after five years.

    Excess sodium intake increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can cause a range of health problems.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Making the switch: some challenges

    If fully implemented, this could be one of the most consequential pieces of advice the WHO has ever provided.

    Millions of strokes and heart attacks could be prevented worldwide each year with a simple switch to the way we prepare foods. But there are some obstacles to overcome before we get to this point.

    First, it will be important to balance the benefits and the risks. For example, people with advanced kidney disease don’t handle potassium well and so these products are not suitable for them. This is only a small proportion of the population, but we need to ensure potassium-enriched salt products are labelled with appropriate warnings.

    A key challenge will be making potassium-enriched salt more affordable and accessible. Potassium chloride is more expensive to produce than sodium chloride, and at present, potassium-enriched salt is mostly sold as a niche health product at a premium price.

    If you’re looking for it, salt substitutes may also be called low-sodium salt, potassium salt, heart salt, mineral salt, or sodium-reduced salt.

    A review published in 2021 found low sodium salts were marketed in only 47 countries, mostly high-income ones. Prices ranged from the same as regular salt to almost 15 times higher.

    An expanded supply chain that produces much more food-grade potassium chloride will be needed to enable wider availability of the product. And we’ll need to see potassium-enriched salt on the shelves next to regular salt so it’s easy for people to find.

    In countries like Australia, about 80% of the salt we eat comes from processed foods. The WHO guideline falls short by not explicitly prioritising a switch for the salt used in food manufacturing.

    Stakeholders working with government to encourage food industry uptake will be essential for maximising the health benefits.

    Bruce Neal receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia and MTP Connect, for research on potassium-enriched salts. All funds are administered by UNSW Sydney and The George Institute for Global Health.

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

    – ref. Why the WHO has recommended switching to a healthier salt alternative – https://theconversation.com/why-the-who-has-recommended-switching-to-a-healthier-salt-alternative-248436

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Six arrested for attempted murder

    Source: South Australia Police

    South Australia Police have arrested six people for attempt murder in relation to an incident at Andrews Farm on December 16, 2024.

    The incident involved an 18 year old who was shot through a closed bedroom roller shutter window. The victim has made a full recovery.

    Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia said investigations found the address was mistaken the victim was not the intended target.

    “Operation Meld investigators believe the attack was extensively planned and today searched seven addresses to gather further evidence,” Acting Assistant Commissioner DeCandia said.

    “As a result of the searches several mobile phones have been seized and police located a firearm which is suspected to have been used in previous shootings. A large quantity of tablets suspected of containing MDMA were also located.”

    This morning police charged three 17 year olds, two 19 year olds and a 21 year old for the incident, all have been refused bail and will appear in court this afternoon.

    One 17 year old from Munno Para was further charged with possession of the prescribed firearm and related ammunition offences. While a 21 year old from Munno Para West was further charged with traffic a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Four-year term: New poll bodes well for better law making

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT Leader David Seymour is welcoming a new Horizon Research poll showing strong support for a four-year Parliamentary term. ACT’s coalition commitment includes introducing Seymour’s four-year term Bill in the first half of this term.

    “Better law making is the number one thing that New Zealand can change about itself to get more economic growth, better social services, better regulation, and ultimately give the next generation more reason to stay here,” says Seymour.

    “The poll shows more Kiwis support the four-year term than oppose it, by 40-30 per cent. Another 30 per cent remain unsure, and the debate has not been opened yet.

    “A four-year term gives Kiwis more time to see whether political promises translate into results, so they can vote accordingly. This will lead to more accountability and better law making.

    “Crucially, ACT’s proposal to extend the term comes with a balancing step to turn control of Select Committees over to the Opposition. This gives the Opposition more power to scrutinise legislation and grill Ministers and officials.

    “ACT’s proposal is a constitutional change, so we won’t do it without the consent of the voters. The legislation we’ve proposed culminates in a public referendum at the end of a full Parliamentary process.

    “ACT will continue to make the case for a four-year term. If New Zealanders agree at a referendum, it will vindicate the risk we took in starting a tough conversation. More importantly, we’ll have better laws and a more mature democracy.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Time to pull plug on banking wokery

    Source: ACT Party

    “So far, the inquiry into rural banking has not changed my suspicion that a cabal of woke banks is neglecting rural communities in the name of climate action,” says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron.

    “Banks are starving rural New Zealand of capital. Farmers have long complained they’re getting a raw deal on loans compared to their urban cousins. BNZ won’t even lend for people to set up or expand rural petrol stations.

    “Banks should be supporting Kiwi farmers. If they are concerned about emissions globally, they should be falling over themselves to lend to the most efficient dairy producers in the world, lest production shift offshore where farming activity creates more emissions.

    “The problem is that here we have banks acting in concert to virtue signal with anti-rural lending practices. This is in part thanks to their association with overseas umbrella organisations and the way banks are regulated.

    “Through the banks’ parent companies they are part of the UN’s Net Zero Banking Alliance, which was set up to change lending practices for the sake of climate goals. The six largest banks in the United States have all left the Net Zero alliance in the last few months. It’s time for banks in New Zealand to do the same. There’s been a political sea-change and there’s no longer an appetite for corporate virtue-signalling.

    “Meanwhile, the Financial Markets Authority imposes emissions reduction reporting on banks. In 2021, ACT was the only party to vote against the legislation that introduced these reporting requirements, warning that they could affect loans to farmers. We continue to support the repeal of these requirements.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Even as the tide turned for fur, crocodile leather kept selling in high-end fashion. But for how much longer?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Lamarche-Beauchesne, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Enterprise, Torrens University Australia

    apple2499/Shutterstock

    Dotted across northern Australia are 21 saltwater crocodile farms, home to around 130,000 crocodiles. Their skins are turned into crocodile leather, long sought for use in luxury handbags, belts and other items.

    While fur lost favour due to welfare concerns about animals such as mink, chinchillas and arctic foxes raised for their skins, crocodile leather has kept selling. Australia dominates the global market of saltwater crocodile skins, producing almost 60% of all such skins traded internationally.

    But the industry now faces real headwinds. Major retailers and fashion events in Australia and internationally are phasing out or banning crocodile and other exotic skins due to growing concerns over animal welfare.

    The Northern Territory government’s crocodile farming plan acknowledges shifting consumer demand and increasing scrutiny as the industry’s largest threat.

    Most of the world’s crocodile leather comes from Australian farms.
    Venus Angel/Shutterstock

    Feathers, fur and now skins

    Early animal rights activists in the 19th century focused on feathers due to concern about the enormous environmental damage done by plume hunters killing ostriches and egrets. Only later did activists turn their focus to fur.

    In the early 20th century, countries such as the United States and Britain enacted bans or restrictions on feathers. In this century, sentiment has largely turned against wearing real fur, though faux fur and vintage fur are still popular.

    But even as feathers went out of fashion, new animal products were arriving. By 1928, exotic skins such as crocodile, alligator and snake began commercialisation in Europe and the US. By the 1970s, they were widely used in fashion.

    That looks to be changing.

    By 2026, department store David Jones will phase out all exotic skins, including ostrich, crocodile, alligator, lizard and snake. The move builds on the company’s existing animal welfare policies, which already prohibit the sale of fur, angora rabbit wool and foie gras (duck or goose liver).

    The 2025 Melbourne Fashion Festival will also ban exotic leathers, while London Fashion Week will be the first of the “Big Four” fashion weeks to follow suit.

    In recent years, the kangaroo leather industry has also come under pressure due to concerns over animal welfare. California banned it altogether, and a full US ban is under consideration.

    Feathers are also under increasing scrutiny, with fashion weeks in Copenhagen, Helsinki and Melbourne announcing feather bans starting this year.

    These decisions reflect a growing shift toward ethical fashion, driven by consumer demand and rising awareness of animal welfare.

    Fur has lost its appeal for many consumers.
    ChiccoDodiFC/Shutterstock

    Exotic leather, native species

    Crocodile leather is described as an “exotic” skin, even though saltwater crocodiles are native to Australia.

    Two-thirds of Australia’s skins come from the Northern Territory, while Queensland and Western Australia have smaller industries.

    Crocodile farms operate by harvesting eggs from the wild and raising the animals in captivity. In the wild, they are protected from hunting. But in farms, they are legally considered stock or production animals, which means they lose these protections.

    When we farm animals, it’s common to think of them as resources waiting to be used for our purposes.

    But the fashion backlash suggests another way of thinking is emerging. My research points to a more animal-centric perspective on how animal-derived materials are produced for fashion.

