NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHNEIDER STATEMENT ON ISRAEL STRIKE ON IRAN

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

    At approximately 3:00 a.m. local time, 7:00 p.m. in Illinois, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a preemptive military strike targeting Iran’s nuclear program and key personnel. Israel has struck more than 300 targets, including nuclear sites, air defenses, and IRGC headquarters This may mark the beginning of a wider conflict in the Middle East. Though we do not yet know the full implications for the United States, our partners, or the global economy, one thing must be clear: America stands with Israel.

    Iran’s long record of malign behavior—its threats to wipe Israel off the map, its support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—makes clear why Israel assessed that it could not wait. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose an unacceptable threat not only to Israel but to the entire world.

    Israel destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor in 1981, and Syria’s in 2007. Later events proved the wisdom of Israel’s actions and benefited the region and the world. I am confident, with Iran on the brink of weaponization, the world will again be grateful that Israel acted to prevent catastrophe.

    Just last month, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a comprehensive report documenting Iran’s extensive violations of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Rather than correct course, Iran doubled down, announcing it would accelerate enrichment and stonewall international inspectors. On Wednesday, the IAEA formally censured Iran. Tehran responded with more threats.

    In moments like this, American leadership matters. The US stood with Israel in 2023 when it was attacked by Hamas and Hezbollah, and then again in 2024 when Iran launched hundreds of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles. We must do so again today—with resolve, with clarity, and with the unity that defines our most serious moments.

    I believe in the strength of the U.S. – Israel alliance. I am grateful for the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women of the United States armed forces and pray for their success and safety. I am immensely proud that every enlisted sailor in our Navy begins their service at Naval Station Great Lakes in my district, where they learn what to do on days like this. I know they are fully prepared precisely for this moment.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Federated Farmers win on not-for-profit tax change

    Source: Federated Farmers

    Federated Farmers is welcoming confirmation that controversial tax proposals impacting the not-for-profit sector won’t proceed without political oversight and legislative change.
    “This is a significant win for Federated Farmers, which earlier this week called on the Revenue Minister to act quickly on these proposals,” national board member Richard McIntyre says.
    “We’ve strongly opposed the change – calling it a fundamental shift in tax policy disguised as legal interpretation – and urged Simon Watts to rule it out.
    “It’s a huge concern for the thousands of not-for-profits across New Zealand who rely on membership subscriptions to fund their work.”
    An Inland Revenue draft interpretation of tax law would see not-for-profits taxed on their membership income for the first time.
    But Revenue Minister Simon Watts yesterday told Federated Farmers he has taken the issue out of IRD’s hands and into the political realm, stating:
    “I have heard concerns about how this would impact many not-for-profit organisations.
    “When Inland Revenue revises its interpretation of tax law, the Government will consider the impacts and respond with a law change before any new interpretation comes into force.
    “I have asked for advice on how the primary legislation could be amended to ensure there is a fair and practical outcome in this area.”
    This follows weeks of sustained pressure from Federated Farmers.
    “We were among the first to sound the alarm that the draft interpretation would overturn 20 years of settled tax treatment for mutual associations,” McIntyre says.
    The proposal would have seen Federated Farmers – and around 9000 other not-for-profits, including unions, community groups, and political parties – taxed on membership fees.
    “The Minister’s move to consider legislative change before any new interpretation takes effect provides clarity that changes won’t be forced on the sector without public scrutiny,” McIntyre says.
    Federated Farmers also acknowledges the support of other not-for-profits who helped push this issue up the political agenda.
    “This is a textbook example of effective advocacy – early political pressure and commonsense reasoning ensured the Government took control before serious harm was done.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – A wet and windy run up to the school holidays – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Thursday 26th – Sunday 29th June – Severe weather will affect much of the country in the coming days.

    • Orange Heavy Rain Warnings have been issued for parts of Tasman, Nelson, Marlborough, the Buller District and Taranaki Maunga ending by Friday evening. 
    • Orange Strong Winds Warnings are in place for the Marlborough sounds and Wellington today (Thursday). 
    • Heavy Rain Watches also cover the Bay of Plenty, Taupō, Taihape, northern Whanganui, Dunedin and North Otago from Friday afternoon. 
    • A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Northland for Friday morning for possible downpours. 
    • A Heavy Snow Watch is in place for Central Otago and Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River overnight from Friday into Saturday.  

    Today (Thursday) severe weather affects northern parts of the South Island.

    • Rainfall rates as high as 25mm/h have been recorded in the Tasman District. The heavy rain is expected to persist into Friday. 
    • Wind gusts more than 120km/h have been recorded in Wellington. 
    • Heavy rain affected the west coast of the South Island earlier this morning, meanwhile Christchurch woke to a balmy 17.4°C due to the foehn effect, which also melted the Alexandra ice rink. 

    MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley says, “The Nelson and Tasman Region has had significant rain recently, and we’re expecting a lot more to fall by Friday evening.” Before the end of Friday, northern parts of the South Island will likely see more than a month’s worth of rain. Expect the rivers to be running high and surface flooding present.

    On Friday the heavy rain will affect most of the North Island. Before dawn, squally thunderstorms are expected to arrive in Northland. These bring the risk of heavy downpours and strong wind gusts. As the front moves across the island, the risk of thunderstorms spreads to other regions of the North Island and top of the South.  

    Overnight into Saturday the winds will shift southerly, directing heavy rain at Dunedin and Otago with the possibility of heavy snow above 600 meters inland. This could affect alpine roads.

    Michael adds “Sunday looks like the better day to travel if you’re going away for the school holidays because the severe weather is expected to ease. If you’re going skiing, I’d recommend staying cozy and dry while the fresh snow falls.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ SUPER FUND STAKEHOLDER UPDATE

    Source: New Zealand Super Fund

    Portfolio Update – The value of the NZ Super Fund has mirrored the performance of global risk assets over the past couple of months, dropping to $74 billion following US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements on 2 April and subsequently recovering to pass $83 billion.

    Periods of volatility are part and parcel of running a growth-focused portfolio, which we continue to believe is the investment strategy best suited to our mandate and to our purpose, Sustainable Investment Delivering Strong Returns to All New Zealanders.

    As a long-term investor, we are able to ride out, and even take advantage of, short-term market volatility. For example, one of our most successful active strategies over the past few years is Strategic Tilting. This strategy is based on our belief that investments tend to return to fair value over time and that, given our long-term investment horizon, we can improve our risk-adjusted returns by reducing our exposure to assets we believe are over-priced assets in favour of holding assets we believe offer value.

    As we have seen during the GFC and at the outset of the Covid pandemic, this strategy can generate losses over the short to medium term: our operational independence and our clearly defined governance model are essential to the success of this strategy.

    Market Conditions

    Financial markets remain closely attuned to developments in U.S. trade policy and ongoing tariff negotiations under the Trump Administration. These policy uncertainties, combined with concerns over the recently released federal budget – which is projected to significantly widen the U.S. fiscal deficit – have heightened investor caution.

