NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Release of Centrepay Discussion Paper Report

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    The Australian Government is considering comprehensive customer and stakeholder feedback on the Centrepay program, following extensive consultation with the community.

    In May the government released the Centrepay Reform Discussion Paper, and invited the public to share their views and experiences with Centrepay.

    In particular, the review sought input from the community on safeguards and protections for customers to reduce financial harm, and ensuring the right products and services are available through the program.

    The government has published a Centrepay Discussion Paper Report, capturing feedback from Centrepay users, peak advisory groups, business and across government.

    Responses to the Discussion Paper highlighted that customers expect to be in control when managing their finances and recognised the need for greater protections through enhanced gatekeeping and enforced business compliance, and accessibility of information and support.

    Consultation has been at the core of the Centrepay reform process. Services Australia has been working alongside peak advisory community groups and across government, meeting regularly with stakeholders such as Anglicare, Mob Strong Debt Help, the Australian Council of Social Services, and Economic Justice Australia.

    Services Australia has also conducted community consultation activities across Australia, including in remote areas, to hear firsthand feedback on how Centrepay can support and empower those who use it.

    This feedback will help inform the reform needed to ensure Centrepay is an effective budgeting tool that helps Australians have greater control over their finances.

    Quotes from the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Government Services:

    “We thank every individual, organisation, and advocacy group who took the time to respond to the Centrepay discussion paper.”

    “Their contributions will be invaluable as we work towards the improvements needed to ensure Centrepay meets the expectations of customers and the community.”

    “Priority work to reform Centrepay is ongoing and we’ll have more to say regarding the next steps soon.”

    “Services Australia will continue to work with customers, peak community advisory groups, business and across government to ensure Centrepay is an effective budgeting tool that helps Australians have greater control over their finances.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth Melbourne press conference

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Joint with:

    The Hon Jim Chalmers MP
    Treasurer
    Member for Rankin

    The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP
    Minister for Social Services
    Member for Kingston

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    Topics: PLACE announcement; support for disadvantaged communities; support for First Nations communities; flight upgrades; Wednesday’s inflation data.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: I’m really pleased to be here at the Carlton Learning Precinct with the Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Professor Kristy Muir from the Paul Ramsey Foundation, and the interim CEO of PLACE, Luke Craven.

    Today, we’re announcing a really exciting announcement. A partnership between philanthropy, Government and the community that how we expand the great place-based work that’s happening right around the country. Place-based work is work that communities lead to drive change in their local community supported by non-Government organisations, Government organisations and philanthropy.

    But we know that many communities do want support. They want to share ideas. They want to be part of something bigger, and that’s what PLACE is all about. A national organisation that is a partnership between philanthropy and government to disseminate those good ideas, to support communities, to work with communities to actually drive local change.

    Now one of the really important parts of this new body is that it will have a community council. Local people driving change within place, making sure it constantly stays centred on community. This is really exciting. We already know that place-based change is delivering outcomes in community, particularly in communities where they’ve identified areas of disadvantage. It is actually driving change.

    But this PLACE, this new organisation, will drive change right around the country. I would like to really thank the philanthropic partners for being part of this. This is a new era of working together, and I’m really excited to be part of it. So I will now introduce our Treasurer, Jim Chalmers.

    JIM CHALMERS, TREASURER: Thanks very much, Amanda.

    Before I touch on some other points about this announcement today, can I just say this. Our hearts break today for the little soul lost at Auburn South Primary School. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of that little boy, to his friends, his teachers and the staff at that school. It is unimaginably sad to think that a little boy went to school and didn’t come home. Our hearts break for the family and for everyone who knew him, and we know that it’s a very sad day in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne today, and indeed, for anyone who hears about this right around the country.

    Today, we’re here with the Minister, with Kristy and with Luke to make a really important announcement. This is all about the Albanese Labor government’s belief in a place-based change that these philanthropic organisations are helping to achieve in Australia. For all of us who want to make this country fairer, more inclusive, change can be overwhelming, and it helps to begin in the communities where we can make the biggest difference.

    What we’re doing here is we’re making sure that we take best practice when it comes to place based change, and that we’re empowering local leaders to make a difference in their own communities. Not instead of the national programs that Amanda runs in her portfolio, and that our Government funds and supports, but in addition to that effort as well.

    We don’t want to see disadvantage concentrate in communities and cascade through generations, and we’re doing something about it. We’re not going alone when it comes to this important work. We’re working very closely with philanthropic organisations and Governments at all levels and local communities to try to see the change that we want so that that disadvantage doesn’t concentrate and cascade through the generations.

    For many of us, this is our reason for being, to make sure that this country is its best version of itself. We recognise that there’s not just some switch that you can flick to eliminate disadvantage in our country, you need to begin where we can make the most difference, and that’s what we’re doing.

    What we hope is by demonstrating our support for and our commitment to place-based change, we want to make this the norm, not novel when it comes to national Governments in Australia.

    We are big, big believers in the work of place-based organisations. We are big supporters financially and in other ways as well. We’re very proud to be here today to make this important announcement. We’re now going to hear a bit more about it from Kristy. 

    PROFESSOR KRISTY MUIR, CEO, PAUL RAMSAY FOUNDATION: Thank you. We all want kids, family and communities to thrive across Australia, and we know at the moment, not all of those kids, families and communities are.

    The one thing we know about social change is that no one organisation, no one group, can do this work alone. We have incredible people groups, organisations doing amazing work to strengthen communities.

    This new not-for-profit, PLACE, is all about creating a community of communities. It’s about providing those people and places doing incredible work in their communities, the kind of resources and supports they need to do that better, no matter where they’re based.

    On behalf of the philanthropic funders, I’m really proud to be supporting the initiative of PLACE. And it’s a testament to the Federal Government that we are partnering between government, philanthropy and communities to create the kind of change we all want to see.

    JOURNALIST: Minister Rishworth, you talked about tackling disadvantage and driving positive change, and the Treasurer says disadvantage should be a multi-generational issue. What priorities are front of mind for First Nations people?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: When you speak with First Nations communities, what you hear from local leaders is they often know what is needed in their community.

    We often hear from First Nations leaders that the supports and programs they want in place should be informed by them themselves, and what PLACE will support those communities to do is to ensure that they can design those programs, they can attract funding, they can work with Government to deliver.

    PLACE is all about empowering communities in their decision making and in their shared decision making with Government, which is exactly what Indigenous communities have been calling out for. We do work that way in some places through the Empowered Communities Program, but this has taken the opportunity of place-based work right across the country to any community that would like to work this way.

    JOURNALIST: [Inaudible – question about upgrade declarations]

    JIM CHALMERS: As I’ve made it clear in our declarations that we make to the Parliament, there is an upgrade for me from about six years ago and another one from about ten years ago, and there’s some additional family upgrades from around the same time period. Those have been disclosed in the usual way.

    I might just take the opportunity to preview some inflation numbers that we’re getting out later this morning. We’ll see what those numbers say at 11:30.

    It’s really clear already that the Albanese Labor Government is making substantial progress in the fight against inflation. When we came to office, inflation was higher and rising. It had a six in front of it. We’ll get new numbers today, which whether they’re in the low threes or in the high twos, will show that inflation has halved under this government.

    Now we know that people are still doing it tough, but we’re making welcome and encouraging and substantial progress in the fight against inflation and economists expect that to be demonstrated in the numbers that we get later this morning. I look forward to talking with you about it.

    Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reducing aircraft noise over Brisbane

    Source: Airservices Australia

    Aircraft noise is set to reduce for Brisbane communities with upcoming changes to increase the use of Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPS) at Brisbane Airport from 28 November 2024.

    SODPROPS is a runway mode that enables aircraft to arrive and depart Brisbane Airport over Moreton Bay. With these changes, SODPROPS will become the priority operating mode when traffic and weather conditions allow, resulting in increased use on weekends, and on weekday evenings from 9pm.

    Airservices Head of Community Engagement, Donna Marshall, said aircraft on the departure flight paths used during SODPROPS will remain over water for longer and will be higher before they cross the coastline, resulting in lower noise levels for communities.

    “The flight path changes being delivered are part of the measures outlined in Airservices Noise Action Plan for Brisbane and consistent with the Ministerial Direction issued to Airservices in September. They will support an increase in SODPROPS use from the current 2% of all operations to around 5% in 2025,” Ms Marshall said.

    This will mean for every flight using this procedure, there will be a reduction of the total population overflown by between 300,000 to 500,000 people compared to standard parallel runway operations.

    “The changes are a result of extensive consultation with the people of Brisbane and respond to Redlands community concerns about aircraft noise impacts.

    “Under these changes the height of aircraft operations over the Redlands area will increase from 8,000ft to above 12,000ft to reduce the noise impact.

    “To facilitate this change, we also need to make some minor adjustments to the arrival flight paths over North Stradbroke Island that are used during SODPROPS.

    “While this involves lowering the paths so aircraft remain separated from daytime arrivals to Gold Coast Airport, we do not believe this will be noticeable to communities but a noise monitor will be installed on North Stradbroke Island so we can monitor these operations.”

    For more information on the Brisbane flight path changes go to: https://engage.airservicesaustralia.com/nap4b/news_feed/november-2024-changes

    ENDS

    For more information please contact Airservices Australia:
    Phone 1300 619 341 or email media@airservicesaustralia.com

    About Airservices
    Airservices Australia is the Federal Government-owned organisation responsible for the safety of 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry and are investing in technologies to position Australia at the forefront of innovation in the global aviation industry.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Free eSmart program helping young Australians stay safe online

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Primary schools across the country can now access a free media and digital literacy program funded by the Albanese Government.  
     
    Developed by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, the eSmart Digital Licence+ for primary schools is now available nationwide.
     
    This educator-led program helps young learners aged 4 to 9 years to achieve their digital licence.

    In doing so, they learn how to navigate the online world safely, responsibly, and respectfully through animated videos and hands-on activities.

    Designed in collaboration with educators and close to 1,000 school children, the program is adaptable to diverse learning needs and can be delivered in classrooms with, or without, technology.

    The new tool builds on the eSmart Digital Licence+ program already available for students aged 10 to 14 years, and the Media Literacy Lab for high school students aged 12 to 16 years.
     
    The Albanese Government invested $6 million to ensure the digital literacy tools would be freely available for all schools across Australia.
     
    In the digital age, young people learn, explore and connect online. Digital literacy skills help young people to have safer experiences online, enabling them to become respectful and resilient digital citizens, with education and learning a key part of achieving this goal.  
     
    Teachers and schools interested in accessing eSmart can contact the Alannah & Madeline Foundation on 1300 720 747 or visit: www.esmart.org.au
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

    “By empowering children as young as 4 years-old with the skills they need to navigate the challenges of the digital world, we are building a young generation of Australians who will be better equipped to engage safely online. 
     
    “The eSmart Digital Licence+ is empowering school students to think critically, create responsibly, and navigate the online world in a safer and more responsible way.
     
    “Australian children have long been getting a pen licence at school as they learn to write – this is the pen licence for the online world.
     
    “I encourage schools to reach out to the Alannah &Madeline Foundation to take advantage of these helpful resources.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: MEDIA RELEASE: Labor appointees are Fair Work favourites

    Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA

    Six new Federal Labor Government-appointed presidential members have determined almost 70 per cent of major Fair Work Commission cases this year, according to AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott.

    Mr Knott will describe the development as “stunning” in a speech to the H.R. Nicholls Society National Conference in Melbourne today.

    “During March and May 2023, and in May 2024, then-IR Minister Tony Burke appointed one new Vice President and five new Deputy Presidents (to the FWC),” Mr Knott will say.

    “In 2024, to date, these six new presidential members have presided over nearly 70 per cent of all Full Bench matters heard.

    “One of these DPs, a former union barrister and National Legal Officer for the CFMEU Mining and Energy Division, has sat on the bench for 56 per cent of all Full Bench matters and presided as the senior member over 38 per cent of them.

    “Just to hone this point – nearly 40 per cent of all the FWC’s most important matters were led by a Deputy President who’s been at the tribunal since May 2023.”

    The Fair Work Commission is the nation’s workplace tribunal, with appeals of decisions among the significant matters that must be heard by a Full Bench consisting of three Commission members, including at least one who is either the President, a Vice President or a Deputy President.

    Of 53 FWC members – seven more than when Labor left office in 2013 – 28 are ALP-appointees with 25 appointed by the previous Coalition government.

    Mr Knott says under Justice Adam Hatcher (who became president on February 19, 2023), the FWC appears to be “performing administratively quite well in its role as a service provider to users of the employment system”.

    “Agreement approvals are much faster, there appears to be less head-scratching single member decisions that immediately head to appeal, and the tribunal is being very transparent and as efficient as it can in implementing all its new jurisdictions and powers,” Mr Knott says.

    However, in his speech Mr Knott will reveal AREEA analysis of all Full Bench matters from January 1 to October 18 this year, showing “alarming trends” in the composition of the bench.

    Of the 358 Full Bench decisions assessed over the period:

    • 318 (89 per cent) were ALP-appointee majority benches
    • Just 40 (11 per cent) were Coalition-appointee majority benches

    Mr Knott says the facts point to a continued politicisation of the nation’s IR tribunal at its apex, an issue that commenced under its former President and that AREEA regularly brought to attention.

    “Since the end of the Rudd/Gillard era in 2013, ALP appointees have dominated FWC appeal matters, even when Coalition appointees were in the majority,” he says.

    “Make no mistake, the sidelining of Coalition appointees in important FWC proceedings has been strategic and subject to much chatter amongst IR professionals.

    “The handpicked generation of new FWC Presidential members is designed to ensure this ALP-appointed FWC control at the top of the institution continues well beyond usual political cycles.”

    Mr Knott will also use his speech as a call to arms to business to build a case for IR reform – and not just leave it to the Coalition.

    “We in the business community can and should collectively campaign as hard as possible to pressure future governments to do what needs to be done to the IR framework,” he says.

    “This should be …promoting the merits of a whole new IR system – one focused on simplicity and promoting the direct employer-employee relationship; winding back unwarranted union interference and the influence of tribunal members with limited business experience.”

    Mr Knott will call for modern awards to be abolished and replaced with a standard safety net for employees, a far less complex enterprise bargaining system and a winding back of union interference in workplaces.

    He says businesses are “drowning in employment red tape and regulatory burden”.

    Highlighting how the Howard-era IR reforms produced more than 10 times the real wages growth of the Accord era of the Hawke/Keating Governments, Mr Knott says “we must always bring it back to the opportunity cost”.

    “The community at large must be convinced that by making it easier and less costly to employ people, more people will be employed and costs that are saved via less regulatory burden will ultimately be shared by all via higher wages and a more productive economy,”  Mr Knott says.

    Read the full speech here.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: SPEECH – AREEA CEO Steve Knott: Business must build a case for IR reform

    Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA

    In this speech to the H.R. Nicholls Society 2024 Annual Conference, AREEA CEO Steve Knott issues a call-to-arms to the business community to build a case for IR reform – and not just leave it to the Coalition.

    Mr Knott says this should include “promoting the merits of a whole new IR system – one focused on simplicity and promoting the direct employer-employee relationship; (and) winding back unwarranted union interference and the influence of (Fair Work Commission) tribunal members with limited business experience.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Diabetes Australia joins Melbourne City’s Support Service Hub, Project 614

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Diabetes Australia is the latest support service to join a suite of Government and non-government services helping those in need in the heart of Melbourne.

    Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) provide help to access financial and health support, as well as community education at Salvation Army’s Project 614, a drop-in breakfast, lunch and dinner café in Melbourne’s CBD.

    Services on-site at Project 614 include Services Australia, the NDIA, Hearing Australia, Victoria Police, Births Deaths and Marriages Victoria, drug and alcohol counselling services, and HousingVic Officers.

    All the services were at the Bourke Street site today to welcome Diabetes Australia and help Australians who need it most.

    Minister for the NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten said the partnership between Diabetes Australia and Project 614 will add even greater value to the already successfully site which provides wraparound services for people in the community experiencing significant vulnerability.

    “Services Australia’s partnership with Project 614 started in August 2022, kicking off a broader specialist community partnership program between Services Australia and non-government organisations, now in 27 locations across the country.

    “Since the partnership commenced, our Community Partnership Specialist Officer based at Project 614 has helped community members on over 5,100 occasions, with things such as getting a Medicare card or claiming an income support payment.

    “Barriers such as homelessness, mental health and substance abuse issues can pose a significant challenge to accessing government services through our regular service channels.

    “We are meeting people where they are, working with them individually to understand their circumstances and tailoring support to connect them to essential services and information that can be life changing.”

    Project 614 provides a safe meeting place to access the suite of supports and serves an average of 3,000 meals per week to community members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

    The services on-site also collaborate to help community members access birth certificates so they can open bank accounts; connect to health and legal services or access increased support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

    Commanding Officer of the Salvation Army, Major Brendan Nottle, said having streamlined Government services in one location makes a huge difference to our vulnerable community members.

    “By flipping the traditional ways of accessing these vital support systems, we can directly connect vulnerable people to these supports, and the benefits can be lifechanging.

    “Bringing Diabetes Australia into the fold is another positive towards improving the health outcomes of some of our marginalised clients.”

    Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said the partnership would increase diabetes awareness and support in the community.

    “Rates of diabetes have increased by 32% nationally over the past decade, so we need new ideas and new partnerships that will make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

    “It’s critical that people living with diabetes are supported to avoid complications like foot ulcers, cardiovascular disease and preventable blindness, which can have a devastating impact.”

    For more information on the support available at Salvation Army’s Project 614 site, visit: Melbourne 614 | The Salvation Army Australia

    For more information on Services Australia Community Partnership Program, visit: Community Partnerships connecting customers to the support they need – About us – Services Australia

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police target organised crime group and seize significant quantity of cannabis

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Last week Police across Counties Manukau, Auckland City and Waitemata Districts executed over 30 search warrants at addresses around the Districts, targeting an organised crime group using residential properties to set-up sophisticated indoor cannabis growing systems.

    The termination has resulted in a significant seizure of illegal drugs and the arrest of 11 people. 3,385 cannabis plants at various growth-stages have been seized and destroyed, along with 48 kilograms of dried cannabis. The estimated total value of the seizures, based on estimated yield of the plants, is $18 million.

    The majority of those arrested were in New Zealand illegally and a result, Immigration New Zealand has deported 11 Vietnamese nationals. All 11 have left New Zealand and are back in Vietnam.

    Enquiries are ongoing utilising intelligence gathered during the operation and Police cannot rule-out the possibility of further arrests.

    Acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand of Auckland City Police says the arrests come as a result of an investigation that has spanned Tamaki Makaurau and which targeted a sophisticated and profit-driven criminal syndicate.

    “This group were cultivating and dealing in large amounts of cannabis and their actions mirror similar operations recently uncovered in Australia where criminal groups, primarily of Vietnamese descent, were running a large number of indoor cannabis growing operations,” says Acting Detective Inspector Brand.

    “Make no mistake, these syndicates are well connected to gangs and this cannabis is a large source of income for their illegal operations.

    “Often the properties used by these groups will appear innocuous and will not really attract neighbours’ attention. However the operations that are set-up within are capable of producing large quantities of cannabis to sell.

    “These individuals are significantly modifying rental properties to cultivate cannabis with extremely dangerous electrical installations.

    “Not only is this extremely dangerous and creates a significant fire risk, we’d estimate millions of dollars’ worth of electricity is being stolen every year to run these operations.”

    Police is working alongside Immigration New Zealand in relation to the foreign nationals involved in this investigation, as we want to ensure migrant communities are kept safe from those who would exploit the conditions of their work visas.

    WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

    Police are reminding landlords to be vigilant when renting out their properties.

    • Ensure there are regular property inspections.
    • Carry out thorough vetting: get two forms of photo ID and sight the original document, compare the photo with the applicant.

    It’s important for the community to remain vigilant as well.

    If you see suspicious activity, such as deliveries of easy grow and fertilizer bags being dropped off, or signs that an electricity meter has been tampered with, please contact Police.

    • Report any information you have by calling 105
    • Go online to make a report at www.police.govt.nz/use-105
    • Contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
    • If migrant communities are concerned with possible exploitation, contact MBIE on 0800 20 90 20

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    Note for media: a small number of video clips are available for release to media outlets, please contact Police Media team for download details.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station celebrates successful ewe breeding season

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    30 Oct 2024

    The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station has experienced one of its most successful breeding seasons to date.

    Building on six years of strong lamb marking and weaning results, this year’s success can be largely attributed to flock and pasture management despite the slow early winter pasture growth and the cold, wet and windy winter conditions experienced in late June and early July. It was also enhanced by tactical use of forage crops and optimal use of pregnancy scanning data.

    This year’s lamb marking results for the Merino flock at the research station have been nothing short of exceptional, with lamb marking rates between 130% and 140% per ewe joined.

    This impressive performance is well above the national lamb marking average of 90% for Merinos, which can vary significantly due to local conditions such as; cold temperatures, wet conditions, windy weather or drought.

    NSW DPIRD Livestock Systems Senior Research Scientist Dr Gordon Refshauge said the excellent results showcase the effectiveness of the ongoing research and management practices implemented by the Department’s research team.

    “The Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station staff’s dedictation and expertise are driving performance well above the industry average, ” Dr Refshauge said.

    “Staff categorised pregnant ewes into groups based on litter size of singles, twins, and multiples and provided feed quality and quantity tailored to each group’s specific needs.

    “The combination of these strategic practices, alongside a healthy and well-managed flock, led to a successful lambing season, showcasing the Station’s commitment to maximising lambing potential.”

    This season, the Station’s flock exhibited lower pregnancy rates than normal but also an unusually high number of triplets and quadruplets.

    Dr Refshauge said this unusual occurence can be attributed to the ewes being in excellent condition prior to mating and continuing to gain weight during the mating period.

    “Due to limited pasture growth, and high feed demands, the ewes were placed in their lambing paddocks earlier than usual, after finishing grazing mixed species forage crops or dual-purpose canola,” Dr Refshauge said.

    “These pre-lambing management decisions were critical for lambing, as pastures had been rested from grazing for 4 – 6 weeks prior to the commencement of lambing and the ewes were in the right body condition for lambing.

    “By integrating these precision management strategies with optimal feeding practices, we’ve exceeded our lambing goals for 2024, showcasing the capability of our flock and team and hoping to continue this for years to come.”

    For more information on the NSW DPIRD Cowra Agricultural Institute, please visit our website

    Media contact:
    For more information, please contact: pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Martha Stewart paved the way for influencers. But not everyone finds her brand empowering

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Yang, Doctoral student, School of Economics, Finance, and Marketing, RMIT University

    From showing us how to cook the perfect turkey to mastering the art of folding a fitted sheet, Martha Stewart’s name has long been a byword for doing things well at home – “how very ‘Martha Stewart’ of you”.

    New Netflix documentary, Martha, promises insights into her extraordinary life – from a teenage model to the original influencer and America’s first self-made female billionaire, with a prison stay and friendship with Snoop Dogg along the way.

    Behind the expertly folded linens and immaculately set tables lies something more.

    Martha Stewart created a brand empire that redefined the domestic lifestyle, monetised it and paved the way for others.

    Beginnings and barriers

    Stewart’s connection to the domestic arts began early.

    Raised in New Jersey, she learned essential homemaking skills like cooking and sewing from her mother, while her father introduced her to gardening.

    She studied art and architectural history yet Stewart started her career as a stockbroker. But her passion for the domestic realm led her to entrepreneurship.

    As she once reflected, “the life of the homemaker was more interesting to me than the life of Wall Street”.

    In 1972, she launched a catering business from the suburbs of Connecticut. It soon gained recognition for its elegant food presentations. A publisher client led to her 1982 book, Entertaining. It included notes for how to prepare a clambake for 30, a cocktail party for 200 and ranked presentation as highly as the food itself.

    Book success sealed a partnership with Kmart in 1987 and eventually took her homewares brand into millions of American homes.

    By 1999, she took her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (which encompassed her television show, magazines, websites and merchandising product lines) public, becoming America’s first self-made female billionaire – albeit momentarily.

    A few years later, Stewart was embroiled in scandal. She received a five-month prison sentence for insider trading and obstruction of justice. Many expected this to mark the end of her career – but Stewart defied the odds.

    Breaking new ground

    After her release from prison, she didn’t shy away from her past. Instead, she continued sharing skills including those she honed during her time at prison camp – whether it was crocheting or experimenting with new recipes. As always, Stewart seized every opportunity to expand her brand.

    Her genius lies in her ability to “sense a void in the culture” and turn a personal touch into commercial success.

    Since selling her namesake brand, Stewart has stayed in the spotlight, sometimes sharing it with rapper Snoop Dogg. The unlikely duo struck up a seemingly genuine friendship that produced a television potluck series, appearances and prison jokes.

    She continues to connect with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where her long-term influence is perhaps most evident.

    The OG influencer

    Stewart’s living legacy is unmistakable in today’s digital world. Scrolling through social media, you’ll find traces of her in meticulously arranged tablescapes or perfectly organised cabinets.

    Popular “cleanfluencers” like Mrs Hinch and Australia’s Mama Mila have built massive followings by turning domestic tasks into visually captivating content.

    Minimalist tidy maven Marie Kondo took the world by storm, with her philosophy of keeping only what “sparks joy”. Her global brand follows Stewart’s signature collection model. Stewart’s clean and white aesthetic and multichannel branding can be seen in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop too.

    When housework is repackaged as life-changing and transformative, it transcends private duty to become a public, respected and potentially profitable business.

    But is this feminism?

    Yet, the rise of domestic lifestyle influencers also raises critical questions in feminist circles.

    As far back as Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, published in 1949, housework has been seen as part of the trap of domestic femininity.

    Figures like Stewart may represent success stories in economic terms. But their ventures risk reinforcing the stereotype that homemaking is inherently women’s work, often packaged alongside an ever-growing array of consumer products designed to perfect it.

    Stewart’s vision of domestic success – immaculate homes, flawless dinners, and perfect organisation – sets a standard that is unattainable for most. Scholars argue her media empire presents an upper-class fantasy, where the appearance of a wealthy lifestyle is emphasised over the reality of it.

    Focusing on domesticity is not inherently regressive, but what happens when the standards of success are too high to reach?

    The “solution” is often hidden in the consumerism trap, with women endlessly buying goods to chase an idealised lifestyle.

    Stewart’s embrace of perfectionism fuelled her success. In her words, “being a perfectionist can be profitable”. Yet for women and consumers, the pursuit of “Martha Stewartness” often feels out of reach.

    Martha is streaming on Netflix from today.

    Di Yang 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. Martha Stewart paved the way for influencers. But not everyone finds her brand empowering – https://theconversation.com/martha-stewart-paved-the-way-for-influencers-but-not-everyone-finds-her-brand-empowering-241802

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Inflation is sinking ever lower. Now that it’s official what’s the RBA going to do?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra

    Lower petrol prices and an electricity rebate have contributed to a further fall in the quarterly measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index.

    The rate in the September quarter dropped to 2.8%, putting it for the first time within the Reserve Bank’s target range of two-point-something since the March quarter of 2020.

    The fall was broadly in keeping with market expectations, and keeps low the likelihood of an interest rate cut this year. The next Reserve Bank meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.

    The bank pays more attention to the long-running quarterly measure of the CPI than the more volatile monthly version which already dropped into its target range in August.

    The monthly measure dropped further, to 2.1%, in September.

    The quarterly CPI is also more important because it is included in all sorts of workplace and other contracts and indexation formulas.

    The main reason for the fall in inflation was the electricity rebates announced in the federal budget and by some states.

    Also helping were the falls in petrol prices, mainly reflecting declines in global oil prices. Cheaper or free public transport in Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin also contributed.

    Preventing a larger fall were the continuing strong growth in insurance costs and rent. The rise in insurance costs reflects a series of extreme weather events such as bushfires and floods. It is a way in which climate change is exacerbating inflation.

    Contrary to what many people think, the increase in rents is not due to landlords passing on higher interest rates. Landlords may want to do this but they are only able if vacancy rates are low, otherwise tenants just move elsewhere.

    History shows it is low vacancy rates that drive up rent regardless of the level of interest rates. The inability of landlords to pass on interest rate increases has been confirmed by a study just published by the Reserve Bank using tax return data.

    It showed that only three cents of every dollar in extra interest costs is passed on.

    The fall in inflation to a rate significantly below the 4% at which wages are increasing means that the cost of living crisis is abating, although not yet over.

    The dramatically lower inflation rate puts Australia in a comparable position to the United States, whose inflation rate is 2.4%, the United Kingdom, whose inflation rate is 1.7% and New Zealand where it is 2.2%.

    The US, UK and New Zealand all have inflation targets (or midpoints) of 2%, so inflation is now only slightly above the target in the US and New Zealand. It is actually below it in the UK. In response all three have cut their key policy interest rates.

    Yet it is unlikely that the Reserve Bank will follow their lead until next year, despite growing pressure.

    One reason is that, even after their cuts, interest rates in our three peers are still higher than in Australia, at around 4.75% to 5%.

    But more importantly, the Bank has stressed recently that it pays more attention to the “underlying” rate of inflation, which looks through temporary measures such as the electricity subsidies. The Bank will only cut interest rates when they are “confident that inflation was moving sustainably towards the target range”.

    The bank’s preferred measure of underlying inflation, the so-called trimmed mean, has also fallen.

    But at 3.5%, it is still above the target. A positive aspect is that it has reached 3.5% ahead of the Bank’s most recent forecast which had 3.5% only being reached by the end of 2024.

    Monetary policy, however, has in Milton Friedman’s famous words “long and variable lags”.

    As the then future governor Glenn Stevens remarked back in 1999,
    “the long lags associated with the full impact of monetary policy changes mean that policy changes today must be made with a view not just to what is happening now, but what is likely to be happening in a year’s time and even beyond then”.

    In other words we want to drive by looking ahead rather than just at the rear view mirror. The Bank is like a footballer who needs to head to where the ball will be rather than where it is now.

    There is therefore a risk that if the Reserve Bank keeps interest rates high until inflation reaches the middle of the target, it will be too late to prevent the economy slowing too much and inflation will undershoot the target. This would likely be associated with unnecessarily high unemployment.

    That is why the Reserve Bank board faces a difficult balancing act in taking its decisions.

    John Hawkins was formerly a senior economist and forecaster in the Reserve Bank and the Australian Treasury.

    – ref. Inflation is sinking ever lower. Now that it’s official what’s the RBA going to do? – https://theconversation.com/inflation-is-sinking-ever-lower-now-that-its-official-whats-the-rba-going-to-do-240336

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Natural disaster connectivity boost for Torquay

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    Locals and visitors to Torquay will be safer, better connected and informed thanks to mobile connectivity and resilience upgrades through the Albanese Government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP).
     
    Torquay will share in $40.9 million awarded nationally under PUMP Round 2 which will co-fund 47 projects in natural-disaster prone communities.
     
    The Albanese Government has awarded funding to Amplitel to address longstanding mobile coverage and reception issues in the area.
     
    The project will upgrade an existing Amplitel site to provide new and improved 4G and 5G coverage from TPG that will have back-up power supply of at least 12 hours. This will allow services to operate for longer in the event of a mains power outage caused by a natural disaster.
     
    The project is one of 16 successful projects in Victoria under Round 2 of PUMP. In total, Victorian projects will receive $15.7 million in Commonwealth funding, and $14.6 million in co-contributions from the telco industry.
     
    The 16 projects will deliver more than 800 square kilometres of 4G and 5G new improved coverage, to more than 35,000 homes and businesses.
     
    The peri-urban fringe is where the bush meets the suburbs, creating natural disaster risks for those living and working there. These areas have been historically underserved because of the high cost of deploying infrastructure, difficult terrain, planning challenges and lower population densities.
     
    Natural disasters across Australia have highlighted the need for more reliable mobile services during emergencies, which the Albanese Government is committed to delivering.
     
    The PUMP Round 2 projects were recommended by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts following a competitive, merit-based process.
     
    The PUMP complements other Albanese Government initiatives to improve telecommunications services across Australia, through the $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
     
    For more information, visit: infrastructure.gov.au/pump
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “The Albanese Government understands how vital telecommunication services are for keeping communities safe, connected and informed during disruptions and natural disasters.
     
    “Access to telecommunications coverage during a natural disaster can be the difference between life and death.
     
    “This is why we are investing up to $100 million through our Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia to improve the resilience of networks against natural disasters.

    “The PUMP projects are part of this commitment. Better connectivity will allow communities, like those around Torquay, to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.
     
    “The Albanese Government is pleased to support this project, which will help ensure locals and visitors to Torquay can stay in touch and receive information when they need it most.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Corangamite, Ms Libby Coker MP: 
     
    “It’s fantastic to have the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP here to announce this project for Torquay. It reflects the Albanese Government’s whole-hearted commitment to improving the resilience of mobile networks across our region.
     
    “While no network is ever 100 per cent disaster-proof, our Government is determined to do what we can to boost the resilience of our telecommunications networks when local communities need them most.
     
    “Living on the Surf Coast, I know just how important good mobile coverage can be for keeping locals and visitors safe, especially during the peak summer months –  I look forward to seeing the connectivity boost this project will deliver for Torquay – it’s a great outcome for our region.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Certification success brings new momentum for Filipino vegetable growers

    Source: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research

    In the past 2 years, an ACIAR-supported value chain project in the Philippines has seen the country’s first smallholder vegetable farmers certified through the Philippines Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) program.

    Although PhilGAP was first launched in 2006 by the Department of Agriculture, there have been few market or other incentives to drive uptake of certification. The program aims to ensure the safety and quality of agricultural products, environmental protection, and the health, safety and welfare of farm workers. 

    But with 43 vegetable growers now certified in the Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao regions, and more in progress, it has breathed new life into the PhilGAP program.

    The ACIAR-supported project driving this new momentum is a collaboration involving Applied Horticultural Research, Visayas State University (VSU), Landcare Foundation of the Philippines and the East West Seed Company Inc.

    The efforts of the VSU team in particular have been recognised, when they were awarded the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan (Public Service) Award in September by the Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

    Research assistants test soil samples at the Philippine Root Crop and Research Training Center at the Visayas State University in Leyte, Philippines. Photo Veejay Villafranca/ACIAR

    Students from Visayas State University work on their experimental crops at a farm in Cabintan Livelihood Community Association (CALCOA) in Brgy Cabintan, Ormoc City. Photo Veejay Villafranca/ACIAR

    Students from Visayas State University work on their experimental crops at a farm in Cabintan Livelihood Community Association (CALCOA) in Brgy Cabintan, Ormoc City. Photo Veejay Villafranca/ACIAR

    Leader of the project Professor Gordon Rogers said the project’s primary focus was on demonstrating how smallholder farmers could complete the certification process and how they would benefit from a more consumer-focused approach to production.

    Professor Rogers said the research team developed a stepped process which has been the key to help farmers progress towards certification as they were able. There were 36 farms certified by the end of the project in June 2024, and more than 50 other farms had begun the process. By the end of August 2024, the number of certified farms had grown to 43. 

    ‘We divided the process into 4 steps. The first and second steps involve the sort of things that farmers can do easily and cheaply, and which actually have the greatest benefit in terms of improving the food quality and safety, and farm productivity,’ said Professor Rogers.

    Benefits for farmers undertaking certification have included reduced farm inputs, improved health with safer farming practices, improvements in the quality and safety of their produce and increased prices for certified produce.

    Mr Alvin Morales, one of the farmers who has received PhilGAP training, said, ‘The ACIAR project was really a big help to us and taught us many things. Before, we did not care so much about the proper way or methods of applying farm inputs, fertilisers, and pesticides, and how these impact people’s health and the environment. 

    ‘The PhilGAP program taught us to better understand our crops, the environment, the soil, and their inter-relationship. We were taught the more detailed and scientific-based approach to farming.

    Mr Alvin Morales
    PhilGAP program participant

    ‘It is high time that more farmers adopt good agricultural practices that will not harm the environment and produce healthier and safer food for people.

    Mr Alvin Morales inspecting tomatoes growing in a greenhouse at Cabintan, Leyte as part of the PhilGAP program. Photo: ACIAR

    Rodelina’s Fresh Vegetable stand selling PhilGAP certified vegetables at the Baybay markets, Leyte. Photo: ACIAR

    Rodel Morales inspecting a carrot crop growing in a greenhouse at Cabintan, Leyte as part of the PhilGAP program. Photo: ACIAR

    ACIAR project staff and farmers in BayBay, Leyte showing PhilGAP-certified yard-long beans and chillies. Photo: ACIAR

    Professor Rogers said the cost of certification ranged from about 30,000 to 300,000 pesos (A$800 to $8000). This depended largely on the materials used for construction of a storage shed and toilet required for certification. However, most farmers found the costs were recovered in less than 2 years, and in less than 6 months in some instances.

    The project helped farmers adopt a customer-focused approach and identify higher-value niche markets, including food service providers for the healthcare sector and modern food retailers. 

    ‘We also did consumer studies as part of our research and found that when consumers know GAP-certified produce is guaranteed safe to eat, they’re willing to pay a premium,’ added Professor Rogers.

    Professor Zenaida Gonzaga at VSU, was the Philippine project leader, coordinating much of the field research and training for farmers related to the project, as well as PhilGAP training more broadly.

    She said 221 farmers received PhilGAP training, and more than 350 farm extension workers have been trained to promote GAP practices. These extension officers would be key to continuing the moment the ACIAR-supported project has generated into the future.

    Professor Gonzaga highlighted Baybay City Government in Leyte province as being particularly proactive in supporting the project, providing funding for the purchase of materials needed for chemical sheds. It was also the first local government body to pass an ordinance requiring its agricultural extension officers to promote the program with growers.

    ‘Implementation of PhilGAP requires intervention like this at a policy level. Little by little we have increased the number of farms being certified and the support from local government. 

    ‘We now have support to promote certified produce through Baybayania Agriventures, which is a federation of farmers supported by Baybay’s government.’

    Professor Zenaida Gonzaga and Maricel Adelantar inspect new onion varieties at Visayas State University, which the project team identified as a new crop for the region under the PhilGAP program. Photo: ACIAR

    At a higher level, the Regional Development Council for Eastern Visayas – Region VIII – has now also passed a resolution requiring all 6 provinces within the region to implement the PhilGAP program as part of their research extension services.

    GAP practices are also gaining momentum at ground level, with farmers who have received training keen to share what they have learned with others. This includes pest identification and safe work practices on farm, through to the transport and marketing of produce. 

    ‘We’ve found that the project, and the PhilGAP training, have elevated technical farming practices,’ said Professor Gonzaga. ‘It has also significantly reshaped the values and attitudes of farmers who are stepping up to share their knowledge around working safely and producing better quality, safer produce.’ 

    ACIAR Project: ‘Developing vegetable value chains to meet evolving market expectations in the Philippines’  (HORT/2016/188)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 240-2024: Unplanned Service Disruption: Wednesday 30 October 2024 – Biosecurity directions

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    30 October 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients anticipating the receipt of biosecurity directions from the department.

    Information

    Detail:

    The department’s Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS) system is currently experiencing an unplanned service disruption. As a result, some clients anticipating the receipt of biosecurity directions from the department may experience delays.

    Action

    This issue is being…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: COVID Review a good start, but human toll must be recognised

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    The findings of a federal review into the country’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted more needs to be done by all levels of governments to acknowledge the human cost of the pandemic response and ultimately restore public trust, says Australia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Lorraine Finlay. 

    The COVID-19 Response Inquiry Report outlines nine guiding recommendations and 26 actions for change to improve Australia’s preparedness and response systems to manage future public health emergencies. The Federal Government has already moved to implement one recommendation, announcing a new Australian Centre for Disease Control. 

    “The Inquiry is a good first step in helping to improve Australia’s response to any future pandemic, but much more needs to be done to rebuild trust,” said Commissioner Finlay. 

    “While the review concludes that Australians should be proud overall of what we achieved during the pandemic, with rates of infection, hospitalisation and death among the world’s lowest in the first 18 months, we need to recognise that there was a substantial – and ongoing – human cost.  

    “The Report highlights the lack of transparency, fairness, compassion and proportionality in aspects of the response. This contributed to the suffering of many people; including those separated from loved ones – either by state border closures, being stranded overseas, or being unable to comfort elderly parents confined to aged care homes – and continuing impacts such as children still struggling to re-engage at school following lengthy lockdowns. 

    “If we only talk about Australia’s ‘successful’ response to the pandemic, we diminish the personal toll that it took on so many Australians.” 

    The Australian Human Rights Commission is currently developing a human rights emergency response framework that will put rights and freedoms at the heart of all future emergency and disaster responses.  

    To understand the impacts of the pandemic response on individual Australians, the Commission opened the ‘Your Story’ portal, which received more than 2300 submissions from people who shared how they were affected by COVID-19 measures. More than 3000 Australians were also surveyed as part of the project, with its findings to be released in early 2025. 

    “These voices need to be heard if we want to ensure that future responses are not only ‘successful’ in terms of public health and economic outcomes, but also in terms of fairness and compassion,” Commissioner Finlay said. 

    “The number one lesson should be that response measures do not operate in a vacuum. The full human impact needs to be understood. We need to put human rights at the heart of all future emergency responses in Australia to ensure that this never happens again.” 

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: We can’t solve family violence until we include violence between siblings in the conversation

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hayley Boxall, Research Fellow, Australian National University

    Shutterstock

    Domestic and family violence (DFV) has received increasing attention in recent years. It is most commonly associated with intimate partner violence between current and former partners, followed by abuse perpetrated against children by their parents and carers.

    But what about sibling violence?

    International estimates suggest that sibling violence (also known as sibling-to-sibling violence) is one of the most common forms of DFV globally. Yet in Australia and internationally, there is very little conversation or research about it. This means our understanding of when, why and how it occurs remains underdeveloped, and this in turn affects the development of effective policy and practice.

    To improve understandings of sibling violence in Australia, we analysed data collected as part of a national study of 16–20-year-olds’ use and experiences of DFV in the home. Of the 5,021 young people we surveyed, 4,340 said they had siblings.

    What is sibling violence?

    One of the biggest barriers to better understanding sibling violence is differentiating between sibling rivalry and conflict, and abuse. Research suggests abuse is often minimised by family members and clinicians, even when the behaviours are described as “extreme” and persistent.

    For our study, guided by the literature, we defined sibling violence as involving serious and high-harm behaviours. This includes:

    • threats to kill
    • threats to hurt someone close to the young person
    • non-fatal strangulation or sexual abuse
    • persistent and frequent forms of other abusive behaviour (for example, verbal, emotional physical, property damage and threats to harm/hurt a sibling).

    Overall, 303 young people in the sample self-reported they had been subjected to or used sibling violence by the time they were 18. Within this, 58% said they had used sibling violence, 60% said they had been subjected to it, while 18% said they experienced both victimisation and perpetration.

    Sibling violence is multifaceted

    The most common form of sibling violence reported by young people was verbal abuse. Of our respondents, 72% reported experiencing verbal abuse from a sibling, while 74% reported using verbal abuse against a sibling. Physical violence was the next most common form of sibling violence reported, with 64% reporting experiencing physical abuse from a sibling, and 73% reporting using physical abuse against a sibling.

    Although less common, a significant proportion of young people also reported experiences of:

    • threats to kill (victimisation: 26%; perpetration: 9%)
    • non-fatal strangulation (victimisation: 14%; perpetration: 3%)
    • sexual abuse (victimisation: 13%; perpetration: 2%).

    Almost all young people who had experienced sibling violence reported experiencing multiple and overlapping forms of abuse. Indeed, our study finds that sibling violence is rarely experienced as an isolated act of abuse. Rather, it is often experienced as part of a broader patterns of behaviours encompassing physical, sexual and non-physical abuse.

    More than half young people who had experienced sibling violence also experienced violence from another family member.
    Shutterstock

    Sibling violence is gendered

    The findings from our study highlight that like other forms of DFV, sibling violence is gendered.

    A significantly larger proportion of cis female (47%) and trans/non-binary young people (50%) reported they had been subjected to sibling violence, compared to cis males (25%).

    Meanwhile, a larger proportion of cis males (59%) said they had used sibling violence compared to cis female (35%) and trans/non-binary young people (32%).

    Sibling violence often co-occurs with other forms of DFV within families

    Over 90% of young people in our study reported they had experienced DFV between other family members, such as intimate partner violence between their parents.

    Also, over half of the young people who had been subjected to sibling violence reported they had experienced other forms of maltreatment by another family member, most frequently by their mothers and fathers.

    Sibling violence has significant impacts on young people

    Young people in our study reported that sibling violence and other forms of DFV had significant impacts on them. It affected their social, emotional and physical wellbeing, and education achievements.

    Relationships between siblings have important developmental implications for young people’s understandings of familial relationships. The strength of sibling relationships has been linked to longer-term health and social wellbeing outcomes. While our siblings can sometimes feel like our greatest enemies, they can also be our strongest supports in life.

    An emerging body of research has also found that young people who use sibling violence are at higher risk of perpetrating abusive behaviours against their intimate partner(s) and family members later in life.

    Sibling violence can have significant impacts, including trauma, anxiety and poor mental health, eating disorders, and the misuse of alcohol and drugs on those who experience it.

    What is needed?

    Our study builds new understandings of sibling violence in Australia. It highlights the importance of early interventions for young people who experience DFV during childhood. This includes ensuring effective responses for young people who use violence against their siblings.

    Without effective early intervention, we are missing opportunities to address the negative consequences of such experiences, including an increased risk of future perpetration of intimate partner violence.

    To facilitate improved identification and early intervention, frontline screening for DFV among individuals and families must include sibling violence.

    Given the substantial overlap of intimate partner violence, other forms of child maltreatment, child-to-parent abuse and sibling violence, we need holistic interventions that address the support needs of all family members.

    These responses must extend to supporting children and families’ recovery from DFV and seek to break the cycle of inter-generational violence in the home.

    Hayley Boxall currently receives research funding from the Queensland Law Reform Commission, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety and the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate.

    Kate has received funding for family violence-related research from the Australian Research Council, Australian Institute of Criminology, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, the Victorian, Queensland and ACT governments, the Commonwealth Department of Social Services and the Victorian Women’s Trust. This piece is written by Kate Fitz-Gibbon in her role at Monash University and is wholly independent of Kate Fitz-Gibbon’s role as Chair of Respect Victoria.

    Silke Meyer currently receives research funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety, the Queensland Mental Health Commission, and the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (Qld).

    – ref. We can’t solve family violence until we include violence between siblings in the conversation – https://theconversation.com/we-cant-solve-family-violence-until-we-include-violence-between-siblings-in-the-conversation-242384

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: In failing to probe Robodebt, Australia’s anti-corruption body fell at the first hurdle. It now has a second chance

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William Partlett, Associate Professor of Public Law, The University of Melbourne

    The inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has released her long-awaited report on the failure of the commission to investigate the Robodebt scandal.

    The report finds the commissioner of the NACC committed “officer misconduct”. He failed to fully remove himself from the decision not to investigate the scandal.

    In response, the NACC has agreed to appoint an “independent eminent person” to reconsider its decision not to investigate the Robodebt scandal.

    It’s an embarrassing moment for the Commonwealth’s newly created anti-corruption watchdog.

    But it’s also an opportunity for the NACC to do what the public expects of it: act decisively to protect public trust in government.

    How did we get here?

    The NACC was created in 2022 after a federal election campaign that often focused on transparency and integrity in government.

    Earlier this year, the commission announced it would not be looking into the Robodebt scandal.

    This was despite the Royal Commission into Robodebt referring six people to the commission for further investigation.

    The commission is monitored by an inspector, independent of the commission and the government. After receiving hundreds of complaints, Inspector Gail Furness launched an investigation into why the NACC didn’t look into Robodebt.

    The issue was the first big test for the oversight body.

    The inspector is legally limited as to what it can look at, but its finding of “officer misconduct” offers a broader opportunity for NACC to change course.

    Robodebt was a clear breach of the public trust, with thousands of Australians feeling betrayed by the way the Morrison government acted. NACC now has a second chance to look into the scandal.

    Unique anti-corruption tradition

    NACC’s decision not to investigate was a departure from a long history of anti-corruption oversight in Australia.

    It has its roots in corruption scandals in the late 1980s in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales.

    These scandals involved the vast misuse of public power and resources by powerful executive branch officials. The response was far-reaching.

    In Queensland, explosive allegations of police and government involvement in gambling and corruption led to the creation of an inquiry led by Tony Fitzgerald.

    This inquiry made a number of wide-ranging recommendations, including the creation of a commission. It would eventually would become today’s Crime and Corruption Commission.



    Read more:
    Thirty years on, the Fitzgerald Inquiry still looms large over Queensland politics

    In NSW, high-ranking ministers and police were caught embezzling funds and misusing public influence.

    Public outrage led to the creation of Australia’s first anti-corruption commission, the powerful Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

    In parliament, the NSW premier explained that ICAC was established “independent of the Executive Government and responsible only to Parliament”.

    He went on to argue that its role was not to prosecute crime, but instead to enforce the public trust and dispel a “cloud of suspicion” that hung over the NSW government.

    In WA in the 1980s, allegations emerged that executive branch officials were using their control of public resources to enrich themselves and preserve their own power.

    In response, a royal commission in the early 1990s made a number of recommendations, including the creation of an anti-corruption commission. The commission would be an “independent parliamentary agency” responsible to parliament in carrying out its oversight duties.

    Since then, all ten Australian jurisdictions have adopted anti-corruption commissions. Many of these commissions are described as officers of parliament intended to investigate breaches of the public trust.

    In all states and territories, excluding Victoria and (recently) South Australia, “breaches of the public trust” or “dishonest or improper” conduct can be investigated by these agencies. Anti-corruption agencies have therefore emerged as important guardians of public trust in government.

    Anti-corruption amnesia

    However, we seem to have forgotten this tradition in recent years.

    In South Australia, a 2021 law strippedthe state’s intergrity body of the power to investigate “maladministration” and “misconduct” in public administration and confined its scope to criminal activity.

    In Victoria, then-Premier Daniel Andrews downplayed the significant breaches of public trust found by Victoria’s anti-corruption agency as being merely “educational”.

    Most recently, the NACC’s refusal to review the Robodebt scandal also suggests it is unaware of the traditional purpose of Australian anti-corruption oversight.

    The Robodebt scandal rivals the scandals of the 1980s in its threat to public trust.

    One submission to the Royal Commission report put it clearly:

    I feel utterly betrayed by the government for this […] myself, and everyone else who turned up to every meeting they had to, jumped through every hoop and tried to do the right thing, were treated like criminals and cheats, when all the while it was the department’s scheme that was illegal.

    The NACC now has the opportunity to change course and broadly inquire into the Robodebt scandal.

    This includes more than just an inquiry into the referrals from the Robodebt Royal Commission. It can also look into the way that a scandal of this magnitude happened and how we can prevent it in the future.

    Failing to ask these questions endangers what the WA Royal Commission 30 years ago described as the “trust principle”. It said:

    institutions of government and the officials and agencies of government exist for the public, to serve the interests of the public.

    The NACC has been given a second chance to serve the public through properly investigating Robodebt.

    If it chooses to take it, it will signal that the commission understands it plays a key role in preserving one of the most valuable commodities in Australian democracy: trust in government.

    William Partlett is the Stephen Charles Fellow at The Centre for Public Integrity.

    – ref. In failing to probe Robodebt, Australia’s anti-corruption body fell at the first hurdle. It now has a second chance – https://theconversation.com/in-failing-to-probe-robodebt-australias-anti-corruption-body-fell-at-the-first-hurdle-it-now-has-a-second-chance-236147

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Designs unveiled for Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Designs unveiled for Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment

    Published: 30 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for Regional Health

    The Cessnock community is invited to provide feedback on the latest designs for the $138 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment.

    The NSW Government is investing $138 million in the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment to significantly enhance healthcare services for the region and meet the health care needs of the growing population.

    The schematic design provides the next level of detail for the redevelopment, showcasing modern healthcare facilities and the expanded services to be delivered.

    The redevelopment will include construction of a new two-level acute services building that will house an expanded emergency department, two inpatient wards featuring single and two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a new medical imaging service, and day surgery spaces.

    In the 2024-25 NSW Budget an additional $26.5 million was allocated to the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment, bringing the total investment to $138 million. This will support the delivery of additional facilities including an operating theatre and procedure room, a Central Sterilising Services Department (CSSD) and a modern pharmacy.

    The Cessnock community is encouraged to attend information drop-in sessions and give feedback on:

    • Tuesday 12 November, 10:00am – 12:00pm, Cessnock Hospital main foyer (View Street)
    • Wednesday 13 November, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Cessnock Village Shopping Centre

    Consultation with staff and the community will continue throughout the project including working groups that will seek community input in the Arts in Health program and landscaping and outdoor spaces to ensure that local culture is reflected in the hospital’s design.

    Construction is expected to begin in 2025, following the appointment of a main works contractor.

    For more information and the opportunity to have your say visit the project website at http://www.hneinfra.health.nsw.gov.au/projects/cessnock or contact the project team at HI-Cessnock@health.nsw.gov.au

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

    “From the expanded emergency department and operating theatres, this redevelopment will transform healthcare for the people of Cessnock by addressing capacity and supporting contemporary models of care.

    “The Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment is being informed by extensive staff and community feedback and we encourage the community to have their say on this next stage of design which will be considered as part of the planning and design process.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr:

    “This project will deliver the healthcare enhancements the Cessnock community deserves in a welcoming and supportive environment.

    “The additional services including theatres, Central Sterilising Services Department, and pharmacy will benefit communities across the Lower Hunter region.

    “I would like to see as many people as possible involved in the conversation about our future hospital; what it might look like and how it might work best for everyone.

    “So please, if you can, come along to either of the planned community information sessions to play your part in this once in a generation build.”

    Quotes attributable to the Executive Director Infrastructure, Sustainability and Planning, Dr Ramsey Awad:

    “We are committed to delivering a state-of-the-art hospital that provides the best care to the Cessnock community close to home.

    “We’ve listened carefully to the community’s feedback and responded with a design that not only meets today’s healthcare demands but will also serve the region well into the future.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Justice Michael Ball appointed to Court of Appeal

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Justice Michael Ball appointed to Court of Appeal

    Published: 30 October 2024

    Released by: Attorney General

    Experienced lawyer, Justice Michael Ball, has been appointed to be a Judge of the Court of Appeal, part of the Supreme Court of NSW.

    His Honour brings more than 45 years of legal expertise to the state’s top appellate court. Prior to being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2010, he spent most of his career working in Sydney as a solicitor with international commercial law firm Allen Allen & Hemsley/Allens Arthur Robinson.

    Since 2014, Justice Ball has sat in the Commercial and Technology and Construction Lists. He became the List Judge for those lists and the Commercial Arbitration List in 2022. 

    His Honour started his career in South Australia with Mollison Litchfield in 1980 while also tutoring commercial law at the University of Adelaide. The following year he joined the Australian Law Reform Commission, where he worked on the Insurance Contracts and Evidence Law references. He became a solicitor at Allen & Hemsley in 1983.

    Justice Ball was appointed Senior Associate two years later and in 1987 made a Partner in the litigation department.

    During his 27 years with the firm, his Honour was involved in several high-profile cases in competition and insolvency law. This included C7, Antico v Heath Fielding Australia, the Linter litigation, Pioneer and Giant Resources litigation and Trade Practices Commission v Australian Meat Holdings.

    His Honour graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1978 with a combined degree in Arts and Law.  He is a co-author of ‘Kelly and Ball Principles of Insurance Law’, a leading text on Insurance law in Australia.

    Justice Ball will be sworn in as a Judge of Appeal on 4 November 2024.

    Attorney General Michael Daley said:

    “I am delighted to announce the appointment of Justice Michael Ball to the Court of Appeal bench.

    “His Honour is a highly respected lawyer and member of the Supreme Court, and his expertise will be invaluable to the Court and everyone who interacts with it.

    “I congratulate Justice Ball on this well-deserved achievement.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $7.2m boost for little learners – more free health checks rolled out for preschoolers

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: $7.2m boost for little learners – more free health checks rolled out for preschoolers

    Published: 30 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Education and Early Learning, Minister for Health

    More children will get free health and development checks with the Minns Labor Government today announcing $7.2 million for 881 early childhood education and care services across NSW.

    The NSW Government opt-in Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood and Care program supports health professionals to visit early childhood education and care services to conduct the checks for four-year-olds to help identify additional support the children may need before school.

    More than 7,000 children have received a free health and development check in their early childhood education and care service since the program began in 2023.

    The checks assess various aspects of the child development, including problem solving skills, listening, talking and, social skills. Physical growth and dental health will also be monitored.

    The program aims to make it easier for more services to offer the checks.

    Eligible services received up to $7,500 to support:  

    1.  Staffing to support services to deliver the health and development checks

    2. Provision of private space to conduct the checks.

    3. Support to address health and development needs identified through the checks.

    The checks offered through early childhood education and care services provide families with a free alternative to visiting a doctor or Child and Family Health service.

    Nearly half (44 per cent) of NSW children are not developmentally on track when they start school, according to the most recent Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) data.

    All preschools and long day care services can participate in the Health and Development Checks in Early Childhood Education and Care program by contacting their local health district.

    This is all part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to give kids across NSW the best start in life.

    Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

    “Health and development checks provide families with valuable information about their child’s growth and development.

    “Offering the free checks at early childhood education and care services makes it easier for working families to participate and ensures there is early intervention for students who need it.

    “The Minns Labor Government is supporting long term health and development outcomes for all children across NSW, regardless of their family’s postcode, income or circumstances.”

    Minister for Health and Regional Health Ryan Park said:

    “Starting school is an exciting time, but with two in five children starting school developmentally off track we need to do more to support young children and their families.

    “Providing health and development checks for four-year-olds in preschools or long day care centres makes it far more convenient for busy families to help their children have the best start to school.

    “These checks especially in the first 2,000 days help families get the information they need to support their child’s development and to seek help, if needed.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 241-2024: Services Restored: Wednesday 30 October 2024 – Biosecurity directions

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    30 October 2024

    Who does this notice affect?

    All clients anticipating the receipt of email notifications for biosecurity directions from the department.

    Information

    Restored time:

    As of: 14:10 Wednesday 30 October 2024 (AEDT).

    Detail:

    The unplanned service disruption to the department’s Agriculture Import Management System (AIMS) has been resolved. Clients will now receive email notifications for biosecurity…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New fire season resources to prepare the community

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    CFA is providing new materials and resources for its brigades and members to make sure they and the community are prepared for the summer season.

    As Fire Danger Periods begin, it’s critical that the community understands what activities they can and can’t do, particularly with open-air fires and the restrictions that apply during these times. 

    Last year, CFA launched a new series called ‘Can I or Can’t I?’ that focused on topics such as camp fires, barbecues, burning off, and explaining what people can and cannot do on a Total Fire Ban days or during Fire Danger Periods. We have added some new topics to this series in response to the growing demand for information about firepits and other outdoor cooking. The new artwork comprises flyers, posters, animations, and more detailed content online. 

    Many of these topics have also been translated into 12 languages, which are available on the Languages section of the CFA website. This includes the new resources about fire pits and outdoor cooking, and the majority of the ‘Can I or Can’t I?’ series of animations including camp fires, travel, burning off, and barbecues. 

    We also have a range of other translated material including smoke alarms, urban grassfires, and Fire Danger Ratings. These resources include simplified fact sheets, animations and audio. 

    Alongside out assets we also support the Victorian Government’s ‘How well do you know fire?’ campaign, which will continue to emphasise how everyone has a shared responsibility to stay safe and how unpredictable fires can be. As with previous years, this campaign started in October and will continue to the end of the summer with prepare, leave early and traveller messages.  

    People should begin preparing for the fire season as soon as possible. Preparing your property and having a fire plan in place could save your life. Visit How well do you know fire? | vic.gov.au 

    There is also a new online fire planner, that allows people to create a fire plan that can be customised to their needs and shared with family and friends. You can develop your plan here: Online Fire Planner | Victoria State Government 

    Submitted by Nancy Thompson

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Loretta Hart, 94.7 The Pulse

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    LORETTA HART, HOST: As we celebrate 50 years of community radio in Australia, we’re featuring women doing great things in the sector and those making an impact on it. One such woman is my next guest, someone who is a champion for all things community broadcasting, the Honourable Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications. Welcome to the program.

    MICHELLE ROWLAND, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS: Great to be with you. 

    HART:  And we’ve also been joined by Libby Coker in the studio as well, our Federal Member for Corangamite. Welcome, Libby.

    LIBBY COKER, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CORANGAMITE: Welcome to you too. It’s great to be with you.

    HART: And look, I can’t go past that we actually got our station manager. Leo. Leo, welcome back from long service leave.

    LEO RENKIN, 94.7 STATION MANAGER: Thank you, Loretta. It’s been a very entertaining first day.

    HART: Absolutely. So, Michelle, you know, we know that the Labor Government introduced community radio back in the ‘70s. Can you share with us the importance of community broadcasting and radio, what- the importance it holds for the Government of today?

    ROWLAND: It’s absolutely an essential part of our media ecosystem, and I think it is opportune to reflect when Gough Whitlam started community broadcasting 50 years ago, it was referred to as experimental. So this was a step into the unknown about what can be done with this very valuable resource we call spectrum. I think it was one of the wisest moves that’s been made in communications regulation in this country, because where community broadcasting fits in in this whole ecosystem is it provides the heavy lifting that’s been done on media diversity. We are one of the most concentrated media ownership markets in the world, and to have hundreds of community broadcasters right around Australia serving localism, supported by volunteers, having connections with community.

    I’m really privileged to be here, just seeing the connections that you have with individuals, with community, how you reflect the local area. You try and think of another media format that can do that. You can’t. You can’t do it on a digital platform. You can’t do it in a profit making commercial broadcasting sense. It’s done through people who want to make a difference. Meeting Marwa, earlier from Syria, one of your stars. Clearly, that’s been life changing for her and she’s found a place here. I just think that says it all. It says everything about community broadcasting, community radio. It really does bring people together. Congratulations to The Pulse for clearly doing it so well. You really are the epitome of why we support this sector.

    HART:  Thank you so much. You used the word experimental, and I know we’re 50 years on, but I would say it still feels experimental. We have this opportunity to bring in new voices, to try new things to be nimble, which is such an exciting place for us to be. I’m wondering, Michelle, you know, as we move into this on demand lifestyle, I watch everything these days on – when it suits me on the TV, people are into their podcasts. Where do you see community radio fitting into this on demand space?

    ROWLAND: I think community radio is going to continue to innovate. Everyone thought radio was going to die with the advent of the iPod and then the iPhone, but community radio has really still found its place. You can find the app; you can listen to it anywhere you want. We’ve introduced a prominence framework in Australia as well to make local content easier to find. I think that the sector will continue to adapt, and I think it does it through two ways. Firstly, it is that local element, but it also is able to connect. It’s two-way. It’s not television. It’s two-way. When you have those personalities that are able to engage, continue to innovate through innovations like podcasting. Podcasting is one of those things, you know, it took off a few years ago, as did- we saw it with the ABC developing iView to have a library. Community broadcasting is doing the same thing, and it’s that kind of innovation that is going to keep it strong. But the key thing here, I’m sure Libby will agree, you need people. You need people, which goes to the whole reason why we’re doing the first really deep sustainability dive into the sector. You can’t operate for profit, but sponsorships are harder to come by. Volunteerism is on the decline, that’s just a fact. So we’ve got to look at new ways of support, and you’ve got to be able to attract people to be part of this. You’re doing it so well here. I could tell as soon as I walked in – you’re very lucky, Libby, to be representing such a special electorate.

    COKER: Yeah. Thanks, Michelle. I’m very fond of The Pulse. It’s been a place where people can come together and it fills a unique niche in this region. We have commercial radio, but we are also quite limited in our range of media. So if you want to have an in-depth interview on an issue, you really need to come to The Pulse to do that. I wish you all the best, and hope you continue to go from strength to strength and be here for another 50 years. It’s an impressive effort.

    HART:  Thank you, Libby. We will hold you to helping us.

    COKER: Yes, I know you will.

    LEO RENKIN CO-HOST: Just one thing that we haven’t really mentioned is the people who go on from the community radio station as well. Like we have Stefan, who’s gone back to Serbia and now presents TV over there. We also have Michelle Rimmer, you might see who’s an ABC reporter over in the UK – they all get their start somewhere like here. It’s very important because most commercial stations and there’s very limited opportunities at the ABC to get experience, and without it, there would be a lot of people who couldn’t go on and make a career out of radio. I think it’s one of the most underrated, important things that happen, not only radio, TV they go onto as well.

    HART: Couldn’t agree more.

    RENKIN: Yeah. That’s part of I think that thing is getting harder and harder to get experience, particularly for people in the media. I think that’s one of the things that we often forget about. You know, coming to a place like we’ve spoken about Marwa this morning, coming to a place where you can then get a chance to go ahead and do those things in media. Without it, as you mentioned before, it’s not a very diverse sector in the media field.

    ROWLAND: I think it’s great that people who are in community broadcasting, like Rove McManus, you know, he got his start on community TV. They go on to great things. But we also want them to stay.

    RENKIN: Exactly.

    ROWLAND: To nurture others as well. So it becomes a virtuous cycle.

    RENKIN: That’s right. They get picked very quickly, yeah.

    HART:  That’s right. I keep telling Marwa not to be so good because SBS is going to find her. She’s our most downloaded program and does an amazing job for her community. But I think that’s right. I mean, and we’re really proud of the links that we’re making with Deakin to support young journalists, students, and those in communications and marketing to come in. I want to give a shout out we had a young man, Cooper Watkins. Cooper came and did an eight-week intro to broadcasting program with us. Just on the weekend, he hosted an hour program with three interviews, and then on Monday, did six interviews for a two-hour program. And he’s just finished his journalism degree. But he is eager to get his hands on these buttons, to get behind the microphone and to get experience.

    So you’re right, Leo. I think that whilst we can have diverse voices, we can have underrepresented stories being given some air, but we’re also a training ground. But you’re right, Michelle, we want people to stay as well. Yeah.

    RENKIN: I’ve got Loretta chained to the desk actually.

    [Laughter]

    I think one of the underrated things about community radio is, like we’ve seen this morning, a diverse group of people coming together, and I think that’s very important for social cohesion as well. We often think of everyone in the community being different, but a place where they can come together and be different is a very special thing to have.

    ROWLAND: Couldn’t agree more.

    HART:  Michelle, just lastly, what can we look forward to- as community broadcasters, what can we look forward to the Albanese Government supporting and providing in this space?

    ROWLAND: Well, I want to reiterate that this is a government that doesn’t just say we support community broadcasting. We’ve backed that up with $23 million in funding. We want to continue to make sure that this sector remains strong. The first Bill I actually presented to the Parliament as Minister was on community broadcasting to help ease some of that regulatory burden. We have the sustainability review that’s being finalised by my Department now. I think it’s been really important to go out and to consult with the sector about what their needs are. When that comes through, I’m sure it will have some really practical suggestions in there for reform.

    But as Libby will tell you too, you know, we want to be judged on our delivery. It’s really something to be able to go to- I’ve lost count of how many community radio stations I’ve been to or have been on around Australia. But I want to be clear to your listeners. We’re a Government of delivery. We’re not afraid of the hard reforms. There are hard things happening in the media at the moment. This sector is under great challenge through the multinational digital platforms, under great stress through just the transition as well. It’s not the advertising market that it used to be. It is hard. There has to be that adaptation across mainstream media, but also by every part of the ecosystem, including community and just discussions today. This is an area that’s not without its challenges, even here in Geelong.

    But I can give you this commitment that we want to follow through on ensuring sustainability. We are going to have to make some hard decisions. But you can be assured that with good people like Libby backing you up in the Parliament as well, I think that this is a universally supported sector. It’s one that actually goes right across the aisle. You get people from regional areas and from metro areas who do support community radio. So I think that the proposals that we will put up, I’m confident that they’ll have strong support. There’s always a need to do more. Let’s be clear. I want to do expectations management. There’s always a need to do more. With hundreds of community radio stations across Australia with so many thousands of volunteers, we do have to remember I think come back to first principles. This is the fourth estate. It’s about making sure that authentic Australian voices, entertainment, and news get out there. We’re in an era of mis- and disinformation that is harmful to our democracy. This fourth estate that you support here is the front row of that fight against it. That’s one of the key reasons why I’m so passionate about it.

    RENKIN: Can I just add to that, Loretta?

    HART: Yeah, well, you can, but you’ve got 30 seconds.

    RENKIN: Sorry, 30 seconds. We found in COVID that we did have enormous amount of people come to us from different ethnic groups and want us to promote the vaccination programs and things that were going on because the only information they were referring to was online stuff, information from their own country. So for example, they were getting information from Croatia about what was going on, and then trying to think that was what was going to go on in Australia. Well, it was completely wrong. So we had some of our presenters come in and say, we have to get this message out, we have to get this message out. I think that’s one of the things that we- you know, when you said before about being the fourth pillar, I suppose, is that we can provide information from local community groups and for the local community groups, the best thing they know is word of mouth. And if it comes from one of the representatives, and then-

    ROWLAND: They trust. 

    RENKIN: They trust, exactly.

    HART:  They do indeed. It’s been a very fantastic conversation this morning. Thanks so much to Leo. Thanks very much to Libby Coker. And also thanks so much, Michelle, for being here, our Federal Minister for Communications. It’s been wonderful to have you in the studio with us.

    ROWLAND: Absolute pleasure.

    COKER: Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ14: Improving the water quality of the Tsuen Wan waterfront

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Joephy Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, in the Legislative Council today (October 30):
     
    Question:
     
         In his 2022 Policy Address, the Chief Executive set a target of reducing the pollution load at identified outfalls emanating stench in specific districts (including Tsuen Wan) by half before the end of this year. It has been reported that the Government department concerned has indicated recently that the aforesaid target has been achieved ahead of the schedule, and the pollution load of the Tsuen Wan waterfront has been reduced by about 80 per cent. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) as it has been reported that the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) indicated last month that 70 cases of misconnection of drains had been found in Tsuen Wan and, among them, 36 cases had been rehabilitated or were under acceptance inspection, of the specific locations of such cases of drain misconnections and the specific rehabilitation measures taken; as for the remaining cases of drain misconnections pending rehabilitation, of the Government’s rehabilitation works plan and timetable;
     
    (2) as the EPD has indicated that following the rehabilitation of misconnected drains, the next task is to continue to identify other sources of pollutants, of the progress and targets of such task and the plans in place to monitor the water quality situation of the Tsuen Wan waterfront, for example, whether prosecution will be instituted against property owners involved in the misconnections of drains to prevent recurrence of similar problems; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
     
    (3) upon the completion of the drain rehabilitation works mentioned in (1), of the specific measures put in place by the Government to ensure that the drains can be effectively maintained and managed on a long-term basis, and whether such measures cover preventive maintenance and contingency rehabilitation plans; whether the Government will introduce new technologies to enhance the durability and operation efficiency of drains;
     
    (4) whether the Government has plans to extend across the territory the successful experience and fruitful outcomes of rehabilitating drains at the Tsuen Wan waterfront as well as the techniques applied, so as to improve the overall pollution load and odour intensity of the waterfront of Hong Kong; whether the Government will collaborate with environmental groups and experts to jointly take forward the work of ameliorating pollution at the waterfront;
     
    (5) as it has been reported that the Government has installed monitoring systems at the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre to monitor on an ongoing basis the odour changes of the Tsuen Wan waterfront, of the details of the data collected by such monitoring systems (including ways to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data); of the water and air quality data of the Tsuen Wan waterfront collected by the Government over the past two years, and whether such data shows a trend of progressive improvement; and
     
    (6) whether the Government has short-term and long-term plans to continuously improve the water quality and odour of the Tsuen Wan waterfront; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:
     
    President,

         The Government has all along been attached great importance to improving the water quality of Victoria Harbour. Since the launch of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme by the Government, all sewage generated from both sides of Victoria Harbour, including Tsuen Wan District, has been intercepted and diverted to the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works for centralised treatment. As a result, the overall water quality of Victoria Harbour has improved significantly. The Cross Harbour Race, which was suspended for years due to poor water quality, has resumed since 2011 and has returned to its traditional route in the central area of Victoria Harbour since 2017. To further ameliorate the remaining near-shore water quality and odour problems of Victoria Harbour, the Chief Executive set out the target in the 2022 Policy Address to reduce the pollution load by half before end-2024 at stormwater outfalls with serious pollution problems along both sides of Victoria Harbour, in particular in Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po and Kowloon City districts. Since then, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has conducted large-scale pollution source investigations mainly in the three priority areas mentioned above. More than 8 000 stormwater and sewage manholes have been inspected, with nearly 2 000 water samples collected for chemical and Escherichia coli (E. coli) level analyses. We have also identified pollution sources by way of dye-tracing tests, detection robot, ground penetrating radar (GPR), sonar inspection boat and other advanced equipment, while working closely with the Drainage Services Department (DSD) and the Buildings Department (BD) to rehabilitate defective sewers. With the progressive completion of rehabilitation works, the overall pollution load at the relevant outfalls in the above three priority areas has been reduced by about 80 per cent and the odour problem has also been ameliorated significantly, which is widely welcomed by residents in the vicinity. 
     
         My reply to the question raised by the Hon Joephy Chan is as follows:

    (1) Most of the cases found in Tsuen Wan District are concentrated in areas of earlier development, such as Chung On Street (Tai Pei Square, Yi Pei Square, Sam Pei Square and Sze Pei Square), Lo Tak Court and the area around Heung Wo Street, etc. To trace the pollution sources in Tsuen Wan District, the EPD made the best endeavour and inspected over 1 000 stormwater and sewage manholes, collected over 400 water samples for chemical and E. coli level analyses, and successfully identified a total of 70 locations of sewer misconnection in the district. With instant follow-ups and rectifications made in collaboration with the DSD and the BD, we have so far completed rehabilitation for 36 cases involving a higher pollution load, thereby reducing the overall pollution load by about 90 per cent. The distribution of sewer misconnection cases in the district is listed in Table 1. The remaining 34 sewer misconnection cases pending rectification are mainly confronted with a more complex construction environment or technical issues. For example, works are required to be carried out beneath busy vehicular accesses and in narrow back lanes with congested underground utilities, which significantly limit the available space for the works. Our target is to complete these remaining misconnection cases within this year to further improve the water quality and odour problem of the harbourfront in the district.

    (2) In terms of progress and target for continuous identification of pollution sources, the EPD has implemented a continuous monitoring programme in Tsuen Wan District and adopted innovative tracking methods, including installing surveillance camera systems inside stormwater manholes at certain strategic locations to perform around-the-clock flow monitoring inside the manholes. When abnormal discharge is detected, the intelligence function will immediately issue an alert message for taking prompt follow-up actions. Compared with the traditional method of deploying staff to open manholes for inspection every time, this new method can monitor the flow of sewage from upstream into the stormwater systems continuously and identify the pollution sources, thus saving manpower. Besides, the EPD has applied other innovative technologies to monitor the conditions of drains, including deploying a sonar inspection boat and using a GPR to scan underground drains and sewers, which enable the generation of instant images to show the connections of underground stormwater drains and nearby sewers without digging up the roads. In order to continuously monitor the water quality of the Tsuen Wan harbourfront, the EPD has also set up three regular near-shore water quality monitoring stations at the near-shore locations of Tsuen Wan Bay near the outfalls of Tai Chung Road, Ma Tau Pa Road and Tai Ho Road box culverts. Monthly sampling is conducted to monitor the water quality, with indicators including dissolved oxygen and organic pollutant levels (5-day biochemical oxygen demand), etc.

         To rectify misconnection cases, the DSD carries out regular inspections of the conditions and structures of public sewerage and stormwater drainage systems. When defective sewers or manholes are found, rehabilitation works will be promptly arranged. As for misconnection cases in buildings, the BD will issue statutory repair/removal orders pursuant to the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) to urge or order the property owners concerned to discharge their responsibilities to rectify the problems of sewer misconnection. For cases which remain non-compliant after receipt of such orders, the BD will take appropriate enforcement actions according to the circumstances. Among the 30 ongoing misconnection cases in buildings in Tsuen Wan District, 22 cases are undergoing rectification, while the BD will continue to follow up the remaining eight cases, for which statutory orders have been issued.

    (3) Upon completion of the pipe rehabilitation works, the DSD will conduct regular inspections and clearances of sediment from the drainage pipe system to ensure its proper functioning. Furthermore, the DSD will inspect and assess the operational and structural conditions of the existing underground channels according to their plans. Following a risk-based principle, appropriate replacement and rehabilitation plans are formulated in an orderly manner, including deploying different methods to install fibreglass or polyester fibre linings in the existing pipes through trenchless excavation, thereby enhancing the maintenance of the drainage system. These advanced technologies for pipe replacement and rehabilitation can maintain the reliability of the drainage system and at the same time reduce the impact on the public during the construction period. The contractors of the DSD have also reserved materials for rehabilitating drainage pipes and manpower for emergency deployment to carry out urgent pipe rehabilitation works. Meanwhile, the DSD is committed to the development and application of various innovative technologies and machinery to assist in drainage service operations, including remote-controlled desilting robots and pipeline inspection robots, the use of drones for pipeline closed-circuit television surveys, and smart water level sensors. These devices can not only enhance the efficiency of drainage service operations, but can also reduce the risks of works and protect the safety of workers.

    (4) Based on the success case in rehabilitating sewer misconnections in Tsuen Wan District, the EPD has extended the techniques applied therein to other priority areas and has been in close communication with various organisations and university research teams to pool our wisdom and work together for improving the harbourfront environment. In particular, the EPD has since 2022 engaged a team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to install monitoring instruments at the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, specifically monitoring the concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which is an air pollutant associated with odours at the Tsuen Wan harbourfront. The DSD also worked with another HKUST team to jointly develop new technologies. By deploying large curtains and Malodour Control Hydrogel at the outlets of box drains along the coast, the emission of malodour is inhibited. Looking ahead, the Government will continue to collaborate with experts from various fields to adopt innovation and practicable solutions to further consolidate the achievements in ameliorating the water quality and odour problems of Victoria Harbour.

    (5) To objectively assess the actual effectiveness of rectification of misconnections in improving the odour levels in harbourfront areas, the Government has installed odour monitoring instruments at the Tsuen Wan Sports Centre and other locations along Victoria Harbour shorelines to continuously monitor odour changes in harbourfront areas. A team from the HKUST will conduct regular maintenance and calibration for the monitoring instruments, and verify the collected data to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring data. The monitoring data collected from the Tsuen Wan harbourfront revealed that the concentration of H2S, which is the key cause of odour, showed a significant downward trend. The H2S concentration recorded in August 2024 was 80 per cent lower when compared to that in early 2022. The records of monthly average concentration data are shown in Figure 1 and Table 2.

         As for water quality, the monitoring data recorded in the waters near three stormwater drain outlets at the Tsuen Wan West harbourfront showed that the near-shore water quality in the area has undergone significant improvement. The overall average dissolved oxygen level in seawater has increased by about 30 per cent, while the content of organic pollutants has decreased by about 40 per cent. The annual average water quality data recorded at the near-shore water quality monitoring stations are shown in Table 3.
         
         The EPD interviewed members of the public at the Tsuen Wan harbourfront in August this year. Seventy-five per cent of the respondents agreed that the odour problem at the harbourfront had improved, with half of them considering the improvement to be significant.
         
    (6) In order to continuously improve the water quality and odour problems at the Tsuen Wan harbourfront, apart from the short-term measures including investigating and rectifying misconnections as mentioned in (2) to (4), the Government will continue to implement the following medium-to-long-term improvement measures:

    (i) Desilting Works: Regular desilting works will be carried out for the three main box culverts (stormwater drains in Tai Chung Road, Tai Ho Road and Ma Tau Pa Road) in Tsuen Wan District to reduce the discharge of pollutants or sediments from the stormwater drains into the near-shore waters;

    (ii) Sewer Replacement and Rehabilitation Works: To prevent leakeage of sewers from affecting the water quality along the Tsuen Wan harbourfront, the Government will undertake public works projects to rehabilitate some of the aged underground sewers in Tsuen Wan District. As at December 2023, approximately 11 kilometres of sewers in Tsuen Wan District were undergoing replacement and rehabilitation, and the works are expected to be completed in phases by end-2026; and

    (iii) Village Sewerage Sytems: Village sewerage works for Chuen Lung and Lo Wai are expected to be completed by end-2025. Moreover, village sewerage works are also underway in rural areas in Tsuen Wan District, namely San Tsuen, Wo Yi Hop and Sheung Kwai Chung. The works projects will commence upon completion of land acquisition procedures and funding approval by the Legislative Council, and the works are expected to be completed in three to five years.

         All in all, the Government will continue to take forward various improvement and monitoring measures to strive for turning the Tsuen Wan harbourfront into a new landmark of water-friendly culture.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Salvation Army/Diabetes Australia Partnership Launch

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Good afternoon, everybody. Fantastic to be here. I’d like to acknowledge that Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I just want to make four points. Settle in, it’ll take about half an hour. I was joking. First of all, Nick McCallum. I’d like to acknowledge Nick does a great job. He’s one of a band of people, Colonel Kelvin, who Brendan has gathered around him, and there’s a few other like-minded souls. And, whenever Brendan and Sandra think something needs to be pushed along, Nick has always got a very open mind and journalist in the best tradition of Melbourne. He wants to see the right thing by our community. It’s great to see Nick Reece here. You’ll get up, son. Okay. I just want to be the first to call you the Mayor, Lord Mayor. Justine Cain, CEO of Diabetes Australia. Thank you, Diabetes Australia I’m going to talk a little bit more about it in a moment, but it’s great you’re here. You’ll be busy.

    And Justine in your introduction, you said you’ve already had important conversations with 60 to 70 people. That’s almost everyone in the room, or the equivalent of. And when you think about it, when we reduce it, 1.9 million Australians have diabetes and someone’s diagnosed every five minutes, you realise that it is a big issue and you realise that people who live on the streets, people who live insecurely, just don’t get the same deal.

    So, I’m very pleased that Diabetes Australia took up our encouragement to work with Brendan, and I’m hoping that this is a model, as you are very positively and optimistically said. I should also acknowledge Brendan and Sandra. I acknowledge Brendan. Sandra. Well done. I love Brendan. He’s on a he’s on billboards in my electorate. I mean, they do a great job, and this is a great building. I just want to make these points so, you know, acknowledge everyone else too. You’re beautiful people.

    Diabetes, it’s real. I’ve had family members with it. But it’s treatable. There are things that can be done. And the worst thing in the world is seeing preventable conditions. You know, being the Minister for the NDIS, sometimes you get a genetic lottery. The great American poet Robert Frost, talking about the suicide of his son, he used the term the shafts of fate. And some things are unavoidable. But preventable illness is as it says, it’s really on all of us to go that extra distance. And so, the fact that you’re teaming up with Project 614, I think there’ll be a lot of other organizations very interested. So, I’m just excited. I think it’s really good, and I make at this point that, = you know, behind us, Matthew 1128 up on the wall, it really says it invites people to – this building and what happens in it is to provide support. It’s to provide comfort, to provide peace. But that doesn’t happen without people making that happen. So, great about the diabetes.

    I’d also like to acknowledge part of the reason why I keep coming back here, other than Brendan’s amazing charisma is, they do a lot of good stuff. And since I’ve been the Minister for Services Australia, which is a great privilege, I learned a lot about, you know, it’s not the sexiest portfolio in the government, but I’m now convinced there’s no thing that the government does, which is any more important than what we do at Services Australia. And what I’ve found out is that every year, or last year, Australians went online and dealt with Services Australia and Medicare 1.1 billion times online. That’s a lot. And we have 318 offices, and we have 30,000 plus people working. Over 10 million people come and visit Service Australia offices, which is a lot. It’s amazing. We just answer tens of millions of calls. And by the way, we’re answering quicker than we used to, which is great. But for some people, they’re not going to get on the phone. They’re not going to come into the office. They’re not going to be a digital native transacting. And then you what I realized is we need to go out to the people.

    And that in our communities, there are people who are under-documented or undocumented. We’ve got people who just aren’t in the Medicare system. It’s not that the safety net is inadequate. They’re just not in it. And that’s not anybody’s fault. Life has a way of, can upend endured, you know. A traumatic childhood, you just – there’s no blame about this. But some people are not going to go and sit down and sit in a Centrelink office or fill in a Medicare form online. And that’s where I think what Brendan’s Project 614 and the Salvo’s do so well, and plenty of other places. So, it’s been very exciting for me to be able to work with my agency and say, why don’t we put really special people in our agency, at the homelessness organisations or frontline organisations and Nick Carbine’s here. He’s done a great job, but we’re now doing it in 27 different organisations around the country. This is not rocket science. This has not involved us having to go to the budget to get new money. And by the way, the Services Australia staff, they get more volunteers to come out and do the outreach than there are outreach positions. So, it reflects well on our public servants. But now we’re doing it right across Australia, but we started it here and in Sydney with Bill Crews, the Reverend Bill Crews.

    Now there’s 27 frontline organizations. Over 20,000 different people have now been joined into the system who were missing, and that just means that they are getting some of that support, which a lot of other people take for granted. Now we’ve extended them. We’ve got Hearing Australia, putting in checking people’s hearing here. That’s great. That’s another agency that I work with. The National Disability Insurance Scheme, they’re now working with a lot of people on the NDIS and making sure they can get access. And so that’s fabulous. I mean, Project 614 has of course been doing other work, drug and alcohol work and VicPol and the Housing Vic people have also been utilising this place. But what I like about this place and working with it with the feds is, we’re going to the people and that’s really what it’s all about.

    When I announced that I was changing jobs – not retiring, changing jobs, Brendan was one of the first on the phone. I thought oh, that’s beautiful. He’s just a beautiful man, Brendan. He said, is our contract sorted for when you go? I mean, he sort of said, is it true? And he got into that conversation. And it’s great that David Hazlehurst is here. Services Australia sees the value of doing the outreach work. But really, what I wanted to say in conclusion, in addition to the diabetes work done here by the Salvos, the work done by all of you to join people up is really hope. See, I love coming to this building. It’s a marvellous building. You know, back in the 1880s, 1890s, people were building buildings to last. It showed the importance they attached to it. But whilst this is a beautiful building, it’s what happens in the building is what makes it significant.

    So, this is really a canteen of hope. It’s a building of hope. The volunteers and the people who work here, they’re people of hope. Hope is just the idea which says that you can have a better future and see. Hope is just the emotion that you can look forward to things, and that you have the ability, therefore, to take those steps. If we don’t have hope in our lives, then we have nothing. If we don’t have the idea or the expectation or the dream that things can get better, that there’s a reason to get out of bed in the morning, then you live in a very dark place. And what I love about this building of hope, this operation of hope, is that it delivers that in spades.

    And I love the fact that it’s got – the canteen, it’s rated 4.3, I think, on Google reviews, which is great. It is ironic because that’s what Grossi Florentino across the road. So, it is interesting. And the ham cheese and tomato sandwiches here are probably more value for money too.

    So, you’ve got the hope that you can get a good food, good meal here. But more importantly, all of you are people who subscribe to the view that other people are important. None of you are here because of yourselves. You are all here because you know that none of us are worth anything unless our fellow man and woman is doing okay. And that’s why I was lucky to be introduced by Warren Snowdon. Warren was the father of the House. that’s a term they used in parliament. Longest serving member. And he’s worked on diabetes and Aboriginal communities in central Australia because he represented most of the Northern Territory. But when I think about Warren or I think about any of you who I haven’t mentioned by name, I just know that the world is a very complex and disturbing place. Big elections in America. The news is full of all the things going wrong. But the people in this room, you’ve got hope that the place can be better. And that’s what Diabetes is doing. And that’s why I love today. Because this is just all about hope.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: SAPOL mobile application

    Source: South Australia Police

    From 6 December 2024, the South Australia Police mobile application will no longer be available to download.

    Members of the community can access the same information from the SAPOL website.

    Launched in 2016, the app initially offered users an alternative to the SAPOL website, with about 8,000 having downloaded the app.

    Those with the app remaining on their device should be aware that the application will no longer be updated or supported and the recommended action will be to uninstall the app.

    All the functions/applications within the app can be accessed directly from the SA Police Website via desktop or mobile – SAPOL – Home (police.sa.gov.au)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unexplained death at Port Augusta

    Source: South Australia Police

    Major Crime Investigation Branch and Port Augusta CIB detectives are investigating the unexplained death of a 26 year-old woman from Port Augusta.

    The woman, who had physical and intellectual disabilities, died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on Monday night (October 28).

    She was taken to Port Augusta Hospital on October 24 after SA Ambulance attended at her Edinburgh Terrace home. She was found to be seriously ill with significant infected wounds.

    On October 25, the woman’s condition deteriorated, and she was transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Port Augusta CIB detectives were advised and commenced a criminal neglect investigation and searched her home.

    The woman’s death has been declared a major crime.

    Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the investigation was in its early stages and the examination of the house was expected to take several days.

    Major Crime detectives and Forensic Response Section officers have been in Port Augusta working with local police since yesterday.

    “There are significant indicators of criminal neglect, but it is not yet clear if that caused the woman’s death,’’ he said.

    “Because of this there is a simultaneous criminal and coronial investigation underway that involves a significant commitment of resources.

    “The criminal investigation will examine the role of everyone who was involved in the provision of care to the victim and to determine if anyone is criminally responsible for the death. I expect that will take some time.’’

    “I would urge anyone who knows the victim that had raised concerns about her care to contact police.’’

    Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Supporting at-risk young men in Victoria to break the cycle of gendered violence

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Joint with:

    The Hon Justine Elliot MP
    Assistant Minister for Social Services 
    Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
    Member for Richmond

    Mr Sam Rae MP
    Member for Hawke

    The Albanese Labor Government is strengthening efforts to prevent gender-based violence in Australia through its new $23 million early intervention trials focussed on engaging at risk young men and adolescent boys, including two trial sites in the Hume and Greater Shepparton regions of Victoria.

    Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence, Justine Elliot, alongside the Federal Member for Hawke, Sam Rae, today met with Berry Street and their consortia partners who have been chosen to deliver the trial in the Hume region.

    Speaking from the trial site in Hume, Assistant Minister Elliot said early intervention work with young men is vital to helping break future cycles of violence in the community.

    “Ending gender-based violence is a complex issue, and we know that early intervention as part of a holistic approach is critical,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.

    “Through the Trial, we will intervene early to break the cycle of family, domestic, and sexual violence by improving the wellbeing of at-risk young men and boys in the key 12-to-18-year age range”

    “The 12 trial sites across Australia, including here in North-West of Melbourne, will support young men and boys to recover and heal from their experience of violence and help them to avoid choosing to use violence in their future relationships.”

    Local Federal Member, Sam Rae MP, said how important it was for these trials to be delivered by local services in order to get the best outcomes for the community.

    “Berry Street, alongside Uniting, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, Care First Support Services and Drummond Street, are experts in the field and importantly, know our area and our community”, Mr Rae said.

    “Backed by investment from the Albanese Labor Government, these services will deliver this critical support in our area, and provide the counselling and care that some young men and boys may need to ensure a safer future.”

    Successful grant recipients across Australia are expected to commence delivering services from early 2025.

    Following National Cabinet last month, the Albanese Labor Government committed a further $80 million to enhance and expand child-centric trauma-informed supports for children and young people who have witnessed or experienced family, domestic and sexual violence.

    More information on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is available on the Department of Social Services website.

    If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family, or sexual violence, call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au  for online chat and video call services.

    If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au

    Feeling worried or no good? Connect with 13YARN Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters on 13 92 76, available 24/7 from any mobile or pay phone, or visit www.13yarn.org.au

    Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) is a free, confidential online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD reports to Expert Group on Conservation of Marine Mammals on progress of work and way forward

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Expert Group on Conservation of Marine Mammals held its second meeting today (October 29). The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) reported to the Expert Group on the progress and way forward of the Government’s work on enhancing conservation of marine mammals, including exchanges with agencies with relevant experience, raising public awareness and knowledge of conservation of wildlife (including marine mammals), and review of legislation in relation to the protection of marine mammals.
          
         The specific progress and way forward points were as follows:
     
    (1) Exchange with agencies with relevant experience: The AFCD earlier sent staff to the Beibu Gulf Cetacean Research and Protection Center at Beihai, Guangxi, and Southern Marine Parks, Queensland, Australia, to exchange and learn from their experience in handling marine mammal stranding cases; legislation, management and research on the protection of cetaceans; as well as communication with the public, publicity and education, etc. The department has suitably applied the relevant experiences in their follow-up work such as the formulation of a response plan and legislative review, etc. To prepare for future operations involving field rescues, rehabilitation, and release of stranded whales and dolphins, the department plans to organise a visit to Sanya, Hainan, as there was  a recent successful release of an injured short-finned pilot whale following its rescue and rehabilitation during the period from January to May 2024;
     
    (2) Enhancing publicity and education: The AFCD has conducted a series of public education activities, targeting not only the general public, but also government departments, marine users, students and teachers, with a view to deepening their understanding of Hong Kong’s marine environment and wildlife, raising their awareness of respecting, caring for and appreciating marine resources, and promoting the best practices that minimise the disturbance to cetaceans and fostering a sense of shared stewardship on the protection of wild cetaceans and their habitats. Among others, the AFCD organised the Marine Wildlife Appreciation Festival from January to March 2024 to promote the message of marine conservation to the public.  The AFCD will also prepare to organise a Marine Wildlife Appreciation Roving Exhibition to display the preserved skeleton of Bryde’s whale found in Hong Kong waters in July last year to further raise public awareness on protection of marine mammals; and
     
    (3) Legislative review: The Government has commenced the review of the legislation in relation to the protection of marine mammals. The preliminary suggestions are for the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation to be given new power to designate certain areas of Hong Kong waters as a “Temporary Marine Restricted Area” for the purpose of protecting cetaceans when necessary, such as the situation of a non-resident whale appearing in Hong Kong waters, conferring a legal status on the existing Code of Conduct for Dolphin Watching, and exploring the feasibility of a prohibition on watching non-resident cetaceans.
          
         During the meeting, the Expert Group supported the relevant recommendations and direction of work proposed by the AFCD. The AFCD expressed gratitude for the constructive advice offered by the Expert Group and will take into account the views and continue to work with the Expert Group, with a view to enhancing the work of marine mammal conservation.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Territorial Reaffirms Board of Directors Recommendation that Territorial Shareholders Vote “FOR” Hope Bancorp Merger

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONOLULU, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Territorial Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: TBNK) (“Territorial” or the “Company”) today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has reaffirmed its recommendation that Territorial shareholders vote “FOR” the merger with Hope Bancorp, Inc. (“Hope Bancorp”) (NASDAQ: HOPE) at the November 6, 2024, Special Meeting of Stockholders.

    On October 25, 2024, Territorial received additional information from Blue Hill Advisors (“Blue Hill”) with respect to its preliminary indication of interest to acquire the Company.

    Territorial’s Board of Directors (the “Territorial Board”), with the assistance of its legal and financial advisors, over the course of several meetings, carefully reviewed this information in accordance with its fiduciary duties, its commitment to serving the best interests of all Territorial shareholders and its obligations under Territorial’s merger agreement with Hope Bancorp.

    Specifically, the Territorial Board reviewed information provided by Blue Hill, recently and previously, to ascertain whether Blue Hill has provided sufficient verifiable and objective information to justify a Territorial Board determination that Blue Hill’s preliminary indication of interest is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal as defined by Territorial’s merger agreement with Hope Bancorp. The Territorial Board has also considered whether it would be a breach of its fiduciary duty not to enter into a confidentiality agreement or otherwise engage with Blue Hill based on the information provided by Blue Hill to date. The Territorial Board concluded that the totality of the information provided by Blue Hill does not provide a sufficient basis for a finding that both: (i) the Blue Hill preliminary indication of interest is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal under the terms and conditions required by the merger agreement; and (ii) a failure to enter into a confidentiality agreement or otherwise negotiate with Blue Hill would be more likely than not to result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under applicable law. Accordingly, the Territorial Board concluded that Territorial may not engage with Blue Hill under the terms and conditions of the Hope Bancorp merger agreement and that it continues to support the merger with Hope Bancorp.

    In reaching this conclusion, the Territorial Board considered, among other things:

    • the all-stock nature of the strategic merger with Hope Bancorp and the benefits the combination with Hope Bancorp will have for shareholders as compared to a cash-out transaction, including the comparison of Hope Bancorp’s liquid, dividend-paying stock to what would be the Blue Hill-controlled Territorial stock, which would be expected to be a relatively more illiquid investment that would likely not pay a dividend for a prolonged period of time;
    • continued questions regarding the conditional nature of the financing of the transaction by the Blue Hill investors, despite Territorial’s repeated statements with respect to this deficiency for several weeks;
    • Blue Hill’s failure to address in a reasoned manner how the Blue Hill investor group would overcome the likely regulatory approval hurdles. In contrast, Hope Bancorp is well known by bank regulators and its approval process is well underway;
    • Blue Hill’s failure to address the impact of the expected changes in regulatory capital and the Company’s business plan, all of which should be expected to be considered as part of any regulatory approval process – despite Blue Hill’s claims that regulatory approvals will be less complicated than the Hope Bancorp approvals;
    • Blue Hill’s failure to realistically address transaction timing considerations, particularly including timing related to the application and regulatory approval process, in contrast to the expected timing of the Hope Bancorp merger approvals and expected timing of the closing of the Hope Bancorp merger;
    • the overall execution risk associated with the Blue Hill preliminary indication of interest, including the necessary steps and approvals required to conduct a recapitalization, a tender offer and negotiations with multiple Blue Hill investors versus Hope Bancorp’s standard merger transaction where all required applications are currently being processed;
    • Blue Hill’s failure to identify the expected key management team members that would manage the revised Company if acquired by Blue Hill. These individuals will be required to be identified to, and vetted by, the banking regulators before any approvals could be obtained;   
    • Blue Hill’s failure to identify all expected directors of the newly-reconstituted Board that would govern Territorial if acquired by Blue Hill, as these individuals will also be required to be identified to, and vetted by, the banking regulators before any approvals could be obtained;
    • Blue Hill’s failure to specify how it would address any limitations established by or approvals that may be required from the banking regulators to pay any termination fee or conduct a tender offer, which would be an outflow of capital that would require regulatory approval; and
    • Blue Hill’s failure to substantiate its projected financial results for Territorial on a stand-alone basis, which Blue Hill has asserted as part of the rationale for its proposed acquisition and which represent a risk for existing shareholders who continue as shareholders if the Blue Hill proposal is completed.

    The Territorial Board continues to recommend that shareholders vote “FOR” the Hope Bancorp merger. For more information, visit the Company’s website at https://www.territorialandhopecombination.com.

    Territorial Shareholders are Urged to Vote “FOR” the Hope Bancorp Merger Ahead of the
    Special Meeting on November 6, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. HST.

    Voting is quick and easy.

    Call toll-free:
    (888) 742-1305
    Banks and brokers should call:
    (516) 933-3100
    Email: info@laurelhill.com
    Electronically: www.proxyvote.com
     

    About Us

    Territorial Bancorp Inc., headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, is the stock holding company for Territorial Savings Bank. Territorial Savings Bank is a state-chartered savings bank which was originally chartered in 1921 by the Territory of Hawaiʻi. Territorial Savings Bank conducts business from its headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and has 28 branch offices in the state of Hawaiʻi. For additional information, please visit https://www.tsbhawaii.bank/.

    Additional Information about the Hope Merger and Where to Find It

    In connection with the proposed Hope Merger, Hope has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4, containing the Proxy Prospectus, which has been mailed or otherwise delivered to Territorial’s stockholders on or about August 29, 2024, as supplemented September 12, 2024. Hope and Territorial may file additional relevant materials with the SEC. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY PROSPECTUS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE FILED OR FURNISHED OR WILL BE FILED OR FURNISHED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. You may obtain any of the documents filed with or furnished to the SEC by Hope or Territorial at no cost from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Some statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “will,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates” or similar expressions. With respect to any such forward-looking statements, Territorial Bancorp claims the protection provided for in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties. Hope Bancorp’s actual results, performance or achievements may differ significantly from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. The closing of the proposed transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, the approval of Territorial Bancorp stockholders, and other customary closing conditions. There is no assurance that such conditions will be met or that the proposed merger will be consummated within the expected time frame, or at all. If the transaction is consummated, factors that may cause actual outcomes to differ from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements include, among things: difficulties and delays in integrating Hope Bancorp and Territorial Bancorp and achieving anticipated synergies, cost savings and other benefits from the transaction; higher than anticipated transaction costs; deposit attrition, operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the merger, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees and customers, may be greater than expected; and required governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained on its proposed terms and schedule, or without regulatory constraints that may limit growth. Other risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: possible further deterioration in economic conditions in Hope Bancorp’s or Territorial Bancorp’s areas of operation or elsewhere; interest rate risk associated with volatile interest rates and related asset-liability matching risk; liquidity risks; risk of significant non-earning assets, and net credit losses that could occur, particularly in times of weak economic conditions or times of rising interest rates; the failure of or changes to assumptions and estimates underlying Hope Bancorp’s or Territorial Bancorp’s allowances for credit losses; potential increases in deposit insurance assessments and regulatory risks associated with current and future regulations; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Hope Bancorp or Territorial Bancorp; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the common stock of either or both parties to the proposed transaction; and diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities. For additional information concerning these and other risk factors, see Hope Bancorp’s and Territorial Bancorp’s most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K. Hope Bancorp and Territorial Bancorp do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of such statements except as required by law.

    Investor / Media Contacts:
    Walter Ida
    SVP, Director of Investor Relations
    808-946-1400
    walter.ida@territorialsavings.net

    The MIL Network –