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  • MIL-Evening Report: In view of Trump’s review of AUKUS, should Australia cancel the subs deal? We asked 5 experts

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Andrews, Senior Manager, Policy & Engagement, Australian National University

    Speculation is swirling around the future of the A$368 billion AUKUS agreement, following Washington’s decision to review the nuclear submarine deal to ensure it meets President Donald Trump’s “America first” agenda.

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was planning to use talks with Trump at the G7 to demand the US continue to back the deal – but the meeting has been cancelled.

    With the Pentagon taking another look at AUKUS, we ask five experts whether the government should rethink Australia’s own commitment to the pact.

    Jennifer Parker

    Expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University

    Absolutely not. Another review would consume time and capacity better spent delivering AUKUS on its tight timelines.

    To understand why, we must put the decision in context.

    The leaked details of the US Department of Defense review does not alter the position of any of the three AUKUS partners. Much of the commentary has missed the broader picture: Washington is undertaking its regular review of defence strategy.

    Normally conducted every four years, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently announced the 2026 version would be brought forward to August 2025, with Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby leading the process.

    It makes sense the Pentagon would also assess AUKUS – a central element of its Indo-Pacific posture.

    While some have fixated on Colby’s supposed scepticism, the reality is different. In March, Colby told the US Senate Armed Services Committee the US should do everything in its power to make AUKUS work.

    Why now? Because the strategy review is being accelerated under the new administration. As for the leak, it is plausible it was designed to apply pressure to Australia over its defence spending commitments.

    The more important question is: what is the likely outcome? While nothing is certain, AUKUS enjoys strong bipartisan support in the US, as it does in Australia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called it a “blueprint” for cooperation, echoed by other senior officials.

    Crucially, the real driver of this so-called “America First” review is what the US gets out of AUKUS. The answer is quite a lot. It secures access to Southeast and Northeast Asia from a location beyond the range of most Chinese missiles, adds a fourth maintenance site for Virginia-class submarines, and delivers an ally with an independent nuclear-powered submarine industrial base.

    Beyond AUKUS, Australia has expanded its support for Marine and bomber rotations and other posture initiatives. Australia is central to US strategy in the Indo-Pacific. They need us as much as we need them. All signs point to a constructive outcome from this short, sharp review.

    While AUKUS carries risks and Australia must remain clear-eyed, alarmism is unhelpful. Much of the public debate has taken that tone. Nothing fundamental has changed since the optimal pathway was announced in 2023. The risks we face now were known then.

    There is no basis for an Australian review at this point. It would only distract from delivering this ambitious program. If core assumptions materially change, then a review may be warranted. But until then, such talk is a distraction.

    Albert Palazzo

    Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UNSW Canberra, UNSW Sydney

    The AUKUS review should be welcomed by all Australians as an opportunity for the Albanese government to scrap the agreement and wean itself off US dependency.

    The review is a chance for our political leaders to exercise their most important responsibility: asserting the nation’s sovereignty and equipping Australia to provide for its national security on its own.

    Since AUKUS already contains clauses the US could use to cancel the pact, a termination now would benefit Australia. It would save the nation huge sums of money, and force the government to formulate a more useful and appropriate security policy.

    Elbridge Colby has previously questioned the logic of “giving away” America’s “crown jewels”, namely its nuclear-powered submarines, and argued the US will need all its boats against China.

    Elbridge Colby is in charge of the AUKUS review.

    More alarmingly, in his book The Strategy of Denial, Colby concludes the ideal way for the US to deny China regional hegemony is to use its allies to minimise its own “risks, commitment and expense”. Additionally, he says the US needs to retain the opportunity to walk away from a China conflict if that proves to be in America’s best interest.

    Colby’s track record suggests he will recommend Australia make a larger military contribution to the alliance — as his boss Pete Hegseth demanded at the Shangri-La Dialogue. This is even as the US reserves its right to desert us at a time of its own choosing, as the United Kingdom did during the second world war with the Singapore Strategy.

    At one time, the existing defence policy of reliance on the US made a degree of sense. But that is no longer the case. Instead, Australia’s leaders have an opportunity to recalibrate defence policy from one of dependency to one of self-defence.

    As I outline in my forthcoming book, The Big Fix, Australia should adopt the philosophy of “strategic defensive”. This is a method of waging war in which the defender only needs to prevent an aggressor from achieving its objectives.

    This would eliminate the risks and enormous cost of AUKUS while securing the nation’s future. A strategic defensive approach is well within Australia’s capabilities to implement on its own.

    While it would be an ironic act of dependency if the US was to save Australia from itself by either cancelling AUKUS or by making it too unpalatable to swallow, the chance to reconsider should not be missed.

    AUKUS remains an affront to Australian sovereignty.

    Ian Langford

    Executive Director, Security & Defence PLuS and Professor, UNSW Sydney

    Australia should not walk away from AUKUS in light of the Pentagon’s newly announced review. However, it should seize the moment to increase defence spending to meet short-term challenges not addressed by the submarine deal.

    Despite the noise, AUKUS remains Australia’s most straightforward path to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, deepening strategic interoperability with the United States and United Kingdom, and embedding itself in the advanced defence technology ecosystems of its closest allies.

    But clinging to AUKUS without confronting the deeper risks it now exposes would be a strategic mistake. From an Australian perspective, the submarine pathway is on a slow fuse: first deliveries are not expected until the early 2030s.

    Meanwhile, the risk of major power conflict in the Indo-Pacific is accelerating, with a potential flashpoint involving China and the US as early as 2027. Naval brinkmanship in the Taiwan Strait and the South and East China Seas is already routine.

    Submarines that arrive too late do little to shape the strategic balance in the next five years. Canberra must therefore confront a hard truth: AUKUS may enhance Australia’s deterrence posture in the 2030s, but it does little to prepare the ADF for a near-term fight.

    That fight, should it come, will demand capabilities the ADF currently lacks in sufficient quantity: long-range missiles, deployable air defence, survivable command and control, and more surface combatants.

    Yet under current spending plans, Australia is trying to fund both the AUKUS build and short-term deterrence within a constrained budget. It will not work. Even after recent increases, defence spending remains around 2% of GDP. This is well below the level needed to fund both long-term deterrence and immediate readiness.

    Without a step change – closer to 2.5–3% of GDP – or a major reprioritisation of big-ticket programs, the ADF faces a dangerous capability gap through the second half of this decade.

    Nor can Australia afford to ignore its underinvestment in the asymmetric tools of modern warfare, including cyber capabilities and space-based surveillance.

    Australia should hold firm on AUKUS. The strategic upside is real, and the alliance commitments it reinforces are indispensable. But we should not pretend it is cost-free.

    Unless the defence budget is significantly expanded, AUKUS risks hollowing out the rest of the Defence Force. The result would be a future submarine fleet paired with an underpowered ADF, unready to meet the threats of today.

    In reaffirming AUKUS, Australia must confront the complex reality that it won’t address the threats of this decade, and should plan accordingly.

    Maria Rost Rublee

    Professor, International Relations Social and Political Sciences, The University of Melbourne

    Let’s be honest – Australia is not going to withdraw from AUKUS.

    The United States is our most important military and diplomatic partner; in the words of the 2024 National Defence Strategy, “our alliance with the US remains fundamental to Australia’s national security”.

    Unilaterally extracting ourselves from AUKUS would significantly damage our relationship with the US. Given the bipartisan and public support for the alliance within Australia, it simply won’t happen.

    As we navigate the complexities of AUKUS under Trump 2.0, we should remember that as a defence industrial agreement, AUKUS creates numerous benefits for Australia. In both Pillar I (nuclear submarines) and Pillar II (advanced defence capabilities), Australia is developing deep partnerships, collaboration and even integration with both the US and the UK in shipbuilding, advanced technology, and stronger supply chains.

    In addition, a rarely discussed benefit of AUKUS is the total life-cycle climate impacts, given nuclear submarines are superior to diesel alternatives. Diesel is a non-renewable energy source with significant global warming potential, while nuclear power is generally acknowledged to be low-carbon.

    However, AUKUS does offer very significant risks for Australia.
    Flexibility is baked into the arrangement for the three partner nations – leading to the very situation we are in today. There are significant concerns Washington may not sell nuclear Virginia-class submarines to Australia in the 2030s, as agreed.

    We have known for years the US is not producing enough nuclear attack submarines for its own domestic use, but we seem to have hoped this would change or the US would sell us the subs anyway.

    The current US review of AUKUS makes it clear Australia needs to think seriously about other options for submarines. Without the Virginia-class, we will be without any subs at all, at least until the SSN-AUKUS submarines are delivered by the mid-2040s.

    Our current ageing Collins-class subs, already beset with operational problems, will not be fit for purpose much past mid-2030. At this point, the most likely viable option is off-the-shelf conventional submarines from Japan or South Korea.

    The fact is, while Australia is unlikely to withdraw from AUKUS, the US may force the issue by refusing to sell us its nuclear-powered submarines. Refusing to acknowledge this does not change the risks.

    President Donald Trumps wants US allies to lift their defence spending.
    Rawpixel/Shutterstock

    David Andrews

    Senior Manager, Policy & Engagement, Australian National University

    I want AUKUS to succeed. It offers a unique opportunity to substantially upgrade Australia’s maritime capabilities with access to world-leading submarine technology and a suite of advanced and emerging technologies.

    However, we cannot realistically pursue “AUKUS at any cost”. There must be an upper limit to how much time, effort and resources are committed before the costs – financial, political and strategic – outweigh the potential long-term benefits.

    Of course, the government must not be hasty. Any decision should wait until the completion of the US review. Likewise, AUKUS should not be abandoned merely because it is being reviewed.

    Reviews are not inherently negative processes. A review after four years of a project of this size and significance is not a particularly surprising development. As seen in the UK, reviews can refocus efforts and commit greater resources, if needed.

    However, it doesn’t look like that’s what the US review is setting out to do. Rather, it’s focused on ensuring AUKUS is aligned with the America First agenda. That indicates an altogether different set of considerations.

    People often describe Trump as a “dealmaker” or “transactional”, but these are misleading euphemisms. This review, and recent language from senior US officials, gives the impression of a shakedown – of coercion, not partnership.

    As with tariffs, this does not feel like “the act of a friend”.

    The need to “win” and extract money from alliances is antithetical to their purpose. It misunderstands their nature and the fundamental importance of trust between partners. AUKUS is not an ATM.

    Past behaviour suggests no deal Trump makes will last without further demands being imposed. No amount of money is likely to be satisfactory. Even if Australia’s defence spending was lifted to 3.5% of GDP, the question would be “why isn’t it 5%?” For AUKUS, there is no such thing as an offer he cannot refuse.

    I do not say this lightly, but if the outcome of this process is a series of gratuitous or untenable demands by the US, the Albanese government should strongly consider walking away from AUKUS.

    The consequences would be significant, so the threshold of such a decision would need to be similarly calibrated. But no single project should be put above the integrity of our wider defence enterprise and the sovereign decision-making of our government.

    David Andrews has not personally received funding from any relevant external bodies, but he has previously worked on projects funded by the Australian Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Home Affairs, and Defence. David is a member of the Australian Labor Party and Australian Institute of International Affairs, and previously worked for the Australian Department of Defence.

    Albert Palazzo is not a member of a political party but does occasional volunteer work for The Greens. In 2019, he retired from the Department of Defence. He was the long-serving Director of War Studies for the Australian Army.

    Ian Langford is affiliated with Security & Defence PLuS, a collaboration between the University of New South Wales, Arizona State University and Kings College, London.

    Maria Rost Rublee has received grant funding from the Australian Department of Defence and the US Institute of Peace. She is affiliated with Women in International Security-Australia and Women in Nuclear-Australia.

    Jennifer Parker does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. In view of Trump’s review of AUKUS, should Australia cancel the subs deal? We asked 5 experts – https://theconversation.com/in-view-of-trumps-review-of-aukus-should-australia-cancel-the-subs-deal-we-asked-5-experts-258921

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced new legislation in a continuation of their efforts to hold El Salvador accountable for its human rights abuses and its collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. The Senators’ legislation would apply sanctions on Salvadoran officials and others who have engaged in international human rights violations or worked to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.

    The legislation would additionally explicitly sanction Salvadoran President Bukele and Vice President Ulloa, as well as El Salvador’s Ministers of Foreign Relations, Defense, and Justice and Public Security, among others. In addition to its actions alongside the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States, Bukele and his government have continued to jail and persecute innocent Salvadoran citizens, including journalists and human rights advocates such as Ruth López.

    “President Bukele and his regime are continuing to commit abhorrent human rights atrocities and eradicate due process,” said Senator Padilla. “We must hold Bukele and all responsible parties accountable for the suspension of constitutional rights and continued collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. Imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions on Bukele and his corrupt government is a necessary step to push El Salvador to finally uphold international human rights law and respect fundamental civil liberties.”

    “President Bukele and the Government of El Salvador are colluding with the Trump Administration, taking American taxpayer dollars to imprison people as part of a scheme to violate their constitutional rights. We must hold Bukele and his cronies accountable for these wrongful actions as well as for the gross violations of human rights they are committing in El Salvador. This legislation would do just that by placing sanctions on Bukele and those in his government who are responsible for these abuses. We must send a clear signal that these injustices are unacceptable and must end,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Under President Bukele, tens of thousands of Salvadorans and even U.S. residents remain jammed in megaprisons without due process. President Bukele may think he has a friend in President Trump, but he should know that Americans will not tolerate his efforts to undermine the rule of law and democratic institutions—whether in El Salvador or here in the United States,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation with my colleagues to sanction foreign nationals complicit in Bukele’s behavior and the Trump Administration’s illegal actions to deny due process to people living in the United States.”

    The Senators’ legislation is supported by the Latin America Working Group, the Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights Watch, and Immigration Hub.

    Additional Background:

    • Sanctions: Imposes property-blocking and visa sanctions on President Bukele, key members of his cabinet, and other foreign persons working on behalf of the Salvadoran government that have:
      • engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including in connection with the ongoing “state of exception” in El Salvador;
      • engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights; or
      • provided material support to any person that has engaged in the above activities.
    • Termination/Snapback of Sanctions: Sanctions cannot be terminated until at least four years after the bill is enacted and unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of El Salvador is no longer engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and no longer engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights. If the President determines that either of those conditions resume, then sanctions shall be reimposed.
    • Reporting Requirements: Requires reports to Congress that provide transparency on Salvadoran officials subject to a variety of sanctions authorities, U.S. government assistance to El Salvador, bilateral written agreements between the United States and El Salvador, and compliance with U.S. laws including the Leahy Laws and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Also requires a report on the actions of Salvadoran officials, including President Bukele, to use cryptocurrency as a mechanism for gross corruption, graft, and sanctions evasion.
    • Blocking International Financial Assistance: Instructs the United States to use its voice and vote in international financial institutions to oppose financial assistance to the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.
    • Prohibiting U.S. Funds for El Salvador: Prohibits any U.S. funding for the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.