    As a result, long-term U.S. Treasury yields have risen, driven in part by increased investor demand for alternative sovereign debt instruments. Notably, Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) have seen a pickup in yields, offering a relatively attractive option for investors seeking safety and yield diversification. This shift in sentiment has also contributed to a modest depreciation of the U.S. dollar against major currencies.

    Global economic activity expanded at a moderate pace in Q1, but recent indicators suggest a softening in momentum across several economies. Inflation remains broadly in line with central bank targets, helped by subdued energy prices. In response to the cooling outlook, central banks in New Zealand, Australia, and the Eurozone have eased monetary policy, while the U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady.

    Adding to global uncertainty, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have driven a sharp increase in commodity prices, particularly in oil markets. These developments are likely to be a key source of market volatility in the near term.

    The NZ Super Fund in the Budget

    The amount of money the government is required to contribute to the Super Fund is determined by a formula set out in Section 43 of our Act (the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Act 2001).

    It is a complicated-looking calculation, but the most important inputs are the expected nominal GDP and net cost of superannuation over the following 40 years and the size of the Super Fund.

    If nominal GDP or the size of the Super Fund is higher than expected (or if the net cost of superannuation is lower), the Government is required to contribute a lower amount.

    These forecasts are updated by Treasury every six months at the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) and the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU).

    At the last HYEFU, Treasury forecast that the government would be able to make its first withdrawal from the Super Fund in 2031 ($96 million).

    Last month’s updated numbers, published alongside Finance Minister Nicola Willis’s 2025 Budget, forecast that the first withdrawal would come in 2028 ($32 million). 2036 remains the year where withdrawals are forecast to pass $1 billion for the first time.

    Reductions in forecast government contribution have been a trend for the past few years, driven by higher-than-expected returns from the Super Fund and lower-than-previously-expected future net superannuation costs.    

    The Elevate Fund

    The Budget also contained the news that the Government would divert this year’s capital contribution of $61 million to the Elevate Fund, along with a further $39 million from the government’s capital allowance.

    This $100 million commitment provides some welcome certainty for NZGCP, whom the Guardians appointed to manage Elevate in line with the legislation that established the fund in 2019 (the Venture Capital Fund Act), and matches the approach taken by the previous government when it first set up Elevate.

    We look forward to continuing to work with NZGCP to maintain Elevate’s contribution to increasing the venture capital available to New Zealand entities and developing New Zealand’s venture capital markets to function more effectively. 

    Minister of Finance’s Letter of Expectations

    We have now published our response to the Letter of Expectations 2025/26 that we received earlier this year from Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

    Click here to read the Minister’s letter, and here to read our response. 

    Guardians staffer elected to ILPA board

    Del Hart, our Head of External Investments and Partnerships, was recently elected to the Board of the Institutional Limited Partners Association. With 618 institutional members drawn from 50 countries, the ILPA is an important industry advocate and thought leader.

    Private markets are growing and changing rapidly. Del’s perspective will be of great value as we continue to refine our thinking about investing in this asset class.

    Industry recognises Leadership Team member’s career and contribution

    Paula Steed, recently appointed as Guardians GM Technology (and previously GM Strategy and Shared Services), has been inducted as a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Association of Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Fellowships are given for outstanding career achievements or contributions to the profession, as decided by CAANZ members.  

    NZ Super Fund Scholarship winner

    Avondale College alumna Chana Malungahu is the latest recipient of the NZ Super Fund AUT Business Scholarship – Pacific. Chana, who enrolled at AUT in the second semester last year, is currently studying business strategy, international business management, and entrepreneurship and innovation, and working towards a Bachelor of Business degree. 

    AUT Business School announced the award of this scholarship via their LinkedIn page.

    Annual Report voted best in Australasia

    For the fourth time in five years the Guardians’ annual report has been named Report of the Year at this year’s ARA awards. Judges described the report as “designed to engage readers and effectively communicate the organisation’s messages … customer centric and easy to understand.”

    Read our Annual Report for FY24 here.

    The Judges’ comments and a full list of award winners can be found on the ARA website.

    In the news

    Guardians Board member (and former Senior Investment Strategist at the NZ Super Fund) Sue Brake and CalPERS Chief Investment Officer (and former Chief Investment Officer at the NZ Super Fund) Stephen Gilmore talk about the Total Portfolio Approach to investing with Thinking Ahead Institute Associate Director Isabella Martin – the latest in Isabella’s Investing for the Future series of podcasts.

    The Guardians is gearing up to combine a multitude of investment data models across the organisation into a central model-of-models, which should lead to better investment decisions and cost savings. Maaike van Tol, our Director of Portfolio Design, recently sat down with the Investment Innovation Institute’s Director of Content, Wouter Klijn, to talk about how a comprehensive data analytics function can lead to more meaningful conversations, better investment decisions, and lower costs. Read Wouter’s report here.   

    Sustainable Investment Analyst Laumanu Mafi recently featured on RadioNZ’s Pacific Waves programme, where she and host Susana Suisuiki discussed some of the difficulties Pacific women face in accessing the retirement benefits they need. An economist by training, Laumanu spent three years on the investment team at Tonga’s Retirement Fund Board before joining the Guardians two years ago. Go to RNZ Pacific to listen to their conversation.

    Congratulations to former Guardians Board member Mark Tume, winner of the Invest New Zealand – Te Tohu Kahukura Māori Leadership in Finance Award at the recent INFINZ awards. A full list of award winners can be found here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 1-2 SBCT Transfers Authority to 1-4 SBCT

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP CASEY, South Korea – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, uncased their colors, and the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, cased theirs during a Korea Rotational Force transfer of authority ceremony held June 18, on Camp Casey.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 1-2 SBCT Transfers Authority to 1-4 SBCT

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP CASEY, South Korea – U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, uncased their colors, and the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, cased theirs during a Korea Rotational Force transfer of authority ceremony held June 18, on Camp Casey.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Video: China’s Economy: Analysed

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    China’s Economy: Analysed

    Despite persistent challenges, such as low domestic demand and household consumption, China’s economy has been buoyed by strong exports and private sector activity, hitting its 5% growth rate target in 2024 and aiming for similar levels of growth this year.

    To what extent can a shift to a technology-led model yield new growth as global volatility threatens exports?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEkf6keMyto

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 9th China-South Asia Expo closed in Kunming

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracting over 500,000 visitors to the six-day expo.

    KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracting over 500,000 visitors to the six-day expo.

    KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracting over 500,000 visitors to the six-day expo.

    KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracting over 500,000 visitors to the six-day expo.

    KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracting over 500,000 visitors to the six-day expo.

