Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 9:00 am ET, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg will host a meeting of the FDIC Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee (SRAC).
The SRAC provides advice and recommendations to the FDIC on a broad range of policy issues regarding the resolution of systemically important financial institutions. The meeting will facilitate discussion on the FDIC’s resolution authority, granted under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, to manage the orderly resolution of large, complex financial institutions whose failure could threaten U.S. financial stability.
WHO: FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg Senior FDIC Leadership Advisory Committee Members
WHAT: Meeting of the FDIC Systemic Resolution Advisory Committee
WHEN: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: FDIC – 550 17th St, NW, Washington, DC
HOW: The meeting will be open to the public, limited only by the space available on a first-come, first served basis.
You don’t have to look far to see what climate change is doing to the planet. The word “unprecedented” is everywhere this year.
We are seeing unprecedented rapidly intensifying tropical storms such as Hurricane Helene in the eastern United States and Super Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam. Unprecedented fires in Canada have destroyed towns. Unprecedented drought in Brazil has dried out enormous rivers and left swathes of empty river beds. At least 1,300 pilgrims died during this year’s Hajj in Mecca as temperatures passed 50°C.
Unfortunately, we are headed for far worse. The new 2024 State of the Climate report, produced by our team of international scientists, is yet another stark warning about the intensifying climate crisis. Even if governments meet their emissions goals, the world may hit 2.7°C of warming – nearly double the Paris Agreement goal of holding climate change to 1.5°C. Each year, we track 35 of the Earth’s vital signs, from sea ice extent to forests. This year, 25 are now at record levels, all trending in the wrong directions.
Humans are not used to these conditions. Human civilisation emerged over the last 10,000 years under benign conditions – not too hot, not too cold. But this liveable climate is now at risk. In your grandchild’s lifetime, climatic conditions will be more threatening than anything our prehistoric relatives would have faced.
Our report shows a continued rise in fossil fuel emissions, which remain at an all-time high. Despite years of warnings from scientists, fossil fuel consumption has actually increased, pushing the planet toward dangerous levels of warming. While wind and solar have grown rapidly, fossil fuel use is 14 times greater.
This year is also tracking for the hottest year on record, with global daily mean temperatures at record levels for nearly half of 2023 and much of 2024.
Next month, world leaders and diplomats will gather in Azerbaijan for the annual United Nations climate talks, COP 29. Leaders will have to redouble their efforts. Without much stronger policies, climate change will keep worsening, bringing with it more frequent and more extreme weather.
Bad news after bad news
We have still not solved the central problem: the routine burning of fossil fuels. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases – particularly methane and carbon dioxide – are still rising. Last September, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere hit 418 parts per million (ppm). This September, they crossed 422 ppm. Methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas, has been increasing at an alarming rate despite global pledges to tackle it.
Compounding the problem is the recent decline in atmospheric aerosols from efforts to cut pollution. These small particles suspended in the air come from both natural and human processes, and have helped cool the planet. Without this cooling effect, the pace of global warming may accelerate. We don’t know for sure because aerosol properties are not yet measured well enough.
Other environmental issues are now feeding into climate change. Deforestation in critical areas such as the Amazon is reducing the planet’s capacity to absorb carbon naturally, driving additional warming. This creates a feedback loop, where warming causes trees to die which in turn amplifies global temperatures.
Loss of sea ice is another. As sea ice melts or fails to form, dark seawater is exposed. Ice reflects sunlight but seawater absorbs it. Scaled up, this changes the Earth’s albedo (how reflective the surface is) and accelerates warming further.
In coming decades, sea level rise will pose a growing threat to coastal communities, putting millions of people at risk of displacement.
Accelerate the solutions
Our report stresses the need for an immediate and comprehensive end to the routine use of fossil fuels.
It calls for a global carbon price, set high enough to drive down emissions, particularly from high-emitting wealthy countries.
Introducing effective policies to slash methane emissions is crucial, given methane’s high potency but short atmospheric lifetime. Rapidly cutting methane could slow the rate of warming in the short term.
Natural climate solutions such as reforestation and soil restoration should be rolled out to increase how much carbon is stored in wood and soil. These efforts must be accompanied by protective measures in wildfire and drought prone areas. There’s no point planting forests if they will burn.
Governments should introduce stricter land-use policies to slow down rates of land clearing and increase investment in forest management to cut the risk of large, devastating fires and encourage sustainable land use.
We cannot overlook climate justice. Less wealthy nations contribute least to global emissions but are often the worst affected by climate disasters.
Wealthier nations must provide financial and technical support to help these countries adapt to climate change while cutting emissions. This could include investing in renewable energy, improving infrastructure and funding disaster preparedness programs.
Internationally, our report urges stronger commitments from world leaders. Current global policies are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Without drastic changes, the world is on track for approximately 2.7°C of warming this century. To avoid catastrophic tipping points, nations must strengthen their climate pledges, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.
Immediate, transformative policy changes are now necessary if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Climate change is already here. But it could get much, much worse. By slashing emissions, boosting natural climate solutions and working towards climate justice, the global community can still fend off the worst version of our future.
Thomas Newsome receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is immediate past-president of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society and President of the Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales.
William Ripple receives funding from the CO2 Foundation and University of Oregon donor Roger Worthington.
Deki, a 23-year-old resident of the remote town of Armidale, NSW, has been sleepless with excitement since the Bhutanese embassy in Canberra announced an upcoming visit from Bhutan’s fifth monarch, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
King Jigme Khesar will be visiting from October 10 to 16. It will be his first time in Australia, as well as the first ever visit from a Bhutanese head of state.
According to Bhutan’s ministry of foreign affairs and external trade, the king will meet with Australian government officials, business leaders and the Bhutanese community during his trip. Audiences with the king are scheduled in Sydney on October 12, Canberra on October 13, and Perth on October 16.
Deki will be travelling to Sydney by train on October 11 with about 60 people from Armidale’s Bhutanese community. The journey will take more than eight hours. Some residents will fly on the morning of October 12.
The Armidale residents have practised dances to present to the royal entourage. Their enthusiasm is palpable. With more than 35,000 Bhutanese people living in Australia, the embassy received an overwhelming number of registrations for the royal audience.
Chhimi Dorji, president of the Association of Bhutanese in Perth, said many Bhutanese residents applied for leave the moment the royal visit was announced. He said the community’s overwhelming excitement signifies a deep love and respect for the king.
My ongoing research on language and politics in Bhutan – as well as the many years I spent working there as a journalist – has revealed a genuine admiration for the king among the public. Research participants in rural Bhutan told me politicians should learn from the king in order to serve their people.
In 2008, King Jigme Khesar facilitated Bhutan’s transition from an absolute monarchy to a democratic constitutional monarchy. As party politics fragmented the small nation and divided people along party lines, the monarchy was seen as a beacon of hope.
The Bhutanese public’s devotion to its king defies theories which claim that the concept of the monarchy more broadly is becoming obsolete.
Serving the people
One reason King Jigme Khesar is so revered is because of his role in helping to build and advance Bhutan. During the pandemic, he was hailed for implementing pandemic response strategies and for visiting every nook and corner of the country to comfort citizens.
He has also implemented programs that provide important public services. For instance, Desuung, a volunteer training program that started in 2011, delivers volunteers for a variety of projects such as disaster operations and charity events. Another national service program, Gyalsung, was started this year.
Currently, the king is planning to develop the world’s first mindfulness city in Gelephu – a southern plain in Bhutan spanning more than 1,000 square kilometres – with hopes to attract foreign investment and encourage emigrated Bhutanese people to return.
Ahead of the royal visit, Sydney resident Tshering Palden said he and his children were clearly excited to greet King Jigme Khesar.
Besides other things, I am excited to hear about the developments around Gelephu Mindfulness City and how Bhutanese living abroad like me can be part of His Majesty’s brain child and the long-term nation building […]
Foreigners are also intrigued and very interested to know about the project and ask us a lot about it.
The Australian dream
As a landlocked country that really only made itself known to the world in 1999 (after internet and television were finally introduced), Bhutan is something of an enigma.
It is touted as the world’s happiest country, largely due to its uptake of a unique metric called “gross national happiness” in the 1970s. In 1972, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck (King Jigme Khesar’s father) proclaimed the country’s gross national happiness was an even more important measure of progress than gross domestic product (GDP).
Today, however, the tiny Himalayan country of about 800,000 people faces an existential crisis due to widespread unemployment and huge numbers of youth and young professionals moving overseas for a better future.
Australia remains a top destination for Bhutanese residents – and currently has more Bhutanese diaspora than any country in the world. Bhutan is also said to be Australia’s 14th largest source country for international students.
But despite living so far away, Bhutanese diaspora in Australia remain deeply rooted to their identity, culture and devotion to the monarchy. Most of them still celebrate the king’s birthday on February 21 each year, as well as Bhutan’s National Day on December 17.
Meanwhile, Deki – who has portraits of Jigme Khesar in her home in central Bhutan – says being able to meet the king will be a “dream come true”.
Tashi Dema 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.
New analysis from Jim Stanford, Economist and Director, Centre for Future Work at the Australia Institute, has highlighted the large economic, social, and fiscal benefits from funding public schools to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard.
The analysis, Leaving Money on the Table: Foregone Economic Gains from Continued SRS Underfunding, reveals the economic costs of the Albanese government’s current offer to states and territories of a 2.5% increase in its SRS contribution, to 22.5 %, instead of a full 25%.
Australian Federal President Correna Haythorpe says: “While we know that increasing investment in public schools is critically important for teachers, students and families, this analysis highlights the economic benefits to the Albanese Government and the nation, and it profiles the real costs of a failure to provide a full 25%.”
Jim Stanford finds that by increasing its SRS contribution from 20% to 25%, the Commonwealth would offset about half of the current funding gap for public schools (with the rest resulting from state funding shortfalls). Increasing Commonwealth support to 25% of the SRS would generate significant benefits, including:
● Total GDP gains of $7.1 to $9.9 billion annually after 20 years
● Over 17,000 new jobs
● $2.7 billion in GDP gains from expanded public school activity
● Improvements in school completion rates of between 1.5 and 2.5 percentage points.
● Cumulating improvements in wage income of $1.0 to $1.7 billion annually after 20 years, and cumulating improvements in GDP from higher labour productivity of $2.3 to $3.7 billion over the same time
● Ultimate social and fiscal savings of $2.0 to $3.5 billion annually
● A net fiscal gain for the overall government revenue of $1.2 to $3.0 billion
However, the Albanese government has currently offered only to fund 22.5% of the SRS. Should the government continue to refuse to increase its share to a full 25%, the costs will not only be borne by public schools, teachers and students, but by the nation, which would be deprived of many of the significant economic benefits outlined above.
A continuing 2.5% gap in the SRS share would squander:
● Total GDP gains of $3.5 to $4.9 billion annually, a long term economic payoff 2.7 to 4 times bigger than the annual investment
● Approximately 8,400 new jobs
● $1.3 billion in lost annual GDP gains from expanded public school activity
● Improvements in school completion rates of 0.8-1.2 percentage points
● Foregone improvements to wage income of $500 to $800 million after annually 20 years, and foregone GDP improvements from higher labour productivity worth $1.1 to $1.8 billion
● $1.0 to $1.7 billion in foregone social savings annually through lower welfare andhealth costs
● Lost net fiscal benefits for the overall government sector of $0.6 to $1.5 billion
The paper concludes:
“In short, government effectively ‘profits’ from fully funding public schools” and that:
“The failure to fully fund public schools is clearly a case of false economy. The relatively small amounts of money ‘saved’ in the near term, are more than offset by long-run underperformance according to numerous indicators: school attainment and completion, productivity, GDP, and fiscal balances. The Commonwealth government is leaving money on the table, with its failure to fully meet SRS funding requirements.
“This is money the federal government is quite literally leaving on the table, through its continued underfunding: governments’ own revenue position will ultimately be weakened, not strengthened, by refusal to fully fund public schools.”
This is a wake up call to the Albanese Government. Investing in public schools not only delivers high quality teaching and learning experiences for students and staff but it is good for the nation. There is much to be lost if governments fail in these negotiations. The cost for Australia’s students and for the economy are untenable.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Bayley Mitchell, 0448 751 556 Consultant, SOCIETY
Melissa van der Haak – 0484 674 958 Senior Client Lead, SOCIETY
In a recent TikTok video, Australian media personality Abbie Chatfield shared she was starting a vaccine to protect against urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Huge news for the UTI girlies. I am starting a UTI vaccine tonight for the first time.
Chatfield suffers from recurrent UTIs and has turned to the Uromune vaccine, an emerging option for those seeking relief beyond antibiotics.
But Uromune is not a traditional vaccine injected to your arm. So what is it and how does it work?
First, what are UTIs?
UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary system. This system includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters (thin tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (the tube through which urine leaves the body).
The most common culprit is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria normally found in the intestines.
While most types of E. coli are harmless in the gut, it can cause infection if it enters the urinary tract. UTIs are particularly prevalent in women due to their shorter urethras, which make it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
Roughly 50% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime, and up to half of those will have a recurrence within six months.
The symptoms of a UTI typically include a burning sensation when you wee, frequent urges to go even when the bladder is empty, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or back. If left untreated, a UTI can escalate into a kidney infection, which can require more intensive treatment.
While antibiotics are the go-to treatment for UTIs, the rise of antibiotic resistance and the fact many people experience frequent reinfections has sparked more interest in preventive options, including vaccines.
What is Uromune?
Uromune is a bit different to traditional vaccines that are injected into the muscle. It’s a sublingual spray, which means you spray it under your tongue. Uromune is generally used daily for three months.
It contains inactivated forms of four bacteria that are responsible for most UTIs, including E. coli. By introducing these bacteria in a controlled way, it helps your immune system learn to recognise and fight them off before they cause an infection. It can be classified as an immunotherapy.
A recent study involving 1,104 women found the Uromune vaccine was 91.7% effective at reducing recurrent UTIs after three months, with effectiveness dropping to 57.6% after 12 months.
These results suggest Uromune could provide significant (though time-limited) relief for women dealing with frequent UTIs, however peer-reviewed research remains limited.
Any side effects of Uromune are usually mild and may include dry mouth, slight stomach discomfort, and nausea. These side effects typically go away on their own and very few people stop treatment because of them. In rare cases, some people may experience an allergic reaction.
How can I access it?
In Australia, Uromune has not received full approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and so it’s not something you can just go and pick up from the pharmacy.
However, Uromune can be accessed via the TGA’s Special Access Scheme or the Authorised Prescriber pathway. This means a GP or specialist can apply for approval to prescribe Uromune for patients with recurrent UTIs. Once the patient has a form from their doctor documenting this approval, they can order the vaccine directly from the manufacturer.
Antibiotics are the go-to treatment for UTIs – but scientists are looking at options to prevent them in the first place. Photoroyalty/Shutterstock
Uromune is not covered under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, meaning patients must cover the full cost out-of-pocket. The cost of a treatment program is around A$320.
Uromune is similarly available through special access programs in places like the United Kingdom and Europe.
Other options in the pipeline
In addition to Uromune, scientists are exploring other promising UTI vaccines.
Uro-Vaxom is an established immunomodulator, a substance that helps regulate or modify the immune system’s response to bacteria. It’s derived from E. coli proteins and has shown success in reducing UTI recurrences in several studies. Uro-Vaxom is typically prescribed as a daily oral capsule taken for 90 days.
FimCH, another vaccine in development, targets something called the adhesin protein that helps E. coli attach to urinary tract cells. FimCH is typically administered through an injection and early clinical trials have shown promising results.
Meanwhile, StroVac, which is already approved in Germany, contains inactivated strains of bacteria such as E. coli and provides protection for up to 12 months, requiring a booster dose after that. This injection works by stimulating the immune system in the bladder, offering temporary protection against recurrent infections.
These vaccines show promise, but challenges like achieving long-term immunity remain. Research is ongoing to improve these options.
No magic bullet, but there’s reason for optimism
While vaccines such as Uromune may not be an accessible or perfect solution for everyone, they offer real hope for people tired of recurring UTIs and endless rounds of antibiotics.
Although the road to long-term relief might still be a bit bumpy, it’s exciting to see innovative treatments like these giving people more options to take control of their health.
Iris Lim 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.
Less than a month after Amazon announced employees would need to give up their flexible work arrangements and return to the office full-time, new research has reinforced the value of a flexible work culture.
The 2024 Employee Benefits Review, by consultancy firm Mercer, found 89% of Australian organisations still offer the option of working from home, with the average number of mandated office days stable at about three a week, the same as last year.
In this era of limited pay growth, businesses are also increasingly leveraging flexible work arrangements to attract and retain top talent, enhance employee engagement and foster a positive workplace culture.
The research shows some Australian workers are even prepared to take a pay cut for the sake of a more flexible work life. This and other findings conflict with a renewed push by some big businesses to get employees back to the office.
Businesses at odds with the research
Three weeks ago, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy issued a memo calling all employees back to the office five days a week.
Up to this point, the return to office (RTO) conversation had largely fallen silent for most of this year. Hybrid work arrangements were generally being accepted as the norm for office workers.
Amazon’s move has reignited the topic. Shortly after the Amazon announcement, Tabcorp CEO Gillon McLachlan ordered workers back to the office to improve performance and create “a winning culture”.
However, not everybody supports the idea, here or overseas. Senior executives at Google and Microsoft were quick to distance themselves. They reassured workers hybrid arrangements would stay as long as productivity levels didn’t fall.
What a new national survey found
Mercer’s report, released on October 2, is based on data from 502 Australian organisations across all major industry groups and sectors. It found flexible work – when managed well – can contribute to a positive workplace culture. It can also improve diversity and inclusion, while broadening the potential talent pool.
As well as letting people work from home, the report found 77% of participating firms allow staff to adjust their start and finish times. And 5% let their employees work four days instead of five at the same pay. This is commonly referred to as the 100:80:100 model of a four day work week.
Four per cent of businesses offered a “compressed working year” – the ability to work the equivalent of 48 weeks in just 40 weeks. Another business was experimenting with letting staff work four years at 80% of salary, and take the fifth year as leave.
Mercer’s client engagement manager Don Barrera said
employers need to find the balance between the needs of their employees and the overall business objectives in order to create a benefits strategy that delivers value to all.
Changing culture
With flexible work now firmly embedded in many Australian companies, work culture is changing too.
Just under 60% now define their culture around “work-life balance.” This places greater emphasis on people, but not at the expense of performance.
This fits with 2021 research identifying positive links between flexibility, employee engagement, productivity and overall performance.
Workplace Gender Equality Agency research released earlier this year describes flexible work as “the key to workplace gender equality”.
Other studies have found flexible work increased potential employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Flexibility also now extends beyond simply work arrangements. According to the Mercer research, it can include career development, training opportunities, parental leave, part-time work, annual leave, and support for financial wellbeing.
In recognition of cost-of-living pressures, 65% of organisations now offer health and wellbeing classes and 29% offer financial wellness programs. By broadening the scope of flexibility, businesses can better respond to their workforce’s evolving needs.
Everyone benefits
Both employers and employees can benefit from flexibility. For employees, it’s about improving work-life balance, with one-third now willing to forgo a 10% pay rise in favour of flexible, reduced hours, or a compressed work schedule.
For employers, the benefits are attracting and retaining top talent, fostering a positive workplace culture, and being able to adapt to changing market conditions with a skilled and engaged workforce.
By understanding the interconnection between these needs, firms can create a work culture that recognises employees have commitments and interests outside work. This can help employees achieve better work-life balance.
John L. Hopkins 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.
Following the addition of these five universities, the programme’s network will comprise a total of 40 Chairs. This expansion is anticipated to strengthen the impact of regional and global initiatives within the network and to promote deeper collaboration and knowledge sharing among academics, policymakers and trade experts.
The five selected institutions will join the programme’s next four-year cycle, which is slated to begin in 2025. They will contribute to the programme’s research, curriculum development and outreach and will benefit from mentoring provided by other Chairs to ease their integration into the network. They will also engage in collaborative events, conferences and seminars to extend the academic and practical impact of their work on trade policies at the national and international levels.
The fourth cycle of the WTO Chairs Programme also marks a transition to a more frequent admission of institutions into the network to further the global reach and impact of the programme. Greater synergies with the WTO’s other technical assistance activities are also anticipated.
This expansion builds on the WTO’s longstanding efforts to ensure that academic institutions play a crucial role in shaping trade policy and deepening the understanding of the multilateral trading system. Funded by France, Austria, the Republic of Korea and Australia, the WTO Chairs Programme has grown from strength to strength as it seeks to address current and emerging global trade challenges.
The selection of universities follows a rigorous review process of applications led by the WTO Chairs Programme Academic Advisory Board.
More information about the Chairs Programme is available here.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HBT Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: HBT) (the “Company” or “HBT Financial”), the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, today announced that it will issue its third quarter 2024 financial results before the market opens on Monday, October 21, 2024. A copy of the press release announcing the third quarter 2024 financial results and an investor presentation will be made available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.hbtfinancial.com.
About HBT Financial, Inc.
HBT Financial, Inc., headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, is the holding company for Heartland Bank and Trust Company, and has banking roots that can be traced back to 1920. HBT Financial provides a comprehensive suite of financial products and services to consumers, businesses, and municipal entities throughout Illinois and eastern Iowa through 66 full-service branches. As of June 30, 2024, HBT Financial had total assets of $5.0 billion, total loans of $3.4 billion, and total deposits of $4.3 billion.
CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PrairieSky will release its Q3 2024 results on Monday, October 28, 2024 after markets close. The news release detailing PrairieSky’s Q3 2024 results will provide operating and financial information. Financial statements along with management’s discussion and analysis will be available on PrairieSky’s website at http://www.prairiesky.com and on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.com.
A conference call to discuss the results will be held for the investment community on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 beginning at 6:30 am MT (8:30 am ET). To participate in the conference call, you are asked to register at the link provided below. Details regarding the call will be provided to you upon registration.
About PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.
PrairieSky is a royalty-focused company, generating royalty revenues as petroleum and natural gas are produced from its properties. PrairieSky has a diverse portfolio of properties that have a long history of generating free cash flow and that represent the largest and most concentrated independently-owned fee simple mineral title position in Canada. PrairieSky common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PSK.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred last night at a residence in Malak.
Around 9:35pm, emergency services received a report of a 37-year-old male with a stab wound to his chest. Officers located the victim in the rear yard of the complex on Fawcett Court and performed CPR; however, he was subsequently declared deceased at the scene.
A 34-year-old male was arrested at the scene and remains in custody, expected to be charged later this evening. The victim is believed to be the nephew of the offender.
A crime scene has been declared, and Major Crime detectives have taken over the investigation.
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is urged to contact 131 444 or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.
Principals and teachers say a lack of resources and funding mean the needs of students with disability at their school are not being met.
The increasing incidence of disability, combined with a teacher shortage and insufficient funding, creates a perfect storm.
In my first year teaching in a public primary school, I had two students with disability in my class. The second year, just one. Even though I was fresh out of university, it was manageable. I had the time to make sure they felt part of the class, and the work was adjusted to meet their needs.
We applied for and got additional funding to pay for a teacher’s aide. If one of the children needed a break from the classroom, they could take it. If they needed help with their work, they got it.
A decade later it couldn’t be more different. At the public school I work at now there are up to eight students with a diagnosed or undiagnosed disability in every class. We have a lot of students with autism, ADHD and mental health issues, which have increased noticeably since the onset of the COVID pandemic.
When you consider our school serves a multicultural community with high levels of disadvantage, you can imagine how diverse and complex our classrooms are.
Every child with disability is unique. It is wonderful, it is eye-opening, and it is a good experience, but it also means they need something different to cater for their needs.
Declining support
Our biggest issue is that, as the number of students with disability has exponentially increased, the available support has declined.
If we are lucky, we have a counsellor in the school three days a fortnight. All they do is assessments to determine disability and needs. Our children with mental health issues, particularly trauma, need face-to-face counselling sessions but we just don’t have the capacity.
Because we have so many students who aren’t at the level of learning that they should be, the assessments take priority. We have to make sure we are supporting them based on a diagnosis that is accurate, not just by guessing.
Finding a place in a support class for students with disability is nearly impossible. At the last count in my area, the number of approved applications was 10 times higher than the number of vacant positions.
Many students with disability don’t attract individualised funding, and there is such a large percentage of students who need additional support but there isn’t enough funding to go around.
We did have a specialist teacher with expertise in teaching students with disability, who provided advice and support, but she retired and has not been replaced.
Teachers teaching in the support units within mainstream schools who have additional university qualifications, and therefore more knowledge on teaching students with disability, seem to be fewer than they once were.
Not enough teachers
Because of the teacher shortages, we had 10 vacant positions at the start of the year. That means every teacher has to be in class and we can’t run programs such as English as an additional language or dialect, even though more than 95 per cent of students are from a non-English speaking background.
Teachers do the best they can, but without the right support it is exhausting doing all your programming and planning, all the assessing for the students in your class, along with individualising learning programs and making adjustments to cater for different students’ needs – whether it be learning, behaviour or social skills.
You also have to be so conscious of the classroom dynamic. That can shift when one student walks into a class. Relationships can be disrupted and children can trigger one another. It becomes like putting out spot fires at times because one child who may be on the autism spectrum and has sensory needs might be triggered by another student who has externalising behaviours from mental health. That might upset a child with ADHD who has been sitting too long because you are trying to manage the other two children who are annoyed with one another.
Fortunately, at our school we fund an extra class in each year to reduce the class sizes. If there were 30 or 31 kids in the class, it would be utter chaos.
We have a high number of early career teachers and you can just imagine how challenging it is for them. But even those who have been teaching for more than 25 years say every year is the hardest year they have ever had because of the increasing number of children with really complex needs.
As public school teachers we join the profession to make a difference. We set really high standards for ourselves because we are educating the next generation and we don’t want to let kids down. But right now, we are being let down by a lack of resources and so are our students.
More than 430 Federation University Australia students will celebrate their education milestones across three graduation ceremonies in Ballarat this week.
Among them will be University Medallist Kara Sewart, who is being recognised for embracing a range of study and research opportunities that have come her way.
When Kara began her undergraduate science degree, she was not sure where she wanted her career to ‘land’, just that she hoped her passion for wildlife and sustainability could one day help contribute towards large scale conservation.
Now, with that degree completed, including two overseas study programs, Kara is taking her passion to the next level, working with the New South Wales government on the release of captive-bred threatened species the Eastern Bristlebird as part of honours studies.
Her overseas study programs included a New Colombo Plan (NCP) fellowship to study in Sri Lanka in 2023 where she was immersed in local culture and learnt about the environmental challenges of the region and restoration projects being championed by the University of Peradeniya.
This was followed by a prestigious NCP scholarship to undertake a semester-long overseas study program where she completed a tropical biodiversity research project at the University of Brunei.
“I had some incredible experiences, including visiting a research centre situated in a remote rainforest only accessible by boat, spotting hornbills, setting up camera traps to search for carnivorous cats, and even delivering a lecture to Bruneian high school students on Australian biodiversity,” Kara said.
“Saying yes to unique and interesting opportunities has been a consistent choice throughout my degree and exposed me to some amazing experiences in both an academic and personal capacity.
“I am proud of the work I have put in over the last few years and feel honoured to have it recognised at such a large scale. I had to make some sacrifices while trying to balance my professional, personal, and academic life but am happy I committed to university and got the most I could out of my degree.”
Federation University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley said Kara’s willingness to make the most of the experiences available during her studies, her excellent academic record, and constructive collaboration with her peers, made her a worthy recipient of this year’s University Medal.
“We offer our congratulations to Kara and all students graduating this month and hope they take a moment with family and friends to reflect on all they have achieved,” Professor Bentley said.
“We are delighted to see our graduates celebrate their success and carry their knowledge and passion into their communities.”
Graduation ceremonies will be held at Founders Theatre, Mt Helen Campus, on Tuesday, 8 October and Wednesday, 9 October.
More than 620 graduates across the University’s campuses will mark the academic milestone in front of family, friends and classmates in October.
Regional airports and aerodromes can now apply for a share in $25 million in funding for vital upgrades under Round 4 of the Regional Airports Program.
The Albanese Government recognises the critical role aviation plays for regional communities in providing essential services such as health care, education and freight.
We added two additional grant rounds with $40 million of funding in the 2024-25 Budget, to enable an additional two grant rounds.
Eligible projects can include upgrades to runways, drainage, lighting, fencing, navigation and safety training.
Under Round 4, in addition to safety and access works, funding can be used for projects that will help with the transition to net zero in aviation.
This includes technology such as electric chargers and hydrogen fuel storage for aircraft use.
Grants from $20,000 to $7.5 million are available to cover up to 50 per cent of eligible costs for each project.
I look forward to Round 4 supporting regional Australia by providing jobs, improved connectivity, and lasting benefits for communities such as better access to aeromedical and other emergency services.
Better connections between regions and cities will also help promote the growth and prosperity of Australia’s regions into the future.
Nearly $100 million has been made available under the previous three rounds of the program, supporting 194 projects.
I encourage owners or operators of existing aerodromes and airports in regional Australia to take a look at the guidelines and consider applying to make their priority upgrades a reality.
Applications open from 8 October 2024 and will close on 18 November 2024.
Between December 2023 and February 2024, the City of Greater Bendigo experienced widespread flooding across the municipality.
In addition to the cleanup, recovery and additional proactive inspection and maintenance works undertaken, the City has prioritised six key areas to receive upgrade and improvement works after they experienced significant flood and storm damage earlier this year.
The program of works includes:
Willis Road, Huntly – install new box culverts
Pasley Street, Huntly – drain reshaping/widening and driveway culvert upgrades
Gungurru Road, Huntly – pit installation
Domain Village, McIvor Highway, Junortoun – install new box culverts
Strickland Street / Sullivan Street, Epsom – pipe realignment
Railway Place / Midland Highway, Goornong – drain reshaping and widening and vegetation management, subject to V-Line authorisation
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Cooney said the works would take up to six months to complete.
“The works are subject to contractor and material availability, but these are our priority areas to receive treatment as soon as possible,” Mr Cooney said.
“These areas have been chosen following an assessment of our customer request enquiries, feedback received through our recovery drop-in sessions held earlier this year, and impact assessment data undertaken immediately after the flood and storm events.”
Priority pit inspection and drain clearing will also take place in the next three months in the following precincts:
Dead Horse Gully/Shakespeare Street to Patterson Street, Heathcote
Earlier this year the City submitted four applications to the Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund.
Applications to undertake waterway flood mitigation plans for Epsom, Huntly, Junortoun and Heathcote, and prepare a Goornong Flood Study were successful.
Unfortunately, applications to prepare a separate Huntly drainage analysis and flood mitigation plan, with a focus on Goldleaf Wetland, and a drainage and culvert improvement program were not supported this time around.
Mr Cooney said despite being unsuccessful, the City would still release its share of the funds for these projects to progress works and would continue to seek other funding opportunities.
“The City will invest $2.25M over the next three years, with a particular focus on improving drainage and culvert infrastructure in Huntly, Junortoun and Heathcote. Our focus will be on fixing infrastructure that otherwise sees streets or suburbs cut off for a period of time when we get flood events.
“The City will also invest in expanding the scope of the Huntly waterway flood mitigation plan to include Goldleaf Wetland and use this process to identify future investment opportunities for the site, which is used as a detention basin to store stormwater runoff.
“The City is in the final stages of designing the Racecourse Creek levy, which would help mitigate flooding along the Epsom/Ascot/Midland corridor, to the right of Bendigo Creek, and will seek State and Federal funding to repair a critical 1.2km section.
“I thank residents for their patience when it comes to our flood recovery. The damage that has been caused is extensive and very expensive to fix.”
To support the community’s resilience during an emergency, the City is currently working with emergency services and community organisations on a range of emergency initiatives, including:
Confirming locations for sandbagging before a rain event
Ensuring clear processes and protocols are in place to activate emergency relief centres when required
Facilitating conversations amongst agencies and community organisations about other emergency planning initiatives needed at a local level
Mr Cooney said the City was taking a community-led approach to understand what communities need heading into the summer months.
“This means the processes we put in place will be different for each community and we’ll be working with local community groups to confirm the details and promote key locations where people can access help and support, as they are needed,” he said.
“If we do find ourselves in an emergency this summer, these details will also be promoted via the City’s social media accounts.
“The City also has a range of information on our website and an engagement program planned to raise awareness about how to prepare your property for floods and fires, and the importance of having a plan in the event of an emergency.”
Championing innovative local projects to support families.
More families across Scotland will get access to the help they need, where and when they need it – as local projects receive a funding boost from the Scottish Government.
Grants of up to £80,000 have been awarded to 12 projects undertaking a range of work, including:
helping families to access health services
providing money and budgeting advice
supporting employees to work flexibly around their family life
The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund invests in innovative, local projects to tackle child poverty – a commitment in this year’s Programme for Government.
First Minister John Swinney welcomed the announcement on a visit to CentreStage, a performing arts charity in Kilmarnock.
Later today (Tuesday 8 October) the First Minister will also meet people with experience of poverty at Bute House, before leading a Parliamentary debate as part of Challenge Poverty Week.
The First Minister said:
“Organisations like CentreStage demonstrate how the government is working closely with communities, local government and the third sector to help families facing challenges right now. My national mission to end child poverty is underpinned by the importance of this type of collaboration.
“We want to see this community-focussed approach replicated across Scotland. That’s why our Fairer Future Partnerships are expanding to five new areas across Scotland – joining up local services, offering financial advice and supporting parents into work.
“Engaging people with experience of poverty as we build these services is at the heart of the government’s approach – and we are building on the strong foundations we have laid to end poverty in Scotland.
“The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund will kick-start another 12 innovative projects across the country to give even more families the help and support they need.”
Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of East Ayrshire Council and Chair of East Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership Board said:
“In East Ayrshire, we recognise that the challenges of addressing poverty and inequality require the combined efforts of a whole range of partners. We are therefore delighted to be one of five new Fairer Future Partnerships and look forward to working with Scottish Government and our partners, including the third sector, to advance local, innovative approaches that reduce child poverty through improving wellbeing, maximising incomes and supporting people into work.
“As a Council we have already committed £40 million to be spent over the next ten years in support of change, prevention and early intervention, reflecting our commitment to tackling poverty and increasing fairness in our communities.”
Background
List of projects to receive grants from Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund:
Area
Project
West Lothian
Identifying and addressing unmet need among low-income families
Fife
Embedding income maximisation across children’s health services aligning with a preventative and proactive care programme
East Lothian
What Matters? Collecting, measuring and using data that is meaningful to families in East Lothian
Aberdeen City
Evaluation and design of lone parent employability support to inform and direct future provision
East Renfrewshire
Flexible for families employer scheme
South Ayrshire
Exploring interconnection between child poverty and additional support needs: enhancing neurodiverse parenting support in South Ayrshire through preventative family wellbeing approaches
Dumfries & Galloway
Accessible Financial Wellbeing Support for Priority Families Project
Grampian
Health Equity & Learning Project (HELP), identifying and addressing barriers for families accessing NHS services
Scottish Borders
Money advice and budgeting support for families in the Scottish Borders
Edinburgh
Challenging poverty related stigma
Stirling
Early intervention family engagement
Tayside
Dundee Dads Rock
Challenge Poverty Week is a Poverty Alliance initiative which has taken place every year since 2013. This year it will take place from 7–13 Oct, with organisations across Scotland coming together to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland.
Expanding place‑based ‘fairer futures partnerships’ to five more areas (North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire, Perth and Kinross, Inverclyde, and Aberdeen City) – alongside three existing ones – supporting innovative, local approaches to joined‑up services that improve family wellbeing, maximise incomes, and support people into work. This will build an evidence base and share approaches that can be transferred to other parts of Scotland.
Investing in innovative, local projects to tackle child poverty, through a second round of our Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund.
A resurgence in international visitors to Tropical North Queensland is being supported by a $15 million Australian Government program.
The International Tourism Recovery Program has delivered 28 campaigns so far, generating bookings in the last financial year for 20,000 Chinese visitors, who it is estimated will inject $37 million into the local economy.
The second year of the $15 million program, rolling out from 1 July 2024, is expected to create even stronger demand for the world-class tourism experiences in the sunshine state’s tropical north, including the Great Barrier Reef.
The return of Cathay Pacific flights between Hong Kong and Cairns from December through to March is projected to bring in up to 13,000 additional international visitors, who are projected to collectively spend an estimated $20 million in the region.
China was the region’s largest international market before the pandemic, accounting for one in four international visitors and injecting more than $200 million a year into the regional economy.
Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia’s tourism regions that is most economically dependent on international visitation.
The International Tourism Recovery Grant Program is providing Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) with grants worth up to a total of $15 million over three years, helping to bring more international visitors to Tropical North Queensland.
Quotes attributable to Senator Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism:
“Queensland’s tropical north is a spectacular place that has always been a personal favourite, a sentiment I share with many Australians and people from around the world.
“We understand how important international visitors are for tourism in the region and, having spoken with many local business operators, I know the challenges they’ve been facing.
“I am pleased that the Albanese Labor Government’s support is bringing back more Chinese visitors to this remarkable part of our country where they can dive into the underwater wonders of the Great Barrier Reef or be guided by local First Nations peoples on a Dreamtime walk through one of the world’s oldest rainforests.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:
“The Great Barrier Reef brings tourists from all across the world to Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of our region, and welcoming international guests is vital to the success of our communities.
“I am so proud that our Government’s investment in TTNQ is supporting the return of Chinese visitors to this incredible part of the country.”
Quotes attributable to Mark Olsen, CEO – Tourism Tropical North Queensland:
“The support from the International Tourism Recovery Program has given the region a boost when it needed it most, as our international numbers have been slower to recover than the capital cities.
“China was our region’s single biggest international market in 2019, one in three Chinese visitors to Queensland came to see Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Rebuilding demand from China is vital with Cathay Pacific returning in December.
“The 28 trade campaigns have been supported by a coordinated approach, with a publicity push generating over $16.5 million. Roadshows are bringing our operators back into China as a region – bringing back key trade partners to experience Tropical North Queensland and all the great experiences here first-hand.”
This rating highlights the country’s steady commitment to maintaining macroeconomic and financial stability through prudent fiscal policies, a credible inflation-targeting framework, and a flexible exchange rate regime. These factors, combined with a resilient banking sector, demonstrate Moldova’s progress in overcoming past challenges and building a more stable financial environment.
One of the key elements supporting this rating is the resilience of Moldova’s banking sector. For the past 10 years, Moldova undertook a comprehensive overhaul of its regulatory standards. Today, the sector remains well-capitalized, profitable, and exhibits low levels of non-performing loans. These improvements have fortified the country’s financial system, enhancing confidence in its ability to withstand economic pressures.
Victoria Belous, the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Moldova, emphasized the significance of the rating in strengthening Moldova’s financial standing:
“The B+ rating with a stable outlook reflects our efforts to maintain financial stability and prudently manage public debt. It sends a strong signal to investors and confirms the effectiveness of our policies. This rating will open new financing opportunities and support Moldova’s expansion on international markets.”
Her statement underscores the government’s focus on responsible fiscal management and how the rating aligns with Moldova’s ambitions to attract international investors.
Dumitru Alaiba, the Minister of Economic Development and Digitalization of the Republic of Moldova, also commented on the positive impact of the Fitch rating on Moldova’s global investment attractiveness:
“For many years, we have been striving to improve our country’s rating. The report from Fitch Ratings is a key indicator for financial markets and institutional investors. The better the rating, the more attractive and stable the country becomes, and the lower the cost of financing. We are acting on all reform fronts within our control. I am pleased to see that our efforts over the past three years are now yielding tangible results. We continue to work hard moving forward.”
Moldova’s B+ rating, coupled with its stable outlook, confirms the country’s commitment to economic reforms and financial discipline. By maintaining prudent fiscal policies and a robust regulatory environment, Moldova is well-positioned to leverage new financing opportunities. As a result, this rating serves as a milestone for the country as it continues to expand its presence on international markets and strengthen investor confidence.
The Invest Moldova Agency, under the Prime Minister’s Office, promotes Moldova as an investment destination and supports export growth. Managing the national brand, it fosters international partnerships, economic diplomacy, and sectoral growth, enhancing Moldova’s global economic appeal
Released by: The Premier, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, Minister for Tourism
Millions of extra airline seats, tens of thousands of hotel rooms and a focus on experience-led tourism will transform the state’s visitor economy into a $91 billion powerhouse as set out in a government review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy.
The Minns Government will adopt a more ambitious goal of $91 billion in annual visitor economy expenditure by 2035 – a 40% increase on the previous goal. The accelerated growth is expected to provide a big economic windfall for regional communities, with $44 billion (48%) of the $91 billion expected to be spent in regional NSW.
This ambitious growth trajectory will further cement tourism as a critical pillar of future growth in the NSW economy, driving up to 150,000 new jobs by 2035.
The next decade of growth in the visitor economy will be underpinned by a potential increase of 8.5 million airline seats due to the new Newcastle Airport international terminal opening in 2025, the opening of the Western Sydney International Airport in 2026, increased capacity at Sydney Airport and growth in cross-border arrivals through Canberra Airport and Gold Coast Airport.
The Minns government has already been working to boost aviation capacity through support for the recently announced Turkish Airlines route to Sydney Airport and an agreement to support Newcastle Airport to attract more international routes.
This additional capacity will increase competition, providing a greater incentive for European travellers to choose NSW as their holiday destination and put downward pressure on the cost of holidays for NSW families.
To meet the $91 billion stretch goal, the review highlights key challenges including:
The need for 40,000 extra hotel rooms, a 41% increase on what’s currently available
Significant worker and skills shortages in roles such as tour guides and chefs
Need for increased business event facilities in Sydney, Western Sydney and priority regional areas.
The review sets out a series of recommendations for achieving the stretch goal including:
Prioritise the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy as a government-wide economic focus.
Anchor the Visitor Economy Strategy around ‘experience tourism’
Celebrate First Nations culture and businesses through authentic visitor experiences.
Increase accommodation quality across regional NSW and quantity in Greater Sydney.
Boost aviation capacity in key domestic and international markets.
Leverage leisure events to grow season al visitation and showcase NSW’s strengths.
Dominate Australia’s business events sector.
Capitalise on NSW’s status as being number one for international students.
Foster a diverse, skilled visitor economy workforce.
The Minns government has begun work on attracting more business events with a $1.5 million increase in funding for Business Events Sydney in FY25.
Confirming the international appeal of the experiences on offer in Sydney, last week the NSW capital was voted ‘best city in the world’ in the Condè Nast Traveller UK’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards. The poll cited Sydney’s ‘unique, indoor-outdoor way of life’ which speaks directly to the review’s recommendation to focus the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy on ‘experience tourism.’
The NSW visitor economy is the biggest in Australia, achieving a record $53 billion in expenditure in FY24 and employing almost 300,000 workers. The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 had a target of $65 billion. The review into the 2030 strategy will inform the new NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which will be released in the coming months.
A summary of the review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 is available here.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“From pristine beaches to lush national parks, NSW is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists across the globe.
“People coming to New South Wales for a holiday is at an all time high, but this review shows there are opportunities to grow it even more, partially due to more airports opening and more flight routes being secured.
“We are ready to put our shoulder to the wheel and attract even more travellers to NSW, boosting local business and creating thousands of jobs.”
Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said:
“This is a very exciting moment for the NSW visitor economy. We’re taking a sector that is already very strong and raising our ambitions even higher.
“This review dares us to dream big, but it also outlines the hard work needed to meet the opportunity.
“To reach this ambitious new target we need to build more hotel rooms, attract and train more workers and create and market the experiences that connect visitors with the culture, nature and people of NSW.
“NSW has the nature, the culture and incredible experiences. We just need to match it with hard work and planning.”
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria O’Sullivan, Associate Professor of Law, Member of Law as Protection Centre, Deakin Law School, Deakin University
Australians’ ability to protest has again been in the news this week. Against the background of an armed conflict in the Middle East and rallies nationwide, the government has suggested Australia should establish a permit system for all protests.
Minister for the NDIS and Government Services Bill Shorten made the suggestion on television this week:
how the permit system works is it doesn’t stop people protesting, but the purpose of is to look at the circumstances […] I don’t necessarily think it should apply to industrial relations, but for some of these protests we’ve seen week in, week out, I do think that having a permit system would at least straighten it up.
So what are protest laws like around the country? Do any states or territories have this permit system, and should they? And importantly, what effect to these laws have on the right to protest?
What are the laws like nationally?
A permit system to allow protest organisers to hold an “authorised public assembly” operates in most states and territories in Australia. These systems allow police to “authorise” a particular protest and require a written application to police and/or the relevant local council.
For instance, in New South Wales, people who wish to hold an authorised protest must lodge a “notice of intention to hold a public assembly” with the NSW Police Commissioner.
Similar provisions also exist in Queensland, where organisers wishing to obtain authorisation for a protest must send a “Notice of Intention to Hold a Public Assembly” form to Queensland Police Service and the local council.
In Western Australia, organisers may apply for a permit to hold a public meeting and/or procession under the Public Order in Streets Act.
However, there a significant differences in the detail of these laws. In most states, the permit system simply allows the protest to be “authorised”. This means that while it is not a criminal offence to hold a protest without a permit, it provides a level of protection to protesters from certain criminal charges such as obstructing traffic.
Victoria does not have a permit system like NSW. Instead, it has laws that enable police to move people on, or to arrest someone for violent or anti-social behaviour.
However, in Tasmania, a section of the Police Offences Act makes it an offence for a person to organise or conduct a demonstration without a permit if it is to be held, wholly or partly, on a public street. It’s punishable by a fine.
The period of notification also varies widely. In most states and territories, the lead time is anywhere from five days to two weeks.
However, in Tasmania, protest organisers are advised to lodge an application with police 12 weeks before the demonstration.
Finally, the grounds for rejection of a permit can be overly broad. For instance, in South Australia, police and other authorities may reject a permit on the ground that “it would, if effectuated, unduly prejudice any public interest”. The legislation does not set out any criteria for that test.
Which laws are the best?
In terms of how these laws compare with one another and which approach is the most preferable, we need to consider two factors: the practicalities of a permit system, and whether allowing government authorities to control protests is advisable.
In terms of practicalities, the paperwork burden, cost and uncertainty of a mandatory permit system may be unworkable. There could also be ensuing litigation to consider.
This was starkly demonstrated in 2020 when planned protests against Indigenous deaths in custody were litigated in the NSW Supreme Court.
In NSW, which has a permit system, the “Stop All Black Deaths in Custody” protest was initially rejected by the NSW Supreme Court but was then declared an authorised public assembly by the NSW Court of Appeal only minutes before the protest was scheduled to start.
In deciding on the best approach to permits, we must also consider whether it is wise to allow government agencies to give the green light to some protests and disallow others. Will this put too much power into the hands of police and individual judges?
The human right of protesting
Here it is relevant to consider Australia’s international human rights treaty obligations, which protect the right to assemble peacefully. United Nations guidance on this right recognises that states can set up notification provisions for protests, but they cannot establish authorisation requirements.
This means Australia can set up a notification system to allow police to facilitate the smooth conduct of a protest in advance (such as by organising road closures).
However, this cannot require people to get permission from the police before undertaking a protest. In fact, this international human rights guidance states that having to apply for permission to protest undermines its status as a basic human right.
More generally, it should be remembered that protests can be spontaneous and should be allowed to be so.
This is best illustrated by one of the most important acts of protest in Australian history: the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. This was set up spontaneously on January 26 1972 when four Indigenous men set up a beach umbrella on the lawns opposite Parliament House in Canberra as a protest against the government’s approach to Indigenous land rights.
It stands to this day and is a visual reminder of the power of spontaneous protest, carried out without police permission, and a sober reminder of the importance of protest in our democratic system.
Maria O’Sullivan is part of a Public Intoxication Reform Evaluation which is funded by the Victorian Department of Justice.
Released by: Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW
The Minns Government is proud to celebrate the wealth of fishing opportunities on offer in NSW with the return of Gone Fishing Day on Sunday 13 October.
The Government will be hosting free community events across the state, giving both novice and experienced fishers a chance to enjoy fishing fun with family and friends.
Gone Fishing Day events will be held at Gordon Park in Nambucca, Queen Elizabeth Park in Taree, Lake Keepit, Lakeside Parkin Narrabeen, Spencer Park in Merimbula and Apex Park in Wagga Wagga, with activities kicking off at 9am.
Many fishing clubs, organisations and community groups will also run their own community fishing events and activities in their own local area on Gone Fishing Day, with support from NSW Government.
A total of 62 fishing clubs and organisations have been sent fishing packages with gear to use at their local events while another 49 clubs and organisations are receiving grants of up to $2000 to help run their events.
An open day and Gone Fishing Day event will also be held at the Gaden Trout Hatchery near Jindabyne to give the community a chance to see the newly renovated, state-of-the-art facilities, with the Government investing $8.6 million in upgrades to help futureproof NSW’s iconic trout fishing sector.
A range of family-friendly activities will be on offer at the Gaden Trout Hatchery open day, including guided tours, Try Fishing sessions, fishing demonstrations, fish feeding opportunities, children’s face painting and much more.
Gone Fishing Day is another example of the NSW Government’s ongoing work to promote and improve recreational fishing in NSW, with funding from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts.
To find out more on the DPIRD Gone Fishing Day community events near you or for more information, visit Gone Fishing NSW Day.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“Gone Fishing Day is a great opportunity for people to get out on the water and take advantage of the many exceptional fishing locations we have across our great state.
“Whether you are an experienced angler or you’ve never held a rod before – we want everyone to get involved and wet a line!”
“It is a fantastic opportunity to attract keen fishers to take to the water and introduce kids to fishing, with casting competitions and Try Fishing sessions.
“We know that fishing provides so much more than just a nutritious food source and Gone Fishing Day allows us to share the benefits of this fun outdoor activity to everyone around the State.
“Recreational fishing is a $3.4 billion industry in NSW, so it is important that we acknowledge this day and the positive impact this industry has on our economy and communities.”
The HMNZS Manawanui ran aground last weekend on a reef about one nautical mile off the south coast of Upolu, Samoa’s most populated island. The specialist dive and hydrographic vessel was on its third deployment, conducting a reef survey, when it caught fire and sank.
Manawanui listing on the reef, October 6. Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority via Facebook
The ship has come to rest at a depth of up to 150 metres, which means it may be relatively undisturbed even during storms. Any hull cracks from the impact should not be exacerbated.
But depth makes the salvage operation challenging. Crew may need decompression chambers, and there’s only a narrow window of time to seal any fuel leaks – and, ideally, pipe out more than 900 tonnes of marine diesel the ship carries.
Fuel leaks the first priority
The Manawanui’s sinking is a marine disaster. But it arguably poses a lesser risk than the oil spill caused by the container ship MV Rena, which ran aground near the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga in 2011.
The Rena was loaded with 1,368 containers, some of which contained hazardous materials, as well as 1,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil. It also carried thousands of tonnes of dairy products, which effectively fertilised the ocean and caused massive algal blooms, visible from space.
The fuel oil on board the Manawanui is lighter. Its most toxic short-chain hydrocarbons will likely evaporate with wave action. But if the remaining slick washes up on beaches, it will be harder to remove. During low tides, it will be running onto the reef, likely killing off corals and fish in a swath moving inshore or driven by wind and currents.
The salvage crew’s first focus will probably be on mitigating fuel leaks. But they will also need to clean up any crushed coral and contaminated sediment around the reef and wreck as quickly as possible, as it may have been exposed to the ship’s anti-fouling paint. In calm weather this would be possible as it’s shallow on the reef crest.
Ships in the past have been painted with the anti-fouling paint Tributylin. It has now been banned because of its toxicity, but many ships simply painted over it with modern paints. Any damage to the hull could expose old layers. Without a thorough cleanup, this could preclude coral recovery.
My experience, and that of colleague’s both in New Zealand and in tropical Australia, shows a speedy cleanup can make all the difference for the environmental recovery after ships ground on reefs and sometimes sink.
When the Malaysian-flagged container ship Bunga Teratai Satu ran into the Sudbury Reef in the Great Barrier Reef in 2001, the vessel was refloated without losing any cargo or fuel. But it had scraped against the reef, spreading tributyltin-coated fragments. The salvage operation cleaned up the toxic material and the coral was on a recovery trajectory within four years.
In contrast, the sinking of the Shen Neng 1 in 2010 flattened 8,000 square metres of reef east of Great Keppel Island on Queensland’s Capricorn coast. While the ship was also refloated and removed, there was no cleanup and no signs of coral recovery a decade after the disaster.
Should oil dispersants be used?
All 75 crew and passengers have been taken off the Manawanui by life rafts and other boats that came to the rescue. A Court of Inquiry is under way to establish exactly what caused the sinking.
Rescued crew and passengers from Manawanui on Upolu’s southern coast. Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority via Facebook
The focus is now on mitigating environmental impacts.
At this point, there are no signs of oil on the beaches where the vessel sank, but locals are reporting an oil-like substance in the water around the wreck.
Should fuel oil spill ashore, locals will have to find ways of harnessing the public for the beach cleanup. When the oil slick from the Rena contaminated local beaches, thousands of volunteers helped with the recovery operation.
Locals will likely also face decisions about using oil dispersants, which break up oil into smaller droplets into the water column.
At the time of the Rena operation, there was a public outcry against the use of dispersants because they spread the pollution further into the marine environment, and the chemical combination of oil and dispersant can be more toxic than either alone.
The use of dispersants makes sense however, if an oil spill threatens turtle nesting areas for example, as it did when the cargo ship Pacific Adventurer was caught in a cyclone off Queensland in 2009 and 270 tonnes of oil created a 5.5 kilometre long slick.
The reef where the Manawanui struck is well known for its large population of sea turtles, which come to feed in the area. They are likely to sense the pollution and eventually stay away, as will pelagic fish.
Given the area is the local villagers’ food basket and a tourist destination, any deleterious effects on the coastal environment and coral reefs will be keenly felt. As in Aotearoa, the intimate bond between people and the sea is profound. Drawing on past experiences will empower speedy action and hasten ecological restoration.
Christopher Battershill received funding from the Ministry for the Environment to examine the environmental effects of the MV Rena ship wreck. He is affiliated with the Oil Pollution Advisory Committee and has previously worked with the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Often when people come into our sleep clinic seeking treatment, they share ideas about healthy sleep.
Many think when their head hits the pillow, they should fall into a deep and restorative sleep, and emerge after about eight hours feeling refreshed. They’re in good company – many Australians hold the same belief.
In reality, healthy sleep is cyclic across the night, as you move in and out of the different stages of sleep, often waking up several times. Some people remember one or more of these awakenings, others do not. Let’s consider what a healthy night’s sleep looks like.
Sleep cycles are a roller-coaster
As an adult, our sleep moves through different cycles and brief awakenings during the night. Sleep cycles last roughly 90 minutes each.
We typically start the night with lighter sleep, before moving into deeper sleep stages, and rising again into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – the stage of sleep often linked to vivid dreaming.
If sleeping well, we get most of our deep sleep in the first half of the night, with REM sleep more common in the second half of the night.
Deepest sleep usually happens during the first half of the night. Verin/Shutterstock
Adults usually move through five or six sleep cycles in a night, and it is entirely normal to wake up briefly at the end of each one. That means we might be waking up five times during the night. This can increase with older age and still be healthy. If you’re not remembering these awakenings that’s OK – they can be quite brief.
What does getting a ‘good’ sleep actually mean?
You’ll often hear that adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. But good sleep is about more than the number of hours – it’s also about the quality.
For most people, sleeping well means being able to fall asleep soon after getting into bed (within around 30 minutes), sleeping without waking up for long periods, and waking feeling rested and ready for the day.
You shouldn’t be feeling excessively sleepy during the day, especially if you’re regularly getting at least seven hours of refreshing sleep a night (this is a rough rule of thumb).
But are you noticing you’re feeling physically tired, needing to nap regularly and still not feeling refreshed? It may be worthwhile touching base with your general practitioner, as there a range of possible reasons.
Common issues
Sleep disorders are common. Up to 25% of adults have insomnia, a sleep disorder where it may be hard to fall or stay asleep, or you may wake earlier in the morning than you’d like.
Rates of common sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnoea – where your breathing can partially or completely stop many times during the night – also increase with age, affecting 20% of early adults and 40% of people in middle age. There are effective treatments, so asking for help is important.
Beyond sleep disorders, our sleep can also be disrupted by chronic health conditions – such as pain – and by certain medications.
There can also be other reasons we’re not sleeping well. Some of us are woken by children, pets or traffic noise during the night. These “forced awakenings” mean we may find it harder to get up in the morning, take longer to leave bed and feel less satisfied with our sleep. For some people, night awakenings may have no clear cause.
A good way to tell if these awakenings are a problem for you is by thinking about how they affect you. When they cause feelings of frustration or worry, or are impacting how we feel and function during the day, it might be a sign to seek some help.
If waking up in the night is interfering with your normal day-to-day activities, it may indicate a problem. BearFotos/Shutterstock
We also may struggle to get up in the morning. This could be for a range of reasons, including not sleeping long enough, going to bed or waking up at irregular times – or even your own internal clock, which can influence the time your body prefers to sleep.
If you’re regularly struggling to get up for work or family needs, it can be an indication you may need to seek help. Some of these factors can be explored with a sleep psychologist if they are causing concern.
Can my smart watch help?
It is important to remember sleep-tracking devices can vary in accuracy for looking at the different sleep stages. While they can give a rough estimate, they are not a perfect measure.
In-laboratory polysomnography, or PSG, is the best standard measure to examine your sleep stages. A PSG examines breathing, oxygen saturation, brain waves and heart rate during sleep.
Rather than closely examining nightly data (including sleep stages) from a sleep tracker, it may be more helpful to look at the patterns of your sleep (bed and wake times) over time.
Understanding your sleep patterns may help identify and adjust behaviours that negatively impact your sleep, such as your bedtime routine and sleeping environment.
And if you find viewing your sleep data is making you feel worried about your sleep, this may not be useful for you. Most importantly, if you are concerned it is important to discuss it with your GP who can refer you to the appropriate specialist sleep health provider.
Amy Reynolds receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Australian Research Council, the Lifetime Support Authority, and has received consulting and/or speaker fees from industry-funded sources including Compumedics, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Sydney Trains.
Claire Dunbar received funding from The Hospital Research Foundation for their PhD Scholarship and previously from Flinders University development grants.
Hannah Scott receives research funding from Re-Time Pty Ltd, Compumedics Ltd, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation, and Flinders University.
Nicole Lovato receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Hospital Research Foundation, the Lifetime Support Authority, and industry including ResMed, Phillips, and ReTime.
Gorica Micic 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.
Comparable but tailored occupational classifications for Australia and New Zealand – release – 8 October 2024 – The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand announced today, that while maintaining comparability, each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classifications.
The joint Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) was established in 2006. The labour markets in both countries have changed and the differences are greater than when the joint management of the occupation classification commenced.
Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen and New Zealand Government Statistician Mr Mark Sowden said the decision is mutual and have committed to continue working together to maintain Trans-Tasman and international comparability as a priority.
The two agencies will develop concordances to map between classifications to maintain comparability, data continuity and time-series analysis.
Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this news story:
Comparable but tailored occupational classifications for Australia and New Zealand– release –8 October 2024 –The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand announced today, that while maintaining comparability, each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classifications.
The joint Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) was established in 2006. The labour markets in both countries have changed and the differences are greater than when the joint management of the occupation classification commenced.
Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen and New Zealand Government Statistician Mr Mark Sowden said the decision is mutual and have committed to continue working together to maintain Trans-Tasman and international comparability as a priority.
The two agencies will develop concordances to map between classifications to maintain comparability, data continuity and time-series analysis.
Allens has advised the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) on its sale of approximately 5% stake in Vietnam International Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VIB), a leading Vietnamese commercial bank listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.
With total gross proceeds of approximately $160 million, the sale forms part of CBA’s strategy to focus on its banking businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
Allens advised on all aspects of the transaction, drawing on its extensive experience in Vietnam to advise not only on legal issues but also on strategic matters in the rapidly evolving Vietnamese market.
‘We are pleased to have worked with CBA to navigate the Vietnamese market throughout the lifecycle of this investment, with the firm also having advised on CBA’s original foreign strategic interest in 2010,’ said lead partner Linh Bui.
‘CBA is an important client of Allens in Australia and we are pleased to extend our support to CBA on this strategic investment in Vietnam.’
Allens legal team
Linh Bui (lead Partner), Ngoc Anh Tran (Partner), Ha Nguyen (Senior Associate), Kiet Do (Associate), Tien Tran (Associate)
Volunteers exhibited their firefighting skills in front of onlookers on Saturday 5 October. Pictures by Marc Bongers
One of CFA’s eight training facilities used by firefighters celebrated its 40th anniversary with members and families on the weekend.
On Saturday 5 October, hot fire drills and vehicle displays were part of the event at Wangaratta’s Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC).
PAD Supervisor Richie Gardner said the facility, which provides volunteers with training in various scenarios including structural firefighting and breathing apparatus, began its journey over four decades ago.
“In 1979, Wangaratta Council was approached by some of the local brigades that were looking for somewhere to be able to do hot fire training, which was not something you could do in the town,” Richie said.
“An area adjacent to the saleyards was open and free and council agreed they could start utilising it from 1984.”
The Wangaratta facility boasts fire attack buildings, props and training facilities for brigades from Kerang to Wallan, the Alpine region, back to Corryong and to the Murray region.
Crews can utilise simulations of motor vehicle accidents and structure fires to boost their skills, as well as breathing apparatus equipment.
“It gives our brigades the opportunity to come and train to meet the risk of their area,” Richie said.
“They have the ability to go to a training ground and be taught in a controlled environment, but still very similar to the hot smoky environment of a real fire.”
On the weekend, South Wangaratta and Wangaratta Fire Brigade members participated in a simulation of a service station fire gas attack to present their skills to the welcoming crowd.
A yesteryear drill also saw old international pumpers members utilised in the facility’s early days restored for senior members to use once again.
“The good thing about this facility, or any of our facilities, is they’re not only firefighting facilities, they’re for emergency service training, so Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and other emergency service organisations also utilise our training campus,” Richie said.
“You never know when you or your family may need one of these services, and for us to be able to enhance their skills and assist them in their development is sensational.
“It’s something firefighters can’t do in their work environments, so they come here, and they utilise this facility, and it makes it a safer place and a safer world for all of us.”
Former CFA members who helped establish the facility gathered alongside current members to formally celebrate the occasion on Friday 4 October.
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook said it was important to pay respects to those who had the foresight and tenacity to bring training to volunteers as opposed to the other way around.
“We now have another seven facilities like Wangaratta all owned and maintained by CFA geographically dispersed around Victoria, providing that very same vision that those pioneers had in the early days of District 23, being a first-class training facility accessible to volunteers,” Garry said.
“It’s a great facility and one that everybody who has had anything to do with over the years is exceptionally proud of.
“We look forward to the opportunity to provide our volunteers with a base to access their training for years to come.”
Firefighters attack a simulated service station fire
(Back row): Brett Eastwood, Peter Dedman, Tony Owen, David Maxwell, Daryl Owen and Paul Scragg. (Front row): Trevor Franklin, Stewart Kreltszheim and Eddie Tichelaar in front of a restored vehicle
A restored vehicle
CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook speaking at an event for past and current members on Friday 4 October
From left to right: PAD Supervisor Richie Gardner and PAD operators Steve Phillips, Steve McDonald, David Stone, David Salau, Kane Waring, Warren Honey, John Barnard, Dave Muskee and Jason Allisey
The expanded program offers a wider range of opportunities across both Institutional Banking & Markets and the bank’s Chief Operations Office to support people returning to work from a career break.
Commonwealth Bank’s Career Comeback Program is helping even more professionals overcome the barriers of returning to the corporate workforce, as the Group’s Chief Operations Office (COO) joins the Institutional Banking & Markets (IB&M) division in offering roles for the 2025 cohort.
Entering its fifth year, CBA’s Career Comeback program aims to help individuals who have taken a career break of two years or more to transition back into the workforce at a mid-to-senior level.
The 2025 program has been expanded to more than double the size of past intakes, offering roles across business operations, product management, institutional banking coverage, markets and project management. The paid, 12-week program includes a comprehensive induction process, coaching and technology upskilling, with the potential for successful participants to roll into a permanent position with the institutional bank or the chief operations office.
“We know a team that is diverse in skills, experiences and perspectives is stronger and more capable and brings greater value to our clients. I’m proud to see our Career Comeback initiative expand to Group COO and support even more experienced professionals to return to a rewarding career in banking, markets and operations,” said Andrew Hinchliff, Group Executive IB&M at CBA.
“Our people are our point of differentiation and are core to our strategy and our success. With the expansion of Career Comeback across COO, I hope to empower future leaders to consider a career in CBA where they can make a real difference for our customers,” said Sinead Taylor, Chief Operations Officer at CBA.
Jo Reardon participated in IB&M’s Career Comeback program in 2021 – the first year of the initiative. Ms Reardon had stepped away from a career in institutional foreign currency sales in 2016 and was looking for options to return to the finance sector in late 2020 when she came across CBA’s program.
“I wanted to go back into banking, but with more flexibility than the client-facing sales roles I’d had in the past, and an operating office role was that perfect middle ground for me,” she said, adding that being part of the Global Markets Chief Operating Office team leveraged her experience of currency markets and supporting institutional customers.
Jo Reardon
Today, Ms Reardon works as a Director in the Global Markets Sales Chief Operating Office, delivering strategic initiatives and projects to support the Markets sales team with serving the bank’s wholesale clients.
“I encourage anyone considering re-entering the workforce to apply for this program. There’s a lot of recognition of the skills and experiences people develop away from a corporate context, and that they translate well into a professional environment, and you get the benefit of being part of a cohort who are in the same boat navigating that transition back into the workplace and helping each other bridge any gaps in technology or new systems and processes,” she said.
Applications for the 2025 Career Comeback Program are now open and close on 1 November 2024. Successful candidates of the program will commence in March 2025.
Headline: $45 million for regional Councils to boost road safety
Published: 8 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads
The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to improve road safety in regional NSW with $45 million to be provided to council-nominated road safety projects across regional areas.
This comes from an additional $80 million investment into the Towards Zero Safer roads program, following an additional $200 million recently announced for regional projects on state roads, managed by Transport for NSW.
To be provided over three years, this funding will allow for the delivery of 23 road safety projects and to progress the implementation of three 40 km/h High Pedestrian Activity Areas on roads maintained by local councils in regional NSW.
The Towards Zero Safer Roads Program is a road safety infrastructure upgrade and speed management program aimed at delivering sustainable and long-term reductions in road trauma across the NSW road network by addressing high risk locations.
The program aligns with the Future Transport Strategy vision to achieve zero road trauma by 2050 and is a cornerstone of the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, which aims to halve fatalities and reduce serious injuries by 30 per cent on NSW roads by 2030.
Examples of the improvements this round of the program will provide to local communities in the regions include the installation of pedestrian crossings, roundabouts, shoulder upgrades and road widenings to help reduce the risk of crashes.
The program builds on the success of the previous Safer Roads Program, which is estimated to save up to 1,550 serious injuries and lives over the lifetime of the program.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“Even though regional NSW only makes up a third of the NSW population, sadly two thirds of deaths on our roads happen on country roads.
“The Minns Labor Government has provided more than half of funding for these council projects to regional councils.
“I am pleased to say 23 regional council-nominated projects have secured funding under this round of funding which will result in much needed infrastructure for regional NSW.
“A highlight of the funding will be the delivery of three High Pedestrian Activity Areas to regional suburbs in the state’s north including at Fingal Bay, Charlestown and Wollombi Village to protect pedestrians.
“This investment will go a long way to ensure everyone gets home safely every time to their loved ones.”
The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and allied forces commenced the eighth iteration of Exercise Sama Sama in the vicinity of Subic Bay, the Republic of the Philippines, marking the beginning of two weeks of maritime engagements designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen security ties among regional partners, Oct. 7.
Sama Sama 2024, part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, builds on the legacy of previous maritime collaboration, expanding its scope of operations with both shore and sea phases. Participants will engage in specialized training across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, legal operations, engineering, logistics, and public affairs.
“This exercise has evolved significantly since its inception. What began as a bilateral event between the United States and the Philippines has grown into a multilateral and multiplatform operation, bringing together like-minded partners from across the Indo-Pacific,” said the U.S. Head of Delegation, Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander Logistics Western Pacific, and Task Force 73. “This development highlights the strength of our alliances and our shared commitment to peace, security, and cooperation in the maritime domain and it’s never been more important.”
Working alongside naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft, specialized teams, including diving and explosive ordnance disposal units, will conduct high-intensity drills focusing on anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and maritime domain awareness.
“Sama Sama”, which means “togetherness” in Tagalog, reflects the spirit of the decades-long partnership between allies in the region. Sama Sama 2024, a Philippine-U.S. bilateral exercise with invited allied and partner participants, continues to evolve in both complexity and scope into a more sophisticated and multinational environment with each iteration. This year’s exercise includes participants from Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and Japan, representing a collective commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today we witness the deepening of ties between the Philippine Navy and the U.S. Navy along with our partners from Australia, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and Japan” said the Philippine Navy Head of Delegation, Rear Adm. Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy. “This exercise is a powerful investment for our collective movement and an opportunity to address regional challenges together.”
Participating assets from the United States include the Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), and a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. Personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet; Command Task Forces (CTF) 76, 75 and 72; Command, Destroyer Squadron Seven (DESRON 7); and the Marine Corps’ Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA), are also taking part in Sama Sama 2024.
From partner nations, we welcome the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150); BRP Waray (LC-288); BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC 380); a Force Reconnaissance Group, Naval Special Operations Unit 2; and supporting units that include a medical and media team. The Royal Canadian Navy will bring the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. A Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceShin Maywa US-2 amphibious aircraft and Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft are also participating.
“Through exercises like Sama Sama, we continue to improve our interoperability and our readiness while deepening our understanding of each other’s capabilities. This exercise reflects our enduring partnership—one built on trust, shared values, and mutual defense,” said Cimicata. “Together, we will refine our ability to respond to natural disasters, maritime threats, and humanitarian crises, while ensuring the safety and security of this vital region.
This year marks the 30th iteration of CARAT, a multinational exercise series designed to enhance U.S. and partner navies’ abilities to operate together in response to traditional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore. DESRON 7 also functions as the CTF 76 Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements as the executing agent of Commander, Task Group CARAT.
U.S. 7th Fleet is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Headline: Making it easier for regional patients who need to travel for healthcare
Published: 8 October 2024
Released by: Minister for Health
The NSW Government is improving access to healthcare for people living in rural and regional communities, providing financial assistance to more than 41,400 patients in the past year through the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS).
IPTAAS provides financial assistance to patients who need to travel long distances for specialist healthcare, not available locally.
NSW patients have also received more money back in their pockets thanks to increased subsidies, with the average reimbursement per patient higher than ever before at $482.
In 2023-24, 99,600 applications were approved, an increase of 21,200 applications from the previous year.
The number of IPTAAS applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients has also increased, up by 2,200 to 8,500 in 2023-24.
IPTAAS is reducing the financial burden on rural NSW residents like Noeline Nicholls who lives in Pilliga, almost 100 kilometres west of Narrabri. Noeline regularly visits Aboriginal Health Worker Jacob Shanley at Tamworth Hospital’s Healthy Deadly Foot Clinic to receive essential medical care.
In the 2023-24 financial year, $48,885,696 was provided in IPTAAS claims across NSW, helping 41,417 patients access specialist health treatment.
IPTAAS payments for 2023-24 by local health district are:
Central Coast: $339,168
Far West: $3,613,345
Hunter New England: $12,757,239
Illawarra Shoalhaven: $1,297,680
Mid North Coast: $4,764,257
Murrumbidgee: $7,961,022
Nepean Blue Mountains: $345,373
Northern NSW: $3,243,997
Northern Sydney: $66,629
South Eastern Sydney: $50,996
South Western Sydney: $327,845
Southern NSW: $5,274,675
Sydney: $13,672
Western NSW: $8,517,565
Western Sydney: $53,516
Outside of NSW: $258,716*
*Applications from locations outside of NSW are patients who reside in another state and are donating an organ or tissue to a NSW resident, or patients who reside on Lord Howe Island.
Reducing the financial burden for country patients to travel for their healthcare is just part of a comprehensive range of measures the NSW Government is embracing to improve access to care in our regional, rural and remote communities, including:
Delivering more health worker accommodation in the bush;
Doubling rural health worker incentives for the most critical and hard to fill positions to improve recruitment and retention;
Boosting doctors in our regional GP surgeries as well as hospitals through the single employer model; and
Deploying an extra 500 regional paramedics.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
“We’re making it easier for regional people to access healthcare through the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS). More people are accessing IPTAAS than ever before and they’re getting more money back in their pocket thanks to increased subsidies.
“We know that people living in rural, regional and remote NSW sometimes have to travel a long way for specialist care. The financial assistance they get through IPTAAS not only helps cover the costs of travel and accommodation, it can mean the difference between seeking care or not.
“Pleasingly, we’re seeing big increases in the number of people accessing IPTAAS, including those using the scheme for the first time, which means the money we’re providing is getting straight to the people who need it the most.
“Through important initiatives like IPTAAS, we will continue to support residents of NSW to access high-quality, timely and appropriate healthcare, particularly those living in rural, regional and remote communities.”
Quotes attributable to Pilliga resident Noeline Nicholls:
“If it wasn’t for IPTAAS, I wouldn’t be here.
“Where we live, we travel to get food, petrol and medical. If I didn’t have IPTAAS, I wouldn’t have been able to receive the medical care I needed.”