    “Senators Van Hollen, Kaine, and Padilla’s bill to impose sanctions on the regime of President Nayib Bukele is timely and importantly puts a spotlight on the gross violation of human rights that have occurred under President Bukele’s state of exception. Since March 2022, 85,000 people have been detained, constitutional guarantees have been suspended, and over 350 people have died while under state custody. Systemic torture and persecution are state policies. Significantly, the bill also addresses the pervasive corruption that has occurred since President Bukele took office and prevents the IMF and other international financial institutions not to lend support. Not one penny of our tax dollars should support this regime until there is an end to the human rights violations, and the rule of law, judicial independence, and government transparency are restored.  All Members of Congress should get behind this bill,” said Vicki Gass, Executive Director, Latin America Working Group.  

    “Targeted individual sanctions for gross human rights violations are a critical diplomatic tool the U.S. can use to push for change and hold authoritarian actors accountable; as El Salvador’s political and human rights crisis deepens, strong international action like this becomes essential,” said Ana María Méndez-Dardón, Director for Central America at the Washington Office on Latin America.

    “We are heartened to see Senators confronting the human rights abuses of government officials in El Salvador. This bill an important reminder that uncritical US government support to President Bukele will not last forever and a recognition that nobody should be deported to Salvadoran prisons,” said Juan Pappier, Deputy Director of the Americas division, Human Rights Watch.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Van Hollen, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Sanction Salvadoran Officials for Human Rights Abuses, Collusion with Trump Administration in Violation of Constitutional Rights

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced new legislation in a continuation of their efforts to hold El Salvador accountable for its human rights abuses and its collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. The Senators’ legislation would apply sanctions on Salvadoran officials and others who have engaged in international human rights violations or worked to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their rights under the U.S. Constitution.

    The legislation would additionally explicitly sanction Salvadoran President Bukele and Vice President Ulloa, as well as El Salvador’s Ministers of Foreign Relations, Defense, and Justice and Public Security, among others. In addition to its actions alongside the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States, Bukele and his government have continued to jail and persecute innocent Salvadoran citizens, including journalists and human rights advocates such as Ruth López.

    “President Bukele and his regime are continuing to commit abhorrent human rights atrocities and eradicate due process,” said Senator Padilla. “We must hold Bukele and all responsible parties accountable for the suspension of constitutional rights and continued collusion with the Trump Administration to imprison people from the United States without due process. Imposing economic sanctions and visa restrictions on Bukele and his corrupt government is a necessary step to push El Salvador to finally uphold international human rights law and respect fundamental civil liberties.”

    “President Bukele and the Government of El Salvador are colluding with the Trump Administration, taking American taxpayer dollars to imprison people as part of a scheme to violate their constitutional rights. We must hold Bukele and his cronies accountable for these wrongful actions as well as for the gross violations of human rights they are committing in El Salvador. This legislation would do just that by placing sanctions on Bukele and those in his government who are responsible for these abuses. We must send a clear signal that these injustices are unacceptable and must end,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    “Under President Bukele, tens of thousands of Salvadorans and even U.S. residents remain jammed in megaprisons without due process. President Bukele may think he has a friend in President Trump, but he should know that Americans will not tolerate his efforts to undermine the rule of law and democratic institutions—whether in El Salvador or here in the United States,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation with my colleagues to sanction foreign nationals complicit in Bukele’s behavior and the Trump Administration’s illegal actions to deny due process to people living in the United States.”

    The Senators’ legislation is supported by the Latin America Working Group, the Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights Watch, and Immigration Hub.

    Additional Background:

    • Sanctions: Imposes property-blocking and visa sanctions on President Bukele, key members of his cabinet, and other foreign persons working on behalf of the Salvadoran government that have:
      • engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, including in connection with the ongoing “state of exception” in El Salvador;
      • engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights; or
      • provided material support to any person that has engaged in the above activities.
    • Termination/Snapback of Sanctions: Sanctions cannot be terminated until at least four years after the bill is enacted and unless the President certifies to Congress that the Government of El Salvador is no longer engaged in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights and no longer engaged in the scheme, including by accepting U.S. taxpayer dollars, to deprive individuals residing in the United States of their Constitutional rights. If the President determines that either of those conditions resume, then sanctions shall be reimposed.
    • Reporting Requirements: Requires reports to Congress that provide transparency on Salvadoran officials subject to a variety of sanctions authorities, U.S. government assistance to El Salvador, bilateral written agreements between the United States and El Salvador, and compliance with U.S. laws including the Leahy Laws and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Also requires a report on the actions of Salvadoran officials, including President Bukele, to use cryptocurrency as a mechanism for gross corruption, graft, and sanctions evasion.
    • Blocking International Financial Assistance: Instructs the United States to use its voice and vote in international financial institutions to oppose financial assistance to the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.
    • Prohibiting U.S. Funds for El Salvador: Prohibits any U.S. funding for the Government of El Salvador until the appropriate Presidential certification is transmitted to Congress.

    “Senators Van Hollen, Kaine, and Padilla’s bill to impose sanctions on the regime of President Nayib Bukele is timely and importantly puts a spotlight on the gross violation of human rights that have occurred under President Bukele’s state of exception. Since March 2022, 85,000 people have been detained, constitutional guarantees have been suspended, and over 350 people have died while under state custody. Systemic torture and persecution are state policies. Significantly, the bill also addresses the pervasive corruption that has occurred since President Bukele took office and prevents the IMF and other international financial institutions not to lend support. Not one penny of our tax dollars should support this regime until there is an end to the human rights violations, and the rule of law, judicial independence, and government transparency are restored.  All Members of Congress should get behind this bill,” said Vicki Gass, Executive Director, Latin America Working Group.  

    “Targeted individual sanctions for gross human rights violations are a critical diplomatic tool the U.S. can use to push for change and hold authoritarian actors accountable; as El Salvador’s political and human rights crisis deepens, strong international action like this becomes essential,” said Ana María Méndez-Dardón, Director for Central America at the Washington Office on Latin America.

    “We are heartened to see Senators confronting the human rights abuses of government officials in El Salvador. This bill an important reminder that uncritical US government support to President Bukele will not last forever and a recognition that nobody should be deported to Salvadoran prisons,” said Juan Pappier, Deputy Director of the Americas division, Human Rights Watch.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-Central Asia Summit to draw new blueprint for future cooperation

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

    At the upcoming Second China-Central Asia Summit to be held later this week, heads of state will jointly draw a new blueprint for future cooperation, open up new space for Belt and Road cooperation and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Monday.

    Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a press briefing when answering a related query.

    Noting Central Asia is not only the place where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed, but also a pace-setter in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Guo said that all five Central Asian countries have signed BRI cooperation documents with China, and China and Central Asian countries have implemented a series of signature projects designed to boost development and make lives better for the people.

    Trade between China and Central Asian countries hit a record high of 674.15 billion yuan in 2024, up by 116 percent compared with that of 2013. Guo said that all sides have found a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation through the China-Kazakhstan Crude Oil Pipeline project and the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline project. The China-Tajikistan highway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway have taken regional connectivity to new levels, and practical cooperation is expanded to digital economy and green transition.

    “China has mutual visa exemption with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Luban Workshops project is picking up speed. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have moved onto the fast lane and brought our peoples close to each other,” Guo said, pointing out that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation is increasingly becoming a key focus of China-Central Asia cooperation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US stocks rebound as investors brush off Middle East tensions

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

    U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday, recovering from Friday’s sharp losses as investors’ concerns over ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran eased somehow.

    Escalation of conflicts between Iran and Israel had briefly rattled markets — oil prices surged, the Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) spiked, and gold prices rose as investors sought safe havens. However, Monday’s action suggested confidence remained intact. High-yield credit spreads widened by just 2 basis points.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 317.30 points, or 0.75 percent, to 42,515.09. The S&P 500 added 56.14 points, or 0.94 percent, to 6,033.11. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased by 294.39 points, or 1.52 percent, to 19,701.21.

    Seven of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in green, with communication services and technology leading the gainers by adding 1.53 percent and 1.52 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, utilities and health led the laggards by losing 0.50 percent and 0.40 percent, respectively.

    Market history supports the idea that geopolitical shocks are often short-lived in their market impact. According to Deutsche Bank analysts Parag Thatte and Binky Chadha, the S&P 500 typically drops around 6 percent in the three weeks following a geopolitical event, but usually recovers those losses in the next three weeks.

    Deutsche Bank’s Henry Allen added in a Monday note that geopolitical events tend to have lasting effects on equities only when they disrupt the real economy, either by slowing growth or driving inflation. So far, investors seem to be betting that neither scenario is likely in the near term.

    Despite lingering geopolitical concerns, historically low equity positioning and resilient fundamentals may be keeping a broader sell-off at bay, allowing risk appetite to return for now. “Focus will remain on geopolitical headlines, but as long as the conflict stays limited between Israel and Iran, it’s unlikely to materially impact the markets,” said Tom Essaye at the Sevens Report.

    Tesla rose more than 1 percent on Monday, while Meta Platforms climbed 2.9 percent, helping power the broader market. Palantir, often seen as a beneficiary of rising geopolitical instability due to its defense and AI ties, rose near 3 percent.

    The rising move comes ahead of a key week for monetary policy. Investors digested a weaker-than-expected manufacturing survey released Monday morning by the New York Fed, adding to signs of slowing momentum in the industrial sector. Still, the data did little to shift expectations ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision on Wednesday.

    According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, futures markets are pricing in a 100 percent chance that the Fed will hold rates steady, despite renewed pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut interest rates.

    However, elevated oil prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East are expected to keep inflation risks on the Fed’s radar and reduce the likelihood of rate cuts in the near term. “Markets got a reminder that tariffs aren’t the only potential source of market volatility,” said Chris Larkin at E*Trade from Morgan Stanley. “Right now, markets are signaling they expect the situation in the Middle East will remain contained, but any surprises could have an oversized impact on sentiment.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: How China-Africa industrial chain drives continental growth

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

    China-Africa trade reached a record 295.56 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, up 4.8 percent year-over-year, marking the 16th consecutive year China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner.

    Currently, with the support of the 10 partnership action plans, Chinese and African businesses are enhancing collaboration across the industrial chain, propelling the advancement of relations and providing fresh impetus for sustainable economic growth.

    This photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows workers checking cocoa processing equipment at the cocoa processing complex in the PK24 Industrial Park on the northwestern outskirts of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

    BOOSTING LOCAL PRODUCTION

    In Cote d’Ivoire, the PK24 Industrial Park outside Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, is abuzz with activity. A newly built cocoa processing complex, the country’s first state-owned modern plant, is about to launch.

    Built by China Light Industry Nanning Design Engineering Co., Ltd., the facility can process 50,000 tonnes of cocoa annually and store 140,000 tonnes. It marks a major milestone in the country’s drive to advance up the global value chain.

    “We’re finally processing cocoa on our own land,” said Ettien Kouakou Camille, a local farmer beaming with pride. “In the past, cocoa was exported without being processed. Now, Chinese companies are helping us change that.”

    Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, Cote d’Ivoire’s Minister of State and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Chinese companies are not just building factories — they are bringing integrated solutions to help us upgrade our agricultural value chains. “China’s agricultural development experience is a vital reference for African countries,” he said.

    A staff member sorts chili peppers in Nyagatare District, Rwanda, on May 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Ji Li)

    Similar transformations are taking shape across the continent. In Rwanda’s Eastern Province, Gashora Farm PLC is expanding chili production with support from China’s Hunan Modern Agriculture International Development Co., Ltd. The partnership includes infrastructure upgrades, such as cold storage, drying facilities, and expanded farmland.

    “The Chinese market is enormous. We saw strong demand for Rwandan dried chili,” said Dieudonne Twahirwa, managing director of Gashora Farm PLC.

    To date, China has established capacity cooperation with 15 African countries and is involved in over 50 industrial parks across the continent, attracting global investment and strengthening Africa’s industrial base.

    “China has become not only a major trade partner for Africa, but also a key supporter in capacity building and technology transfer,” said Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam.

    People work in a workshop of China’s Inner Mongolia King Deer Cashmere Group on the southern outskirts of Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, March 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

    DEVELOPING SKILLED TALENT

    Alongside infrastructure, China-Africa cooperation has emphasized vocational training and talent development.

    On the southern outskirts of Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, more than 3,000 local workers at a cashmere garment plant owned by China’s Inner Mongolia King Deer Cashmere Group transform high-end yarn into export-ready products.

    “Since the factory’s inception, we have trained over 20,000 textile professionals across various roles,” said Xia Yonghai, general manager of the company. “Many now work in local textile enterprises, holding key technical and managerial positions.”

    For 50-year-old Rivoherimanitra Niaina Rado, who has worked at the factory for nearly two decades, the journey is incredible. “I started as a trainee and now became a foreman … What I’m most proud of is helping bring advanced technology to Madagascar.”

    Chinese companies are also driving demand for vocational skills across Africa. Flagship initiatives like the Luban Workshops promote hands-on, industry-oriented learning in several countries.

    Cavince Adhere, a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said that Chinese investment and long-term engagement in Africa have not only created employment but also significantly raised the technical capacity of the local workforce through systematic training.

    Chinese enterprises have made vital contributions to Africa’s talent development, laying a solid foundation for Africa’s sustainable growth, Adhere added.

    Staff members of Kilimall sort goods at a warehouse in Mlolongo, Kenya, on June 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

    CONNECTING GLOBAL MARKETS

    China-Africa cooperation is also facilitating the export of African products to global markets through various platforms.

    In Kenya, Chinese-founded e-commerce platform Kilimall has become one of East Africa’s leading online retailers. One of its top merchants, Hoswell Macharia, sells locally produced TVs by Chinese-invested firm Vitron, generating annual sales of 96 million Kenyan shillings (about 745,000 U.S. dollars).

    “Around 40 percent of our components are now locally sourced, and we plan to further increase localization based on market demand,” said Hu Zhaoyang, executive director of Vitron, home to Chinese investment.

    Vice President of Kilimall Wu Mixiang said the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers in Africa means local retailers have access to better-quality and more affordable products, which translates into real benefits for consumers.

    Other Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu are also expanding in Africa, connecting local businesses to the global digital economy.

    China continues to open its market to African exports. It granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of product categories to all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, including 33 African countries, starting from Dec. 1, 2024. Events like the China International Import Expo, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) and the Canton Fair further support African exporters.