    KUNMING, June 25 (Xinhua) — The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, attracting over 500,000 visitors to the six-day expo.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New flight connects Chinese Guangzhou with Almaty

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — China Southern Airlines flight CZ3083 with 145 passengers on board took off from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in south China’s Guangdong Province on Wednesday for Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking the official opening of a direct air route between the two cities by the Chinese carrier.

    The new route will be operated by Boeing 737-8 aircraft in both directions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the Chinese news agency Zhongxinshe reports.

    With the addition of this route to the schedule, China Southern Airlines’ fleet now operates a total of 26 direct round-trip flights per week, connecting Almaty with airports in Guangzhou, Urumqi (the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China), Xi’an (the capital of Shaanxi Province in Northwest China) and Beijing Daxing Airport.

    Let us recall that 2024 was the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, and 2025 has been declared the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan. The opening of the new airline will facilitate business and tourism exchanges between China and Kazakhstan, the report notes.

    In addition, as previously reported, China Southern Airlines will also launch a Guangzhou-Tashkent flight on June 30. The carrier’s network of flights on air routes between China and Central Asia continues to expand. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xinhua intends to expand cooperation with Azerbaijani media

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — Xinhua News Agency Director-General Fu Hua met with a delegation of Azerbaijani media in Beijing on Wednesday.

    Fu Hua said that Xinhua and the Azerbaijan State News Agency signed a cooperation agreement in April. Xinhua is ready to work with Azerbaijani media to tell stories about the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

    Fu Hua expressed hope that the media of the two countries will strengthen cooperation in news coverage, technology and personnel exchange.

    Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency Akhmed Ismayilov stated that the Azerbaijani side is ready to implement important agreements reached by the heads of the two countries together with Xinhua and achieve new successes in media cooperation. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two ISIS militants killed in northern Iraq

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BAGHDAD, June 26 (Xinhua) — Two militants of the Islamic State (IS) group were killed on Wednesday during a military operation in northern Iraq, the Iraqi counter-terrorism service said in a statement.

    Acting on intelligence, counter-terrorism forces ambushed militants in a remote area of Kirkuk province.

    The counter-terrorism service will continue to fight terrorism in all corners of Iraq, the statement said.

    While Iraq declared victory over ISIS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians in cities, deserts and remote areas. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar Statement on American Strikes on Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar Statement on American Strikes on Iran

    Congressman John Moolenaar released the following statement on the American strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities:

    “President Trump has been consistent. A nuclear Iran poses a threat to our nation, our military personnel, and our allies in the region. His decision to strike Iran is necessary to keep our nation and our allies safe, and ensure the number one sponsor of terrorism does not develop nuclear weapons.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar, Walberg, Bergman Introduce Legislation to Protect Line 5

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar, Walberg, Bergman Introduce Legislation to Protect Line 5

    Today, Congressman John Moolenaar introduced legislation to ensure Line 5 remains open to provide low-cost energy for Michigan residents. The Line 5 Act would prevent future administrations from shutting down the international pipeline. Moolenaar’s legislation is cosponsored by Congressmen Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Jack Bergman (R-MI).

    “Line 5 is a vital source of energy for Michigan families. Unfortunately, the previous administration did not recognize its value to our state and fought to shut down the pipeline with bureaucratic red tape. Thankfully, the Trump administration has worked to ensure Line 5 remains open to serve Michigan residents. The Line 5 Act is a commonsense, two-page bill, which will stop future administrations from reversing the progress made by President Trump’s administration on Line 5, so Michigan families can count on it to affordably heat their homes,” said Congressman Moolenaar. 

    “Michiganders rely on Line 5 for a safe, secure, and reliable supply of energy to heat their homes and power our local economy,” said Rep. Walberg. “While the Trump administration has shown its steadfast dedication to securing American energy reliability, it is vital that we prevent future presidents from shutting down this safe and essential pipeline. Energy security is national security, and we must protect our critical energy infrastructure.” 

    “Line 5 is critical to Michigan families and our way of life. No president, regardless of their party – should have the power to shut it down with the stroke of a pen. Line 5 keeps energy affordable, supports thousands of Michigan jobs, and helps fuel our economy. This bill is about putting common sense and stability ahead of political agendas,” said General Bergman. 

    Approximately 320,000 households in Michigan rely on propane to heat their homes. Line 5 provides 55% of the state’s propane supply. 

    The text Line 5 Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Moolenaar, Dingell Legislation to Stop Deadly TB Outbreaks Passed by House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

    Headline: Moolenaar, Dingell Legislation to Stop Deadly TB Outbreaks Passed by House

    Today, Congressman John Moolenaar and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s bipartisan legislation, the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act, was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives. The legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to make reforms regarding the screening of tissue donation materials, conduct education campaigns, and impose penalties on tissue providers who fail to prevent tuberculosis outbreaks.  

    The lawmakers introduced the bill in honor of Shandra Eisenga, of Marion, who passed away on August 10, 2023 due to a tuberculosis infection. Eisenga was one of 36 patients in seven states to contract TB after receiving a bone graft containing infected tissue donor material.  

    “I am grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support for our legislation honoring Shandra’s legacy. This bill will help prevent TB infections from bone grafts and save families from experiencing the pain and sadness that Shandra’s family has tragically endured. Our legislation accomplishes this by ensuring the FDA requires screening for TB and holds tissue suppliers responsible for infections they spread. I will continue my work in Congress to ensure this commonsense legislation is signed into law,” said Moolenaar.

    “Shandra Eisenga’s death was a preventable tragedy, and we owe it to Shandra, her family, and every other patient who has been affected by contaminated bone grafts to ensure we’re doing everything possible to prevent future cases like this,” said Dingell. “As someone who had multiple bone grafts after osteomyelitis, I was never warned about the dangers. We must do more to educate patients, make sure they are aware of the risks of human cell and tissue product transplants, and implement additional safeguards to protect patients from the dangers of these infections. I’m thankful to Congressman Moolenaar for his partnership, to the University of Michigan doctors who brought this issue to our attention, and most importantly, to Shandra’s family for their tireless advocacy. I am optimistic this legislation will pass the senate and be signed into law.”

    Moolenaar with Shandra Eisenga’s family, in December 2024.

