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Category: Australia

  • MIL-Evening Report: Kamala Harris dips in key states, making US election contest a toss-up

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    The United States presidential election will be held on November 5. In analyst Nate Silver’s aggregate of national polls, Democrat Kamala Harris leads Republican Donald Trump by 49.3–46.5, a slight gain for Trump since last Monday, when Harris led by 49.3–46.2.

    Joe Biden’s final position before his withdrawal as Democratic candidate on July 21 was a national poll deficit against Trump of 45.2–41.2.

    The US president isn’t elected by the national popular vote, but by the Electoral College, in which each state receives electoral votes equal to its federal House seats (population based) and senators (always two). Almost all states award their electoral votes as winner-takes-all, and it takes 270 electoral votes to win (out of 538 total).

    Relative to the national popular vote, the Electoral College is biased to Trump, with Harris needing at least a two-point popular vote win to be the Electoral College favourite in Silver’s model.

    Last Monday, Harris led by one to two points in Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes), Michigan (15), Wisconsin (ten) and Nevada (six). In the last week, Trump has gained in all these states in Silver’s aggregates, reducing Harris’ lead to about one point in these states.

    If Harris wins these four states, she probably wins the Electoral College by at least a 276–262 margin. Trump leads by less than one point in Georgia and North Carolina, which both have 16 electoral votes.

    While Harris is still barely ahead in the Electoral College, her margins have been reduced in the states where she’s leading. As a result, Silver’s model now gives Harris a 52% chance to win the Electoral College, down from 56% last Monday.

    This means the presidential election is effectively a 50–50 toss-up. There’s a 23% chance that Harris wins the popular vote but loses the Electoral College. The FiveThirtyEight model
    is giving similar results to Silver’s model, with Harris a 53% favourite.

    There’s still over three weeks until the election, and polls could change in that time. The polls could also be biased against either Trump or Harris, and in this case that candidate could win easily. With the polls across the swing states so close, either candidate could sweep all these states.

    I wrote about the US election for The Poll Bludger last Thursday, and also covered the UK Conservative leadership election, the far-right winning the most seats at the September 29 Austrian election and Japan’s October 27 election.

    Favourability ratings and economic data

    Harris’ net favourability peaked about two weeks ago at +1.4 in the FiveThirtyEight national poll aggregate, but it has now dropped back to net zero, with 46.8% favourable and 46.8% unfavourable. Harris’ net favourability had surged from about -16 after becoming the Democratic nominee, and she gained further ground after the September 10 debate with Trump.

    Trump’s net favourability has been steady in the last two months, and he’s now at -9.4, with 52.6% unfavourable and 43.2% favourable. Harris’ running mate Tim Walz is at +4.2 net favourable and Trump’s running mate JD Vance is at -9.6 net favourable. Biden’s net approval remains poor at -14.0.

    US headline inflation rose 0.2% in September, the same increase as in August. In the 12 months to September, inflation was up 2.4%, the smallest increase since 2021. Core inflation increased 0.3% in September, the same as in August, and is up 3.3% in the 12 months to September.

    Real (inflation-adjusted) hourly earnings were up 0.2% in September after a 0.3% increase in August, while real weekly earnings slid 0.1% after a 0.6% increase in August owing to changes in hours worked. In the 12 months to September, real hourly earnings were up 1.5% and weekly earnings up 0.9%.

    Congressional elections

    I wrote about the elections for the House of Representatives and Senate that will be held concurrently with the presidential election three weeks ago. The House has 435 single-member seats that are apportioned to states on a population basis, while there are two senators for each of the 50 states.

    The House only has a two-year term, so the last House election was at the 2022 midterm elections, when Republicans won the House by 222–213 over Democrats. The FiveThirtyEight aggregate of polls of the national House race gives Democrats a 47.1–45.9 lead over Republicans, a gain for Republican from a 46.7–44.5 Democratic lead three weeks ago.

    Senators have six-year terms, with one-third up for election every two years. Democrats and aligned independents currently have a 51–49 Senate majority, but they are defending 23 of the 33 regular seats up, including seats in three states Trump won easily in both 2016 and 2020: West Virginia, Montana and Ohio.

    West Virginia is a certain Republican gain after the retirement of former Democratic (now independent) Senator Joe Manchin at this election. Republicans have taken a 5.4-point lead in Montana in the FiveThirtyEight poll aggregate, while Democrats are just 2.3 points ahead in Ohio.

    Republicans are being challenged by independent Dan Osborn in Nebraska, and he trails Republican Deb Fischer by just 1.5 points. Democrats did not contest to avoid splitting the vote. In other Senate contests, the incumbent party is at least four points ahead.

    If Republicans gain West Virginia and Montana, but lose Nebraska to Osborn, and no other seats change hands, Republicans would have a 50–49 lead in the Senate. If Harris wins the presidency, Osborn would be the decisive vote as a Senate tie can be broken by the vice president, who would be Walz. This is the rosiest plausible scenario for Democrats.

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Kamala Harris dips in key states, making US election contest a toss-up – https://theconversation.com/kamala-harris-dips-in-key-states-making-us-election-contest-a-toss-up-241216

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Coalition seizes Newspoll lead, but other polls have Labor improving

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    A national Newspoll, conducted October 7–11 from a sample of 1,258, gave the Coalition a 51–49 lead, a one-point gain for the Coalition since the previous Newspoll, three weeks ago. After three 50–50 ties in a row, this is the first time this term the Coalition has led in Newspoll.

    Primary votes were 38% Coalition (steady), 31% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (down one), 7% One Nation (up one) and 12% for all Others (steady). By 2022 election preference flows, these primary votes would normally give a 50–50 tie, so rounding probably contributed to the Coalition’s lead.

    Anthony Albanese’s net approval slumped six points to -14, his worst this term in Newspoll, with 54% dissatisfied and 40% satisfied. Peter Dutton’s net approval improved one point to -14. Albanese led Dutton as better PM by 45–37 (46–37 previously).

    The graph below shows Albanese’s Newspoll net approval ratings this term. The data points are marked with plus signs and a smoothed line has been fitted. Albanese’s net approval has been below -10 in two of the last three Newspolls, causing the trend line to turn down.

    Other federal polls last week had improvements for Labor, and Essential and Resolve last week both suggest the Middle East conflict has had virtually no impact on Australian party support. It’s possible this Newspoll is a pro-Coalition outlier.

    Labor’s primary improves in Resolve poll

    A national Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted October 1–5 from a sample of 1,606, gave the Coalition 38% of the primary vote (up one since September), Labor 30% (up two), the Greens 12% (down one), One Nation 5% (down one), independents 12% (steady) and others 3% (down one).

    Resolve doesn’t usually give a two-party estimate, but applying 2022 preference flows to the primary votes would give Labor about a 51–49 lead, unchanged from September.

    Albanese’s net approval was unchanged at -18, with 53% giving him a poor rating and 35% a good rating. Dutton’s net approval improved one point to -1. Albanese led Dutton by 38–35 as preferred PM, a slight increase from 35–34 in September.

    The Liberals led Labor by 38–26 on economic management (37–26 in September). On keeping the cost of living low, the Liberals led by 31–24 (32–25 previously).

    By 58–29, respondents said they would struggle to afford an expense of a few thousand dollars (57–31 in May). This is the highest “struggle to afford” since Resolve started tracking this question in February 2023, but Labor can take some comfort from the little change since May.

    Asked who was most responsible for rising living costs, 36% selected the federal government, 13% global factors, 13% businesses, 12% the Reserve Bank and 8% state and territory governments. Labor incumbent Jim Chalmers led the Liberals’ Angus Taylor as preferred treasurer by 24–18.

    If Australians could vote in the US presidential election, Kamala Harris would lead Donald Trump by 52–21 (50–25 in September). Before Joe Biden’s withdrawal in July, he led Trump by just 26–22 with Australians with 31% for “someone else”. Harris’ net likeability is +24, Trump’s is -47 and Biden’s is -25.

    Labor gains lead in Essential poll

    A national Essential poll, conducted October 2–6 from a sample of 1,139, gave Labor a 49–47 lead including undecided (48–47 to the Coalition in late September). Primary votes were 34% Coalition (down one), 32% Labor (up three), 12% Greens (steady), 8% One Nation (steady), 1% UAP (down one), 9% for all Others (steady) and 5% undecided (steady).

    On Israel’s military action, 32% said Israel should permanently withdraw from Gaza (down seven since August), 19% said Israel is justified (up two), 18% said Israel should agree to a temporary ceasefire (down three) and 32% were unsure (up eight).

    On the Australian government’s response, 56% were satisfied (up five since August), 30% thought the government too supportive of Israel (down two) and 14% too harsh on Israel (down two).

    By 40–27, voters would support a road user tax for electric vehicle drivers. Just 2% thought the gap between the rich and poor was decreasing, 71% thought it was increasing and 27% staying the same. On Australia’s political system, 48% thought it needs reform but is fundamentally sound, 40% said it needs fundamental change and just 12% said it’s working well.

    Morgan poll tied

    A national Morgan poll, conducted September 30 to October 6 from a sample of 1,697, had a 50–50 tie, a one-point gain for Labor since the September 23–29 poll.

    Primary votes were 37.5% Coalition (down 0.5), 31.5% Labor (up 1.5), 12.5% Greens (down one), 5.5% One Nation (up one), 9% independents (down 0.5) and 4% others (down 0.5).

    The headline figure uses respondent preferences. By 2022 election preference flows, Labor led by 52–48, a 0.5-point gain for Labor.

    ACT election and NSW byelections this Saturday

    The ACT uses the Hare Clark proportional method with five five-member electorates to elect its 25-member parliament, so a quota for election is one-sixth of the vote or 16.7%. The ACT is easily Australia’s most left-wing jurisdiction, and Labor has governed since 2001, often in coalition with the Greens. In 2020, Labor won ten seats, the Liberals nine and the Greens six.

    There will also be three NSW state byelections this Saturday in the Liberal-held seats of Epping, Hornsby and Pittwater. Labor won’t be contesting any of these byelections. In Pittwater, Liberal Rory Amon defeated independent Jacqui Scruby by 50.7–49.3 at the 2023 state election. Amon resigned after being charged with child sex offences and Scruby will contest the byelection.

    NSW and Victorian state polls

    A NSW state Resolve poll for The Sydney Morning Herald, conducted with the federal September and October Resolve polls from a sample of 1,111, gave the Coalition 37% of the primary vote (down one since August), Labor 32% (up two), the Greens 11% (down one), independents 14% (steady) and others 6% (steady).

    The Poll Bludger said the primary votes suggested a “slight two-party advantage to Labor”. Labor incumbent Chris Minns led the Liberals’ Mark Speakman as preferred premier by 37–14 (38–13 in August).

    By 61–23, voters thought the NSW government is not doing enough to help renters. By 53–19, they thought the government should put aside money towards future metro rail projects.

    A Victorian state Redbridge poll, conducted September 26 to October 3 from a sample of 1,516, gave the Coalition a 51–49 lead, a one-point gain for the Coalition since a late July Redbridge poll. Primary votes were 40% Coalition (steady), 30% Labor (down one), 12% Greens (steady) and 18% for all Others (up one).

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Coalition seizes Newspoll lead, but other polls have Labor improving – https://theconversation.com/coalition-seizes-newspoll-lead-but-other-polls-have-labor-improving-240785

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged over prohibited behaviour

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Man charged over prohibited behaviour

    Monday, 14 October 2024 – 9:53 am.