    “The Chinese market really has an appetite for Kenyan products … We are working with various stakeholders to consolidate consignments for Hass avocado sourced countrywide,” said avocado exporter Newton Ngure at a Kenya-focused CAETE promotional event in April. “It is an opportune moment for us to venture into the Chinese market.”

    From infrastructure and training to production and global sales, China-Africa industrial cooperation is deepening. As the continent moves from raw material exports to shared value creation, this partnership is helping lay the foundation for long-term, independent growth and a brighter future. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Green’s fiscal strategy opportunity to debate new thinking on public investment – Better Taxes

    Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future

    The Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign welcomes the recognition in the Green Party’s Fiscal Strategy of the importance of government capability in building an economy and society that delivers what our communities need. Its fiscal strategy is a significant contribution towards moving thinking on from the fiscal conservatism and market fundamentalism that has dominated the conversation but has not delivered.

    “For the last 40 – 50 years governments in New Zealand have underinvested in public infrastructure and services which would support the kind of economic and social development that would enable our communities to thrive. We need to promote debate about different ways of doing things, about ‘economics as if people mattered’,” says Glenn Barclay, campaign spokesperson.

    “The Green’s discussion document is a serious starting point for that conversation.  We strongly support the recognition of the wider value of public expenditure to the economy. We need to be able to have a mature debate about growing tax revenue and the use of borrowing as sound economic strategies that are open to us.”

    “We have relatively low levels of public debt compared with other OECD countries – in 2024 the IMF ranked us as having the 6th lowest net debt as a proportion of GDP among advanced economies – and room to make wise decisions about borrowing more to invest in public infrastructure that will help to build a productive economy into the future. Government investment now would also help us get out of the current recession and relieve the pressure people are experiencing,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “But we cannot rely solely on debt to build government capability. We need to grow our tax revenue to provide the vital public services upon which people and the economy rely, and to alleviate poverty and inequality. The revenue must be raised in a way that ensures those who can afford to contribute more to the common good do, while addressing the impact of tax on the least well off.”

    “As the Green’s discussion document points out, underinvestment now in infrastructure, in our people and in responding to climate change, risks much more significant costs to address these challenges in the future. Underinvestment and deteriorating services may well create a greater risk than a moderate increase in the government’s debt level,” says Glenn Barclay.

    “Successive governments have made choices about fiscal management that have been driven by rigid thinking. That thinking has failed to support a productive economy that meets the needs of our people now and into the future. It is time that we made better choices, for a better future for New Zealanders.”

    The Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign is a coalition of over 20 organisations led by Tax Justice Aotearoa.

    We believe that tax reform is the only solution to the current challenges facing Aotearoa NZ.  We need the tax system to:

    be transparent
    raise more revenue to enable us address the challenges we face
    make sure people who have more to contribute make that contribution: that we gather more revenue from wealth, gains from wealth, all forms of income, and corporates
    make greater use of fair taxes to promote good health and environmental health
    address the tax impact on the least well off in our society.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Trump’s Truth Social enters crypto ETF race – deVere Group urges caution

    Source: deVere Group

    June 16 2025 – Donald Trump’s Truth Social has filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission to launch a dual Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), sparking concern from one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations.

    The proposed fund, the Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF (ticker: B.T.), sponsored by Yorkville America Digital, LLC, would be the first attempt by a politically affiliated platform to offer a spot ETF with combined exposure to both Bitcoin and Ethereum.

    deVere Group is issuing a strong warning to investors to exercise caution and seek independent financial advice before engaging with this product.

    Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, comments: “We’re long-term advocates of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and digital assets.

    “We believe they are a crucial component of modern portfolios. But this filing is not just another step forward for crypto adoption, it’s an entry point that raises serious questions about alignment, influence, and investor risk.

    “When a politically connected media platform attempts to issue a financial product tied to volatile, high-profile assets, investors must scrutinize everything from the structure to the motive.”

    deVere warns that the convergence of politics and finance in this way could create an illusion of safety or legitimacy, particularly for retail investors.

    “Being SEC-filed doesn’t automatically mean a product is in an investor’s best interests,” says the deVere CEO.

    “It doesn’t insulate against poor governance or conflicts of interest. These are the considerations investors need to weigh carefully, with professional guidance.”

    The renewed appetite for crypto exposure is intensifying, especially following the previous approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs.

    The dual-asset proposal from Truth Social arrives at a moment of renewed enthusiasm.

    deVere Group continues to support the development of well-regulated digital asset investment vehicles and encourages innovation that promotes access, security, and transparency.

    “This fund filing will generate excitement. But excitement is not a strategy,” Nigel Green adds.

    “We urge investors: ask the hard questions, understand the mechanics, and consult advisors who are not part of the hype cycle.”

    deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Modernising Early Childhood Education funding

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Funding Review to ensure the funding system is simple, fair, and gets value for money. 
    Mr Seymour has established an ECE Funding Review Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), chaired by Linda Meade to carry out this review. It will report on it’s findings this time next year. 
    “No money is being taken away and any findings by the MAG will be at least financially neutral,” Mr Seymour says.
    “ECE funding should be used effectively to keep costs for families down. Vote Education spends approximately $2.7 billion on ECE. We need to make sure this funding is going as far as it can and prioritising the right things.
    “The MAG members bring a range of early learning and business expertise which will be key to the review.”
    The group will be chaired by Linda Meade who has a mixture of economics and real experience in the sector. She is the perfect chair for this review. 
    “The ECE funding system should provide the best return on investment for taxpayers. This means providing families with accessible and affordable services which facilitate parents returning to the work force and give kids a great start in life,” Mr Seymour says.
    “There is huge demand for ECEs from families across New Zealand, however numbers show supply isn’t keeping up. That is why we are committed to making changes which will allow the industry to expand and provide more high-quality services for families and their children. 
    “The funding system is too complicated. It confuses families, providers struggle to forecast financial sustainability, and parents take time off work when they can’t access care. 
    “We want to be certain that taxpayer money is being used effectively. For example, we don’t know if the ‘one size fits all’ funding approach in ECE works for parents who don’t have traditional working arrangements or consistent patterns of child attendance. These parents are often the most disadvantaged.  
    “The review will be wide ranging, though some things are excluded. The policy benefits of 20 Hours ECE will and FamilyBoost will be preserved. Please find the review terms of reference attached.   
    “The review will compliment other work we are doing in the ECE sector. Changes made by the ECE Sector Review to modernise and simplify ECE are also underway. By the end of next year ECE providers will also be governed by a regulatory system which ensures regulations are focused on what matters, child safety. 
    “In the meantime, recent amendments to the pay parity opt-in scheme aim to provide some cost relief to ECE services.”
    Notes to editors: 
    Linda Meade (Chair): Brings a deep understanding of social sector infrastructure, particularly in Early Childhood Education as a co-founder of a family owned ECE centre since 2008. She brings expertise in investment strategy, governance and funding system design, developed through her work experience in New Zealand and overseas. Linda is a co-owner of Daisies Early Education & Care Centre and is the Managing Director of Kalimena Advisory, which she founded following almost three decades working at PwC and Deloitte, where she was the lead partner in New Zealand for Deloitte Access Economics.
    Simon Laube: Provides extensive knowledge of the early learning sector and brings skills and expertise in policy development, government engagement, and sector advocacy. He is the Chief Executive of the Early Childhood Council (ECC), a membership organisation of more than 1,500 ECE centres across New Zealand.
    Melissa Glew: Offers skills in strategic planning, property oversight, and resource optimisation, and brings understanding of financial and operational management in the ECE sector. She is the Chief Financial Officer at the Auckland Kindergarten Association, which educates approximately 10,000 children annually across 108 kindergartens and 4 KiNZ centres.
    Kelly Seaburg: Provides strong understanding of ECE and literacy, with skills in centre leadership and educational resource development. She is currently Director of New Shoots Children’s Centre (Sunnynook and Miniland) and is a member of the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Advisory Committee (ECAC).
    Dr. Kane Meissel: Brings in-depth knowledge of educational research, with much of his work focusing on improving educational experiences from early childhood into early adulthood. He has made significant contributions to research in these areas. He is an Associate Professor in educational psychology at the University of Auckland, holding a Ph.D. in the same field.
    Dr. Michael Fletcher: Brings skills in the design and application of social policy and welfare systems, specifically in economic analysis, policy advice, and research on family and employment issues. He is an Adjunct Research Fellow in the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington, has previously been a special advisor for the Welfare Expert Advisory Group and worked as a policy advisor for the Ministry of Social Development.
    Kylie Eagle: Brings extensive experience in business, people and performance, and communication. She is currently the Chief People Officer at Fletcher Building.
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-Central Asia Summit to draw new blueprint for future cooperation: spokesperson

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

    China-Central Asia Summit to draw new blueprint for future cooperation: spokesperson

    BEIJING, June 16 — At the upcoming Second China-Central Asia Summit to be held later this week, heads of state will jointly draw a new blueprint for future cooperation, open up new space for Belt and Road cooperation and build an even closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Monday.

    Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a press briefing when answering a related query.

    Noting Central Asia is not only the place where the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was first proposed, but also a pace-setter in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Guo said that all five Central Asian countries have signed BRI cooperation documents with China, and China and Central Asian countries have implemented a series of signature projects designed to boost development and make lives better for the people.

    Trade between China and Central Asian countries hit a record high of 674.15 billion yuan in 2024, up by 116 percent compared with that of 2013. Guo said that all sides have found a new model of mutually beneficial cooperation through the China-Kazakhstan Crude Oil Pipeline project and the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline project. The China-Tajikistan highway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway have taken regional connectivity to new levels, and practical cooperation is expanded to digital economy and green transition.

    “China has mutual visa exemption with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Luban Workshops project is picking up speed. People-to-people and cultural exchanges have moved onto the fast lane and brought our peoples close to each other,” Guo said, pointing out that high-quality Belt and Road cooperation is increasingly becoming a key focus of China-Central Asia cooperation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: G7 summit kicks off with emerging disagreements among leaders

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

    The Group of Seven (G7) leaders met for the first day of the two-day summit in Kananaskis in the province of Alberta, Canada, on Monday with emerging disagreements.

    According to CNN, U.S. President Donald Trump does not intend to sign a joint statement calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa held a press conference Sunday night saying that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

    French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were also hoping to finalize a consensus among the leaders about the Middle East situation.

    Trump’s decision not to sign on to the statement set up an immediate divide with his counterparts, said the report, although a senior Canadian official said that European leaders are still engaged in the hopes of reaching a consensus.

    In the meantime, trade issues are to dominate discussions with Trump, and observers are watching to see whether he will soften his position.

    After meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump was asked what is holding up a trade-security deal with Canada, and he replied that it’s not a matter of it being held up, but rather “different concepts.”

    “I have a tariff concept and Mark has a different concept,” Trump said. “We will see if we can get to the bottom of it today.”

    “I think Mark has a more complex idea, but also very good. We are going to look at both and we’ll see what we will come out with,” said Trump.

    Trump also said it was a mistake to boot Russia from the G8 table, making it the current G7 and that there wouldn’t be war in Ukraine if Russia hadn’t been ejected.

    The G7 summit unveiled its slimmed-down agenda on Sunday, prioritizing discussions on the global economy and energy security.

    Originally scheduled to begin over the weekend, the summit has been shortened to two days and officially started on Monday.

    The G7 is an informal bloc comprising seven of the world’s advanced economies — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and the United States — along with the European Union.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: UNDER GOP PLAN, ENERGY TAX HIKES COULD DECIMATE ROCHESTER’S #1 FASTEST-GROWING BUSINESS, DRIVE UP COSTS FOR ROCHESTER FAMILIES & SMALL BIZ; STANDING AT HOME WITH NEWLY-INSTALLED SOLAR PANELS,…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Rochester’s GreenSpark Solar, Named Rochester’s #1 Fastest-Growing Business & A Rochester Top Workplace, Has Already Been Forced To Lay Off 20 Workers Due To GOP Clean Energy Attacks, And Worries About Future Of Business Under GOP Job-Killing Bill

    House GOP Rushed Trump’s Tax Giveaway To Billionaires, Gutting Fed Clean Energy Tax Credits That Lower Energy Costs and Boost & Local Jobs – Now Even House Rs Are Regretting It, Asking Senate GOP To Reverse Cuts They Voted For; Senator With Impacted Rochester Businesses, Families Demands GOP Block Cuts

    Schumer: ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Is A ‘Big, Bad Blow’ To Rochester-Finger Lakes Jobs, Families & Businesses

    Standing at a Rochester family home that will soon see lower monthly energy bills thanks to newly installed solar panels, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer warned how the GOP plan to kill clean energy tax credits could raise energy costs for families and devastate Rochester’s HVAC and energy installation companies like GreenSpark Solar, named Rochester’s #1 fastest-growing business and a top place to work in Rochester for the seventh year in a row. 

    Schumer explained these unpopular, job-killing cuts in Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” have already created panic among House Republicans and companies, and even House Republicans who voted for this bill last month are now begging to save these tax credits. Schumer said GreenSpark Solar is just one of many local Rochester businesses that could be decimated by this bill and demanded the GOP block these tax hikes that could devastate Rochester families and small businesses.

    “Right now, we are at Defcon 1 for America’s clean energy future, and it’s jobs here in Rochester and monthly energy bills for New York families and businesses that are on the line. The Clark family’s house here in the Rochester area tells the story of today. Last year, they hired Rochester’s fastest-growing business to install solar panels on their roof with help from our Inflation Reduction Act, lowering their monthly energy bill over 65%, from over $100 to $35,” said Senator Schumer. “Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ would deal a ‘big bad blow’ to families here in Rochester, raising their costs and killing good-paying jobs at companies like Rochester’s GreenSpark Solar, which employs hundreds of workers. It guts one of the most effective tax credits middle-class families use to lower their monthly energy bills in order to give bigger breaks to billionaires; it’s outrageous. That’s why I’m demanding Republicans to stop this plan to gut America’s clean energy future and block these cuts that will hurt Rochester’s families’ wallets and decimate jobs.”

    Schumer was joined by workers from leading Rochester HVAC, solar, and geothermal energy installation companies, including ACES Energy, Halco Home Solutions, Wise Home Energy, Schuler-Haas Electric, and GreenSpark Solar, who said the elimination of these investments would be a massive blow to their work, employees, and customers. Rochester’s GreenSpark Solar employs 150 workers, and on any given day, also employs an additional 150-300 union subcontractors from Rochester companies like Schuler-Haas Electric to help build their installations.

    Just two years ago, they were named Rochester’s #1 fastest-growing business and have been able to double their workforce in recent years thanks to customer demand unleashed by the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits. GreenSpark Solar purchases equipment and supplies from local Rochester-area suppliers, boosting the local supply chain, and has just relocated to the heart of downtown Rochester, bringing life to an abandoned building and the surrounding area.