    Crocodile farms emerged as a way to protect these reptiles from being hunted to extinction. But the industry is now under increasing scrutiny.
    RWK007/Shutterstock

    From unregulated hunting to farmed crocodiles

    Skin hunters nearly drove the saltwater crocodile to extinction in Australia. An estimated 300,000 animals were killed for their skins between 1945 and 1970. Saltie populations fell as low as 3,000 animals before authorities acted.

    Freshwater crocodiles, too, were hunted for their skins from 1959. After both species were protected in the 1970s, their populations rebounded.

    Crocodile farming started in Queensland in 1972, and in the Northern Territory in 1979.

    In 1975, the international Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora on trading endangered animals came into effect, in part to regulate the trade of exotic animals in luxury products.

    But this agreement doesn’t rule out uses for fashion. As crocodile experts at the International Union for Conservation of Nature write:

    […] crocodile farming was seen not only as a way to reduce pressure on the wild populations, but also as a means through which commercial incentives for the conservation of crocodilians could be generated.

    As the website of one Australian crocodile farm states, crocodiles are a “natural renewable resource with considerable potential for sustainable commercial use”.

    By 2018, the crocodile farming industry was worth A$26.7 million to the Northern Territory’s economy. Around 100,000 juvenile crocodiles are raised annually on farms. The NT industry plans to expand in coming years, with a target of 50,000 skins annually.

    Trends in fashion heavily influence how crocodiles are farmed. While saltwater crocodiles can live up to 70 years in the wild, it takes three to four years for a crocodile to reach 1.5 metres, at which point their skins can make larger fashion items.

    But in recent years, crocodiles have been slaughtered at around two years. Their smaller skins are used for smaller accessories.

    Welfare concerns

    The crocodile farming industry promotes its sustainability and positive economic impacts on First Nations communities. But this has come under question in recent years, with the release of documentaries featuring ex-crocodile farm workers, while activists from the Farm Transparency Project flew drones over crocodile farms and released footage of slaughtering practices in an effort to increase scrutiny and draw media coverage.

    This image of a crocodile in a Northern Territory farm was taken by activists using a drone.
    Farm Transparency Project, CC BY

    Animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA have long opposed the practice.

    In 2023, the federal government announced an update of the code of humane treatment of wild and farmed crocodiles to incorporate new science and techniques, according to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. The updated code was expected late last year but has not been released.

    In response, NT Crocodile Farmers Association chief Jodi Truman said the industry “supports independent audits to ensure humane treatment”. She added:

    […] animal rights activists have made clear that they are against all farms and the farming of all animals.

    This drone image taken by animal activists shows the slaughter of crocodiles at a NT farm.
    Farm Transparency Project, CC BY

    What’s likely to happen?

    While commercial operators and governments plan to expand, there are now real barriers to the industry’s growth.

    For decades, animal derived products such as fur, feathers and leather have been prized in fashion. But consumers are increasingly less comfortable with how these products are made. That’s the thing about fashion – it changes.

    The author has previously been a member and lower-house candidate for the Animal Justice Party in Victoria.

    – ref. Even as the tide turned for fur, crocodile leather kept selling in high-end fashion. But for how much longer? – https://theconversation.com/even-as-the-tide-turned-for-fur-crocodile-leather-kept-selling-in-high-end-fashion-but-for-how-much-longer-245471

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Ross Brown appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

    Source: Brown Family Wine Group

    Ross Brown appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) Brown Family Wine Group is thrilled to announce that Ross Brown, third generation of the family business has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Winemaking Industry and to Tourism at the 2025 Australia Day honours.

    The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.
     Individuals are appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service in a particular locality or field of activity or to a particular group.
    Ross is extremely humbled by the honour and said, “I feel very thankful that my passions have made a significant contribution to our industry.”
    Ross has dedicated his life to the wine industry, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the success of Brown Family Wine Group. 
    His passion extends beyond his family business and has contributed his energy and enthusiasm to numerous boards and committees within both the wine and tourism sectors.
    Over the years Ross has held board positions for Wine Australia, Wine Victoria, Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW), Regional Wine and Food Tourism, and Brown Family Wine Group.
    He has also been a committee member for Australian Grape and Wine (AGW), Chairman of the North East Valleys Food and Wine Group, and the Rural City of Wangaratta Tourism Development Committee.
    When asked about what his greatest impact has been, Ross shared, “One of my greatest passions is the concept of ‘co-opetition,’ which I believe is essential to both the wine and tourism industries. The idea that we can be competitors while also collaborating for the greater good of the industry is crucial for future success.”
    One of Ross’ greatest achievements has been creating and sharing a compelling vision for Prosecco in the King Valley. Always attuned to customer trends, Ross observed the rising popularity of Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand and saw an opportunity to harness this momentum locally. The Prosecco potential emerged, and alongside fellow King Valley producers, Ross played a key role in establishing a distinct home for Prosecco in the region.
    Ross was a driving force in advocating for the growth of Prosecco, lobbying local, state and federal governments on behalf of Prosecco producers and the broader Australian wine industry. His efforts were pivotal in securing long-term protection for the Prosecco name, ensuring the future of this iconic wine variety in Australia.
    Ross was a founding member of the Milawa Gourmet Region, with a vision to make the Milawa Gourmet Region one of Australia’s leading wine and food short break destinations, which it remains to this day.
    Ross is a Churchill Fellow and in 1997 he travelled the world investigate the development of international benchmarking for world best practice in family owned and operated wine companies.
    Ross has been a mentor for the Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program and the North East Regional Executive Forum.
    In recent years, Ross has contributed to Tourism Tasmania, Wine Tasmania and the Tasmanian Department of State Growth.
    In 2014 Ross was inducted into the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival ‘Legend Hall of Fame’ which pays tribute to the leaders, ground breakers and visionaries of Victoria’s food, drink and hospitality industry.
    In 2015 Ross was awarded ‘Legend of the Vine’ for WCA initiated the Legend of the Vine Awards to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian industry and who ‘engage, connect, learn and inspire’ within the wine industry.
    Together with his wife Judy and three daughters, Ross developed the Madge Brown Charitable Trust which supports local charities, particularly those that support under privileged youth and the homeless.
    Ross’ late father John Charles Brown AM received the same honour in 1989 for recognition of service to the wine industry, along with the Centenary Medal in 2001.
    His brother, John Graham Brown AO has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (2005), the National Medal (1998) and Centenary Medal (2001) for service to promoting rural and regional economic development initiatives in Victoria, to the community through sporting and emergency services activities, and to the wine industry.
    June Brown OAM (wife to John Graham Brown) was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2023 for her services to the creative arts.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is a ‘vaginal birth after caesarean’ or VBAC?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research and HDR, Midwifery Discipline Leader, Western Sydney University

    MVelishchuk/Shutterstock

    A vaginal birth after caesarean (known as a VBAC) is when a woman who has had a caesarean has a vaginal birth down the track.

    In Australia, about 12% of women have a vaginal birth for a subsequent baby after a caesarean. A VBAC is much more common in some other countries, including in several Scandinavian ones, where 45-55% of women have one.

    So what’s involved? What are the risks? And who’s most likely to give birth vaginally the next time round?

    What happens? What are the risks?

    When a woman chooses a VBAC she is cared for much like she would during a planned vaginal birth.

    However, an induction of labour is avoided as much as possible, due to the slightly increased risk of the caesarean scar opening up (known as uterine rupture). This is because the medication used in inductions can stimulate strong contractions that put a greater strain on the scar.

    In fact, one of the main reasons women may be recommended to have a repeat caesarean over a vaginal birth is due to an increased chance of her caesarean scar rupturing.

    This is when layers of the uterus (womb) separate and an emergency caesarean is needed to deliver the baby and repair the uterus.

    Uterine rupture is rare. It occurs in about 0.2-0.7% of women with a history of a previous caesarean. A uterine rupture can also happen without a previous caesarean, but this is even rarer.

    However, uterine rupture is a medical emergency. A large European study found 13% of babies died after a uterine rupture and 10% of women needed to have their uterus removed.

    The risk of uterine rupture increases if women have what’s known as
    complicated or classical caesarean scars, and for women who have had more than two previous caesareans.

    Most care providers recommend you avoid getting pregnant again for around 12 months after a caesarean, to allow full healing of the scar and to reduce the risk of the scar rupturing.

    National guidelines recommend women attempt a VBAC in hospital in case emergency care is needed after uterine rupture.

    During a VBAC, recommendations are for closer monitoring of the baby’s heart rate and vigilance for abnormal pain that could indicate a rupture is happening.

    If labour is not progressing, a caesarean would then usually be advised.

    Giving birth in hospital is recommended for a vaginal birth after a caesarean.
    christinarosepix/Shutterstock

    Why avoid multiple caesareans?

    There are also risks with repeat caesareans. These include slower recovery, increased risks of the placenta growing abnormally in subsequent pregnancies (placenta accreta), or low in front of the cervix (placenta praevia), and being readmitted to hospital for infection.

    Women reported birth trauma and post-traumatic stress more commonly after a caesarean than a vaginal birth, especially if the caesarean was not planned.

    Women who had a traumatic caesarean or disrespectful care in their previous birth may choose a VBAC to prevent re-traumatisation and to try to regain control over their birth.

    We looked at what happened to women

    The most common reason for a caesarean section in Australia is a repeat caesarean. Our new research looked at what this means for VBAC.

    We analysed data about 172,000 low-risk women who gave birth for the first time in New South Wales between 2001 and 2016.

    We found women who had an initial spontaneous vaginal birth had a 91.3% chance of having subsequent vaginal births. However, if they had a caesarean, their probability of having a VBAC was 4.6% after an elective caesarean and 9% after an emergency one.

    We also confirmed what national data and previous studies have shown – there are lower VBAC rates (meaning higher rates of repeat caesareans) in private hospitals compared to public hospitals.

    We found the probability of subsequent elective caesarean births was higher in private hospitals (84.9%) compared to public hospitals (76.9%).

    Our study did not specifically address why this might be the case. However, we know that in private hospitals women access private obstetric care and experience higher caesarean rates overall.

    What increases the chance of success?

    When women plan a VBAC there is a 60-80% chance of having a vaginal birth in the next birth.

    The success rates are higher for women who are younger, have a lower body mass index, have had a previous vaginal birth, give birth in a home-like environment or with midwife-led care.

    For instance, an Australian study found women who accessed continuity of care with a midwife were more likely to have a successful VBAC compared to having no continuity of care and seeing different care providers each time.

    An Australian national survey we conducted found having continuity of care with a midwife when planning a VBAC can increase women’s sense of control and confidence, increase their chance to be upright and active in labour and result in a better relationship with their health-care provider.

    Seeing the same midwife throughout your maternity care can help.
    Tyler Olson/Shutterstock

    Why is this important?

    With the rise of caesareans globally, including in Australia, it is more important than ever to value vaginal birth and support women to have a VBAC if this is what they choose.

    Our research is also a reminder that how a woman gives birth the first time greatly influences how she gives birth after that. For too many women, this can lead to multiple caesareans, not all of them needed.

    Hannah Dahlen receives funding from NHMRC, ARC and MRFF.

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

    – ref. What is a ‘vaginal birth after caesarean’ or VBAC? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-vaginal-birth-after-caesarean-or-vbac-247572

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government launches review to strengthen mental health system

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The Albanese Government has tasked the Productivity Commission with a review into the mental health and suicide prevention system to deliver better mental health care and support for Australians.

    The National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement is due to expire in 2026 and it’s critical there is a review so all Australian governments are delivering mental health and suicide prevention services and support informed by this work.

    Since coming to office, the Albanese Government has invested over $2.4 billion in mental health and suicide prevention.

    We’ve made a lot of progress working closely with state and territory governments through the National Agreement, including:

    • Expanding and opening 61 Medicare Mental Health Centres – providing free walk‑in access to mental health services and support
    • Strengthening headspace – free mental health support for children and young people from 12 to 25 years with reduced wait times
    • Setting up the Head to Health Kids Hub network – mental health and wellbeing centres for children up to 12 years
    • Expanding aftercare services – immediate support for people who have recently attempted suicide
    • Investing in Distress Brief Intervention Services – compassionate care and short‑term support for people in distress
    • Bolstering Postvention support – helping people bereaved following the death by suicide of a family member or friend.

    This review is about continuing to build a mental health system that’s effective, affordable, and there for Australians when they need it.

    The Productivity Commission will consult with government agencies, commissioning bodies, service providers, peak bodies, people with lived and living experience of mental ill‑health and suicide, First Nations communities and other priority groups.

    Public hearings will be held as part of the consultation process.

    An interim report will be delivered ahead of the final review due October 2025.

    Further information is available on the Productivity Commission’s site.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler MP

    “Mental health and suicide prevention have been at the forefront of Australian Government action and investment.

    “We have worked closely with state and territory governments to ensure people of all ages have access to appropriate and affordable services no matter where they live.

    “This review will ensure any future arrangements are underpinned by a solid analysis of the current mental health and suicide prevention arrangements.”

    Quotes attributable to Treasurer, Dr Jim Chalmers MP

    “Mental health touches every family and every community in Australia and is at the core of our national well‑being.

    “We have invested billions in Medicare and mental health has been a big part of that so that services are more accessible and more available across the country.

    “While the impacts on people are our primary concern, mental ill‑health also costs the economy tens of billions a year and these steps to strengthen the system help more broadly.”

    Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride MP

    “The Albanese Government continues to have a strong focus on improving the mental health of all Australians.

    “As part of our plan to strengthen Medicare we have expanded access to mental health support, including through our national network of Medicare Mental Health Centres.

    “Through this review, we can make sure that our national mental health and suicide prevention agreements meet the growing need for affordable, accessible and timely care.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Peter Fegan, 4BC, Brisbane

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Peter Fegan:

    Well, there was a bit of good news yesterday and don’t we all need it? Inflation is down. In fact, some economists are declaring the worst of inflation is behind us. The figures released yesterday have Australia’s underlying inflation rate at around 3.2 per cent. That’s a three‑year low, which is fantastic. And there’s further good news because, with the inflation down, it’s now more than likely that the RBA will offer a rate cut in February. Economists are suggesting that’s what will happen. And joining me on the line now to discuss it is the federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. Treasurer, a very good morning to you.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning to you, Pete. How are you doing?

    Fegan:

    I’m very well, my friend. Before we get into the facts and figures of inflation and the economy, can I just briefly get your comments on yet another antisemitic attack in Sydney? This is abhorrent behaviour. Look, fingers crossed and touch wood, Treasurer, we haven’t seen a lot of it here in Queensland, but it is absolutely and utterly unacceptable in our society.

    Chalmers:

    Completely disgraceful, despicable, unacceptable, as you say, and unfortunately not the first time that we’ve seen this. This is why we work so closely with state governments, with the police, with the authorities, because there’s no place in a country like ours for antisemitism or for violence or for these kinds of incidents which have unfortunately become more frequent.

    Fegan:

    The underlying inflation rate is at 3.2 per cent. It was a great result. So, are you now confident, Treasurer, that economists are saying the RBA will offer some more mortgage relief? Are you confident, as Treasurer of Australia, that we will see that relief in February?

    Chalmers:

    I try not to make predictions about interest rates because the Reserve Bank will come to their view independently in the middle of February and they’ll announce their decision then. What I try and do is to focus on my part of this. We’ve got the same objective as the Reserve Bank to get this inflation down. We’ve made really quite substantial progress in the fight against inflation now and those numbers showed that. And my part of the job is to get inflation down, get wages up, and keep unemployment low, and on all 3 of those fronts Australians should be really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together in meeting those objectives.

    I know that when your listeners are listening to this, that many, if not most of them are still under a lot of pressure and that’s why we don’t get carried away when we get these great numbers. We know that these cost‑of‑living pressures haven’t disappeared, but they are easing and that’s the encouraging thing about yesterday’s numbers.

    Fegan:

    If the RBA doesn’t, will you demand that Michele Bullock provide a ‘please explain’ to Australians? I think we all deserve it because it has been so long now since we’ve had a rate cut. And as you mentioned, the cost‑of‑living crisis is hurting all of us, and mortgage holders are really feeling the crunch.

    Chalmers:

    I acknowledge that one of the big pressures on household budgets has been these higher interest rates. Interest rates haven’t gone up since November of 2023, but they’re still –

    Fegan:

    They haven’t gone down either.

    Chalmers:

    – so, they’re putting pressure on people. One of the things that I’m really pleased about, Pete, is one of the changes I made to the Reserve Bank with the support of Governor Michele Bullock – she actually explains every decision. She comes out publicly and makes herself available to explain a decision whether interest rates go up or stay steady or go down. And so, people can expect whatever the decision that they take independently in February, Governor Bullock will make herself available after that to talk people through it.

    Fegan:

    Treasurer, we’re not far off from an election. I’ve suggested it may be mid‑April. I’m sure you have some idea, but look, everyone’s keeping their cards close to their chest. I understand that. I’ve got a fair bit of –

    Chalmers:

    I’m not sure if you can hear me, Pete, but I can’t hear you, my friend. My phone is playing up today.

    Fegan:

    Have you got me there, Treasurer? You still got me. I can hear you. Treasurer, can you hear me?

    Chalmers:

    I’ve got you now.

    Fegan:

    Sorry, Treasurer.

    Chalmers:

    That’s on my end, I apologise.

    Fegan:

    No, that’s okay. No dramas. Just talking about the election. It’s upcoming. I think we suggest it might be in April sometime. You’re keeping your cards close to your chest. We understand that as Australians. So, that’s what politics is. I’ve got a little bit of feedback here, questions from our listeners to ask you, Treasurer, but I want to ask you this, and I think this is a very, very fair question. Is Australia in a better position than we were 3 years ago under a Labor government? And just hear me out here for a moment because we’re currently experiencing a cost‑of‑living crisis. National debt is at a record high, energy prices are through the roof, as most people have mentioned on the text line this morning. Household living standards for working Australians are down by about 18 per cent. A typical mortgage holder of that $600- and $700-thousand range is paying around $50,000 more in interest. That’s just to name a few so, Treasurer, is Australia in a better position than we were 3 years ago?

    Chalmers:

    Well, let’s run through each of those, Pete, because I think in running through each of those, you get a good answer. Think about inflation, that when we came to office it was higher than 6 per cent and rising. Now it’s got a 2 in front of it and it’s falling. Similarly with living standards – they were falling fast when we came to office. We’re seeing a recovery in living standards, acknowledging that people have still got a lot of ground to make up in their household budgets. You mentioned energy prices numbers that we got yesterday. Energy’s gone down a little over 25 per cent in the year.

    Fegan:

    But have our prices gone down, though, Treasurer? I mean, we were offered, we were promised at the election, promised that our energy prices would go down. And I know there has been some relief. I know the state’s offered some relief, but federally, I have to say that you’ve let us down.

    Chalmers:

    No, we’re offering relief as well, Pete. I think we need to acknowledge that. There’s energy bill relief at the federal level, not just the work of the –

    Fegan:

    Is that the $275 that’s gone missing, though?

    Chalmers:

    Three hundred dollars, $300 electricity bill rebate – and because of that, but not just because of that. If you look at yesterday’s numbers, one of the most heartening things is electricity went down I think 25.1 per cent. A lot of that is the rebates that we’re providing federally, but not all of that would have gone down without it. Happy to front up to your listeners and to you this morning, Pete, and say that I know that the cost‑of‑living pressures aren’t over, but what we’ve been able to do together as Australians is get that inflation down and get wages up and keep unemployment low. And that does give me a bit of confidence about the year ahead because a lot of these indicators which you ran through and then I ran through, were much worse in May of 2022 when we came to office. We’ve worked around the clock to try and turn things around, but we know that it’s not yet mission accomplished because so many of your listeners are still under the pump.

    Fegan:

    Just on some of those listeners, we’ve got some – this is just a fraction of what we’ve got here this morning, Treasurer, but it’s good to have this feedback because a lot of people do want to talk to you. And this is Mark at Park Ridge. He says ‘Hi, Peter. Can you please ask the Treasurer did they lose their plan to lower our electricity bills?’ John at Thornland says, ‘Morning, Peter. A question for the Treasurer. The drop in electricity prices was one of the stated reasons for the drop in rate of inflation, as this was artificially achieved by government’. Another one from Steve. This is just another one. It says, ‘Can you ask the Treasurer and ask him to be honest, no spin. Can he look Australians in the eye and say that we are financially better off under an ALP government?’ I mean, think they’re all very fair questions, Treasurer?

    Chalmers:

    Yep, yep. And one of the reasons I like coming on is because I like feedback questions. It’s one of the reasons why I perch myself outside the supermarket on a Saturday in my local community so that people can give me feedback in a characteristically blunt and Aussie way. I like that. Yeah, I welcome that. Welcome those questions. And so, if you run through the ones that I can recall from your list on energy –

    Fegan:

    It’s energy essentially.

    Fegan:

    Yes, energy bills. We did provide that $300 rebate. That’s the second time we’ve done that. But that’s not the whole reason that electricity prices have come down in that year to December. They would have gone down a bit even without our efforts, but I don’t see that as artificial, Pete. I think helping people with the bills which are putting pressure on family budgets, there’s nothing artificial about that. That’s what we’re doing proudly as a Labor government – helping people take some of the edge off these cost‑of‑living pressures, doing that at the same time as we get inflation down and get the budget in better nick. And so, for all of these reasons, whether it’s the progress we’re making together on inflation or employment or wages, 2 surpluses in the budget, less Liberal debt in the budget, rolling out this cost‑of‑living relief, we found a good combination of ways to deal with these cost‑of‑living pressures.

    And I think we saw yesterday the progress that we’re making together, very welcome, very encouraging, but we don’t get carried away because we know, whether it’s people calling into your show or texting into your show or right around Australia that people are still under pressure. That’s why our cost‑of‑living help is so important. And that’s why it would be, I think, important that we remind your listeners that at the election, it’s a choice, really. We have been providing people with cost‑of‑living help and we want to build the future of this country. Our opponents didn’t want to see this cost‑of‑living help. And because of that, if Peter Dutton had his way, people would be thousands of dollars worse off and they’ll be worse off still if he wins and that’s because his nuclear insanity will push electricity prices up, not down.

    Fegan:

    Treasurer, thank you for your time this morning, and let’s chat before the election.

    Chalmers:

    Really enjoyed the chat, Pete.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A triumph over anti-car ideology

    Source: ACT Party

    Welcoming the delivery from tonight of increased speed limits – an ACT coalition commitment – ACT Leader David Seymour says:

    “Sensible speed limits are a triumph for common sense and democracy. Instead of being dictated to by a faceless bureaucratic minority, the people are in charge again.

    “People often asked me where blanket speed limit reductions came from. Who asked for this, whose idea was it, why don’t my views count? The previous Government’s traffic engineering was thinly disguised social engineering that just made people mad.

    “The government’s job is to make life easier, if a road is safe to drive 100, 110, or 120 km/h, people should be allowed to drive that fast. It sounds simple, and it is, but the last Government’s ideological anti-car project made life harder than it needed to be.

    “The last government had an anti-car, anti-speed ideology. They didn’t care if they made life less convenient for the vast majority who drive to get around, in fact they seemed to relish slowing people down.

    “Driving is important for New Zealanders. It liberates us from our homes and opens up the country for ordinary people to explore and do business. If we want productivity, we should be able to use roads we’ve paid for to their maximum safe capacity.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Rafael Epstein, ABC Melbourne

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Raf Epstein:

    Just keep in mind, interest rates went up and up and up. We expect them to come down in February, and everyone’s also expecting the Prime Minister to call an election for April. Well, not everybody, but a lot of people.

    The federal Treasurer is Jim Chalmers. Treasurer, good morning.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Raf, how are you?

    Epstein:

    I’m okay. What are you doing on April the 12th?

    Chalmers:

    On April the 12th? I’ll have to check the diary. But –

    Epstein:

    Is it clear?

    Chalmers:

    Usually if that’s Saturday, I’ll be perched outside a supermarket in my electorate talking to the people I represent.

    Epstein:

    That’s the speculated election date. Three weeks until the bank meets, the Reserve Bank. Is that the longest wait of your life?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t know about that, and I’m very careful not to engage in commentary or make predictions about the conversation around the board table at the Reserve Bank in the middle of February. I am focused on my part of this, my job. And I see my job as really 3 things: getting inflation down, getting wages up, keeping unemployment low. Australians collectively can be proud of the fact that we have been able to do all 3 of those things. Not every other country has been able to make the kind of progress that we’re making on inflation which we saw in yesterday’s numbers without seeing a big spike in unemployment. We’ve been able to manage that. That’s really important. We should all be proud of that. But we should also not get too carried away when we get these good inflation numbers because, as you said rightly in your introduction, people are still under pressure. The cost‑of‑living pressures haven’t disappeared but they have eased. They are easing, and we saw that in the numbers yesterday.

    Epstein:

    So the pressures are there. We all notice it, no matter how much – how good our income is. Twelve interest rate rises – it’s really tough. It is a very blunt instrument. Has that been worth the pain?

    Chalmers:

    First of all, Raf, there were 13 –

    Epstein:

    Oh, sorry.

    Chalmers:

    – and the reason I point that out to you is because the first one happened before the change of government. Our political opponents always neglect to mention the first one, which was during the Morrison government. But overall your point, I think, is broadly right, that those interest rate rises have put a lot of pressure on people and they have slowed our economy considerably, a point that I’ve made in different ways over the course of the last year or 2. I think it’s self‑evident that those rate rises the put pressure on people and slowed the economy.

    It’s part of the Reserve Bank’s efforts to get on top of this inflation challenge, and we’ve got different responsibilities here, me and the Reserve Bank Governor, but we’ve got the same objective. And together we’ve got inflation from where it was at the election, which was higher than 6 per cent and rising fast; now it’s got a 2 in front of it. It’s had a 2 in front of it for a couple of consecutive quarters now –

    Epstein:

    So are you saying that you do think it’s worthwhile? I mean, I don’t want to ask you about the alternative ways like GST yet, but do you think – like, it’s the only instrument we’ve got. It was worth the pain? Yes or no.

    Chalmers:

    Well, I don’t really do those kind of yes or no questions, Raf – and the reason for that is, whether it’s after decisions taken by the bank independently or before they take decisions, I don’t see myself as a commentator on that. My job is different. My job is to be a helpful part of getting on top of inflation, and the government has been helpful – 2 surpluses, the way we’ve designed our cost‑of‑living help to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I’m focused on getting on top of inflation without sacrificing jobs and getting wages growing again, getting the budget in better nick, rolling out the cost‑of‑living help. These are the things that I focus on because they are my job. What we saw in those inflation numbers – and all Australians should take the credit for the progress that we’ve made together – what we saw was a really quite remarkable moderation in inflation. The improvements are now quite sustained. And that is a factual point, and the Reserve Bank will weigh all of that up. They’ll come to a decision independently, and I’m not going to colour that in for them in advance.

    Epstein:

    Okay.

    Chalmers:

    And I’m not going to second guess the decisions that they’ve already taken.

    Epstein:

    The federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers is with you on 774. It’s 18 minutes to 9. The Treasurer is on the National Security Committee of Cabinet. I might get to those issues in Sydney in a moment. But, Treasurer, just another really important but general point: the ABS says inflation is coming down. Maybe we’ll get a rate cut. We probably will. When is it going to feel better at the supermarket?

    Chalmers:

    I think we’ve seen a lot of those prices, goods prices, in the inflation numbers, they’ve come off pretty substantially. One of the reasons why we’ve been so tough on the supermarkets, why we are cracking down on anything which looks like anti‑competitive behaviour, why we’ve put so much effort into the changes we’ve made to get a fair go for families and farmers is because when the prices come down, we want to see that passed on at the checkout. And in those numbers yesterday we saw that goods inflation had come down a lot.

    Again, I come back to the point I made a moment ago, and that is that we recognise that even with this very substantial, very sustained progress on inflation, it doesn’t always translate immediately into how people are feeling or faring. The cost‑of‑living pressures haven’t disappeared, but they have eased considerably, and we want to see that passed on at the checkout.

    Epstein:

    We lost little bits of that Treasurer, but we did get the gist of the answer, so I’m going to pursue the interview with that phone line. I do want to get to a few issues in Melbourne, including the Suburban Rail Loop, and I know a lot of people texting about a fire around Bentleigh and Moorabbin. If you can see that, if you know what’s going on, we’ll come to that as well.

    Treasurer, the really disturbing story, we’ve only learnt in the last few days that there was a caravan found with explosives in New South Wales. It was actually found almost 2 weeks ago. So it had explosives in it and a list of Jewish organisations. That was found on January the 19th, a Sunday. We didn’t know that. We only heard this in the last few days.

    I’m just asking sort of a timing question, because the day after the caravan was found you had the opposition demanding a National Security Cabinet Meeting on antisemitism. The Prime Minister resisted that and then sort of relented a day later. Did – was the government told? Was the federal government told about the discovery of that caravan on January the 19th, the Sunday or on the Monday?

    Chalmers:

    A couple of things about that, Raf. First of all, these revelations and these reports are chilling. they are incredibly disturbing. We know that some of the fears that Jewish Australians have right now are not unfounded when we get these kinds of reports, and we know from the authorities that this was a potential mass casualty event. This is why it’s so important that we work so closely with the police and other authorities, the states and territories and others because obviously there is no place for violence or antisemitism in country like ours.

    You asked me about the timing, and the reason I’m going to be reluctant to get into that, Raf, is because there are important operational and other reasons why we don’t speak publicly about some of these briefings that we receive from time to time. I know that people would like to know more about that. I do genuinely understand that. I don’t begrudge you asking me that, but there are very important operational reasons not to go into that, and that’s why I won’t go into it today.

    Epstein:

    But there’s nothing to divulge in simply – we now know the caravan was found by police. Surely it’s just a matter of transparency to ask when did the federal government get told about the discovery of the caravan. Did – I mean, I’m really asking in some ways a very political question – did you guys know about the caravan when the Opposition’s demanding a big meeting on antisemitism, a National Cabinet Meeting?

    Chalmers:

    I understand the question. I’m not dark at you for asking it. But the advice that we get in the briefings that we receive is that it is unhelpful to go into the nature or the timing of those briefings. I understand the answer that you’re after, but unfortunately that’s the best answer that I can give.

    Epstein:

    I’m sure it’s a question the Opposition will pursue. Okay, I’m grateful for your time. Something that’s really significant – and I could actually ask you – I could spend the whole interview on it – is the Suburban Rail Loop Project. The federal – the plan from the state government is that the federal government funds one‑third of that project. I realise a lot of that is in years where you may well not be Treasurer, even if Labor wins the next few elections. Do you prefer the Suburban Rail Loop over Airport Rail, or are you very keen for Airport Rail to proceed ahead of the Suburban Rail Loop?

    Chalmers:

    I think the best way to describe our position on that is I know in some of the commentary about those 2 projects that it is often presented as if they are very closely linked. And we haven’t really proceeded with our thinking about those projects as if they are 2 sides of the one coin. We’ve thought about them in separate and distinct ways. We’ve made commitments and provisions to both, subject to the responsible work that goes into stacking up these business cases. We’ve made a couple‑of‑billion‑dollar commitment to the Suburban Rail Loop. We’ll work closely with the Victorian government – I know my wonderful colleague, a fine Victorian, in Catherine King, speaks to her counterparts down your way frequently about these projects – to see if we can get at this time built. But we’ve made big provisions. We’re enthusiastic about building more Victorian infrastructure, and we work with the Victorian colleagues to make that a reality.

    It’s not talking out of school to say that I caught up with the new Victorian Treasurer yesterday afternoon in Melbourne, had a cup of coffee and talked about some of these sorts of issues, and that’s because we work closely with the governments around the country.

    Epstein:

    Okay, so can I – let me ask you the blatant question, if I can. It’s very much the feeling amongst some in both your government and the state government that it’s a game of chicken – you won’t really commit to the Suburban Rail Loop until the state government tips in more on airport rail. Is that what’s going on? You’re sort of – you won’t let the dollars flow further on the SRL until the state commits further to airport rail?

    Chalmers:

    I can genuinely say to you, Raf, that I’ve never been in a conversation of that nature. I haven’t seen it that way. I haven’t considered it that way. Nobody’s put it to me that way. We’re big and enthusiastic investors in Victorian infrastructure. We do as much as we responsibly can to work with the states to fund these projects. We’ve made a big provision for Suburban Rail Loop subject to the usual kinds of processes and pressures. And I haven’t thought of it the way that you’ve just described it.

    Epstein:

    I appreciate your time this morning. Thanks for joining us.

    Chalmers:

    Appreciate yours, Raf. All the best.

    Epstein:

    Jim Chalmers, the federal Treasurer.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sex Discrimination Commissioner raises concerns on Queensland’s pause on hormone therapies

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    Content type: Media Release
    Published:
    Topic(s): Sex Discrimination

    Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody has raised concerns on the pause in Stage One and Two hormone therapies for people under 18 years through the Queensland’s public health system while an independent review is undertaken.

    “A fundamental human right is access to healthcare, and gender affirming healthcare is part of this right,” she said. “Trans and gender diverse children and young people should feel supported to affirm their gender by the adults in their lives and health care providers.

    “This pause has the potential to harm the physical and mental wellbeing of children in Queensland who are currently awaiting care. We note that these treatments are supported by evidence and the Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents that are endorsed by medical experts*. Above all, we must ensure we are putting the wellbeing of trans and gender children and young people first. 

    “The Australian Human Rights Commission will be contacting the Queensland Government with our concerns and to seek further information. Our concern is that restricting access will create trauma to young people who will be unable to access treatments in a timely manner.”

    -Ends- 

    * Australian Professional Association for Trans Health, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian Endocrine Society.

    Media contact: media@humanrights.gov.au or 0457 281 897

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Digital doppelgangers’ are helping scientists tackle everyday problems – and showing what makes us human

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alicia (Lucy) Cameron, Principal Research Consultant & Team Leader, Data61, CSIRO

    cybermagician/Shutterstock

    As rising seas lap at its shore, Tuvalu faces an existential threat. In an effort to preserve the tiny island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, its government has been building a “digital twin” of the entire country.

    Digital twins are exactly what they sound like – a virtual double or replica of a physical, real-world entity. Scientists have been creating digital twins of everything from molecules, to infrastructure, and even entire planets.

    It’s also now possible to construct a digital twin of an individual person. In other words, a “digital doppelganger”.

    A doppelganger is someone who looks spookily like you but isn’t. The word originated in German, and literally means a “double walker”. A number of industries are now using digital doppelgangers for a range of reasons. These include enhancing athletic performance, offering more personalised healthcare and improving workplace safety.

    But although there are benefits to this technology, there are significant risks associated with its development. Having digital doppelgangers also forces us to reflect on which of our human attributes can’t be digitally replicated.

    Modelling complex systems

    The development of digital twins has been enabled by advances in environmental sensors, camera vision, augmented reality and virtual reality, as well as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

    A digital twin allows us to build and test things in cyberspace – cheaply and without risk – before deploying in the real world.

    For example, we can build and stress-test infrastructure such as bridges or water supply pipes under a variety of conditions. Once built, we can use digital models to maintain the infrastructure proactively and prevent disastrous and costly structural breakdowns. This technology is a game-changer for planning and engineering, not only saving billions of dollars, but also supporting sustainability efforts.

    Of course, replicating individual humans requires much more complex modelling than when building digital twins of bridges or buildings.

    For a start, humans don’t live in a structured world, but rather inhabit complex social and physical environments. We are variable, moody and motivated by any number of factors, from hunger to tiredness, love to anger. We can change our past patterns with conscious thought, as well as act spontaneously and with creativity, challenging the status quo if needed.

    Because of this, creating perfect digital twins of humans is incredibly challenging – if not impossible. Nevertheless, digital doppelgangers are still useful for a number of purposes.

    The digital patient

    Clinicians increasingly use scans to create virtual models of the human body, with which to plan operations or create artificial body parts.

    By adding extra biometric information (for example, blood chemistry, biomechanics and physiological responses), digital models can also mirror real-world bodies, live and in real time.

    Creating digital patients can optimise treatment responses in a move away from one-size-treats-all healthcare. This means drugs, dosages and rehabilitation plans can be personalised, as well as being thoroughly tested before being applied to real people.

    Digital patients can also increase the accessibility of medical expertise to people living in remote locations. And what’s more, using multiple digital humans means some clinical trials can now be performed virtually.

    Scaled up further, this technology allows for societal-level simulations with which to better manage public health events, such as air pollution, pandemics or tsunamis.

    The digital athlete

    Imagine being able to train against a digital replica of an upcoming opponent.

    Sports scientists are increasingly working with digital athletes to trial and optimise strength and conditioning regimes, as well as test competitive play. This helps to increase the chances of winning as well as prevent injuries.

    Researchers at Griffith University have been pioneers in this space, creating models of real athletes. They have also trialled wearable sensors in patches or smart clothing that can measure a range of biomarkers: blood pressure and chemistry, temperature, and sweat composition.

    CSIRO and the Australian Sports Commission have also used digital humans to improve the performance of divers, swimmers and rowers.

    The digital worker

    As well as building virtual replicas of sports people, scientists at CSIRO have also being building virtual simulations of employees in various workplaces, including offices and construction sites.

    This is helping them analyse movements, workflows and productivity – with the broader aim of preventing workplace injuries. For example, scientists can use a model of a digital worker to assess how heavy items are lifted in order to better understand how this puts strain on different parts of the body.

    With 6.1 million Australians impacted by musculoskeletal conditions, preventing workplace injuries can not only improve lives, but save the economy billions of dollars.

    Digital dopplegangers can help prevent workplace injuries.
    Rose Marinelli/Shutterstock

    Responsible development of digital doppelgangers

    Building a digital doppelgangers requires a lot of very personal data. This can include scans, voice and video recordings, or performance and health data.

    Personal data can also be harvested from an array of other sources. These include as cars, mobile phones, and internet-connected smart devices.

    The creation of data-hungry digital replicas is forcing us to redefine legal rights. Think copyright, deepfakes and identity theft or online scams.

    The power of this technology is inspiring. But ensuring a future in which we live happily alongside our digital doppelgangers will require governments, technology developers and end-users to think hard about issues of consent, ethical data management and the potential for misuse of this technology.

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

    – ref. ‘Digital doppelgangers’ are helping scientists tackle everyday problems – and showing what makes us human – https://theconversation.com/digital-doppelgangers-are-helping-scientists-tackle-everyday-problems-and-showing-what-makes-us-human-247574

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Trail bikes seized during targeted Launceston operation

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Trail bikes seized during targeted Launceston operation

    Thursday, 30 January 2025 – 12:50 pm.

    Police seized two trail bikes and intercepted five riders during a targeted operation in Launceston yesterday.
    A 15 year old was arrested and charged and a second 15 year old will be proceeded against under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act – both are facing charges of aggravated evade, unlicensed driving, reckless driving, and riding an unregistered vehicle.
    Their bikes have been seized for a period of six months.
    A 14 year old will receive a formal caution for riding offences, and a 10 year old and 11 year old will be proceeded against for noise and riding offences.
    Anyone with information about illegal trail bike activity should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    A Senior Defense Official provided the following readout:

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles held an introductory call yesterday to discuss key initiatives across the breadth of the U.S.-Australia Alliance. The leaders exchanged views on the strategic environment in the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. force posture priorities with Australia, AUKUS, and defense industrial collaboration, including our cooperation in support of Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise. The Secretary conveyed the enduring commitment of the United States to the bilateral alliance with Australia and pledged to remain in close coordination with Deputy Prime Minister Marles.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 25-2025: List of treatment providers: treatment provider suspended – International fumigators, inc. (AEI: US4023SB)

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    30 January 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

    What has changed?

    Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have suspended International fumigators, inc. (AEI: US4023SB) from AusTreat.

    The treatment provider has been…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Better urban precincts for a growing Adelaide

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Government is supporting the growth and development of Adelaide, investing $33 million in two new urban projects that will boost tourism and assist local amenity. 

    The two projects are funded under the Government’s urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP) which provides transformative investment in urban precincts that grow economies and support local communities. 

    Over $26 million will go towards the construction of a new Family Health and Wellbeing Hub in Elizabeth Vale to support residents of Adelaide’s northern suburbs. 

    The Hub will feature community spaces, education and health services, and short-term residential accommodation for new mothers.

     Led by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation Inc., the project is a community partnership supported by the City of Playford, Flinders University, and the South Australian Government. 

    Almost $7 million will go towards a new arts and culture facility in Glenside to revitalise the south Adelaide precinct for visitors and locals alike. 

    The project will deliver a multi-use cultural facility featuring studios and galleries, a First Nations artist residential studio, educational spaces, a native edible garden and a social enterprise café. 

    Led by the Adelaide Central School of Art, the project is supported by partners including the Ananguku Arts and Cultural Aboriginal Corporation and the South Australian Government. 

    The urban Precincts and Partnerships Program focuses on a partnership approach, bringing together governments, businesses and communities to deliver multi-purpose urban precincts that unify places. 

    It is part of the Albanese Government’s plan to boost local economies and support community by investing in the infrastructure it needs to thrive. For more information on the urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, visit: infrastructure.gov.au/urban. 

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

    “The Albanese Government is supporting local jobs, tourism and cultural opportunities in Adelaide, investing in the infrastructure the city needs to thrive. 

    “Elizabeth Vale’s new Hub will provide equitable access to healthcare and social services whilst promoting sustainable urban development. 

    “Glenside’s new arts zone will create opportunities for local Adelaide artists to develop and display their works.” 

    “Our investments are building better urban places for people across South Australia with new community facilities that create new opportunities.” 

    Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia Marielle Smith: 

    “This project will preserve local heritage while supporting our thriving arts scene. 

    “The native gardens and a social enterprise cafe will provide spaces for artists and visitors to relax and connect with each other.” 

    Quotes attributable to Member for Spence Matt Burnell: 

    “The new, Family Health and Wellbeing Hub will provide essential accommodation and supportive services for those that need it most. 

    “Here in the North, families have been calling for additional support services, especially with the birth of a first child. I am proud to be part of a Labor Government that is delivering on this need. 

    “Since my election, I have been working tirelessly to improve health outcomes and access to vital services in the North to ensure our community is not left behind. 

    “This announcement builds on the establishment of an Urgent Care Clinic in Elizabeth, Headspace in Gawler, and a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Elizabeth, on top of our commitment to addressing bulk billing and cost of medicines.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens advises QIC on $900 million sale of Westpoint Shopping Centre

    Source: Allens Insights

    Allens has advised the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) Real Estate team and QIC’s inhouse legal team on QIC’s circa $900 million sale of Westpoint Shopping Centre in Blacktown, New South Wales, the largest individual retail asset transaction in Australian history.

    Australian property investor Haben and US investment manager Hines have partnered to acquire the shopping centre and neighbouring Kmart centre.

    At the time of opening in 1973, the complex was one of the biggest in Sydney’s west and now features approximately 104,000 square metres of core retail space, 270 retail stores, co-working facilities and 4378 parking spaces. QIC held the asset for 34 years.

    ‘It was fantastic to work with the QIC team on this sale, which enabled QIC to realise value for its clients at the perfect time. It demonstrates there is demand for well-managed retail assets in strategic locations like Westpoint,’ said lead partner John Beckinsale.

    Allens legal team

    Real Estate & Development

    John Beckinsale (Partner), Felicity Rourke (Partner), Lauren Cutuli (Senior Associate), Layth Zumot (Associate), Hannah Woodfield (Lawyer), Stella Bogdanovic (Lawyer), Kerianne Kalajzich (Senior Paralegal), Jodi Harrison (Senior Paralegal)

    Disputes & Investigations

    Jonathan Light (Partner), Lauren Carroll (Associate)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Impact of Brexit on Scottish Trade

    Source: Scottish Government

    New figures show possible cost of increased trade barriers.

    Analysis published today by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor has estimated Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4 billion.

    This estimated economic cost is from the reduction in trade alone – not counting changes to productivity, investment or migration.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said the report demonstrated the urgent need to reverse the damage of Brexit to boost living standards and revenue for the NHS.

    According to the Trade Modelling Report, Scottish exports could be lower by 7.2% or £3 billion compared to continued EU membership.

    The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is estimated to be one of the hardest hit by post-Brexit trade barriers, with an estimated 9.1% reduction in output, followed by the computer and electronics sector with an estimated 7.7% fall. The 4.9% output drop estimated for the agrifood sector represents a loss of £827 million.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Brexit, these new figures highlight the urgent need to change course to boost the economy and increase public revenue for the NHS.

    “This is the latest in a long line of studies highlighting how badly Brexit continues to impact Scotland and should cause the UK Government to consider its approach to economic growth.

    “The Scottish Government has been clear that Scotland’s place is in the EU and the huge European single market. But we are also a voice for greater co-operation with the EU right now and we urge the new UK Government to forge a much closer relationship with our fellow Europeans.”  

    Background

    Scottish Government’s Brexit Trade Modelling Report

    The report is the first to specifically analyse the impact of the UK’s post-Brexit trade agreements on Scotland’s economy. It examines the expected effect of actual or potential free trade agreements between the UK and Australia, India, Switzerland and Turkey, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU. It then compares that with the trade benefits Scotland would have received from continued EU membership.

    This report makes estimates based on the impact of trade barriers and does not account for changes in productivity and investment due to Brexit. This means that some of the headline figures differ from those in other reports – such as in modelling by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, which showed that UK GDP could be 5.7% lower – as they look at the overall impact of Brexit on the economy.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unlocking a future energy market in Western Australia

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      Uncategorised

    • Date

      30 January 2025

    • Classification

      Demand response

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today announced $20.8 million in funding to Western Power for the development of an end-to-end commercial solution focused on operating Distributed Energy Resources (DER) within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia (WA).

    ARENA CEO, Darren Miller said the Project (Jupiter) is vital for integrating DER into the SWIS at scale without compromising the reliability and security of Western Australia’s main power system.

    DER are small-scale devices that can either use, generate or store electricity, and form a part of the local distribution system, serving homes and businesses. They include renewable generation (e.g. rooftop solar), energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs), and technology that consumers can use at their premises to manage their electricity demand.

    “Australia has some of the highest levels of DER globally, with no signs of slowing down. This uptake presents a big opportunity to decarbonise while helping consumers get more value, but it also poses challenges to the grid if not integrated effectively.

    ““Project Jupiter will be the first live DER marketplace in Australia that is integrated with the wholesale market, marking an important milestone in Australia’s renewable transition.”

    Customers with DER who join the program will have access to new retail products which can support better returns on their DER investments. More broadly, orchestrating a large pool of customers through the energy market can lead to more optimal energy and grid management, putting downward pressure on household energy for all consumers.

    Project Jupiter builds on the recently completed Project Symphony, and is being undertaken over three years in partnership with Western Power, WA energy generator and retailer Synergy, Energy Policy WA (EPWA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

    About 40 per cent of households within the SWIS have rooftop solar panels, with around 30,000 new systems installed each year. Household battery systems are also being installed at an increasing rate, which enable clean energy to be stored for later use.

    Using the findings and recommendations from Project Symphony, Project Jupiter will not only deliver the technical solutions to allow DER in the SWIS to be coordinated and participate in the market via virtual power plants (VPPs), but it will develop new customer products, tariffs and education programs to support customer participation and allow customers to gain more value from their DER investments.

    Western Power Head of Distribution Energy Transition, Andrew Blaver said Project Jupiter will accelerate the opportunity for Western Australian households to join VPPs and earn value from their assets.

    “This project will enable more consumers to join VPPs using their solar panels and home batteries, revolutionising how our energy system operates.

    “By 2028, all new distributed energy resources (DER) connected to WA’s network will be able to participate in a VPP, allowing households to unlock greater value from their energy investments.”

    ARENA has also supported over $200 million of DER projects and established the Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP) a collaboration of government agencies, market authorities, industry and consumer associations aimed at maximising the value of customers’ DER for all energy users.

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 133KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: LOCKS ROAD, BUNGAMA (Other)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

    We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

    All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: INNAMINCKA (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

    We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

    All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – A mix of weather for Aotearoa but eyes are on the tropics – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Thu 30 Jan – Mon 3 Feb – Parts of New Zealand are in for a smattering of rain this weekend, this isn’t to be expected everywhere but cloud will be more widespread. However, MetService will be keeping a close eye on tropical developments around the Coral Sea.

    MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris states; “It’s been a slow start to the tropical cyclone season around the South Pacific, but as we head through the weekend and into next week, we see the potential for a tropical cyclone to spin up. The area of interest is between Vanuatu and Australia, well away from Aotearoa giving us plenty of time to understand where any potential cyclone might track.”

    Closer to home, the weather is more mundane. Risk of widespread severe weather is kept to a minimum by a large area of high pressure around our shores. However, a swathe of warm, humid air is producing a bit of rain around central parts of the country today (Thursday). This risk of rain appears to meander around the country over the weekend, but if you keep up with your local forecast you should be able to find a dry time to enjoy the outdoors, or hang the washing out. Finding a nice cloudless afternoon could prove a bit more challenging.

    Current weather models forecast the area of high pressure to hold on through the first week of February, including Waitangi Day, but maybe breaking down towards the end of the working week. Temperatures are predicted to be around average for February, which might come as a relief to those along the east coasts who had a chilly run of southerly winds through January. Parts of Canterbury up to Gisborne have been 2°C to 3°C below their historic mean January temperature.

    On the other side of the South Island, West Coasters have been warmer and much drier than usual. “Milford Sound has recorded a measly ~120mm of rain, over 500mm less than their average January! Moving north, Nelson Airport has recorded ~130mm, but it looks like Kerikeri was the wettest place this month with just over 200mm recorded,” Ferris said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Statement from the Hon. Stephen Jones MP, Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, and Member for Whitlam

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    After 15 years and 5 elections, I am announcing that I won’t be standing for re‑election as the member for Whitlam.

    I want to express my immense gratitude to my community for the faith and trust they have placed in me to be their representative since 2010.

    I want to thank the members of the Australian Labor Party, whose values I hold dear and have always attempted to advance in my role as a Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister and Minister.

    I want to thank the Prime Minister for his friendship and support over many decades and for the trust he has placed in me to be the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services in his government.

    To my family and friends, whose love and support has enabled me to represent our great community with the dedication it deserves, I thank you wholeheartedly.

    And to all the staff that have worked with and supported me over the last 15 years, there is a long list of accomplishments we have achieved both for the electorate of Whitlam and in my role as Minister, and I couldn’t have done it without you.

    I have had the privilege to see the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands go from strength to strength. Growing up and living most of my life in this beautiful place I have seen many changes. We still mine coal and produce steel – but we are so much more. Our world class university educates and gives opportunity to thousands of locals every year. New suburbs have emerged from farmland, but we have not lost our ability to produce great athletes, artists, minds, and citizens.

    Together over 15 years, we have achieved many things. We have connected every home and business to the NBN. We have established a National Disability Insurance Scheme. We are building new infrastructure for new suburbs, and we are restoring Medicare.

    I am proud of the role I played in progressing marriage equality and gambling ad reform in my early years. I am also proud of the work we have done to secure the future of our steel industry, to rebuild TAFE and as Assistant Treasurer, fighting scams, protecting workers superannuation, making financial advice more accessible and affordable, and strengthening consumer protections for all Australians.

    This great community deserves a representative who will continue to fight for the things that matter. A well‑funded TAFE system, a future for manufacturing, cheaper childcare, restoring Medicare, affordable housing, and better infrastructure for our growing suburbs.

    I know Labor will choose a candidate that will do just that.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Allens advises lenders on Australia’s largest standalone BESS financing

    Source: Allens Insights

    Allens has advised a syndicate of domestic and international lenders on its $722 million debt financing package to fund the development of Stages 1 and 2 of the Supernode battery energy storage system (BESS), Australia’s largest standalone BESS project financing to date.

    The 520MW/1856MWh BESS, being developed by global investment manager Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners, is located adjacent to the central node of Queensland’s electricity network, allowing for efficient storage and redistribution of surplus solar energy.

    The BESS will form part of a $2.5 billion hyperscale data centre, renewables and battery storage project at Brendale in Queensland which will offer significant low-emissions data storage capacity for domestic and international customers.

    The syndicate of lenders includes Bank of America, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Deutsche Bank, Mizuho Bank and MUFG Bank. ICA Partners were the financial advisers to Quinbrook.

    ‘We are delighted to have advised the lenders on this landmark investment in Australia’s energy future, which will play a critical role in Australia’s energy transition by providing renewable capacity to the energy-intense, rapidly growing data centre sector,’ said lead partner Rob Watt.

    The advice builds on Allens’ experience in battery project financings, with the firm having also advised on the Orana BESS, Waratah Super BESS, Templers BESS, Koorangie Energy Storage System, Hazelwood BESS and the Bouldercombe Battery Project.

    Allens legal team

    Rob Watt (lead Partner), Mark Hakeem (Senior Associate), Kade Alexander (Associate), Maya Bahra (Lawyer)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 01/29/2025 Blackburn, Ossoff Introduce Bill to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Prison Staff

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) reintroduced the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, which passed the Senate last year, to help address the increasingly pervasive sexual assault and harassment of Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees by inmates:

    “No law enforcement officer should have to fear for their safety when they show up to work,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would help us end the sexual abuse of prison staff who are simply trying to do their jobs.”

    “I remain focused on oversight of the Federal prison system and ending sexual abuse in prisons and jails, including the abuse of prison staff,” said Senator Ossoff. “Senator Blackburn and I are introducing this bipartisan bill to help end sexual abuse in Federal prisons.” 

    Representative Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives last Congress and is reintroducing the bill this week:

    “It is unacceptable that nearly half of Bureau of Prisons staff experience sexual harassment or assault by inmates. The Bureau of Prisons must take stronger action to protect corrections officers and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Representative Lee. “That is why I am reintroducing the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act to provide much-needed oversight to the federal prison system and to combat these ongoing abuses. I want to thank Senator Blackburn for her leadership on this bill in the Senate.” 

    BACKGROUND:
    • According to a February 2023 report by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG), a staggering 40% of 7,000 surveyed BOP staff stated they had been sexually harassed or sexually assaulted by an inmate.

    THE PRISON STAFF SAFETY ENHANCEMENT ACT:
    • The Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act would require:
      • The BOP to fully implement the recommendations in the Inspector General’s 2023 report regarding mitigating inmate-on-staff sexual harassment and assault and fully ascertaining the scope of the problem; 
      • The DOJ OIG to conduct an analysis of punishments for sexual harassment and sexual assault in BOP facilities; and
      • The U.S. Attorney General to promulgate a rule adopting national standards for prevention, reduction, and punishment of sexual assault and harassment of BOP staff by inmates. 
    • Senators Blackburn and Ossoff sent a letter to BOP Director Colette Peters requesting that BOP release information about inmate-on-staff sexual assault and harassment reporting procedures, correctional methods, and staff assistance programs.

    ENDORSEMENTS:

    This legislation is endorsed by the American Correctional Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the National Council of Prison Locals 33.

    “The American Correctional Association (ACA) applauds Senators Blackburn and Ossoff for their leadership on the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, which addresses the critical issue of sexual assault and harassment of Bureau of Prisons employees by those in custody. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress on bipartisan efforts to ensure safe working conditions for correctional officers nationwide.” – Robert Green, American Correctional Association Executive Director

    “Federal correctional officers and other prison staff deserve the same standards of safety as law enforcement patrolling our communities. Every employee—both officer and staff—deserve a safe working environment. The passage of this critical legislation would mean the basic human rights and dignity of prison employees would be better safeguarded, and Bureau of Prison employees would be better suited to perform their duties at full capacity and free from fear. We greatly appreciate Senator Blackburn and Senator Ossoff’s introduction of this bill and look forward to working together to get it across the finish line.” – Patrick Yoes, President of the Fraternal Order of Police

    “This legislation sends a powerful message that the safety and dignity of BOP staff are non-negotiable. By prioritizing their protection, the Act not only improves working conditions but also contributes to a more effective and professional correctional system. I urge Congress to fully support the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act and work towards its swift passage. It is imperative that we stand with those who serve in our federal prisons and take action to create a safer and more respectful environment for all.” – Brandy Moore White, National President of National Council of Prison Locals 33

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Improving flood resilience in Kempsey Shire

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Improving flood resilience in Kempsey Shire

    Published: 30 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    A Kempsey Shire causeway that’s highly susceptible to flooding is to be replaced with a new 75-metre-high bridge following approval of more than $3 million in natural disaster betterment funding from the Albanese and Minns Governments.

    The Dungay Creek causeway at Yessabah has been repeatedly damaged across multiple natural disasters in recent years, leading to frequent closures which have impacted and isolated local communities. 

    A more resilient and higher concrete structure is being funded through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Funding Arrangements. The funding will allow council to build more resilience into the road network to help communities to stay connected during extreme weather.

    Work will start this month with the construction of precast elements off-site, and is due to be complete in February 2026, weather permitting.

    Quotes attributable to Senator Tony Sheldon:

    “Infrastructure that keeps communities connected during natural disasters isn’t just about roads or bridges – it’s about ensuring families can stay safe, access medical help when they need it, and recover together after the worst has passed.”

    “There’s often an increased demand for medical services during natural disasters, so having infrastructure that provides access to those services is essential.”

    “I’m really pleased to see Kempsey Shire Council leading the way on this project. With the backing of the Albanese and Minns Governments, this new bridge will be a game-changer for locals, keeping them safe and connected when they need it most.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully:

    “The NSW Government is committed to making sure we do all we can to improve the safety of local infrastructure and mitigate against future disasters.

    “This bridge is critical to the livelihoods of locals, and not only will this work mean it is more resilient in the event of future disasters, it will also help keep them safe and connected.”

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

    “It’s great to see all three levels of government working together to improve the reliability of the crossing over Dungay Creek which will provide social and economic benefits for Council and the community.

    “The new bridge will reduce the number of closures and will mean communities can stay connected during and after flood events, ensuring Council can focus on other assets or functions during post-flood events.”

    Quotes attributable to Kempsey Shire Council Infrastructure Delivery Group Manager, Dylan Reeves:

    “The Dungay Creek causeway project is a significant undertaking for our community and will greatly enhance the reliability and safety of access for the community of Wittitrin.

    “With preliminary off-site works commencing in January 2025, we’ve already completed essential groundwork, including site surveys, geotechnical investigations, and environmental assessments.

    “The construction will be managed by Kempsey Shire Council, with specialised contractors engaged to ensure we deliver a high-quality project. We’ll minimise disruptions by keeping the existing causeway open during construction, with only limited closures during key phases.

    “This bridge represents an incredible enhancement to our transport network, ensuring safety and better connectivity for all who rely on it.”

    Quotes attributable to Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Kinne Ring: 

    “The Dungay Creek causeway project is a powerful step forward in connecting the Macleay Valley, improving road safety for all, and enhancing the daily lives of our residents.

    “With work beginning in January 2025, this bridge is an essential piece of infrastructure, made possible through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package.

    Kempsey Shire Council is proud to manage this significant upgrade to our transport network, providing safer, more reliable access for our entire community.”

    MIL OSI News –