    A 41-year-old Hobart man appeared in an out of hours court on Saturday after being charged with two counts of prohibited behaviour.
    Police were called to an area of the Hobart CBD about 10:40am on Friday, after reports a man had allegedly exposed himself to members of the public.
    With the assistance of CCTV, the alleged offender and his whereabouts were quickly identified. Police were able to quickly locate him and take him into custody.
    Anyone who witnessed the man’s behaviour at the time who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Hobart Uniform on 131 444 (quote OR756154).

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Accreditation boosts support for carers in the workplace

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 14 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Women

    This National Carers Week the Minns Labor Government is encouraging workplaces to take up accreditation under the Carers + Employers program, to help more carers enter the workforce and ensure those already employed are provided with appropriate support.

    NSW has more than 950,000 carers who provide ongoing, unpaid care and support to a family member, neighbour or friend who lives with disability, terminal illness, chronic illness, mental illness or aging.

    The 2024 National Carer Survey found 35.8 per cent of carers in NSW would like to see changes in their job type or work structure to better balance employment with caring.

    Accredited employers uphold best practice standards in supporting staff with caring responsibilities. This can include flexible working arrangements, fostering a supportive culture where carers feel comfortable discussing their needs and providing training to managers on challenges carers face and workplace policies available to support them.

    There are three levels of accreditation that can be achieved:

    1. Activate: Organisations that are beginning to develop carer-friendly workplace policies and practices
    2. Commit: Organisations are building on Level 1 accreditation by providing clear actions and pathways to improve carer-friendly workplace practices
    3. Excel: The highest level of accreditation for workplaces that have embedded carer-friendly workplace practices.

    Since 2018, 21 organisations nationally have been accredited under the program with an increasing number of employers working towards embedding innovative strategies across their organisation to progress to higher levels of accreditation.

    Over half are NSW-based, with the NSW Government’s strong support of the program reflected in high uptake of accreditation by its departments and agencies.

    Other simple steps that workplaces can take to support employees with caring responsibilities include recognising carers as a distinct group in policies and procedures to make it easy for them to find out what support is available, or connecting carers to relevant workplace policies and supports.

    Support for carers and employers can be found at the new Carers + Employment Hub, a centralised access point for information and resources to help carers successfully balance their caring responsibilities and work duties, and employers seeking to support carers in their workforce.

    The Hub also features an interactive Carer Skills Matching Tool to help carers identify potential career pathways.

    The NSW Government is committed to carer-friendly workplaces under the NSW Carers Strategy: Caring in NSW 2020-2030, with key priorities and actions to be implemented listed under the Second Action Plan. Delivering the Carers + Employers accreditation program is Action 15 and establishing the Carers + Employment Hub is Action 18 under the Action Plan.

    Minister with responsibility for Carers Jodie Harrison said:

    “National Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise and highlight the contribution of more than 950,000 carers in NSW who deliver hundreds of millions of hours of unpaid care for family members and friends each year.

    “Caring for a family member or friend is an enormous commitment and requires extraordinary strength.

    “Employers can support carers with policies and programs that help them balance work and caring responsibilities. Accreditation under the Carers + Employers program sets organisations on a path to becoming an employer of choice for carers.

    “It’s also important for carers to look after their own health and wellbeing, and know that support is available if they need it. This includes the new Carers + Employment Hub with online videos, tools and a range of free, online resources to support carers.”

    CEO of Carers NSW Elena Katrakis said:

    “With 1 in 9 people in NSW identifying as carers, caring responsibilities will affect almost every worker at some stage in their career.

    “More organisations are engaging with the Carers + Employers accreditation program, creating more carer-friendly workplaces across the state.

    “Employers recognise the importance of supporting the many carers in our workforce who need support with their caring responsibilities.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: EveningReport LIVE@12:45pm – State of Israel Goes Rogue – Attacks UN Peacekeepers

    Source: EveningReport.nz (Video Podcasts)

    The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today, Monday at 12:45pm October 14, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 7:45pm (USEST).

    In this episode of A View From Afar political scientist Paul Buchanan and host Selwyn Manning I will analyse how the state of Israel has gone rogue, attacking United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

    At this juncture it is clear this is an intentional attack. Over the past week Israel Defense Force troops have repeatedly attacked UN peacekeepers who were authorised and deployed to the region by the United Nations Security Council.

    Also last week; the Government of Israel issued a statement notifying the United Nations Secretary General that he was now banned from Israel and was persona non grata.

    Within a day of that statement, IDF troops had fired on UN peacekeeping positions in Southern Lebanon. Since then, the IDF has continued operations that threaten the UN’s presence.

    And Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now issued a directive to the UN peacekeeping force to withdraw from the area north of its borders in Southern Lebanon.

    Also, despite the United States Biden Administration cautioning Israel on its attacks on UN personnel, overnight New Zealand time, the United States has deployed 100 US troops on the ground in Israel to operate missile defence systems.

    Today, Paul and Selwyn will consider:

    * Why Israel has begun to attack United Nations peacekeepers in the region?

    * Why has the United Nations deepened its involvement in Israel’s so-called defence?

    * What of Hezbollah, Hamas; are their attacks on Israel a defence or an attacking offensive?

    * What of Iran, what is its position and will it engage in a full-scale war with Israel and what are the consequences should it do so?

    Live Audience: Remember, if you are joining us live via the social media platforms, feel free to comment as we can include your comments and questions in this programme.

    INTERACTION WHILE LIVE:

    Paul and Selwyn encourage their live audience to interact while they are live with questions and comments.

    To interact during the live recording of this podcast, go to Youtube.com/c/EveningReport/

    Remember to subscribe to the channel.

    For the on-demand audience, you can also keep the conversation going on this debate by clicking on one of the social media channels below:

    Youtube.com/c/EveningReport/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3feU3ZedRlA

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Four fallen emergency service volunteers honoured

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 13 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Emergency Services

    Courageous emergency services personnel who lost their lives after responding to emergencies have been honoured at a memorial service at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair today.

    Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib joined Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Rob Rogers and Acting Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) Deb Platz at the 24th NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial Service to commemorate the fallen.

    The names of RFS firefighters John Holmes, Leo Fransen and Dale Bowles, and SES volunteer Troy Mooney were this year added to the memorial.

    There are now 119 names engraved on the memorial, which was established in 1999 to honour the fallen men and women from the state’s volunteer emergency services, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service, Marine Rescue NSW and the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association.

    There are about 90,000 volunteers across these agencies in NSW who give their time to serving communities across the state.

    Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

    “Today is an opportunity to pause and honour the memory of the men and women whose names have been added to the Volunteer Memorial this year. Their service will never be forgotten.

    “The loss of these four dedicated individuals is a tragedy for their families and friends, as well as the communities they helped protect in their time as volunteers.

    “While the annual Memorial service is a time for reflection, it is also a time to take pride in the fact that across NSW, members of the community selflessly commit themselves to the service of their neighbours.”

    Commissioner of the RFS Rob Rogers said:

    “I would like to personally thank the families of our volunteers, who sacrifice time with their loved ones so they can serve the community.

    “Whilst today is a day of mourning, it is also a day to recognise the dedication and sacrifice of these personnel who lost their lives protecting communities across NSW.

    “Mallanganee Senior Deputy Captain John Holmes, Diamond Beach Captain Leo Fransen and Mid Murray Group Captain Dale Bowles have each left an indelible mark upon their brigades, their communities and the wider RFS family.”

    NSW SES Acting Commissioner Deb Platz said:

    “Today, we paused to remember those members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in aid of their communities.

    “We paused to honour their devotion to duty and to support their family members during the most difficult of circumstances.

    “Troy Mooney was a dedicated member of the St Georges Basin unit, who served for many years alongside his wife, before he tragically passed away following floods in 2022.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Collaboration enables delivery of much needed housing for vulnerable women and children

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 14 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Housing

    The Minns Labor Government, in partnership with, St George Community Housing (SGCH) and Housing Australia, has delivered 50 new social housing units in Riverwood, providing immediate support to vulnerable individuals at risk of homelessness.

    This newly completed apartment complex will offer safe and secure housing for approximately 120 people facing housing insecurity, providing a stronger safety net for women and children escaping domestic violence, as well as women over the age of 55.

    The $32 million Riverwood project includes 50 social housing units and one affordable housing unit, offering a mix of one- and two-bedroom homes.

    Committed to building better homes, this development features a minimum 7-star NatHERS rating, ensuring energy efficiency and helping to keep tenants’ electricity bills low.

    This initiative further demonstrates the NSW Government’s dedication to addressing the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis by providing sustainable, affordable housing that helps keep bills down.

    The well-located energy-efficient, sustainable, and secure housing complex also features a bike storage room, on-site parking and an expansive landscaped communal area with barbeques to create a sense of community.

    Conveniently situated, the new homes are just a short walk from Riverwood Train Station and Riverwood Primary School, offering easy access to public transport, education, retail, and key services.

    This ideal location empowers residents to build strong foundations for a fulfilling life, with nearby access to employment opportunities and community resources that support long-term stability and well-being.

    NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Rose Jackson said: 

    “The scale of the challenge to resolve the housing crisis across the state is massive and the need for more social and affordable homes has never been greater. This project demonstrates the importance of successful collaboration between multiple levels of government to tackle the housing crisis.

    The face of homelessness is changing. Too many people stay in dangerous relationships because they have nowhere to go, and women over 55 are one of the fastest-growing groups at risk. We’re working hard to build more social homes as quickly as possible to tackle this crisis head-on.

    The Riverwood project will provide essential, immediate housing for those most in need in our community.”

    Federal Minister for Housing, Clare O’Neil said:

    “We’re working closely with the NSW Government and the community housing sector to build more homes and ease housing stress.

    “More homes means shorter rental queues and cheaper rents, and more options for first home buyers to get their foot in the door.”

    Acting Group CEO of St George Community Housing, Joe Achmar said: 

    “By working closely with different tiers of government, we’ve been able to create sustainable, high-quality housing that will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

    “As more people struggle to find suitable affordable housing in a difficult economic climate, partnerships such as ours with Housing Australia and the NSW Government, have become even more urgent.

    “With more than 57,000 families and individuals currently on the social housing waiting list in NSW, this project is an important step in addressing housing needs in Riverwood, a priority growth area.”

    Chair of Housing Australia, Carol Austin said:

    “We are proud to support projects like this that have a lasting impact on communities. The Riverwood development is not only about addressing housing shortages but also about building sustainable, inclusive environments where people can thrive.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: North Coast small business lights up Paris and the Premier’s NSW Export Awards

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 12 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Industry and Trade

    A small business from the state’s mid north coast which helped light up the Paris Olympics has been named NSW Exporter of the Year at the Premier’s NSW Export Awards.

    Bellingen business Planet Lighting supplied 1,600 red and amber LED lights for ramps and pathways around the Olympic Village as part of an interactive installation that’s now a permanent fixture in the French capital.

    Planet Lighting is a small business success story – they’ve been manufacturing lights since the 1930s.

    They are one of the leading Australian suppliers of medical and surgical lights and export their custom-built products throughout Asia, Europe and the Americas.

    With a team of 50 employees, Planet Lighting meticulously designed and manufactured the light fixtures, partnering with local suppliers and international distributors to bring its LED display to the global stage.

    Planet Lighting was among 17 other NSW businesses from a diverse range of industries including agribusiness, manufacturing, creative arts and advanced technologies honoured last night at a gala ceremony at Sydney Town Hall.

    Now in its 62nd year, the Premier’s NSW Export Awards celebrate the success and resilience of NSW exporters, whose export of goods and services is worth $150 billion annually to NSW.

    Winners were announced across five state categories and 13 national categories. The national category winners will now progress as finalists for the Australian Export Awards, to be held in Canberra next month.

    For a full list of NSW award winners visit the Export Council of Australia.

    Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

    “Exports not only benefit individual businesses, they are a critical part of our economy, with trade supporting one in five Australian jobs.