    However, GreenSpark Solar recently had to lay off 20 workers in anticipation of the GOP’s job-killing “Big, Beautiful Bill’s” tax increases on clean energy projects, driving down demand for their business. Schumer said if this bill passes, it will pull the rug out from under GreenSpark Solar just as it is growing, rendering their investments in Rochester worthless and forcing them to lay off local workers.

    “When I first joined the solar industry, I knew almost nothing – but the people at GreenSpark taught me everything: how solar works, how it strengthens communities, and how it builds careers,” said Rory Patrie, Field Service Administrator for GreenSpark Solar. “I believe in it so deeply I had solar installed on my own home. It’s helped me fight inflation, keep my bills low, and become more resilient. The proposed elimination of federal renewable energy investments threatens my livelihood, my coworkers, and the everyday families we serve. I’m glad to stand here with Senator Schumer to defend the credits that support this work – and I thank Senator Schumer for recognizing what’s at stake for workers like me.”

    Kevin Schulte, CEO of GreenSpark Solar said, “I’ve been in the renewable energy business for 26 years, and every time the Federal Government attacked our industry, New York State stepped up, helping us build the fifth largest solar market in the country. Solar and battery storage are the fastest, most affordable forms of electricity on the grid today; we won’t meet our energy goals with offshore wind, nuclear, or even natural gas—it will also come from solar. I’m proud to stand with Senator Schumer to defend the policy that supports this critical work and provides quality jobs and affordable energy to many New Yorkers.”

    The Clark family, who just hired GreenSpark Solar to install solar panels last year with help from the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit, has already seen their monthly electricity bill decrease by over 65%, from over $100 to $35. Now, they are considering installing additional panels and a battery backup system that can store electricity, making them better prepared for power outages during extreme weather. However, if Republicans repeal the tax credits, the cost of making their home more energy efficient will skyrocket. Thousands of families across New York State are waiting to see what the GOP does in Washington and are holding off on new clean energy installations, hurting companies like GreenSpark Solar and the thousands of workers in the clean energy industry.

    The GOP bill would kill clean energy incentives already benefiting hundreds of New York businesses with ongoing projects and the families who are using them to help improve their homes’ energy efficiency and lower their energy bills. Schumer specifically highlighted how the bill:

    • Eliminates the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit, which provides families in New York up to $3,200 to help weatherize their homes for better protection in the harsh winters and make improvements to their home’s energy efficiency, lowering their energy bills with qualifying items like doors, windows, better insulation and heat pumps, and
    • Eliminates the Residential Clean Energy Credit, which gives New York families a 30% discount on home energy improvements, like solar panels, heat pumps, or energy storage, that help lower energy bills and keep the lights on during power outages.

    Penfield homeowners also joined Schumer, including Al Hibner, who lowered his monthly heating costs by 44% with his geothermal heat pump installed by Rochester’s ACES Energy, and homeowner Katie Ryggs, who has saved $1650 a year on her utility bills thanks to solar panels installed by GreenSpark and geothermal installed by ACES. Her monthly bills went from $200 to $60, plus she’s saved thousands on gasoline costs because she was able to switch to an electric vehicle and charge at home, reducing her monthly energy costs by more than 70%. 

    In the past two decades, more than 5 million American households have put solar panels on their roofs – this skyrocketed after the Inflation Reduction Act expanded these tax credits three years ago. However, one analysis estimates residential solar installations could fall by half in the next year if this House GOP bill goes through.

    “The Energy Tax Credit helped us install solar panels and slash our electric bill from over $100 to just $25 a month,” said Steve & Amy Clark, Penfield homeowners. “We were looking forward to adding additional solar panels and battery storage in the future – but if these credits are cut, that would put those plans out of reach. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s support for these essential tax credits that make clean energy possible for homeowners like us.”

    Penfield homeowner Katie Rygg said, “These tax credits put geothermal, solar, and our first EV within reach for my family – helping us create a better future for our daughters – with the added benefits of having less pollution in the house and saving money on our monthly energy bills. In the summer, we use 1/6 of the electricity to cool our house and in winter, we use 1/4 of the energy to heat our home. We hope that Congress will fight to preserve these clean energy tax credits so that many more families will be able to access the savings, comfort, and health benefits that come with electric homes and vehicles.”

    Schumer was joined by Rochester-Finger Lakes businesses across the clean energy sector who said this bill would hurt their businesses immediately.

    Andrew (AJ) Heiligman, President, ACES Energy & Renewable Rochester said, “Geothermal heat pump Federal tax credits have empowered everyday Americans to invest in clean, domestic energy, lowering utility bills, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and generating well-paying local jobs. These incentives benefit more than just homeowners; they strengthen local economies and sustain the skilled workers driving our clean energy transition. Rolling them back now would stall momentum that’s delivering real results for people, the environment, and communities alike.”

    Ryan Puckett, General Manager at Wise Home Energy said, “The Federal tax credits for beneficial electrification and weatherization are critical tools for reducing carbon emissions in our buildings. These incentives drive investment in cleaner, more resilient technologies, reducing costs and improving living conditions for New Yorkers. Removing them would not only hinder progress toward energy independence but also place unnecessary burdens on contractors and families striving for sustainable solutions. Wise Home Energy thanks Senator Schumer for supporting clean energy policy that benefits us all.”

    Schumer was also joined by Rochester Building Trades workers who, with the help of IRA’s Clean Electricity Investment Tax credits, just built New York’s first grid-scale solar project, Morris Ridge Solar, in Livingston County that created 550 jobs, provided a $70 million boost to the local economy, and is powering 47,000 households. These workers, who are now constructing the 2nd largest solar project in New York – the Excelsior Energy solar farm in Genesee County that is creating 290 construction jobs, $117.5 million in economic impact, and will power 74,000 homes – fear these thousands of jobs will now be lost.

    Grant Malone, President of the Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council said, “Good-paying family sustaining local construction jobs will be obliterated by the job-killing “Big, Beautiful Bill’s” repeal of clean energy incentives. Our hundreds of local skilled trades members who are on the job today building solar farms in Rochester to power hundreds of thousands of homes are proof that these federal investments are a win-win. We are proud to stand with Senator Schumer to oppose any attempts to eliminate these investments and kill the thousands of construction jobs they are set to unleash.”

    Schumer said clean energy tax incentives have spurred a clean energy boom in New York State, and rolling them back would have devastating impacts. The Clean Economy Tracker estimates the Inflation Reduction Act’s incentives have spurred over $5 billion worth of investments in clean manufacturing in New York, creating over 7,200 jobs. Data from NERA Economic Consulting shows that repealing clean energy tax credits could cause New York to lose up to 20,300 jobs as clean energy projects are cancelled or scaled back, with a whopping nearly $3.5 billion hit to the state’s GDP, and New Yorkers paying up to $650 in higher energy costs each year by 2032 if these devastating cuts become law.

    Already, Republicans have shown doubts about the provisions in this bill. Earlier this month, thirteen House Republicans sent a letter to Senate Republican leaders urging them to scale back clean energy cuts in the “Big, Beautiful Bill” – the very bill their votes helped pass in the House. Last week, House Republicans voted for a second time to pass this job-killing bill after deleting various provisions.

    “The fight is far from over. House Republicans’ latest flipflopping shows our pressure is working, and we have a real opportunity to get them to go back to the drawing board on this bill, and stop their attacks to totally eliminate these clean energy tax credits. And we are doing that by showing the real-world impacts, the jobs lost and lives devastated by their brutal cuts,” added Schumer.

    Schumer said if this House Republican plan goes through, many of the clean energy projects spurred by the IRA could be forced to scale back or even stop, the workers building the future of American energy would be laid off, and projects that otherwise would have plugged into the grid will never come to fruition. That would impact both major NY employers and manufacturers in the clean energy, manufacturing, electric vehicle, battery, and research sectors, and also our small businesses and major economic projects slated to come to New York. Schumer said the House Republican bill would repeal the very parts of the Inflation Reduction Act that have helped companies grow in New York and spurred millions of investments, many of which are in Republican districts such as:

    1. Eliminates the Clean Electricity Investment & Production Credits that support more cheap, clean electricity. With natural gas turbines on a five-year delay, the IRA’s clean electricity tax credits have ensured a robust buildout of wind and solar power while spurring demand for American-made energy products and helping keep electricity prices from increasing.
    2. Sabotages the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit that has generated a more than five-fold increase in investment in manufacturing in the solar and EV supply chains, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and shifting these industries out of China to the U.S.
    3. Eliminates the IRA’s Electric Vehicle Tax Credits that make it cheaper to buy new and used electric and plug-in hybrid cars, and has led to a massive onshoring of EV and battery supply chain manufacturing, undercutting China and bolstering American companies.
    4. Eliminates the New Energy-Efficient Home Credit that makes it cheaper to build new, highly efficient and affordable homes, expanding the housing supply while reducing energy costs.
    5. Eliminates the Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit that supports American-made clean hydrogen, led by New York companies like Plug Power and Air Products, to be used for clean manufacturing and agriculture.

    Graham Hughes, Director of Policy & Advocacy of the Climate Solutions Accelerator said, “Investments in clean energy made through the Inflation Reduction Act have allowed people in the Finger Lakes Regions to upgrade our homes, lowered the cost of our energy, and created good paying jobs in a growing sector of the economy. Cutting these tax credits will roll back this progress and make our region more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We need congress to protect these investments and ensure the green economy continues to grow in New York.”

    Monroe County Legislator Susan Hughes-Smith & Climate Solutions Accelerator Co-founder said, “The federal clean energy tax credits are good for our economy, health, and environment. The Solar Energy Industry Association calculates that the elimination of just the solar tax incentives would result in 330,000 jobs lost across the country, close or cancel 331 factories and squander nearly $300 billion in local investments. These credits should be preserved.”

    Repealing the clean energy tax incentives would also be a disaster for America that Schumer said would cede energy manufacturing leadership to China, which already produces a significant amount of the world’s clean technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries. If companies can no longer support clean energy manufacturing in the United States, they will bring these projects to America’s competitors, and jobs that would’ve otherwise been created in America will be created in countries like China. This will destabilize American supply chains and make American families and businesses reliant on China and other foreign countries for cheap energy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Graphjet Technology Discloses Stay of Suspension and Nasdaq Hearing Date

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Innovative technological leader to oversee all technical, operational, customer support and business development initiatives

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Graphjet Technology (“Graphjet” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq:GTI), a leading developer of patented technologies to produce graphite and graphene directly from agricultural waste, today announced that the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) on June 12, 2025 that notified the Company that Nasdaq’s previously disclosed determination to suspend the trading of the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares (the “Common Stock”) has been stayed, pending a final written decision by the Nasdaq Hearing Panel (the “Panel”). The hearing (the “Hearing”) before the Panel will be held on July 17, 2025, meaning that the Company’s ordinary shares will continue to trade on Nasdaq at least until the date of the Hearing.

    The Company previously disclosed that it received a determination letter (“Notice”) on June 4, 2025 from Nasdaq indicating that the Company was not in compliance with the requirements for continued listing under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) as a result of (i) the Company’s delay in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and (ii) the Company’s delay in filing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2024. The Notice also stated that the Company is not in compliance with the Listing Rule due to the Company’s delay in filing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2025.
      
    This announcement is made in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(b), which requires prompt disclosure of receipt of a deficiency notification.

    About Graphjet Technology

    Graphjet Technology (Nasdaq: GTI) was founded in 2019 in Malaysia as an innovative graphene and graphite producer. Graphjet Technology has the world’s first patented technology to recycle palm kernel shells generated in the production of palm seed oil to produce single layer graphene and artificial graphite. Graphjet’s sustainable production methods utilizing palm kernel shells, a waste agricultural product that is common in Malaysia, will set a new shift in graphite and graphene supply chain of the world. For more information, please visit https://www.graphjettech.com/.
      
    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Graphjet competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Graphjet will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) Graphjet is beginning the commercialization of its technology and it may not have an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (iv) statements regarding Graphjet’s industry and market size; (v) financial condition and performance of Graphjet, including the anticipated benefits, the implied enterprise value, the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Graphjet; (vi) Graphjet’s ability to develop and manufacture its graphene and graphite products; (vii) Graphjet’s ability to return to and maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards; and (viii) those factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the “Risk Factors” section of the documents to be filed by Graphjet from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Graphjet may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Graphjet does not give any assurance that Graphjet will achieve its expectations.

    Graphjet Technology Contacts

    Investors
    GraphjetIR@icrinc.com

    Media
    GraphjetPR@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Graphjet Technology Discloses Stay of Suspension and Nasdaq Hearing Date

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Innovative technological leader to oversee all technical, operational, customer support and business development initiatives

    KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Graphjet Technology (“Graphjet” or “the Company”) (Nasdaq:GTI), a leading developer of patented technologies to produce graphite and graphene directly from agricultural waste, today announced that the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) on June 12, 2025 that notified the Company that Nasdaq’s previously disclosed determination to suspend the trading of the Company’s Class A Ordinary Shares (the “Common Stock”) has been stayed, pending a final written decision by the Nasdaq Hearing Panel (the “Panel”). The hearing (the “Hearing”) before the Panel will be held on July 17, 2025, meaning that the Company’s ordinary shares will continue to trade on Nasdaq at least until the date of the Hearing.

    The Company previously disclosed that it received a determination letter (“Notice”) on June 4, 2025 from Nasdaq indicating that the Company was not in compliance with the requirements for continued listing under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (the “Listing Rule”) as a result of (i) the Company’s delay in filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and (ii) the Company’s delay in filing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2024. The Notice also stated that the Company is not in compliance with the Listing Rule due to the Company’s delay in filing its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2025.
      
    This announcement is made in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(b), which requires prompt disclosure of receipt of a deficiency notification.

    About Graphjet Technology

    Graphjet Technology (Nasdaq: GTI) was founded in 2019 in Malaysia as an innovative graphene and graphite producer. Graphjet Technology has the world’s first patented technology to recycle palm kernel shells generated in the production of palm seed oil to produce single layer graphene and artificial graphite. Graphjet’s sustainable production methods utilizing palm kernel shells, a waste agricultural product that is common in Malaysia, will set a new shift in graphite and graphene supply chain of the world. For more information, please visit https://www.graphjettech.com/.
      
    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    The information in this press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “aim,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result” and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Graphjet competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Graphjet will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) Graphjet is beginning the commercialization of its technology and it may not have an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (iv) statements regarding Graphjet’s industry and market size; (v) financial condition and performance of Graphjet, including the anticipated benefits, the implied enterprise value, the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Graphjet; (vi) Graphjet’s ability to develop and manufacture its graphene and graphite products; (vii) Graphjet’s ability to return to and maintain compliance with Nasdaq continued listing standards; and (viii) those factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties that will be described in the “Risk Factors” section of the documents to be filed by Graphjet from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Graphjet may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Graphjet does not give any assurance that Graphjet will achieve its expectations.

    Graphjet Technology Contacts

    Investors
    GraphjetIR@icrinc.com

    Media
    GraphjetPR@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ACP Statement on Senate Tax Package

    Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)

    Headline: ACP Statement on Senate Tax Package

    WASHINGTON, D.C., June 16, 2025 – The American Clean Power Association (ACP) issued the following statement from ACP CEO Jason Grumet after the Senate Finance Committee released draft legislative text as part of the Congressional reconciliation budget process:
    “This evening, the Senate Finance Committee released proposed language that would increase household electricity bills and threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. While the Senate Finance Committee proposal eliminates poison pills from the House legislation, abrupt changes to the clean energy tax credits unnecessarily penalize companies that are making good faith investments under current law. The most immediate impact will be felt by consumers and companies facing increased energy bills. Absent reasonable timelines for businesses to adjust to increasing taxes, good paying jobs, technology innovation, and AI data centers will be driven overseas. As the legislation moves through the process, we look forward to working with the Senate on reasonable amendments that protect American jobs, strengthen our economy, and support U.S. energy dominance.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: University Research – Climate change linked to dangerous sleep apnea – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    Sleep apnea will become more common and more severe due to global warming, leading to increased health and economic burdens across the globe, warn Flinders University sleep experts.

    A new study, published in leading journal, Nature Communications, found that rising temperatures increase the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and that under the most likely climate change scenarios, the societal burden of OSA is expected to double in most countries over the next 75 years. 

    Lead author and sleep expert, Dr Bastien Lechat, from FHMRI Sleep Health says this is the first study of its kind to outline how global warming is expected to affect breathing during sleep and impact the world’s health, wellbeing and economy.

    “This study helps us to understand how environmental factors like climate might affect health by investigating whether ambient temperatures influence the severity of OSA,” says Dr Lechat.

    “Overall, we were surprised by the magnitude of the association between ambient temperature and OSA severity. 

    “Higher temperatures were associated with a 45 per cent increased likelihood of a sleeper experiencing OSA on a given night. 

    “Importantly, these findings varied by region, with people in European countries seeing higher rates of OSA when temperatures rise than those in Australia and the United States, perhaps due to different rates of air conditioning usage.”

    Sleep apnoea – a condition that disturbs breathing during sleep – affects almost 1 billion people globally and, if untreated or severe, increases the risk of dementia and Parkinson’s disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression, reduced quality of life, traffic accidents and all-cause mortality, previous research has found.

    In Australia alone, the economic cost associated with poor sleep including sleep disorders like OSA has been estimated at $66 billion a year.

    The study analysed sleep data from over 116,000 people globally using an FDA-cleared under-mattress sensor to estimate the severity of OSA.

    For each user, the sensor recorded around 500 separate nights of data. The researchers then matched this sleep data with detailed 24-hour temperature information sourced from climate models.

    They conducted health economics modeling using disability adjusted life years, a measure employed by the World Health Organization that captures the combined impact of illness, injury, and premature mortality, to quantify the wellbeing and societal burden due to increased prevalence of OSA from rising temperatures under several projected climate scenarios.

    “Using our modelling, we can estimate how burdensome the increase in OSA prevalence due to rising temperature is to society in terms of wellbeing and economic loss,” says Dr Lechat.

    “The increase in OSA prevalence in 2023 due to global warming was associated with a loss of approximately 800,000 healthy life years across the 29 countries studied. 

    “This number is similar to other medical conditions, such as bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease or chronic kidney diseases.”

    Similarly, the estimated total economic cost associated was ~98 billion USD, including 68 billion USD from wellbeing loss and 30 billion USD from workplace productivity loss (missing work or being less productive at work).

    “Our findings highlight that without greater policy action to slow global warming, OSA burden may double by 2100 due to rising temperatures.” 

    Senior researcher on the paper, Professor Danny Eckert, says that while the study is one of the largest of its kind, it was skewed towards high socio-economics countries and individuals, likely to have access to more favourable sleeping environments and air conditioning.

    “This may have biased our estimates and led to an under-estimation of the true health and economic cost,” says Professor Eckert

    In addition to providing further evidence of the major threat of climate change to human health and wellbeing, the study highlights the importance of developing effective interventions to diagnose and manage OSA.

    “Higher rates of diagnosis and treatment will help us to manage and reduce the adverse health and productivity issues caused by climate related OSA,” says Professor Eckert.

    “Going forward, we want to design intervention studies that explore strategies to reduce the impact of ambient temperatures on sleep apnea severity as well as investigate the underlying physiological mechanisms that connect temperature fluctuations to OSA severity.”

    The article, ‘ Global warming may increase the burden of obstructive sleep apnea’ by Bastien Lechat (Flinders University), Jack Manners (Flinders), Lucía Pinilla (Flinders) Amy Reynolds (Flinders), Hannah Scott (Flinders), Daniel Vena (Harvard Medical School), Sebastien Bailly (Univ. Grenoble Alpes), Josh Fitton (Flinders), Barbara Toson (Flinders), Billingsley Kaambwa (Flinders), Robert Adams (Flinders), Jean-Louis Pepin (Univ. Grenoble Alpes), Pierre Escourrou (Centre Interdisciplinaire du Sommeil), Peter Catcheside (Flinders), and Danny J Eckert (Flinders), has been published in the journal Nature Communications. First published 16 June DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60218-1.

    These findings were presented at the ATS 2025 International Conference prior to being journal peer reviewed.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legislation – Employment bill clarifies modern grey areas – BusinessNZ

    Source: BusinessNZ

    BusinessNZ supports the introduction of the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, saying the changes will have a positive impact across New Zealand’s economy.
    Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says the Bill should provide more certainty, particularly around contract-based work.
    “In clarifying the employee-contractor distinction through the previously announced gateway test, the Amendment Bill will simplify chosen working arrangements for all parties involved.
    “The personal grievance process is being simplified, preventing the likelihood of rewarding poor employee behaviour. A system that increasingly fines employers for trying to deal with poor performance or serious misconduct including theft, fraud and even violence, is one that clearly needs fixing.
    “It also makes sense to tidy up the 30-day rule introduced under the previous Government, which saw new employees automatically classed as union members if there is a collective agreement, for the first 30 days – whether they wanted to or not.
    “In reality, the 30-day rule is a compliance headache for employers and employees alike, and is something that BusinessNZ has argued should be removed.
    “The issues being addressed in this Amendment Bill have been flagged as a drag on productivity and flexibility by businesses. The BusinessNZ Network has been advocating for these changes for some time, and it’s encouraging to see that Minister van Velden is listening to business owners’ concerns during what remains a difficult time to be operating.
    “BusinessNZ looks forward to working further with the Minister on workplace issues to improve our economy and make New Zealand an even better place to be.”
    The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Budget 2025-26: Education equity support extended

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.

    Released 16/06/2025 – Joint media release

    The ACT Government will continue to support Canberra families with the cost of education through the 2025–26 ACT Budget, expanding two key programs that ensure every student has access to a full and inclusive school experience.

    Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said the Budget will extend funding for both the Future of Education Equity Fund and the Free School Camps at Birrigai program, helping to ease financial pressure on families.

    “The cost of living is affecting Canberra families, which is why the Future of Education Equity Fund and Free School Camps at Birrigai are so important,” Minister Berry said.

    “Equity is at the heart of everything we do in education because all children and young people, regardless of their circumstances, deserve the support they need to achieve a good education.”

    The Equity Fund will be boosted by $600,000 for the 2025 school year, enabling support for an additional 1,000 eligible students through one-off payments for school-related costs like uniforms, books, excursions and extracurricular activities.

    In addition, $3.3 million over four years will ensure all ACT public primary school students can continue to attend a free school camp at Birrigai each year, a program which began in Term 1 this year.

    Treasurer Chris Steel said the funding reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to practical support that helps families right now.

    “Extending these equity programs delivers on our election commitments to support thousands of Canberra families,” Minister Steel said.

    “This is about making sure every child, no matter their background, has the chance to take part in the full educational experience, from classroom learning to outdoor adventure.”

    The Future of Education Equity Fund supports students from preschool through to college. In 2024, the program helped thousands of students access the essentials they need to succeed at school.

    View more information about the Future of Education Equity Fund.

    – Statement ends –

    Yvette Berry, MLA | Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases

    «ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pennsylvania Man Charged with Wire Fraud, Money Laundering, and Identity Theft

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Adepoju Babatunde Salako, 32, of Pennsylvania, has been charged with six counts of wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering; and four counts of aggravated identity theft.

    According to the indictment, between July 2020 and July 2021, Salako allegedly participated in a money laundering conspiracy involving fraudulent applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and for unemployment insurance benefits to more than 30 states that obtained more than $5.6 million in government benefits using over 1,000 stolen or fake identities. Salako and his co-conspirators allegedly moved fraud proceeds through several intermediate accounts using various methods, eventually spending the money or transferring it overseas as currency or in the form of goods such as cars or solar panels.

    The indictment further alleges that between January 4, 2021, and March 20, 2021, Salako submitted approximately 15 fraudulent applications for unemployment insurance benefits to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), using stolen or false identities. Salako allegedly used names and addresses of residents of Colorado, which he looked up on personal information search websites such as TruthFinder, to submit applications using the Colorado residents’ actual identifiers.  The CDLE paid one unemployment insurance claim submitted by Salako, in the amount of $649, and paid an additional $15,431 to bank accounts controlled by Salako based on claims submitted by a co-conspirator.

    The indictment further alleges that in addition to submitting fraudulent unemployment insurance claims to Colorado, Salako submitted and aided and abetted in the submission of fraudulent claims in other states using stolen or false identities, including Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New York,  at least 10 fraudulent applications for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans to the SBA, using stolen or false identities, and a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan application in the name of Turn-Turn-Turn Woodturning, using the stolen identity of a Nevada resident.

    The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted in March 2020 and was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to Americans dealing with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The CARES Act created the PPP, a program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provided loans to small businesses to retain workers, maintain payroll, and certain other expenses consistent with PPP rules. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, several federal programs expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits.

    The defendant made his initial appearance in Colorado on June 13, 2025, before Magistrate Judge Scott T. Varholak.

    The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and CDLE.  The case is being prosecuted by the Economic Crime Section of the United States Attorney’s Office.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form

    Case Number: 25-cr-00162-CNS

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Wetland restoration is seen as sunk cost – but new research shows why it should be considered an investment

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wei Yang, Senior Scientist in Environmental Economics, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators

    As extreme weather intensifies globally, governments are seeking nature-based solutions that deliver both climate and economic benefits.

    The restoration of wetlands is an often overlooked opportunity. As our recent study shows, wetlands have long been treated as environmental “add-ons” but are in fact rising economic assets, delivering more value as they mature.

    Restored coastal wetlands, particularly mangroves and saltmarshes, offer growing returns in the form of carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection and storm buffering. These benefits build up gradually, sometimes exponentially, over time.

    But planning frameworks treat restorations as static costs, rather than compounding investments.

    Using international data and economic modelling, we developed a framework to capture how wetland benefits evolve over decades. While we draw on global datasets, this approach can be applied in New Zealand to understand the value of local restoration projects.

    Timing matters for wetland investment

    Traditional cost-benefit analyses treat wetland restoration as a one-off expense with fixed returns. Our research shows this misses the bigger, long-term picture.

    For example, coastal mangroves initially store a modest amount of carbon while seedlings develop. But as root systems establish and capture sediment, there is a critical threshold when carbon sequestration accelerates dramatically. Mature restored mangroves can store three times more carbon annually than during early years.

    Saltmarshes follow a similar pattern. They develop from basic habitat into complex networks that buffer storm surges, filter nutrients and support productive fisheries.

    For New Zealand, where many wetlands were historically drained or degraded, the implication is clear. Early investment in restoration is critical and will deliver increasing returns over time.

    Our study highlights mangroves and saltmarshes as priority systems, but also points to peatlands and freshwater marshes as promising candidates.

    Early investment in wetland restoration can deliver long-term returns.
    Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators

    Risk from resource management reform

    As part of a major reform of the Resource Management Act, the government is reviewing the environmental rules governing the work of local and regional councils, including policies on freshwater.

    The law review and freshwater policy consultations present both opportunities and challenges for wetland valuation.

    The amendment to the Resource Management Act regarding freshwater proposes:

    quick, targeted changes which will reduce the regulatory burden on key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries.

    While this may reduce the regulatory burden, it highlight the need for robust valuation tools that can weigh long-term benefits against immediate development returns.

    The current consultation outlines specific changes, including clarifying the definition of a wetland. The amended definition would exclude wetlands “unintentionally created” through activities such as irrigation, while constructed wetlands would have a new set of objectives and consent pathways.

    Councils would also no longer need to map wetlands by 2030, while restrictions on non-intensive grazing of beef cattle and deer in wetlands would be removed.

    These definition changes could exclude wetlands that accumulate significant climate and biodiversity benefits over time, regardless of their origin. As our research suggests, the ecological and economic value of wetlands often increases substantially as systems mature.

    The valuation gap

    Despite growing international recognition of “blue carbon” initiatives (which store carbon in coastal and marine ecosystems), New Zealand lacks frameworks to capture the dynamic value of wetlands.

    Earlier research shows coastal ecosystems contribute about US$190 billion annually to global blue carbon wealth, with wetlands storing about half of all carbon buried in ocean sediments despite occupying less than 2% of the ocean.

    New Zealand has no wetland-specific financial instruments to attract private investment and wetlands are not integrated into the Emissions Trading Scheme, the government’s main tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    This creates a fundamental mismatch. Policy frameworks treat restoration as static costs while science reveals appreciating assets.

    Our modelling framework offers a pathway to bridge this gap. By tracking how different wetland types accumulate benefits over time, decision makers can better understand long-term returns on restoration investment.

    Australia is already developing wetland carbon markets. International blue carbon financial initiatives are emerging and recognising that today’s restoration investment delivers tomorrow’s climate benefits.

    For New Zealand, this could mean:

    • integrating wetland valuation into environmental assessments, moving beyond upfront costs to consider decades of accumulating benefits across different wetland types

    • aligning finance with restoration timelines and developing funding mechanisms that capture growing value rather than treating restoration as sunk costs

    • building regional datasets and generating location-specific data on how New Zealand’s diverse wetlands develop benefits over time, reducing investment uncertainty.

    With sea-level rise accelerating and extreme weather becoming more frequent, wetlands represent critical infrastructure for climate adaptation. Unlike built infrastructure (stop banks, for example) that depreciates, wetlands appreciate, becoming more valuable as they mature.

    The current policy consultation period offers an opportunity to embed this thinking into New Zealand’s environmental frameworks. Rather than viewing wetlands as regulatory constraints, dynamic valuation could reveal them as appreciating assets that increase resilience for coastal communities.

    Restoring coastal wetlands is not just about repairing nature. It’s about investing in a living, compounding asset that ameliorates climate impacts and protects our coasts and communities.

    Wei Yang was funded by a Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour grant.

    – ref. Wetland restoration is seen as sunk cost – but new research shows why it should be considered an investment – https://theconversation.com/wetland-restoration-is-seen-as-sunk-cost-but-new-research-shows-why-it-should-be-considered-an-investment-258281

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Inward investment success

    Source: Scottish Government

    Record share of UK projects secured despite global instabilities.

    Nearly one in six inward investment projects in the UK last year were secured in Scotland, according to new data published by EY.

    The record share of the market cements the country’s position as the UK’s top destination outside of London – for the tenth year in a row – while Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow remain among the top 10 UK cities for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects outside of London.

    Although the total number of new projects in Scotland fell back slightly (4.9%) from record numbers in 2023, it compares to a drop of 13% in the UK, 14% in France and 17% in Germany.

    EY’s survey of global investors found that quarter of those planning to invest in the UK are targeting Scotland, maintaining the country’s long-standing position in investors’ eyes as the UK’s preferred FDI destination outside of London.

    To mark the results, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visited the Glasgow offices of Canadian IT and business consulting services firm CGI Inc. which employs around 750 employees across its Glasgow, Edinburgh, Borders and Aberdeen offers.

    The Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said:

    “Given the geopolitical uncertainties clearly affecting investor confidence across the world, this is an incredible endorsement of Scotland’s proposition as a destination for global investment.

    “A huge amount of work, across both the private and public sectors, goes into securing these projects, which are vital for economic growth, job creation and bringing benefits across our towns and cities.

    “From the likes of green aircraft engine ZeroAvia to ticketing hub Humanatix, 2025 is bringing further significant investment and exciting projects to Scotland. The Scottish Government will continue to work with businesses and our “Team Scotland” partners to continue building the country’s reputation as a world class location for foreign investment.”

    Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Adrian Gillespie said:

    “It’s fantastic to mark a decade of Scotland as the number one UK location for inward investment outside of London. Foreign direct investment unlocks innovation, creates jobs, and opens up new supply chain opportunities for Scottish companies.

    “Our staff in over 30 offices around the world are vital to building these trusted relationships with potential inward investors, which can often take years to cultivate. This work is complemented by colleagues at home working with Team Scotland partners to build a package of support to bring these companies to Scotland.

    “Scotland’s strengths in emerging technologies, including AI, are attracting new foreign investors, with US robotics and AI company LaunchPad Build opening an Edinburgh office last year. Together with Scotland’s historic reputation for financial services excellence, this is driving further investment, such as Australian fintech HALO opening its Glasgow operations centre last year.

    “The global energy transition, and Scotland’s growing reputation in this area, continues to be a catalyst for innovation, with US headquartered ZeroAvia locating its manufacturing facility for hydrogen aviation engines next to Glasgow airport and Japanese sub-sea cable manufacturer Sumitomo breaking ground on its factory in Port of Nigg.”

    CGI Senior Vice President, Scotland and Northern Ireland, said Lindsay McGranaghan:

    “CGI has been working in Scotland for more than 10 years, and we find it an outstanding place to do business and grow talent. We have established offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Tweedbank, and employ 750 staff – who we call partners – who support key sectors such as government, health, energy and higher education. 

    “Six years ago we expanded our presence with the opening of a new HQ in Glasgow, and we embrace the metro model of working – building a resource of Scottish-based partners who live and work in their local communities. We have also developed partnerships with a host of Scottish SMEs, helping small businesses grow while supporting regional economic development.

    “As the UK’s leading FDI location outside London for a decade, Scotland’s resilience and appeal are clear. We are proud to play our part in that success, and look forward continuing to grow our business in Scotland.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACCC to examine unsolicited selling and lead generation practices

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The ACCC has commenced a review into unsolicited selling and lead generation, including door-to-door selling and cold calling, in response to the Consumer Action Law Centre’s designated complaint.

    Unsolicited selling is when a salesperson approaches a consumer out of the blue to try and generate the sale of a good or service and the consumer has not invited the contact. It often occurs in the form of door-to-door selling, cold calling, or approaching a consumer in a shopping centre.  Unsolicited selling can be facilitated through ‘lead generation’, including social media advertising. Lead generation refers to the process of identifying people as potential sales targets.

    This is the first designated complaint received by the ACCC under the new designated complaints framework.

    The ACCC is satisfied that the conduct identified in the Consumer Action Law Centre’s complaint requires an in-depth review.

    “Unsolicited selling and lead generation has the potential to cause significant financial harm to consumers and it can often disproportionately impact consumers experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

    “We consider that a review into these practices is necessary in order to better understand how the practices are used and their impacts across different cohorts of consumers. Gaining a better understanding of these practices will help determine if further action is needed to better protect consumers.”

    As part of its review, the ACCC will further examine the issues raised in the designated complaint, focussing on:

    • the consumer experience of unsolicited selling
    • sales structures and practices, including the role of incentives such as commission-based remuneration.
    • the role of lead generation, including the role of advertising on social media channels.
    • whether there are any issues with the application of the Australian Consumer Law, including the unsolicited consumer agreement provisions.

    The ACCC has opened consultation and published a consultation paper and is seeking stakeholder feedback on the benefits and detriments of unsolicited selling and lead generation. Consultation closes on 31 July 2025.

    “We want to hear the views from a broad range of stakeholders, including businesses that use unsolicited selling, industry associations, government, consumers groups and consumers, to help inform our review,” Ms Lowe said.

    After the completion of the review, the ACCC will publish a report on our findings.

    In the meantime, the ACCC will, as usual, continue to consider conduct by individual businesses involving unsolicited consumer agreements for potential compliance or enforcement action, including those raised in the designated complaint, consistent with our Compliance and Enforcement Policy.

    Our review and report may also lead to further actions, pending our findings.

    The ACCC’s response to CALC’s designated complaint is available on our website.

    We thank the Consumer Action Law Centre for the time and effort in preparing and submitting the designated complaint on this important consumer issue. We value the insights and concerns the Consumer Action Law Centre has shared with us over many years through various other forums. The designated complaint avenue provides another means of drawing focus to key issues impacting consumers

    ACCC’s response to further designated complaints

    In general, the ACCC may take a broad range of actions in response to a designated complaint. This may include conducting in-depth investigations into specific businesses’ practices, reviews into a specific sector or issue, advocacy activities, and/or undertaking research, education or engagement.

    The ACCC’s response to a designated complaint may also include advising that we won’t take any further action. We may do this when:

    • The designated complaint doesn’t meet the necessary criteria.
    • We consider the subject matter of the designated complaint is already the focus of certain types of existing inquiries, reviews, investigations or legal proceedings, and has been or is likely to be adequately addressed through those other processes.
    • We consider no further action would be appropriate, having regard to the nature of the issue, the nature and extent of the harm or potential harm, and the likely impact ACCC action may have.

    Background

    A new designated complaints framework in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 came into effect on 1 May 2024.

    Under the law, 3 bodies can be designated by the Minister as designated complainants. Currently these are Australian Consumers’ Association (CHOICE), Consumer Action Law Centre, and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).

    In March 2025 the Consumer Action Law Centre submitted the first designated complaint to the ACCC under the new framework.

    A designated complainant may only make one designated complaint within a 12-month period.

    Under the framework, designated complaints must meet certain criteria, including that they relate to a significant or systemic market issue affecting consumers or small business in Australia, and that they relate to a potential breach of the CCA or the ACCC’s powers or functions under the CCA.

    The ACCC is required to assess and publicly respond to the designated complaint within 90 days. The ACCC’s response must state what further action, if any, will be taken in response to the complaint.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kyro CFO Launches Flexible Fractional CFO Services to Support Growing Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kyro CFO announces the launch of its expanded fractional CFO services, providing strategic financial leadership to small and mid-sized businesses through flexible, cost-effective models. The firm offers outsourced CFO services, part-time CFO services, and virtual CFO services to help organizations optimize performance, manage growth, and navigate complex transitions.

    Kyro CFO

    “The fractional CFO model has evolved from a cost-saving measure to a strategic necessity in today’s business environment,” said Nelis Parts, Founder and CEO of Kyro CFO. “The surge in demand for fractional CFO services reflects businesses recognizing that sophisticated financial leadership is no longer a luxury—it’s essential for survival and growth.”

    The need for high-level financial expertise is increasing as businesses face challenges such as outdated financial reporting, inefficient resource allocation, and operational strain during periods of expansion. Kyro CFO’s services address these gaps by delivering experienced C-suite financial leadership without the overhead of a full-time executive.

    “Having strategic financial leadership shouldn’t be limited to companies that can afford $200,000+ executive salaries,” said Parts. “Our fractional model democratizes access to sophisticated financial expertise, enabling growing businesses to compete with larger organizations through superior financial intelligence and operational efficiency.”

    Through its fractional CFO Services, Kyro CFO integrates senior financial professionals directly into client operations. These CFOs provide oversight in budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and performance analysis. The model offers flexibility in scope and duration, with services customized to each client’s operational stage and financial objectives. More information is available at https://www.kyrocfo.com/cfo-services.

    Kyro CFO also supports clients with M&A Advisory Services, offering end-to-end transaction support for acquisitions, divestitures, and ownership transitions. The firm assists with valuation, due diligence, deal structuring, and integration planning, ensuring transactions align with long-term goals and minimize risk. Learn more at https://www.kyrocfo.com/ma-advisory.

    Additionally, Kyro CFO provides Business Transformation Services that apply data-driven methods and automation to improve business operations. These services leverage artificial intelligence tools, integrated reporting systems, and cloud-based platforms to increase efficiency and create real-time financial visibility. Businesses can explore transformation solutions at https://www.kyrocfo.com/business-transformation.

    “Financial leadership isn’t just about managing numbers—it’s about optimizing the operations that generate those numbers,” said Parts. “We analyze every aspect of our clients’ businesses to identify efficiency opportunities, eliminate waste, and maximize return on investment across all operational areas. Our methodology transforms complex financial data into actionable business intelligence, replacing intuition with insight and assumption with analysis.”

    The firm’s structured five-step engagement process begins with a complimentary consultation, followed by a tailored needs analysis and service proposal. Once onboarded, clients receive immediate support in financial reporting, operational improvement, and strategic planning, with ongoing adjustments based on evolving business needs.

    Kyro CFO’s approach is designed to provide growing businesses with the financial expertise needed to make timely, informed decisions and scale effectively.

    For more information, visit https://www.kyrocfo.com

    Media Contact:

    Nelis Parts
    Kyro CFO
    media@kyrocfo.com
    https://www.kyrocfo.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d553ae56-b4ee-4596-9eb7-7202bdbbb6da

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Reaction to Tax Bill Text, Unveiled by Senate Finance Committee 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Bill will hurt Vermonters and tank the economy 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today released the following reaction to the recently unveiled text of the Republicans’ reconciliation bill:  
    “Republicans’ tax bill poses a very real threat to the American people and the American economy. This bill makes painful cuts to Medicaid, which will limit or block access to care for millions of seniors, families and people with disabilities, and hurt the rural hospitals millions of patients rely on. The Republicans’ bill will rip away nutrition assistance kids and families need. Green energy jobs across America will be cut. Interest rates will go up, trillions will be added to the deficit, and the economy will get tanked.   
    “In Vermont, nobody comes up to me to ask about how this bill will affect their taxes, but they do ask about their access to health care and food assistance. They ask about the trusted community institutions—like our hospitals and health centers—that will close. They ask why Republicans in Washington are forcing a tax cut that will benefit the wealthy, but not everyday, hardworking people.  
    “This bill hurts folks in blue and red states alike. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to consider how this bill will inflict real pain in their state. They should stand up for the needs of their constituents, not the demands of the president.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS: Capito Attends White House Signing of her Resolution Ending California’s EV Mandate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, attended a White House ceremony where President Trump signed her joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal California’s attempted electric vehicle mandate through their “Advanced Clean Cars II” regulation that prohibits the sale of new gas-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035.

    “With President Trump’s signature today, we have successfully ended California’s attempt to establish a nationwide EV mandate that would have hurt our economy, eliminated jobs, and removed consumer choice across our country. Despite the best efforts of the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats, the voice of the American people has been heard and put into action through the repeal of this rule. I’m proud to have led this effort and thank President Trump and my Republican colleagues in Congress for their work and support throughout this process,” Chairman Capito said. 

    TIMELINE OF SENATOR CAPITO’S EFFORTS:

    • May 22, 2025: The Senate passed Senator Capito’s CRA to repeal California’s EV mandate through their “Advanced Clean Cars II” regulation.
    • May 21, 2025: Senator Capito spoke on the Senate floor outlining the importance of ending California’s EV mandate, and the Congressional Review Act process she led to repeal California’s waiver. 
    • May 1, 2025: Senator Capito applauded the House of Representatives’ passage of joint resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to repeal California’s EV mandate.
    • April 4, 2025: Senator Capito, joined by Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) introduced joint resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to repeal California’s EV regulations that prohibit the sale of new gas-powered light-duty vehicles by 2035 and set unrealistic and stringent requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines.
    • December 18, 2024: Senator Capito pledged to work to reverse the Biden administration’s lame duck action of approving California’s waiver to implement its “Advanced Clean Cars II” regulation.
    • February 28, 2024: Senator Capito joined Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.-05), Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), and Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.-13), in a bicameral letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan warning of the legal and economic consequences of granting a Clean Air Act waiver for the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, which would enable the state to require 35 percent of automobile sales to be electric vehicles in model year 2026, and 100 percent of them by 2035.

    PHOTOS:

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) with President Donald Trump at the White House signing ceremony for her resolution to end California’s nationwide electric vehicle mandate.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) with President Donald Trump at the White House signing ceremony for her resolution to end California’s nationwide electric vehicle mandate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £250m for green aerospace projects ahead of Industrial Strategy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £250m for green aerospace projects ahead of Industrial Strategy

    UK aerospace will be boosted by more than £250m funding for cutting-edge aerospace tech projects to drive greener air travel, ahead of the Paris Air Show.

    • Government announces over £250m joint industrial investment with industry for cutting-edge green aerospace tech projects at companies including Rolls-Royce, Airbus.
    • Industry Minister announces latest win for UK aerospace at Paris Air Show in run-up to launch of Government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in advanced manufacturing and defence.
    • Announcement comes as new figures show UK aerospace sector supports 100,000 direct jobs and contributed £13.6bn to the economy in 2024, almost 50% up on 2014.

    UK aerospace will be boosted by more than £250 million funding for cutting-edge aerospace tech projects to drive greener air travel, Industry Minister Sarah Jones will announce at the Paris Air Show today.

    The combined funding from government and industry will drive forward the development of cutting-edge technologies that will help to secure the future of the UK’s aerospace sector. This includes advancements in gas turbines, hydrogen-powered flight and the use of laser technologies for large-scale aerostructure manufacturing.

    It will help attract even more investment into the UK’s world-leading aerospace sector and support thousands of high-skilled jobs outside of London, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change and helping grow the economy.

    The announcement comes as new figures from the industry’s trade association ADS show the UK’s aerospace sector added £13.6 billion to the economy last year – an increase of almost 50 percent compared to 2014 – and supported 100,000 direct jobs.

    It marks the latest win for the UK’s world-class aerospace sector in the run-up to the launch of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will target growth in the UK’s leading advanced manufacturing and defence sectors, and giving businesses the confidence they need to invest in the UK.

    Industry Minister Sarah Jones said:

    This government is backing aerospace. This investment will keep it at the forefront of innovation, not only delivering economic growth but boosting the charge to net zero 2030, two key pillars of our Plan for Change.

    This is the latest win for British aerospace in the run-up to the launch of our Industrial Strategy, which will turbocharge growth in our advanced manufacturing and defence sectors to take them to new heights, bringing new high-skilled jobs to every corner of the UK.

    During her visit to Paris Air Show – the world’s largest event for the civil aerospace sector – Minister Jones will tour the UK’s pavilion and meet with British companies exhibiting, before meeting with a wide range of leading aerospace companies, such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN.

    The meetings will focus on encouraging even greater investment into British aerospace, promoting the UK’s world-class R&D offer on the global stage, and how government can support businesses to increase their manufacturing and operations in the UK.

    Smaller and medium size businesses across the UK continue to benefit from the ATI Programme, with more than 302 receiving support since 2013, and another 19 investing over £22.8m in innovation in today’s announcement.

    The UK aerospace sector had an annual turnover of £34 billion in 2024 and spent £1.9 billion on business R&D – a record level, driven by ongoing investment in both sustainable technology and market manufacturing technology to help ramp up UK production.

    Rolls-Royce Director of Research & Technology Alan Newby said:

    Gas turbines are an engine for growth for the UK economy. We welcome the recognition of the technology’s vital role from the Government in supporting both national and economic security.

    Together, government and industry investment in future gas turbine technologies will enhance the UK’s global competitiveness and help secure UK jobs and exports for the decades ahead.

    Airbus UK Chairman John Harrison said:

    It’s terrific to see ATI funding allocated to projects like our ZeroE Development Centre (ZEDC) that will be built at Airbus Filton, and for DecSAM which builds on the industry’s additive manufacturing capabilities.

    It’s initiatives like these that are absolutely critical to accelerating our decarbonisation journey and advancing sustainable, cutting-edge manufacturing. The continued ATI funding provides the UK aerospace industry with the confidence and stability it needs to fuel innovation.

    Aerospace Technology Institute Chief Innovation Officer Paul Adams said:

    Today’s funding announcement, including our dedicated small and medium-sized company grants, supports critical world-leading research – vital to ensuring UK aerospace companies continue to provide great jobs and growth in future, whilst delivering on our ambitious environmental goals. This is a huge vote of confidence in UK aerospace and in British aerospace companies.

    Notes to editors

    • The ATI Programme is a joint government and industry investment. Its purpose is to competitively offer funding for research and technology development in the UK, to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive position in civil aerospace and accelerate the transition to net zero aviation. 

    • The support announced today is from the £975 million between 2025 and 2030 allocated to the ATI Programme by the Government. This funding, matched by industry, provides continued stability for industry to invest in the UK, delivering economic growth, supporting high skilled jobs and advancing aviation’s challenging transition to net zero. 

    • In total between 2013 and 2030, industry and government will invest over £5 billion developing transformational aircraft technology to secure and grow UK jobs and reduce harmful aviation emissions.

    Specific investments announced are: 

    1. DRAGONFLY (Actuation Lab & Cranfield University)
      This project is developing a special valve to control the flow of super-cold liquid hydrogen for future zero-emission aircraft. It aims to support cleaner aviation by improving hydrogen fuel systems.

    2. STAR (Advanced Manufacturing & partners)
      The STAR project is creating a new gas shielding device that removes the need for expensive argon chambers in manufacturing. This will lower costs and allow for the production of larger components.

    3. REIT (AerospaceHV)
      REIT is building test facilities to help certify electrical systems used in high-voltage aerospace machines. This will support the development of future electric aircraft.

    4. PACE-AM (Alloyed & Brunel University)
      This project is improving the use of strong aluminium alloys in 3D printing for aerospace parts. It aims to make aircraft components lighter and more efficient to produce.

    5. HiRACOS (Carbon ThreeSixty & partners)
      HiRACOS is developing fast and efficient composite materials for use in next-generation aircraft. The goal is to speed up production for advanced air mobility and narrowbody planes.

    6. LoCAP (CKPD)
      LoCAP is working on lightweight, non-metallic aircraft parts using new materials. This will help UK aerospace companies make better quality parts faster and at lower cost.

    7. MACH2INE (Darvick & Cranfield University)
      This project is creating machines to test materials used in hydrogen-powered aircraft. It will help ensure these materials are safe and reliable for flight.

    8. SPCLH2 (Enoflex Ltd. & partners)
      SPCLH2 is designing lightweight composite pipes to carry liquid hydrogen in aircraft, replacing heavy steel ones. These new pipes will reduce aircraft weight and improve fuel efficiency.

    9. DAA (Hover Inc.)
      DAA is developing smart onboard computers with AI for future autonomous and hybrid-electric aircraft. These systems will improve safety and performance.

    10. GENACOM (iCOMAT & University of Sheffield)
      GENACOM is creating new ways to design and build curved composite parts for aircraft using a patented process. This will result in lighter, more sustainable aerospace structures.

    11. AAIFC (Luffy AI & University of Southampton)
      This project is using AI to make flight control systems safer and more adaptable. It opens up new design possibilities for future aircraft.

    12. MAMBA (NEMA LTD & University of Nottingham)
      MAMBA is developing advanced magnetic bearings for aerospace use, which are more reliable and fault-tolerant. These will be tested in real-world turbo-compressor systems.

    13. MB HeX FC (Qdot Technology & Atomik AM)
      This project is using metal 3D printing to improve radiators and heat exchangers in hydrogen fuel-cell aircraft. The goal is to make these systems more efficient and compact.

    14. FEEAD (Scintam Engineering)
      FEEAD is improving a machining technique to safely remove stuck fasteners during aircraft engine maintenance. This will make repairs quicker and safer.

    15. Sora Aero (Sora Aviation & Universities of Bristol and Manchester)
      Sora Aero is developing AI-powered tools to simulate how aircraft behave in flight. These tools will help design better zero-emission aircraft.

    16. BatWing (Sora Aviation & University of Bath)
      BatWing is creating lightweight battery packs and new ways to safely attach them to aircraft wings. This supports the move to electric-powered flight.

    17. MEFSVS (Ultima Forma & GKN Aerospace)
      MEFSVS is replacing heavy outer jackets on hydrogen fuel tanks with lighter, advanced materials. This will reduce aircraft weight and simplify manufacturing.

    18. SPARR (Zero Emissions Aerospace Ltd. & partners)
      SPARR is developing a hydrogen propulsion system for various aircraft types, including airships and eVTOLs. It aims to cut emissions and lower operating costs.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: England faces 5 billion litre public water shortage by 2055 without urgent action

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    England faces 5 billion litre public water shortage by 2055 without urgent action

    England faces 5 billion litre a day shortfall for public water supplies by 2055 – and a further 1 billion litre a day deficit for wider economy

    • England faces 5 billion litre a day shortfall for public water supplies by 2055 – and a further 1 billion litre a day deficit for wider economy. 
    • Pressures caused by climate change, growing population, emerging technologies and need to protect environment. 
    • £8 billion water company investment already committed over next five years.

    England’s public water supply could be short by 5 billion litres a day by 2055 without urgent action to futureproof resources, the Environment Agency has warned today. (June 17th 2025).  

    Climate change, population growth, and environmental pressures are impacting supplies with the predicted shortfall equivalent to a third of our current daily use – or the volume of 4.5 Wembley Stadiums.  

    A further one billion litres a day will also be needed to generate energy, grow our food, and power emerging technologies.  

    The analysis is outlined by the Environment Agency’s National Framework for Water Resources. The report, published every five years, sets out the actions required by water companies, regulators, businesses, and the public to best manage water usage into the future.  

    The EA expects 60% of this deficit to be addressed by water companies managing demand and dramatically reducing leaks. The remaining 40% would come from boosting supply, including the building of new reservoirs and water transfer schemes.  

    The government has secured £104 billion in private sector spending in water company infrastructure over the next five years, including £8 billion committed to boost water supply and manage demand.

    Further recommendations and actions include:  

    • Leakage: The EA will continue to work with financial regulator Ofwat on water company pledges to cut leakage by 17% in the next five years and by 50% by 2050.  

    • Smart meters: Water companies have committed to the vital rollout of ten million more smart meters to help customers understand how much they use – and reveal where wastage may be in their homes and businesses. The average person on a meter uses 122 litres per day, compared to 171 litres without.  

    • Efficiency labelling: Household appliances, such as dishwashers, toilets, and showers, can be more efficient and the EA will continue to work with Government on a mandatory efficiency labelling scheme. 

    • Infrastructure: Water company plans includes nine new desalination schemes, 10 new reservoirs and seven new water recycling schemes by 2050.  

    Environment Agency Chair, Alan Lovell, said:

    The nation’s water resources are under huge and steadily increasing pressure. 

    This deficit threatens not only the water from your tap but also economic growth and food production. Taking water unsustainably from the environment will have a disastrous impact on our rivers and wildlife.   

    We need to tackle these challenges head-on and strengthen work on co-ordinated action to preserve this precious resource and our current way of life.

    Each region has specific needs related to industry and geography. Since the Environment Agency’s last framework was released in 2020, five regional water resources groups have either been established or bolstered to develop plans that identify each area’s individual needs.  

    RAPID (Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development) has also been formed by regulators EA, Ofwat and the DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) to accelerate the development of large infrastructure projects.   

    Ofwat Chief Executive, David Black, said:

    We recognise the unprecedented pressures on our water resources and the ambition to further cut abstraction to improve river health, which we strongly support. This is why we announced £8bn of funding at Price Review 2024 to deliver the required action across the sector to secure our future water supplies.

    Boosting supply through building critical water infrastructure is essential to safeguard supplies of drinking water. The way is now clear for the water industry to build on the success of the recently opened £5 billion Thames Tideway project by stepping forward to deliver an expanded pipeline of 30 major projects which we need in England and Wales.

    Emerging industries, such as data centres and hydrogen production, require vast amounts of water to cool their systems and the EA wants businesses to explore more options for using non-potable water – perfectly usable but not for human consumption.  

    Additional changes are also needed for some abstraction practices – the taking of water from rivers, lakes, and groundwater for public and business use. The EA wants more sustainable solutions, in some cases, easing the strain on environmentally sensitive sites, such as chalk streams.   

    The regulator wants homes to become more efficient to support development and the environment. Schemes in Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk have previously been delayed because of limited water supply. 

    Water shortages can lead to lower crop yields and higher food prices, and the EA is helping groups of farmers to identify how they can improve their supply resilience, for example by sharing water rights and building jointly owned reservoirs 

    There are also small steps the general public can take. These include:  

    • Shortening showers 
    • Turning off taps when brushing teeth 
    • Using full loads for washing machines and dishwashers 
    • Collecting rainwater for garden use 
    • Deleting old emails to reduce pressure on data centre servers 

    Note to editors:

    The summary report is available online.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transport Secretary secures major rail supply deal to protect thousands of British Steel jobs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Transport Secretary secures major rail supply deal to protect thousands of British Steel jobs

    The contract will see British Steel supplying a minimum of 337,000 tonnes of long and short rail in the UK over the next 5 years.

    Credit: Network Rail

    • thousands of steelworkers’ jobs are protected as Transport Secretary secures landmark £500 million rail contract
    • deal follows the government’s urgent April intervention that saved British Steel’s blast furnaces from immediate closure
    • 5-year agreement delivers on the government’s Plan for Change commitment to harness British manufacturing to rebuild Britain and deliver and the critical infrastructure that unlocks economic growth

    Thousands of British manufacturing jobs have today (17 June 2025) been secured as the Transport Secretary visited Scunthorpe to finalise a major rail steel deal between Network Rail and British Steel.

    The £500 million 5-year contract will see British Steel supply over 337,000 tonnes of rail track, helping cement the company’s future just 2 months after the government took emergency action to save the Scunthorpe plant from closure.

    Visiting the historic steelworks today, Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, announced details of a landmark deal signed between Network Rail and British Steel in an agreement representing the first major public procurement since the government’s unprecedented April 2025 intervention.

    This saw the Prime Minister requesting the recall of Parliament to pass emergency legislation preventing the immediate shutdown of Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces, protecting vital British manufacturing jobs.

    That decisive action came after British Steel’s owners, Jingye Group, announced plans to shut down the site’s blast furnaces and some other key steelmaking operations, despite months of negotiations and a £500 million co-investment offer from the government.

    This news complements the announcement of a new trade deal between the UK and US, which, once implemented, will lower tariffs and protect thousands of jobs across key sectors, including steel. The UK was the first and is currently the only country to have secured such a deal.

    The deal demonstrates progress with the government’s wider industrial strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains as part of the Plan for Change commitment to drive economic growth across all regions of the UK.

    Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said:

    This landmark contract truly transforms the outlook for British Steel and its dedicated workforce in Scunthorpe, building on its decades-long partnership with Network Rail to produce rail for Britain’s railways.

    After taking urgent action to step in and save these historic blast furnaces from closure, we’ve now helped secure their long-term future by backing British Steel with meaningful government contracts, protecting thousands of skilled manufacturing jobs in the process.

    This crucial investment in our railway infrastructure shows we are delivering on our Plan for Change commitment to raise living standards in every part of the UK and ensure economic growth is felt by working people in our proud industrial heartlands.

    Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said:

    This is great news for British Steel and a vote of confidence in the UK’s expertise in steelmaking, which will support thousands of skilled jobs for years to come.

    Following our decisive action to step in and save steelmaking at Scunthorpe in April, this contract will give the sector the security to supply the steel we need for the infrastructure of the future, as part of our Plan for Change.

    Today’s Network Rail contract, worth an estimated £500 million, will start on 1 July, providing the company with 80% of its rail needs and builds on the government’s £2.5 billion steel fund established to revitalise UK steel production over the next 5 years.

    It forms part of Network Rail’s rail supply contracts for the provision of almost 450,000 tonnes of rail for the next 5 years.

    To ensure security of supply, Network Rail is set to award smaller contracts to some European manufacturers, who will supply specialist rail products alongside British Steel.

    The contracts will see:

    • British Steel supplies a minimum of 337,000 tonnes of long and short rail
    • a further 80,000 to 90,000 tonnes will be provided by other European manufacturers, with deals expected to be announced shortly

    The strategic partnership builds on decades of collaboration between Network Rail and British Steel, whose Scunthorpe plant has been producing rail for Britain’s railways since 1865.

    Network Rail’s Group Director for Railway Business Services, Clive Berrington, said:

    British Steel remains extremely competitive in the provision of rail and we are delighted that they will remain our main supplier in the years ahead.

    British Steel’s Commercial Director for Rail, Craig Harvey, said:

    We are exceptionally proud to be extending our long-term strategic partnership with Network Rail with an agreement demonstrating British Steel’s importance to the UK’s economy and infrastructure.

    The contract is a ringing endorsement of UK workers and British industry, underpinning the vital role we play in ensuring millions of passengers and freight operators enjoy safe, enjoyable, and timely journeys on Britain’s railways.

    Rail media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Don’t risk Dutton on TAFE

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    15 April 2025

    The 2025 Federal Election will set the path for many aspects of the lives of TAFE students, teachers and educators, but none more pressing than the future of TAFE.

    We have seen landmark improvements to the sector since Anthony Albanese’s Labor government took office. TAFE once again holds its rightful place as the pre-eminent provider of vocational education in Australia. TAFE as a public institution must be supported and fully funded by state, territory and federal governments.

    In the three years since the election of the Albanese government, significant elements of the AEU’s Rebuild with TAFE campaign have been realised:

    • Major new sources of guaranteed funding for TAFE have been delivered realising that at least 70 per cent of total government vocational education funding is allocated to TAFE.

    • The contestable funding model that had marketised vocational education funding for more than a decade is being dismantled.

    • The mammoth task of restoring and investing in the TAFE workforce has begun with new workers employed across Australia and VET Workforce Blueprint projects underway.

    • Hundreds of thousands of students now have access to TAFE because of Free TAFE, many of whom would have been excluded from vocational education due to cost.

    • TAFE is once again recognised as the anchor of the vocational education system.

    • The creation of TAFE Centres of Excellence has recognised the outstanding quality of vocational education provided through TAFE and creates a mechanism for this to be coordinated and shared across Australia.

    • In a further recognition of the quality of TAFE, pilot programs are underway to empower TAFE to self-accredit qualifications at AQF level 5 and above.

    • TAFE workers are more central to decision making about government policy and actively involved.

    • Thousands of TAFE workers have security of employment through industrial relations reform and legislation restricting the indiscriminate use of fixed-term employment.

    • New collective bargaining laws have ensured that TAFE workers in several jurisdictions are the beneficiaries of long-overdue salary increases that have begun to address the imbalance between income and the cost of living.

    • The AEU has been elevated to a primary role as the voice of teachers and educators in TAFE, with critical roles on major new government bodies charged with setting policy and implementing change in vocational education, including Jobs and Skills Australia and the 10 Jobs and Skills Councils.

    The importance of the next government

    We have seen strong support in Parliament from the Australian Greens and members of the crossbench for Free TAFE and for progressive policies. But there’s more to be achieved, especially in terms of staff retention and attraction, boosting infrastructure funding, facilities and resources, and strengthening student support, and to achieve this and ensure that all the gains are not dismantled, the next federal government is key.

    Labor wants to legislate Free TAFE, recognising the value of TAFE and cementing its long-term future. Hundreds of thousands of people in Australia are enrolling in Free TAFE, they are getting the flexibility they need to study, work and raise families without a financial penalty.

    Already, Free TAFE has had a disproportionately positive impact for priority cohorts such as Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people with disability, young people and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.

    Impact and reach of Free TAFE

    Data provided by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to the Senate inquiry indicates that more than 568,000 students have so far enrolled in Free TAFE courses, and many of these enrolments have been in national priority industry areas.

    In 2023:

    • Aboriginal Students and Torres Strait Islander Students represented 6.7 per cent of students in Free TAFE compared with 3.5 per cent in the wider VET sector.

    • Students with disability were 7.6 per cent compared with 3.8 per cent.

    • Women were 61.8 per cent compared with 46.2 per cent.

    • Regional and remote students were 35.9 per cent compared with 26.8 per cent.

    This demonstrates that Free TAFE is assisting those that need it most.

    Beyond just these cohorts, Free TAFE programs have also enabled many parents and older Australians to re-enter the workforce, or to make a change in their careers towards an in-demand area.

    Risks of a Coalition government

    Peter Dutton has threatened to end Free TAFE if he’s elected prime minister.

    The Coalition cut $3 billion from TAFE last time they were in government and almost 10,000 jobs were lost. When the current Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley says: “TAFE is just the state-government-run trainer, just like public schools. The Liberal Party believes that you do not value something unless you pay for it” and Liberal MP Luke Howarth says: “We’ve said we won’t do Free TAFE, that’s another $1.5bn saved”, the same cuts are again expected.

    Dutton has not yet announced any policy but is already hinting at sending more federal funds to private RTOs rather than public TAFE. Australia cannot risk the Coalition getting in and stopping its investment in TAFE like they did last time they were in government.

    Also at risk is the suite of industrial reforms won under the Albanese government, which has seen swathes of the TAFE and AMEP workforce transitioned from contract to permanent positions, sector wage increases, allowed multi-employer bargaining, the right to disconnect from work after hours and strengthening workers’ rights across the board. The Coalition has already spoken of dismantling these worker-centred gains in favour of big business.

    Dutton has spent the last three years attacking and undermining teachers. He wants to spend $330 billion on nuclear power stations while investing nothing in building and upgrading public schools and public TAFE.

    TAFE needs a government that supports public education.

    Party Platform Comparisons

    ALP

    Climate action
    Supports:
    • Paris Climate Agreement
    • Net zero emissions by 2050
    • Just Transition to a clean energy
    Actions:
    • Has enshrined into law an emissions cut target of 43 per cent by 2030
    • A carbon cap for the biggest emitters
    • Legislated a Net Zero Authority
    • Restored the role of the Climate Change Authority (CCA)

    Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People
    • Considering pathways to self-determination
    • Supports the states that want to work towards Treaty
    • Believes in community consultation

    Workplace Relations
    • Worker-friendly, inclusive of unions
    • Stronger worker protections
    • Introduced permanency for many workers, stronger protections for casuals, multi-employer bargaining, the right to disconnect
    • Delivered wage increases to ECEC workers
    • Supportive of the Fair Work Commission

    Schools
    • Fully funding public schools
    • Addressing teacher shortages and engaging with AEU
    • Addressing Aboriginal Teacher and Torres Strait Islander Teacher representation and engaging with Community experts

    TAFE
    • Supports Free TAFE and making it permanent
    • Centres TAFE as the anchor of vocational education in Australia
    • Supports Rebuilding TAFE and the TAFE workforce
    • Ongoing rollout of TAFE Centres of Excellence
    • Plans to establish a National TAFE Network to foster cross-country collaboration and innovation

    Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
    • Three day guarantee – a childcare subsidy for three days a week to all families earning up to $530,000 a year from January 2026
    • Scrapped the activity test
    • $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, which is the next step in creating a universal Early Childhood Education and Care system in Australia
    • 15 per cent pay rises for ECEC teacher and educator wages

    COALITION

    Workplace Relations
    • Unwind Labor’s industrial relations changes
    • Revert to a simple definition of a casual worker
    • Revoke the laws which provide for multi-employer bargaining
    • Remove the “right to disconnect”
    • Curtail unions in workplaces

    Schools
    • Believes government should continue to overfund private schools and that the federal government should only fund private schools
    • Says “children taught the basics – reading, writing and maths – through explicit instruction across our primary education system – and ensuring classrooms are places of education, not indoctrination”, which is the same coded language the Trump government used before banning books and threatening teachers in the USA
    • Has failed to declare their commitment to fully fund public schools

    TAFE
    • Opposes Free TAFE Bill and Free TAFE as a whole

    ECEC
    • Opposes scrapping the activity test

    Climate action
    Against climate action, instead:
    • Make our nation a mining powerhouse
    • Defund the Environmental Defenders Office
    • Slash resource approval timeframes in half
    • Stop the renewable energy roll-out, ramp-up domestic gas production and move to nuclear energy

    Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People
    Against self-determination and Truth-telling, instead choosing punitive responses:
    • A full audit into spending on Aboriginal programs and Torres Strait Islander programs
    • Reintroduce the Cashless Debit Card
    • Bolster law and order in crime-heavy communities
    • A Royal Commission into Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Communities

    GREENS

    TAFE
    • Increase access and opportunity for people with disability and remove barriers to tertiary education for people with disability
    • Abolish all student debt, including HELP, SFSS, and VET, starting 1 July 2025

    ECEC
    • Fix the current broken system
    • Extend free preschool for three-year-olds to at least 15 hours a week

    Climate action
    • No new coal or gas
    • Protect precious water resources
    • Expand publicly owned renewable energy
    • End the billions in handouts to coal, oil and gas corporations
    • End native forest logging
    • Save koalas and wildlife from extinction
    • Create thousands of jobs during renewable transition

    Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People
    • Truth, Treaty, Justice for Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
    • Connect kids to Country by funding school-based programs guided by Elders to learn about culture, language, and Country as a means of holistic healing and growth
    • Support language revival and bilingual instruction in schools

    Workplace Relations
    • Defend workers’ rights, lift wages

    Schools
    Make public schools free and fully funded:
    • Fully fund all public schools to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS)
    • Ensure sustainable funding by indexing public school funding to the higher of the Wage Price Index, Consumer Price Index, or SRS indexation factor
    • Restore $5 billion to the system by closing Morrison-era loopholes
    • Abolish public school fees and charges with an additional allocation of $2.4 billion over the forward estimates
    • Establish a new capital grants fund for public schools to invest in capital works of $1.25 billion in its first year, and then $350 million annually
    • Develop a National Inclusive Education Transition Plan in collaboration with people with disability, families, unions and experts
    • $800 ‘back to school’ payments to parents

    Article by Correna Haythorpe, AEU Federal President
    Originally published in The Australian TAFE Teacher, Autumn 2025

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Early childhood firmly on the national agenda

    Source: Reserve Bank of Australia

    15 April 2025

    Early childhood education and care (ECEC) wages have substantially improved under the Albanese government. Governments in three states are rolling out three- and four-year-old preschool programs and the introduction of multi-employer bargaining has revolutionised industrial relations.

    These advances represent essential first steps to support children, teachers, educators and the sector as a whole. The AEU is addressing unsustainable workloads, further enhancing remuneration and conditions, and securing ongoing federal funding.

    Cara Nightingale, Chair, AEU federal early childhood committee

    Historic victory

    There have been many positive changes in the ECEC sector. The 15 per cent wage increase for early childhood teachers and educators in one of Australia’s lowest paid sectors is a historic victory after many years of seeking wage justice for this feminised and undervalued workforce.

    The pay rise goes some way towards achieving wage justice, but we’ll continue campaigning for the full 25 per cent we believe these underpaid workers need and deserve.

    Industrial changes have also had a big impact on the sector. The Albanese government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms include multi-employer bargaining, which has enabled us, for the first time, to bring employers to the table to bargain on behalf of members. It’s a very important win for members.

    There is more to be done, however, on convincing the government to extend its promise to fund the wage increases for two years. An ongoing funding commitment is crucial to support sustainable wage levels into the future.

    For example, we need to see this pay increase rolled out to the entire early childhood workforce. It currently applies to just the employers who have signed on to a Multi-Employer Agreement (MEA), covering some 30,000 teachers and educators. Employers who haven’t signed the MEA instead use Individual Flexibility Arrangements (IFAs) that don’t offer protection for members.

    An MEA, a union bargaining agreement, provides protections and accountability measures that an IFA simply doesn’t. We’re finding high levels of non-compliance in IFAs. Plus, an employer can give 13 weeks’ notice to end the IFA, leaving workers at risk of returning to basic award rates.

    Professional pay is a non-negotiable issue to recognise the importance of the work. However, members are telling us it’s just one piece of the puzzle. The second piece is addressing the crippling workload that’s associated with the job. Plus, we need funding to support new teachers and educators to thrive with professional development and mentors to help improve retention at a time of severe workforce shortage.

    An overhaul of the funding system for early childhood and care is overdue to ensure appropriate levels of support and resources for vulnerable children and those with a disability or additional needs. Extra funding to build new centres in rural, regional and remote areas is also required to alleviate early childhood and care deserts.

    The federal government must also prioritise universal access to quality preschool delivered by qualified teachers and educators for three- and four-year-olds across the country, a move already made by state governments in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

    The government’s Commonwealth Prac Payment for students undertaking mandatory placements, which will begin in July this year, will provide valuable financial assistance for students as they do their practicum placements.

    The government is also providing scholarships for teaching students and Fee-Free TAFE courses.

    Overall, the early childhood and care sector has seen substantial progress during the term of the Albanese government but there’s more to be done to build on those gains.

    Georgie Dent, CEO, The Parenthood

    Welcome changes

    Over the past few years, early childhood education and care has been elevated as key to educational, social and economic policy.

    One of the reasons for that shift is that we elected a federal government in May 2022, which said this policy mattered to it.

    We have seen increased understanding of the importance of ECEC in the development and wellbeing of children, in addition to the economic reform it provides by enabling parents, particularly mums, to participate in the workforce.

    Growing support for women’s rights and gender equity have also helped propel the issue.

    There is a gender component to this because we know that when families can’t access or afford early childhood education and care, it tends to be women’s employment, their financial security and their safety that can be undermined.

    The 15 per cent wage rise for teachers and educators also represents a win for women, who dominate the early childhood education and care workforce. They have been significantly underpaid compared to similar jobs with similar levels of qualification. Having that identified and rectified has had a substantial effect on teachers and educators and on their ability to achieve financial security. Having better paid teachers and educators is crucial to the quality of early education and care and to luring back some of the many who have left the sector in recent years.

    We would like to see a commitment of access to at least three days a week of high quality, inclusive, early education and care – free for lower income families and a low-set fee for others – to every child in Australia.

    Part of that means recognising the parts of the country where there is no provision of services. We need an investment and policy response to ensure that families who live in childcare deserts can access the early learning and care that their children need.

    We want to see proper funding to ensure inclusion. Around one in 20 children using early education and care are accessing the inclusion support program, whereas in primary schools, around one in five children have an identified need for additional support. There are too many children and families being turned away from services because they’re not adequately funded.

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