    The text of the Shandra Eisenga Human Cell and Tissue Product Safety Act can be found here. Moolenaar spoke during the debate of the legislation on the House floor about Shandra’s tragic story and the need for reform. Moolenaar’s remarks can be viewed here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Decisions confirmed on water model and Porirua City budget

    Source: Porirua City Council

    Porirua City Council today officially adopted the Te Puna Kōrero committee recommendations made earlier this month around the city’s budget and rates, and the preferred water services delivery model.
    The Annual Plan for the 2025/26 year was agreed, with an average rates increase of 6.39 per cent, significantly lower than previously budgeted.
    When preparing the draft Annual Plan, the starting point for this year’s rates increases had hit 15 per cent, due to cost pressures.
    Council acknowledged this wasn’t sustainable for households and businesses, so took a hard look at internal operations to find cost savings. This brought the new starting point for the average rates increase down to 6.75 per cent.
    After public consultation on five options to further lower the increase, Council agreed to discontinue the Chamber of Commerce grant and increase Council’s building consent hourly rate.
    They voted against increasing the paid parking hourly rate, putting up Cannons Creek Pool entry fees, and discontinuing the Event Investment Programme.
    With these changes, the average rates increase for residential properties will be 6.39 per cent. For most properties, this equates to around $6 or $7 extra per week.
    Porirua Mayor Anita Baker said while nobody wanted to see rates go up, she was confident that the Council had done everything possible to keep increases as low as possible.
    “We know the community is struggling, which is we have done a deep dive internally and made significant cuts, that got us to a lower number than planned. We could have done further cuts, but we listened to your feedback and were guided by that.”
    Water Services preferred delivery model
    Council also agreed to the committee recommendation of 5 June to jointly establish and co-own a new water organisation with Upper Hutt City Council, Hutt City Council, Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
    Mayor Baker said this was another milestone decision for Porirua as we continue to progress towards implementing the Local Water Done Well Policy.
    “Public consultation undertaken in March and April strongly supported a jointly owned water organisation, and this decision today enables Porirua to continue working with our neighbouring Council towards the stand up of the water company in 2026.”
    Council also agreed today to delegate Mayor Baker and Councillor Ross Leggett, as her alternate, (as the Council’s representative on the Advisory Oversight Group) the power to make decisions on two establishment activities.
    This delegation will enable the next phases of work to continue during the new company’s establishment phase. It will remain in place until later in the year when a new shareholders committee will be set up and will take over the governance level decision making. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Local News – Updated alcohol policy and keeping animals bylaw for Porirua

    Source: Porirua City Council

    Updated rules on keeping animals and the sale and supply of alcohol in Porirua will be coming into force.
    The Keeping of Animals Bylaw 2025 and Local Alcohol Policy (LAP) 2025 have been recently officially ratified by Mayor Anita Baker and Porirua City councillors, following on from consultation (December 2024 to this March) and deliberations and hearings in May.
    The updated LAP aims to reduce alcohol-related harm in our city, particularly in some of Porirua’s most vulnerable communities, while balancing growth in the city and the hospitality industry’s needs. After input from the public, health officials, licensing inspectors and police, the policy will manage where and when alcohol can be sold and promotes responsible drinking. New LAP rules include:
    • off-licence premises like bottle stores, grocery stores and supermarkets can only sell alcohol between 9am-9pm
    • no new off-licences are allowed in vulnerable areas without very good reason (Porirua East, Titahi Bay, Elsdon, Takapūwāhia, Kenepuru and the city’s CBD)
    • all licences within 100 metres of a sensitive site, such as schools and drug/alcohol treatment centres, will need to do an impact assessment for a new licence or an application to renew.
    The LAP comes into effect on 18 July, except changes to the off-licence hours, which will take effect on 5 January, 2026.
    The Keeping of Animals Bylaw 2025, meanwhile, has updated rules to help prevent mess, noise and nuisance by domestic animals in Porirua.
    It includes new rules for cats (requiring owners to desex, microchip and register their feline), stock, and poultry, as well as new rules for beekeepers.
    Dogs are already governed by the Dog Control Bylaw.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Disabilities and Poverty – New research shows poverty hitting intellectually disabled New Zealanders the hardest – IHC

    Source: IHC

    A new IHC report reveals that New Zealanders with an intellectual disability are twice as likely to live in hardship or severe hardship compared to the rest of the population.

    IHC Advocate Shara Turner says the report, The Cost of Exclusion: Hardship and People with Intellectual Disability in New Zealand, shows this is a deep, systemic issue.

    “The cost of disability is real and it’s falling entirely on individuals and families who are often excluded from work, transport and even food.

    “It is not acceptable that people with intellectual disabilities can’t afford a healthy diet.

    “It’s also unacceptable that this is not part of national conversations on poverty.

    “We need to include intellectual disability in all poverty tracking and public reporting. We need to adjust income support to reflect the true cost of disability and to build joined-up systems that recognise the long-term, cross-sector disadvantage disabled people experience.”

    The report shows that people with intellectual disability face significantly higher rates of hardship at every stage of life:

    Hardship is twice as likely for people with an intellectual disability under 40 and almost three times as likely for those aged 40-64 compared to others
    Severe hardship rates triple in middle age, even as they decline for the rest of the population
    Nearly 50% of people with intellectual disability cannot pay an unavoidable bill within a month without borrowing (vs. 18% of others)
     They are over four times more likely to go without a meal with meat (or vegetarian protein equivalent) every second day
     They are almost three times more likely to cut back on fresh fruit and vegetables due to cost
    Nearly 30% of children with intellectual disability can’t have fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with sexual abuse of children

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man charged with sexual abuse of children

    Thursday, 26 June 2025 – 12:46 pm.

    Tasmania Police has charged a man from southern Tasmania with child sexual abuse offences, including five counts of rape, as part of an ongoing investigation.The man, aged in his 50s, was previously charged in December 2023 with multiple historical sexual offences against three children under the age of 12.Following further inquiries and interviews by the Southern Sex Crimes Investigation Unit, the man was recently arrested and faces charges of sexual abuse against two more children.The man was bailed with strict conditions and will reappear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in late September.If you suspect child abuse, report it on 131444 or if the child is in immediate danger, call 000.You can also report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.auThe Tasmanian Government’s Keeping Children Safe website is available at https://keepingchildresafe.tas.gov.au/Support for victim survivors, if required, is available through Arch https://arch.tas.gov.au/ or via https://keepingchildrensafe.tas.gov.au/get-support/

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Oil shocks in the 1970s drove rapid changes in transport. It could happen again if Middle East tensions continue

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hussein Dia, Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology

    The Image Bank/Getty

    As the world watches the US–Iran situation with concern, the ripple effect from these events are reaching global oil supply chains – and exposing their fragility.

    If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz as it is considering, it would restrict the global oil trade and trigger energy chaos.

    Petrol in some Australian cities could hit A$2.50 a litre according to some economists. As global instability worsens, other experts warn price spikes are increasingly likely.

    What would happen next? There is a precedent: the oil shocks of the 1970s, when oil prices quadrupled. The shock drove rapid change, from more efficient cars to sudden interest in alternative energy sources. This time, motorists would likely switch to electric vehicles.

    If this crisis continues or if another one flares up, it could mark a turning point in Australia’s long dependence on foreign oil.

    What would an oil shock mean?

    Australia currently imports 80% of its liquid fuels, the highest level on record. If the flow of oil stopped, we would have about 50 days worth in storage before we ran out.

    Our cars, buses, trucks and planes run overwhelmingly on petrol and diesel. Almost three-quarters (74%) of these liquid fuels are used in transport, with road transport accounting for more than half (54%) of all liquid fuels. Australia is highly exposed to global supply shocks.

    The best available option to reduce dependence on oil imports is to electrify transport.

    How does Australia compare on EVs?

    EV uptake in Australia continues to lag behind global leaders. In 2024, EVs accounted for 9.65% of new car sales in Australia, up from 8.45% in 2023.

    In the first quarter of 2025, EVs were 6.3% of new car sales, a decline from 7.4% in the final quarter of 2024.

    Norway remains the global leader, with battery-electric passenger cars making up 88.9% of sales in 2024. The United Kingdom also saw significant growth – EVs hit almost 20% of new car registrations in 2024.

    In China, EVs made up 40.9% of new car sales in 2024. The 12.87 million cars sold represent three-quarters of total EV sales worldwide.

    One reason for Australia’s sluggishness is a lack of reliable public chargers. While charging infrastructure is expanding, large parts of regional Australia still lack reliable access to EV charging.

    Until recently, Australia’s fuel efficiency standards were among the weakest in the OECD. Earlier this year, the government’s new standards came into force. These are expected to boost EV uptake.

    Could global tensions trigger faster action?

    If history is any guide, oil shocks lead to long-term change.

    The 1970s oil shocks triggered waves of energy reform.

    When global oil prices quadrupled in 1973–74, many nations were forced to reconsider where they got their energy. A few years later, the 1979 Iranian Revolution caused another major supply disruption, sending oil prices soaring and pushing much of the world into recession.

    Huge increases in oil prices drove people to look for alternatives during the 1970s oil shocks.
    Everett Collection/Shutterstock

    These shocks drove the formation of the International Energy Agency in 1974, spurred alternative energy investment and led to advances in fuel-efficiency standards.

    Much more recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed the European Union to face up to its reliance on Russian gas and find alternatives by importing gas from different countries and accelerating the clean energy shift.

    Clearly, energy shocks can be catalysts for long-term structural change in how we produce and consume energy.

    The new crisis could do the same, but only if policy catches up.

    If fuel prices shot up and stayed there, consumer behaviour would begin to shift. People would drive less and seek alternate forms of transport. Over time, more would look for better ways to get around.

    But without stronger support such as incentives, infrastructure and fuel security planning, shifting consumer preferences could be too slow to matter.

    A clean-energy future is more secure

    Cutting oil dependency through electrification isn’t just good for the climate. It’s also a hedge against future price shocks and supply disruptions.

    Transport is now Australia’s third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Now that emissions are falling in the electricity sector, transport will be the highest emitting sector emissions source as soon as 2030.

    Building a cleaner transport system also means building a more resilient one. Charging EVs on locally produced renewable power cuts our exposure to global oil markets. So do biofuels, better public transport and smarter urban planning.

    Improving domestic energy resilience isn’t just about climate targets. It’s about economic stability and national security. Clean local energy sources reduce vulnerability to events beyond our control.

    What can we learn from China?

    China offers a compelling case study. The nation of 1.4 billion faces real oil security challenges. In response, Beijing has spent the past decade building a domestic clean energy ecosystem to reduce oil dependency and cut emissions.

    This is now bearing fruit. Last year, China’s oil imports had the first sustained fall in nearly two decades. Crude oil imports fell 1.5%, while oil refinery activity also fell due to lower demand.

    China’s rapid uptake of EVs has clear energy security benefits.
    pim pic/Shutterstock

    China’s green energy transition was driven by coordinated policy, industrial investment and public support for clean transport.

    China’s rapid shift to EVs and clean energy shows how long-term planning and targeted investment can pay off on climate and energy security.

    What we do next matters

    The rolling crises of 2025 present Australian policymakers a rare alignment of interests. What’s good for the climate, for consumers and for national security may now be the same thing.

    Real change will require more than sustained high petrol prices. It demands political will, targeted investment and a long-term vision for clean, resilient transport.

    Doing nothing has a real cost – not just in what we pay at the service station, but in how vulnerable we remain to events a long way away.

    Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

    – ref. Oil shocks in the 1970s drove rapid changes in transport. It could happen again if Middle East tensions continue – https://theconversation.com/oil-shocks-in-the-1970s-drove-rapid-changes-in-transport-it-could-happen-again-if-middle-east-tensions-continue-259670

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – SMEs resilient in the face of rising costs – CBA

    Source: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

    With around 90 per cent of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) having experienced an increase in costs in the past year, keeping up with utilities, supplier and marketing costs is proving ever more challenging.

    Key findings:

    • New research commissioned by CommBank shows 89 per cent of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) have experienced an increase in business costs in the past 12 months.
    • Utility bills, including phone, internet and electricity bills, are by far the greatest contributor to the increased costs (66 per cent), while nearly half (47 per cent) have seen supplier costs soar.
    • These increases are followed by marketing (29 per cent), staff (26 per cent), and accounting software costs (25 per cent).
    • On average, business costs have increased by 10 per cent, however 40 per cent of SMEs who have experienced a rise report increases of more than 10 per cent.

    Justine Dalrymple, owner of Front Room Hair in Sydney’s lower North Shore suburb of Crows Nest, prides herself on not only the high standard of service her salon offers to local customers, but the community she’s been able to build around her business.

    “What I love the most about being a small business owner is the opportunity to bring the community together. We are so blessed that we get to make fri

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn: Big Beautiful Bill Will Prevent Tax Hike on Texans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – Today on Fox Business’ Kudlow, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised the One Big Beautiful Bill as a historic opportunity to prevent a more-than $3,000 tax hike on Texas families and bend the spending curve. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.
    “We’ve got to continue the current tax provisions so we don’t see a multitrillion-dollar tax increase.”
    “President Trump understands that the real key here is getting our economy growing again, and his deregulatory agenda, his focus on American energy production, and lowering taxes, and expensing equipment, and things like that, is going to see this economy boom – just like it did after the 2017 tax bill up until the time the pandemic hit. It was the best economy I’ve seen in my lifetime, and I think this promises to be even better.”
    “If you don’t vote for the bill, you’re going to see a multitrillion-dollar tax increase. That does nothing for the deficit and debt.”
     “So we’re making good, incremental change – a good first start.”
    “We need to get this bill done so people don’t experience a huge tax increase.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Mitigate Foreign Influence on U.S. Policymaking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    Legislation Would Ban Former Government Employees from Lobbying for Countries of Concern

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act, which would mitigate foreign influence on U.S. policymaking by prohibiting former government employees from lobbying on behalf of countries of concern:
    “Foreign adversaries with ill intentions should not wield influence on American policymaking, nor should they exploit our own citizens to intercede on their behalf,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation would root out attempts of malign foreign interference and permanently ban former U.S. government employees from lobbying for countries of concern like Russia and China.”
    “Public trust in our democratic institutions has been eroding,” said Sen. Welch. “It’s vital we set higher standards against potential conflicts of interest for former government employees, particularly when it involves foreign adversaries that might be working to influence U.S. policy.”
    “It isn’t right for senior government officials to turn their public service experience into a payout from malign foreign governments,” said Sen. Risch. “This bill will help prevent corruption at the highest levels of our government, protect our national security, and ensure that our public servants do not abuse their power for the good of America’s adversaries.”
    “America is engaged in a clash of civilizations against kleptocrats, international criminals, and corrupt foreign nations that provide them safe harbor,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Our adversaries exploit both secret and overt channels of influence to put their thumb on the scale of American policy.  I’m glad to join this bipartisan effort to prevent senior U.S. government officials from selling their expertise, access, and influence to shadowy foreign interests after they leave their jobs.”
    Background:
    With recent attempts by foreign actors to manipulate the U.S. political and governing processes in recent years, the Clear Path Act would seek to mitigate foreign malign influence in our political system by:
    Permanently banning agency heads, deputies, and Senate-confirmed employees from lobbying the executive and legislative branches on behalf of countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Cuba;
    And including a mechanism to add or remove countries of concern via a Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Judiciary Committee joint resolution and with the concurrence of the U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Attorney General.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Valadao Votes to Fully Fund Benefits for Central Valley Veterans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G. Valadao (California)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. This bill includes critical investments to modernize military infrastructure, support readiness, and enhance the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. It also maintains our nation’s commitment to the well-being of our veterans by providing critical resources for healthcare, pension benefits, and housing. Congressman Valadao is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

    “I’m proud to support this bill that delivers on our promise to America’s veterans and strengthens support for our military families,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bill fully funds veterans’ health care, the VA, and key benefits our veterans have earned, while also investing in a new program to combat veteran homelessness. I’m also happy to see Central Valley priorities included—like important language related to the Bakersfield VA clinic and funding for an F-35 Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at NAS Lemoore. This is the first FY26 appropriations bill to clear the House, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move the rest of our funding bills forward.”

    Key Takeaways:

    • Fully funds veterans’ health care programs. 
    • Fully funds veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
    • Combats veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
    • Maintains funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs to support our veterans.
    • Provides robust funding for military construction projects, including NAS Lemoore.
    • Invests in the American Battle Monuments Commission.

    Background:

    The FY26 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes a total discretionary allocation of $152.091 billion, which is nearly $5 billion (3%) above the FY25 enacted level. This bill also provides $300 billion for mandatory programs, for a total of $453 billion in overall funding. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Secure Nearly $34 Million in Federal Funding to Support Rural Nevada Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), alongside Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), announced that Nevada will receive nearly $34 million in federal funding through the Department of the Interior’s Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program to support essential services in rural counties across the state. PILT payments provide yearly federal funding to local governments that can’t collect property taxes on federal land, helping them pay for essential services like law enforcement, firefighting, public schools, and infrastructure. These funds offset lost revenue and support vital services like public safety, road maintenance, and education. This year’s allocation is nearly $1 million more than last year’s, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure that Nevada communities receive the resources they need.
    “I’m committed to making sure that Nevada receives its fair share of federal funding to help support local law enforcement, bolster public education, and fund critically‑needed infrastructure repairs,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to have helped secure more than $33 million in PILT funding this year to support rural communities across Nevada so they can afford essential services that benefit our state and help Nevadans succeed.”
    “Nevada’s rural communities rely on PILT funding to complete projects and carry out critical services,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am pleased to announce this funding – close to a million more than last year – to ensure local governments across the Silver State can continue to deliver for families that call our rural counties home.”
    Senator Rosen has consistently fought to deliver results for Nevada’s rural communities through targeted legislation and federal funding. In February, she helped introduce bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program, which provides essential funding for schools, roads, and law enforcement in rural counties across the state. With her support, this bipartisan legislation passed the Senate last week. In December 2024, Senator Rosen secured nearly $1 million through the USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program to expand access to education and job training in Elko, Humboldt, Lander, Nye, Pershing, and White Pine counties. Last year, she helped secure nearly $33 million in federal PILT funding to support vital services in rural Nevada.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Gonzalez Calls on President Trump to Save the American Workforce

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

    Pushes President to Issue Executive Order that Helps Struggling South Texas Businesses

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announcedthat he has called on President Trump to save the American workforce by sending a letter urging executive action to help struggling businesses in South Texas and across the U.S.  

    This comes as the administration’s mass deportation agenda has disproportionately hurt many businesses, including the agriculture, construction, and hospitality sectors.

    The letter reads, “Like you, I am a strong supporter of legal migration and the apprehension of criminals, which is why I voted in support of legislation like the Laken Riley Act. However, American businesses are being harmed by what you described as a “…very aggressive policy…” This country is heavily reliant on an undocumented workforce in industries like construction, agriculture, and hospitality. That is why I urge you to protect American businesses and issue an executive order that would allow small business to sponsor undocumented migrants who have been in the country for three years and have no criminal record. This executive order would provide migrants temporary lawful status on a yearly basis and allow them to continue working without fear of deportation.”

    Currently, the Trump Administration’s mass deportation policies could lead to the removal of an estimated:  

    1.5 million workers from the construction workforce 

    1 million workers in the hospitality industry 

    870,400 workers in the manufacturing industry 

    500,800 workers in general services 

    460,500 workers in transportation and warehousing 

    224,700 workers from the agriculture industry 

    Read the full letter here. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: No significant issues from gang-related funeral

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attributable to Acting Superintendent Lincoln Sycamore, Eastern District Commander:

    Police are pleased to report no significant issues following a gang-related funeral in the Hawke’s Bay yesterday.

    An operation to monitor the behaviour and movements of those involved were carried out across Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.

    One person was arrested on Tuesday evening for displaying gang insignia.

    We would like to thank the members of the public for their patience during this time.

    Police also encourage the public to report any instances of unlawful activity on the roads, so we can take appropriate action where necessary.

    Please contact 111 if it is happening now, or via 105 if it is after the fact.

    Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Regional property markets continue momentum amid national growth

    Source: Premier of Victoria

    Author – Denton Pugh, NAB Executive for Home Lending. Originally published on News.com.au.

    We might be deep into the winter months, but there’s definite signs of warmth returning to Australia’s property market.

    Home values across the country have nudged higher again, rising 0.5% in May and lifting the national index 1.7% over the first five months of the year. And every capital city recorded growth. A sign that confidence in the market is continuing to grow.

    NAB Executive for Home Lending Denton Pugh

    We’re seeing this confidence play out in people like Emily Chalk, a 32-year-old first-home buyer who recently bought a home just outside of Rockhampton, in regional Queensland. She’d spent six months looking for a place to call home.

    A conversation with her banker helped her understand how the Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme could help get her into her first home sooner than she thought. Within weeks she’d bought a home in the town she grew up in.