    “The NSW Government is proud to support our wonderful exporting community. Accessing overseas markets can be a game-changer for NSW businesses looking to accelerate their growth, and this year’s award winners are doing exactly that – capitalising on the incredible opportunities that come through exporting.

    “A big congratulations to Planet Lighting and all our other NSW Export Award winners who are shining bright overseas and showcasing the best of what NSW has to offer the world.”

    Planet Lighting Managing Director Mia Iggulden said: 

    “We’re incredibly proud to be recognised amongst a strong field of NSW exporters.

    “Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do at Planet Lighting. Our partnerships with local suppliers and dedicated overseas distributors have been instrumental in our journey, allowing us to invest in advanced manufacturing technologies and create new local jobs. We’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of lighting design, all while supporting the community we call home.”

    Chair of the Export Council of Australia Dianne Tipping said:

    “There was strong interest in this year’s awards with nominations from more than 200 NSW exporters.

    “Through the awards, we have celebrated exporters who have by hard work and resilience succeeded in global markets, whilst inspiring others to grow their own businesses by going global. They are taking NSW innovation onto the world stage, supporting jobs and economic growth for all.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Train timetable adjustments are coming on October 20

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    These adjustments to the timetable are being made so that train services are more reliable and so that passengers have shorter wait times, faster journeys and so the network can quickly recover when disruption occurs.

    The Sydney Trains Review found that since 2017 timetable was introduced, the resilience of the train network significantly deteriorated. These adjustments are designed to make the system more resilient and to implement the lessons learned since the introduction of the 2017 timetable.

    Commuter travel patterns have changed significantly following the COVID pandemic and the opening of the Sydney Metro, and while in some instances, services to particular train stations will shift from peak times to inter-peak times, this is to accommodate for changing travel patterns at these stations.

    Sydney is a global city and requires a reliable fit for purpose timetable.

    The upcoming timetable adjustments will also support the new T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line to make sure there are train services from Bankstown to Lidcombe and so passengers get the best and most efficient service to take them where they need to go.

    Making timetable adjustments will also help prepare the rest of the train network for the introduction of the Mariyung Fleet and help connect the new Sydney City Metro with the rest of Sydney’s public transport network.

    It is especially important for year 12 students and parents to plan their trips as soon as possible on the Trip Planner at transportnsw.info and allow for extra travel time.

    Most of the adjustments to the timetable will occur on the following lines:

    T1 Western Line

    Stopping patterns on the T1 Western Line will be simplified to improve reliability and increase train services for some stations west of Parramatta. Some services for some stations west of Parramatta have been moved from the earlier AM peak to operate between 9am and 10am to provide passengers with more travel options outside the busiest time. Rooty Hill and Doonside will receive additional services during the busiest morning peak hour.

    Services on the T1 Western Line will continue to operate frequently during peak periods.

    T1 North Shore Line

    With the new M1 North West & Bankstown Line services operating every 4 minutes in the peak between Chatswood and Sydenham, there is reduced demand for passengers interchanging at Chatswood. Train services are being adjusted to rebalance service levels in the morning and off-peak periods.

    Passengers on the T1 North Shore Line will still receive a train every 3 to 5 minutes .

    Stopping patterns on the line will also be adjusted to deliver more reliable train services for passengers.

    T2 Leppington & Inner West Line

    The T2 Leppington & Inner West Line (formerly T2 Inner West & Leppington) will continue to connect passengers from Leppington and Parramatta to the Sydney CBD.

    The Inner West corridor will be expanded to include the new T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services, connecting Inner West passengers, between Redfern and Lidcombe, to Liverpool via Regents Park and to the Sydney CBD.

    Leppington and Edmondson Park passengers who interchange for T8 Airport & South services at Glenfield, will benefit from additional trains in the AM peak hour on both the T5 Cumberland Line and T8 Airport & South Line.

    T5 Cumberland Line

    Passengers travelling between Leppington and Parramatta on the T5 Cumberland Line in the busiest morning peak hour will benefit from a 15-minute service frequency.

    T8 Airport & South Line

    The T8 Airport & South Line will see an overall increase in services during the morning peak, increasing from 14 trains per hour to 16 trains per hour benefitting Revesby and stations between Holsworthy and Macarthur.

    To ensure passengers at St Peters and Erskineville continue to get the train services they need, more T8 train services will operate via Sydenham, while during the busiest morning peak hour, two fewer services will operate via the Airport Tunnel.

    Other lines

    There will be some minor timing changes across other lines on the train network to support the adjusted timetable.

    Blue Mountains Line passengers will benefit from an increase in services across the week for stations between Medlow Bath and Lithgow.

    A reminder that some Sydney Trains changes have already come into effect for passengers west of Bankstown, these include:

    • New T3 Liverpool & Inner West Line services operating between Liverpool and the Sydney CBD via Regents Park and Lidcombe
    • New T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown Line services will be coming soon, currently you can hop on a rail replacement service operating between Lidcombe and Bankstown.

    For more information on your route visit 2024 train timetable changes | transportnsw.info Regional rail passengers can find more information on the changes impacting them here.

    We encourage passengers to plan their trip via Transport’s Trip Planner at transportnsw.info/trip.

    Quotes attributable to Transport Minister Jo Haylen:

    “These adjustments to the timetable are focused on making our trains more reliable and resilient so passengers have shorter wait times, faster journeys and so our train network will be able to recover sooner when there’s a critical incident.”

    “We know that when there’s an incident on one part of the train network it can often affect other train services too. Making our timetable simpler means there’s less chance of that happening.”

    “Since 2017, the way that people travel on our transport network has changed a lot. The work commute has changed and there’s greater demand for trains outside the traditional peak hour. That’s why we are making sure there are more trains running at the times when passengers need them most, particularly in the mornings between nine and ten AM.”

    Quotes attributable to Sydney Trains A/Chief Executive Hayden Donoghue:

    “A simpler timetable makes the network more reliable allowing it to recover from incidents faster. We’ll be monitoring the new timetable closely and identifying where we can make further improvements.

    “As with any change, we know it takes time to adjust to new ways of travelling, so we’re asking passengers to please jump online and plan their trip.

    “This is especially important for students and parents, as your trip may have changed slightly over the school holidays.

    “Our staff will be ready at stations to provide our customers with assistance as they navigate these changes.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Casterton Fire Brigade celebrates

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    Casterton Fire Brigade celebrated its 54th Annual Dinner on 12 October at Finley Emporium, Casterton.

    Eleven awards were presented on the night to recognise the outstanding service this small, but long serving brigade provides to Casterton and surrounding area. 

    CFA service awards were presented to:

    • 3rd Lt William Kerr, 4th Lt Katie Wilson (15 years)
    • Stewart Cook (25 years)
    • Debbie Wombwell (40 years)
    • Gwen McFarlane, Carole White (55 years)
    • Peter White (60 years)
    • Terry Baker (65 years).

    CFA Deputy Chief Officer for West Region Adrian Gutsche presented CFA Road Rescue Association Life Memberships to James Condon, Peter White and Terry Baker. 

    Submitted by Wendy Kerr

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pakenham Roads Upgrade ahead of schedule

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Pakenham Roads Upgrade, south east of Melbourne, is ahead of schedule with works on the Princes Freeway and McGregor Road set for completion in the upcoming months.

    Major works on the Princes Freeway will finish six months ahead of schedule while major works on the McGregor Road Upgrade north of the freeway are complete.

    In the meantime, works to upgrade the McGregor Road inbound freeway entry ramp are continuing and are scheduled for completion in early 2025.

    The project is building seven kilometres of upgraded roads across three stages of works.

    This includes a new Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road bridge over the Princes Freeway to double capacity of traffic to and from the freeway, as well as Pakenham’s manufacturing hub and town centre.

    Several key intersections will also be upgraded to ease congestion. 

    The $415.7 million Pakenham Roads Upgrade is being fully funded by the Australian Government and is part of a wider investment in improving transport infrastructure in Pakenham, together with the likes of the Suburban Roads Upgrade – South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads project.   

    This wider investment also includes the removal of the level crossings at Racecourse Road, McGregor Road and Main Street, upgrades to the Pakenham train station, the development of a new train station at East Pakenham, and upgrades to Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road between Southeast Boulevard and Livestock Way and Manks Road.  

    Construction of the Pakenham Roads Upgrade has created about 860 full-time-equivalent jobs, with a further 1,540 indirect jobs forecasted across Victoria over the life of the upgrade. 

    Work crews have amassed approximately half a million work hours across the project since construction began in 2022, Another 31,000 hours were completed by cadets, apprentices and trainees, cementing the Australian and Victorian governments’ commitment to investing in future talent.

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

    “The Pakenham Roads Upgrade will have a massive impact on Pakenham’s booming population, improving congestion and road safety.

    “This $415 million project is already changing Pakenham’s transportation network, improving the movement of motorists and freight across Melbourne’s south-east.  

    “As well as the Pakenham Roads Upgrade, the Australian Government has also invested significantly in the Suburban Roads Upgrade – South Eastern Roads and Northern Roads project to get the south east moving smoothly and safely.”

    Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson:

    “The early completion of these packages builds on the recently completed Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road Upgrade and Pakenham Level Crossing Removal Project to overhaul Pakenham’s road and rail infrastructure.

    “The Pakenham Roads Upgrade is making a significant impact on how everyone gets around Pakenham.

    “Doubling capacity with an additional road bridge over the Princes Freeway, new signalised intersections as well as the McGregor Road freeway diamond interchange and road duplication – it’s a game changer for getting around town.

    “With $1 billion worth of transport investment in Pakenham’s road and rail network, the Australian and Victorian governments are hard at work changing the way everyone moves throughout the south east.

    “With a strong focus on social procurement, the Pakenham Roads Upgrade has engaged with 15 Aboriginal-owned businesses and nine social enterprises, ensuring the Victorian Government’s commitment to support social and sustainable enterprises.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for Victoria Jess Walsh:

    “The Australian and Victorian governments are getting on with the job of delivering quality infrastructure that the local residents of Melbourne’s south-east need and deserve. 

    “It’s terrific to see work progressing so well on the Pakenham Roads Upgrade, which will make it safer and more efficient for commuters travelling throughout Melbourne.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Bulldogs are beautiful companions & worthy AFL team mascots

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    It was Harry S Truman who said “If you want a friend in (insert name of city where politicians gather), get a dog”.

    Not to malign my many friends in Canberra, Truman had a point.

    My life would be infinitely poorer had I not shared so much of it with dogs.

    And there is one breed of dog in particular that has a very special place in my heart — the British bulldog.

    I love bulldogs. I have a bulldog, Walter. I had two bulldogs until last year when my beloved Tilly died at the ripe old age of 11.

    As honorary patron of the British Bulldog Club of Victoria, I feel it is my solemn duty to speak on behalf of not just the Walters and the Tillies of this country, but on behalf of all bulldogs.

    These canine companions are magnificent. They are loyal, don’t mind a pat (therapeutic for the patter and the pattee), and are content to lie under your study desk ‘til the wee small hours blissfully unstressed by matters of policy and politics.

    So having declared upfront my bias for these lovable lumps, you will understand my outrage that it has been suggested the Western Bulldogs AFL team should drop the bulldog as its mascot.

    The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claim the Western Bulldogs club is “supporting the intentional breeding of dogs with painful and debilitating deformities and encouraging people to buy dogs with extreme features that cause them to suffer”.

    Excuse me for being blunt but what a load of rubbish.

    PETA thinks that the Western Bulldogs should rebrand as “the Mutts” to encourage people to “adopt, don’t shop”.

    Don’t get me wrong, pet rescue organisations are absolutely worthy of praise for the role they play.

    But to be honest, PETA’s extreme stance is an insult to ethical breeders of bulldogs and responsible owners alike.

    Bulldogs are one of the breeds known as brachycephalic. They’re dogs that generally have wider, shortened heads and a shortened snout. People sometimes refer to them as having squished faces — just one of their many endearing attributes.

    You know the ones I’m talking about — the chonks that are British bulldogs, Australian bulldogs and their little Frenchie mates, boxers, pugs, chihuahuas, shih tzus and a long list of others.

    Just as poodles have curly hair, and great Danes have long legs, bulldogs have turned up noses. It’s just how they are.

    But, we cannot be naive. There are unethical breeders who will breed features into these dogs because there is a demand for a certain look such as a squishier face. Designer dogs as they’re known.

    But to get that squishier face you also get increased folds of skin around and inside the nose and throat, and that can lead to a condition called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome or BOAS.

    BOAS can affect a dog’s ability to breathe, and affected pups can struggle to cope with the heat or even the most usual of activities like exercise, play, eating, drinking and sleeping.

    But PETA is wrong to pretend there has not been extensive research carried out to ensure the wellbeing of bulldogs in Australia.

    Dogs Australia is dedicated to improving the health of dogs and administers the respiratory function grading scheme.

    This groundbreaking scheme by the Kennel Club and the Cambridge Veterinary School provides an international, collaborative, and evidence-based approach — with a clinical assessment and exercise tolerance test — to help improve the health of BOAS-affected breeds globally.

    The data dogs is then shared on the Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database (ORCHID). Breeders can then access this information and make an evidence-based selection of the most suitable stock for breeding purposes.

    The RGF scheme has four grades — 0 means no evidence of BOAS; 1 means mild BOAS; 2 is moderate BOAS; and 3 means clinically affected or severe BOAS.

    And do you know what has happened since the scheme was introduced and breeders had access to the data in the UK? Vets are recording fewer and fewer scores of 2 and 3 in the brachy dogs they see.

    So, just as you can introduce problems into a breed, you can also breed them out. You just need to give people the right information.

    I met several owners and breeders at the Melbourne Royal Show a few weeks ago, who proudly showed their British bulldogs are just as cuddly and affectionate as they are well bred — and always on the lookout for snacks. And I say that with absolutely no judgment.

    Bottom line is, they love their bulldogs.

    And Western Bulldogs fans love their mascot.

    To suggest that big, boofy head should be replaced on the team’s logo is sacrilege.

    Originally published in The West Australian Monday 14 October 2024.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Airservices Australia Releases September Australian Aviation Network Overview 

    Source: Airservices Australia

    Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for September 2024.

    Highlights include:

    • In September 2024, the Australian aviation network experienced a slight increase (0.3 per cent) in daily average flights, coinciding with the school holidays and Melbourne AFL Grand Final. On Friday 27 September, Melbourne Airport recorded its busiest day for passenger traffic since the pandemic began, with 749 movements.
    • Industry’s social licence for growth continues to be a priority, with initiatives like the Noise Action Plan, cross-boundary User Preferred Routes, and Continuous Descent Operations underway to improve noise and flight outcomes through proactive community engagement.
    • Industry on-time performance (OTP) has improved in August by two percentage points due to better first-rotation performance which is a focus area for airlines. Lead indicators suggest industry OTP will continue to improve in the next OTP reporting cycle by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE).
    • We are seeing steady improvement in Airservices’ operating performance. Only 0.1 per cent of total network flight delays were attributed to Airservices with 0.2 per cent of flights impacted by capacity constraints. Ground delay hours were at the lowest level in more than a year, with no Airservices’-attributable ground delay at major East Coast airports in September. This reflects ongoing service performance enhancements and a focus on resilience leading into the September school holidays.
    • Overall, air traffic service variations were limited to fewer airspace groups and air traffic control towers. At control towers, service variations reduced by 61 per cent primarily due to Avalon tower returning to published hours. Ensuring the consistency of service remains our key priority through measures such as active recruitment, tighter leave management practices, improved training pass rates and recruitment strategies, and building resilient rosters.

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

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Songs of freedom: Unplugging rules that prevent venues choosing their music

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Songs of freedom: Unplugging rules that prevent venues choosing their music

    Published: 13 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

    Baffling restrictions on licensed venues that include “no entertainment” clauses are being torn up as part of the Minns Labor Government’s committment to bring back live music and nightlife to Sydney and across the state.

    Red tape that has built up in the system includes development consent conditions that specify what genre of music can be played at a venue – or stipulate that only a soloist, duo or trio can play, while a band is out of bounds.

    Specific approval conditions in some cases get so granular as to allow a cover band to play a venue but prevent original music being performed – or prevent live entertainment altogether.

    Pocket Bar in Terrigal has been forced to turn away a choir for having more than three members.

    Barangaroo House operates under conditions that make strobe lights and a disco ball a contravention.

    At the Mitch Hotel in Alexandria, management has wanted to stage acoustic music on Sunday afternoons but have been prevented by no entertainment restrictions in their venue’s Development Consent.

    Erskineville Hotel is barred from providing entertainment and Petersham Public House can’t have amplified music in the beer garden.

    At the South Dubbo Tavern, licence restrictions included a clause on hosting “small cover bands” rather than original rock bands. This effectively meant the Tavern could host an AC/DC cover band but if Angus Young came to town he would be unable to plug in his guitar and play Thunderstruck.

    Councils can currently apply “no entertainment” clauses regardless of the type of entertainment, noise impacts or community desire. This can mean even a mime artist is technically not allowed to perform at a local venue.

    Giving musical programming back to the venues that know their audiences is another milestone in the Minns Labor Government’s crusade against pointless red tape on going-out. This will be delivered in the second tranche of the Vibrancy Reforms, along with:

    Ending the antiquated rule that prevents people living within five kilometres of a registered club from signing in without first becoming a member
    Binning the restriction on outdoor dining approvals that prevented patrons from standing while drinking outside a licenced premises.

    The first round of Vibrancy Reforms delivered improvements that:

    • Permanently relaxed rules for outdoor dining to allowing venues to make the most of their outdoor space
    • Ended single noise complaints from shutting down pubs and other licensed venues
    • Made it easier to activate streets for festivals and events (Open Streets program) and a regulatory model that allows streamlined approvals for repeat events (Permit, Plug, Play)
    • Expanded Special Entertainment Precincts that empower local councils to change the rules around noise and opening hours in a designated area to support live entertainment and nightlife
    • Increased incentives for live music and live performance, with two hours extended trading and an 80% reduction in liquor licence fees for licensed venues offering live music and performance
    • Created easier pathways for extended trading hours for major events like the Olympics and World Cups.

    Stifling rules have diminished opportunities for artists in NSW and the right of communities to engage with new voices and be part of the emergence of the next big act from their local area.

    A number of Sydney venues are restricted to playing recorded music, locking out any additional opportunities for live performers.  Development consent conditions may even specify how many instruments can be played inside a venue.

    Similar conditions were removed from liquor licences by legislation in November 2020.

    At present, removing conditions requires venues to formally apply to council to modify the development consent, which is costly, time-consuming and not guaranteed to succeed. It also means more administrative burden for councils.

    Under the soon to be introduced second tranche Vibrancy Reforms, the outdated conditions will be turned off for all licensed venues in the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act. For hotels, clubs and small bars, the prohibition on live entertainment will also be overridden.

    Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said:

    “When it’s a DA not the DJ choosing the tracks, you know the system has lost its way.

    “People don’t want their local councillor or state minister deciding what they listen to and what live music they can see.

    “How can anyone have faith in rules that allow a cover band to play but tell the band that wrote the songs to hit the road?

    “The Vibrancy Reforms are remastering a tangle of red tape and restrictions that do not pass the pub test, quite literally.

    “This plan to remove red tape builds on the Minns Labor Government’s multi-faceted support for live music that offers extended trading for venues that stage live performance, soundproofing grants to help live venues prosper in their” neighbourhoods and direct support for musicians and roadies via the Touring and Travel Fund.”

    Minister for Planning Paul Scully said:

    “These proposed changes will provide greater clarity for venues that host live music and encourage even more venues to support live entertainment.

    “It’s a chance to support performers and provide even greater opportunities for the people of NSW to enjoy a great night, or day, out.”

    Mitch Hotel at Alexandria owner Brett Davis said:

    “Acoustic duos or trios on a Sunday afternoon is something else our patrons can enjoy and maybe draw some more people to the venue; we’re not looking to have DJ sets or big bands.

    “However, the costs and time to have the current condition removed is too excessive, so we have decided not to pursue it.

    “We welcome these proposed changes to support venues like ours.”

    CEO of House of Pocket Hospitality Group Karl Schlothauer

    “The existing restrictive consent conditions limit our engagement with the local creative community and places a ceiling on being able to creatively use the space.  It stops our ability to diversify the venue offerings, and you have to be able to do this in regional areas and particularly tourism areas like the Central Coast in order to have your business survive all year round.

    “If the conditions were removed, we would be able to employ more local artists and trial new things. The Central Coast has a large population of creative practitioners, but they are stifled in not having many venue opportunities to perform.

    Sydney-based PEPTALK band member Phoebe Sinclair said:

    “If venues can host entertainment more regularly without so many restrictions there will absolutely be more employment opportunities for musicians.

    “This in turn will help so many artists to actually work in the industry full time, as it can be a difficult leap without consistency in the live performance space.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New investment to make it safer and easier for primary school kids to walk and cycle to school

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 14 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Transport

    A brand new raised pedestrian crossing outside Ryde Public School is one of the projects being funded by the NSW Government to make it easier for kids to walk, ride or scoot to school.

    The new “wombat crossing” on Argyle Avenue, Ryde, will include fencing and concrete blisters to slow vehicles outside Ryde Public School, making it safer for kids to cross before and after school and for community members to access Top Ryde Shopping Centre.

    The new crossing is part of a $10 million Get Kids Active fund, a Minns Labor Government initiative that is delivering projects around primary schools that make it safer and more comfortable for students and their families to walking, scoot or ride to school.

    The new program, announced in early 2024, has seen grants of up to $800,000 secured by 24 councils to deliver new projects.

    The Get Kids Active program has also brought bike skills courses into the school yard, to increase kids’ confidence and safety awareness when on two wheels.

    So far, over 1000 students at 18 schools across NSW have enrolled in the school holiday courses, learning about safely crossing the road with their bikes, correct helmet fitting, riding on ramps and taking part in fun-filled activities like relays.

    The Get Kids Active program will give primary school children and their parents more confidence to ditch the car trip to and from school, and consider walking, bike riding, scootering or skateboarding instead.

    The funding announcement comes as applications open for another $60 million in Get Active NSW grants for councils across the state.

    From 14 October 2024, councils can apply for grants in this latest round of Transport for NSW’s Get NSW Active and Get Kids Active funding programs. Upgrades that can be delivered through these programs include new footpaths and cycleways, and improved safety features for bike riders and pedestrians.  

    Shortlisted applications will be prioritised to ensure that 40 per cent of funding is for Regional Outer Metropolitan projects, and 15 per cent is for projects in Western Parkland City.

    Last year, 108 Get NSW Active projects were completed with a total grant value of $35.1 million. Of these, 50 projects were completed in greater Sydney worth $21.8 million and 58 were completed in regional and outer metropolitan areas worth $13.1 million.

    Quotes attributable to Minister Haylen:

    “The raised wombat crossing outside my own kid’s primary school means they can be seen clearly by oncoming cars, and those cars are slowing down to navigate the bump.

    It’s a small piece of infrastructure, but it gives me a big boost of confidence knowing that my kids can walk, ride or scoot safely to school.

    “With Get Kids Active program, we want to invest in small infrastructure projects like wombat crossings to make everyone’s walks to school safer, no matter where they live in the state.

    “It’s been brilliant to see how this program can make a difference in front of the school gates, now we’re working with the Department of Education on the other side of the school gates to deliver more in-school infrastructure, like bike and scooter parking.”

    Quotes attributable to Ryde Councillor Lyndal Howison:

    “Ryde streets are busy with a lot of traffic congestion. By giving kids safer options to walk, ride or scoot to school, it will open these travel options up as a viable alternative to jumping in the car.

    “It’ll be good for the kids who are out there getting active, and better for everyone else as more cars come off the streets.”

    Quotes attributable to Executive Director of Active Transport Anna Bradley:

    “Data shows less than one in four NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, while Transport’s community consultation revealed over 70 per cent of parents and carers ideally want to be walking to school with their children most days.

    “In designing the program, Transport for NSW undertook extensive consultation with parents, carers and community groups which revealed there was a strong interest for children to use active transport more often, as it provides good exercise and quality family time.

    “We also consulted with Aboriginal communities in Redfern, Tamworth and Bourke to understand their journey to school experiences and local perspectives.

    “This program is making small but meaningful infrastructure and education interventions to make it easier for kids across the state to find active and independent ways to travel to school.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Supporting clean energy in the Hunter

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Port of Newcastle and broader Hunter region are on track to become hydrogen-ready and contribute to Australia’s transformation to net zero.

    Supported by $100 million funding from the Albanese Government, the Port of Newcastle’s Clean Energy Precinct has reached a major milestone signing agreements for key design work and environmental impact studies.

    The precinct will renew a disused 220-hectare industrial site to facilitate clean energy production, storage, transmission, domestic distribution and international export. 

    The Government is supporting these latest studies along with the procurement and delivery of enabling works for the precinct. The project is being delivered in partnership with the NSW Government through a Federation Funding Agreement Schedule.

    The Port of Newcastle plays an important economic role as a major deep-water global gateway.

    The commencement of Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) studies follow previous work by the Port of Newcastle including public and industry engagement and feasibility studies. Formal community consultation and further industry engagement will now be undertaken by the Port. 

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

    “This Clean Energy Precinct demonstrates how legacy infrastructure can be repurposed towards making Australia a renewable energy superpower.

    “Through our investment, we are supporting Australia’s transition to net zero while creating jobs and economic opportunities in the Hunter region.

    “The project will help position Australia as a global leader in technologies and products that reduce carbon emissions including hydrogen and green ammonia.”

    Quotes attributable to Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen:

    “The Hunter has been industrial and economic powerhouse for decades, making the Port of Newcastle an ideal location for a clean energy precinct that can support decarbonisation of heavy industry and connect Australia’s renewable resources to the world.

     

    “The Albanese Labor Government is supporting industrial regions like the Hunter to take advantage of the economic and job opportunities that come with more affordable and reliable renewable energy.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

    “The Clean Energy Precinct is a major economic boost for our region.”

    “Newcastle and the Hunter have powered Australia for Generations. This project makes sure we will continue to do so for generations to come as we lead the transition to Net Zero.”

    “Establishing the Port as a hydrogen exporter will ensure good local jobs are protected and created into the future.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Minster for the Hunter Yasmin Catley: 

    “The Hunter has powered our state for decades and we’re ensuring it continues to do so for many years to come.

    “Our energy market is transforming and we’re playing a central role; this project will support almost 6,000 local jobs and add billions to the regional economy.

    “Today’s announcement will help ensure a bright future for the Hunter.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp: 

    “I’ve been working closely with the Port of Newcastle over the last ten years to support them in their diversification away from coal.

    “With Newcastle’s existing infrastructure and skilled workforce, there is no better place in NSW for this precinct.”

    Quotes attributable to Port of Newcastle CEO, Craig Carmody:

    “The Port of Newcastle Clean Energy Precinct is expected to support around 5,800 jobs throughout construction and provide new business growth and expanded career pathways for the region, adding an estimated $4.2 billion to the Hunter regional economy.

    “The FEED and EIS studies will cover electrical infrastructure, water services, general infrastructure, storage, berth infrastructure and pipelines to berth. The studies will be completed by successful tenderers Lumea (electrical), coNEXA (water) and GHD (general infrastructure, storage, berth and pipelines), informing future site enablement, site layout and land platform design, which will be used to prepare concept planning approvals.

    “Pending planning and legislative requirements and timeframes, our production partners, KEPCO, are expected to begin construction of facilities in 2027, with the precinct to be operational from 2030.”

    For more information, visit http://www.portofnewcastle.com.au/landside/major-projects/clean-energy-precinct. 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Exchange traded funds

    Source: Australian Department of Revenue

    How ETFs work

    An ETF is a managed fund that lets you buy or sell units on a registered exchange such as the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX).

    When you invest in an ETF, you purchase units in a trust that owns investments, rather than owning the assets personally.

    Many online trading platforms allow you to purchase ETF units yourself, or you can use a broker or financial adviser to buy units in an ETF.

    Example: investing in an ETF

    Mary wants to build her investment portfolio to include shares in ASX listed companies and commercial properties. Mary isn’t confident she has the time to manage these herself but doesn’t want to miss the investment opportunity.

    While researching the market, Mary finds Blue ETF, which holds shares of companies she would like to invest in, as well as commercial properties.

    By purchasing units in this ETF, Mary receives regular distributions of income earned by Blue’s ETF investments without having to manage a portfolio herself.

    End of example

    What types of investments can be held by an ETF

    There are many types of assets that can be held by an ETF, including:

    • Australian and international shares
    • property
    • bonds
    • precious metals and commodities
    • foreign currency
    • digital assets; for example, non-fungible tokens and crypto assets
    • units in other exchange traded funds.

    What to include in your tax return

    Find out what you need to declare and what you can claim in your tax return.

    What to declare

    You need to declare:

    What you can claim

    You can claim franking credits if your ETF invests in companies that have already paid tax in Australia. Any statements you receive will show franking credit amounts.

    Where to find information for your tax return

    When you use myTax, we pre-fill your tax return with information provided by the ETF.

    If the information isn’t pre-filled, you need your statement from the ETF. Your statement will indicate where to show the amounts in your tax return.

    ETFs usually provide an ETF tax statement, also known as a:

    • year-end or annual statement
    • member statement
    • Standard Distribution Statement (SDS), or
    • Attribution MIT Member Annual (AMMA) statement.

    An ETF tax statement provides the amounts you need to report and shows where to include your income in your tax return. This may include interest, dividends, franking credits and capital gains distributed by the ETF. Most ETFs also provide a guide, in addition to your statement, to help you prepare your tax return.

    If you don’t receive a statement, you can:

    • contact your ETF and ask them to send it to you and any guides
    • use your records to include amounts in your tax return.

    Most Australian ETFs supply data to pre-fill your tax return. It’s important to check this against your SDS or records and include anything that may be missing.

    For more information on how to complete your tax return, see:

    Income from a foreign ETF

    Foreign-owned ETFs generally don’t provide a statement. This means you need to use your records to include income from foreign ETFs in your tax return.

    When you invest in overseas ETFs, consider distributed income as foreign income and report it under ‘Foreign income’ in your tax return.

    Foreign income may be subject to withholding tax. This varies depending on the country the ETF originates from and the tax agreements with Australia.

    You may be able to claim a foreign income tax offset (FITO) for any tax withheld. If this applies to you, see Claiming a foreign income tax offset.

    Distribution reinvestment plans

    Sometimes ETFs offer an option to reinvest your distributions through a distribution reinvestment plan (DRP). This means, instead of receiving a cash distribution, the ETF uses the distribution amounts to buy extra units on your behalf.

    As ETFs fall under trust income rules, a distribution is assessable in the financial year it relates to, not the financial year it was paid to you. Your statement will show the year the distribution relates to and the year it is assessable.

    Any units you receive from a DRP are subject to CGT when sold or disposed of. Include the distribution amounts as part of the cost base when calculating your capital gain or loss.

    Selling or disposing of ETF units

    When you invest in an ETF, the units are subject to CGT when you sell or dispose of them. This is when you need to calculate CGT and report the capital gain or loss in your tax return.

    Disposals can include:

    • selling
    • giving them away (gifting)
    • transferring them to a spouse because of a breakdown in your marriage or relationship
    • buy-backs, mergers, takeovers and demergers
    • where an ETF goes into liquidation.

    Calculating CGT on ETF unit disposals

    Before calculating CGT on the disposal of ETF units, you must:

    It’s important to include any capital losses in your tax return. Losses can be used to reduce current or future capital gains.

    Keep good records

    Generally, you need to keep records of investments for 5 years after we process your tax return. The fund or your broker will give you most of the records you need. Most ETF issuers provide a guide to your tax statement to help you prepare your tax return.

    You need to keep records relating to your units (some ETFs may supply a statement that shows this) showing:

    • the date and price of purchase or reinvestment
    • the date of sale and sale price (if you sell them)
    • brokerage costs or commissions paid to brokers when you buy or sell
    • other expenses you incurred to purchase them, such as loan interest
    • the date and amounts of any distributions you received
    • details of any non-assessable payments to you
    • details of other CGT events such as unit splits, unit consolidations, returns of capital, takeovers, mergers, demergers and bonus unit issues
    • details of capital losses made in previous years – you may be able to offset these losses against future capital gains.

    For more information on records to keep, see Keeping good investment records.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sees new trend in booming tourism consumption

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    People visit a historical and cultural street in Xixiu District of Anshun City, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Oct. 2, 2024. (Photo by Chen Xi/Xinhua)

    With neon lights sparkling against the night sky, a group of models, clad in vibrantly colored and intricately crafted costumes of ethnic minorities, sauntered down the catwalk, each step met with raucous applause.

    This fashion show featuring intangible cultural heritage is the first of its kind held on Qilou Old Street, a national historical and cultural street in Haikou, Hainan Province, south China.

    Both professional and amateur models walked the show, including Pan Yuzhen, in her seventies, a well-known inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Miao embroidery of the Miao ethnic group who had been a guest on the fashion stage in London and Paris.

    “This is my first time in Haikou, and I like it very much,” said Pan, adding that she was happy to have the opportunity to promote the intangible cultural heritage of her people.

    The performance, which integrated tradition with modernity, serves as a microcosm of how localities explored creative approaches to better meet the surging cultural and tourism demand during the National Day holiday ending earlier this week.

    Official data showed that 765 million domestic trips were made during the just-concluded holiday, up 5.9 percent year on year, with total tourist spending rising 6.3 percent to 700.8 billion yuan (about 99.1 billion U.S. dollars).

    People’s interest in traditional cultural attractions was reflected in the travel boom, with many flocking to historical sites over the vacation period. During the week-long holiday, the demand for taxi services to tourist attractions like ancient cities and towns soared by 111 percent compared to the pre-holiday period, according to data from Didi Chuxing, a popular ride-hailing platform in China.

    With multiple scenic spots featured in the Chinese hit video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” north China’s Shanxi province was experiencing a boom in tourists even before the holiday kicked off.

    In response to the travel peak, the local government and businesses intensified efforts to provide better services for all visitors. “Many local temples that were not accessible for hundreds of years are open to the public this time,” said a travel vlogger in her video on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

    As treasure troves of history and culture, museums have also been gaining popularity among the Chinese in recent years, with 1.29 billion visits to nationwide museums in 2023, surpassing the figures of previous years, data from Chinese authorities revealed.

    Aside from traditional hotspots, lower-profile cities and counties started to rank among the top travel destinations, as an increasing number of people, especially the youth from first-tier cities, prefer to spend their leisure time in less crowded areas.

    Data from Ctrip, a leading online travel agency, noted that tourism orders to counties during the National Day holiday grew by 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

    While venturing to different places, many tourists picked up cultural and creative products as mementos of their trips, and more thoughtfully designed items have started to make their way to market.

    This summer, a plush toy modeled after roujiamo, which is sometimes called the “Chinese hamburger,” went viral among visitors to Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province. A purchase was combined with learning to make this local street food, which has been hailed as a new, enticing experience. The toy has proved popular far and wide, with more than 10,000 orders made within three months, with people living as far away as New York and Sydney managing to snag one.

    Such consumption frenzy is evident across various cultural activities, including movies, concerts, music festivals and sporting events, with many willing to travel long distances for the experience.

    Mo Zhenqi, from south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, took his child to Rongjiang County, the birthplace of the Guizhou Village Super League, also known as “Cun Chao” in southwest China’s Guizhou Province. They came to watch friendly soccer matches featuring international players from countries including Brazil. He felt “extremely excited” about the fierce competition on the field, the wonderful song and dance performance, and the enthusiastic atmosphere.

    Tourists like Mo revved up the county’s holiday economy, as the holiday week witnessed nearly 500,000 trips to Rongjiang County, with over 600 million yuan in tourism revenue, an increase of nearly 22 percent year on year.

    “The booming cultural and tourism industry could play a more important part in upgrading the economy, boosting consumption, and meeting people’s needs for a better life,” said Miao Muyang, an official with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: The year our Voice broke: The fallout from the failed referendum

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    “It’s gone.” That’s what Mick Gooda said to me plaintively half an hour into counting the votes to enshrine a First Nations Voice to parliament in our constitution on October 14, 2023.

    I’d started that day – a year ago today – with a high level of optimism that Australia was going to do this, that Australia would get this right, that Australia would make history. How wrong I was. Instead, the failed referendum has left a trail of hurt and confusion for non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians like me.

    After more than 200 years of colonisation, many First Nations Australians feel more disillusioned than ever and rejected in their own lands. The impact of this rejection has been absolutely extreme on our people: our hearts, our minds and our souls.

    The Voice was an opportunity to unite the country and put us on a collective path to recognising the world’s oldest civilisation, something all Australians should be proud of. Instead, it was marked by misinformation, disinformation and racism. It weaved division and disunity into an already fragile social fabric.

    At its worst, the referendum campaign involved personal attacks and perpetuated racial stereotypes. Many of us experienced attacks from extremists who were emboldened to bring their ugly and unacceptable behaviour into the public domain.

    The referendum result was very specific: What was defeated was a proposal to change the Australian constitution to create a First Nations Voice that could make representations to the parliament and the Australian Government on matters relating to First Nations people. The outcome did not wind back our human rights protections or diminish the need for genuine representation, truth-telling and agreement making. It strengthened the urgency to realise them.

    Ironically, despite the referendum’s failure, an ANU study conducted soon after found that 87 per cent of voters said it is important for First Nations Peoples to have a say in matters that affect them. Evidence shows that participation in decision-making leads to positive outcomes for Indigenous communities. It’s in that community-controlled sector – where our organisations design and deliver services to our own people in a culturally secure way – that we see real change and self-determination. 

    Equally critical is truth-telling. The Voice campaign exposed a profound lack of understanding of our colonial history and the enduring disadvantage it has caused Indigenous communities. Truth-telling is about holding a mirror up to ourselves as a nation and acknowledging past injustices to help us all heal.

    A recent UNSW and Reconciliation Australia poll found that 94 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians are “motivated to participate in truth-telling to learn about the ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples today.”

    I strongly support the establishment of a national truth-telling body to carry out the process outlined in the “truth” pillar of the Uluru Statement of the Heart. I applaud the truth and treaty work being done in the states and territories. But without national political leadership to support these efforts, the harm created by the weaponisation of First Nations peoples’ lives, which we saw throughout the referendum campaign, will continue.

    Thirty years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and the Bringing Them Home Report, the nearly 400 recommendations sit on shelves – many unimplemented. Our people continue to die in jails, and our children are still being taken from their families at unprecedented rates. Fifteen years since the government endorsed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – a mechanism that if fully implemented would better protect and progress the human rights of First Nations Peoples – there is no legislative commitment to comply with it.

    The injustices our people have endured need to be heard and shared. If we don’t hear their voices, we will never begin to understand their experience or their trauma. If we don’t try to understand, things won’t change, and we can’t move forward as a nation.

    One year on from the referendum, this country is crying out for a reframed and reconciled relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians – one that is grounded in truth, justice, and healing.

    Doing what we’ve been doing is not working. It’s driving us further apart. We must unite around our shared Australian values of equality, respect and fairness, to rightfully recognise and realise even the most basic human rights of First Nations Peoples.

    I want my children to feel that they have hope in the community that they live in. That they lose hope is my greatest fear.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police drones assisted in detecting hooning motorists in Southern Tasmania

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Police drones assisted in detecting hooning motorists in Southern Tasmania

    Monday, 14 October 2024 – 1:02 pm.

    Two motorists have been charged for travelling dangerously in Southern Tasmania on Saturday night, after they were monitored by a police drone and subsequently arrested by police.
    “On Saturday night, police deployed drones to the Rose Bay and Montagu Bay areas, to covertly monitor known hooning hotspots, and detect and remove unsafe motorists from the roads,” said Sergeant Andy McShane.
    A 17-year-old motorcycle rider with a learner licence was detected dangerously conducting an extended burnout and high-speed wheel-stand. The rider will appear in court in November for serious traffic offences. Police investigations are ongoing to locate and seize the motorcycle.
    An 18-year-old driver was detected dangerously conducting a prolonged burnout in Montagu Bay.  His vehicle has been clamped for a month, and he will appear in court on summons for several driving related charges.
    “It’s pleasing to see that drones are assisting police to detect and remove unsafe motorists from our roads, however, it’s disappointing that some motorists continue to drive and ride dangerously which puts themselves and others at risk” Sergeant McShane said.
    “The behaviour of the motorcyclist was reckless and extremely dangerous, and they’re lucky to have not been seriously injured or killed from their actions.”
    “If anyone has information that would assist us to locate and seize the motorcycle – a blue Yamaha YZF-R6 with Tasmanian registration A377U – I ask them to come forward.”
    “Police will continue to deploy drones across the state, to assist in investigations, and detect and deter unsafe motorists and those who commit anti-social behaviours.”
    Anyone with information in relation to the location of the Yamaha, or instances of dangerous driving when they occur, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000 (info can be provided anonymously). 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NGV’s Reko Rennie retrospective asks whether he should be considered Australia’s Keith Haring

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sasha Grishin, Adjunct Professor of Art History, Australian National University

    Installation view of
    OA_RR, 2016-2017 at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia     Photo Kate Shanasy

    Is Reko Rennie Australia’s equivalent of Keith Haring? Both Rennie, a Melbourne-based Aboriginal artist who celebrates the heritage the Kamilaroi people of northern New South Wales, and Haring, the American pop art great, emerged out of an urban graffiti culture.

    Both create a widely recognisable visual language that has a striking vitality, sense of authenticity and a pulsating vibrancy. Both are deeply autobiographical artists who created a visual code through which to share their personal histories.

    Rennie is an interdisciplinary artist who seamlessly moves between video, printmaking, sculpture, painting and neon art. With more than a hundred works on display, drawn from the artist’s two-decade-long career, this is the first significant retrospective of his art.

    Rennie possesses the gift of creating memorable images that are simultaneously puzzling, intriguing and entertaining. On entering the gallery, you encounter a 1973 Rolls-Royce Corniche decorated with the strange camouflage colours that reoccur throughout Rennie’s art. The physical car is accompanied by a three-channel video work with a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds soundtrack.

    Installation view of REKOSPECTIVE: The Art of Reko Rennie at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
    Photo Kate Shanasy/NGV

    Beginnings

    Although born in Footscray in Melbourne, the artist’s grandmother Julia, who belonged to the Stolen Generation in the 1920s and was enslaved on a pastoral station, raised him and imparted to him his Kamilaroi heritage. In his youth, Rennie saw a photograph of a pastoralist and his wife dressed up for Sunday church and seated in their luxury Rolls-Royce car. At the time, he reflected on the poverty his grandmother would have experienced while working on a pastoral station.

    The markings he made on the car, that are layered with a traditional diamond pattern of the Kamilaroi people, claim ownership over the vehicle. Inside it is a photograph of his grandmother. In the video, with a setting sun as a backdrop, Rennie drives the car down dirt tracks to his home country and, in something resembling burnouts, he makes traditional sand engravings with the tyres of the car. The work is poignant, evocative and becomes quickly embedded in your memory.

    The piece references an earlier one, with a pink 1973 Holden Monaro. In that video, the car performs a series of burnouts and doughnuts, the traditional initiation ceremony with Westie drag-racing culture of suburbia into which the artist was born. This is in contrast with the initiation practices and traditional sand engravings of the Kamilaroi people. The video is accompanied with an operatic score from Yorta Yorta woman, composer and soprano, Deborah Cheetham, performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Again, the video becomes a haunting and somewhat surreal experience.

    Street spaces

    Rennie is an artist who looks best when he operates in a public environment.

    His early street art, accompanied by break dancing and hip hop, thrives in the accidental lighting of urban spaces. He loves the way street art can ambush the viewer and employ strategies that catch and hold the gaze of the casual passerby. Keith Haring and Howard Arkley were two of the artists who pointed a way for Rennie to move from the street and onto the gallery wall. Although they may have suggested some of the formal strategies, Aboriginal culture provided the content that would consummate the work and give it a narrative.

    When in 2020 there was a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Lieutenant James Cook’s first landfall at Botany Bay and the HMB Endeavour’s charting of the East Coast of Australia, the Carriageworks in Sydney commissioned Rennie to make a piece for the occasion.

    Reko Rennie, REMEMBER ME 2020, LEDs, plastic, aluminium, electrical components, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Gift of the Eva, Mila and Reko Collection through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, 2023.
    2023.229
    © Reko Rennie

    His monumental text work is made up of LED neon lettering held up in an aluminium armature. It measures over two-and-a-half metres in height and almost 19 metres in length. The simple message, one anchored in a tradition of street art, reads: “REMEMBER ME”. Cook’s landing marked the beginning of a process of invasion and dispossession, Rennie’s text affirms an opposition to the invasion and stresses that First Nations people survived. Sovereignty was never ceded.

    This message has been at the core of much of Rennie’s art, for instance, in the two neon pieces, OA Warrior I (pink) and OA Warrior I (blue), both from 2020. They are based on an 1800s photograph of a defiant Kamilaroi warrior with his raised club. The message is that the OA (Original Aboriginal) will never cede sovereignty.

    Reko Rennie, Kamilaroi born in 1974, Initiation 2013, synthetic polymer paint on plywood, Collection of the artist.
    Supported by Esther and David Frenkiel
    © Reko Rennie, courtesy blackartprojects, Melbourne

    In a much earlier piece from 2016, that has always been one of my favourites in Rennie’s art, a ten-metre-long banner bears the inscription, “I was always here”. It is made of hand-pressed metallic foil on satin where he employs the geometric diamond patterning of the Kamilaroi people as a background to the words.

    The work commemorates all of the Frontier Wars, massacres and oppression suffered by First Nation peoples in this country and in many other countries in a powerful way.

    ‘We’re not a monoculture.’ Artist Reno Rennie introduces his works.

    Impressive and consistent

    Rennie, who turns 50 this year, exhibited at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015 and with the 2016 XIII Bienale de Cuenca in Ecuador and has held numerous exhibitions across Australia, Asia, the United States and Europe.

    His star is in the ascendancy and he is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most distinctive and versatile artists, who is attracting international acclaim.

    Beautifully curated by Myles Russel-Cook as his final show at the NGV before he takes up the directorship of ACCA, Rekospective is impressive in scope, consistent in content but not repetitive.

    While Keith Haring died at the age of 31, I feel Reko Rennie will be viewed, in retrospect, as an artist at least as significant as Haring and one of growing importance in Australian art.

    REKOSPECTIVE: The Art of Reko Rennie is at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia until 27 January 2025. Free admission.

    Sasha Grishin 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. NGV’s Reko Rennie retrospective asks whether he should be considered Australia’s Keith Haring – https://theconversation.com/ngvs-reko-rennie-retrospective-asks-whether-he-should-be-considered-australias-keith-haring-238881

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: For people with lung cancer, exercise can be gruelling. It’s also among the most important things

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kellie Toohey, Associate Professor Clinical Exercise Physiology, Southern Cross University

    Ivan Samkov/Pexels

    When you think of lung cancer treatment, what comes to mind – chemotherapy, radiation, surgery? While these can be crucial, there’s another powerful tool that’s often overlooked: exercise.

    Our recent study, published in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, challenges the common belief that people with lung cancer are too sick to be physically active.

    In fact, we found exercise can play a vital role in improving life for those battling this disease.

    What we did and what we found

    Our review involved analysing 26 high quality studies on how best to incorporate exercise into treatment for lung cancer.

    We found the overwhelming weight of evidence shows exercise offers benefits at every stage of the lung cancer journey. This includes:

    • before surgery (being more fit can lead to faster recovery and potentially fewer complications)
    • after surgery (gentle exercise helps regain strength and makes daily tasks easier)
    • during other treatments (physical activity can ease side effects like fatigue and muscle weakness)
    • at advanced stages of disease (even for late-stage patients, evidence shows exercise can improve quality of life and maintain independence)
    • patients experiencing muscle wasting (evidence shows exercise, especially strength training, helps preserve muscle and keeps patients stronger).

    What does exercise look like?

    When we say “exercise,” we’re not talking about running marathons. For someone with lung cancer, it might mean:

    • taking a short walk around the block
    • doing some gentle cycling on a stationary bike
    • swimming or doing some movement in the water
    • lifting light weights or doing banded exercises
    • doing yoga or tai chi for more mobile, flexible joints, as well as stress and pain reduction.

    The key is to start slowly and listen to your body. What works for one person might not work for another.

    Getting started safely

    If you or a loved one has lung cancer and wants to be more active, start by talking with your doctor. They can advise on any precautions you should take and send you to an exercise specialist if needed.

    You might also consider working with an exercise physiologist or physiotherapist who can design a safe, personalised program.

    It’s OK to start small – even five to ten minutes of activity is beneficial, according to the Cancer Council Australia .

    Try to be consistent, if you can. Regular, gentle exercise is better than occasional intense bursts.

    It can help to keep track of your progress and how you feel after each session. You might also try looking for support groups or exercise classes specifically for cancer patients at local hospitals or community centres.

    The Cancer Council Australia website offers inspiration and ideas on exercises to start with, even in the home.

    The real-world benefits

    Research shows regular physical activity can significantly improve quality of life for lung cancer patients. These can include:

    • reduced fatigue, even though that might seem counterintuitive
    • less breathlessness, as exercise can improve lung function
    • less muscle weakness, which makes daily tasks easier
    • better mood, as physical exercise can help fight depression and anxiety
    • better sleep; many patients report sleeping more easily after starting an exercise routine.
    Exercise can improve lung function and may reduce breathlessness.
    Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

    Ditch the stigma, and get the exercise support you deserve

    Lung cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed worldwide. It’s a devastating illness that affects not just the body, but also a person’s mental health and quality of life.

    Unfortunately, there’s often a stigma attached to lung cancer. Many patients feel judged, or that they must have done something – such as smoking – to “deserve” their diagnosis.

    This shame can prevent people from seeking help or joining support programs.

    But here’s an important truth: anyone can get lung cancer, even if they’ve never smoked.

    And regardless of how someone developed the disease, they deserve compassion and the best possible care – including support for physical activity.

    Never too late to start

    It’s important to note exercise can be beneficial even for those receiving palliative care.

    In palliative care, the goals shift from fighting the cancer to enhancing comfort and quality of life, and physical activity can play a significant role in this.

    Even palliative care patients may benefit from exercise.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    A lung cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly daunting. But we’re learning patients have more tools to improve their wellbeing than we once thought.

    Exercise isn’t a cure, but it can be a powerful complement to traditional treatments and medications.

    If you or someone you know is facing lung cancer, don’t be afraid to discuss incorporating exercise into the treatment plan with your health-care team. Start small, be patient and consistent, and remember that every bit of movement counts.

    By challenging old assumptions and embracing exercise as part of lung cancer care, we can empower patients to take a more active role in their treatment.

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

    – ref. For people with lung cancer, exercise can be gruelling. It’s also among the most important things – https://theconversation.com/for-people-with-lung-cancer-exercise-can-be-gruelling-its-also-among-the-most-important-things-240216

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Coastal comeback: shorebirds digging in for another breeding season

    Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage

    Each year threatened birds such as Little Terns, Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers and Beach Stone-curlews lay their eggs on beaches up and down the east coast, where they are highly camouflaged and can be very difficult to see.

    Due to threats including native and introduced predators, crushing and disturbance from vehicles, humans and domestic dogs, flooding of nesting sites and adverse weather conditions, most beach-nesting birds remain endangered in NSW.

    Here are a few small things you can do to ‘share the shore’ and help endangered beach-nesting birds raise their chicks on our beaches:

    • Keep an eye out for and respect bird nesting signs and fenced-off nesting areas on the beach.
    • Make sure dogs are only walked on an approved dog-beach and always kept on a leash.
    • Walk on the wet sand to avoid nesting birds.
    • Only drive on designated 4WD beaches and stay below the high tide mark to avoid accidentally crushing a chick.
    • Ensure you take fishing lines and rubbish with you, to ensure avoidable deaths from entanglement or ingesting rubbish are avoided.

    Last season was a good one for Little Terns which experienced an almost 15 percent increase in breeding pairs from the previous season across the state.

    For more information on shorebirds in NSW, visit Share the Shore.

    Quotes attributable to NPWS Threatened Species Project Officer Katherine Howard:

    ‘Beach-nesting birds rely on the camouflage of their eggs and chicks to keep them safe, but on busy summer beaches, this strategy can really backfire. You might not see the eggs or chick until it’s too late.

    ‘We need all beach users to “share the shore” with our feathered friends by following a few easy guidelines and leaving some space for birds to raise their families.

    ‘Off-leash dogs may seem harmless, but they are terrifying to birds, causing them to fly away and leave eggs unguarded. Please check online whether dogs are allowed at your beach before you go, keep them on a leash and keep them well away from nesting birds.’

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cutting power bills for social housing tenants

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 14 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Housing

    Tenants in more than 1,000 NSW social housing properties are saving on their energy bills, thanks to energy efficient upgrades delivered by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments.

    Backed with matched funding by the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments, the $175 million Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI) is providing crucial upgrades to reduce energy bills, keep homes more liveable year-round, and lower emissions.

    Upgrades include new heat pump hot water heaters, solar sharing systems, ceiling insulation, electric stoves and split system air conditioners.

    Since the initiative’s launch in January this year, households in Regional NSW and Western Sydney have received these upgrades with more to be rolled out across the state.

    The upgraded properties so far are a mix of NSW Government-owned and managed homes, along with those managed by Aboriginal community housing providers.

    Approximately 24,000 social housing dwellings in NSW are set to benefit through the course of the initiative to June 2027.

    SHEPI is a collaboration between the Commonwealth and NSW Governments including the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Homes NSW, the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and both Aboriginal and Community Housing Providers.

    Along with energy upgrades to their home, tenants are provided with information and guidance on how to best operate their home as efficiently as possible with the new features.

    Quote attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen:

    “The Albanese Government is driving down energy bills with social housing upgrades to help bring cost of living relief to some 24,000 NSW homes.

    “Working with the Minns Government to deliver better energy performance in social housing means warmer homes in winter, cooler homes in summer and cheaper bills year-round.”

    Quote attributable to Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson:

    “This milestone shows that the strong Albanese-Minns partnership is making a real difference right now for social housing tenants, who are among the least able to afford energy efficiency upgrades, and yet most affected by energy costs.

    “The Albanese Government is making sure everyone can benefit from technologies that improve the energy performance of their homes.”

    Quote attributable to Minister for Housing Rose Jackson:

    “This program is a crucial initiative that demonstrates our commitment to improving the living conditions of social housing tenants in NSW.

    “The installation of solar systems, heat pumps, and insulation across NSW social housing is a significant step towards creating homes that are more affordable to maintain and better equipped to withstand changing environmental conditions.”

    For more information on the SHEPI program, visit Upgrades for Social Housing | NSW Climate and Energy Action.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Building the future – first of 100 public preschools open in South West Sydney

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 14 October 2024

    Released by: The Premier, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning

    The first of 100 public preschools to be built by the Minns Labor Government has opened today, as work continues to ensure every child in New South Wales has the best possible start to their education.

    Attached to Gulyangarri Public School in Liverpool, the new public preschool will welcome up to 80 preschoolers each week, providing expanded access to quality, free, early education in South West Sydney.

    Importantly, this preschool is co-located with the primary school, easing students transition into kindergarten and full-time schooling, while easing pick up and drop off for parents with older students at the same school. 

    This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s historic $769 million investment to deliver 100 new public preschools by 2027, doubling the existing number of public preschools across the state. Once complete more than 9,000 families and children will benefit from access to fee-free, high quality early education in their local community.

    Tenders to build 85 of these public preschools are being released by the end of the year, with the first tranche of tenders out to market, including for preschools in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions.

    The NSW Government’s work towards delivering universal preschool across the state is in sharp contrast to the former Government, who over twelve years failed to build a single public preschool. 

    Research shows that children who participate in a quality preschool education program for at least five days a fortnight in the year before school are more likely to arrive at school equipped with the social, cognitive and emotional skills they need for learning.

    With the first preschool now open to students, the Minns Labor Government is on track to deliver its commitment of 100 public preschools in full by 2027.

    Children can enrol in public preschools if they turn 4 on or before 31 July in the year before starting school.

    NSW Premier Chris Minns said: 

    “This was one of the largest, and most important commitments we made prior to the election, and it’s fantastic to reach this milestone.

    “We know that early childhood education has lifelong benefits for our states young people and is key to getting parents back into the workforce.

    “As a government there is no better investment than young people and their education.

    “No matter where you decide to raise your family in New South Wales, you should have access to quality, fee-free early education for your children – and that’s exactly what we’re working to deliver.

    “One down, 99 to go!”

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

    “It is wonderful to open the first of our Government’s 100 new public preschools and see Liverpool’s youngest learners begin their educational journey here at the new Gulyangarri Public Preschool. 

    “This is the first step in a major expansion in access to preschool for families across NSW. The Minns Labor Government is investing in our future by giving many more children access to quality preschool before they start school.

    “We made this historic commitment to deliver the biggest expansion in public preschools in NSW’s history because we strongly believe all children should have access to high-quality early education, no matter their postcode.”

    Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda said:

    “Access to a free, public preschool is a gamechanger for so many families in Liverpool and beyond, and I am delighted that Liverpool will be the first of many communities to access this fantastic initiative.

    “We know how important early childhood education is in improving opportunities for children and families for years to come.

    “The cost of early childcare has previously limited access for many parents. This affordable option, co-located with local public schools, is a lifeline for those families to get their children into a quality preschool.”

    Gulyangarri Public School principal Ian Tapuska said: 

    “The new public preschool will help form strong connections between children, families and school staff, foster a sense of belonging, and help teachers understand and meet the individual needs of children when they start school.

    “The preschoolers will become part of our public education family, and we look forward to supporting a positive transition to school for our youngest learners.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: A year later, Kiwis already see ACT’s real change

    Source: ACT Party

    A year after the 2023 election, ACT is celebrating the long list of actions already taken to empower New Zealanders.

    “In Opposition, we spent six years listening to New Zealanders,” says ACT Leader David Seymour. “This resulted in a comprehensive election platform with a commitment not just to change the Government, but to deliver real change.

    “Thanks to New Zealanders’ support, on October 14 we were put in a position to deliver, and less than 11 months after signing the coalition agreement, we’ve made serious progress.

    “The breadth and intensity of our action in Government speaks for itself. Even our critics complain at how we’re punching above our weight for a small team. We call it value for your vote.

    “Below is a list of actions ACT has taken that reflect ideas we campaigned on, and on which Kiwis elected us to deliver. Together, these actions break down barriers for Kiwis working to succeed on their own terms. We’re addressing challenges in the economy, law and order, democracy, education, health and more.”

    THE ECONOMY:

    • Cut wasteful Government spending to get inflation under control.
    • Delivered tax cuts to ease the cost of living.
    • Restored the Reserve Bank’s focused on tackling inflation.
    • Restored the option of 90-day trials for all businesses.
    • Established the Ministry for Regulation to cut red tape to make doing business simpler.
    • Commenced two regulatory reviews for early childhood education and agricultural products.
    • Repealed the Auckland Fuel Tax.
    • Repealed the Ute Tax.
    • Repealed “Fair Pay” Agreements
    • Repealed Labour’s resource management regime.
    • Agreed on core design features for a replacement of the Resource Management Act centred on property rights.
    • Sped up timeframes for overseas investment applications.
    • Increased the use of sanctions for beneficiaries who can work but refuse to take steps to find a job.
    • Eased restrictions to accessing credit under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act.
    • Scrapped EECA’s “decarbonising industry” (GIDI) fund.
    • Scrapped Auckland Light Rail, the Lake Onslow hydro scheme, and funding for Let’s Get Wellington Moving.
    • Started phasing back in interest deductibility.
    • Suspended the requirement for new Significant Natural Areas.
    • Unveiled a new contracting gateway test to provide certainty to workers and businesses.
    • Began delivering regulatory relief for businesses dealing with anti-money laundering rules.
    • Launched consultation to improve the Holidays Act.
    • Launched a nationwide roadshow to inform improvements to health and safety law.
    • Launched a framework for Regional Deals between central and local government to deliver infrastructure.
    • Stopped blanket speed limit reductions and enabled faster speed limits on our safest roads.
    • Introduced legislation to reverse the oil and gas ban and promote the use of Crown minerals.
    • Introduced tenancy legislation to enable Pet Bonds, restore 90-day ‘no cause’ terminations, and restore tenants’ and landlords’ notice periods to 21 and 42 days.
    • Introduced legislation to improve access to building products available overseas.
    • Introduced a member’s bill to liberalise Easter Trading.

    LAW AND ORDER:

    • Increased funding for Corrections to lift prison capacity.
    • Abolished Labour’s prisoner reduction target.
    • Defunded Section 27 “cultural reports”.
    • Commenced a review of the Firearms Registry.
    • Strengthened consequences for Kāinga Ora tenants who engage in repeated antisocial behaviour.
    • Strengthened Firearms Prohibition Orders.
    • Made gang membership an aggravating factor at sentencing.
    • Introduced legislation to reinstate Three Strikes.
    • Introduced a member’s bill to make rehabilitation or education a condition of parole.
    • Introduced legislation to toughen sentences for attacks on workers and give weight to the victim’s circumstances at sentencing.
    • Introduced legislation to amend Part 6 of the Arms Act affecting clubs and ranges.

    STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY:

    • Directed the public service to deliver services based on need, not race, and end “progressive procurement” quotas.
    • Abolished the Māori Health Authority.
    • Advanced the Treaty Principles Bill.
    • Restored local referendums on Māori Wards.
    • Scrapped Labour’s law to give 16-year-olds votes in local elections.
    • Broadened the terms of reference of the Covid-19 Royal Commission with a second phase.
    • Defunded the Christchurch Call.
    • Halted work on hate speech laws.
    • Introduced legislation to remove Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act.
    • Seen Otago University adopt a free speech policy in response to ACT’s coalition agreement.

    EDUCATION:

    • Restored charter schools, now with the option of state school conversion, with the first schools to open next year.
    • Streamlined early childhood education regulations.
    • Delivered an action plan to improve school attendance and started publishing attendance data weekly.
    • Improved the school lunch programme to feed more kids for less money.
    • Switched fees-free university from first year to third.

    HEALTH:

    • Delivered Pharmac its largest-ever budget, which has now funded life-saving medicines.
    • Repealed the Therapeutic Products Act.
    • Restored the sale of medicine containing pseudoephedrine.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Regional NSW Ambulance staff recognised for their service and bravery

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Regional NSW Ambulance staff recognised for their service and bravery

    Published: 14 October 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health

    NSW Ambulance staff from across southern NSW have today been recognised for their service and dedication at a special awards ceremony in Goulburn.

    Among those being recognised are paramedics and control centre staff who responded to a fatal truck crash in Thirroul earlier this year, as well as those who successfully assisted with a premature birth and resuscitation.

    Other NSW Ambulance staff and volunteers were acknowledged with Long Service Good Conduct medals, Certificates of Appreciation, Commissioner Unit Citations, while others were recognised for attaining or expanding their qualifications.

    The Goulburn Awards and Recognition Ceremony is the second of three events being held in 2024 to recognise NSW Ambulance staff and volunteers from across the state. The first ceremony was held in Port Macquarie with the third to be held in Sydney in December.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “This ceremony is about recognising the hard-working NSW Ambulance clinicians, control centre staff and volunteers who serve our communities so effectively, day in and day out.

    “Today, we honour the dedication of our clinicians and control centre staff whose tireless efforts make our communities safer, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.

    “I also want to thank and recognise the exceptional care paramedics and call takers deliver to the people of NSW during their times of greatest need.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce AM:

    “The NSW Ambulance staff being recognised today have shown they can perform their duties to the highest standard even in the most challenging situations.

    “Each award is not just an acknowlegement of individual excellence, but a celebration of the collective spirit of teamwork and resilience that defines our NSW Ambulance and wider NSW Health community.

    “Thank you for your commitment to excellence and for being there to service your communities in their time of need. Your role is incredibly appreciated.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:

    “It is a privilege to stand here today and recognise the extraordinary contributions of our award recipients. Their ability to remain calm under pressure and provide critical care in life-threatening situations is a testament to their training and character.

    “As well as awarding the Commissioner’s Unit Citation and Commissioner’s Certificate for those who attended a fatal truck crash in Thirroul earlier this year, we are also recognising our paramedics for their long and diligent service with Long Service Good Conduct medals, the National Medal and the National Emergency Medal.

    “Today, we celebrate not just their achievements, but the profound impact they have had on countless lives. We are proud to recognise the invaluable work they do every day.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Concern for welfare – Batchelor

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Police hold concerns for 73-year-old John, also known as Jack, who walked away from his property on Strickland Road, Adelaide River.

    He is believed to have left his home between 11pm Sunday night and 8am this morning.

    John is described as of Caucasian appearance, slim build, with grey hair and a beard.

    He suffers from severe dementia and type 2 diabetes and his family and police hold concerns for his welfare.

    Search & Rescue Section are conducting search operations for the missing person.

    Anyone with information on John’s whereabouts is urged to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference P24283763.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Discover fresh insights into Australia’s workforce from the 2024 Occupation Shortage List

    Source: Australia Jobs and Skills

    Discover fresh insights into Australia’s workforce from the 2024 Occupation Shortage List
    Linda

    News and updates
    The 2024 Occupation Shortage List, formerly the Skills Priority List, has been released.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: There’s a plan for free school lunches in Queensland. Is this a good idea?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Lecturer In Nutrition & Dietetics, University of the Sunshine Coast

    Queensland Premier Steven Miles has announced free school lunches if Labor is re-elected at the state’s upcoming election on October 26.

    The A$1.4 billion policy would cover primary students in public schools and begin next year. Labor estimates it would save parents about $1,600 per child, per year. On Sunday, Miles said:

    [The program is] universal to avoid stigmatising the kids that need the food the most, but also to ensure that it supports every Queensland family.

    The meals will be delivered in partnership with P&Cs Queensland, Queensland Association of School Tuckshops, school principals, Health and Wellbeing Queensland and non-government food providers.

    The Greens are also campaigning on a pledge to deliver free breakfasts and lunches for every state primary and high school student, costed at $3 billion over the next four years.

    Would a school lunches program help students and families? How would it work in practice?

    An unusual approach for Australia

    Unlike the United Kingdom and United States, Australian does not have a national or state-based free or subsidised school meal program.

    Instead, parents are responsible for providing morning tea and lunch through a “lunchbox system”. Families can also usually pre-order food from a canteen or tuckshop. In some cases, state or territory governments fund charities and non-for-profits to provide breakfast or lunch programs for schools identified as most in need of support.

    Research shows the nutritional quality of food provided to Australian school children often does not meet dietary guidelines. There are mandatory guidelines for state school canteens and tuckshops to follow but these are not always reflected in practice. Research shows many canteen menus contain less-than-desirable options and pricing often does not encourage families to buy healthier options.

    Unfortunately, health survey data shows Australian children’s diets are high in energy dense and nutritionally poor foods. On top of this, the 2023 Foodbank Report shows 36% of Australians are food insecure and about one quarter of these households have children at home who may not have adequate food for school.

    Australia has a ‘lunchbox system’ where families provide the food for school.
    Halfpoint/ Shutterstock

    What are the potential opportunities?

    So the idea of a free school lunch program delivered by organisations familiar with providing food in schools sounds like a positive solution.

    Beyond improving nutrition and health outcomes for more than 326,000 Queensland students, it can also provide other benefits.

    We could see improved school attendance by creating an incentive for students to go to school and improved diets leading to reduced illness. Because well-nourished children are more ready to learn, concentrate and stay on task, school lunches could lead to improved academic performance.

    Importantly, school lunches can reduce inequality and stigma for families who experience food insecurity.

    The school kitchen can also provide a opportunities for students to learn about food preparation and service as well as healthy eating.

    What are the key challenges?

    But we need to make sure the program is properly and sustainably designed. There will be a cost to taxpayers, not just in terms of the set up, but ongoing maintenance.

    The initial implementation will require commercial kitchens and equipment, qualified and trained staff, secure food procurement and supply chains as well as all the policies and procedures to go with this. This raises the question of whether the timeline of starting in Term 1, 2025 is realistic for all schools.

    The roll out needs to be equitable – extra consideration is needed for how this plan will be delivered to rural and remote Queenslanders. We also know access to reliable supplies of food, staff, equipment and support varies greatly across the state.

    The program will also need to cater to children with food allergies and intolerances, food preferences experienced with conditions like autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and different cultural eating practices.

    This plan has the potential to improve Queensland children’s health and education outcomes, while saving families money, time and stress. But it is complex and success will lie in making sure all Queensland primary students are provided with nutritious and appropriate food at school.

    Clare Dix has received funding from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.

    – ref. There’s a plan for free school lunches in Queensland. Is this a good idea? – https://theconversation.com/theres-a-plan-for-free-school-lunches-in-queensland-is-this-a-good-idea-241242

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –