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Category: Australia

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sex dolls and ‘Diddy’ costumes: the latest AFL drama shows Australian sport still can’t eradicate misogyny

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Wescott, Lecturer in Humanities and Social Sciences, Monash University

    Disturbing details emerged this week about AFL men’s football team GWS’ end-of-year event, themed “controversial couples”.

    The AFL handed down a range of sanctions to the players involved, including fines and suspensions.

    While those defending the players have suggested their actions were lighthearted and in the spirit of the season-end celebration, research has established a connection between rape jokes and sexual assault.

    The AFL has a tarnished history when it comes to players perpetrating violence against women.

    Despite pledging support for ending gender-based violence in Australia, this incident proves problematic cultural problems persist within AFL clubs.

    What happened?

    Following an anonymous tip-off to GWS management, it was revealed a number of players engaged in sexist, racist and degrading acts during an end-of-season event.

    Player Josh Fahey dressed up as former NRL player Jarryd Hayne and “simulated inappropriate acts on a sex doll.”

    Hayne was sentenced to four years and nine months prison for raping a woman on the night of the 2018 NRL grand final but was released earlier this year after his convictions were overturned.

    Players Connor Idun and Lachie Whitfield performed a skit involving slavery, while another pair simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers.

    It has also been reported a sketch involving Sean “Diddy” Combs — an American rapper currently jailed on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation — was performed.

    Scholars and activists are working tirelessly to change public perceptions around violence against women. Jokes and skits themed around violence and sexual assault are harmful because they trivialise the immense harm gendered violence causes women and children.

    The AFL’s woman problem

    There are many historic examples of AFL players and athletes of other codes acting violently and disrespectfully towards women.

    Numerous current and former players, who have faced criminal charges for assaults and sexual violence towards women, have been allowed to continue playing or retain their status as celebrated players.

    Current AFL player Jordan De Goey has faced sexual assault allegations, and was briefly stood down by his club in 2021 after being charged with assault in the United States.

    He pleaded guilty to harassment and in 2022, Collingwood extended De Goey’s contract for five years.

    Recently, one of the AFL’s greatest former players, Wayne Carey, was set to be inducted as a legend in the New South Wales Football Hall of Fame, despite having a number of charges for assaulting women. However, the AFL did eventually block the move after public outcry.

    The AFL, and parts of the media, often distinguish players’ violence against women from their achievements on the field. This allows men to continue playing or repair their public image.

    It also sends a message that misogyny and violence against women are tolerated as long as the perpetrator’s talent provides value to the sport.

    The impact of athletes

    In the case of the GWS players, the AFL’s sanctions indicate the code’s willingness to take a stance on breaches of conduct.

    However, that the players believed their costumes and skits were acceptable in the first place indicates deep-seated issues in attitudes towards women.

    In each of the costume examples, sexual and racial violence formed key elements of the “joke”, indicating the AFL’s education and training on equity and diversity is not working.

    The general public tends to have high expectations of athletes’ behaviour due to their position as role models.

    It is often suggested that boys and young men require positive role models and that AFL players fit the bill, although research is not clear on whether the gender of supportive adults is relevant.

    At the moment, there is significant concern within the community about the influence of dangerous misogynist influencers on boys’ attitudes and behaviour towards women.

    Research suggests that while some young men have the skills to be critical about the messages they receive about violence and sexism, they still experience pressure to live up to restrictive rules on what it means to be a “real man.”

    Many Australians highly value AFL players’ skills and abilities on the field. This admiration and respect can also extend to their off-field lives.

    But it doesn’t mean AFL players are beyond reproach.

    More needs to be done

    The impacts of men’s violence on their victims are horrific and myriad.

    This year, the AFL partnered with Our Watch – a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children – to provide training to players and clubs and help them understand:

    • the link between gender inequality and violence against women
    • the role of sport in promoting gender equality
    • and what players can do to be active allies including taking action when they see or hear disrespect.

    While this is promising, this education must result in changed behaviour, attitudes and accountability.

    The Australian government has recently labelled violence against women a “national emergency”. Major sporting codes need to take a leading role in addressing it.

    It’s time for the AFL to honestly confront their problems with misogyny and violence against women.

    Stephanie Wescott receives funding from Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS)

    – ref. Sex dolls and ‘Diddy’ costumes: the latest AFL drama shows Australian sport still can’t eradicate misogyny – https://theconversation.com/sex-dolls-and-diddy-costumes-the-latest-afl-drama-shows-australian-sport-still-cant-eradicate-misogyny-241562

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death is a defining moment, but it will not end the war

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research scholar, Middle East studies, Australian National University

    The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, one of the masterminds behind the group’s horrific October 7 2023 attack on southern Israel, is no doubt a consequential moment in Israel’s year-long war against Hamas.

    But is it a turning point?

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sinwar’s killing – long a major objective of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – would signal the “beginning of the end” of the war. But he made clear the war is not over.

    In fact, Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and member of the war cabinet, said the IDF would continue to operate in Gaza “for years to come”.

    So, what exactly will be the impact of Sinwar’s death?

    Does this change anything?

    Sinwar’s death does change at least one aspect of the war. He was an iconic figure, for better or worse, for Palestinians. He was seen as someone who was taking the fight to Israel.

    With Sinwar still alive and Hamas hitting back at Israel’s war in Gaza, the group was actually increasing in popularity.

    Opinion polling in late May showed support for Hamas among Palestinians in the Occupied Territories had reached 40%, a six-point increase from three months earlier. Support for the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, was about half that.

    Sinwar’s demise changes the face of Hamas. It could be a major turning point if Hamas is unable to replace him with a leader as strong as he was.

    One of the names being discussed is Khaled Mashal, the former head of Hamas’ political office who still remains influential in the organisation.

    This moment offers an opportunity for a new Hamas leader to seek a ceasefire with Israel and an end to the horrific conditions in which Gazans are living. But there’s still the question of whether Sinwar’s death achieves Israel’s war objectives.

    What would constitute a victory for Netanyahu?

    The main issue is that Netanyahu’s war aims have not yet been achieved:

    • the elimination of Hamas as a fighting force and a danger to Israel

    • the freeing of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, as many as half of whom may now be dead

    • the re-establishment of deterrence with Hezbollah in Lebanon to allow the 60,000 Israelis who have been evacuated from northern Israel to return home.

    Although the killing of Sinwar is a major step towards restricting Hamas’ ability to maintain its war against the IDF in Gaza, Israeli soldiers still face some very significant problems there.

    Over the past year, Hamas has morphed from an organised fighting force into guerrilla mode, which makes its fighters much more difficult to eliminate completely.

    The classic methodology for dealing with a guerrilla force is “clear, hold and build”. This means you clear an area of the enemy, put troops in to hold the area, and then build an environment in which the enemy can’t re-establish itself.

    Israel can certainly do the “clearing” and “holding”, but has not been able to build an environment in which Hamas can no longer operate.

    Israeli journalists who have been embedded with Israeli forces have made the point that Hamas operatives are returning to areas that were previously cleared by the IDF, in part due to the group’s extensive tunnel network.

    Other complications for Netanyahu

    Another issue for Netanyahu is that right-wing members of his cabinet have threatened to resign from his governing coalition if he agrees to a ceasefire before Hamas is destroyed as a fighting force. They believe Hamas could use a ceasefire to regroup and re-establish itself as a serious threat to Israel.

    At the same time, Netanyahu is also facing increasing pressure over the fate of the hostages. If there isn’t a ceasefire and negotiations to release them, their families and supporters will continue the large demonstrations they have been staging in Israel in recent months. They are desperate to get back any hostages who may still be alive and the remains of those who have died.

    Netanyahu is also still weighing Israel’s promised retaliation against Iran for its missile attack against the Jewish state in early October.

    If Israel does launch a major strike, what does Iran do in response? Iran’s problem is that it had always relied on a strong Hezbollah in Lebanon to be able to respond to Israel militarily on its behalf. And now it seems to have lost that as Hezbollah has been significantly weakened in recent weeks.

    The US sees a potential off-ramp

    Another aspect, of course, is where the United States stands on this. The US has made clear it sees Sinwar’s death as being an off-ramp for Israel in Gaza – it can claim a major strategic victory and essentially agree to a ceasefire.

    In recent weeks, the US has also given Israel an ultimatum, saying if there isn’t an improvement in the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza by the end of November, it will cut off some military aid to Israel.

    The Democrats want the war to end as soon as possible, because while it’s on the front pages of US newspapers, it divides the party and could encourage some voters not to come out and vote in the presidential election.

    So it’s very important for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, that there be a ceasefire as soon as possible. She said as much in her remarks today:

    Hamas is decimated and its leadership is eliminated. This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza.

    The problem, however, is that Netanyahu has shown in the past he is prepared to go against US wishes whenever it suits him. And a ceasefire does not suit his purposes at this point.

    Given Republican nominee Donald Trump’s steadfast support for Netanyahu, the Israeli leader would also be more than happy to see him return to the White House.

    What’s most likely to happen

    Taking all of these factors into account, Netanyahu is likely to prioritise keeping his government together.

    As such, he will be more guided by its very right-wing members – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – than by the US or the families of the hostages.

    AFter Sinwar’s death, Smotrich said the IDF “must increase intense military pressure in the Strip”, while Ben Gvir called on Israel to “continue with all our strength until absolute victory”.

    So at this stage, it seems likely the war will continue until Netanyahu can say Hamas has been destroyed as a fighting force. That is what his cabinet is demanding to achieve the government’s war aims.

    Ian Parmeter 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. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death is a defining moment, but it will not end the war – https://theconversation.com/hamas-leader-yahya-sinwars-death-is-a-defining-moment-but-it-will-not-end-the-war-241666

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: The Enemy Within: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Insider Threats

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In today’s interconnected digital world, organizations face a multitude of cybersecurity challenges, with insider threats posing a significant risk. These threats, whether malicious or unintentional, pose a significant risk to organizations of all sizes and industries.

    The Evolving Nature of Insider Threats

    Traditionally, insider threats were often disgruntled employees or those motivated by personal gain. However, the landscape has shifted. State-sponsored actors, and sophisticated hacking groups are now actively planting threat actors inside of target organizations. This new breed of insider threat is patient, highly skilled, and often backed by substantial resources.

    Recently, KnowBe4 inadvertently hired a North Korean threat actor who attempted to infiltrate the organization by posing as a software engineer. Thanks to our strong security protocols and the vigilance of the InfoSec team, they were exposed within 25 minutes of showing suspicious activities during onboarding, preventing any unauthorized access to systems.

    Incidents like these underscore a well-known and widespread tactic employed by North Korean threat actors. This was confirmed later when we shared the collected data with the FBI and cybersecurity experts at Mandiant. It’s a reminder that in cybersecurity, information sharing is crucial.

    Other recent incidents across various industries have also highlighted this growing trend. Organizations have found themselves unknowingly hiring individuals with malicious intent. These threat actors often pose as legitimate job seekers, using stolen or fabricated identities, and leveraging advanced technologies like AI to create convincing personas.

    The Modern Insider Threat

    Today’s insider threats are mostly characterized by:

    • Sophisticated Identity Theft: Using stolen identities complete with verifiable background information.
    • Advanced Technology: Employing AI-generated images and deep fake technology to bypass visual verifications.
    • Social Engineering: Expertly navigating interview processes and social interactions within the organization.
    • Technical Skills: Possessing genuine skills to perform job functions while covertly pursuing malicious objectives.
    • Patience and Persistence: Willing to invest significant time to gain trust and access within an organization.

    The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

    The potential damage from insider threats extends far beyond data breaches or financial losses. These threat actors can:

    • Exfiltrate sensitive data
    • Sabotage critical infrastructure
    • Manipulate financial systems
    • Compromise national security
    • Damage brand reputation and erode customer trust

    Mitigating Insider Threats

    To combat this evolving threat, organizations must adopt a multi-faceted approach:

    • Enhanced Vetting Processes: Implement rigorous background checks, including cross-referencing multiple sources.
    • Continuous Monitoring: Employ advanced behavioral analytics and anomaly detection systems.
    • Zero Trust Mindset: Adopt a “never trust, always verify” approach to access control.
    • Security Awareness Training: Educate all employees about the signs of insider threats and reporting suspicious behavior.
    • Regular Security Audits: Conduct frequent assessments of access privileges and system vulnerabilities.
    • Incident Response Planning: Develop and regularly test plans for quickly containing potential insider threats.
    • Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Foster close cooperation between HR, IT, and security teams to create a unified defense.

    The Path Forward

    As insider threats evolve, organizations must adopt a holistic strategy combining technology with human vigilance. Building a culture of security awareness is crucial, empowering employees to act as human firewalls. Information sharing within industries and with law enforcement is vital, as collaboration is key to combating these sophisticated threats. 

    Conclusion

    The fight against insider threats is an ongoing process of adaptation, learning, and vigilance. In this new era of cybersecurity, our greatest assets are our people, our processes, and our willingness to evolve. By harnessing these strengths, we can create resilient organizations capable of withstanding the threats that lie within.

    To learn more about how you can protect your organization, read the KnowBe4 whitepaper on the topic here.

    By Dr. Martin J. Kraemer, Cybersecurity Awareness Advocate at KnowBe4

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $4.67 million invested in NDIS knowledge and skills

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    The Albanese Government has committed $4.67 million in new grants which go towards improving the knowledge and skills of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, providers and workers.

    These new Knowledge and Skill Development grants have been made available through the Support for NDIS Providers Grants Program. The grants were highly competitive and oversubscribed with around 500 applications made. Of these, there were 14 successful applications that were assessed to have strongly met the assessment criteria and objectives of the grant.

    Minister for the NDIS, the Hon. Bill Shorten MP, says the grant funding will go towards 14 initiatives with local and national reach and benefit people with disability across Australia.

    “These grants will deliver community-led initiatives that will be co-designed and delivered with people with disability to achieve better outcomes,” Minister Shorten said.

    “People with disability have the right to access the information and tools they need to make sure they are respected when they engage with NDIS providers. By investing in these initiatives, we can better support people with disability to access quality and safe NDIS supports and services.”

    The 14 funded national and state organisations include:

    National

    • Ausmed Education Pty Ltd awarded $499,527.26 to (excl GST) fund the ‘Know My Rights: The NDIS National Microlearning Platform’.
    • Autism STEP Australia Pty Ltd awarded $146,000.00 (excl GST) to fund the ‘Empowering Autistic and LGBTQIA+SB Youth (16–25-year-olds) through Accessible NDIS Resources’ project.
    • Divergent Matters Pty Ltd awarded $149,300.00 (excl GST) for the ‘Inclusive Futures: Advocating for Children’s Rights in Disability Services project’.
    • Down Syndrome Australia awarded $192,760.00 (excl GST) to fund the ‘Supporting My Rights’ project, with a focus on children and young people with Down Syndrome.
    • Endeavour Foundation Limited awarded $500,000.00 (excl GST) for the ‘Thrive: Rights and Advocacy’ project.
    • Extended Families Australia awarded $272,788.82 (excl GST) to fund the ‘The Bridge to Rights Program’ for culturally and linguistically diverse children and young people.
    • Mcried Living Pty Ltd awarded $147,391.28 (excl GST) for the ‘MyRights Awareness Remote Disability Campaign’, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and rural and remote participants.
    • Noah’s Ark Inc. awarded $237,826.00 (excl GST) for the ‘From Bystanders to Changemakers: Supporting Child Agency’ project.

    WA

    • Advocacy WA Incorporated awarded $492,483.00 (excl GST) to fund the ‘Your Rights, Your Supports, Your Service – NDIS Services and Supports’ project.
    • Developmental Disability Council of Western Australia Inc awarded $497,250.00 (excl GST) for the ‘Voice and Choice: A Communication Rights project’.

    QLD

    • Institute for Urban Indigenous Health awarded $500,000.00 (excl GST) to fund ‘Yarnin’ through Your NDIS’.

    VIC

    • Sunbury Community Health Centre Ltd awarded $356,709.48 (excl GST) to fund the ‘My Story’ project.
    • Victorian Advocacy League for Individuals with Disability (VALID) Inc awarded $494,180.93 (excl GST) for the ‘Speaking Out, Skilling Up’ project.

    SA

    • Unity Housing Company Limited awarded $189,500.00 (excl GST) to fund the ‘CoCreate: SDA Futures’ project.

    The Support for NDIS Providers Grants Program is administered by the NDIS Commission, the independent Commonwealth agency responsible for improving the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services.

    For more information about the NDIS Commission and the grants program, visit http://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/grants.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Laura Jayes, Sky News

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    LAURA JAYES, HOST: One of the biggest issues you’re engaged in at the moment, especially if you’re a parent, is social media, and where it should be banned, at what age. The Government is working on this. Joining me now is the Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland. She’s here in the studio with me. We talk about this a lot. We’ve been discussing how at school pickup this is being discussed widely. There’s a lot of pressure on parents at the moment. It’s not about outsourcing, parenting. Where we’re trying to land now, at the moment, particularly from the Government’s perspective, is what the age is, what the age limit is.
     
    MICHELLE ROWLAND, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS: That’s right. And we’re working through that now, Laura. There’s a wide variety of views about what that minimum age should be. But it’s been a really useful conversation that’s been going on in the Australian community, also with experts, and at the Social Media Summit that I attended last week, jointly hosted by South Australia and New South Wales.
     
    There’s a couple of things I’ll say: the first is we’ve released our legislative design principles because we will introduce legislation this year to introduce a mandatory minimum age for accessing social media. And part of that legislative design includes putting the onus on the platforms, not on parents or children. Parents and children won’t be subject to penalties. These will rest on the digital platforms to demonstrate that they are enforcing this minimum age, and the eSafety Commissioner will be responsible for oversight and enforcement. And, this is a really important point – we’ve already got a framework in place to be able to do this. We’re not starting from scratch.
     
    Governments and regulators around the world are grappling with the issue, and I’m sure your viewers recognise that social media has many benefits, but the harms need to be addressed, particularly as they apply to children.
     
    JAYES: Yeah.
     
    ROWLAND: The second point about the age: people will say to me, the really important value here is normative. It’s not saying how you should parent or judging parenting, it’s giving parents a guide, giving parents some normative value there about saying this is what government has determined based on the research they’ve done- based on the evidence is reasonable.
     
    And parents are exhausted. They’re exhausted trying to keep up with the demands of parenting and having this second generation of digital natives. So, I think that is where the value in this will lie, in addition to actually keeping children safer online, but also, as we’ve seen from the mobile phone ban in schools, exposing them to things beyond looking at a screen all the time.
     
    JAYES: Yeah, and this is a first generation of young children whose lives are lived through social media, more than they are in real life, in many ways. And the evidence is overwhelming, isn’t it? When you look at the rates of depression, suicide ideation and just general anxiety, it comes down to social media and the digital influence in our lives. So, when you say you’re going to introduce legislation that will happen towards the end of the year, so end of November – that’s the last couple of sitting weeks before Christmas. And you will have an age there?
     
    ROWLAND: That’s correct.
     
    JAYES: In that legislation.
     
    ROWLAND: And we are looking forward to support across the Parliament with this.
     
    JAYES: Have you decided on that, but don’t want to tell us yet? Or …
     
    ROWLAND: No, we’re working through this. And, as I said, there’s a variety of ages. We’re looking at a range between 13 and 16 …
     
    JAYES: Okay. So, 13 … that’s, a new age, because usually the argument’s around 14 and 16. Michelle, could you take us through- you know, it doesn’t seem like- it’s only three years. So, what are the arguments and the difference in the arguments between those ages?
     
    ROWLAND: They’re twofold, if I can summarise: the first is based around children’s development- physical and emotional development. So, puberty obviously, and there’s different responses to different people. We all know that. But secondly, there are also differences based on gender as well. And in terms of the platforms actually being able to recognise and enforce, we’re doing our age assurance trial at the moment, and we know that some of those technologies actually have differentiators in them, depending on even things like ethnicity. So, we have to take these different factors into account.
     
    JAYES: So this is down to face recognition?
     
    ROWLAND: Yes, and some …
     
    JAYES: And that children, particularly boys, sometimes can look older than their years.
     
    ROWLAND: Sometimes, depending on gender and depending on ethnicity, there can be variances in that.
     
    JAYES: Yeah. So, you’ve got to take that all into consideration in this legislation?
     
    ROWLAND: That’s correct. And I think I should also point out, Laura, when this is legislated, and we certainly hope that this will be legislated without delay, is that this won’t protect every child from every harm, every minute that they are online. But it’s going to make a difference. And I think that is what Australians are looking for. The alternative is to do nothing, and we’re just not prepared to take that course.
     
    JAYES: Okay. Let me ask you finally about this Channel Nine culture review. This is a long time coming. There are 22 recommendations. A lot of it’s historic, to be honest. And it’s put on the shoulders of people that are no longer at Channel Nine. Is this review acceptable to you? And is the response acceptable?
     
    ROWLAND: Firstly, this has exposed a very serious cultural issue within Nine. And we know that there’s other parts of the media who have been similarly infected by bad behaviours. Our public broadcaster is a case in point when it comes to racism.
     
    But I think what the public is looking for, and what these impacted employees are looking for, is delivery. It’s one thing to identify the problems, and it is useful that has been done and that has been made transparent now. But what people will want to see is deliverables, milestones, actual commitments, what sort of mechanisms are going to be put in place.
     
    We’re talking about the Fourth Estate here. And when you have a private sector organisation where, I think I was watching your show earlier, over 60 per cent of the complaints were around sexual harassment. No good corporate citizen would stand for that. And the fact that it has reached that level shows the seriousness of it.
     
    So, the key point here will be delivery. And I’m saying that as someone who comes from a sector where we have had our own issues and continue to implement change. Change has to happen because the Fourth Estate is fundamental to our democracy.
     
    JAYES: So, what happens if it doesn’t, because often you see these reports as big promises made. Cultural change takes time. I mean, the Government, you, for example, don’t have any power to intervene in a private sector or at a private company like Channel Nine, do you?
     
    ROWLAND: Well, the fact is, if there are crimes being committed here as well, and they’ve been reported, then that’s incumbent on Government. Government can always (take) its own actions where it sees the need to either investigate or potentially make legislative change.
     
    But I think what everyone would want to see here, Laura, is a media company acting in the best interests of not only their employees, but also their product. This is free-to-air broadcasting. It’s stable, free and ubiquitous. Any Australian can get it, but we want to see a media sector that is strong in terms of its culture. Clearly it needs to change in many aspects, and there have been reports, as I said, across the board, including in our public broadcaster, and I think the Australian people will want to see deliverables from here on.
     
    JAYES: I think so too. Michelle, thanks so much for your time. Great to see you.
     
    ROWLAND: Pleasure.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Could a recent ruling change the game for scam victims? Here’s why the banks will be watching closely

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law, The University of Melbourne

    Meteoritka/Shutterstock

    In Australia, it’s scam victims who foot the bill for the overwhelming majority of the money lost to scams each year.

    A 2023 review by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) found banks detected and stopped only a small proportion of scams. The total amount banks paid in compensation paled in comparison to total losses.

    So, it was a strong statement this week when it was revealed the Australian Financial Conduct Authority (AFCA) had ordered a bank – HSBC – to compensate a customer who lost more than $47,000 through a sophisticated bank impersonation or “spoofing” scam.

    This decision was significant. An AFCA determination is binding on the relevant bank or other financial institution, which has no direct right of appeal. It could have implications for the way similar cases are treated in future.

    The ruling comes amid a broader push for sector-wide reforms to give banks more responsibility for detecting, deterring and responding to scams, as opposed to simply telling customers to be “more careful”.

    Here’s what you should know about this landmark ruling, and what it might mean for consumers.



    Read more:
    Australia’s new scam prevention draft is welcome – but it needs to be broader in scope

    A highly sophisticated ‘spoofing’ scam

    You might be familiar with “push payment” scams that trick the victim into paying money to a dummy account. These include the “mum I’ve lost my phone” scam and some romance scams.

    The recent case concerned an equally noxious “bank impersonation” or “spoofing” scam. The complainant – referred to as “Mr T” – was tricked into giving the scammer access to his HSBC account, from which an unauthorised payment was made.

    The victim was duped into providing passcodes to access his online banking account.
    tsingha25/Shutterstock

    The scammer sent Mr T a text message, purportedly asking him to investigate an attempted Amazon transaction.

    In an effort to respond to the (fake) unauthorised Amazon purchase, Mr T revealed security passcodes to the scammer, enabling them to transfer $47,178.54 from his account and disappear with it.

    The fact Mr T was dealing with scammers was far from obvious – scammers had information about him one might reasonably expect only a bank would know, such as his bank username.

    On top of this, the scam text message appeared in a thread of other legitimate text messages that had previously been sent by the real HSBC.

    AFCA’s ruling

    HSBC argued to AFCA that having to pay compensation should be ruled out under the ePayments Code, a voluntary code of practice administered by ASIC.

    Under this code, a bank is not required to compensate a customer for an unauthorised payment if that customer has disclosed their passcode. The bank argued the complainant had voluntarily disclosed these codes to the scammer, meaning the bank didn’t need to pay.

    AFCA disagreed. It noted the very way the scam had worked was by creating a sense of urgency and crisis. AFCA considered that the complainant had been manipulated into disclosing the passcodes and had not acted voluntarily.

    AFCA awarded compensation covering the vast majority of the disputed transaction amount, lost interest charged to a home loan account, and $5,000 towards Mr T’s legal costs.

    It also ordered the bank to pay compensation of $1,000 for poor customer service in dealing with the matter, including communication delays.

    Other cases may be more complex

    In this case, the determination was relatively straightforward. It found Mr T had not voluntarily disclosed his account information, so was not excluded from being compensated under the ePayments Code.

    However, many payment scams fall outside the ePayments Code because they involve the customer directly sending money to the scammer (as opposed to the scammer accessing the customer’s account). That means there is no code to direct compensation.

    Still, AFCA’s jurisdiction is broader than merely applying a code. In considering compensation for scam losses, AFCA must consider what is “fair in all the circumstances”. This means taking into account:

    • legal principles
    • applicable industry codes
    • good industry practice
    • previous AFCA decisions.

    Relevant factors might well include whether the bank was proactive in responding to known scams, as well as the challenges for individual customers in identifying scams.

    Broader reforms are on the way

    At the heart of this determination by AFCA is a recognition that, increasingly, detecting sophisticated scams can be next to impossible for customers, which can mean they don’t act voluntarily in making payments to scammers.

    Similar reasoning has informed a range of recent reform initiatives that put more responsibility for detecting and responding to scams on the banks, rather than their customers.

    In 2023, Australia’s banking sector committed to a new “Scam-Safe Accord”. This is a commitment to implement new measures to protect customers, including a confirmation of payee service, delays for new payments, and biometric identity checks for new accounts.

    Tech platforms – including social media giants – would have to take more proactive steps against scams under proposed new legislation.
    Primakov/Shutterstock

    Changes on the horizon could be more ambitious and significant.

    The proposed Scams Prevention Framework legislation would require Australian banks, telcos and digital platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent, detect, report, disrupt and respond to scams.

    It would also include a compulsory external dispute resolution process, like AFCA’s, for consumers seeking compensation for when any of these institutions fail to comply.

    Addressing scams is not just an Australian issue. In the United Kingdom, newly introduced rules make paying and receiving banks responsible for compensating customers, for scam losses up to £85,000 (A$165,136), unless the customer is grossly negligent.

    Jeannie Marie Paterson has previously received funding from the Australian Research Council and conducted research for ASIC and AFCA. She is currently working on a project on AFCA determinations with Dr Nicola Howell and Evgenia Bourova. The scams research has been assisted by Andrew Lim.

    Nicola Howell has previously conducted funded research for ASIC and is currently working on a project on AFCA determinations with Professor Jeannie Paterson and Evgenia Bourova. Nicola is affiliated with the Consumers’ Federation of Australia, as a member of the CFA Executive.

    – ref. Could a recent ruling change the game for scam victims? Here’s why the banks will be watching closely – https://theconversation.com/could-a-recent-ruling-change-the-game-for-scam-victims-heres-why-the-banks-will-be-watching-closely-241558

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APAC deal volume drops 6.8% during Q1-Q3 2024, as India, Japan, and Australia defy global trend, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    APAC deal volume drops 6.8% during Q1-Q3 2024, as India, Japan, and Australia defy global trend, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    Deal activity in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region saw a 6.8% year-on-year (YoY) decline during January to September (Q1-Q3) 2024, with mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and venture financing facing headwinds from economic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions. However, APAC demonstrated resilience compared to global markets, with countries like India, Japan, and Australia bucking the trend and showing growth in deal volume, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that a total of 10,551 deals were announced in APAC during Q1-Q3 2024 compared to the 11,317 deals announced during the same period in previous year,

    The number of M&A, private equity, and venture financing deals registered a YoY decline of 3.1%, 20.7%, and 10.2%, respectively, during the review period.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In line with the global trend, APAC also witnessed decline in deal activity amid the economic uncertainties, ongoing wars and geopolitical tensions. However, it is noteworthy that APAC showcased relative resilience compared to other regions and even though there was a decline, it was the least among all the regions.”

    For instance, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central American regions experienced respective deal volume fall by 16%, 13.6%, 7.6%, and 22.3% YoY during Q1-Q3 2024.

    Bose adds: “While deal activity across the APAC region presented a varied picture, the bulk of the decline was concentrated in China. In contrast, key markets like India, Japan, and Australia showed positive momentum, highlighting their resilience amid broader economic challenges.”

    China experienced a 22.8% YoY decrease in the number of deals announced during Q1-Q3 2024 compared to Q1-Q3 2023. Other markets such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and New Zealand experienced decline in deal volume by 1.2%, 19.1%, 14.4%, 16%, 34.2%, and 4.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, India, Japan and Australia saw their respective deal volume grow by 9.6%, 16.2% and 2.2%.

    Bose concludes: “The growth seen in India, Japan, and Australia reflects a strategic shift in investor focus on markets with strong fundamentals and growth prospects. These markets continue to offer compelling opportunities, and their ability to buck the global trend reinforces the importance of a diversified approach in venture capital and private equity investments within the region.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: 2024/25 LaLiga generates estimated $117.47 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    2024/25 LaLiga generates estimated $117.47 million in sponsorship revenue, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Sport

    Spanish football league LaLiga’s largest sponsorship deal in terms of annual value for the 2024/25 season is its title sponsorship with EA Sports. The deal came into effect from the 2023/24 season and covers the top-flight LaLiga and second-tier Segunda Division, LaLiga Promises, and eLaLiga. Additionally, the league’s longest active partner is Microsoft, which has been in partnership with the league since 2016. Overall, the football league generated an estimated $117.47 million in sponsorship revenue for the 2024/25 season, reveals GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    GlobalData’ s latest report, “The Business of LaLiga 2024/25”, reveals that the estimated domestic media revenue for the 2024/25 LaLiga is $1.12 billion. FC Barcelona’s kit supplier deal with Nike has the largest annual value across the 2024/25 LaLiga competing teams. New partners for the 2024-25 season were Uber Eats, Exness, Luckia, SportBet, and ACTIVA Group.

    Olivia Snooks, Sport Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Over half of the annual deal revenue for LaLiga is being generated from American-based brands. So, developing partnerships with US-based brands is a logical step for the league to take.”

    Real Madrid, being the most successful Spanish soccer club, boasts the second largest kit supplier deal with adidas. Barcelona and Real Madrid hold a far superior commercial value compared to the other competing teams. Both club kit suppliers, Nike and adidas, are comfortably the biggest spenders in the kit supplier market across the LaLiga 2024/25 season.

    Snooks continues: “There is a notable drop off in terms of spend between Nike and adidas, and the other kit supplier brands across the market. As mentioned, given the commercial value of Barcelona and Real Madrid, the likes of Castore and Hummel just cannot match the ability to commit to such a high value partnership, unlike Nike and adidas.”

    Worth an estimated $381.54 million annually, Barcelona has the highest estimated annual sponsorship revenue for the season, closely followed by Real Madrid in second. Barcelona’s largest deal in terms of annual value ahead of the 2024/25 season is with Spotify. Real Madrid’s largest deal is with HP, which is the team’s first ever sleeve sponsor; the deal is worth an estimated $35 million annually.

    Snooks concludes: “It is no surprise that the two teams that have the highest commercial value across kit suppliers, front-of-shirt sponsors, and sleeve sponsors, also have the largest sponsorship revenue across the 20 competing LaLiga teams. It is worth noting that both Real Madrid and Barcelona did not even rank in the top three teams in terms of deal volume; however, both teams have such huge commercial value that the deal volume is not so important.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ACT welcomes withdrawal of Prosecution Guidelines after pressure

    Source: ACT Party

    “ACT welcomes the Solicitor-General withdrawing recently published prosecution guidelines, which did not reflect the Government’s values of treating New Zealanders equally regardless of their race,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

    “The proposed guidelines were totally inconsistent with the values of a civilised country where everyone is equal before the law.

    “This change shows our Government is committed to the most Kiwi of values; no matter who you are or how you were born, you deserve the same equal rights, choices and chances at life.

    “It also shows New Zealand is getting the real change we voted for, last year.

    “I respect the autonomy and independence of the Solicitor-General, but the Government has set a clear direction where racial discrimination is not acceptable, no matter how deeply embedded in the public service it is.

    “This kind of divisive policy rained down in buckets, unchallenged, and uncorrected by the previous Government. Now we have a Government committed to equal rights for all. The Need Not Race cabinet circular negotiated by ACT underlines that commitment.

    “ACT called out these guidelines as soon as we became aware of them, including raising the issue with the Attorney-General. We are welcome the swift response, preventing what would have otherwise been an egregious breach of the foundational principles of our country.

    “We fund Crown prosecutors to deliver justice without fear nor favour. The updated Prosecution Guidelines must reflect that and uphold the principle of equality before the law.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government commences voice trials and releases public feedback on modernising universal telecommunications services

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Government has announced that Scyne Advisory will conduct a trial of fixed voice services and consider the performance of Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats) to inform the Government’s work to improve mobile connectivity for more Australians.
     
    Scyne Advisory will independently deliver the fixed voice service trials, with work already underway to progressively set up trial sites across 50 regional and remote locations across Australia.
     
    The trials will track the reliability and quality of voice calls, and test impacts of weather conditions on services.
     
    Data from the trial will also help the Albanese Government to better understand how LEOSat services perform to support voice services across a representative range of regions across Australia, including over the northern Australia wet season. Existing NBN Co fixed wireless and satellite services will also be trialled in parallel to provide a comparison.
     
    Data collected will be independent of industry and be made publicly available next month.
     
    The Government has also today released a summary of feedback received from stakeholders through recent public consultation on modernising delivery and funding of universal telecommunications service arrangements.
     
    Overall, the public consultation process demonstrated there is support for change to universal service arrangements to better reflect evolving consumer needs and the emergence of new alternative technologies.
     
    Stakeholders suggested a more flexible and technology-neutral approach would be preferable, including to adopt modern networks and services that are best suited to each premises, and to future-proof arrangements.
     
    There was also general agreement that simpler funding arrangements would better reflect the market and enable greater efficiency and sustainability.
     
    While the Government is yet to make a decision on how to best modernise the Universal Service Obligation, feedback received from stakeholders is being taken into consideration and will be considered alongside the trial data to help inform next steps.   
     
    For more information, and to view the summary paper, visit: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/modernising-universal-telecommunications-services
     
    Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
     
    “The Albanese Government is committed to modernising telco services in the interest of all Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional Australia, and I look forward  to data from the trials helping us to consider and deliver a more modern and effective universal service framework.”
     
    “The Government has been clear it will proceed on a consultative and transparent basis. Stakeholder views on delivery and funding issues will be carefully considered to help inform future decisions on a more modern and fit for purpose framework. 
     
    “The Government’s focus is that universal service arrangements continue to deliver for consumers, can be more flexible to accommodate changes, and that we have related funding arrangements for baseline services that are efficient and sustainable.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Eligibility for compassionate release of super

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    We took over administration of early release of super on compassionate grounds on 1 July 2018.

    We only approve a release of super on compassionate grounds if you meet all conditions set out in the regulations. These conditions include that you have no other means to pay the expenses.

    The 5 main grounds of eligibility are:

    • medical treatment or transport for you or your dependant
    • accommodating a disability for you or your dependant
    • palliative care for a terminal illness for you or your dependant
    • funeral expenses for your dependant
    • preventing foreclosure or forced sale of your home.

    If you apply for compassionate release of super (CRS) for medical treatment, the law states the treatment must be necessary to:

    • treat a life-threatening illness or injury
    • alleviate acute or chronic pain
    • alleviate acute or chronic mental illness.

    To access super early for medical treatment expenses, you must provide 2 medical reports with your application. At least one of the reports must be from a specialist treating one of the above conditions.

    The reports must state that the treatment is necessary to treat or alleviate one of the conditions above, and that the treatment is not readily available in the public health system.

    All data shown here is current as of 27 August 2024.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: CRS age demographics

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    Following are data tables for the age of approved individuals at the time of their approved application.

    Table 1: CRS age demographics in 2018–19

    Age (years)

    Individuals approved

    Total approved (%)

    20 and under

    20

    0

    21-25

    860

    3

    26-30

    2,810

    10

    31-35

    4,310

    16

    36-40

    4,910

    18

    41-45

    4,650

    17

    46-50

    4,270

    16

    51-55

    3,160

    12

    56-60

    1,550

    6

    61-65

    380

    1

    66-70

    10

    0

    71 and over

    0

    0
    Table 2: CRS age demographics in 2019–20

    Age (years)

    Individuals approved

    Total approved (%)

    20 and under

    30

    0

    21-25

    940

    3

    26-30

    3,300

    11

    31-35

    4,880

    16

    36-40

    5,470

    18

    41-45

    5,090

    17

    46-50

    4,730

    16

    51-55

    3,420

    11

    56-60

    1,760

    6

    61-65

    420

    1

    66-70

    10

    0

    71 and over

    0

    0
    Table 3: CRS age demographics in 2020–21

    Age (years)

    Individuals approved

    Total approved (%)

    20 and under

    10

    0

    21-25

    640

    2

    26-30

    2,400

    9

    31-35

    4,210

    16

    36-40

    5,000

    18

    41-45

    4,740

    17

    46-50

    4,510

    17

    51-55

    3,330

    12

    56-60

    1,870

    7

    61-65

    440

    2

    66-70

    0

    0

    71 and over

    0

    0
    Table 4: CRS age demographics in 2021–22

    Age (years)

    Individuals approved

    Total approved (%)

    20 and under

    40

    0

    21-25

    890

    3

    26-30

    2,970

    9

    31-35

    5,210

    16

    36-40

    5,950

    18

    41-45

    5,460

    17

    46-50

    5,060

    16

    51-55

    3,860

    12

    56-60

    2,230

    7

    61-65

    530

    2

    66-70

    10

    0

    71 and over

    0

    0
    Table 5: CRS age demographics in 2022–23

    Age (years)

    Individuals approved

    Total approved (%)

    20 and under

    60

    0

    21-25

    1,140

    3

    26-30

    3,330

    8

    31-35

    5,910

    15

    36-40

    7,200

    18

    41-45

    6,620

    17

    46-50

    6,140

    16

    51-55

    5,270

    13

    56-60

    3,090

    8

    61-65

    820

    2

    66-70

    10

    0

    71 and over

    0

    0
    Table 6: CRS age demographics in 2023–24

    Age (years)

    Individuals approved

    Total approved (%)

    20 and under

    90

    0

    21-25

    1,630

    3

    26-30

    4,370

    9

    31-35

    7,410

    15

    36-40

    8,820

    18

    41-45

    8,270

    17

    46-50

    7,380

    15

    51-55

    6,780

    14

    56-60

    4,090

    8

    61-65

    1,160

    2

    66-70

    20

    0

    71 and over

    0

    0

    In the tables above, we rounded:

    • approved individuals to the nearest 10
    • total amounts may differ to other tables due to rounding.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Applications received and approved

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    The following data tables capture information about applications we have received and approved for release per financial year. We don’t have data regarding amounts released as these payments are made by super funds.

    Note: One person may submit multiple applications in one financial year. There is no limit on the number of applications a person can submit.

    Table 1: Total compassionate release of super applications

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    53,800

    60,000

    45,300

    56,400

    75,600

    90,700

    Applications approved

    31,100

    33,700

    29,500

    34,400

    41,800

    53,100

    Individuals applied

    33,800

    39,100

    36,300

    45,600

    57,800

    68,900

    Individuals approved

    26,900

    30,000

    27,200

    32,200

    39,600

    50,000

    Amount approved ($m)

    456.6

    523.2

    472.4

    573.1

    761.7

    1,040.4

    In the table above, we rounded:

    • applications and individuals’ data to the nearest 100
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.

    Totals may not add due to rounding.

    Table 2: Medical (includes medical treatment or transport)

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    39,100

    45,500

    34,800

    42,600

    57,700

    71,900

    Applications approved

    26,100

    30,100

    27,600

    32,100

    39,500

    50,200

    Individuals applied

    25,500

    30,100

    28,400

    35,200

    44,900

    55,600

    Individuals approved

    22,700

    26,800

    25,400

    30,100

    37,400

    47,400

    Amount approved ($m)

    389.1

    476.6

    447.4

    544.7

    730.5

    1,001.0

    In the table above, we rounded:

    • applications and individuals’ data to the nearest 100
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.
    Table 3: Accommodating a disability

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    2,300

    2,300

    1,500

    1,700

    2,200

    2,300

    Applications approved

    1,100

    1,000

    700

    700

    800

    900

    Individuals applied

    1,400

    1,500

    1,100

    1,300

    1,590

    1,670

    Individuals approved

    970

    890

    660

    670

    720

    810

    Amount approved ($m)

    21.1

    15.4

    11.5

    11.3

    12.7

    12.8

    In the table above, we rounded:

    • applications received and approved data to the nearest 100
    • individuals’ data to the nearest 10
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.
    Table 4: Palliative care for a terminal illness

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    250

    205

    195

    215

    260

    290

    Applications approved

    110

    90

    45

    45

    35

    35

    Individuals applied

    175

    140

    160

    180

    210

    245

    Individuals approved

    90

    65

    45

    40

    40

    30

    Amount approved ($m)

    1.9

    1.8

    0.9

    1.3

    0.9

    0.8

    In the table above, we rounded:

    • applications and individuals’ data to the nearest 5
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.
    Table 5: Preventing foreclosure or forced sale of a home

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    10,500

    10,300

    7,300

    9,700

    12,400

    12,900

    Applications approved

    2,870

    1,780

    560

    750

    710

    1,100

    Individuals applied

    6,140

    6,770

    5,850

    7,650

    9,600

    9,930

    Individuals approved

    2,470

    1,630

    540

    710

    680

    1,040

    Amount approved ($m)

    35.4

    22

    7.2

    8.9

    9.7

    17.1

    In the table above, we rounded:

    • applications received data to the nearest 100
    • applications approved and individuals’ data to the nearest 10
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.
    Table 6: Funeral expenses for a dependant

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    1,700

    1,600

    1,500

    2,200

    3,100

    3,300

    Applications approved

    920

    760

    600

    740

    760

    850

    Individuals applied

    1,190

    1,160

    1,240

    1,790

    2,340

    2,410

    Individuals approved

    840

    710

    580

    720

    750

    820

    Amount approved ($m)

    9

    7.5

    5.3

    6.9

    7.9

    8.7

    In the table above, we rounded:

    • applications received data to the nearest 100
    • applications approved and individuals’ data to the nearest 10
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.

    Medical treatment subcategories

    The data from our application process allows us to split the medical (treatment or transport) category into the subcategories listed below. While eligible medical treatment is not limited to these categories, we cannot individually identify all treatment types at a reporting level.

    Table 7: Dental treatment subcategory

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    7,140

    10,610

    8,240

    11,780

    20,960

    31,780

    Applications approved

    3,850

    6,000

    5,960

    8,380

    14,020

    22,530

    Individuals applied

    4,310

    6,720

    6,500

    9,720

    16,260

    25,070

    Individuals approved

    3,470

    5,580

    5,530

    8,020

    13,540

    21,790

    Amount approved ($m)

    66.4

    111.7

    108.2

    171.3

    313.4

    526.4
    Table 8: IVF subcategory

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    3,380

    4,250

    3,700

    4,150

    4,290

    5,200

    Applications approved

    2,720

    3,260

    3,260

    3,390

    3,360

    4,210

    Individuals applied

    2,140

    2,610

    2,670

    3,020

    3,080

    3,740

    Individuals approved

    2,080

    2,490

    2,580

    2,750

    2,780

    3,460

    Amount approved ($m)

    36.2

    40.1

    42.1

    45.4

    47.9

    64.1
    Table 9: Weight loss subcategory

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    17,690

    18,710

    14,510

    15,760

    17,690

    17,320

    Applications approved

    13,790

    14,570

    12,970

    13,960

    14,770

    14,370

    Individuals applied

    12,920

    13,920

    12,900

    14,160

    15,170

    14,780

    Individuals approved

    12,550

    13,530

    12,570

    13,620

    14,410

    14,030

    Amount approved ($m)

    207.5

    234.2

    220

    233.9

    248.9

    250.5
    Table 10: Other medical treatment subcategory

    Financial year

    2018–19

    2019–20

    2020–21

    2021–22

    2022–23

    2023–24

    Applications received

    9,880

    10,980

    7,970

    10,400

    14,030

    16,880

    Applications approved

    5,440

    6,040

    5,260

    6,230

    7,230

    8,940

    Individuals applied

    6,050

    6,900

    6,360

    8,340

    10,460

    12,280

    Individuals approved

    4,580

    5,340

    4,870

    5,830

    6,830

    8,320

    Amount approved ($m)

    74

    87

    75.3

    92.2

    118.1

    156.7

    ‘Other’ includes all other types of medical treatment recommended by a medical practitioner.

    These tables exclude applications that were solely for medical transport (totals will differ to tables above).

    In the tables above, we rounded:

    • applications and individuals’ data to the nearest 10
    • amounts approved data to the nearest $100,000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Commercial deals service resources

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    Commercial deals case studies

    These case studies show how engaging with us early and working transparently can mutually resolve tax issues prior to lodgment and help avoid tax disputes post-lodgment.

    Capital gains tax case study

    Three siblings each had a 33% shareholding in a family company, and 2 of them wanted to sell their shares to their brother. The family trusts controlled by the 2 siblings each disposed of their 33% ownership in the family company to their brother’s trust. This left their brother with 100% ownership of the company.

    We enquired if the siblings had considered whether the market value substitution rule for capital proceeds applied. That part of the tax law has the effect of replacing the actual capital proceeds with their market value when the parties to the transaction didn’t deal with each other at arm’s length.

    With advice from internal valuation advisers on whether the siblings had transacted for an arm’s length value, we concluded that the capital proceeds were below their market value. We asked the siblings for information and evidence to demonstrate that real bargaining had taken place in relation to the sale.

    The 2 siblings provided a valuation of the shares that aligned with our view. They informed the case officer that their brother, who was purchasing their shares, set the price and they accepted to avoid family conflict. For this reason, the 2 siblings couldn’t provide any evidence of bargaining in relation to the terms and conditions of the sale.

    With these facts, we took the position that the market value substitution rule applied. A pre-lodgment agreement was reached that the market value amount would be substituted for the capital proceeds.

    Company restructure case study

    A company was founded by four individuals who were looking to sell some of their business. To do this, they started trading under a new company. The shares were owned 25% each personally by the four individuals. Days later, one quarter of these shares were sold to a third party.

    As part of the sale, new classes of shares were issued for $1 each (one A class share issued to the third party and one B class share issued to a family trust, controlled by the founders), with priority to dividends and other specific rights attached.

    In the 2022 income year, the rights and terms attached to both the A and B class shares were altered, via a share split and variation of rights, by the ordinary shareholders in anticipation of a scheduled Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) process. Prior to this, one founder had a valuation prepared for the B class share, which determined the market value of the B class shares based on the priority dividend rights.

    We examined this valuation, given our concerns over the valuation presented to us. The A and B class shares, which were split and rights varied, now had an inflated value, equal to the ordinary shares.

    Several months after the share split and variation of rights, the SPAC process was successfully completed in the 2023 income year. The change in rights and share split shifted the inflated value from the initial ordinary shareholders (the individuals) to their family trust via a direct value shift.

    After reviewing the general value shifting regime, with technical adviser guidance, agreement was reached that the direct value shifting rules applied to effectively deem capital gains for the four individuals in the 2022 income year. This treated it as if they had sold the shares to the trust at that point in time. This determination increased the capital gain from the client’s original position but provided tax certainty on the transaction moving forward.

    Foreign resident capital gains case study

    A foreign resident held shares in a listed company. The company entered a binding Scheme Implementation Deed where 100% of the ordinary shares would be acquired for non-cash consideration. A timely outcome was necessary due to an upcoming shareholder vote.

    The foreign resident proposed to provide us with acceptable security equal to the agreed capital gains tax (CGT) liability, and, in return, they would receive a variation in the rate of foreign resident capital gains withholding (FRCGW) to 0%.

    A preliminary assessment by the foreign resident predicted a $30 million tax liability dependent on the market value of the non-cash consideration (shares) at the time of the transaction.

    Following open and transparent discussions and collaboration between us and the foreign resident’s representatives, an agreement was reached and an escrow deed was executed. Approximately $30 million in future tax payable was secured and the FRCGW rate was also varied to 0%.

    Commercial deals videos

    Our video resources explain the commercial deals process and the advantages of engaging with us early to get certainty of the tax implications and impacts of your transaction.

    Increased certainty prior to lodgment

    With certainty prior to lodgment, you can avoid potential post-lodgment tax disputes.

    How to navigate your commercial deals engagement

    Navigate your commercial deals engagement by preparation, commitment and transparency.

    Practical certainty on your approach

    Commercial deals assistance can give you practical certainty that the approach you are taking is acceptable.

    Advice and assurance options for early engagement

    Exploring the advice and assurance options available for early engagement.

    Advantages of knowing the likely outcome

    Engaging with us early gives you the advantage of knowing the outcomes you are likely to receive.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Victorian woman sentenced over GST fraud

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    A Victorian woman has been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 2 years and 4 months, after she claimed nearly $600,000 in GST refunds from 27 fraudulent business activity statements lodged, contrary to section 134.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth).

    Tahra Wyntjes was sentenced for obtaining $599,349 in fraudulent GST refunds she was not entitled to and for attempting to obtain a further $259,976, which was stopped by ATO officers. A reparation order to the value of the amount obtained was granted. This debt to the Commonwealth will be actively pursued in addition to the jail time Ms Wyntjes will serve.

    Ms Wyntjes registered for both an Australian Business Number and for GST in November 2021 for a residential cleaning business. Between November 2021 and March 2022, she lodged the fraudulent business activity statements (BAS), which ATO officers quickly noticed and began investigating.

    After failing to respond to ATO officers following a review on her BAS lodgments and reviewing available evidence, it was concluded that Ms Wyntjes was not carrying on a genuine business and had submitted multiple false claims for GST.

    Acting Deputy Commissioner Jade Hawkins welcomed the court’s decision which serves as a warning to those who deliberately try to defraud the government for their own personal gain.

    ‘Not only did this individual lodge fraudulent activity statements, but she also invented a fake business in order to claim GST refunds she was not entitled to.’

    ‘Our message remains clear. If you don’t run a business, you don’t need an ABN and you can’t claim GST refunds. This is fraud,’ Ms Hawkins said.

    For those who may be tempted to take part in these criminal activities, the ATO has sophisticated risk models and technologies to detect and prevent fraud.

    This is the latest result of extensive efforts under the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)–led investigation, Operation Protego, which was initiated in response to calculated GST fraud.

    ‘GST fraud is not a victimless crime – those who steal funds from the community that would otherwise be used for essential services will face severe consequences including jail sentences for serious offenders,’ Ms Hawkins said.

    This matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) (CDPP) following a referral from the ATO.

    As part of Operation Protego, the ATO has taken action against more than 57,000 alleged offenders, and those involved in this fraud have already been handed in the order of $300 million in penalties and interest.

    As of 30 September 2024:

    • 104 people have been arrested.
    • 59 people have been convicted with a range of sentencing outcomes, including jail terms of up to 7 years and 6 months and with orders made to restrain real property.
    • The ATO has finalised 60 investigations and referred 51 briefs of evidence to Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

    The ATO also supports Operation Protego investigations which are led by local law enforcement agencies rather than the SFCT.

    You can confidentially report suspected tax crime or fraud to us by making a tip-off online or calling 1800 060 062.

    For more information about Operation Protego ato.gov.au/GSTrefundfraud.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Scam alert: Scammers impersonating banks in text messages, phone calls and emails

    Source: Australia Scam Watch

    Background
    There’s a rise in criminals calling, emailing or messaging people and pretending to be from their bank so that they can steal your money.
    The scammers ask you for personal or financial information or to transfer funds or to give them a one-time security code over the phone. They often claim to be from the bank’s fraud department and might say that there has been a compromised account or suspicious transaction.
    They may use technology to make it look like the call is coming from the bank’s phone number. They may send a message that looks like it comes from the same conversation thread as genuine bank messages.

    How to spot the scam
    You may get a call, message or email from a scammer claiming to be from the bank and asking for personal and bank details.
    The scammer may tell you there is a problem with your account and ask you to transfer money to ‘keep it safe’. They may say it’s an urgent problem to get you to respond.
    Anyone calling and behaving like this is probably a criminal.
    What you can do:

    Do not use any phone numbers in a message.
    Ask for a reference number and contact your bank directly through a phone number that you find and confirm yourself.
    Hang up if you receive a call from someone claiming to be from your bank requesting you to transfer money.
    Don’t click on any links in an email or message on your phone, even if it looks like it comes from your bank.

    How the scam works
    Someone calls, emails or messages you saying they’re from the bank.
    The phone call, email or message looks like it comes from the bank. The message may be in the same message thread as a previous legitimate banking message.
    They say they’re investigating a problem with your account, like a hacked account, suspicious transaction, or online banking outage.
    These criminals ask you for personal or financial information like account details or security codes.
    They will then use your account details to steal your money.

    What you should know
    Your bank will never ask you to transfer your money to keep it safe.
    Your bank will never ask you over the phone for online banking passwords, one-time security codes, PINs or tokens.

    Find out more
    This scam is a type of impersonation scam.
    Scammers pretend they are from your bank.
    They use technology to make it look like they’re calling or messaging from a legitimate phone number. They may send emails that look like they are from the bank.

    Stay protected
    STOP – Don’t give money or personal or financial information like passwords, security codes, PINs or tokens. Don’t click on any links if you’re unsure. Say no, hang up, delete.
    CHECK – Verify who you are talking to. Contact your bank using your banking app or a phone number you have sourced from your banking app, bank website, statement, or card.
    PROTECT – Act quickly. If you have transferred funds, provided access to your account or information to a scammer, contact your bank immediately and report to Scamwatch. Tell your friends and family; it helps to share your experience so they can give you support and to help them stay safe from scams.

    If you’ve been affected
    There is no shame in getting scammed. It can happen to anybody.
    If you’ve had money stolen, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
    If you’ve had personal information stolen or need help to recover from a scam, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
    If you’re feeling distressed and need to talk about it, reach out to Lifeline or Beyond Blue.
    If you’re worried about your safety or someone else’s, call the police immediately on 000 or go to your nearest police station.
    Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: CFA crews save local Yarram sawmill

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Eight CFA crews were called to a fire at a local Yarram sawmill on Yarram-Morwell Road at around 6.30pm on Monday 14 October.

    On arrival crews were confronted with a difficult fire within the elevated hopper (sloped) structure, which quickly spread to adjoining bins containing several tonnes of woodchips.

    Quick and effective action from the on-site staff and the CFA crews limited the spread as they undertook a controlled release of the bins supported by onsite heavy machinery, while crews protected the adjoining facilities and significant timber stock.

    Incident Commander Ian Bounds said the fire was brought under control within two hours with minimal dollar loss or damage to the infrastructure and time down for the sawmill.

    “Another half hour of fire development and the job would have escalated to a significant incident requiring fire crews through the night and potentially specialist aerial units to combat the fire,” said Ian.

    “The fire was attended by four tankers and three operational support units from Yarram, Alberton, Jack River, Won Wron, Devon North and Port Albert.”

    AKD Yarram Site Manager Glen Davis expressed his appreciation to CFA crews who battled the fire.

    “AKD would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the CFA for their quick response and exceptional professionalism in swiftly bringing the situation under control,” Glen said.

    “The CFA’s efforts were crucial, and we deeply appreciate the support provided to our Yarram facility.”

    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How extreme weather and costs of housing and insurance trap some households in a vicious cycle

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jens O. Zinn, T.R. Ashworth Associate Professor in Sociology, The University of Melbourne

    Climate change is increasing the risk of extreme weather events for Australian households. Floods and bushfires are becoming more likely and severe. As a result, household insurance costs are soaring – tripling in some cases. High-risk areas might even become uninsurable.

    The national housing crisis is pushing low-income households in particular to seek affordable housing in areas at risk of flooding. There they can become trapped in a vicious cycle. Unable to pay soaring insurance premiums in these areas, they also can’t afford housing elsewhere.

    The regulation of housing in Australia traditionally relies on well-informed buyers being responsible for managing the risks. But our new study found home buyers are often not aware of the long-term risks.

    Only after they’ve bought the home do they start thinking about these risks. When faced with unexpected high insurance costs, many opt to take the risk of being underinsured or even uninsured. This leaves them highly vulnerable.

    The National Strategy for Disaster Resilience promotes a shared-responsibility concept. However, we found the main responsibility still lies with households. And they are not equipped to cope with the increasing complexity, impacts and costs of extreme weather events.

    What’s wrong with the current approach?

    The uncertain knowledge about future extreme weather events is challenging the traditional prioritising of individual responsibility. It’s becoming even harder for households to make informed decisions based on past experiences.

    Government efforts to regulate increasing flooding events might not be effective when households do not want to relocate or cannot afford housing elsewhere.

    Governments are also under pressure to jump in to compensate households for the costs of extreme weather damage.

    Our research found a number of issues prevent efficient regulation:

    • stakeholders such as the insurance industry and home lenders face legal hurdles to sharing data and giving financial advice for housing in high-risk areas

    • well-intended measures such as buybacks and planned relocations can fail when they do not relate to people’s experiences and life situation, such as limited financial resources and deep connections to a place and community

    • households’ motivation to insure themselves might decrease if they can expect government to provide compensation as a de facto last insurer.

    Who is responsible for what?

    In Australia, responsibility for managing extreme weather events is roughly divided among three main stakeholders: the three levels of government, businesses and households.

    Within the three levels of government, states and territories bear the main responsibility for managing extreme weather events. They do so through disaster risk management plans and policies, hazard prevention and land-use planning.

    Yet housing is still built in flood-prone regions. It happens where commercial interests conflict with regional planning, and governments are under pressure to deliver housing for growing populations.

    After extreme weather hits, house and contents insurance cover is key for a household to recover. But insurance costs are based on the risk of events such as flooding. As these risks rise, premiums may also increase and become unaffordable. The Climate Council estimates one out of 25 properties will even become uninsurable by 2030.

    When housing is built in at-risk areas, under the current system home buyers are largely responsible for informing themselves about the risks of floods, bushfires and other natural disasters. Our research suggests many are struggling to estimate what insurance is likely to cost them.

    To prepare for these costs before they invest in a home, they must assess their own risk, know the value of their house and contents and calculate the costs of rebuilding after a disaster. They must also take into account increasing costs for builders and materials after an extreme weather event.

    Climate change is making these already complex calculations even more difficult.

    Our study is based on interviews with 26 insurance, legal, financial, policy and urban planning experts. Despite the National Strategy for Disaster Resilience’s concept of shared responsibility, we found most of the burden still falls on households.

    Yet households often lack the knowledge to assess the risks. The data and information are either unavailable, or hard to access and understand.

    These difficulties, coupled with the complex language of insurance contracts, contribute to high numbers of underinsured and uninsured households.

    The Australian government responded in 2022 by setting up a cyclone reinsurance pool. Its aim is to keep premiums for households and businesses affordable.

    There are also government buyback programs or relocation plans to move people out of high-risk regions. As noted above, though, these don’t always suit households when offered away from their communities or full costs aren’t adequately covered.

    Governments must take on more responsibility

    According to the experts we interviewed, households are no longer able to carry the main responsibilities for managing the risks of climate change. Government must take on more responsibility.

    At the local level, councils need to better educate their staff on climate change risks. They should ban housing development in at-risk areas.

    Better information and data sharing among stakeholders such as insurers and governments will also be crucial. Such data and information also need to be made more accessible and easier for households to understand.

    In a climate change world, increasing extreme weather events result in new complexities. Households are not able to assess these new risks and complexities to make well-informed decisions.

    Australia needs stronger sharing of responsibilities between different stakeholders such as insurers, governments and households. This includes changes to laws on information and data sharing between insurers, governments and households, bans on building in high-risk areas, and better advice about the costs of buying in high-risk regions.

    Jens Zinn received funding from the Hanse Wissenschaftskolleg/Institute for Advanced Study, Delmenhorst/Germany (10/2023-05/2024).

    Julia Plass has received funding for the data collection in the study mentioned in the article from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

    – ref. How extreme weather and costs of housing and insurance trap some households in a vicious cycle – https://theconversation.com/how-extreme-weather-and-costs-of-housing-and-insurance-trap-some-households-in-a-vicious-cycle-241572

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Shorten doorstop interview at Northcott Dapto Disability Hub

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    SUBJECTS: Northcott Dapto Disability Hub; NDIS reform; Housing; Interest rates; University of Canberra

    BILL SHORTEN, MINISTER FOR THE NDIS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES: It’s great to be at Northcott today in Wollongong. The opening of the new multi-use hub is fantastic news for thousands of people with disability. In particular, the hundreds of clients that Northcott looks after every day.

    JOURNALIST: You mentioned in your speech downstairs that it’s a village of hope, and if you can expand on that, and that sort of means?

    SHORTEN: Buildings reflect a society’s values. If we build a brand new shopping centre, it reflects the value that Australians value shopping. But when a community or a group like Northcott build a marvellous, purpose-built building so that people with disabilities can have more fulfilling lives, I think it reflects very positive values. So this is not just a set of walls and windows, some fabulous rooms and a roof. This is a village of hope where people with disability cannot be invisible, where they can help – have dreams, have hopes, make plans and have social interaction. So the values of this building are based on the finest moral foundations of a fair go for people with disability.

    JOURNALIST: Reflecting I guess on your time as the Minister in charge of the NDIS, you’re obviously outgoing at the moment, there were recommendations about how to improve the service that were handed down last year. As you leave your position, what do you think? Do you think those – , yeah, what state do you think you leave the service in?

    SHORTEN: You’re right. I’m very outgoing. I love the NDIS, I bleed it, I was fortunate enough to be able to help create it more than 15 years ago. Coming back into Government, I realised that whilst it was changing lives for the better, hundreds of thousands of lives, it was off track. Money was getting  spent on the wrong things. There were a minority of service providers who were seeking to enrich themselves rather than look after the people they meant to. Australians are very generous. They, I think, don’t mind spending some taxes on Medicare and on looking after people with profound and severe disability. Participants deserve fulfilling lives. So therefore, what we’ve spent the last nearly three years is get it back on track. Now I want to take it above politics. I want to make it politician proof. Now we’ve got the legal authority to outline what you can spend your money on and what you can’t. Who you can spend your money with, with registered providers. We can now make sure that we’ve got a process for clear eligibility, which we’re working on. And I think also most importantly – so who can be in it, what we can spend the money on and who with. We’re clearing that up. We’re clamping down on the fraud and the cheats and the crooks. They’re not welcome anymore. But also what we’re doing is writing a new chapter of inclusion by building supports outside the NDIS. For people who don’t need the full orchestra of the NDIS, but have special needs, and so that the NDIS is not the only lifeboat in the ocean of services for people with disability.

    JOURNALIST: Just on the changes that have been made, I spoke to a provider earlier this morning saying – who’s here in the Illawarra – saying that a lot of clients are I don’t feel like they have enough information about what can and can’t access now, and that’s actually worsening their mental health as well. Are there plans to kind of improve communications in that sense?

    SHORTEN: Good providers should be telling their people what’s going on. I mean, a provider can simply access a website. It’s all there. I get any changes can bring anxiety. If you’re a person with a disability or a family who has fought hard to get a personal budget, when you hear the words change, that’s not what you hear, you hear, am I going to lose something? I don’t want to go backwards. All we’re doing is providing clarity. It’s very easy to access on the NDIA or the National Disability Insurance website. Our providers, they’re meant to be professional. They’re paid to provide services. So I can understand participants taking longer to work out what’s in and what’s out. But a provider should be acquainting themselves with the road rules. You’re not allowed to drive a truck without knowing basic road rules, and providers should do the same.

    JOURNALIST: You talk about eligibility requirements. We have a local in Kiama who’s the name of Bobby English, who’s been campaigning for years to have her partner, who’s over 65 and developed a disability, have him be included in the Scheme. I guess as you’re leaving the position, do you regret not having this issue resolved? And will this be a priority for your successor, I guess?

    SHORTEN: For the person who needs the support, I hope they’re getting support. But for the proposition that the NDIS, to the NDIS should look after people of all ages of disabilities, that would sink the Scheme. The Parliament made it very clear in 2013, when it was legislated, that the NDIS is for people up to 65 and aged care would look after people over 65. When I started campaigning for the NDIS, aged care was in much better shape than disability. What’s happened in the intervening 15 years, 16 years since I first raised it, is aged care had fallen backwards and for all of the problems with the NDIS, it was more generous. I think the answer to the issue of older Australians who acquire a disability after 65 is better support in the aged care system, which is what it’s designed for. And the Labor  Government has been making pretty significant reforms in aged care to improve the support which would be available.

    JOURNALIST: This is your, most likely your last visit to the Illawarra region is it?

    SHORTEN: I don’t know, nice to say, but you know you have –

    JOURNALIST: Well I was going to ask –

    SHORTEN: I’m going to do more farewell trips than Johnny Farnham, but I’ll be coming back, to the South Coast anyway. I’m actually moving from Melbourne to Canberra, so actually I’ll be closer to the Illawarra than I’ve ever been.

    JOURNALIST: Yes, but last in a ministerial – as an announcement, with an announcement sort of thing?

    SHORTEN: Yeah.

    JOURNALIST: in terms of this region in particular, obviously you’re a Federal Minister, but in this area, what do you hope the legacy of your role will be?

    SHORTEN: I’ve been very fortunate to visit the Illawarra in different roles over my working life as a steel union rep with the Australian Workers Union. I’ve been at the north gate BHP. I’ve seen when things have gone bad. So I know this is a an industrial town. People work hard for their money here. Then I had the chance to work in disability here, and I realised it had a very strong culture of support for people with disability in the area, which I think reflects well on the values of the community here. I got to campaign here as Leader of the Opposition for six years. So I’ve seen how this area is reinventing itself and diversifying. And indeed, you know, to the south of the Illawarra has become a very crowded part of Australia. So I’ve seen this community reinvent itself. It works hard and it cares for the people within it. But what I’m pleased is that there’s 5,600 people in the Wollongong region receiving personal budgets of support because of a severe and profound disability, which but for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, they’d be stranded. Families will have kids on non-standard developmental journeys, little precious babies who are two and three. But for the NDIS, they wouldn’t get the sort of support they’re getting now. There’s ageing carers in their 80s who will be drying the dishes at 10:00pm tonight overlooking the, you know, the back window from the kitchen sink. They’ll have that anxiety, who’s gonna look after their adult child when they no longer can? We’re not fully there at fulfilling that promise. But for people in this region, we’re a lot closer to fulfilling a promise that even when you can’t look after the person you love because they have a profound and severe disability, there’ll be someone there.

    JOURNALIST: Bill. Negative gearing is back in the spotlight today, with analysis showing more than 750,000 renters could become homeowners under your policy that you introduced in 2019. Is it time for the Federal Government to consider changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions?

    SHORTEN: Well, unfortunately, Mr. Morrison won the election, so I didn’t quite introduce my policies but thank you for the compliment. Listen, the Government said that we’re going to focus on supply, that negative gearing is not on the agenda. I think that’s fine. We did take a series of policies to 2019. They were narrowly rejected. I think the Government’s got it right where we’re going to focus on supply. I’d encourage the Liberals and the Greens political party to get out of the way. They’re not – we want to build more houses. They’re delaying that. I mean, I have to say of Mr Dutton’s Opposition. They won’t lead, they won’t follow, and they won’t get out of the way. That’s a problem for renters.

    JOURNALIST: Should the Prime Minister have bought an expensive home so close to the election in the middle of a housing crisis?

    SHORTEN: Oh, it’s so up to him. It’s his business. Good luck to him and Jodie. Again, what I see is people are focusing on one house. I wish the Opposition and the Greens would focus as hard on the tens of thousands of houses that we want to support, and they are just on the Prime Minister’s house.

    JOURNALIST: You did used to call Turnbull, at the time, Mr. Harbourside mansion back in the day, saying he was out of touch. Should Albanese have waited until after the election to buy his own?

    SHORTEN: I think the difference between Malcolm Turnbull and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is chalk and cheese. Mr. Albanese has worked very hard. He comes from or he came from a tough background. I just wish the very best for him and Jodie in their future. But the other thing is I’ve got no doubt that Prime Minister Albanese will lead us to the next election and successfully.

    JOURNALIST: But just in terms of cost of living, do you think the Reserve Bank should hold off on cutting interest rates?

    SHORTEN: That’s a decision for the Reserve Bank. But I do know that 3 million mortgagees are doing it tough. I do know that the economy in large part is doing it tough. You know, it’s great that Labor’s been able to create a million jobs, and that shows you the focus of the Government. But people are doing it hard. It’ll be up to the Reserve Bank when they cut rates, but that can’t come too soon as far as I’m concerned.

    JOURNALIST: Can I ask one more just for our Canberra colleagues? Your new position that you’ll be taking up, will you be launching a review into the governance of UC?

    SHORTEN: Uh, I’ll wait until I get there. What I said about my new job is that until I finish my current job, I won’t be talking about my new job. But the day I start there, then I’m open for – the shop is open for interviews. Thanks.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 1 in 5 Australians admit they don’t wash their hands every time they use the toilet

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christine Carson, Senior Research Fellow, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia

    Do you wash your hands every time you use the toilet? How about before you handle food? Be honest.

    Australia’s Food Safety Information Council has released its latest report card on the country’s hand washing habits. It found 19% of Australians don’t wash their hands every time they use the toilet. Close to half (42%) admit they don’t always wash hands before handling food.

    So who’s doing well when it comes to hand hygiene, who’s not – and why does it matter?

    What did the report find?

    The new report surveyed hand washing practices of 1,229 people. Results were consistent with what we’ve learned from similar surveys.

    Once again, women do better than men at washing their hands after using the toilet, although only slightly (80% of men say they do every time, versus 83% of women). Just 55% of men wash their hands before touching food, compared to 62% of women.

    Age also seemed to make a difference. Under 34 years old, 69% of people washed their hands every time they used the toilet. Over age 65, that jumped to 86%.

    Although some of these differences aren’t completely unexpected – such as the gap between men’s and women’s hand washing habits – the reasons remain unclear.

    People over 65 were much more likely than younger people to wash their hands after using the toilet.
    Mélissa Jeanty/Unsplash

    Why don’t people wash their hands?

    Public health messaging often focuses on how to wash hands well. But there’s less research that follows up on how widely people actually adopt these practices. And to understand why – if they are skipping the soap and water – those messages might not be getting through effectively.

    One study that looked at this question in India asked school children about barriers to hand washing. The vast majority (91%) had low “illness threat perception”. In other words, they simply didn’t perceive a risk of getting sick form not washing their hands after going to the toilet.

    Interestingly, the inability to see germs with their own eyes was one of the biggest barriers, cited by 46% of the children. But 72% said they would wash their hands if their friends did.

    It’s tempting to speculate these reasons may also apply to other age groups, but we simply haven’t done enough research to know. People’s reasons for hand washing, or not, likely vary across their lifetime and with their circumstances.

    What are the risks?

    Urine and faeces contain millions of germs, especially faeces, which has more than 100 billion germs per gram.

    When you use the toilet and touch surfaces in the bathroom, you will pick up germs. People who skip the hand washing step on the way out take those germs with them when they leave, depositing them on each surface they touch afterwards.

    You may not get sick yourself, but you’re increasing the spread of bacteria. This can increase the risk of infection and illness for other people, including those with compromised immune systems such as older people and those undergoing common forms of treatment for cancer.

    Hand washing before cooking and eating is also important. The risk here goes both ways. If you have disease-causing germs on your hands (maybe because you didn’t wash them after the toilet) you may transfer them to the food where they can multiply and even produce toxins. People who eat the food may then get sick, often involving vomiting and diarrhoea.

    Washing hands before eating and preparing food can stop germs spreading from the food to hands, and vice versa.
    CDC/Unsplash

    In the other direction, some foods naturally carry germs before cooking – such as salmonella and campylobacter bacteria in raw poultry. If you don’t wash your hands after handling these foods you may transfer them to other surfaces and risk spreading infection.

    How should I wash my hands?

    Follow these three simple tips for hand washing correctly:

    1. wet your hands and rub them together well to build up a good lather with soap for at least 20 seconds and don’t forget to wash between your fingers and under your nails. You might have to use a nail brush

    2. rinse well under running water to remove the bugs from your hands

    3. dry your hands thoroughly on a clean towel for at least 20 seconds. Touching surfaces with moist hands encourages bugs to spread from the surface to your hands.

    What about hand sanitiser?

    If no running water is available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. These rapidly inactivate a wide range of germs, rendering them non-infectious. Hand sanitisers are effective against a wide range of bacteria and viruses that can cause many common gastrointesintal and respiratory infections.

    However if your hands are soiled with organic matter – such as blood, faeces, meat, sand or soil – they won’t be effective. In that case you should clean your hands with soap and water.

    The bottom line

    Hand washing is a bit like wearing a seat belt — you do that every time you get in a car, not just on the days you “plan” to be involved in an accident. The bottom line is hand washing is a simple, quick intervention that benefits you and those around you — but only if you do it.

    Christine Carson 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. 1 in 5 Australians admit they don’t wash their hands every time they use the toilet – https://theconversation.com/1-in-5-australians-admit-they-dont-wash-their-hands-every-time-they-use-the-toilet-241481

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NT youth crime laws fail children and the community

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds said the passing of legislation in the Northern Territory that will see children as young as 10 years old jailed is a failure of all the support systems that should be helping these children.   

    “This is a very sad day. Instead of strengthening the education, health, family support and child protection systems, the Northern Territory government has chosen to criminalise young children with disabilities, learning problems, mental health issues, and poverty. And the Commonwealth government remains silent,” Commissioner Hollonds said. 

    “I have been told by some members of parliament ‘there’s no votes in children’, that is, there’s no electoral benefit in standing up for children’s rights. However, in the states and territories, there are votes to be won by sounding ‘tough on crime’, even when these approaches are not based on the evidence of what will prevent crime by children.  

    “Criminalising children is not ‘early intervention’ and it will not make communities safer. The evidence shows that the younger a child comes into contact with the criminal justice system, the more likely it is that they will go on to commit more serious crimes.”  

    The evidence shows that addressing the root causes of offending by children is what works to prevent crime by children. This means we must have support systems that meet the needs of children such as appropriate education, healthcare (addiction and mental health services), housing and family support.  

    Commissioner Hollonds said the laws are contrary to the NT’s obligations under the Closing the Gap National Agreement and will have a heavy impact on First Nations communities. 

    “Alongside many other child rights advocates I have urged the Commonwealth government to step up and show leadership on child wellbeing. Despite having ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child there is no accountability for the human rights and wellbeing of Australia’s most vulnerable children,” Commissioner Hollonds said. 

    “This must change. Our most vulnerable children are being let down by all levels of government.” 

    The Australian Human Rights Commission’s report ‘Help Way Earlier!’ How Australia can transform child justice to improve safety and wellbeing tabled in parliament last month makes 24 recommendations offering a roadmap for reform that increases community safety and keeps our kids out of prison.  

    Read our earlier statement urging the NT government not to lower the age of criminal responsibility. 

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence offences – Howard Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police have arrested a man in relation to multiple domestic violence offences.

    Yesterday, Strike Force Lyra and the Territory Response Group (TRG), arrested a 45-year-old male who had been actively avoiding police for several months.

    The man was wanted for multiple offences relating to Aggravated assaults, a property damage incident and an outstanding warrant.

    He has been remanded to appear in court at a later date.

    Detective Acting Sergeant Katherine Lumsden said, “Strike Force Lyra is dedicated to ensuring that the victim-survivors trying to break free from the cycle of violence are heard.

    “We will use all resources and tools available to ensure that these perpetrators are brought before Court.

    “If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consumer law reform: consumer protections gain momentum with latest announcements

    Source: Allens Insights

    Stronger guarantees, AI rules and ban on unfair trading 10 min read

    The Federal Government has signalled its commitment to advancing major consumer law reforms with three key announcements this week that included proposals to strengthen consumer guarantees, ban unfair trading practices and introduce artificial intelligence (AI) specific protections—all of which could significantly alter the landscape for both suppliers and manufacturers. 

    With Government seeking feedback on these reforms, companies should stay informed and actively engage in consultation processes to ensure any changes are fit for purpose and take into consideration relevant business concerns. In addition, companies should consider how these proposals could impact their businesses and take steps to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

    In this Insight, we provide an update on the proposals so far and their potential implications for business.

    Key takeaways

    • Treasury is seeking feedback on updates to the consumer guarantees regime, including civil prohibitions and penalties for suppliers or manufacturers that fail to provide remedies for consumer guarantees, and for manufacturers who fail to indemnify suppliers as required by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
    • The Prime Minister’s office has announced plans for a ban on unfair trading practices, though details on the specific legislation are still pending. The ban is expected to include a general prohibition on unfair trading practices, along with specific prohibitions against issues like drip pricing, subscription traps and misleading online practices that create a false sense of urgency.
    • Treasury is seeking feedback on whether it should expand the ACL to cover AI-specific consumer law issues, including mandatory guardrails with specific requirements for AI-related consumer products and services and reforming remedies to better suit defective AI-enabled goods and services.

    Moves to strengthen the consumer guarantees regime

    On 16 October 2024, the Government announced plans to introduce new civil prohibitions and penalties for breaches of the consumer guarantees and supplier indemnification (CGSI) provisions of the ACL. The announcement was accompanied by a Consultation Paper seeking stakeholder feedback on how the proposed prohibitions and penalties should be designed.

    This announcement builds on a consultation undertaken in 2021 on ways to improve CGSI provisions of the ACL and incorporates findings from the 2023 Australian Consumer Survey, including that consumers find it difficult to obtain remedies for consumer guarantees failures. The Consultation Paper notes that:

    • for low-cost goods, consumers are less likely to enforce their statutory rights when it is cheaper and easier to ‘just buy another one’ or to pay for a repair; and
    • for high-value goods, consumers may struggle to understand the process involved in making a complaint and/or find it prohibitively time-consuming, costly or difficult to pursue one.

    The proposed reforms seek to respond to a range of concerns with the status quo, including that:

    • the difficulties outlined above mean costs can be transferred from a non-compliant supplier or manufacturer to a consumer and lead to poorer outcomes for consumers and the economy;
    • suppliers and manufacturers lack incentives to comply with the consumer guarantees; and
    • some suppliers may also face difficulties obtaining indemnification from manufacturers and/or face retaliatory behaviours if they seek to be indemnified.

    The Government is seeking to respond to the concerns outlined above by introducing reforms that would:

    • prohibit suppliers from refusing to provide remedies to consumers where there has been a major failure under the consumer guarantees (remedy failure prohibition);
    • prohibit manufacturers from failing to indemnify suppliers;
    • make it unlawful for a manufacturer to retaliate against a supplier for seeking indemnification following a consumer guarantees failure; and
    • introduce civil penalties for contraventions of the prohibitions above, as well as an ability for regulators to issue infringement notices or pursue litigation where they have reasonable grounds to believe a contravention has occurred.

    The Consultation Paper notes that the introduction of these prohibitions would enable ACL regulators to enforce the CGSI provisions in circumstances where rights are currently only enforceable by affected consumers and businesses. The Paper also acknowledges a submission made by the ACCC that, if regulators were able to take direct enforcement action, this would likely lead to greater judicial consideration of the consumer guarantees and result in greater clarity in the law.

    Key issues the Government is seeking feedback on include:

    • whether any aspects of the consumer guarantees need to be clarified prior to the introduction of prohibitions and penalties, noting concerns have previously been raised regarding whether penalties are appropriate in circumstances where concepts such as ‘reasonable consumer’ and ‘major failure’ are difficult to apply in practice;
    • whether the remedy failure prohibition should apply to all goods and services or whether a value threshold should be applied and/or only be applied to new motor vehicles;
    • at what amount an infringement notice or maximum civil penalty should be set; and
    • if it is appropriate to factor in depreciation when determining an appropriate refund amount, noting that, at present, where there has been a major failure, a consumer is entitled to a replacement or full refund even where they have had the benefit of the use of a product for an extended period of time.

    Treasury will engage with targeted stakeholders on the proposed design of the civil prohibitions and penalties and is seeking public feedback by Thursday 14 November 2024.

    Anticipated ban on unfair trading practices takes shape

    On Wednesday 16 October 2024, the Prime Minister’s office announced it will legislate a ban on unfair trading practices. The announcement is long awaited and follows the Federal Treasury’s consultation on the introduction of such a prohibition, which took place between August and November 2023 (the 2023 Consultation). The ACCC has previously recommended that an unfair trading practices prohibition be introduced into the ACL in a number of contexts, including the final report of the 2019 Digital Platforms Inquiry.

    The Government’s media release states that the reforms are about ‘easing the cost of living and getting a fair go for consumers and suppliers’. It non-exhaustively identifies the following practices that the reforms will address:

    • subscription traps: arduous and confusing steps that make cancelling a subscription difficult;
    • drip pricing: practices where fees are hidden or added throughout the stages of a purchase;
    • deceptive or manipulative online practices: practices that aim to confuse or overwhelm consumers, omit or hide material information, or create a false sense of urgency (such as warnings that a customer only has limited time to purchase a product);
    • dynamic pricing: changing the price of a product during the transaction process;
    • accounts and information provisions: requiring consumers to set up an account and provide unnecessary information to make an online purchase; and
    • reporting of issues: making it difficult for a consumer to contact a business when they have a problem with a product or service.

    The Government is yet to release any specific legislative drafting or design for consultation and has foreshadowed a final reform proposal in the first half of 2025.

    Enhancing Australian consumer law to address AI

    On 15 October 2024, Treasury released a Discussion Paper which examines whether the ACL remains fit for purpose to protect consumers from the potential harms of the use of AI. The ACL currently contains a combination of both general and specific consumer protections which are technology-neutral, and Treasury is consulting on whether any changes to the ACL targeted specifically towards AI-enabled goods and services are necessary.

    Treasury has indicated that new and targeted consumer protections may be introduced:

    • Specific prohibitions on false and misleading representations in relation to AI and emerging technologies. Treasury raised concerns in relation to the opacity of AI systems and difficulty in predicting AI system behaviour, such as erroneous output and unwanted bias, which may increase the risk of false or misleading representations about AI-enabled goods and services, and misleading and deceptive conduct in general. In light of this, Treasury is considering whether specific prohibitions in relation to false and misleading representations, targeted towards AI-enabled goods and services, are necessary to ensure the ACL is fit for purpose in the future. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took law enforcement action in the United States against the alleged use of AI technology in a deceptive and unfair manner.
    • Specific consumer guarantees provisions targeted towards AI and emerging technologies. Treasury has considered views that the unique characteristics of AI may require new consumer guarantees, eg guarantees relating to cybersecurity, interoperability and the provision of software updates for a reasonable period. Treasury acknowledged that some cybersecurity risks of certain AI-enabled goods will be captured by the Government’s ongoing 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, but it is still considering the need for bespoke consumer protections for digital products overall, such as those adopted in the United Kingdom under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK).
    • New product safety standards targeted towards AI and emerging technologies. There are currently no mandatory AI-specific safety standards for consumer goods or product-related services, and Treasury is assessing whether current safety standards (which include the current Voluntary AI Safety Standard) effectively guarantee the safe and responsible use of AI-enabled goods and services. Treasury is considering options for mandatory guardrails in this consultation. See our Insight on preparing for voluntary AI standards and mandatory legislation for more information.
    • Prescriptions under the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime. Treasury has noted stakeholder concerns about the possible risks to consumers arising from terms that exclude supplier and manufacturer liability in relation to AI-enabled goods and services, and is currently considering whether such terms (and similar) should be deemed as UCTs.

    Treasury has flagged that there is a need for greater clarity in the ACL in relation to AI and emerging technologies, due to the technology-neutral nature of the current language of the ACL. In principle, the existing general ACL framework should be able to address AI-related concerns, but there is uncertainty over the following issues:

    • The definition of AI-enabled goods and services, and whether this fits within the current definitions under the ACL. Whether something is a ‘good’ or a ‘service’ affects the remedies available under consumer guarantees, particularly considering the specific liability imposed on manufacturers of goods with safety defects. AI-enabled goods and services are generally a ‘mixed supply’ of goods and services, but consumers cannot claim for both a faulty good and service arising from a single transaction. Treasury is seeking to clarify this distinction for consumers in the context of AI-enabled goods and services.
    • Potential limitations of principles-based consumer guarantees. The current consumer guarantees regime contains a range of principles-based provisions that include concepts such as ‘fitness for purpose’, ‘acceptable quality’ and ‘due care and skill’. Treasury has received concerns that it is unclear how these principles-based standards may apply in the context of AI-enabled goods and services. An example is the concept of ‘durability’, which is currently set out under the ACL as a factor for assessing the acceptable quality of a product.

    Treasury has identified particular difficulties that consumers may face when accessing remedies related to AI and emerging technologies. It noted the following concerns regarding the applicability of a manufacturer’s liability for goods with safety defects (as under the ACL) in relation to AI-enabled goods and services:

    • The evidentiary burden of establishing a causal link between the safety defect and consumer loss and damage. The specific characteristics of AI systems, such as opacity, autonomous behaviour and complexity, may make it more difficult for consumers to meet this burden of proof. Treasury is considering approaches from other jurisdictions, such as that in the EU under the proposed AI Liability Directive, which includes a ‘presumption of causality’ where a number of conditions are met, shifting the onus to manufacturers to demonstrate that no causal link to consumer loss or damage exists.
    • Defences available to manufacturers. There is a concern that the current defences listed under the ACL available to manufacturers may not be appropriate for AI-enabled goods and services. For example, the defence that the safety defect did not exist at the time that a good was supplied reflects a traditional position that manufacturers retain little or no ongoing control over the goods that they supply, which is not always applicable to AI-enabled goods and services.

    The deadline for stakeholder feedback and written submissions on Treasury’s review of AI and the ACL is Tuesday, 12 November 2024.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Prosafe SE: Operational update – September 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    18 October – Fleet utilisation for Q3 2024 was 57 percent.  

    In Q3 2024, Safe Concordia, Safe Notos and Safe Eurus all achieved 100% utilisation. Safe Zephyrus reached 99% utilisation.

    Safe Caledonia is laid up at Scapa Flow, UK, and is scheduled for deployment to the Captain Field, UK, starting Q2 2025.

    Safe Boreas is laid up in Norway pending relocation in Q2 2025 for a contract in Australia commencing earliest October 2025.

    Safe Scandinavia is laid up in Norway.

    Prosafe is a leading owner and operator of semi-submersible accommodation vessels. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS. For more information, please refer to https://www.prosafe.com

    For further information, please contact:

    Terje Askvig, CEO
    Phone: +47 952 03 886

    Reese McNeel, CFO
    Phone: +47 415 08 186

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: College of Surgeons announces historic governance overhaul to strengthen future leadership

    Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

    The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) is set to implement one of the most significant governance overhauls in its near 100-year history.

    After receiving overwhelming support from its membership, with 82.6 per cent of votes in favour, the College has an updated Constitution to strengthen financial and risk management as it navigates the complexities of the modern governance environment.

    Since its founding in 1927, the College has played a pivotal role in shaping surgical standards, education, and professionalism in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. While it continues to be at the forefront of surgical leadership, it became increasingly clear in recent years that the structure of the College was no longer fit-for-purpose.

    The constitutional update, which was the result of an extensive period of consultation with RACS Fellows, surgical specialty societies and other interested parties, provides for the establishment of a skills-based, professional-led governance Board. The Board will take on fiduciary responsibilities such as finance, audit, and risk management, leaving the RACS Council to carry out the core College business.  

    The new governance model represents a unified vision for a stronger, more resilient College—one that is well-positioned to lead the way in surgical care and education for years to come.

    “The passing of these constitutional updates is a testament to the power of collaboration and what can be achieved when stakeholders from across our network come together for a common purpose,” said Professor Owen Ung, RACS vice president and chair of the College’s Governance Committee.  

    “It is heartening to see the unity of feeling that a strong College benefits everyone involved—our members, our patients, and the wider healthcare community.”

    As the College prepares to implement these changes, RACS president Associate Professor Kerin Fielding said there is a renewed sense of optimism and momentum.  

    “We are entering a new era for our College. With these updates, we are well-positioned to embrace future challenges and opportunities, ensuring that we continue to lead with excellence in surgical care, education, and advocacy.”

    About the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

    RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The College is a not-for-profit organisation that represents more than 8000 surgeons and 1300 surgical trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates. RACS also supports healthcare and surgical education in the Asia-Pacific region and is a substantial funder of surgical research. There are nine surgical specialties in Australasia being: Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery. http://www.surgeons.org

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: With the support of Rosneft, the premiere of Tatyana Navka’s ice show “The Love Story of Scheherazade” will take place in India

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    With the support of Rosneft, the international premiere of Tatyana Navka’s ice show “The Love Story of Scheherazade” will take place in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) on Friday, October 18. The ice show will be held in India for the first time.

    Musical performances based on the Arabian Nights collection of tales and short stories will be held at the EKA ARENA sports stadium for three days, until Sunday, October 20. An ice rink has been installed at the stadium especially for the show, using more than 100 tons of real ice.

    The plot of the ice show “The Love Story of Scheherazade” is written based on the famous Arabian fairy tales and the novels “A Thousand and One Nights” and represents several Eastern cultures at once: India, Egypt, Ancient Babylon and Persia. The history and traditions of each region are intertwined in the production with modern technical solutions and unique special effects.

    The performance will feature stars of world figure skating, multiple champions of Russia, Europe and the world, Olympic champions, including the author of the idea, director and general producer of the project Tatyana Navka, as well as Victoria Sinitsina, Nikita Katsalapov, Povilas Vanagas, Ivan Righini, Egor Murashov and other famous figure skaters.

    Rosneft actively supports significant cultural projects and contributes to the development of cultural ties between Russia and other countries. Thanks to the Company, large-scale projects aimed at reviving spiritual and national values are being implemented. Among such projects are support for the Sretensky Monastery Choir, the State Hermitage Museum, the White Steamship project, and much more. Earlier, with the participation of Rosneft, Tatyana Navka’s ice show Evenings on a Farm based on the works of N.V. Gogol was shown in Moscow.

    Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft October 18, 2024

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://vvv.rosneft.ru/press/nevs/item/220928/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester to be guest city at iconic Barcelona festival next year

    Source: City of Manchester

    The iconic La Mercè Festival

    Manchester is to team up with Barcelona next September at the Catalan city’s iconic La Mercè festival – which each year attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors into the city for a 4-day cultural festival that sets the very highest of bars for festivals everywhere, showcasing the very best of traditional Catalan culture, outdoor arts and music.

    Manchester has been chosen by its Catalan counterparts to be the first-ever English guest city at next year’s event in a move that will see partners from the two cities working closely over the next 12 months to put together a spectacular programme of Mancunian-grown talent in outdoor arts and music for audiences in Barcelona. 

    The invitation to be guest city at the festival is regarded as a big coup for Manchester and one that it’s hoped will lead to a sustained relationship between the two cities that goes beyond next year. 

    It follows a recent visit to Barcelona by a deputation from Manchester that included Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig and Deputy Leader of the Council Garry Bridges, for discussions with their Catalan counterparts including Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni. 

    It’s further hoped that the year-long cultural partnership will help forge an even closer relationship between the two cities that extends beyond culture into other areas of shared policy interest.  

    Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re honoured to have been invited by Barcelona to be the 2025 guest city at their historic La Mercè Festival. 

    “Our two cities share very similar visions and through celebrations like the incredible La Mercè festival and our own Manchester Day and packed programme of year-round city-wide cultural activity, it’s clear we both also value the importance of culture and the part it plays in helping build communities, pride and prosperity in our cities.

     “Our city-to-city friendship with Barcelona already spans several decades through various collaborations in culture and sport, as well as in areas like housing, higher education, digital technologies, and sustainability.  We’re very much looking forward to now further strengthening our relationship with the city, both through the next year in the run-up to La Mercè 2025, and beyond.”

    La Mercè attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year

     A Memorandum of Understanding was signed during the visit between the cities – with the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, noting that the two cities share a very similar industrial past with histories that are linked to workers’ movements, as well as a present and future with great cultural wealth linked to the creative industries.

    The Memorandum – which both Manchester and Barcelona hope will continue after next year – puts the cultural collaboration between the two cities into effect and provides a working framework for artists, organisations and other partners involved, focusing initially on music productions and street arts events for next year’s La Mercè festival.

    Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, said: “We’re deeply honoured to invite Manchester to be the guest city for their historic La Mercè in 2025.

    “It will be very interesting for the people of Barcelona to discover Manchester’s cultural expression first hand, its music, for which it is known the world over, but also its visual and street arts, sports and theatre.”

    The invitation for Manchester to be guest city at next year’s La Mercè festival follows a long relationship over many years between cultural organisations in Barcelona and Manchester-based arts organisations XTRAX and Without Walls, and will see XTRAX acting as Creative Director across next year’s guest city programme. 

    Maggie Clarke, Director at Xtrax said:  “I’m proud to have helped secure Manchester as Guest City for La Mercè festival 2025, a relationship XTRAX has nurtured over many years. Our winning bid focuses on outdoor arts, and we’re supporting the Artistic Director of La Mercè street arts festival to select a programme of diverse and ambitious outdoor arts from Manchester to feature in the festival in Barcelona in 2025. 

    “XTRAX believes in the importance of outdoor festivals and is committed to international collaboration. Since 2001 we’ve supported hundreds of artists to showcase their work at international festivals in the UK and around the world. In light of the challenges to European mobility presented by Brexit, I am thrilled that this collaboration with one of Europe’s major outdoor festivals allows us to showcase the variety and quality of work from the UK, and Manchester in particular. We hope this will pave the way for more European collaborations in the years to come.” 

    Manchester’s contribution to next year’s La Mercè will also be closely supported by Without Walls as Co-Curator and Strategic Partner. 

    Ralph Kennedy, Chief Executive at Without Walls said: “As an organisation rooted in Manchester, we’re immensely proud to be part of the La Mercè Festival in 2025 and to help bring outstanding outdoor work to its audiences next year. 

    “Together with XTRAX we look forward to co-curating an outdoor arts programme that celebrates innovation, excellence and international cultural exchange to support and showcase the diversity of artists that reflect the city we live in today.”  

    The Manchester music programme for next year’s festival will be curated by Manchester-based music organisation Brighter Sounds.

    Kate Lowes, Director, Brighter Sound, said: “Manchester is renowned globally for its rich musical heritage and pioneering new artists, and we are delighted to be able to showcase this at Barcelona’s vibrant La Mercè festival in 2025. As a member of the Music Cities network, Manchester is proudly international in its musical outlook and there are exciting opportunities ahead for collaboration with the incredible music scene in Catalonia. We look forward to strengthening the bond between our two cities through our shared love of music at La Mercè, and for years to come.”

    Live music at this year’s La Mercè

    The collaboration between Manchester and Barcelona as two cities with very similar backgrounds and identities is also being championed by Marketing Manchester, with benefits expected for both cities from the partnership.   

    Victoria Braddock, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “Barcelona’s annual La Mercè Festival is a fantastic showcase of civic pride and inimitable Catalonian culture, and we’re honoured that Manchester has been invited to join the event in 2025 as guest city. There are many synergies between Manchester and Barcelona: both vibrant cultural hubs, rich in history, with strong identities, and a shared passion for so much, especially music and sport. This is a perfect city-to-city partnership, and we look forward to bringing our cities even closer together over the coming years.” 

    The cultural partnership between the two cities is also being supported by Arts Council England.

     Jen Cleary, Director North and Combined Arts, Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to support this unique creative collaboration between Manchester and Barcelona – celebrating and showcasing some of the best outdoor artists and companies in both cities. The partnership opens up new opportunities for international touring and artistic exchange, as well as providing a platform to strengthen civic ties through arts and culture. La Mercè is a major event in the European outdoor arts calendar and we can’t wait to see Manchester take pride of place as the Festival’s Guest City.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First-ever International Conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda (AROHA-2024) inaugurated today in New Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    First-ever International Conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda (AROHA-2024) inaugurated today in New Delhi

    Truly delighted to see how AIIA has made remarkable progress in just eight years; Rooted in generational family wisdom, Ayurveda offers valuable insights into integrated well-being: Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India

    Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are strengthening Ayurveda’s global recognition today: Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush

    Posted On: 17 OCT 2024 10:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The first-ever International conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda – AROHA-2024 was inaugurated today by Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in the august presence of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Health & Family Welfare.

     

    Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, Global Traditional Medicine Centre, WHO, Jamnagar, Gujarat was also present on the occasion. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS); Padma Bhushan Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, ILBS; and AIIA Director Prof (Dr) Tanuja Nesari also graced the event.

    The three-day International conference – Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda – AROHA-2024 is scheduled to be held from today 17th October to 19th October 2024.

     

    Hon’ble Chief Justice of India Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud during his inaugural address said “ I am privileged to be a part of AROHA 2024; the day also marks the 8th foundation day of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA). I am truly delighted to see how AIIA has made remarkable progress in just eight years, founded with a mandate to foster research based Ayurveda. The institute focuses on three key pillars tertiary care, research and academics. I am an ardent follower of Ayurveda. Beyond addressing specific ailments, Ayurveda promotes holistic wellness through medicine, nutrition, meditation, yoga and lifestyle balance. Rooted in generational family wisdom, Ayurveda offers valuable insights into integrated well-being. The launch of the Ayush Research Portal marks a significant advancement for Ayurvedic research and education,”

     

    Speaking at this event, the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav said “As we gather to explore the vast potential of Ayurveda, I applaud your dedication to integrating traditional wisdom with modern science, which is the need of the hour. This conference represents a significant step forward in our pursuit of holistic healthcare solutions. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are strengthening Ayurveda’s global recognition today. His encouragement has led to Ayurveda being adopted more than any other medical practice. After the Prime Minister’s efforts, Ayurveda’s credibility has also increased, and I am deeply grateful to him for entrusting me with the Ministry of Ayurveda to serve millions. I am fully committed to fulfilling all the aspirations related to the Ministry of Ayurveda under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision.’ The Ministry of Ayush remains committed to promoting and supporting research, innovation, and the integration of Ayurveda into mainstream healthcare.”

    Speaking at the occasion Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush said “The Ministry of Ayush is committed to developing 5 key botanicals of Ayurveda in the next five years. We are developing a benchmark at par with globally accepted traditional medicine for these botanicals. so we have already started working on it, and this is something very new and it is, we are committed to the effort”.

    “We really want to thank the Government of India, Ministry of Ayush, for the extreme generosity, the leadership and the vision to make traditional medicine a global good that can benefit all people in the world. Already, this leadership is having global impact. We have seen the leadership at the G20 at the BRICS and other regional conferences. Note traditional medicine and its contribution for the health and well being of all people. It’s also having a technical impact with the research collaborations, with the advancements of methods and guidelines.” Said Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, Global Traditional Medicine Centre, WHO, Jamnagar, Gujarat.

    AROHA-2024 will feature both in-person and virtual participation, offering an unparalleled opportunity for participants. The discourse will be centered on the theme- Advancements in Research and Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda” in this global event. The conference agenda covers a wide range of topics, including Ayurveda, ethnomedicine, quality control, standardization, diagnosis, drug delivery, evidence-based understanding, and globalization. It also features an exhibition showcasing stalls from leading brands and institutions, offering insights into herbal products, wellness solutions, Ayurvedic treatments, research innovations, and educational opportunities.

    The conference features three-day workshops and 15 scientific sessions, with over 400 research papers presented. The All India Institute of Ayurveda has a global presence in over 74 countries through academic and scientific collaborations with prominent organizations like the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, FIGZ Germany, AIST Japan, Western Sydney University Australia, UHN Canada, and national institutions like IGIB, AIIMS, CSIR, IIT, and others.

    ****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2066015) Visitor Counter : 32

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coming up next week at the London Assembly W/C 21 October

    Source: Mayor of London

    PUBLIC MEETINGS
      
    Tuesday 22 October
     
    Challenges for the Mayor’s 2025-26 budget

    Budget and Performance Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am
     
    The Mayor of London is responsible for a total budget of £20.7 billion, but what should his priorities be for 2025-26?
     
    The London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee will hear from a panel of external experts on the effectiveness of the Mayor’s current budget priorities, and also to discuss and anticipate future financial trends and challenges ahead of next year’s budget.  Guests include:
     
    Panel 1 – TfL Funding (10am – 11.15am)

    • Stuart Hoggan, Associate Consultant, LG Futures
    • Antonia Jennings, CEO, Centre for London
    • Tom Pope, Deputy Chief Economist, Institute for Government
    • Tony Travers, London School of Economics Department of Government and Director of LSE London
    • Luke Hillian, Strategic Finance Analyst, London Councils
    • Michael Roberts, CEO, London TravelWatch

    Panel 2 – Affordable Housing Delivery (11.15am – 12.10pm)

    • Stephanie Pollitt, Programme Director (Housing), BusinessLDN
    • Stuart Hoggan, Associate Consultant, LG Futures
    • Antonia Jennings, CEO, Centre for London
    • Tom Pope, Deputy Chief Economist, Institute for Government
    • Tony Travers, LSE Department of Government and Director of LSE London
    • Luke Hillan, Strategic Finance Analyst, London Councils

    Panel 3 – London Police and Crime Plan and the New Met for London Programme (12.10pm – 1pm)

    • Rick Muir, Director, Police Foundation
    • Ian Wiggett, Associate Director, World Policing Advisory

    MEDIA CONTACT: Tony Smyth on 07763 251727 / [email protected] 
     
    Wednesday 23 October

    Q&A with MOPAC & Deputy Mayor for Policing nominee

    Police and Crime Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am
     
    The London Assembly is expected to hold a confirmation hearing to assess the Mayor’s proposed appointment to the office of Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, and make a recommendation to the Mayor as to whether it agrees or rejects the proposed appointment.
     
    In addition to the proposed confirmation hearing, the Committee will begin the meeting with a Q&A session with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), focusing on recent issues including Notting Hill Carnival and officer confidence.
     
    Guests for the Q&A session (10am – 11.30am) are:

    • Darren Mepham, Interim Chief Executive Officer, MOPAC
    • Kenny Bowie, Head of Strategy and MPS Oversight, MOPAC

    MEDIA CONTACT: Tony Smyth on 07763 251727 / [email protected]
     
    Wednesday 23 October
     
    London’s NYE Fireworks event

    GLA Oversight Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm
     
    London’s New Years Eve (NYE) fireworks event is the largest annual fireworks display in Europe. It is enjoyed by up to 100,000 ticketed spectators at the event, and millions more nationally and internationally through its broadcast.
      
    The final cost for the 2023 event was £4.1m. The GLA Oversight Committee will scrutinise the organisation of London’s NYE fireworks event for the first time.  The guests are:

    • Nicole Valentinuzzi, Assistant Director, External Relations, GLA
    • David Holley, Head of Events for London, GLA
    • Phil Grucci, President/CEO of Fireworks by Grucci, Inc.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected] 
     
    Thursday 24 October
     
    Culture in the LFB
    Fire Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm
     
    The Fire Committee holds the first meeting of its investigation looking at the progress the London Fire Brigade has made, two years on from a review which identified institutional misogyny, racism and issues in handling mental health. The Committee will be hearing about complex culture change programmes in other organisations. Guests include:
      
    Panel 1: Organisational and cultural change

    • Ann-Marie Barlow – Director, Energise Development
    • Suzanne McCarthy – Independent Chair, Fire Standards Board
    • Dr Jessica White, Acting Director of Terrorism and Conflict Studies, Royal United Services Institute
    • Dr Rowena Hill MBE, Professor of Resilience, Emergencies and Disaster Science, Nottingham Trent University

    Panel 2: Experience of firefighters

    • Paula Lyons, Company Secretary, Women in the Fire Service
    • Anna Snelson, LFB Women in the Fire Service
    • Gareth Cooke, London Regional Organiser, Fire Brigades Union
    • Adam Shaw, London Regional Treasurer, Fire Brigades Union
    • Deborah Riviere Williams, Chair, Unison

    MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252310 / [email protected]
     
    Thursday 24 October
     
    Accessibility and Inclusion in Transport

    Transport Committee – Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm
     
    In the second meeting of its Accessibility and Inclusion in Transport Planning investigation, the Transport Committee looks at demographic trends in people using services, barriers to use and inclusivity in planning, and Transport for London’s (TFL) engagement with its advisory groups.
    Members will ask what more, or alternative, accessibility and inclusion measures TfL could consider to improve its services.
    Guests include:

    Panel 1:

    • Emily Barker, Research and Learning Officer, 4in10
    • Gideon Salutin, Senior Researcher, Social Market Foundation
    • Dr Liz Hind, Senior Local Partnerships and Training Officer, Women’s Budget Group
    • Dr Sara Reis, Deputy Director and Head of Research and Policy, Women’s Budget Group

    Panel 2: 

    • James Lee, City Bridge Foundation, TfL’s Independent Disability Advisory Group Board Member
    • Arif Hoque, TfL’s Youth Panel Member

    MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252310 / [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO Secretary General: Strengthening deterrence “top priority”

    Source: NATO

    NATO Defence Ministers wrapped up two days of talks on Friday (18 October) with a commitment to further support Ukraine, strengthen ties with partners in the Asia-Pacific and reinforce the Alliance’s deterrence and defence.

    “Strengthening our deterrence and defence is this Alliance’s top priority, because keeping our one billion people safe is NATO’s most sacred duty,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said after the meeting. The Secretary General cited greater defence industrial capacity, more secure supply chains, and new technologies as critical to ensuring the Alliance’s security. Mr. Rutte added that NATO was making a fresh push for common munitions standards and more joint procurement to drive down costs and improve ease of use among Allies. NATO operations in the Western Balkans and Iraq were also on the agenda.

    Addressing the issue of Allied airspace breached by Russian drones, the Secretary General said that air and missile defence remains an Alliance priority. He highlighted the airspace violation in Romania yesterday and affirmed NATO’s solidarity with Romania, commending Romanian authorities and SACEUR for “their quick and effective response.” This was possible, in part, because NATO is stepping up surveillance on its eastern flank as part of a broader effort to reinforce deterrence. Mr Rutte went on to emphasise that Allies are purchasing hundreds of modern fighter aircraft and air defences systems.  

    Warning of Russia’s “increasingly irresponsible rhetoric”, the Secretary General said the Alliance’s nuclear deterrent remains “vital” to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression.

    On Thursday (17 October), NATO Defence Ministers were joined for the first time by their counterparts from Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand for talks on common security challenges, including in the context of Ukraine and the support that China, North Korea, and Iran are providing to Russia’s war effort.

    Later on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joined Ministers in the NATO-Ukraine Council and provided an overview of his plan for ending the war. The discussion among Defence Ministers with their Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, focused on Ukraine’s most urgent needs, including equipment and training. The Secretary General noted that work is well underway to set up NATO’s new command to coordinate security assistance and training for Ukraine, and to deliver on the pledge of 40 billion euros in military aid. He reiterated that Ukraine’s path to NATO membership is irreversible. “Ukraine will be member of NATO, there is no doubt about it, and until that happens we will make sure that Ukraine has everything it needs to prevail,” he said.

    MIL Security OSI –