    Stories like Emily’s are becoming increasingly more common.

    It’s not just upgraders or investors sitting on equity returning to the market. Many first-home buyers have been waiting for banks to reduce home lending rates so they can not only borrow more but also have that confidence to take the leap into homeownership.

    New NAB home lending data shows lending to first home buyers is up 16% since February, and up 32% to home buyers more broadly.

    While interest rates are still relatively high, recent rate cuts are helping. With these cuts combined with initiatives like the Home Guarantee Scheme, we’re starting to see more people take that first step into homeownership.

    Of course, we can’t ignore the bigger picture. While monthly growth is returning, the annual pace of property price increases has slowed. Not great news for investors but good news for those trying to break into the market.

    We’re also seeing strong momentum in regional markets; a trend that’s been building since the pandemic years and is not going away.

    In fact, Queensland regional hotspots dominated our list of the five hottest regional markets so far in 2025*. Toowoomba, Burnett, Springfield-Redbank, and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland all ranked high for home loan activity. Geelong in Victoria was the only non-Queensland regional hotspot to break into the top five.

    1. Toowoomba – QLD
    2. Burnett – QLD
    3. Springfield – Redbank – QLD
    4. Geelong – VIC
    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland – QLD
    6. Mandurah – WA
    7. Loganlea – QLD
    8. Ballarat – VIC
    9. Maryborough – QLD
    10. Mackay – QLD

    It may be the weather, or the lifestyle, but regional markets offer more than just charm and appealing work life balance. They offer affordability and the potential for long-term growth. For buyers like Emily, the appeal of staying close to family, and finding space for a young family was strong.

    “I already know most of my neighbours, I definitely didn’t have that when I was living in Brisbane,” first-home buyer, Emily Chalk.

    This continued momentum is promising, but it also highlights one of the biggest challenges still facing the market – we need more homes.

    Lower rates are helping on the demand side, but affordability and supply remain big hurdles. Addressing those issues will take time, commitment, and smart policy. Particularly when it comes to getting new housing built in the places people want to live.

    The winter months are usually quieter for the housing market, however, with most economists expecting further interest rate cuts this year, winter activity is expected to be a little higher than usual, continuing to build for the busier spring period.

    More information:

    • *NAB proprietary home lending data between January – April 2025 vs the year prior.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Celebrates Passage of Bill to Protect Against Influence of Foreign Adversaries

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Celebrates Passage of Bill to Protect Against Influence of Foreign Adversaries

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen celebrated passage of LB644, brought on his behalf by Senator Eliot Bostar. During the news conference, the Governor signed ceremonial copies of the bill. He officially signed the legislation into law on June 4.

    LB644 creates two new acts: the Foreign Adversary and Terrorist Agent Registration Act and the Crush Transnational Repression in Nebraska Act. Together, the acts are aimed at knowing who represents foreign adversaries within the state, curbing the information and/or data they may access or distribute, as well as providing protection against tactics that could be utilized by such organizations to cause undue influence or harm. Reporting requirements and penalties for violations are outlined within each Act.

    “Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba and the Maduro regime in Venezuela are all designated as foreign adversaries by the U.S. Government,” said Gov. Pillen. “They do not have our best interests at heart and as a result, we need to take appropriate steps to make sure that as a state, we are protected.”

    LB644 represents the latest of several executive and legislative actions that Gov. Pillen has authorized since taking office – all aimed at making sure state assets including infrastructure, land, technology and people are protected.

    “In today’s world, the means of getting access, of getting information, and crippling our most critical systems is easier than ever, which is why we are highly focused on addressing these issues,” continued Gov. Pillen.

    Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly, who serves as the state’s director of homeland security, called attention to several of the executive orders and bills signed by Gov. Pillen over the two previous legislative sessions — including LB683 and LB1301 — both brought Sen. Bostar. Those bills, respectively, address the protection of communications equipment and prohibit companies from adversarial countries bidding on state and local procurement contracts.

    “This year, primarily, the legislation is focused on guarding against foreign adversarial influence operations,” said Bostar. “We have some existing transparency requirements for those who would seek to influence policy in the state of Nebraska, but not enough. It doesn’t prohibit the circumvention of full transparency over interests that would be adversarial to the interests of Nebraskans.”

    Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor, pointed to Nebraska’s leadership among other states when it comes to addressing national security issues.

    “Resilience is the key topic for states to address — being ready for potential conflict, being ready to counter political warfare — this is a part of resilience,” noted Lucci.

    State Armor works alongside states to identify solutions to global security issues and was founded following the introduction of LB683 in 2023.

    “One of the first things when our organization was founded was to tell states, ‘do what Nebraska did.’  And we have not stopped conveying that message.”  

    Lucci commended Nebraska lawmakers on taking a bipartisan approach to legislation aimed at protecting the state and signaled it was the approach President Trump and other federal officials want to see.  

    Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard and director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) remarked that in his dual role, homeland security was top of mind.

    “Our adversaries can reach out at us through many different methods, and not just through the traditional, conventional munitions, but by way of cyber-attack, satellite imagery and other vectors that we have to be aware of, such as drones,” said MG Strong. “This bill clearly helps us maintain the level of awareness and readiness that are important elements of our state emergency response plans, particularly as it relates to Nebraska’s homeland defense.

     Also attending today’s news conference and ceremonial bill signing were senators Beau Ballard, Barry DeKay and Brian Hardin.

     Links to executive orders, legislation and letters signed by Gov. Pillen to protect the state against foreign adversaries can be found below.

    https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-pillen-joins-letter-calling-halt-foreign-land-grabs

    https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/governor-pillen-senators-push-back-against-foreign-adversaries

    https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-pillen-senators-and-dept-ag-present-laws-protect-nebraska-foreign-adversaries-during-news

    https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-signs-executive-order-banning-more-ccp-tech

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Husker Football Coach Matt Rhule to Headline Governor’s Summit in August

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    .nebraska.gov/” title=”https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/” data-auth=”NotApplicable” data-linkindex=”3″>govsummit.nebraska.gov.

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen announced that Matt Rhule, head football coach for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will keynote the Governor’s Summit the morning of August 14 in Kearney.

    “Coach Rhule loves Nebraska because — it’s the people! He is Nebraska and he brings positive energy, grit, determination and passion to leading young men,” said Gov. Pillen. “It’s exciting for us to have him at this year’s Summit to inspire all of us to be more than we believe we can be.”

    Rhule is entering his third season as the Nebraska’s head coach in 2025, having led the Huskers to victory in the Pinstripe Bowl to close out the 2024 season. He has 12 years of experience as a head coach, including nine years in the college ranks and three seasons as the head coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Highly regarded as a program builder and player developer, Rhule led successful turnarounds of the programs at Baylor and Temple and has improved Nebraska’s record in each of his first two seasons in Lincoln. A native of New York City, Rhule earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State and his master’s degree in educational psychology from Buffalo. He and his wife Julie have three children, Bryant, Vivienne and Leona.

    The 2025 Governor’s Summit officially kicks off on Wednesday night, Aug. 13, with a reception and banquet hosted by the Nebraska Diplomats. Thursday, Aug. 14, is the primary day of the Governor’s Summit. It features remarks from Gov. Pillen, a keynote from Husker Coach Rhule, a full slate of breakout sessions, and the inaugural Governor’s Youth Summit.

    To register for the Diplomats Banquet and Governor’s Summit, visit govsummit.nebraska.gov. Students may sign up for the Youth Summit at https://govsummit.nebraska.gov/youth/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 26, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 26, 2025.

    ‘Do not eat’: what’s in those little desiccant sachets and how do they work?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kamil Zuber, Senior Industry Research Fellow, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia towfiqu ahamed/Getty Images When you buy a new electronic appliance, shoes, medicines or even some food items, you often find a small paper sachet with the warning: “silica gel, do not eat”. What exactly

    ‘I’m dreading birthing in such a system’: what Indigenous women globally think of birth care and what they’d like to see instead
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nina Sivertsen, Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University Pregnancy and having a baby can be a special time. And families want to feel safe and trust their maternity care. But when we reviewed the evidence, we found many Indigenous families globally face unfair

    Iran accuses US over ‘torpedoed diplomacy’ – passes bill to halt UN nuclear watchdog cooperation
    BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem Kia ora koutou, I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground. At least 79 killed and 391 injured by Israeli forces in Gaza over the last 24 hours, including 33 killed

    Parenthood or podium? It’s time Australian athletes had the support to choose both
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jasmine Titova, PhD Candidate, CQUniversity Australia When tennis legend Serena Williams retired in 2022, she stated: If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labour of expanding our family. Many

    Papua New Guinea police blame overrun system for prison breakouts
    By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Police in Papua New Guinea say the country’s overrun courts and prisons are behind mass breakouts from police custody. Chief Superintendent Clement Dala made the comment after 13 detainees escaped on Tuesday in Simbu Province, including eight who were facing murder charges. Dala said an auxiliary policeman who

    Stable public housing in the first year of life boosts children’s wellbeing years down the track – new research
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jaimie Monk, Research Fellow, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Phil Walter/Getty Images New Zealand’s unaffordable housing market means low-income families face big constraints on their accommodation options. This involves often accepting housing that is insecure, cold, damp or in unsuitable neighbourhoods. But little is known about

    From HAL 9000 to M3GAN: what film’s evil robots tell us about contemporary tech fears
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Daniel, Associate Lecturer in Communication, Western Sydney University © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Filmgoers have long been captivated by stories about robots. We are fascinated by their utopian promise, their superhuman intelligence and, in the case of the cyborg, their often uncanny resemblance to

    Yes, Victoria’s efforts to wean households off gas have been dialled back. But it’s still real progress
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trivess Moore, Associate Professor in Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University MirageC/Getty On the question of gas, Victoria’s government faces pressure from many directions. The Bass Strait wells supplying Australia’s most gas-dependent state are running dry. Gas prices shot up in 2020 and have stayed high.

    From HAL 9000 to ME3AN: what film’s evil robots tell us about contemporary tech fears
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Daniel, Associate Lecturer in Communication, Western Sydney University © 2025 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Filmgoers have long been captivated by stories about robots. We are fascinated by their utopian promise, their superhuman intelligence and, in the case of the cyborg, their often uncanny resemblance to

    Remote cave discovery shows ancient voyagers brought rice across 2,300km of Pacific Ocean
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hsiao-chun Hung, Senior Research Fellow, School of Culture, History & Language, Australian National University Ritidian beach, Guam. Hsiao-chun Hung In a new study published today in Science Advances, my colleagues and I have uncovered the earliest evidence of rice in the Pacific Islands – at an ancient

    500,000 Australians live with mental illness but don’t qualify for the NDIS. A damning new report says they need more support
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Rosenberg, Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra, and Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney stellalevi/Getty Half a million Australians are living with moderate to severe mental illness, but they don’t qualify for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and cannot access the support

    ‘I’m not going to give up’: how to help more disadvantaged young people go to uni and TAFE
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucas Walsh, Professor and Director of the Centre for Youth Policy and Education Practice, Monash University Oliver Rossi/ Getty Images On Wednesday, Education Minister Jason Clare hailed an increase in the numbers of Australians starting a university degree. In 2024, there was a 3.7% increase in Australian

    New climate reporting rules start on July 1. Many companies are not ready for the change
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Baird, Senior Lecturer , University of Tasmania PaeGAG/Shutterstock A new financial year starts on July 1. For Australia’s large companies, that means new rules on climate-related disclosures come into force. These requirements are the culmination of years of planning to ensure companies disclose climate-related risks and

    Whose story is being told — and why? 4 questions museum visitors should ask themselves this school holidays
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato The winter school holidays will mean families across Aotearoa New Zealand will be looking for indoor activities to entertain children. With millions of visitors each year, museums focused on the country’s history will inevitably play host to

    Philly psychology students map out local landmarks and hidden destinations where they feel happiest
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Zillmer, Professor of Neuropsychology, Drexel University Rittenhouse Square Park in Center City made it onto the Philly Happiness Map. Matthew Lovette/Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images What makes you happy? Perhaps a good night’s sleep, or a wonderful meal with friends? I am the director

    Macron invites all New Caledonia stakeholders for Paris talks
    By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French President Emmanuel Macron has sent a formal invitation to “all New Caledonia stakeholders” for talks in Paris on the French Pacific territory’s political and economic future to be held on July 2. The confirmation came on Thursday in the form of a letter sent individually

    Opposition starts on challenge of crafting (yet another) energy policy
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The opposition is commencing the challenging task of framing a new energy policy, including deciding whether to stick by its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Liberal leader Sussan Ley, appearing at the National Press Club, announced a Coalition

    Election flows reveal nearly 90% of Greens preferenced Labor ahead of Coalition
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Minor party preference flows for the federal election have been released, with Labor winning Greens preferences by 88.2–11.8, while the Coalition won One Nation preferences by 74.5–24.5.

    Australia’s native bees struggled after the Black Summer fires – but a world-first solution brought them buzzing back
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kit Prendergast, Postdoctoral Researcher, Pollination Ecology, University of Southern Queensland Kit Prendergast (@bee.babette_performer) After a devastating bushfire, efforts to help nature recover typically focus on vertebrates and plants. Yet extreme fires can threaten insects, too. After the Black Summer fires of 2019–20, I embarked on world-first research

    Wild swings in the oil price make the Reserve Bank’s job harder
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra It looks, at least for now, as though tensions in the Middle East are easing somewhat. It appears much less likely Iran will try to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which flows about a fifth of

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –