NewzIntel.com

Category: Australia

  • MIL-Evening Report: Rio Tinto class action begins over ‘toxic’ Bougainville mine disaster

    By Harry Pearl of BenarNews

    An initial hearing of a class action against mining giant Rio Tinto over the toxic legacy of the Panguna copper mine on the autonomous island of Bougainville has been held in Papua New Guinea.

    The lawsuit against Rio Tinto and its subsidiary Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) is seeking compensation, expected to be in the billions of dollars, for what plaintiffs allege is historic mismanagement of the massive open copper-and-gold mine between 1972 and 1989.

    More than 5000 claimants backed by anonymous investors are seeking damages for the destruction that sparked a 10-year-long civil war.

    The Panguna mine closed in 1989 after anger about pollution and the unequal distribution of profits sparked a landowner rebellion. As many as 20,000 people — or 10 percent of Bougainville’s population — are estimated to have died in the violence that followed between pro-inependence rebels and PNG.

    Although a peace process was brokered in 2001 with New Zealand support, deep political divisions remain and there has never been remediation for Panguna’s environmental and psychological scars.

    The initial hearing for the lawsuit took place on Wednesday, a day ahead of schedule, at the National Court in Port Moresby, said Matthew Mennilli, a partner at Sydney-based Morris Mennilli.

    Mennilli, who is from one of two law firms acting on behalf of the plaintiffs, said he was unable to provide further details as court orders had not yet been formally entered.

    A defence submitted
    Rio Tinto did not respond to specific questions regarding this week’s hearing, but said in a statement on September 23 it had submitted a defence and would strongly defend its position in the case.

    The lawsuit is made up by the majority of villagers in the affected area of Bougainville, an autonomous province within PNG, situated some 800km east of the capital Port Moresby.

    Martin Miriori, the primary litigant in the class action lawsuit, photographed in Bougainville, June 2024. Image: Aubrey Belford/OCCRP

    At least 71 local clan leaders support the claim, with the lead claimant named as former senior Bougainville political leader and chief of the Basking Taingku clan Martin Miriori.

    The lawsuit is being bankrolled by Panguna Mine Action, a limited liability company that stands to reap between 20-40 percent of any payout depending on how long the case takes, according to litigation funding documents cited by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.

    While the lawsuit has support from a large number of local villagers, some observers fear it could upset social cohesion on Bougainville and potentially derail another long-standing remediation effort.

    The class action is running in parallel with an independent assessment of the mine’s legacy, supported by human rights groups and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), and funded by Rio Tinto.

    Locals walk by buildings left abandoned by a subsidiary of Rio Tinto at the Panguna mine site, Bougainville taken June 2024. Image: Aubrey Belford/OCCRP

    Rio Tinto agreed in 2021 to take part in the Panguna Mine Legacy Impact Assessment after the Melbourne-based Human Rights Law Centre filed a complaint with the Australian government, on behalf of Bougainville residents.

    Legacy of destruction
    The group said the Anglo-Australian mining giant has failed to address Panguna’s legacy of destruction, including the alleged dumping of more than a billion tonnes of mine waste into rivers that continues to affect health, the environment and livelihoods.

    The assessment, which is being done by environmental consulting firm Tetra Tech Coffey, includes extensive consultation with local communities and the first phase of the evaluation is expected to be delivered next month.

    ABG President Ishmael Toroama has called the Rio Tinto class action the highest form of treason and an obstacle to the government’s economic independence agenda.

    “This class action is an attack on Bougainville’s hard-fought unity to date,” he said in May.

    In February, the autonomous government granted Australian-listed Bougainville Copper a five-year exploration licence to revive the Panguna mine site.

    The Bougainville government is hoping its reopening will fund independence. In a non-binding 2019 referendum — which was part of the 2001 peace agreement — 97.7 percent of the island’s inhabitants voted for independence.

    PNG leaders resist independence
    But PNG leaders have resisted the result, fearful that by granting independence it could encourage breakaway movements in other regions of the volatile Pacific island country.

    Former New Zealand Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae was appointed last month as an independent moderator to help the two parties agree on terms of a parliamentary vote needed to ratify the referendum.

    In response to the class action, Rio Tinto said last month its focus remained on “constructive engagement and meaningful action with local stakeholders” through the legacy assessment.

    The company said it was “seeking to partner with key stakeholders, such as the ABG and BCL, to design and implement a remedy framework.”

    Copyright ©2015-2024, BenarNews. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: SOUTH TERRACE, DUBLIN (Assist Agency)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

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

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: MOUNT ALMA ROAD, HINDMARSH VALLEY (Vehicle Accident)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

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

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ALDINGA ROAD, WHITES VALLEY (Assist Agency)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

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

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: EYRE HIGHWAY, NULLARBOR (Hazmat)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    NULLARBOR

    Eyre Highway HazMat

    Issued for NULLARBOR near 88 km east of the Western Australia border .

    The CFS is responding to a HazMat incident 88 km east of the Western Australia border in the Nullarbor, South Australia.

    CFS volunteers, with one truck and one bulk-water carrier, are on the scene, supported by SA Police, WA Police, and Western Australia Fire. Personnel are maintaining an exclusion zone to protect the public from toxic smoke.

    The cause of the smoke is a semi-trailer fire carrying household insecticides, which will continue to produce smoke for at least 10 to 24 hours.

    Road closures due to this incident, include:

    Eyre Highway between Eucla to Yalata

    It is unknown when the roads will be reopened. Visit traffic.sa.gov.au for more information on road closures.

    Smoke and toxic fumes are impacting the surrounding area, and visibility may be reduced. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters and other emergency personnel working in the area, please do not enter the incident area unless necessary.

    As a precaution, the public should remain indoors and in vehicles with windows and doors closed and any air conditioning set to recirculation to not draw any fumes or smoke into enclosed spaces.

    Message ID 0007773

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Chairman’s Statement of The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS)

    Source: ASEAN

    The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held on 11 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Summit was chaired by H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The Summit was attended by ASEAN Member States, Australia, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Russian Federation, and the United States of America (U.S.), as well as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as Observer. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance. The President of the European Council and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, as Guests of the Chair, briefed the 19 EAS on enhancing connectivity and economic integration.Review and Future Direction of the EAS
    We reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthening the EAS as a premier Leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political, and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia in line with the EAS fundamental documents and based on the established principles, objectives and modalities of the EAS.

    Download the full statement here.

    The post Chairman’s Statement of The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS) appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Serious crash at Balhannah

    Source: South Australia Police

    Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash at Balhannah.

    The single motorcycle crash occurred at the intersection of Kerr Road and Beaumont Road, Balhannah, at 1pm on Sunday 13 October.

    Diversions are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 12/10/2024 Varsovia Regain control, ensure safety

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    At the heart of our country’s migration policy is caring for the security of Poland – millions of Poles. El primer ministro Donald Tusk announced the adoption of the government strategy “Regain control, ensure security”, the aim of which will be to regain full control over migration and to limit as much as possible the illegal crossing of Polish borders. The Prime Minister also referred to other government obligations implemented in recent months. One of the most important challenges in Poland, Europe and the world is to develop a strong response to the challenges and fears caused by mass migration and migratory pressure driven by hostile states. “Poland is supposed to be safe. Poles should feel free. Safe and free in their country. That’s why our migration policy is so important,” admitted the Prime Minister. The foundations of freedom are the state of law, the rule of law and true democratic rules, which have been consistently destroyed over the last eight years. MIGRATION WAS A TOOL OF FIGHT. Lack of real control and chaos in the previous migration policy. government caused hundreds of thousands of people from Asia and Africa to come to Poland, towards whom an atmosphere of hatred and contempt was created. “They built a partly corrupt system, and now no one has any doubts about it, which allowed for an absolutely uncontrolled influx, partly privatized, hundreds of thousands of formally legal migrants or hundreds of thousands of illegal ones. Was it the Belarusian border, was it the visa system, was it pseudo-studies, was it a completely privatized policy when it comes to the labor market versus migrants,” explained Donald Tusk. Thanks to the actions of the current government, in the first half of 2024 a total of 31 percent fewer visas of all categories compared to the same period in 2023. Their predecessors created the most pro-migration government in Europe, in the context of illegal migration, which had no regard for the security of its nation and EU borders. “One of the elements of the migration strategy will be the temporary territorial suspension of the law for asylum and I will demand that it be recognized in Europe. We know well how it is used by Lukashenko, Putin, by smugglers, smugglers and human traffickers, how this right to asylum is used exactly contrary to its essence,” the prime minister admitted. The current government is making a kind of turn in this matter, distancing itself from the disastrous practices of its predecessors and proposes coherent actions in this area. Migration will not threaten the security of either borders or citizens. MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION Over the last eight years, the Polish state has lost control over the wave of illegal migration, and the influx of immigrants has become a weapon in the political struggle. In the years 2018-2023, Poland issued over 6 million euros of visas, most of which were 3.8 million euros for work visas.  “The state is responsible for ensuring that people who want to work honestly in Poland, pay taxes, integrate with Polish society and study at a real university come to Poland. And these are people who deserve respect, respect. This also means integration activities. If someone wants to come to Poland permanently, work longer, study longer, they must want to respect Polish standards and Polish customs, they must want to integrate. After adopting this strategy, which has also happened in recent months, we will reduce illegal migration in Poland to a minimum. We will eliminate these practices in order to fully regain control over who comes, why they come, and how useful they can be,” said the head of government. A negative example of omitting integration processes is the Germans, who put private interests ahead of the good of society. The government’s tough attitude in line with the national interest will protect Polish women and men from fear and provide them with a sense of security. ACTIONS OF THE MFA In the fight against the huge influx of people from Asia and Africa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not only increased the prices of Polish visas, but also introduced new guidelines for Polish consulates, which previous governments used for their own purposes. “What I am saying can be achieved, but on one condition: that Donald Tusk’s government will not have someone constantly putting a stick in its spokes, vetoing it maliciously, sending it to the so-called Tribunal, that it will not block even appointment of Polish ambassadors.” – Radosław Sikorski added to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In its report, the Supreme Audit Office found a number of irregularities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding, among others: consular activities, visa process or favoring companies, people and agencies. The previous Ministry of Foreign Affairs was indifferent to the threat posed by Russia and from the beginning of aggression against Ukraine until December 2023, it issued over 1.8 thousand to Russian citizens. fenómeno.GREAT RETURN TO THE HOMELANDPolonia, like many European countries, is struggling with the challenge of demographic decline. One of the ways to fight it will be the return of Poles and people with Polish roots to their homeland. “We are planning a policy of accelerated returns of Poles and people of Polish origin from the Polish diaspora and abroad. By building the image of a safe country, Poland is also becoming an attractive place for Poles who can come back here. Why wouldn’t an 18-year-old Polish woman, a 20-year-old Pole living in England, France or the United States want to come back here, study here. Soon he will be earning as much as in England, and the place is nicer. And perhaps also thanks to our migration strategy, it will really be not only the coolest, but also objectively the safest place in Europe,” announced Donald Tusk. Citizenship, repatriation and contact with the diaspora are one of the important elements of the migration strategy developed since December 2023. Poland did not have such a document in 2016. THE BORDER IS MORE AND MORE CLEAR Over recent months, our country has rebuilt its credibility in the international arena and has become the country on which the security of the eastern wall of the entire European Union rests, both in terms of defense against foreign countries and illegal immigrants. This year, Poland will allocate 4.3% of GDP to defense, and next year 4.7%. This is the most in the entire North Atlantic Alliance. “The fact that today we invest so much in our defense, in our security, and we do it in a well-thought-out way, also builds the image of Poland as a country that really knows what it is about and that really cares about security. ”- Prime Minister said. The construction of one of the strongest armies in the EU, the ruthless attitude of the Polish government and the services operating on the border with Belarus do not go unnoticed among those involved in the process of illegal border crossing. UNCROSSABLE BORDER Since December 2023, the Polish government has been consistently sealing the border with Belarus , which is attacked every day as part of the so-called hybrid war. The inviolability of Polish borders is guarded by thousands of policemen, soldiers and the Border Guard. If it turns out to be impassable for illegal migrants, no one will die on this border. Anyone who has such a need and is persecuted will be able to come to Poland. On one condition that it complies with all procedures, laws and rules in force in Poland. There is no way that someone would illegally enter Poland and we would turn a blind eye to it,” declared Donald Tusk. In less than a year of government, only two people lost their lives at the border. As many as 18 people died in 2023. TIME FOR ACTION Years of neglect are visible not only in the aspect of defense or migration policy. The actions of the previous government blocked the transfer of billions of zlotys that could have been spent on important investments. “Europe, both institutions and heads of state, all accepted that Poland regained access to European funds and became the center of Europe and the heart of Europe again. In a sense, it was these millions of Polish women and men who decided, and not only our actions, that Poland regained Europe and Europe regained Poland, including these billions,” said Primer Ministro. From the first days of this term, the government also cares about the safety of citizens in other dimensions, which can be seen in social benefits for families and the most needy, facilities for those running agricultural activities and health care. Poles can use, among others: from the “grandmother’s program”, the 800+ program or leave for entrepreneurs. The Prime Minister emphasized that no change could take place without the will of voters. He thanked all those who trusted the current government. “We are aware of how much we owe to those millions who, sometimes despite the circumstances, went and took power from the hands of these people who had been spoiling the Polish state for 8 years, destroying our hopes and dreams. The bromear pair is a real guarantee. Para bromear, the real foundation of these good, positive changes. For us, we are just workers. It is our job to transform these hopes, dreams, our obligations, the expectations of our voters into facts every day, every month. The most important thing is that we maintain and greatly accelerate the course of changes that we started at the end of last year,” explained Donald Tusk. The Prime Minister emphasized that Poles want a completely different Poland than it was under the previous government – they expect the highest standards. Voters’ demands towards the government motivate it to act. It is to them that the government pledged to continue working for the country and its inhabitants.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release – NEW VIDEOS EXPLORE CULTURAL PRACTICE WITH NATURAL RESOURCES

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release – NEW VIDEOS EXPLORE CULTURAL PRACTICE WITH NATURAL RESOURCES

    Posted on Oct 11, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR

    DAWN CHANG
    CHAIRPERSON

    NEWS RELEASE 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
     October 11, 2024 

    NEW VIDEOS EXPLORE CULTURAL PRACTICE WITH NATURAL RESOURCES

    DLNR’s ʻIke Kaiāulu series interviews local experts to share their knowledge

    (HONOLULU) – Our natural resources in Hawaiʻi are inextricably connected to the communities that rely upon and care for those resources. The “ʻIke Kaiāulu,” or “Community Knowledge,” video series, produced by education teams within the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), seeks to tap into an understanding of this rich history of caring for ‘āina and kai.

    The series premiered in 2023 with four videos sharing community knowledge related to limu, wood carving, lāʻau lapaʻau (medicinal plant use), and caring for special places like Kaʻena Point.

    Four new videos were recently added to the series, featuring experts with knowledge to share across a variety of practices: 

    • Kumu Hulu Mele Kahalepuna Chun explores her family’s history with Hawaiian featherwork and its relationship to the health of forest birds in Hawaiʻi
    • Paepae o Heʻeia Executive Director Hiʻilei Kawelo shares her experiences with loko iʻa (fishponds) and their connection to mauka and makai ecosystem health
    • ʻŌpelu fisherman Chuck Kealoha Leslie discusses his knowledge of net making and his hopes for the future of fishing in Hawaiʻi
    • Dr. Kawika Winter, Director of the Heʻeia National Estuarine Research Reserve, discusses biocultural restoration and the importance of centering indigenous ways of thinking in ecosystem management.

    While sharing knowledge from different fields, the interviewees expressed common themes. Each of the four experts talked about their knowledge coming from parents, grandparents, or other kūpuna and the importance of passing on that knowledge to younger generations.

    Mele Kahalepuna Chun said that passing along the knowledge provided by her tūtū and her mother was not a job, but a kuleana. “What I want to say to our keiki is to make sure it lives. Just holomua: keep it going.” 

    Another common theme was the endurance of cultural practices in communities. “The relationships we have within the ahupuaʻa, that’s what makes the magic happen,” said Hiʻilei Kawelo. On the topic of featherwork, Kahalepuna Chun added that her tūtū was often asked, “‘Isn’t this a dying art?’ She’d say no, not as long as I can help it.”

    Interviewees also shared hope for the future of their particular areas of expertise. Chuck Kealoha Leslie shared that he wanted keiki to know how we did things in the old ways, and then they can make it their own. He added, “If they want to do fishing, make fishing their life and make it joyful.”

    Dr. Kawika Winter articulated his views of cultural practice as part of management and life in Hawaiʻi, saying, “We’ve been here a long time, we’re going to continue being here a long time.” On the importance of sharing experience and knowledge, he added, “So many of the elders who came before me have said that Hawaiʻi has the answers that will help heal the world.”

    All videos are available on the DLNR website.

    # # # 

     

    RESOURCES 

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) 

    ʻIke Kaiāulu videos: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/education/videos

    Photographs of Community Experts on DOFAW website: https://hidofaw.canto.com/b/LF93O

    Media Contact: 

    Ryan Aguilar

    Communications Specialist

    Hawaiʻi Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

    808-587-0396

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HARBOUR ACTIVITIES OF MALABAR- 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 12 OCT 2024 2:30PM by PIB Delhi

    As part of the ongoing harbour activities during the Multilateral Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024, participating navies – India, Australia, Japan, and the United States – have been actively engaged in various collaborative events since 09 Oct 24, at Visakhapatnam, coordinated by the Eastern Naval Command. These activities include Key Leadership Engagement (KLE), Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and pre-sailing discussions, all aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation, building camaraderie, and fostering operational synergy.

    Key leadership engagement of the senior naval hierarchy has been a special feature of the exercise, with Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command, Admiral Stephen Koehler, Commander US Pacific Fleet, Vice Admiral Katsushi Omachi, Commander-in-Chief, Self-Defense Fleet, Japan, and Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Commander Australian Fleet, meeting to discuss ways to strengthen mutual naval interoperability and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the future of Malabar exercises.

    Further reinforcing this bond, the Subject Matter Expert Exchanges and cross-deck visits have provided valuable opportunities for the participating nations to exchange knowledge and best practices towards promoting deeper engagement and understanding. These interactions have highlighted the importance of collaboration to enhance maritime security and achieve shared goals in maritime operations.

    The crews from Australia, India, Japan and the United States participated in friendly sports fixtures, further reinforcing the camaraderie and bonhomie among the teams. From the seas to the fields, the spirit of teamwork and friendship embodied the theme of Stronger Together, exemplifying the spirit of Malabar 2024 beyond naval operations. The crews also enjoyed a memorable Indian dinner, with the rich flavors of Indian cuisine setting the stage for enhancing cultural familiarity between the navies.

    As the harbour phase of Malabar 2024 draws to a close, pre-sailing discussions have taken center stage, focusing on strategies to ensure maximum operational synergy during the upcoming sea phase in the Bay of Bengal, scheduled from 14 Oct 24. The multifaceted interactions at various levels have all been instrumental in cementing cooperation, sharing expertise, and enhancing maritime security.

    _______________________________________________________________

    VM/SKY                                                                                                          204/24

    (Release ID: 2064361) Visitor Counter : 70

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Update: fatal crash at Balhannah

    Source: South Australia Police

    A man has died after a motorcycle crashed at the intersection of Kerr Road and Beaumont Road, Balhannah, at 1pm on Sunday 13 October.

    Sadly, the rider, a 48-year-old man from Greenhill, died at the scene

    Road diversions remain in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

    Anyone who witnessed the crash or who has dashcam footage that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at http://www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    The man’s death is the 68th life lost on South Australian roads so far this year.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can listening to music make you more productive at work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anna Fiveash, ARC DECRA Fellow (Researcher), Western Sydney University

    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    Listening to music can enhance our lives in all kinds of ways – many of us use it during exercise, to regulate our mood, or in the workplace.

    But can listening to background music while you work really make you more productive?

    It’s a controversial topic. Some people swear by it, others find it painfully distracting. The research agrees there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.

    The best way to use music in the workplace depends on several factors, including your personality traits, what you’re doing, and what kind of music you’re listening to.

    Here’s how to find out what works best for you.

    Who you are

    Your personality has a key influence on whether background music can boost productivity or be distracting in the workplace, which relates to your unique optimal level of arousal.

    Arousal in this context relates to mental alertness, and the readiness of the brain to process new information. Background music can increase it.

    Research suggests that being at an optimal level of arousal facilitates a state of “flow”, enhancing performance and productivity.

    Introverts may need less external stimulus – such as music – to focus well.
    Ground Picture/Shutterstock

    Introverts already have a high baseline level of internal arousal.

    Adding background music might push them over their optimal level, likely reducing productivity.

    Extroverts, on the other hand, have lower baseline levels of internal arousal, so need more external stimulation to perform at their optimal level.

    This is why introverts may perform worse than extroverts with background music, especially when the music is highly arousing.

    What you’re doing

    Research has shown the nature of the task you’re doing can also have an important effect.

    Because of connections between music and language in the brain, trying to read and write at the same time as listening to complex music – especially music with lyrics – can be particularly difficult.

    However, if you’re doing a simple or repetitive task such as data entry or a manual task, having music on in the background can help with performance – particularly upbeat and complex music.

    These findings could be related to music’s effects on motivation and maintaining attention, as well as activating reward networks in the brain.

    Complex music may increase performance on some simple or manual tasks.
    Krakenimages.com/Shutterstock

    The type of music itself

    One important and often overlooked influence is what kind of music you choose to listen to.

    Research has shown that fast and loud music can be more detrimental to complex tasks, such as reading comprehension, than soft and slow music.

    Other research found that listening to calming music can have benefits for memory, while aggressive and unpleasant music can have the opposite effect.

    However, these effects also depend on your personality, your familiarity with the music, and your musical preferences, so the type of music that works best will be different for everyone.

    Music can be very rewarding and can benefit attention, mood and motivation.

    Choosing music that is meaningful, rewarding and makes you feel good will likely help boost your performance, especially when performing simple tasks.

    The type of music you listen to can have an effect.
    Samuel Sianipar/Unsplash

    What about complex tasks?

    It largely seems that the more complex or demanding the task is, the more distracting background music can be.

    One way to harness the motivational and mood-boosting effects of music to help with your workplace productivity is to play music before doing your work.

    Using music to boost your mood and enhance attention before starting a work task could help you be more productive in that task.

    Playing music right before a task can provide benefits while reducing the risk of distraction.
    XiXinXing/Shutterstock

    Playing music before a demanding task has been shown to boost language abilities in particular.

    So if you’re about to do a cognitively demanding task involving reading and writing, and you feel that music might distract you if played at the same time, try listening to it just before doing the task.

    Find what works for you

    Music can be both helpful and detrimental for workplace productivity – the best advice is to experiment with different tasks and different types of music, to find out what works best for you.

    Try to experiment with your favourite music first, while doing a simple task.

    Does the music help you engage with the task? Or do you get distracted and start to become more absorbed in the music? Listening to music without lyrics and with a strong beat might help you focus on the task at hand.

    If you find music is distracting to your work, try scheduling in some music breaks throughout the day. Listening to music during breaks could boost your mood and increase your motivation, thereby enhancing productivity.

    Moving along with music is suggested to increase reward processing, especially in social situations.

    Dancing has the added bonus of getting you out of your chair and moving along in time, so bonus points if you are able to make it a dance break!



    Read more:
    An education in music makes you a better employee. Are recruiters in tune?

    Anna Fiveash receives funding from The Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Can listening to music make you more productive at work? – https://theconversation.com/can-listening-to-music-make-you-more-productive-at-work-241123

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 30 years ago, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction shook Hollywood and redefined ‘cool’ cinema

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben McCann, Associate Professor of French Studies, University of Adelaide

    IMDB

    What might be the most seismic moment in American cinema? Film “speaking” for the first time in The Jazz Singer? Dorothy entering the Land of Oz? That menacing shark that in 1975 invented the summer blockbuster?

    Or how about that moment when two hitmen on their way to a job began talking about the intricacies of European fast food while listening to Kool & The Gang?

    Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction (1994) celebrates its 30th birthday this month. Watching it now, this story of a motley crew of mobsters, drug dealers and lowlifes in sunny Los Angeles still feels startlingly new.

    Widely regarded as Tarantino’s masterpiece, the director’s dazzling second film was considered era-defining for its memorable dialogue, innovative narrative structure and unique blend of humour and violence. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, made stars of Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman, and revitalised John Travolta’s career.

    Pulp Fiction is dark, often poignant, and very funny. It is, as one critic describes it, an “intravenous jab of callous madness, black comedy and strange unwholesome euphoria”.

    Tarantino’s trademark style includes plenty of violence and gore.
    IMDB

    A Möbius strip plot

    Famous for its non-linear narrative, Pulp Fiction weaves together a trio of connected crime stories. The three chapters – Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace’s Wife, The Gold Watch and The Bonnie Situation – loop, twist and intersect but, crucially, never confuse the viewer.

    Tarantino has often paid tribute to French filmmakers Jean-Luc Godard and Jean-Pierre Melville, whose earlier films also presented their narratives out of chronological order and modified the rules of the crime genre.

    By inviting audiences to piece Pulp Fiction together like a puzzle, Tarantino laid the way for subsequent achronological films such as Memento (2000), Go (1999) and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998).

    Pop culture meets postmodernism

    In his influential essay Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism, first published in 1984, political theorist Frederic Jameson coined the term “new depthlessness” to describe postmodern culture.

    Jameson perceived a shift away from the depth, meaning and authenticity that characterised earlier forms of culture, towards a focus on surface and style.

    Pulp Fiction’s iconic movie poster shows character Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) smoking a cigarette.
    IMDB

    Pulp Fiction fits Jameson’s definition of depthlessness. It is stuffed with homages to popular culture and a vivid array of character types drawn from other B-movies – hitmen, molls, mob bosses, double-crossing boxers, traumatised war veterans and tuxedo-wearing “fixers”. It is a film of surfaces and allusions.

    Jackson, Travolta and Thurman feature alongside established 1990s box-office stars including Bruce Willis and industry stalwarts Harvey Keitel and Christopher Walken, both of whom have brief but memorable cameos.

    The film’s most iconic scene takes place at the retro 1950s-themed Jack Rabbit Slim’s diner. Thurman’s twist contest with Travolta fondly echoes Travolta’s earlier dancing in Saturday Night Fever (1977) and pays homage to other dance scenes in films such as 8 ½ (1963) and Band of Outsiders (1964).

    Words and music

    Film critic Roger Ebert once noted how Tarantino’s characters “often speak at right angles to the action”, giving long speeches before getting on with the job at hand.

    Pulp Fiction is full of witty and quotable monologues and dialogue, ranging from the philosophical to the mundane. Conversations about foot massages and blueberry pie bump up against Bible verses and reflections on fate and redemption.

    The film’s 1995 Oscar for Best Original Screenplay was a fitting achievement for Tarantino, who many regard as the snappiest writer in film history. Countless other filmmakers have looked to replicate Pulp Fiction’s mashup of cool and coarse.

    Needle drops are just as important in establishing Pulp Fiction’s mood and tone. The film’s eclectic soundtrack pings between surf rock, soul and classic rock ‘n’ roll.

    The soundtrack peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200 in 1994 and stayed in the charts for more than a year.

    Dividing the critics

    Though it was officially released in October 1994, Pulp Fiction had already made a stir earlier that by winning the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

    Many expected Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colours: Red to take the top prize. Tarantino himself seemed stunned, telling the Cannes audience: “I don’t make the kind of movies that bring people together. I make movies that split people apart.”

    The film has divided critics ever since.

    Many adored Pulp Fiction for its intoxicating allure and sheer adrenaline-fuelled pleasure. To this day it maintains a 92% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Film critic Todd McCarthy called it a film “bulging with boldness, humour and diabolical invention”.

    But the backlash was equally robust. Some criticised the film for its excessive gore and irresponsible use of racial slurs. Screenwriting guru Syd Field felt it was too shallow and too talky. Jean-Luc Godard, once one of Tarantino’s idol, apparently hated it.

    Nonetheless, its financial success (a box office return of US$213 million from an $8 million budget) signalled the growing importance and cultural prestige of independent US films. Miramax, the studio that backed it, went on to become a major force in the industry.

    The 1994 film made stars of Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.
    IMDB

    A lasting legacy

    Shortly after Pulp Fiction’s release, the word “Tarantinoesque” appeared in the Oxofrd English Dictionary. The entry reads:

    Resembling or imitative of the films of Quentin Tarantino; characteristic or reminiscent of these films Tarantino’s films are typically characterised by graphic and stylized violence, non-linear storylines, cineliterate references, satirical themes, and sharp dialogue.

    Pulp Fiction has since been parodied and knocked off countless times. Hollywood suddenly began mass-producing low-budget crime thrillers with witty, self-reflexive dialogue. Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead (1995), 2 Days In The Valley (1996) and Very Bad Things (1998) are just some example.

    Graffiti artist Bansky even stencilled the likeness of Jules and Vincent all over London, with bananas in place of guns. The Simpsons got in on the act too.

    Tarantino once summed up his working method as follows:

    Ultimately all I’m trying to do is merge sophisticated storytelling with lurid subject matter. I reckon that makes for an entertaining night at the movies.

    I’d say there’s no better way to describe Pulp Fiction.

    Ben McCann 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. 30 years ago, Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction shook Hollywood and redefined ‘cool’ cinema – https://theconversation.com/30-years-ago-tarantinos-pulp-fiction-shook-hollywood-and-redefined-cool-cinema-236877

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Election anniversary: a year into 3-party coalition government, can the centre hold?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Shaw, Professor of Politics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Nearly a year on from its formation, it’s clear a three-party coalition is not quite the same as the two-party versions New Zealand is accustomed to.

    Normally, the primary dynamic has been clear: the major party sets the pace while the smaller governing partner receives a bauble or two for supporting the lead act. There may be occasional concerns about tails wagging dogs, but the dog is clearly in charge.

    With the present National-ACT-NZ First coalition, however, things are more complex and less predictable. The dog has two tails, both of which are more than capable of vigorous wagging.

    On the anniversary of the 2023 election, which produced the first three-party coalition government since the MMP system was adopted in 1996, we are perhaps beginning to get a picture of where dog ends and tails begin.

    Speed wobbles

    If that picture has been a little blurry until now it’s partly because of the speed with which the government has moved – not always to its own advantage.

    In the process of ticking off the 49 items on its plan for the first 100 days, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s administration has kept some election promises but broken or fudged others, having to backtrack as a result.

    It has delivered tax cuts, but been forced to trim and cap spending in areas (like health and infrastructure) crying out for extra investment.

    It has given the impression of urgency and action with its Fast-track Approvals Bill. But it had to scrap the policy’s core element of granting three ministers unprecedented constitutional authority over which projects to fast-track.

    Concerns about executive overreach and potential conflicts of interest have dogged other policy areas, too. These range from the repeal of ground-breaking smoke-free legislation to firearms control – both the responsibility of junior coalition party ministers.

    This sense of a government somewhat at odds with itself extends to the swingeing cuts made to the public service workforce. Marketed as freeing up resources for front-line staff, the cuts are increasingly likely to be affecting actual service delivery in health, police, defence and elsewhere.

    Executive overreach? A protest march in Auckland against the government’s fast-track consenting legislation.
    Getty Images

    An ‘executive paradise’

    Some of this can be put down to a new government’s distrust of a public service inherited from its predecessor, and a desire to make the most of its first year before the shadow election campaign kicks off mid-term.

    But the coalition’s vigorous embrace of the executive authority baked into New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements has still been something to behold. As constitutional lawyer and former prime minister Geoffrey Palmer put it, the fast-track legislation risked turning New Zealand into “an executive paradise, not a democratic paradise”.

    The government has used parliamentary urgency more frequently than any other contemporary administration. It has been rattling legislation through the House faster than the wheels of parliamentary democracy are meant to turn.

    Submitters on the Māori wards legislation, for example, were given just three working days to prepare their arguments. Those wanting to comment on the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill had four days.

    And the government has been making less use of parliament’s expert select committees than is standard practice. This has limited public participation and constrained scrutiny of proposed legislation.

    Ministers have also been prepared to ignore public service advice while paying plenty of attention to operational matters in the departments that furnish that advice.

    New Zealand’s system of public management distinguishes between ministers’ responsibility for policy outcomes and senior officials’ responsibility for the operational decisions required to deliver those outcomes.

    Nonetheless, Cabinet has commandeered oversight of operational matters in Whaikaha/Ministry of Disabled People, following botched communications over changes in disability funding. And civil servants have recently been told to stop working from home and return to the office.

    The government will be betting this tactical disposition bolsters its “getting stuff done” narrative. But no one wants a concern with short-term operational details to come at the expense of long-term policy thinking.

    Treaty principles pantomime

    Nowhere is the coalition’s internal tension more evident, however, than in its confrontational approach to Māori and te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi issues.

    Having courted voters already sceptical or disgruntled about Māori cultural assertiveness, the coalition moved fast to disestablish Te Aka Whai Ora/Māori Health Authority, repeal legislation supporting Māori wards in local government, row back on official use of te reo Māori, and cut funding for Māori language revitalisation.

    But its proposed Treaty Principles Bill – an ACT Party initiative – looks set to be especially constitutionally fraught and politically divisive.

    National and NZ First have indicated they will not support the bill beyond its first reading, but have agreed it will receive a full six months in front of a select committee.

    This only raises the question of why any parliamentary time and money should be spent on the proposal at all – especially given the government’s supposed “laser focus” on cost and efficiency elsewhere.

    Can the centre hold?

    The politics around the Treaty Principles Bill also reveal just how much the prime minister has had to cede to ACT, for whom the proposed legislation was a bottom line during the government formation process.

    And it inevitably casts doubt on the extent and exercise of prime ministerial authority under three-way governing arrangements. ACT leader and soon-to-be deputy prime minister David Seymour has questioned Christopher Luxon’s authority more than once.

    And Luxon’s apparent unwillingness to at least censure an under-performing minister from another party (NZ First’s Casey Costello, for example) contrasts starkly with his firmer treatment of those in his own National Party (Melissa Lee and Penny Simmons, both demoted).

    One year into a three-year term, these issues can perhaps be dismissed as part of the process of bedding down a new government. But politics never rests. Winston Peters hands the deputy prime minister role to David Seymour at the end of next May. Both NZ First and ACT will want to distinguish themselves from National.

    As the next election nears and the jockeying for attention begins, the prime minister’s authority over his administration, and the coalition’s coherence, will be tested further.

    Richard Shaw 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. Election anniversary: a year into 3-party coalition government, can the centre hold? – https://theconversation.com/election-anniversary-a-year-into-3-party-coalition-government-can-the-centre-hold-240189

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The science of happier dogs: 5 tips to help your canine friends live their best life

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mia Cobb, Research Fellow, Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne

    Bigzumi/Shutterstock

    When you hear about “science focused on how dogs can live their best lives with us” it sounds like an imaginary job made up by a child. However, the field of animal welfare science is real and influential.

    As our most popular animal companion and coworker, dogs are very deserving of scientific attention. In recent years we’ve learned more about how dogs are similar to people, but also how they are distinctly themselves.

    We often think about how dogs help us – as companions, working as detectors, and keeping us safe and healthy. Dog-centric science helps us think about the world from a four-paw perspective and apply this new knowledge so dogs can enjoy a good life.

    Here are five tips to keep the tails in your life wagging happily.

    1. Let dogs sniff

    Sniffing makes dogs happier. We tend to forget they live in a smell-based world because we’re so visual. Often taking the dog for a walk is our daily physical activity but we should remember it could be our dogs’ only time out of the home environment.

    Letting them have a really good sniff of that tree or post is full of satisfying information for them. It’s their nose’s equivalent of us standing at the top of a mountain and enjoying a rich, colour-soaked, sunset view.

    Dogs live in a world of smells, so it’s important to let them sniff until their heart’s content.
    Pawtraits/Shutterstock

    2. Give dogs agency

    Agency is a hot topic in animal welfare science right now. For people who lived through the frustration of strict lockdowns in the early years of COVID, it’s easy to remember how not being able to go where we wanted, or see who we wanted, when we wanted, impacted our mental health.

    We’ve now learned that giving animals choice and control in their lives is important for their mental wellbeing too. We can help our dogs enjoy better welfare by creating more choices and offering them control to exercise their agency.

    This might be installing a doggy door so they can go outside or inside when they like. It could be letting them decide which sniffy path to take through your local park. Perhaps it’s choosing which three toys to play with that day from a larger collection that gets rotated around. Maybe it’s putting an old blanket down in a new location where you’ve noticed the sun hits the floor for them to relax on.

    Providing choices doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

    3. Recognise all dogs are individuals

    People commonly ascribe certain personality traits to certain dog breeds. But just like us, dogs have their own personalities and preferences. Not all dogs are going to like the same things and a new dog we live with may be completely different to the last one.

    One dog might like to go to the dog park and run around with other dogs at high speed for an hour, while another dog would much rather hang out with you chewing on something in the garden.

    We can see as much behavioural variation within breeds as we do between them. Being prepared to meet dogs where they are, as individuals, is important to their welfare.

    As well as noticing what dogs like to do as individuals, it’s important not to force dogs into situations they don’t enjoy. Pay attention to behaviour that indicates dogs aren’t comfortable, such as looking away, licking their lips or yawning.

    Just like humans, different dogs have different personalities.
    Daria Shvetcova/Shutterstock

    4. Respect dogs’ choice to opt out

    Even in our homes, we can provide options if our dogs don’t want to share in every activity with us. Having a quiet place that dogs can retreat to is really important in enabling them to opt out if they want to.

    If you’re watching television loudly, it may be too much for their sensitive ears. Ensure a door is open to another room so they can retreat. Some dogs might feel overwhelmed when visitors come over; giving them somewhere safe and quiet to go rather than forcing an interaction will help them cope.

    Dogs can be terrific role models for children when teaching empathy. We can demonstrate consent by letting dogs approach us for pats and depart when they want. Like seeing exotic animals perform in circuses, dressing up dogs for our own entertainment seems to have had its day. If you asked most dogs, they don’t want to wear costumes or be part of your Halloween adventures.

    5. Opportunities for off-lead activity – safely.

    When dogs are allowed to run off-lead, they use space differently. They tend to explore more widely and go faster than they do when walking with us on-lead. This offers them important and fun physical activity to keep them fit and healthy.

    Demonstrating how dogs walk differently when on- and off-lead.

    A recent exploration of how liveable cities are for dogs mapped all the designated areas for dogs to run off-leash. Doggy density ranged from one dog for every six people to one dog for every 30 people, depending on where you live.

    It also considered how access to these areas related to the annual registration fees for dogs in each government area compared, with surprising differences noted across greater Melbourne. We noted fees varied between A$37 and $84, and these didn’t relate to how many off-lead areas you could access.

    For dog-loving nations, such as Australia, helping our canine friends live their best life feels good. Science that comes from a four-paw perspective can help us reconsider our everyday interactions with dogs and influence positive changes so we can live well, together.

    Mia Cobb 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. The science of happier dogs: 5 tips to help your canine friends live their best life – https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-happier-dogs-5-tips-to-help-your-canine-friends-live-their-best-life-236952

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The Voice defeat set us all back. And since then, our leaders have given up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Blackwell, Research Fellow (Indigenous Diplomacy), Australian National University

    It’s one year since the failed referendum to enshrine a First Nations Voice to Parliament in the Australian Constitution.

    The vote represents a moment of deep sadness and frustration for many First Nations people for the lost opportunity to move towards meaningful change in our lives, communities and for our futures. Many elders and old people will likely not live to see change.

    I was one of the many people in the Uluru Dialogue at UNSW who worked last year across the country educating on and advocating for the constitutional change. I spoke to communities across New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT, from Boorowa to Melbourne.

    I not only saw the campaign first-hand, I also have read every think piece imaginable in the 12 months since about why the referendum failed.

    A ceaseless blame game

    From the expected pieces blaming the usual suspects (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Indigenous peoples, the Yes campaign, the No campaign and the media), there were also some weirder supposed culprits.

    Some blamed “wokeness”, Donald Trump and dark money, secret elites, identity politics, and all manner of culture war issues.

    To my mind, no single thing doomed the Voice. It was a mix of a lot of the above.

    Albanese treating the referendum like an election campaign but without the usual level of resourcing and advocacy. The Coalition’s outright opposition to the idea (despite previous indications of support). The media’s failure to grapple with Indigenous issues and dogmatic insistence on giving prominence to “both sides” of the debate.

    The YES23 organisation was also disorganised from the start. Yes campaigners were forced onto the back foot daily by relentless misinformation, seemingly deliberate, from the No campaign.



    Read more:
    Why did the Voice referendum fail? We crunched the data and found 6 reasons

    This built on a distinct lack of civic education among most Australians.

    It was further amplified by the No campaign’s very successful “If you don’t know, vote no” slogan – the idea being that their untruths warranted little scrutiny.

    That’s on top of a large undercurrent of racism that was never properly called out, and which has never been properly addressed.

    Campaigns like this are something we as a nation haven’t come to terms with. We’ve seen in the United States how effective misinformation can be at confusing people, creating false senses of reality and distorting public perception.

    Even if Australians supported the ideas behind the Voice in the abstract, neither they nor the media were prepared for the level of dishonesty and bad dealing from the No campaign. It was never a fair fight.

    No, no, and no again

    The Voice to Parliament represented a consensus plea from Indigenous communities for systemic reform. The idea was that the structure of the Australian political system was, either by design or outcome, causing many of the social and economic issues that we face, and therefore a structural solution was needed.

    The No campaign claimed after the referendum that the result was a rejection of this idea of a Voice to Parliament as a solution to issues in Indigenous communities or among Indigenous peoples more generally, “because it wasn’t going to fix the things that needed to be fixed”.

    Prominent No campaigner Warren Mundine even called the referendum the “most divisive, most racially charged attack on Australia I’ve ever seen”.

    “Australia has voted no to the Voice of division”, was the common refrain from people like Pauline Hanson and other No campaigners. Australians “wanted practical solutions” to Indigenous issues, not a body without any detail that wouldn’t hear “real communities”.

    I am not bringing up these issues again to relitigate the issues of the referendum. Instead, I want to ask a very important question: the Voice to Parliament was designed to address our systemic disadvantage, so what solutions to these serious structural issues have any of the No campaigners offered in the past 12 months?



    Read more:
    A royal commission won’t help the abuse of Aboriginal kids. Indigenous-led solutions will

    We have seen some policies from the Coalition. Plans to reduce “fly in, fly out” workers in remote communities. Reforming land rights and native title. A royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities. Less need for programs with “a specific Indigenous focus” in urban areas, where most First Nations people live.

    Some of these are just a rehash of failed Coalition policies of the past, as many others have mentioned. Some appear to have come personally from Senator Jacinta Price and are seemingly not backed by experts (or many people in Indigenous communities). Others appear to be tied directly into conservative political talking points, rather than really addressing Indigenous need.

    The Coalition also abandoned its plan for an alternative second referendum almost immediately after the failed vote.

    The Coalition and other leading No campaigners clearly have no plans to address the structural issues facing our peoples. They’re only offering more of the regular policy tinkering and seesawing we have seen far too often before.

    Abandoning the cause

    The same is true of the government. I have already written for this masthead about the government’s abject failures at implementing the Closing the Gap targets and its lack of meaningful consultation.

    The government’s current attempts at Indigenous policy remain exercises in seeking consent over genuine consultation. Its proposed “economic empowerment” agenda for First Nations peoples is a perfect example.

    Aside from the lack of codesign and meaningful engagement, such policies have been bandied about for the better part of two decades and still have not substantively moved the dial.

    The pursuit of market-based wealth for some privileged few First Nations peoples and communities, under the guise of closing the gap, as well as focusing on the overexaggerated benefits of renewable energy as a driver of Indigenous economic power, is not “economic development” for all mobs.

    The policy focus was also announced as Albanese abandoned his commitment to a Makaratta Commission – the Treaty and Truth components that were meant to follow the Voice to Parliament.

    These ideas fall into the same tired policy stereotypes of throwing money at some of the usual organisations and peoples who have long benefited, and claiming this solves the systemic problems we face. The problem isn’t money, it’s the very rules of the game.

    Charting a way forward

    Research following the referendum shows that 87% of Australians think First Nations peoples should be able to decide for ourselves about our way of life. Moreover, 64% think the disadvantages faced by our communities warrant extra government attention, and 68% believe this disadvantage comes from “past race-based policies”.

    Only 35% believe Indigenous peoples are now treated equally to other Australians, and only 37% believe injustices faced by our community are “all in the past”.

    This clearly shows a level of recognition by the Australian people that something needs to be done about Indigenous policy and the structural issues in this country.

    According to the same data, 87% of Australians agree it is “important for First Nations peoples to have a voice/say in matters that affect them”. This jumps to 98.5% among Yes voters, but also is true of 76% of No voters.

    This suggests that Australian people see the problem and can identify the structural issues.

    The real work, then, is on civics education, getting people to understand that the structural issues they can see need structural change; but also making them more aware of the effects of misinformation. It’s not right that proposals that should get the support of the Australian people can be derailed the way this was.

    But what also isn’t right is the current abdication of Indigenous policy by both major parties and their abandonment of any attempt to remedy structural issues. Following the referendum, the major parties have given up.

    To paraphrase myself from February’s Closing the Gap announcement: the next time you run into an MP, ask them what their plan for Indigenous people is. Ask them not just about closing the gap, but to fix the structural issues that so clearly disadvantage our people.

    That’s the question no one wants to answer, but it’s what we need to do if we are to move on from the 2023 referendum in a positive direction.

    James Blackwell is a member of the Uluru Dialogue at UNSW. He is also an Independent Councillor for Hilltops Council in NSW.

    – ref. The Voice defeat set us all back. And since then, our leaders have given up – https://theconversation.com/the-voice-defeat-set-us-all-back-and-since-then-our-leaders-have-given-up-239732

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How to look after your mental health right now if you have family in the Middle East or another conflict zone

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Procter, Professor and Chair: Mental Health Nursing, University of South Australia

    Escalating violence in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon in recent weeks, has brought news of death, casualties and displacement.

    In response, the Australian government has organised evacuation flights for Australian citizens and is urging all Australians in Lebanon to take the earliest available flights due to the unpredictable nature of the conflict.

    For the more than 248,000 Australians with Lebanese ancestry, and others, this has been a deeply distressing time.

    Escalating violence in Lebanon has also resonated deeply with other diasporas in Australia, such as those from Palestine and Ukraine. These scattered communities share similar experiences of conflict and displacement.

    So how do Australians with links to Lebanon, Gaza or other conflict zones look after their mental health at this time? And how can you support others who may be struggling?

    Identifying with pain and suffering

    People with emotional ties to conflict zones overseas identify with the pain and suffering they see and hear. Australians with shared cultural heritage may be living in the shadow of homeland events and experiencing what research has called “push-pull” dynamics.

    This may be experiencing periods of calm and ease mixed with intermittent periods of intense fear, uncertainty and emotional pain as upsetting events unfold.

    For some, sleeplessness, irritability, fear, frustration, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion combine. People are no longer isolated from their country of origin. Rather, global events influence their personal and social life, and mental health.

    The way people manage the interplay between homeland events, sense of powerlessness, and mental health in Australia are complex. It is easy to be rapidly consumed by what is happening. Events are graphic, compelling and fast moving.

    How to look after yourself

    So what can you do if you notice yourself or someone close to you is becoming impacted?

    Know your distress triggers. For some, this might be witnessing violence on television news or social media. For others, this might be stories about children and young people who have been killed. Seeing and hearing images and stories can be distressing if they are repeated across multiple platforms. Some people may need to minimise their media exposure.

    Talk to people you trust about how you are feeling. Describe what is happening and what you notice about yourself. If you are feeling fragile or concerned about your mental health, or the mental health of a loved one, seek support from your health-care provider.

    Reconnect with and strengthen personal support networks. Supportive cultural connections and family members, and other supports including friends and colleagues, can protect against the onset or worsening of mental distress.

    Getting help early can create more options for support. It can also make it easier to accept help in the future.

    Refer to trusted sources of information and calibrate media exposure. While many people need to know about events, news stories and imagery are distressing.

    Incorporate activities that comfort and distract you, and make your situation feel safer. This can include:

    • spending time with family members or friends

    • spiritual, faith or religious reconnecting

    • distraction through music or food.

    Avoid taking devices to bed to protect your sleep and your mental health.

    How to support others

    If you work with or support someone who is impacted, recognise this is a time for sensitivity and compassion. Show you are concerned and, at the same time, check they’re OK. Ask:

    What would be most helpful in our support for you?

    What is the best way for me/the team at work to be supportive and alongside you?

    It is also important to ask about someone’s mental health. You can ask:

    With events unfolding, how are things at home for you right now?

    When validating a person’s experience, remember it is not always important to know personal detail or circumstances in fine detail. What is important is to demonstrate genuine interest, create trust and psychological safety. Aim to really listen, rather than listening so you can respond.

    As a friend, colleague or manager, offering support and listening without judgement may help a person impacted by global catastrophic events.

    In times like these, validation, human connection and support are some of the best things you can do to protect your own and other people’s mental health.

    Sometimes it can be hard to find the words. Here’s what we know helps.

    If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    Nicholas Procter currently receives funding from Overseas Services to Survivors of Torture and Trauma, Foundation House and SA Health. He has previously received sitting fees from the Department of Home Affairs.

    Mary Anne Kenny has previous received funding from the Australian Research Council and sitting fees from the Department of Home Affairs.

    – ref. How to look after your mental health right now if you have family in the Middle East or another conflict zone – https://theconversation.com/how-to-look-after-your-mental-health-right-now-if-you-have-family-in-the-middle-east-or-another-conflict-zone-240995

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia’s school funding system is broken. Here’s how to fix it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn Savage, Associate Professor of Education Policy and the Future of Schooling, The University of Melbourne

    As Australian students begin the final term of 2024, governments are in the middle of a bitter standoff over public school funding for next year.

    The federal government has offered states and territories a 2.5% funding increase for schools to the tune of A$16 billion, but some are demanding 5%.

    The deadline for states and territories to sign the proposed new school funding agreement ended on September 30, leaving the future of Australian school funding beyond 2025 in limbo.

    On top of ongoing funding uncertainty, there are also significant issues with how the proposed new agreement is designed. How can we fix this?

    How does school funding work?

    Federal, state and territory governments each contribute to public school funding.

    The federal government currently contributes 20% of the schooling resource standard. This is the estimate of how much public funding a school needs to meet students’ educational needs.

    The Commonwealth ties this funding to reforms and targets aimed at improving equity and learning outcomes for students. The remaining 80% is up to states and territories to fund.

    The current agreement expires at the end of this year and the Albanese government is proposing to replace it with the ten-year Better and Fairer Schools Agreement from the start of 2025.

    The new agreement provides some important opportunities to improve schools and student outcomes, including measures to enhance student wellbeing, increase attendance, strengthen the teacher workforce, and increase the proportion of students who leave school with a Year 12 certificate.



    Read more:
    There’s a new school funding bill in parliament. Will this end the funding wars?

    Painfully slow progress

    The current round of funding negotiations has been plagued by sour politics and persistent roadblocks.

    The new national agreement was originally due to begin in 2024, but was delayed after a damning December 2022 Productivity Commission review. This found the current agreement had “done little” to lift student outcomes.

    The federal government then commissioned an expert review panel (of which one of us, Pasi Sahlberg, was a member) to inform a new agreement. This year, we have seen negotiations with states and territories over funding and details of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement were released in July.

    But progress has been painfully slow. While Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory have signed on, other states and territories are holding out.

    In August, federal Education Minister Jason Clare issued an ultimatum: sign the agreement by September 30 or forgo the 2.5% funding increase. The federal government has since downplayed the missed deadline while critics suggest it was always an “arbitrary” ultimatum.

    Ambiguous equity targets

    The political theatre and inability to find consensus raises major concerns about how effective the national reform agenda can be.

    A closer look at the targets also raises questions about how they might work in practice.

    For example, the new agreement is supposed to have equity at its core (it claims to be “better and fairer”) but it lacks a clear definition of equity. It also lacks specific equity targets to narrow achievement gaps between students from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds.

    The new agreement has “learning equity targets”. This includes measures to reduce the proportion of students in the “needs additional support” NAPLAN category for reading and numeracy by 10% and increase those in the “strong” and “exceeding” categories by 10% by 2030.

    The only specific target for disadvantaged students is there is a “trend upwards” of the proportion in higher NAPLAN proficiency levels.

    Past experience suggests schools will likely “triage” students to reach these targets. This means they will focus more on students who are just below or above the target levels, and less on those unlikely to make the mark. This is what happened when similar targets were set in Ontario in the 2000s.

    So, even if overall average NAPLAN scores improve, achievement gaps (between advantaged and disadvantaged students) could grow. This will not improve equity – it will do the opposite.

    Toothless targets

    There are also no mechanisms to hold states and territories accountable for meeting targets until schools are “fully funded” under the agreement.

    Fully funded means states and territories are receiving 100% of the schooling resource standard. To make matters worse, even when jurisdictions are fully funded, there are no penalties or sanctions for failing to cooperate with the agreement.

    Timelines to reach full funding in the bilateral agreements already signed are years away. For example, it is 2026 for Western Australia and 2029 for the Northern Territory.

    This means states and territories can choose whether they meet the targets or not.

    3 ways to fix school funding

    Failure to fully and fairly fund schools, mixed with an inability to set meaningful targets, creates deep uncertainty for schooling systems as a new year approaches.

    For example, last week the Australian Education Union placed a nationwide ban on the implementation of the new agreement, including “unfunded” reforms that would increase teachers’ workloads.

    This is not a sustainable situation. So, how can we fix it?

    1. Set meaningful targets: it is not enough to have ambiguous goals for improvement that might improve test scores for some but also worsen inequities. At a minimum, we need to rethink targets to ensure they narrow achievement gaps between equity groups. Without this, education systems will continue to fail those who need the most support.

    2. Ensure accountability for the targets: we need to make sure states and territories cannot escape or delay their obligations to improve equity and learning outcomes. To do this, schools should be fully funded from 2025, so current (not future) education ministers are compelled to act.

    3. Distance the politics from school funding: schools need stability and consistency to plan effectively. The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement has a helpful ten-year term but reforms are needed to ensure funding decisions remain fair and consistent across the nation. Instead of messy and protracted political negotiations between governments, we could instead set up a national agency to oversee the distribution of school funding.

    These measures would help avoid political interference and ensure funding is allocated in line with student needs, national reform priorities and agreed targets.

    It’s time to address the deeper issues

    The ongoing failure to fairly resource and set meaningful reforms for our schools is a symptom of a broken national funding system.

    Unless we address its foundational issues, Australian teachers and students — particularly those in disadvantaged schools — will continue to be short-changed.

    Glenn C. Savage receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Pasi Sahlberg was a member of the Australian Government’s Expert Panel to inform a better and fairer education system in 2023.

    – ref. Australia’s school funding system is broken. Here’s how to fix it – https://theconversation.com/australias-school-funding-system-is-broken-heres-how-to-fix-it-240908

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Electric car sales have slumped. Misinformation is one of the reasons

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Senior Lecturer of Urban Analytics & Resilience, UNSW Sydney

    Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock

    Battery electric vehicle sales in Australia have flattened in recent months. The latest data reveal a sharp 27.2% year-on-year decline (overall new vehicle sales were down 9.7%) in September. Tesla Model Y and Model 3 cars had an even steeper drop of nearly 50%.

    Sales also fell in August (by 18.5%) and July (1.5%). There’s a clear downward trend.

    Before this downturn, electric vehicle sales had been rising steadily, supported by increased choices and government incentives. In early 2024, year-to-date sales continued to grow compared to the same period in 2023. Then, in April, electric vehicle sales fell for the first time in more than two years.

    Australia isn’t simply mirroring a broader global trend. It’s true sales have slowed in parts of Europe and the United States — often due to reduced incentives. But strong sales growth continues in other regions, such as China and India.

    A range of factors or combinations of them could help explain the trend in Australia. These include governments axing incentives, concerns about safety and depreciation, and misinformation.

    Governments are cutting incentives

    Electric vehicles typically cost more upfront. However, the flood of cheaper Chinese vehicles is lowering the cost barrier.

    Federal, state and territory governments also provide financial incentives to buy electric vehicles. These have been among the main drivers of sales in Australia.

    Nationally, incentives include a higher luxury car tax threshold and exemptions from fringe benefits tax and customs duty. But several states and territories have scaled back their rebate programs and tax exemptions in 2023 and 2024.

    New South Wales and South Australia ended their $3,000 rebates on January 1 this year. At the same time, NSW ended a stamp duty refund for new and used zero-emission vehicles up to a value of $78,000. Both incentives had been offered since 2021.

    Victoria ended its $3,000 rebate, also launched in 2021, in mid-2023.

    In the ACT, the incentive of two years’ free registration closed on June 30 2024.

    Queensland’s $6,000 electric vehicle rebate ended in September.

    The market clearly responded to these changes. However, reduced financial incentives alone cannot explain the full picture. Despite several rounds of price cuts, sales of popular Tesla models are falling.

    Buyers are increasingly opting for hybrid vehicles instead. In September, sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles were up by 34.4% and 89.9%, respectively.

    These sales trends reflect other consumer concerns beyond just the upfront cost.

    Resale value worries buyers

    One major issue for car buyers in Australia, and globally, is uncertainty about their resale value. Consumers are concerned electric vehicles depreciate faster than traditional cars.

    These concerns are particularly tied to battery degradation, which affects a car’s range and performance over time. And batteries account for much of the vehicle’s total cost. Potential buyers worry about the long-term value of a used electric vehicle with an ageing battery.

    For example, a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus with nearly 85,000km currently lists for about $34,000. It has lost roughly half its value in just three years.

    While Tesla offers transferable four-year warranties and software updates, the rapid evolution of EV technology also makes older second-hand models less desirable, further reducing their value.

    Fires raise fears about safety

    Electric vehicle fires have made headlines globally. This has created doubts among consumers about the risks of owning them.

    In Korea, a high-profile battery fire in August 2024 led to a ban on certain electric vehicles from underground car parks. While similar bans are not common in Australia, some have been reported. These could have harmed local consumer confidence.

    Incidents of electric vehicle fires have increased along with vehicle numbers. Statistically, these vehicles are not more prone to fires than conventional cars – in fact, the risk is clearly lower.

    For example, analysis of publicly available statistics from South Korean government agencies, one of the early adopters of electric vehicles, show the number of fires per registered electric vehicle is steadily increasing. Fire risk remains lower than for traditional vehicles, although the gap is shrinking as the electric vehicle fleet ages. And the highly publicised nature of their fires is a source of growing buyer hesitancy.

    Electric vehicle fires in Korea are increasing with EV numbers, but the rate is still less than for petrol or diesel cars.
    Author provided using data from South Korean government agencies, CC BY

    Misinformation and politicisation are rampant

    The full environmental benefits of electric vehicles depend on widespread adoption. However, there is a wide gap between early adopters’ experiences and potential buyers’ perceptions.

    Persistent misconceptions include exaggerated concerns about battery life, charging infrastructure and safety. Myths and misinformation often fuel these concerns. Traditional vehicle and oil companies actively spread misinformation in campaigns much like those used against other green energy initiatives.

    In response, coalitions such as Electric Vehicles UK have formed to combat these false narratives and promote accurate information.

    The politicisation of green initiatives adds to the challenge. When electric vehicles become associated with a specific political ideology, it can alienate large parts of the population. Adoption then becomes slower and more divisive.

    Green transition is a work in progress

    The electric vehicle market in Australia is facing challenges, despite the growing variety of models and price cuts.

    The EV sales trend signals deeper issues in the market. Broader trends, such as the dominance of SUVs and utes, underscore the fact that while the transition to greener vehicles is progressing, it remains uneven.

    Further efforts will be needed to reduce misconceptions and misinformation, and bridge the gap between owners’ experience and potential buyers’ perceptions. Only then can Australia enjoy the environmental benefits of widespread EV adoption.

    Hadi Ghaderi receives funding from the iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, IVECO Trucks Australia limited, Victoria Department of Education and Training, Australia Post, Bondi Laboratories, Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre, Sphere for Good, Australian Meat Processor Corporation,City of Casey, 460degrees and Passel.

    Milad Haghani 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. Electric car sales have slumped. Misinformation is one of the reasons – https://theconversation.com/electric-car-sales-have-slumped-misinformation-is-one-of-the-reasons-240545

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Wellington City Council must dig deep to cut the waste

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT’s Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton is urging Wellington City Council to dig deep on cuts to wasteful spending as it revisits its long-term plan following the cancellation of the sale of the Council’s airport shares this week.

    “With or without the sale, it’s clear that that the council is spending far too much, hiking rates too far, and strangling the life out of the city,” says Mr Luxton.

    “It is a failure of governance that the Mayor and those councillors in favour of the sale were not able to convince their colleagues that the proceeds from the sale would not be wasted.

    “No council should own an airport, but equally, no council should be spending as recklessly as Wellington is.

    “Looking at the previously approved long-term plan, and related documents, obvious areas for savings include:

    • $112.9m to remove car access along the Golden mile
    • At least $104.4m on rescuing the city library
    • $115.2m on cycle lanes
    • $114m on a food waste recycling scheme and wheelie bins for general rubbish to be collected less frequently than the status quo

    “These obvious areas for savings just scratch the service but collectively would far outstrip the roughly $321 million value of the airport shares.

    “With the dire state of the council’s finances, even sacred cows like the wrecked Town Hall and the zoo should be on the table for sale.

    “This week’s decision was a scathing indictment on the Council’s ability to serve the people on Wellington. But if the failure to sell airport shares forces the Council to take a hard look at its spending, that’s a silver lining.

    “The introduction of unelected commissioners, as we saw in Tauranga, would be a disastrous outcome. Wellington’s council must urgently demonstrate its competence, dig deep to cut low-value spending and liquidate assets, and finally show some respect to ratepayers.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sovtech AU Launches in New Zealand, Working with Cure Kids to Deliver Cybersecurity Solutions with a Social Impact – NewzEngine.com

    Source: NewzEngine.com

    Auckland, New Zealand — Sovtech, a leading Australian cybersecurity firm, is proud to announce its official launch in New Zealand this October, marking a new chapter in its expansion across the Tasman.

    Known for its innovative ‘profit for purpose’ business model, Sovtech combines cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions with a strong social mission, including partnerships with significant causes such as Cure Kids – a leading charity dedicated to improving child health in New Zealand.

    As part of the New Zealand launch, Sovtech’s Founder and Director, Neil Templeman, will be visiting Auckland on 15 and 16 October to meet with clients, partners, and government officials. Templeman brings a personal connection to New Zealand, having lived here for seven years. His goal is to establish a local presence, creating new jobs and building a robust team to serve New Zealand businesses.

    “Launching in New Zealand has been driven by strong demand from customers and our partners. We see a great opportunity to help businesses here enhance their cybersecurity posture while making a positive social impact and we have recently signed our first contract in NZ with a large enterprise customer,” says Templeman.

    Sovtech’s unique approach to cybersecurity sets it apart from other providers. The company offers services such as advanced email security, data protection and third-party risk management, but with a difference – profits are reinvested into causes that matter. In Australia, Sovtech has supported First Nations health and education initiatives, and with its New Zealand expansion, it has chosen to align with Cure Kids, a charity focused on funding medical research to improve the health of children.

    Cure Kids is enthusiastic about this collaboration. Brendon Pongia, Head of Engagement, commented, “We are excited to have the support of Sovtech, an organisation with a strong social mission and a shared commitment to improving the health of children in New Zealand.”

    By launching in New Zealand, Sovtech aims to create a lasting social impact while providing the country’s businesses with industry-leading cybersecurity solutions. Its goal is to offer both private and public sector organisations the tools they need to improve their cyber resilience, while simultaneously contributing to a broader societal mission.

    “We believe technology should be a force for good, creating ripple effects that transcend borders and generations,” adds Templeman. “With our Procurement for Purpose model, New Zealand businesses have a unique opportunity to strengthen their security while driving meaningful change.”

    Sovtech’s launch in New Zealand is more than just business – it’s about community, sustainability, and making a difference where it counts.

    Media Contact: Neil Templeman
    Founder & Director, Sovtech
    Neil_templeman@sovtechnz.com

    T: 00 61 419 172 445
    http://www.sovtechnz.com

    Neil Templeman will be available for interviews during his visit to New Zealand on 15-16 October. To schedule a meeting or interview, please contact him directly at the number above.

     

    About Sovtech:
    Sovtech is a cybersecurity provider offering comprehensive solutions to help businesses safeguard against modern threats. Their profit for purpose model reinvests profits into social causes, aligning technology with positive global change. https://sovtech.com.au/

    About Cure Kids:
    Cure Kids is New Zealand’s largest charitable funder of child health research committed to finding better treatments and preventative strategies for a wide range of serious child health conditions. Cure Kids has invested more than $65 million in New Zealand research since it formed over 50 years ago, which has helped to shape and vastly improve the way children who live with serious diseases and health conditions are diagnosed and treated. Cure Kids is currently funding around $8 million in child health research across 60+ projects. Red Nose Day is their biggest annual fundraising campaign and makes a significant contribution to this work. For more information visit: http://www.curekids.org.nz

    – Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Electronic monitoring to increase protection for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 11 October 2024

    Released by: Deputy Premier, Attorney General, Minister for Corrections, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

    The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to create a safer New South Wales and increase protections for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, with the commencement of electronic monitoring for alleged serious domestic violence offenders released on bail.

    Earlier this year, the Government significantly tightened bail laws for people charged with serious domestic violence offences, forcing them to ‘show cause’ why they shouldn’t be detained. This change has made it harder than ever for alleged serious domestic violence offenders to get bail.

    From today, any alleged serious domestic violence offender who is granted bail will be electronically monitored around the clock using GPS technology.

    The new program allows Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to track alleged offenders against geographic bail conditions.

    These exclusion zones may include residential addresses, school and work locations, or suburbs or areas within a city for people in need of protection.

    If an alleged offender enters a restricted zone, CSNSW’s electronic monitoring officers are immediately notified.

    Corrections officers will contact NSW Police to advise that a potential breach of bail conditions has occurred and NSW Police can then respond.

    This builds on the around-the-clock monitoring of certain offenders already conducted by Corrective Services NSW, including the monitoring of high-risk domestic violence perpetrators on parole orders or Intensive Correction Orders.

    These tough new laws are one part of the NSW Government’s work to strengthen protections for victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence.

    The Government has also introduced legislation to create Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders. These new orders will allow the court to impose any conditions considered appropriate to prevent a person’s involvement in domestic abuse.

    In addition, this legislation would create new offences covering repeated and intentional breaches of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.

    Under earlier Minns Labor Government justice system reforms:

    • The categories of offences for which bail decisions can be ‘stayed’ were expanded, with the accused remaining in custody while prosecutors challenge the decision to grant bail.
    • For all domestic violence bail decisions, judges and magistrates must now consider, where relevant, domestic abuse risk factors and the views of victims and their family members.
    • All bail decisions will be made by judges and magistrates.

    The NSW Government delivered a $246 million package in the NSW Budget to address domestic, family and sexual violence through crisis response measures, early intervention, primary prevention, and justice system responses.

    If you or someone you know is affected by domestic, family or sexual violence, please call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for support on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit 1800respect.org.au

    Deputy Premier Prue Car said:

    “The NSW Government is committed to curbing the unacceptable rate of domestic, family and sexual violence within our community, and monitoring alleged offenders is key to that.

    “It’s harder now for alleged domestic violence offenders to get bail, but if they do, these new monitoring devices ensure Corrective Services will be able to keep an eye on their movements.”

    Attorney General Michael Daley said:

    “Earlier this year the NSW Government toughened bail laws that raised the threshold and added additional factors to be considered before bail could be granted for alleged serious domestic violence offenders, placing the onus on them to show the court why their detention isn’t justified.

    “We’ve seen an increasing number of alleged serious domestic violence offenders on remand, signalling these bail reforms are indeed working.

    “Domestic violence is an abhorrent crime and one that the NSW Government will not tolerate.”

    Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

    “Women, children, and others in danger deserve to live their lives in safety, free from the threat of domestic violence.

    “Corrective Services NSW has the specialist knowledge and robust systems in place to help successfully expand existing electronic monitoring of offenders on parole or subject to community corrections orders to those on bail.

    “This intense monitoring shows alleged domestic violence offenders how serious the government is about preventing domestic violence on all fronts.”

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

    “Electronic monitoring of people accused of serious domestic violence while they are out on bail prioritises victim-survivors’ safety and ensures alleged perpetrators abide by their bail conditions.

    “This is one part of a coordinated, multi-pronged response to addressing domestic and family violence in our state that includes earlier intervention and primary prevention.

    “The NSW Government is also working with the sector and victim-survivors as we continue to provide holistic, trauma-informed, wraparound support for victim-survivors who are escaping violence.”

    Acting Commissioner Corrective Services NSW Leon Taylor said:

    “The expansion of our existing electronic monitoring system allows us to track serious alleged domestic violence offenders.

    “In the case of a suspected breach our Corrective Services officers will immediately notify police so they can take action. 

    “If we hold concerns for a person in need of protection, the Corrections team will be able to pick up the phone and alert them to a potential bail breach in real time, allowing them to enact their safety plan.”

    Women’s Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:

    “Domestic and family violence disproportionately affects women, so it’s vital for the NSW Government to continue implementing reforms like this to better protect at-risk women across the community.

    “These changes will give victim-survivors of domestic and family violence greater peace of mind and support their safety planning while the matter is dealt with in the courts.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New leading cyber & digital forensics training facility for NSW jobs precinct

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 11 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional NSW

    A major state-of-the art cyber and digital forensics training facility will soon call South Jerrabomberra home following the Minns Labor Government’s $23 million investment in enabling infrastructure within the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct in southern NSW.

    CBIT Digital Forensics Services (CDFS), an Australian supplier of digital forensic tools, industry training and certification, has chosen the precinct to establish its first tactical training facility.

    Digital forensics focuses on identifying, acquiring, processing, analysing, and reporting on data stored electronically.

    CDFS anticipates it will almost double its workforce from nine to 18 over the next few years and plans to invest $11.7 million in a new building on the site, creating additional jobs for local construction and building workers.

    The construction of the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility is expected to be completed by March 2025 and aiming to have the facility ready for training and operations for the second semester.

    The company has provided hi-tech services to organisations including law enforcement and government department to help deal with digital forensic and investigative issues including electronic evidence handling.

    CDFS joins a growing number of investors setting up in the South Jerrabomberra Regional Jobs Precinct. Further blocks within the precinct will become available for investors in early 2025.

    The precinct is supported by a $23 million contribution by the NSW Government for essential infrastructure including roads, footpaths, upgraded electricity, natural gas, water, and access to NBN Enterprise Ethernet services.

    Strategically located on Canberra’s doorstep, the precinct’s infrastructure and proximity to universities, world-class research and development facilities and a skilled workforce makes it a highly attractive opportunity for investors.

    With the wider region already home to more than 90 companies specialising in technology, cybersecurity and defence, the precinct development will help nurture high-tech careers in engineering, programming and science, specialising in cyber, space, AI, and defence.

    The site’s proximity to government agencies and the nation’s decision-makers, an international airport and major road networks puts new and emerging businesses in a prime position to thrive.

    To activate this investment-ready precinct in regional NSW, the NSW Government is working closely with the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, the ACT Government and federal agencies.

    CDFS was supported by $3 million in Australian Government funding to establish the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility.

    Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

    “It is important that we empower regional people and communities to prosper through a boost in skills, wages and opportunities. Through Regional Job Precincts like South Jerrabomberra, the NSW Government is providing this opportunity.

    “This precinct gives investors access to a highly skilled and educated local workforce. It aims to build a sustainable business hub offering fast-tracked planning approvals.

    “This investor-ready precinct has the advantage of proximity to key decision-makers in Canberra, and I am really proud that the NSW Government is giving businesses this opportunity to establish and grow in regional NSW.”

    Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said

    “With the rapid growth of areas like Jerrabomberra, Tralee, and Googong, precincts like this are ensuring we can keep highly qualified and skilled workers in their local area, and not lose their talents to the ACT or other major cities.

    “The investment in modern and specialised industries like cyber security, space, AI, and research is creating a sustainable and competitive workforce for regional NSW which will attract new people to our area.

    “I look forward to touring the precinct and learning about the work being done there.”

    CDFS CEO Zoran Iliev said:

    “The Ngunnawal people, the Traditional Owners of the lands where the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility will stand, have recognised that these lands have always been places of teaching and learning. We deeply respect their traditions and are grateful to have NANGU in this beautiful area with a unique position near Queanbeyan, the Canberra airport, and our nation’s capital.

    Our facility, the NANGU Cyber Forensics Facility, will not only be a hub for technology and science but also a preserver of traditions. The forensic scientists trained here will not only be guardians of the truth but also guardians of the rich traditions of the Ngunnawal people.

    “As an independent RTO, we are proud to bring this training facility to South Jerrabomberra and offer young Australians a unique chance to get the qualifications to help them get not just a job but a career to be proud of.

    “The CDFS team and I are very proud and grateful for the opportunity to help this region by providing top-notch Cyber Forensics training and creating the much-needed new workforce in Cyber.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Wheely easy access coming to Illawarra Train Stations as E-Scooter trial extension is confirmed

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 11 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Minister for Transport

    The NSW Government is investing $10 million to make it safer and easier to walk and ride to 11 Illawarra stations.

    The planned initiatives will include things like footpath upgrades, better lighting, new bicycle storage around stations for people who choose to walk or cycle to and from their homes and to other modes of transport.

    More than $3 million of the investment will be used to build a two-way shared cycleway at Corrimal, which would stretch nearly one kilometre along Murray Road between Corrimal Station and Cawley Street. Corrimal will also see a new pedestrian refuge installed and additional bicycle racks outside the station.

    Other stations to benefit from proposed upgrades include:

    • Helensburgh will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting. Footpaths will also be improved between the station and nearby bus stop, with a new refuge crossing installed across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between school and railway station.
    • Stanwell Park will see new lighting and CCTV installed and footpaths upgraded.
    • Scarborough will see including a new pedestrian refuge across Lawrence Hargrave Drive between the station and nearby school, improved footpath access between the station and bus stop and improvements to station stairs.
    • Coledale will see stairs replaced with a ramp.
    • Austinmer will see two pedestrian refuge crossings installed across nearby streets and a new sheltered bicycle storage space at both station entrances.
    • Thirroul will see existing bicycle storage upgraded and bicycle racks replaced, a footpath upgrade and new lighting. The nearby bus stop will be improved so vehicles can overtake waiting buses.
    • Bulli will see new sheltered bicycle storage installed, existing bicycle racks upgraded and more lighting.
    • North Wollongong will see a new secure bicycle shed with CCTV installed.
    • Coniston will see sheltered bicycle storage installed, new lighting and upgraded footpaths. Design work is also underway to make Coniston fully accessible.
    • Dapto will see new sheltered bicycle stalling installed.

    Twenty-eight projects have been identified and prioritised following extensive consultation with the community and other stakeholders.

    Further consultation will take place with the community as the projects progress, with all of them expected to be completed between early next year and the first half of 2026.

    The Transport Integration and Placemaking projects are being delivered through Transport for NSW’s Rail Service Improvement Program, in partnership with Wollongong City Council and Sydney Trains.

    This announcement comes as Transport for NSW has approved an extension of Wollongong City Council’s shared e-scooter trial until 30 June 2025.

    In the first 12 months of the trial with operator Neuron Mobility, 165,000 e-scooter trips were taken in the Wollongong local government area – with riders collectively clocking up over 316,000 kilometres, enough to ride around Australia over 20 times.

    In addition to extending its trial, the council is also exploring options to expand the trial footprint, to support more people riding shared e-scooters to reach their destinations.

    Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen MP:

    “This is an exciting and incredibly important investment for the people of Wollongong.

    “Given there are 25 train stations in the Wollongong Local Government area, there is a growing need to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can connect to these public transport hubs as safely and easily as possible.

    “Sheltered bicycle storage, new refuge crossings and street lighting with CCTV are just some of the many projects we will be rolling out to support the community.

    “We know people in the Illawarra love active transport, so making it easier for people to make the most of these last mile connections is essential.

    “Extending the Wollongong e-scooter trial until June next year is a big added bonus too.

    “All of these small but meaningful investments dotted along the coast will make neighborhoods across the Illawarra better connected.”

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park MP:

    “It’s not every day that 11 trains stations receive much needed upgrades, but that’s exactly what is happening here in the Illawarra.

    “These small and important investments will make it so much easier for families to access their station, and safely lock their bike up there for the day.

    “Upgrades to lighting, footpaths and crossings will also go a long way to improving the overall safety and access for commuters and tourists alike.”

    Quotes attributable to the Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully MP:

    “I’ve said before Wollongong is the best city in the world to ride a bike, now it’s the best place to ride an e-scooter.

    I am pleased that council is also exploring expanding the eScooter trial zone to potentially include Port Kembla and that’s really exciting.

    “The upgrades to stations and improved connections to Corrimal Station will make for a better public transport experience for current and future residents.”

    Quotes attributable to the Member for Shellharbour, Anna Watson MP:

    “After its recent accessibility upgrade, it’s exciting to see Dapto Station is once again receiving welcome investment from the Minns Labor Government. The new sheltered bike racks are a big win for our community and will make it easier to ride to the station, for those who want to.”

    Quotes attributable to the Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart MP:

    “Lawrence Hargrave Drive is the main artery connecting the villages along the coast. As a result, it’s incredibly busy and a challenge for pedestrians to cross. I really welcome the new pedestrian refuges that will make it safer for people to cross the road, as well as the other investments being made for our local stations.

    “Works being undertaken at our train stations and roadways are crucial after they were neglected by the former Liberal National State government. The upgrades at Austinmer in particular, are changes I have campaigned on, I am thrilled the Minns Labor Government will be delivering these upgrades!”

    Quotes attributable to the Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Tania Brown:

    “Projects like these upgrades to Murray Road, and other locations around Wollongong, will assist people to comfortably and safely walk, roll, cycle or scoot to and from train stations that link our city.

    “We welcome the grant funding from the NSW Government and will continue to look for ways to collaborate with Transport for NSW to improve the public and active transport system across Wollongong.

    “We’re pleased to see an extension of the trial to 30 June 2025 to allow Council to work with Transport for NSW to continue to learn about e-scooter use and the further opportunities the shared scheme offers to support e-micromobility across Wollongong.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Major funding boost for the Asylum Seekers Centre

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 11 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health, Minister for Multiculturalism

    The Asylum Seekers Centre will be able to expand primary care clinics and meet the increasingly complex health needs of some of Sydney’s most vulnerable residents, thanks to a grant of more than $1 million from the NSW Government.

    Minister for Health Ryan Park today announced funding of $1.07 million over three years for the Centre, which will help employ more clinical staff to manage the growing number of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the asylum seeker community.

    The funding will also help the Centre address the increasing need and cost of medicine for members of the community without access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

    The Asylum Seekers Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 1993 and offers practical and personal support to people seeking asylum. The Centre also provides primary healthcare services for people seeking asylum with limited Medicare eligibility through a specialist nurse-led health service with volunteer GPs and other specialists.

    The Centre’s health service runs four GP clinics per week and has seen an 81 per cent increase in visits since June 2022. The complexity of visits has increased due to growing mental health presentations, an ageing population, and increased demand for pharmaceuticals, compounded by rising costs.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “This funding will allow people seeking asylum to access critical healthcare services they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.

    “Without access to the valuable work of the Asylum Seekers Centre, patients would often have nowhere else to turn but to our already busy emergency departments.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper:

    “NSW settles a significant proportion of people fleeing conflicts in Australia. They are an important part of the NSW community and we must ensure they have access to the services they need.

    “We are proud to support the Asylum Seekers Centre to facilitate access to essential primary health care to those who need it most.”

    Quotes attributable to Asylum Seekers Centre CEO Frances Rush OAM:

    “The Asylum Seekers Centre Health Clinic relies on the support of the state government, as well as the generosity of our GPs, physiotherapists, and others who provide their services for free, including partner organisations that provide free access to optometry and dentistry.”

    “The Asylum Seekers Centre is appreciative of both the Minister’s support for the Centre’s Health Clinic and the recognition of the often-precarious plight that people seeking asylum in our state face.”

    “Without access to the Centre’s pharmaceutical services, many people seeking asylum would not have the means to access life-saving medication – a priority healthcare right for all.”

    “This funding will go a long way to help address the great need in our community, enhancing the health and lives of people seeking asylum.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW set to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla and showcase the best of the state

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 11 October 2024

    Released by: The Premier

    The NSW Government is honoured to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Sydney during their first official visit to Australia this month and is inviting NSW residents to join the celebration.

    NSW Premier Chris Minns is inviting members of the public to join Their Majesties at the Sydney Opera House on Tuesday, 22 October, which will be followed by with an impressive Fleet Review and fly past by the Australian Defence Force on Sydney Harbour.

    Members of the public are invited to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt for the special event and the chance to meet The King and Queen. The afternoon event [at 4.20pm] will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour including an Australian Defence Force fly-over. Their Majesties, accompanied by the Governor-General, Chief of the Defence Force and Chief of Navy, will conduct a review of His Majesty’s Australian Ships Hobart, Warramunga,Arunta, Gascoyne, and Yarra, which will be anchored in the Harbour.

    In celebration of regional NSW, Their Majesties will also attend a Premier-hosted community BBQ in Parramatta, which will showcase the cultural diversity of modern Australia, in particular Western Sydney. Invited guests include community leaders, volunteers, and individuals who have excelled in their field. The event will also showcase produce from NSW with support from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.

    As part of His Majesty’s engagements, The King will have the opportunity to meet current Australians of the Year (also NSW Australians of the Year 2024), Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, to hear firsthand about their world-leading cancer research and treatment.

    The Queen will visit a Sydney library and meet students participating in a series of writing workshops, esteemed authors, and recipients of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.

    The King’s visit to Australia will be His Majesty’s first to a Realm as Monarch. After Australia, Their Majesties will undertake a visit to Samoa and will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

    For more information about the Royal visit and the Sydney Opera House engagement visit: http://www.nsw.gov.au/royalvisit

    Premier Chris Minns said:

    “I look forward to hosting Their Majesties at the Western Sydney community BBQ to showcase this state’s rich culinary and cultural diversity, where they will also meet with a range of community organisations and outstanding Australians.

    “It is wonderful His Majesty is taking the time to meet with current Australians of the Year (also NSW Australians of the Year 2024), Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO.

    “I invite everyone to head to the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on the afternoon of Tuesday 22 October to attend this special event.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Paper highlights significant burden of healthcare-associated infections in public hospitals

    Source: Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission

    Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in public hospitals are estimated to have cost the health care system $955 million in 2021 and to have caused more disability than road traffic crashes.
    These infections can have a significant impact on patients and their whānau, causing longer hospital stays, delaying return to work or normal activities and, in severe cases, can lead to death. There are also additional costs for primary and community-based care, such as follow up GP visits and rehabilitation.
    A paper produced by Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission on the annual economic burden of HAIs in terms of cost, deaths and disability has now been published in the Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology journal.
    It highlights this national burden and will inform a strategy to reduce HAIs across Aotearoa New Zealand.
    Clinical lead of the surgical site infection improvement programme at Te Tāhū Hauora and clinical microbiologist, Dr Arthur Morris, says that understanding the burden infections have on the health care system is an important step toward making positive change.
    Dr Morris says, ‘Our data from 2021 shows that the burden of infections on the health care system is high. However, there are already quality improvement activities underway in districts to reduce them happening.
    ‘One example is the Surgical Site Infection Improvement Programme, which has achieved and sustained 20 and 25 percent reductions in infections following orthopaedic and cardiac surgery respectively.
    ‘Our goal is to identify which of those activities will have the biggest impact and then roll them out on a national level.’
    Dr Morris says our rate of healthcare-associated infections is not unusual internationally.
    ‘It’s difficult to compare the rate of healthcare-associated infections in New Zealand with those of other countries because there are differences in the surveillance methods.
    ‘However, reviewing other countries using similar methodology showed the prevalence of these infections in adult patients in New Zealand was comparable to Europe, Wales and Switzerland and less than that of Australia and Singapore.’
    Te Tāhū Hauora is working with the health care sector to identify the priorities for improving infection prevention and control practices to reduce healthcare-associated infections.
    Background
    Te Tāhū Hauora, in partnership with district health boards, carried out Aotearoa New Zealand’s first national point prevalence survey (PPS) of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in public hospitals in 2021.
    A report was published by Te Tāhū Hauora in 2022 and the findings were published in Journal of Hospital Infection in 2023.
    The data from the national point prevalence survey has now been used to calculate the annual economic burden of HAIs in terms of cost, deaths and disability. These findings are detailed in the paper published in the Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology journal, ‘The burden of healthcare-associated infections in New Zealand public hospitals 2021’.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Federation University to commemorate anniversary of Voice to Parliament with reconciliation lecture

    Source: Federation University

    The National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice is commemorating today’s anniversary of the Voice to Parliament Referendum by holding a special event tonight at the Melbourne Museum.

    The event is the second Annual Reconciliation Lecture, following last year’s inaugural event with Noel Pearson as guest lecturer. The Lecture is designed to increase understandings of reconciliation in the wider community.

    The National Centre, established at Federation University in March 2023, is Australia’s leading think-tank on reconciliation and will host a panel that will discuss “One Year on from the Referendum – Where are we with Reconciliation, Voice, Treaty, and Truth?”

    The panel, moderated by Professor Andrew Gunstone, the National Centre’s Executive Director and Australia’s foremost academic authority on reconciliation, will consist of three eminent First Nations leaders:

    • Dr Jackie Huggins AM, a national reconciliation leader for over four decades
    • Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter, Deputy Chair Yoorrook Justice Commission
    • Rueben Berg, Co-Chair First Peoples Assembly of Victoria

    The panel will explore several key issues, including where we are as a nation following the Referendum, is Reconciliation dead, and how Australia and Victoria are engaging with Voice, Treaty, and Truth.

    Professor Gunstone will host this special event to a sold-out audience, which will also include a speech from Federation University Australia’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley.

    The panel and moderator are available for interview by request.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Overnight closure of SH1 Silverdale-Warkworth on Mon 21 Oct

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising motorists of a full closure to both northbound and southbound traffic on State Highway 1 between Silverdale and Warkworth from 9pm on Monday 21 October to 3am on Tuesday 22 October.

    Waka Kotahi will be working with Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and NZ Police to stage an emergency exercise in the Johnstones Hill Tunnel during this time.

    Light vehicles will be detoured via Hibiscus Coast Road and Old State Highway 1. 

    Overweight vehicles will not be able to use Grand Drive in Orewa due to weight restrictions. 

    These emergency exercises are part of an ongoing programme at both the Johnstones Hill Tunnel, Waterview Tunnel and Victoria Park Tunnel and enable emergency response teams to practice, review and update emergency response protocols.

    This closure is weather dependent and may change from advertised dates.

    Please take care when travelling through our work sites and watch out for our crews. Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the directions of traffic management staff and signs.

    NZTA thanks everyone in advance for your patience and apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –