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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Majodina hands over Garden Route Dam raw water pump station

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina, has marked World Water Day celebration by officially handing over a newly Garden Route Dam raw water pumpstation to the George Local Municipality, Western Cape.

    Unveiled on Saturday, the newly upgraded Garden Route Pump Station and its association infrastructure, forms part of the Budget Facility Water Project being implemented at George Local Municipality.

    The upgraded work at the dam and pump station involved replacing the old 600 millimetres (mm) diameter pipe with new 800 mm diameter steel outlet pipes to increase the pumping capacity of raw water into the balancing dam. 

    In addition, two 1 250 kilovolt-amperes (KVA) generators were installed to ensure uninterrupted pumping, even during power supply failures.

    The department stated that this project is one of 12 sub-projects under the Water Security and Remedial Works Project underway in the municipality. 

    The total project value exceeds R1.1 billion and is funded by the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) from the Department of Water and Sanitation. 

    The department allocated the funds to the municipality to implement the project over four years.

    George Municipality, which is also the implementing agent of the project, has contributed an additional R305 million to make the total budget R1.4 billion. 

    The multiple-phase project started in 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by December 2025.

    Speaking at the event, Majodina said the handing over of the completed project at George Municipality, reaffirms government’s commitment to expand access to safe drinking water to all citizens. 

    “George municipality is rapidly growing with the current daily potable water demand of 38 megalitres per day, and it is projected to increase to 106 megalitres per day over the next 50 years. Today is a demonstration of our commitment to ensure that we meet the rising water demand that is occasioned by the rapid population growth,” the Minister said. 

    She said the project was an example of a successful inter-departmental collaboration between the national, provincial and local governments.  

    She added that the project would ensure that the municipality has a sustainable supply of water for generations to come.

    Mayor of George Municipality, Jacqueline von Brandis, expressed deep appreciation to the Minister and the department for the funding as it has unlocked economic and socio-economic opportunities for the tourism-inclined municipality. 

    “We are celebrating an example of intergovernmental success. We are here to showcase the outstanding work and service delivery that can be achieved if we work together. Our BFI grant has been instrumental in enabling us to make significant strides in ensuring that our ever-growing city is water-secured for generations to come,” von Brandis said.

    The mayor also extended her gratitude towards the Department of Water and Sanitation and National Treasury for this investment. 

    George Municipality currently provides water services to over 294 942 residents from 85 931 households across 28 wards, including Pacaltsdorp, Thembalethu, and coastal areas such as Kleinkrantz, Wilderness, Victoria Bay, Herold’s Bay, and Gwaing.

    Over the years, the municipality has experienced a substantial increase in its population. 

    The 12 phases of the project will improve water security and resilience for the current residents and support significant future expansion in various areas within George.

    The projects will also prevent sewage spillages through upgrading critical sewage pump stations.

    The core of the project is to increase the security of raw water supply to the Garden Route Dam and raw water balancing dams and to increase the capacity of two Water Treatment Works (WTW), which currently provide 38 megalitres (ml/d) to communities. 

    The project will therefore increase this capacity to 60 60 Megaliters Per Day (ml/d), through the construction of a new 20 ml/d extension and the upgrading of the old WTW.

    The upgrade of the Kaaimans River raw water pump station, which transports water from the Kaaimans River to the Garden Route Dam, will improve the supply and storage of raw water.

    This enhancement will increase the bulk availability and security of raw water for the current and future population of George.

    The scope of the 12 sub-projects includes:

    • A new 20 ml/d water treatment works adjacent to the old 38 ml/d water treatment plant
    • Construction of a new sludge treatment plant
    • Rehabilitation of old water treatment plant   
    • Refurbishment of the existing sludge discharge system in the old water treatment plant
    • Upgrade of Garden Route Dam outlet supply pipework
    • New Generator for Garden Route Dam Pumpstation
    • New 40 megalitres balancing dam and pipeline to new water treatment plant
    • Replacement of pumps for Kaaimans River pumpstations
    • New reservoir for Pacaltsdorp (West)
    • New reservoir, tower, and pump station of Pacaltsdorp (East)
    • New pump station and upgrade of supply pipeline for Thembalethu (West)
    • New reservoir, tower, and pump station for Thembalethu (East)

    The department highlighted that George Municipality is geared for current and future residential and commercial developments in the east of George and two other more prominent future development areas to the east of Thembalethu and the south of Pacaltsdorp. 

    “Therefore, the water security and remedial works project will provide certainty that water services will be provided to new residential units as well as commercial and industrial sites,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals £4.8bn for major roads

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    PM tells councils to prove action on pothole plague to unlock extra cash and reveals £4.8bn for major roads

    The Plan for Change is tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer

    • £1.6 billion investment to tackle scourge of potholes to be delivered to councils from next month as PM tells councils to put cash to use
    • for the first time every council in England must publish how many potholes they’ve filled or lose road cash
    • local authorities that comply will receive their full share of the £500 million roads pot – enough to fill the equivalent of 7 million potholes a year, as part of the government’s Plan for Change
    • government also announces £4.8 billion for 25/26 for motorways and major A-roads including economy boosting road schemes on the A47 and M3

    The public will now see exactly what’s being done to tackle potholes, as the government demands councils prove their progress or face losing cash. 

    From mid-April, local authorities in England will start to receive their share of the government’s record £1.6bn highway maintenance funding, including an extra £500m – enough to fill 7 million potholes a year. 

    But to get the full amount, all councils in England must from today (24 March 2025) publish annual progress reports and prove public confidence in their work. Local authorities who fail to meet these strict conditions will see 25% of the uplift (£125m in total) withheld.

    Also today, the Transport Secretary has unveiled £4.8bn funding for 2025/6 for National Highways to deliver critical road schemes and maintain motorways and major A-roads.

    This cash will mean getting on with pivotal schemes in construction, such as the A428 Black Cat scheme in Cambridgeshire, and starting vital improvements to the A47 around Norwich and M3 J9 scheme in Hampshire, building thousands of new homes, creating high-paid jobs, connecting ports and airports, to grow the economy and deliver the Plan for Change.  

    It comes as figures from the RAC show drivers encounter an average of 6 potholes per mile in England and Wales, and pothole damage to cars costs an average £600 to fix. According to the AA, fixing potholes is a priority for 96% of drivers. 

    This government is delivering its Plan for Change to rebuild Britain and deliver national renewal through investment in our vital infrastructure which will drive growth and put more money in working people’s pockets by saving them costs on repairs.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The broken roads we inherited are not only risking lives but also cost working families, drivers and businesses hundreds – if not thousands of pounds – in avoidable vehicle repairs. Fixing the basic infrastructure this country relies on is central to delivering national renewal, improving living standards and securing Britain’s future through our Plan for Change.

    Not only are we investing an additional £4.8 billion to deliver vital road schemes and maintain major roads across the country to get Britain moving, next month we start handing councils a record £1.6 billion to repair roads and fill millions of potholes across the country.

    British people are bored of seeing their politicians aimlessly pointing at potholes with no real plan to fix them. That ends with us. We’ve done our part by handing councils the cash and certainty they need – now it’s up to them to get on with the job, put that money to use and prove they’re delivering for their communities.

    The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: 

    After years of neglect we’re tackling the pothole plague, building vital roads and ensuring every penny is delivering results for the taxpayer.

    The public deserves to know how their councils are improving their local roads, which is why they will have to show progress or risk losing 25 per cent of their £500m funding boost. 

    Our Plan for Change is reversing a decade of decline and mending our pothole-ridden roads which damage cars and make pedestrians and cyclists less safe.

    To ensure councils are taking action, they must now publish reports on their websites by 30 June 2025, detailing how much they are spending, how many potholes they have filled, what percentage of their roads are in what condition, and how they are minimising streetworks disruption.

    They will also be required to show how they are spending more on long-term preventative maintenance programmes and that they have robust plans for the wetter winters the country is experiencing – making potholes worse. 

    By the end of October, councils must also show they are ensuring communities have their say on what work they should be doing, and where. The public can also help battle back against pothole ridden roads by reporting them to their local council, via a dedicated online portal. 

    To further protect motorists given continued cost-of-living pressures and potential fuel price volatility amid global uncertainty, the government has frozen fuel duty at current levels for another year to support hardworking families and businesses, saving the average car driver £59.  

    Edmund King, AA president and member of the Pothole Partnership, said:  

    Getting councils to show value for money before getting full funding is a big step in the right direction, as it will encourage a more concerted attack on the plague of potholes. At the same time, local authorities can share best practice, so others can learn what new innovations and planned maintenance techniques have worked for them.” 

    The £4.8bn for National Highways will protect the country’s strategic road network, which provides critical routes and connections across the country for people, businesses and freight to help drive for growth as part of Plan for Change.

    The £4.8bn includes a record £1.3bn investment to keep this vital network in good repair, so the network remains fit for the future, and £1.8bn for National Highways’ daily operations that are critical to ensuring the network runs safely and smoothly for millions of people and businesses that rely on it every day. As well as £1.3bn for essential improvement schemes to unlock growth and housing.  

    Since entering office, the government has approved over £200m for the A47 Thickthorn Junction, and £290m for M3 Junction 9 plus £90m for local road schemes like the A130 Fairglen Interchange, the South-East Aylesbury Link Road, the A350 Chippenham Bypass, the A647 scheme in Leeds. This is a total of over £580m for schemes to get Britain moving.

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    Published 23 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Housing Bill: Women must be better protected to flee domestic abuse

    Source: Scottish Greens

    23 Mar 2025 Housing

    The Bill must protect as many women as possible.

    More in Housing

    Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman has lodged proposals to expand the definition of domestic abuse to protect more women and children who are facing homelessness. The proposal will be considered as an amendment to the upcoming Housing (Scotland) Bill.

    Ms Chapman believes that the Scottish Government’s current definition within the context of this bill is not broad enough to offer the necessary protections, only covering violent, threatening and intimidating conduct.

    The expanded definition that Ms Chapman is calling for would see controlling, coercive, and degrading behaviour included within the definition – a change that charity organisation Scottish Women’s Aid has long called for.

    Ms Chapman said:

    “Women might feel unable to leave a violent and abusive relationship for fear of ending up homeless, and that sense of feeling trapped only increases when there are children involved in the process.

    “This bill must work to enhance the support we offer women and children, so that they are better protected and able to flee from abuse, without fear of being left homeless or placed in unsuitable and unsafe accommodation due to their experience of abuse not matching the government’s definition.

    “By expanding the definition of domestic abuse, we can help to resolve that fear and create a more hopeful future for women and their families who are rebuilding their lives.”

    Ms Chapman has also lodged an amendment that would force the Scottish Government to implement the findings of their December 2020 report on improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

    The actions called for in the report include: improving how homelessness due to domestic abuse appears in statistics, developing a Housing First pathway for women experiencing domestic abuse, and developing a timetable to implement the Ending Homelessness Together action plan that will ensure the homelessness system meets the needs of diverse groups of women.

    Ms Chapman said:

    “There are groups who have been waiting years for the findings of this report to be put into action. My proposal will bring them forward and help ensure that women and children experiencing domestic abuse are provided with the right services, with the right support and regular reviews to ensure that progress is being made.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Taking on Trump & Farage – and fixing church roofs

    Source: Liberal Democrats UK

    We meet at a time of great peril. For our continent, and for our country.

    Because Donald Trump is not only betraying Ukraine. It’s not only their sovereignty he’s selling out. It’s our security. The security of Europe and the security of our United Kingdom.

    And that is unforgivable.

    Putin might be able to fool Donald Trump into thinking that his ambitions do not extend beyond parts of Ukraine, but we know better. Just look at what he’s already doing in Georgia, in Moldova, in Romania – undermining their democracies and seeking to extend his grip further into Europe.

    Our brave Ukrainian allies are on the frontline. Fighting not just for their homes. Not just for their freedom. But for the freedom and security of people across Europe, including ours here in the UK. Their fight is our fight.

    So to our Ukrainian friends, on behalf of all Liberal Democrats, let me say once again – We thank you. We salute you. We stand with you. Today. Tomorrow. Always.

    And of course, that solidarity must go beyond mere words. That’s why I am proud that the United Kingdom has been Ukraine’s staunchest ally right from the start. Why I am so proud of the tens of thousands of British families who welcomed Ukrainians into their homes. Showing the incredible warmth and generosity of the British people. Why I am proud of all the military assistance we have given to the Ukrainian armed forces – the tanks and training, missiles and drones to repel Putin’s war machine. And it’s why I was proud that the Prime Minister brought Europe and Canada together here in Britain to chart a way forward, the day after those appalling scenes of Trump and Vance ambushing President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.

    And Trump’s so-called “special envoy” might dismiss British leadership as pointless posturing, but we know what it really is… Britain, leading in Europe again, as we have done at the greatest moments in our nation’s history. And friends, it was good to see that again after such a long time, wasn’t it?

    But now we must step up our efforts and do more. Much more. For the defence of Ukraine, for the defence of Europe, and for our own national defence too.

    So we Liberal Democrats have led calls for far more support for Ukraine – funded by the tens of billions of pounds of Russian assets frozen in the UK, and the hundreds of billions of pounds frozen across the G7. We backed proposals for a new European Rearmament Bank, to finance a massive expansion of defence manufacturing here at home and across the continent. We pressed the Government to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP – and now we are continuing to push for cross-party talks to get it to 3%.

    Because the threat we face is existential.

    To our east, a murderous dictator hellbent on building a new Russian empire – and committing atrocities on European soil in pursuit of it. And to our west, for the first time in my life, a President of the United States willing not merely to turn a blind eye to Putin’s aggression – but actually to praise it. A President who has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not a reliable ally to Ukraine, to Britain, to Europe, or to anyone else.

    So the fundamental questions we now face are these:

    How do we deal with Putin?

    And how do we deal with Trump?

    Well, let me tell you how not to deal with them. Just like any bully, you don’t deal with them by curling up in a ball and hoping they’ll leave you alone. You don’t turn a blind eye as they attack your friends, praying that maybe they’ll stop there. You have to stand up. Stand tough. Stand together with our friends. Make clear that an attack on one is an attack on all.

    And that – for the vast majority of people in our country – is our instinctive response. Brits can’t stand a bully.

    What Trump and Putin are doing offends our fundamental British values of decency, fair play, respect for national sovereignty and the rule of law. Almost everyone I speak to – in every part of our country – feels that way. But there is one man who thinks differently.

    One lone holdout. Someone who simply doesn’t seem to get it. A man who splits his time between GB News, Mar-a-Lago… and weirdly selling nappies on social media, apparently. A man who can even, legend has it, occasionally be spotted in the House of Commons and – if you wait long enough – in the town of Clacton-on-Sea. Nigel Farage.

    Unlike you and me, Nigel Farage thinks Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are great. Not in a “look, we have to be pragmatic and work with them” kind of way. More in a teenager with a celebrity crush kind of way.

    Don’t forget, when Farage was asked which world leader he most admired, his answer was Vladimir Putin. Yes, really. Now, to be fair, that was before Donald Trump became President – so I guess Putin might have slipped to number two by now. 

    A tyrant responsible for the brutal suppression of Russia’s own people, and countless atrocities in Ukraine. Who has murdered thousands of innocent civilians. And abducted 20,000 children from their homes. Snatched them away from their families.

    That, apparently, is the sort of man who wins Nigel Farage’s admiration.

    How despicable. How completely out-of-touch with British values. With human values. How unpatriotic. How deeply un-British. And this from a man who thinks he can be our Prime Minister. Not on our watch.

    With war on our continent, an unpredictable President in the White House, and an increasingly volatile world… This is no time for a nationalist.

    We need real British patriotism instead. At home and abroad, our country has big problems to solve. And let’s be absolutely clear: Nigel Farage is not the least bit interested in solving them.

    If Farage had his way, he would turn our great country into little more than a Donald Trump tribute act. He has said it himself: he sees Trump as his inspiration. He wants to do to Britain what Trump is doing to America: All the division. The nasty culture-war nonsense. The economic self-harm of tariffs. Cruelty for the sake of being cruel. Siding with criminals and undermining the rule of law. And of course, limiting your access to healthcare. And making you pay more for it.

    Farage doesn’t like to talk about it much these days, but he has been very clear throughout his long political career that he doesn’t believe in the fundamental NHS principle of universal healthcare free at the point of use. He’s called for an American-style insurance-based model. He says he’s “open to anything” when it comes to the future of the NHS – including privatisation. Just like his idol Donald would want.

    And apart from that, isn’t it striking that Farage has nothing to say about the challenges facing our NHS? Nothing to say about how to make sure people can actually see a doctor or a dentist when they need one. Nothing to say about ambulance delays or crumbling hospitals. Nothing to say about fixing social care, so that our loved ones get the care they need and carers get the support they deserve. And I mean literally – nothing to say. 

    Farage has never uttered the word “care” once in Parliament. Because the truth is: Nigel Farage doesn’t care.

    He hasn’t mentioned the “NHS” once either – or GPs, hospitals, ambulances, dentists. Imagine that. A political party whose leader has nothing at all to say on one of the biggest issues on people’s lips, and the biggest challenges we face. Our country has big problems to solve. And Nigel Farage is not the least bit interested in solving them.

    But friends, that’s not the worst of it, is it? What worries us most about Farage and Reform is the deeply destructive, divisive brand of politics they deploy.

    The weaponisation of difference. The demonisation of diversity. The scapegoating of “the other”. The superficial, simplistic, snake-oil solutions they peddle. We know where it all will lead, if we don’t stop it.

    We know what happens when cynical, opportunistic politicians seize on the struggles and the anxieties of ordinary people – Anxieties about the cost of living. About cultural and technological change. About sovereignty and security. When they exploit those struggles and anxieties for their own selfish ends – When they point the finger of blame at those who differ from you because of their religion or their nationality or the colour of their skin – When they teach that those people threaten your job or your family or your way of life – When they manipulate new forms of media to spread lies, sow fear and stir hatred – When they use those tools to convince you that their cause alone is righteous and all who stand against them are evil… We know where that ends.

    We have seen it before across history – too many times. It is the populist playbook, and its pages are very well-worn. It is ugly. It is powerful. And it is incredibly destructive. Not only to the groups they target – the vulnerable, the minorities – but ultimately to us all. To our whole society. To the very idea of liberal democracy that our United Kingdom embodies.

    And if this sounds alarmist or over-the-top, remember this: It always starts that way.

    With a reasonable, even beguiling face. With an appeal to “common sense” and “plain speaking”. But if allowed to take root, it grows and mutates with such speed and ferocity, till it fills every crack in the foundations of our country… Until those cracks become chasms.

    And what is broken can never be mended. So we know where it leads. We know what is at stake. Not just an election. Not just a set of policies. But the very future of liberal democracy itself.

    That is what’s under threat. And friends – Liberal Democrats – it falls to us to save it.

    Because with the Conservatives desperately chasing Reform’s tail – And Labour sounding more and more like them every day – We Liberal Democrats are the only ones with the courage and the conviction to stand up and offer something different. Offer a positive alternative. Something better… Hope.

    And here’s the good news – Because I know it can feel like the tides of history are against us right now. I know that when you look at Trump in America, Le Pen in France, the AfD in Germany, Reform here in the UK – When the headlines are so often so bleak – It can be tempting to give in to despair.

    Well the good news is this: What we can offer people is even more powerful than all their lies. All their false promises. The easy answers of the populist right. Even more powerful, and even more popular. Real hope.

    Hope based not on empty rhetoric or magical thinking – But on hard work and concrete action that people can see making a difference to their lives and to their communities.

    That’s what good old-fashioned Liberal Democrat community politics has always been all about. Winning people’s trust by getting things done. Showing them what liberal democracy can do for them – not by talking about it, but by rolling up our sleeves and actually doing it. Putting our policies into practice and our ideals into action.

    I don’t know if you heard what Kemi Badenoch said about us recently. Did you hear this?

    She said – and I quote: “A typical Liberal Democrat will be somebody who is good at fixing their church roof. And people in the community like them.”

    Good at fixing the church roof. People in the community like them.

    I think she meant it as an insult! But I’ll happily wear it as a badge of honour.

    Because she’s right. Liberal Democrats fix things.

    And isn’t it telling, that attitude from the Leader of the Conservative Party? 

    Not that she doesn’t like us – I’m not surprised about that. She’s got good reason not to like the Liberal Democrats… After all, we did take 60 seats off them last July! I’ll say that again, Conference… We took 60 seats off the Conservatives! So you can hardly blame them for being a bit upset!

    But what I’m talking about is the sneering attitude of the Leader of the Conservatives. The sneering attitude that says fixing church roofs is somehow beneath her. Even beneath politics altogether. That what happens in our communities is trivial and insignificant compared to debating the true meaning of conservatism on Twitter.

    And it goes far beyond Kemi Badenoch and church roofs. It’s the whole Conservative Party – whether in Westminster or in town halls and county halls across the country. They have abandoned our communities.

    The Conservatives left schools and hospitals to crumble. Left whole areas without enough GPs or dentists. Left water companies to pump filthy sewage into our rivers and seas. And they have left decent, traditional Conservatives without a political home.

    Their out-of-touch, disdainful thinking is why the Conservative Party is in the mess it is today. Treating the day-to-day things that matter in people’s lives not just with indifference, but outright contempt.

    It’s why so many lifelong Conservative voters have turned to the Liberal Democrats. It’s why people rightly kicked them out of government last July – And why we must kick them out of our councils in May too.

    But that Conservative disdain and neglect is also what has opened the door to Reform. And that’s why it’s so important that we Liberal Democrats are rooted in our communities, getting things done.

    Fixing the church roof – and much more besides. Showing people that politics can work for them. That who they vote for can make a difference. That their voice matters. 

    That is how you defeat the populists. How you drain away the cynicism that feeds them. How you win back people’s trust and restore their hope.

    It’s not easy, our way of doing politics.

    Liberal Democrat MPs certainly have to spend a lot more time in our constituencies than Nigel Farage spends in Clacton – although I admit that’s a low bar.

    That’s why no one ever joins the Liberal Democrats as a shortcut to high office. And if that’s why any of you are here today, I’m sorry to have to let you down like this.

    We join because we want to make a difference to our communities and our country. Even though we know it’s hard work. 

    And we join – we all joined – because of a genuine belief in the core Liberal values that have made our country great: Freedom and equality. Community and internationalism. A commitment to human rights, to the environment, and to democracy. And those values are exactly what this moment in history demands.

    At a time when people are facing so many daily challenges on so many different fronts – The cost of living crisis. An economy that is still barely growing. Public services that just aren’t working the way they should. Opportunity that feels further and further out of reach for too many young people.

    These are challenges that can really test our values. When people feel so economically insecure. When times are so tough. Historically these are the times that liberalism has struggled, that progress has stumbled. But these are the times when our liberal values are needed more than ever.

    To build the fair, free and open society we all believe in. So that people can get on in life – with real power to make their own choices and pursue their own dreams.

    Because we understand that if you free people – If you empower them to make their voices heard and hold the powerful properly to account – Then you unleash the best in people and create a better society and a stronger economy as a result.

    So that everyone gets a fair deal. Every child gets the best possible start in life, and everyone sees their hard work and aspiration properly rewarded. Everyone gets the care they need when they need it, and a helping hand if they fall on tough times.

    And friends, how critical are our Liberal, internationalist values right now?

    Not just on Ukraine and defending Europe from Putin – critical though that is. But on so many big, global challenges – from the rise of China to the threat of climate change to the risks of artificial intelligence.

    These are challenges that no nation can afford to ignore. And challenges that no nation can tackle alone. Pulling up the drawbridge simply isn’t an option. Like I said, this is no time for a nationalist.

    What we need is a movement of proud internationalists – People who believe that our country and our people thrive when we are open and outward-looking. Who know that the UK can be an incredible force for good when it stands tall on the world stage. And stands up for what is right. Who recognise that the concerns of one nation inevitably become the concerns of all nations. A movement of proud internationalists. And Liberal Democrats, that is who we are.

    The only party that has consistently opposed the Conservatives’ damaging Brexit deal from the start. The only party arguing for a new deal with the EU, with a Customs Union at its heart – putting us on a path back to the Single Market. The only party still championing international aid, after first the Conservatives and now Labour shamefully cut it.

    And friends, we’re the only party in British politics speaking up in defiance of Donald Trump. The only ones willing to state the obvious truth: that he is no leader of the free world. I mean, this is a man who stands on the White House drive, flogging Teslas for Elon Musk like a particularly bad used car salesman. It’s hardly “Ask not what your country can do for you”, is it?

    And more despicably, this is a man who halted shipments of food, medicine and other essential aid supplies to people around the world who desperately need them. Locking whole shipping containers in port for their contents to rot. So much for Ronald Reagan’s “shining city on a hill”.

    And remember – this is the man Nigel Farage calls his “inspiration”. We’re the only ones willing to say that Trump cannot be relied upon to play by the rules, or stick to agreements. That his presidency is a threat to peace and prosperity in the UK, across Europe, and around the world. And that we must deal with him as he is. Bullying. Narcissistic. Unpredictable. We must deal with Trump from a position of strength, not weakness.

    Like on trade. If there’s one thing we know, it’s that Donald Trump loves tariffs. He says it’s “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”…

    Which, when you think about it, really is a very Donald Trump way of deciding your economic policy, isn’t it?

    Now, as Liberals, we profoundly disagree. After all, it was the Victorian Liberals who overturned centuries of protectionism and ushered in a new era of free trade and prosperity. We can already see the damage Trump’s tariffs are doing to the US economy, with forecasters saying he may plunge it into recession. And we fear the damage his trade war could do to the world economy, impacting jobs and living standards here in the UK too.

    So the question, again, is how do we deal with him?

    And the answer, we say again, is from a position of strength. Regrettably, that’s not Labour’s strategy. They say: “Let’s be nice to him and hope he won’t hurt us”.

    Now Labour’s even talking about scrapping Britain’s tax on social media giants. Changing the UK’s tax policy to appease Donald Trump – and Elon Musk. Well appeasement never works with bullies, and it doesn’t work with Trump – as his tariffs on British steel already show.

    And let me say this to Elon Musk, who I know is my biggest fan… We will make out-of-control social media giants like you pay more – so we can defend our children and young people from the harm you’re causing them.

    But it’s not just Labour bending the knee to this White House. It’s the Conservatives too. They’d have us go to Mar-a-Lago, begging bowl outstretched, pleading for a trade deal on whatever terms Trump will give us. The Conservatives would sell out British farmers to President Trump, just as they sold them out in their damaging trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. And then they’d let Trump’s billionaire mates carve up the NHS between them. 

    Another Elon Musk rebrand, this time to NH-X.

    More and more appeasement – in the futile hope it would protect us from more Trump tariffs in future. But we know it wouldn’t. Of course it wouldn’t.

    Just look at how he’s treated Canada – a steadfast ally who fought fascism alongside the US and the UK. He has hit them with outrageous tariffs, breaking the trade deal between their two countries. Because he doesn’t like the deal, so he doesn’t think he has to stick to it.

    Last month he asked “who would ever sign a thing like this”. The answer, of course, is you did Donald. Only five years ago. His signature means nothing.

    So no, a bad Trump deal won’t protect us from tariffs. And playing nice, being weak, is no way to deal with him either. So let’s stand up to Trump. Let’s stand side by side with the EU and with our Commonwealth ally Canada. I urge the Prime Minister to bring those leaders together here in the UK to agree a coordinated response to Trump’s trade war – just like he’s rightly done on Putin’s murderous war. As others have done, we should hit back with tariffs of our own – starting with those Teslas Trump is so desperate to sell. 

    And Conference, let’s put ourselves in the strongest possible position by rebuilding our trade with Europe – Strengthening British businesses and showing Trump we have other options.

    So you see, when it comes to dealing with Trump – as with the other looming threats in the world right now – it is our liberal belief in internationalism that offers the solution. Conference, with Trump in the White House and Farage leading a Trump tribute act here in the UK – Our role in British politics has never been more essential. Our precious liberal values are the only antidote to their destructive nationalism. Our trademark community politics is the only way to defeat their cynical populism.

    The threat they pose is grave. The challenge before us is great. This is a battle of competing values. A battle of competing visions. A battle for the future.

    We didn’t choose this fight. But friends, I know you are up for it. I know together we can win it.

    For the future of our democracy. For the good of our communities. For the love of our country. Let’s go to battle.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government-backed technologies support those living with dementia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Government-backed technologies support those living with dementia

    Cutting-edge research networks backed by government to tackle debilitating symptoms of dementia including memory loss and communication difficulties

    People living with dementia are set to benefit from government-backed research designed to help them live more independently in their own homes.

    Four new research networks led by the UK’s top researchers, developers, health and social care professionals will focus on creating technologies to help dementia patients manage memory loss, communication difficulties and cope better with everyday tasks, in the hopes of slowing the progress of the disease and maximising the time they can spend safely and happily at home.   

    The teams will work alongside people living with dementia and carers to ensure lived experience and changing needs are at the heart of innovation, delivering the government’s Plan for Change to shift healthcare from hospitals into the community, with better results for patients while also reducing pressure on the NHS. 

    The four successful networks are: 

    • The University of Sheffield – to develop technologies to help dementia patients communicate as their disease progresses, supporting speech and memory challenges  

    • Heriot-Watt University – to develop technology to anticipate, and where possible slow, progression of dementia patients’ symptoms  

    • Northumbria University – to develop local hubs in rural and remote areas, where dementia patients can access technology to help them with everyday tasks  

    • Imperial College London – to develop easily-used tools to support independent living, and using AI to support data analytics  

    The networks will also collaborate with a range of key partners including NHS, Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and local authorities and councils, to deliver the projects, ensuring expertise at all levels is consulted on, and helping to develop the best outcome.  

    The projects are being backed by government, with The Minister of State for Health set to unveil £6.7 million in funding later this week at the World Dementia Council Summit on Tuesday 25th March.  

    The networks are funded by £6.7 million from the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society.  

     Minister of State for Health, Karin Smyth, said:  

    Dementia is a cruel and heartbreaking disease, not only for those living with it, but for the families and friends who often watch their loved one become a shadow of the person they once were.   

    Backing these groundbreaking technologies won’t just help people with dementia – it’ll transform their lives, giving people the freedom to stay in their own homes, around the people they love.   

    Moving care out of hospitals and into communities isn’t just smart healthcare – it’s about giving people independence. Britain will be at the forefront of dementia innovation, backing cutting-edge research and rolling out life-changing technologies that deliver real results for patients and families. This is exactly the bold thinking we need at the heart of our Plan for Change.

    Science Minister, Lord Vallance said:

    Dementia is one of the biggest challenges to health and social care of our time. These four networks will take on that challenge, harnessing technology to improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.

    Helping people with Dementia to live more independently will allow us to move their care from hospitals to communities, reducing strain on the NHS and supporting the plans for health that are key to our Plan for Change.

    Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR said: 

    By developing networks and technologies that help people living with dementia stay independent for longer, and closer to home, we can help improve the quality of care that patients and their families receive.  

    I welcome this collaboration which will increase the range of support enabling dementia patients to live independently at home and in their communities and freeing up vital time and resource for other areas of treatment and care.

    Professor David Sharp at Imperial College London, and the Director of Care Research & Technology Centre, at the UK Dementia Research Institute, said:  

    This is a really exciting opportunity that will bring together UK scientists and partners from health and social care, industry, third sector and lived experience, to develop new technologies that will help people affected by dementia to live independently for as long as possible.

    According to an Alzheimer’s Society survey, 85% of people have said they would prefer to stay in their own home for as long as possible if diagnosed with dementia, but many are currently unable to do so. It is hoped these projects will help slow the progression of the disease and provide a better quality of life for people living with dementia, to help people out of hospital and back into the community, where they’re most comfortable.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government unleashes next generation of construction workers to build 1.5m homes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Government unleashes next generation of construction workers to build 1.5m homes

    New training will help deliver 1.5 million homes which will transform communities and drive growth through the Plan for Change.

    • Up to 60,000 more engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies to be trained by 2029, as Chancellor outlines how the government will train more workers to tackle skills shortages and inspire the next generation into the construction sector.
    • Reforms will get young people into well paid, high skilled, jobs in the construction sector by funding additional placements, establishing Technical Excellence Colleges, launching new foundation apprenticeships, and expanding Skills Bootcamps.
    • This injection of over £600 million over the next four years will also encourage experienced builders to help train and inspire the next generation.

    Ahead of the Spring Statement next week (Wednesday 26 March) the Chancellor has announced £600 million worth of investment to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers.

    This will deliver well paid jobs across the country in the construction sector and help build 1.5 million homes to transform communities by the end of this Parliament.

    Chancellor, Rachel Reeves said:

    We are determined to get Britain building again, that’s why we are taking on the blockers to build 1.5 million new homes and rebuild our roads, rail and energy infrastructure.

    But none of this is possible without the engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies to actually get the work done, which we are facing a massive shortage of. We’ve overhauled the planning system that is holding this country back, now we are gripping the lack of skilled construction workers, delivering on our Plan for Change to boost jobs and growth for working people.

    The sector is facing significant shortages, the latest Office for National Statistics figures show that there are over 35,000 job vacancies and employers report that over half of vacancies can’t be filled due to a lack of required skills – the highest rate of any sector. Demand is expected to increase further to deliver the homes and infrastructure that this country needs.

    Funding and reforms announced today will pay for more training places, ensure a sustainable flow of skilled construction workers and help businesses invest more in training. It will encourage the men and women who have spent decades working on building sites, to pass on their skills to the next generation of construction workers.

    Building the skilled workforce of the future is key to driving economic growth, the central mission of the government’s Plan for Change. These construction jobs are the type of secure, well paid, in demand jobs that will help put more money in working people’s pockets and fuel growth.

    Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:

    Skills are crucial to this government’s mission to grow the economy under our Plan for Change, and nowhere is that clearer than in the construction industry.

    We are being held back by the largescale skills shortages in the construction sector which is a major barrier to the delivery of the growth mission.

    These measures will break down barriers to opportunity for thousands of young people, helping them to thrive in – and build – their local communities.

    Today’s announcement will provide £100 million of new investment to fund 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges and £165m of new funding to help colleges deliver more construction courses.

    Skills Bootcamps in the construction sector will also be expanded, with £100 million of funding to ensure new entrants, returners, or those looking to upskill within the industry will be able to do so. All Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) areas will benefit from £20 million to form partnerships between colleges and construction companies, to boost the number of teachers with construction experience in colleges, sharing their vital expertise by training the next generation of workers.

    Construction will also be one of the key sectors that will benefit from new foundation apprenticeships backed by an additional £40 million, which will be launching in August 2025. This will inspire more young people into the construction industry and allow them to progress and specialise in advanced apprenticeships, giving them the tools they need for a sustained and rewarding career. As part of this new offer, employers will be provided with £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on and retain in the construction industry, on top of fully funding the training costs through the new Growth and Skills Levy.

    A further £100 million of government funding, alongside a £32 million contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) will fund over 40,000 industry placements each year for all Level 2 and Level 3 learners, those studying NVQs, BTECs, T-levels, and advanced apprenticeships. This will help get learners ‘site-ready’ and address the ‘leaky pipeline’ of learners who don’t progress into the sector. The CITB will also double the size of their New Entrant Support Team (NEST) programme to support SMEs in recruiting, engaging, and retaining apprentices.

    An additional £80 million capital fund will support employers to deliver bespoke training based on their needs.

    To ensure employers are able to work collaboratively to secure the workforce needed to meet future demand, the government will sponsor a new Construction Skills Mission Board. Co-chaired by government and by Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Mace, the Board will be empowered to develop and deliver a construction skills action plan and provide strategic leadership to the construction sector.

    The government’s communications campaigns continue to promote skills and their contribution to opportunity and growth for individuals and employers.

    In collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Job Centre Plus, the DfE campaign highlights the construction industry’s value for growth, celebrating employers who contribute significantly to workforce training, and emphasising the benefits of careers in construction. 

    The announcement follows a series of reforms announced during National Apprenticeship Week, including changes to English and maths requirements that will see up to 10,000 more apprentices qualify each year in key sectors, and new shorter apprenticeships. Changes to end point assessments will also mean it is even easier for businesses and providers to support getting people into the workforce.

    Last year the Education Secretary announced new Construction Skills Hubs, funded by industry, which will also speed up the training of construction workers crucial to supporting the government’s homebuilding drive.

    Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair Mace, Co-Chair of the Construction Skills Mission Board and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership said: 

    This is fantastic news and demonstrates that Government is committed to working with the construction industry to deliver 1.5m homes by the end of this Parliament and its ambitious plans for infrastructure delivery. It’s a hugely significant funding package, and the establishment of the Construction Skills Mission Board will enable us to collaborate with Government to drive change at pace.

    Understandably, construction firms across the country are looking for certainty of pipeline before they commit to investing in new jobs and skills – but this investment by the Chancellor will be critical in giving them the confidence they need. There is now no excuse – industry must embrace the Government’s growth mission and match their ambition.

    Tim Balcon, CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Chief Executive said:  

    We are delighted with the support the Government is giving the construction sector with increased investment. This package will provide vital support, where it is needed most – it will cut straight to the heart of the construction industry being able to address the challenge of building 1.5m new homes for people that desperately need them.   

    As an industry, we now need to grasp this opportunity and play our part in delivering it. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance to us to recruit and train our workforce – equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future.

    Steven Boyes, Deputy CEO at Barratt Redrow said: 

    Construction faces a long-standing skills shortage at a time when we are challenging ourselves to build even more much-needed new homes across the country. I started out as a trainee on a Barratt Homes’ construction site 47 years ago, and so welcome this significant, long-term investment in skills, which will create real opportunities for people of all backgrounds to build a successful career in homebuilding.

    Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive and Founder of The 5% Club said:

    We welcome this positive announcement today and the Government’s focus on skills in construction and infrastructure – sectors that are key to driving the UK’s growth. Balfour Beatty and others are investing heavily in skills, but gaps remain, and they’ll only grow as the demand for critical infrastructure – to support clean, secure energy and better connectivity – ramps up. 

    As NISTA takes shape, we’re looking to it to take a holistic view of both skills and supply chain needs to ensure the industry is ready to deliver the infrastructure pipeline. We’re also keen to see the full details of the Growth and Skills Levy, which could make a real difference.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Charles Croucher, Channel 9

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Charles Croucher:

    Welcome to the pre‑budget meeting. Just to ask that question, any line dancing in your Queensland days?

    Jim Chalmers:

    No, no. Blissfully free.

    Croucher:

    You’re a bit more hip‑hoppy, weren’t you? We’ve done 4 of these pre‑budget interviews. I’ve asked this question every time, so I’m going to start with it this time. When do things get easier for Australians?

    Chalmers:

    Certainly in the economy things are getting better. But we know that doesn’t always translate to how people are feeling and faring in the economy.

    That’s why when cost‑of‑living pressures are front of mind for so many Australians, they will be front and centre in the Budget that I hand down on Tuesday night.

    It will be a Budget primarily focused on helping people with the cost of living but also making our economy more resilient in the face of all of this global economic uncertainty and building Australia’s future.

    Croucher:

    Resilient? What does that mean?

    Chalmers:

    It means that the world is an uncertain place.

    There’s a lot of unpredictability, a lot of volatility. There’s a new world of uncertainty that we’re seeing unfold right around the globe and for Australia, we’re not immune from that.

    Making us more resilient means a Future Made in Australia. It means a Buy Australia Plan. It means making sure that as we get the Budget in better nick and we help with the cost of living, that we’re also investing in the jobs and industries of the future so that as the world changes all around us, we can be beneficiaries of that change, not victims of it.

    Croucher:

    You mentioned a Buy Australia Plan. This is getting more than just a catch cry or something that the Prime Minister has said in the past. This will be a laid out plan that will encourage Australians to buy Australian. How do you do that when cost is the driving factor? And what does it mean if they do that?

    Chalmers:

    One of the things that the Prime Minister said in response to the tariffs being levied around the world and on Australia was that one of the things that Australians can do, one of the decisions that Australians can make is to buy more Australian products and more Australian produce.

    There will be an opportunity for us to promote that in the Budget. That will be part of the Budget, but more broadly, making the economy more resilient means that Future Made in Australia, means making the most of our industrial opportunities, the energy transformation, human capital and skills and lifelong learning.

    That’ll be a big focus of the Budget as well. But primarily we know that cost of living is front of mind for most Australians, it will be front and centre in the Budget. You’ll see that when it comes to bulk billing, cheaper medicines and also extending the electricity bill rebates.

    Croucher:

    Let’s speak about that. Electricity bill rebates, an extra $150. How does it roll out?

    Chalmers:

    It rolls out in the second half of the year.

    The $300 that rolled out in the course of this financial year has been a really important way that we’ve helped people with the cost of living. This is more hip pocket help for households. It recognises that even as we’ve made all of this progress on inflation together, people are still under pressure and so there’s more help being rolled out on Tuesday night.

    Extending these energy bill rebates for another 6 months recognises the pressures people are under and in the most responsible way that we can, helps people with those pressures.

    Croucher:

    This time last year, I asked you if this was now baked into the Budget, this need for energy bill relief, because when it comes back on, it’s going to be inflationary right? When those subsidies are gone, it will force the price of things up. Is this just now another line item that every Treasurer from now on has to pay?

    Chalmers:

    Not necessarily.

    We keep these cost‑of‑living measures under more or less constant review. This is the third time that we’ve provided energy bill relief, but this time for 6 months rather than 12. That recognises first of all the pressures on the Budget, but also the progress that we are making on inflation.

    The Australian economy is turning a corner. We’ve got inflation down, real wages and incomes are up, unemployment’s low, we’ve got the debt down, interest rates have started to come down, growth is rebounding solidly in our economy. But we know that there’s more work to do because people are still under pressure. The global economic environment is uncertain. The Budget is designed to respond to those 2 things.

    Croucher:

    That all sounds like a really solid election or re‑election pitch, except the OECD say living standards have fallen. Now all those other things should be driving living standards. So, when do they turn around?

    Chalmers:

    They are. All of those things together are driving a recovery in living standards. Don’t forget, when we came to office, living standards were falling sharply, real wages were falling sharply, inflation and interest rates were going up. Now inflation and interest rates are coming down, incomes and wages are recovering, the tax cuts are flowing in our economy and all of that is rebuilding living standards in our economy.

    We recognise that it’s been an especially difficult period under the life of the last 2 governments. And when you recognise that, your choice is whether to do something about it or not.

    We’ve been doing something about it, getting wages moving again, tax cuts for every taxpayer, energy bill relief for every household, cheaper medicines, cheaper early childhood education, rent assistance, all of these ways that we’ve been rebuilding living standards. Because we recognise the pressure you’ve identified in your question.

    Croucher:

    David Littleproud was on the programme 10 minutes ago and he said he’d probably support these. This energy bill subsidy. But he said it is a last desperate roll of the dice from a government who’s lost control of energy prices. Is that right?

    Chalmers:

    Of course not. Energy prices in the last year to December went down by 25 per cent.

    Croucher:

    A lot of that was subsidy.

    Chalmers:

    Not all of it, but prices would have gone down even without the subsidies.

    Croucher:

    So, why is there still a need for subsidies?

    Chalmers:

    Because people are still under pressure, for all of the reasons that you and I have been talking about today and we’ve talked about on other occasions.

    But I say this about the Liberals and Nationals. They say they’ll probably support this cost‑of‑living relief. They haven’t supported the first 2 rounds of cost‑of‑living relief. They didn’t want the tax cuts to flow to every Australian taxpayer. They have opposed at almost every turn our cost‑of‑living help. That’s important for the election contest, because when Australians are doing it tough, the Labor government is helping with the cost of living.

    All they’ve got are these secret cuts that they won’t come clean on. And that’s the difference between Labor and Liberal. Our Budget’s about the cost‑of‑living. Their approach is about secret cuts. This is the week that they need to come clean on what those secret cuts mean for Medicare and pensions and payments and all of the other things that Australians rely on.

    Croucher:

    I want to move on to debt. It goes through a trillion dollars in the next couple of years. That’s been forecast for a while now. Are we at the stage now where any hope of turning surplus budgets is pretty much over?

    Chalmers:

    Not necessarily. We’ve delivered 2 surplus budgets. We took those enormous deficits that we inherited from the Liberal Party and we turned them into Labor surpluses. Even the deficit for this year is going to be substantially smaller than what was expected when we came to office 3 years ago. So, we’re making good progress. We’ve actually helped engineer the biggest ever positive turnaround in the budget in a single parliamentary term. That means $170 billion or so less Liberal debt. That means we save on interest costs.

    We’ve been able to manage the budget responsibly at the same time as we roll out cost‑of‑living help and invest in the future and that’s what you see on Tuesday night as well.

    Croucher:

    The next part of that is the next 10 years are all in deficit. So, we start going backwards and some of that money saved is still going backwards. So, how do we turn that around? It needs something bigger. Is that part of a second term agenda, a third term agenda? When do you look at that and say we can realistically get back into surplus and avoid that huge interest bill that’s coming down the pipeline?

    Chalmers:

    It requires the same combination of responsible economic management that we have been deploying, finding savings and there’ll be more savings in the Budget. Banking upward revision to revenue, most of that, we’ve seen that in the course of our time in office. Making sure that where we are making investments, we’re doing them in the most responsible way that we can. That’s what people can expect to see.

    Croucher:

    I want to be really quick on some, some overseas beef tariffs could be the next thing coming from Donald Trump. Do we have a plan B?

    Chalmers:

    It remains to be seen the nature and the magnitude of the tariffs that the Americans have flagged for early in April. We don’t take any outcome for granted. We work around the clock to make Australia’s case in that context. But we don’t pretend anything other than this is a new world of uncertainty.

    Croucher:

    And you can’t control him. What he can control is here. So, is there a plan B?

    Chalmers:

    What we’re seeing with these escalating trade tensions is casting a shadow over the global economy and over our own economy and our budget.

    Our plan A is about making our economy more resilient. What we’re seeing with all this uncertainty actually vindicates and validates the approach that we’ve taken – help people in the near term get the budget in much better nick and invest in making our economy more resilient. A Future Made in Australia, for example, investing in our industries and our jobs, our resources sector in areas like critical minerals.

    These are all of the most important things that we can do, and we are doing in the Budget in the face of all of this unpredictability around the world.

    Croucher:

    Last question on jobs, you mentioned it then. In our first interview we spoke about this collection of Australians that even though there were jobs available, that the unemployment rate was low, still weren’t out there and still weren’t working. You said it was a passion of yours. It’s something that, you know, the region you grew up in dedicates that. Same with me. How are we going with that?

    Chalmers:

    One of the things I’m proudest of is that we’ve got labour force participation, which is a measure of how many people that we can attract into work, that’s been at or around record highs during our time in office. I’m really proud of that. It’s one of a number of ways that we’ve made very substantial progress together as Australians.

    The stronger the labour market can be, the way that we can reward people by making sure that they can earn more and keep more of what they earn with the tax cuts. All of that is playing a very helpful role in our economy. This makes us exceptional around the world. Most other countries, they’ve got inflation down, but they’ve paid for that progress with much higher unemployment. Our unemployment rate, on average, over the life of this government has been the lowest of any government in 50 years. That means more people in work. It means we can address this intergenerational disadvantage that you and I care so much about.

    Croucher:

    I can hear the Liberals in my ears screaming, it’s lower. It’s now higher than when they left office at 3.9.

    Chalmers:

    Average unemployment, much lower under this government than under our predecessors. In fact, any government of the last 50 years.

    Croucher:

    Jim Chalmers, best of luck on Tuesday. Appreciate your time.

    Chalmers:

    Thanks so much Charles.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Andrew Clennell, Sunday Agenda, Sky News

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Andrew Clennell:

    Live at the desk in Canberra before his fourth Budget in a term, he’s just told me he’s the first Treasurer to deliver that since Ben Chifley, is the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. Thanks for your time.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Andrew.

    Clennell:

    Let me start by asking about this energy bill relief. A week ago it was announced power bills were to go up by up to $200 a year, and you’re giving people back only $150. They’re not going to be dancing in the streets over that, are they?

    Chalmers:

    Well, we’re doing what we responsibly can to help people with the cost of living. These cost-of-living pressures are front of mind for a lot of Australians and they’ll be front and centre in the Budget and this energy bill assistance is a bit of extra hip pocket help for households.

    Even with all the progress we’re making as a country together on inflation, we know that people are still under pressure, and this responds to some of that pressure.

    Clennell:

    It looks like an election bribe, really, I mean you’re doing it for 2 quarters, then cutting it off.

    Chalmers:

    I don’t think so. This is the third time that we’ve done the energy bill rebates, 2 lots of $300 and now extending it for 6 months and again it’s about recognising that even with all this progress on inflation, we got inflation from higher than 6 per cent and rising when we came to office, now 2.4 per cent, we know that people are still under the pump and so we’re doing what we responsibly can to help people with the cost of living, not just energy bill rebates, but cheaper medicines, but also this historic investment in bulk billing – because more bulk billing means less pressure on families too.

    Clennell:

    It feels like a big band-aid over a deeper problem with the energy transition.

    Chalmers:

    There are 2 things that we’re doing simultaneously. If you look at the Default Market Offer that was released in the last fortnight or so, one of the big issues there is the unreliability of the legacy parts of the system, and so we need to make sure that we continue to get more cleaner and cheaper and reliable energy into the system – we’re doing that, and in the meantime we’re helping people with their electricity bills.

    Don’t forget in the last year to December in the official inflation data, electricity prices went down by 25 per cent because we’re helping people with their energy bills. We’re extending that for another 6 months because we recognise people are still under the pump.

    Clennell:

    I mean effectively you’re taking people’s taxes and giving them back to them on their energy bills, right?

    Chalmers:

    If you look right throughout the Budget, whether it’s investments in Medicare and bulk billing, whether it’s investments in cheaper medicines, what budgets are all about is taking the country’s priorities, and in this case the government’s priorities – Medicare, cost-of-living, making our economy more resilient – making room in the Budget to do those things. And we’ve helped engineer a stunning turnaround in the Budget, $200 billion improvement in the Budget since we came to office, the biggest nominal improvement of all time and that’s helped us make room for these investments, whether it’s helping with the cost of living or building Australia’s future, or making our economy more resilient in the face of all of this global economic uncertainty.

    Clennell:

    Is any part of this policy an apology to voters for not coming through with that promise to cut their power bills by 275 bucks? In 2022 you yourself recorded on camera really pushing that policy. Is any of this sort of an apology for that?

    Chalmers:

    I’d describe it differently, as you’d expect, and I would describe it as hip pocket help for households. I would describe it as a government responding to the pressures that people still feel despite this progress that we’ve made on inflation. And if you take a step back for a moment, the Budget will be about the progress we’ve made together to here, and a plan to make the most of that progress from here, and part of that plan is rebuilding living standards which were falling sharply when we came to office. That means helping with the cost of living, getting wages moving again, the tax cuts which are already rolling out in the economy. All of this is about recognising that people are under pressure, we can respond to that in a responsible way, and that’s why really the defining feature of our term in government, and certainly the defining feature of Tuesday night’s Budget will be helping with the cost of living.

    Clennell:

    Are you sorry you couldn’t deliver on that now?

    Chalmers:

    We’re always trying to do the best we can for people, whether it’s electricity bills, whether it’s Medicare, strengthening Medicare with these historic investments, whether it’s women’s health, whether it’s cheaper medicines, cutting student debt. There are a whole bunch of ways that we are doing the absolute best we can for people. There’s more than one way to provide cost-of-living help. And here I think it’s really important to draw the distinction and to draw the contrast, and that is this Labor government doesn’t just recognise people are under pressure, we’re doing something about it, it beggars belief that the Liberals and Nationals have opposed that cost-of-living relief at almost every turn, and that means Australians would be even worse off now if Peter Dutton had his way.

    Clennell:

    Jane Hume says they’re going to pass it. What do you make of that?

    Chalmers:

    Well, that will be the first time if it’s the case. I mean they opposed the first 2 rounds of energy bill relief, they didn’t want to see the tax cuts, they opposed our cost-of-living relief

    Clennell:

    What’s your reaction to them passing it this time?

    Chalmers:

    Well, let’s see, let’s see.

    Clennell:

    Well, she’s just said it. She said, “We’re not going to stand in the way of it”, so –

    Chalmers:

    David Littleproud earlier today, I’m told, said that they probably will, which sounds a little bit less than definitive as far as I’m concerned.

    This week, what we will see is the contrast. My budget is about a plan for the economy and helping with the cost of living, the Liberals and Nationals are about secret costs and secret cuts which will make people worse off. This is their opportunity to come clean on the $600 billion they need to find to fund their nuclear reactors and what that means for Medicare and pensions and payments and housing and veterans and all of the other things that they’ve described as wasteful spending.

    Clennell:

    Peter Dutton says power bills have gone up $1,000 since you were elected. Do you dispute that figure?

    Chalmers:

    Well, the most recent data says electricity bills have come down by about 25 per cent.

    Clennell:

    Because of the subsidies.

    Chalmers:

    Partly, but not entirely because of the subsidies. So power bills in 2024 would have gone down 1.6 per cent, instead they went down 25 per cent.

    Clennell:

    Is he right though with the $1,000 figure?

    Chalmers:

    I haven’t checked his numbers. The numbers that we rely on are the official CPI numbers, and what they’ve shown is they’ve come down 25 per cent last year primarily because of our efforts to give people help with the cost of living, and don’t forget, you asked me about Peter Dutton, if Peter Dutton had his way, electricity bills would have been $300 higher last year because he opposed our efforts to help people.

    Clennell:

    In MYEFO there were predictions for real GDP of 2.5  to 2.75 per cent annual growth. Have they been revised up in your Budget?

    Chalmers:

    Well, we’ve revised all of our forecasts in the usual way, and –

    Clennell:

    Are they up?

    Chalmers:

    – you’ll see those in the Budget. What the growth forecasts have to recognise is the weaker growth that we’ve seen in the last little while. Growth is rebounding solidly in the most recent numbers, the private sector’s taking its rightful role as the main driver of that growth but don’t forget we’ve been through an especially soft period of economic growth and so the forecasts have to account for that as well. I’m not prepared to go into the ins and outs of all the forecasts here – there will be changes to forecasts which recognise what we’ve been through to here and what we expect from that.

    Clennell:

    Because obviously, I guess, if they do go up, that can reduce your deficits, right, that’s one aspect of that occurring. Is that what we’re going to be looking at?

    Chalmers:

    Well, don’t forget we’ve also got all of this global economic uncertainty casting a shadow over the world, and also over our economy and our Budget, and so there are always swings and roundabouts in these forecasts, there are always a number of influences.

    The 2 primary influences on our Budget are cost-of-living pressures, despite this progress on inflation, and the global economic uncertainty casting a shadow over the Budget and the economy, and the Budget is really designed to deal with those 2 pressures at once.

    Clennell:

    The MYEFO also showed an increase in deficits – they were up to $47 billion and $38 billion in 25–26 and 26–27. Given some of the campaign promises we’ve seen, are they going to be even higher than that?

    Chalmers:

    What you’ll see in the Budget is that because the midyear budget update was only about 3 months ago, that’s a bit unusual to have them so close together – the bottom lines are broadly similar, there are some changes but broadly similar, and that means it reflects that very substantial progress we’ve made since we were elected.

    If you compare the budget situation now to the preelection outlook in 2022 it’s night and day, we’ve made huge progress, enormous strides cleaning up the mess that we inherited, a $200 billion improvement, 2 surpluses in the first 2 years, a smaller deficit this year than when we came to office, and that’s an important demonstration, I think, of our responsible economic management. You’ll see how the bottom lines have changed a little bit but not a lot on Tuesday night.

    Clennell:

    It feels like you’re back to Australian Treasurer reality a bit. You’ve had the dream, you know, you’ve done the work on it obviously, but you’ve had the dream of presenting a surplus, your old boss Wayne Swan a number of other Treasurers have never had that. Now you’ve got to dole out the red ink. That must be a bit personally disappointing for you.

    Chalmers:

    Oh, I don’t see it in personal terms. Collectively, we are the first government in almost 2 decades to deliver back-to-back surpluses, and we’re also got this deficit now –

    Clennell:

    Does this ruin the story a bit?

    Chalmers:

    I don’t believe so. Our government is defined by responsible economic management. We’ve seen that in the first 3 Budgets, and we’ll see that in the fourth and one of the things I’m proudest about is we’ve got the Budget in much better nick, we’ve cleaned up the mess left to us by our predecessors at the same time as we’ve provided responsible, meaningful, substantial cost-of-living relief and invested in building Australia’s future and that’s really what people can expect to see again on Tuesday.

    Clennell:

    When do you anticipate an Australian Government could next deliver a surplus?

    Chalmers:

    Well, it remains to be seen, and certainly our efforts have been about trying to make the Budget as responsible as we can, some savings, banking most of the upward revision of revenue in our time in office, delivering those 2 surpluses, getting interest costs down, paying down the Liberal debt, but it remains to be seen when the next surplus is.

    Clennell:

    It could be a decade again, couldn’t it? It was 15 years between drinks when you did it. It could be that long again, couldn’t it?

    Chalmers:

    It was almost 2 decades between surpluses but don’t forget the 2 surpluses that we’ve already delivered and paying down all of that Liberal debt as a consequence is saving us tens of billions of dollars in interest costs already and so it’s got a structural purpose to it – it improves the Budget in a structural sense, so do our efforts on the NDIS and aged care and in other ways as well. So we’ve improved the Budget in the near term, we’ve made a structural improvement in the medium term, but the work of Budget repair and responsible economic management continues.

    Clennell:

    The NDIS – Jane Hume mentioned it before – said there needs to be more reform. She actually said it needs to grow at the same amount as the economy, so not the 8 per cent you’ve got it down to from 14 per cent. Is that something you’re committed to longer term?

    Chalmers:

    Well, that’s a new announcement from Jane Hume today. That means huge cuts to the NDIS and that would send a shiver up the spine of a lot of people who rely on the program.

    Now we are way too late in the parliamentary term for these characters to still be making it up as they go along. They’ve got secret plans for cuts. Those cuts will make Australians worse off, we know that.

    Peter Dutton said on another program on a Sunday morning that there are lots of cuts but they won’t tell people till after the election.

    Now this is a very scary proposition. I think in this building we’re tempted to think that their economic policy is some kind of slapstick comedy but it actually masks a much more sinister intent and that is to keep these secret cuts secret until after the election with grave consequences for people on the NDIS, people on pensions and payments, and especially people who rely on Medicare.

    Clennell:

    The NDIS is out of control though, isn’t it? As a Treasurer, you can’t sit and look at the growth of NDIS and be happy.

    Chalmers:

    We’re not sitting and looking at it, we’ve taken very substantial steps over the life of this government to make sure that spending on the NDIS is still growing but growing in a more sustainable way, cracking down on the rorts, getting it from growing at something like 14 per cent to something like 8 per cent, and we’re on track for that.

    Clennell:

    There’s more ways to be tackled though, isn’t there, or is there?

    Chalmers:

    Well, we’re doing it the most responsible, considered, methodical way that we can, and where we find waste, we’ve shown an enthusiasm to deal with that. That’s why we’re getting growth in the NDIS to more sustainable levels.

    Now if Jane Hume is saying that she wants growth in NDIS spending to be between 2 and 3 per cent instead of 8 per cent, then they need to come clean on what that means for Australians with a disability. That is a very scary proposition for a lot of people watching your program today and wondering what it means for them.

    Clennell:

    She also indicated that she is looking to sack 36,000 public servants, because she said she wanted it at the levels after COVID.

    Chalmers:

    Let’s see the detail. They are way past due coming clean on what their agenda for secret cuts means for people, what it means for Medicare in particular.

    I thought 2 things that were said in the last few weeks are very important; both Angus Taylor and Peter Dutton said in different ways, the best predictor of future performance is past performance. Peter Dutton went after Medicare when he was the Health Minister, Coalition governments always come after wages, they cut pensions and payments when they were last in office, and so they need to come clean this week on what are these secret cuts, what do they mean for people, where are they going to find the $600 billion to pay for these nuclear reactors.

    Clennell:

    It leaked during the week the Opposition’s looking at increased defence spending as it promised perhaps 2.5 per cent of GDP. Will there be an increase in defence spending in this Budget?

    Chalmers:

    Well, we’re already increasing it, and it’s already budgeted for.

    Clennell:

    So there’s not a further increase we’re looking at Tuesday?

    Chalmers:

    We’ll update the figures, but what people can expect to see is the existing $50 billion plus that we’re investing in defence over the course of the next decade

    Clennell:

    So correct me if I’m wrong, is that about 2.38 per cent GDP?

    Chalmers:

    A little bit over.

    Clennell:

    Yeah.

    Chalmers:

    By the early 2030s we’ll get defence spending to a bit more than 2.3 per cent of GDP, remembering it’s 2 now, that’s a very substantial increase. Now again, if they’re going to increase defence spending by $15 billion a year, let’s hear how they’re going to pay for it and what they’re going to cut and what that means for Medicare.

    Clennell:

    You finally released the report by the ACCC on the supermarkets, but you know, it’s a bit of damp squib as a consumer, I have to say, I didn’t see any strong action against the supermarkets. The other mob are saying, we’ll at least threaten you with a big stick. What are you actually going to do about it? What difference does this whole process of the ACCC report make?

    Chalmers:

    Well, the ACCC report I think is 441 pages from memory, and not on any of those pages does it recommend divestiture, because divestiture can have unintended consequences.

    What it’s really about is more transparency, more scrutiny and more competition, and we’re acting on all of those fronts; making the Food and Grocery Code mandatory, empowering and funding the ACCC, dealing with mergers and acquisitions, working with the states and territories on zoning and planning so we can get more competitors to the supermarkets.

    We are taking very decisive action to crack down on the supermarkets, to get a fairer go for families at the checkout and for farmers at the farm gate.

    Clennell:

    Are we expecting less or more net migration in your Budget predictions? Why do we need so much migration at the moment, because it feels like we are becoming Kevin Rudd’s Big Australia?

    Chalmers:

    We are managing the net overseas migration numbers down quite considerably. I think we saw, I think it was last week from memory in the migration figures, there were about 10,000 people fewer than what was anticipated. The Budget will update all of those forecasts but what they will show overall is the trajectory is down. That’s deliberate. There was a spike in net overseas migration after COVID, students, tourists and the like and fewer departures. We’ve been steadily managing that down and we saw that in last week’s figures.

    Clennell:

    So will it be 230,000, will it be less?

    Chalmers:

    You’ll see in the Budget.

    Clennell:

    Because the students are still coming in in big numbers, aren’t they?

    Chalmers:

    You’ll see in the Budget.

    Clennell:

    Is it less?

    Chalmers:

    The international student market is an important earner for Australia but it needs to be responsible. We need to make sure that we’re managing that and that’s why we’re trying to take the steps that we are taking. Overall we’re managing the program down, we’re doing that in a considered and methodical way, and you’ll see that in the numbers.

    Clennell:

    What can you say to Australians who look at the strains on housing, on infrastructure that are watching this and hear Peter Dutton saying, “I’m going to slash this”, about why we need this net migration at the moment?

    Chalmers:

    First of all, there’s a horrendous inconsistency even in what Peter Dutton is saying. He announced he was going to do something, then he pretended he never did, then he pretended there wasn’t an inconsistency. Nobody has any idea –

    Clennell:

    Yeah, but let me take you back to the point because we’re nearly out of time, sorry. What would you say to Australians about why we need the level of net migration we’ve been having?

    Chalmers:

    I’d say to them; we’re managing net migration down and we’re building more houses at the same time so that there are more houses for Australians to rent and buy.

    Clennell:

    How are you feeling about the election, because if the government was to lose, you’re favourite to become Opposition Leader.

    Chalmers:

    Look, I spend all of my time thinking about the Budget and the economic plan and what we would do as a government and as a country if we win the election. I spend absolutely no time thinking about what I would do if we lost the election. I’d much rather be the Treasurer of Australia than the Leader of the Opposition. I enjoy the work I do for Anthony and our team. We work very, very closely together, and we want the economy to be front and centre in this election.

    The stakes are high in this election because the stakes are high in the economy. There’s a lot going on around the world, people are under pressure still, we’ve made a lot of progress together, but we’ve got a plan from here as well, and that’s the difference between us and our political opponents.

    Clennell:

    You’re seen as one of the best communicators in the government. Have you ever been frustrated the PM hasn’t been able to communicate as clearly as you do at any time in his term?

    Chalmers:

    No, never, and we’ve got a lot of good communicators in our Cabinet and in our Party Room more broadly and we work together very, very closely with the Prime Minister and with others to put together and convey an economic plan, which is one of the reasons why we’re making so much progress together as a country, but we recognise there’s more work to do, and that’s what the Budget will be all about.

    Clennell:

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers, thanks so much for your time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Ashleigh Raper, Channel 10

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Ashleigh Raper:

    Hello Treasurer, and welcome.

    Jim Chalmers:

    Thanks very much Ash.

    Raper:

    Is this the Budget you didn’t want to do?

    Chalmers:

    I’m looking forward to delivering a Budget on Tuesday night. It’s a Budget which is all about the cost of living, but also making sure our economy is more resilient in the face of all this global economic uncertainty and one way that we can build the future of our economy and our country.

    So, I’m looking forward to handing it down. I know that cost‑of‑living pressures are front of mind for most Australians and cost of living will be front and centre in the Budget.

    Raper:

    So, in this Budget, you are promising to extend the energy bill rebate before the end of the year. So, an extra $150 off bills. What’s the rationale behind it? How did you arrive at the extra 6 months?

    Chalmers:

    The broader rationale is that even with the progress that we’ve made together as Australians on inflation, we know that people are still under pressure so we’re helping where we responsibly can. Strengthening Medicare, because more bulk billing means less pressure on families making medicines cheaper, as the Prime Minister announced in the last few days.

    But also extending these energy bill rebates, we know that they have played an important role in taking some of the edge off cost‑of‑living pressures. This is more hip pocket help for households. It’s about recognising that even with all that progress on inflation, Australians are still under pressure and we’re responding to it.

    Raper:

    Is it a mistake for Labor to promise to lower electricity bills by $275 in the lead up to the last election? And has that plagued you and you’ve had to deal with that throughout this term?

    Chalmers:

    I’m not going to get into the political analysis of that. We’ve been working around the clock to ease cost‑of‑living pressures despite the opposition of the Liberal and National parties.

    Raper:

    But do you concede it’s a broken promise, essentially?

    Chalmers:

    We’ve been working around the clock to take pressure off household energy bills. You asked me about $275. We took $300 off last year. $300 for a lot of Australians the year before, at the same time as we’re introducing more cleaner and cheaper, more reliable energy into the energy grid.

    So, I know that there’s a lot of focus on that. There’s a lot of focus from the government in taking the edge off these electricity bills. That’s what this announcement that we’re making today to extend energy bill release for another 6 months is all about.

    Raper:

    Last week we said there’d be few surprises because you’ve already made some promises in the lead up to the Budget. You’re also going to keep some for the campaign. Is this energy bill extension the only new cost‑of‑living relief we see this budget week?

    Chalmers:

    No, there’s also cheaper medicines, making the medicines on the PBS substantially cheaper.

    Raper:

    That was last week, I’m saying this week.

    Chalmers:

    There’s a real focus in the Budget on cost of living. We’re cutting student debt, it’s about cost of living. We’re strengthening Medicare because more bulk billing helps address some of these out‑of‑pocket health costs. We’re making medicines cheaper, we’ve got big new investments in women’s health and we’re extending the energy bill rebates.

    And again, this is because we understand that cost of living is still front of mind for Australians even with all this progress on inflation. Cost of living is front and centre in the Budget and that’s why we’re making these investments.

    Raper:

    One of your favourite sayings to get a sound bar is that you turn Liberal deficits into 2 Labor surpluses. We’re now going to get a Labor deficit. How are you going to explain that to voters?

    Chalmers:

    It remains the case that we turn 2 enormous Liberal deficits into 2 Labor surpluses. The first government in almost 2 decades to deliver those back‑to‑back surpluses. But even this year where we do expect a deficit, it is much smaller than what we inherited from our predecessors. That’s because one of the defining features of this Albanese Labor government, has been responsible economic management.

    We’ve helped engineer the biggest improvement in the Budget in a single term of any government ever in dollar terms. That means less Liberal debt and less interest being paid on that debt. It helps make room for us to provide this cost‑of‑living help to invest in the future and make our economy more resilient at a time when there is a new world of uncertainty around the globe.

    Raper:

    But you are doing a lot of extending. The energy rebate extension, the $8.5 billion incentives for Medicare, bulk billing. There’s been billions for roads, rails. Are there any savings in this Budget?

    Chalmers:

    There are savings in the Budget, but it’s also important to remember that most of the announcements that we’ve made between the mid‑year budget update and now have been already provisioned for in that mid‑year budget update. For example, the announcement we’re making today to extend the energy bill rebates, was provisioned in the mid‑year budget update in December about 3 months ago.

    So, we are managing the economy and the budget in the most responsible way that we can. We’re making these investments, but also making room for these investments by banking up or provisioning the revenue over our time in office, delivering those surpluses in our first 2 years, finding savings where we can so that we can fund this cost‑of‑living relief and these key investments.

    Raper:

    So, has revenue like a bump in income tax, is that what has helped fund some of these units?

    Chalmers:

    There’s a very small increase in revenue in the Budget as a consequence of all of the factors, but much, much smaller than we’ve seen in earlier years – and that will all be detailed on Tuesday.

    Raper:

    Has the US President Donald Trump kept you up at night as you prepare this Budget?

    Chalmers:

    Well, certainly the escalating trade tensions around the world have been a big concern for us. What we’re seeing out of DC but also out of Beijing, 2 major conflicts, political uncertainty, and division around the world. All of that is casting a shadow over the global economy and over our Budget.

    The 2 big influences on the Budget as we put the finishing touches on it, have been cost‑of‑living pressures and global economic uncertainty – so we are concerned about it. We’re a very trade exposed economy. We’ve got a lot of skin in the game when it comes to these escalating trade tensions. That’s why a big focus and a big priority of the Budget is to make our economy and our communities and our workers more resilient in the face of all these external shocks.

    Raper:

    Has it changed any of the forecasts or expectations in this Budget?

    Chalmers:

    It’s certainly changed the expectations. Some of the forecasts have been updated and some of them are broadly the same. But in the language of the economists, they talk about the risks being tilted to the downside.

    What that means is even where we’ve left forecasts, broadly where they were in terms of American growth, for example, there are a lot of risks that that could get worse rather than better. A lot of economists have identified that risk.

    Raper:

    Now, the Albanese government has long talked about wanting to build a universal early education system. As the numbers person, the money man, is this feasible? Can it be achieved in the next term or beyond?

    Chalmers:

    It can certainly be achieved and that’s our aspiration, that’s our objective. But you need to get there in incremental steps, big incremental steps, and that’s what we’re doing.

    The 2 big announcements we’ve made on early childhood education, the 3‑day guarantee, for example, but also the new money to build new centres, non‑profit centres, in areas where there’s a deficiency or shortage of early childhood education. These are really big, really important steps towards universality.

    The Prime Minister, the Ministers, myself and others, we are huge believers in the transformational, transformative impact of early childhood education. We think it’s a game changer for families and for children and for our country more broadly. That’s why we’ve been such enthusiastic, multi‑billion‑dollar investors in getting closer and closer to universality.

    Raper:

    The government makes a lot about the gender parity for those sitting around the cabinet table, those in the Labor caucus, and how important it is to have women around the table and what it leads to, the decisions. Is there anything new specific for women in this Budget?

    Chalmers:

    We made it very clear that there’s a big game changing investment when it comes to women’s health. One of the things I’m proudest of in this Budget is the work that Katy Gallagher and Mark Butler and Ged Kearney and other colleagues have done to make these huge investments in women’s health in areas that have been neglected for too long, frankly. That’s one of the most important things that we will fund on Tuesday night.

    The announcements that we made on women’s health, we’re very proud to do that in addition to everything else we’re doing to get women’s wages moving again to fund pay increases in industries dominated by women, investments in women’s safety. A very big and central priority of this government and this Budget is to do the right thing by the women of Australia. I think where people will notice that most substantially is when it comes to women’s health.

    Raper:

    This is your fourth budget. Has it got easier or harder over this term in terms of identifying your priorities?

    Chalmers:

    I think the priorities are clear. We’ve never had a problem identifying priorities. Cost‑of‑living help, Future Made in Australia, lifelong learning and education, strengthening Medicare. Our priorities have been clear, and our priorities have been validated and indicated by the progress that Australians have made together. So, the priority setting is easy. Making it all add up is more difficult. Each budget has got its own share of challenges, and this has been no different.

    Raper:

    Do you think you’ll be delivering a fifth budget?

    Chalmers:

    That’s up to the voters. It remains to be seen. I don’t take any outcome in any election for granted, least of all this one. It will be tightly contested; it will be close.

    I hope that the economy is front and centre in the election contest because it’s really a choice between Labor helping with the cost of living and with a substantial detailed economic plan in the Budget versus the Coalition who have secret cuts that they won’t come clean on and won’t tell people what that means for Medicare or pensions and payments. That’s a choice at the election.

    The stakes at the election are really high, and that’s because the stakes in the economy are really high. We’ll be setting out our plan in detail with dollars attached. It’s time for our political opponents to come clean on their cuts and how much worse off people will be as a consequence.

    Raper:

    Treasurer, thank you.

    Chalmers:

    Thanks, Ashleigh.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police target antisocial road users in Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Attributable to Inspector Angela Hallett, Eastern District Road Policing Manager:

    Infringements issued, vehicles ordered off the road, and a vehicle impounded are some of the results from Hawke’s Bay Police’s focus on antisocial road users at the weekend.

    Police had an increased presence across Hawke’s Bay as part of our plan to disrupt unlawful driving behaviour of antisocial road users.

    Over the course of the weekend, we saw a large number of antisocial road users out and about, predominantly on Friday night, with some smaller groups stopped or deterred on Saturday night by a strong Police presence.

    At a Police checkpoint in the early hours of Saturday, multiple people were issued infringements for offences including breaches of learner and restricted licence conditions. These breaches carry the penalty of demerit points and fines, which jeopardises an individual’s continued holding of a driver’s licence.

    Several unsafe or defective vehicles were issued pink or green stickers, ordering them off the road until they get a new WOF or COF.

    A further vehicle was impounded after the driver was identified as being disqualified – an offence that results in the vehicle being impounded and the driver being summonsed to appear in court. False number plates were also seized from one vehicle, and an infringement was issued to the driver.

    Antisocial road user behaviour is extremely dangerous to those involved, their spectators, and other road users.

    That fact was highlighted this weekend, when a bystander participating in the event was struck by a vehicle doing skids at a gathering in Hawke’s Bay. While no serious injuries were reported, it was an extremely close call, and enquiries are ongoing.

    We will continue to maintain a focus on this area and work together with partner agencies and the community to suppress this unlawful activity and hold those involved accountable.

    A number of roads were damaged from the activities this weekend, and debris was found scattered on main roads, which require inspection and clearing from local councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

    These drivers are often young people who are still living in their family homes with parents. We ask that parents or those known to them to have conversations with your young people about this activity before it gets to a point where Police need to take enforcement action, or worse, where actions result in injury or death.

    Overall, we want to see a stop to this behaviour.

    If you have information that may assist Police, please contact Police on 105 either online or over the phone. If it’s happening now contact us on 111.

    We need your help preventing and responding to this behaviour, no matter how small that information may seem, such as hearing this behaviour outside your house, we want to hear about it.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Wealthy Africans often don’t pay tax: the answer lies in smarter collection – expert

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Giovanni Occhiali, Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, Institute of Development Studies

    Faced with some of the worse debt levels in over a decade, African countries are struggling to find ways to balance their books. Increasing revenue sources from their citizens is an obvious place to look.

    A good starting point for African countries would be to focus on the tax contribution of wealthy citizens. This is because the most under performing taxes across the African continent are those bearing on the income of wealthy individuals, namely personal income and property taxes.

    The reasons for this are two fold: People who are better off in some countries often remain invisible to tax authorities. This is even though they have higher tax liabilities. Compare this with citizens who have formal labour contracts. Think of public school teachers or supermarket clerks. Their taxes are withheld by their employers. This makes tax evasion impossible. Most taxes on personal income in Africa are paid by citizens in these forms of employment.

    In contrast, prior to 2015, only one of the top 71 Ugandan government officials and 17 of the country 60 most successful lawyers paid any personal income tax. Similarly, only 16% of all landlords identified in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, during a registration drive in 2021 had registered for taxes.

    This shows that wealthy Africans face lower effective tax rates than average citizens, replicating a trend already demonstrated for the relative tax burden of small and large companies.

    This situation is disheartening. But there are immediate steps that African revenue authorities can take to address this unfairness.

    Research led by the International Centre for Tax and Development, to which I have contributed, shows that revenue increases from wealthy citizens can be obtained by focusing on better enforcement of existing taxes rather than by introducing new ones or hiking tax rates.

    An effective approach to increase wealthy citizens tax contribution relies on three strategies:

    • their identification

    • a simplification of tax compliance processes, and

    • the effective enforcement of existing taxes.

    While these suggestions might seem banal, they can lead to some quick revenue gains: as much as US$5.5 million in Uganda or US$900,000 in a single Nigerian state in one year, or tripling property tax revenue collection in Sierra Leone.

    But these improvements require changes in the way African revenue authorities operate.

    Tax collection services need change of focus

    Revenue services in all African countries need to be better resourced. A typical tax officer on the continent might be responsible for as many as 10 times the number of taxpayers than a tax officer in the Global North.

    First, their efforts need to be redirected away from the registration of small informal businesses. These efforts have been shown to contribute little revenue in countries as diverse as South Africa and Sierra Leone.

    Instead their efforts should be directed a developing a definition of high-net-worth individual appropriate for their domestic context. In Uganda this includes criteria such as having performed land transactions of approximately US$300,000 over five years, or earning approximately US$150,000 in rental income in any given year.

    Due to its federal structure, criteria in Nigeria vary across states, for example including an yearly income above Naira 2 million in Borno and Kano state, with the threshold raising to Naira 15 million in Imo state, Naira 20 million in Niger state and Naira 25 million in Lagos state.

    However, in both countries criteria also cover less directly measurable assets, such as owning high-value commercial forestry or animal ranches in Uganda, or having received contracts from the government in Nigeria’s Kaduna state.

    Property taxes are especially important. Research in Ethiopia and Rwanda shows that investing in real estate represents one of the main strategies to store wealth when inflation and foreign exchange fluctuation make bank deposits unattractive.

    These properties then contribute to increasing the income of wealthy citizens who rent them out or resell them for profit. While we lack granular data on capital gains or rental income taxes, there are good reasons to think they are also significantly underperforming. Capital gains refers to the additional value which an investor accrues when disposing of assets such as houses or companies share previously bought at a lower price.

    Second, this should be followed by the creation of an office to follow the affairs of high net-worth individuals. This already happens for large taxpayers. Most countries, including the majority of anglophone African countries, have a dedicated office following the tax affairs of large companies active in their territory.

    Having dedicated resources for high net-worth individuals would be useful because using the international definition (a net worth of US$1 million) might be hard to operationalise. The reason for this is that most revenue authorities lack detailed data on assets owned by their taxpayers. Even when they know some information, such as the number of houses, estimates of their market value might be lacking.

    African countries are better off relying on data already in their possession as they seek to collect further useful information on their taxpayers. This allows the establishment of a set of multiple core and non-core criteria.

    Third, high-net worth individual units require substantial backing. In the first instance from revenue authorities’ senior management, who in turn needs to have the support of the government in pursuing often well-connected individuals. This backing is needed for actions as apparently easy as obtaining data from other government agencies, without which identification efforts could be quickly thwarted, and becomes crucial when its time to move to enforcement.

    However, a cooperative approach should be the initial choice. One approach is voluntary disclosure programmes with associated tax amnesties. These are useful to obtain information about the assets of wealthy citizens. Additionally, they contribute substantial revenue – as much as US$296 million in South Africa and US$192 million in Nigeria.

    Fourth, requiring candidates running for public office to obtain tax clearance certificates can also be an important source of information and revenue. This has been shown to work in both Uganda and Nigeria.

    This set of actions represents an optimal starting point for African countries looking to improve the tax contribution of wealthy citizens.

    Efforts to produce suitable guidance for wealth taxation for low-income countries by the United Nations, or to introduce a global wealth tax on billionaire by the Brazilian G20, are important to highlight the role of fiscal redistribution in addressing inequality. But many African countries are better off by first being bold about the basics of their tax systems, which can already make them more effective and progressive.

    – Wealthy Africans often don’t pay tax: the answer lies in smarter collection – expert
    – https://theconversation.com/wealthy-africans-often-dont-pay-tax-the-answer-lies-in-smarter-collection-expert-252437

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s message on World Meteorological Day [scroll down for French version]

    Source: United Nations – English

    he dark predictions of meteorologists are coming to pass. Our climate is going up in flames. Every one of the last ten years has been the hottest in recorded history. Ocean heat is breaking records. And every country is feeling the effects – whether scorched by fires, swept by floods, or pummelled by unprecedented storms.
     
    The theme of this year’s World Meteorological Day – Closing the Early Warning Gap Together – reminds us that, in this new climate reality, early warning systems are not luxuries. They are necessities and sound investments – providing an almost ten-fold return. Yet, almost half the world’s countries still lack access to these life-saving systems. It is disgraceful that, in a digital age, lives and livelihoods are being lost because people have no access to effective early warning systems.

    The United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative aims for everyone, everywhere to be protected by an alert system by 2027. The world must come together, and urgently scale-up action and investment, to realize this goal.

    We need high-level political support for the Initiative within countries, a boost in technology support, greater collaboration between governments, businesses and communities, and a major effort to scale-up finance. Increasing the lending capacity of the Multilateral Development Banks is key. The Pact for the Future agreed last year made important strides forward, it must be delivered in full. So must the COP29 finance outcome.

    At the same time, we must intensify our efforts to tackle the climate crisis at source – through rapid and deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions – to prevent it getting unimaginably worse. This year all countries must honour the promise to deliver new national climate action plans that align with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

    In an era of climate disaster, every person on Earth must be protected by an early warning system as a matter of justice. Together, let’s deliver. 

    ***

    Les sombres prévisions des météorologues sont en passe de se réaliser. Notre climat s’embrase. Les dix dernières années ont été les plus chaudes jamais enregistrées dans l’histoire de l’humanité. Les océans connaissent des niveaux record de chaleur. Incendies ravageurs, inondations dévastatrices ou tempêtes sans précédent : aucun pays n’est épargné par les effets des changements climatiques.

    Cette année, la Journée météorologique mondiale est placée sous le thème « Combler ensemble les lacunes en matière d’alertes précoces », qui vient nous rappeler que, dans cette nouvelle réalité climatique, les systèmes d’alerte précoce ne sont pas un luxe. En plus d’être indispensables, ils représentent des investissements judicieux, puisque les bénéfices qui en découlent sont pratiquement dix fois supérieurs aux montants investis. Pourtant, près de la moitié des pays de la planète n’ont toujours pas accès à ces systèmes d’une importance vitale. À l’ère du numérique, il est déplorable que des personnes perdent la vie ou voient leurs moyens de subsistance anéantis faute d’avoir accès à des systèmes d’alerte précoce efficaces.

    L’initiative « Alertes précoces pour tous » de l’Organisation des Nations Unies vise à ce que chaque habitant de la planète soit protégé par un système d’alerte d’ici à 2027. La communauté internationale doit unir ses forces et accroître d’urgence ses efforts et ses investissements pour atteindre cet objectif.

    Il est primordial que chaque pays accorde à l’initiative un soutien politique de haut niveau, qu’un appui plus énergique soit offert sur le plan des technologies, que les gouvernements, les entreprises et les communautés resserrent leur coopération et que les financements connaissent un véritable bond. Il est également crucial d’accroître la capacité de prêt des banques multilatérales de développement. Le Pacte pour l’avenir, adopté l’an dernier, a permis de poser des bases solides ; il doit maintenant être appliqué pleinement. Il faut également concrétiser les engagements pris en matière de financement à la vingt-neuvième session de la Conférence des Parties à la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (COP 29).

    Dans le même temps, il nous faut redoubler d’efforts pour chercher à résoudre la crise climatique à la source, en réduisant rapidement et fortement les émissions de gaz à effet de serre, afin d’éviter que la situation n’empire dans des proportions inimaginables. Cette année, tous les pays doivent honorer leur promesse de présenter de nouveaux plans d’action nationaux pour le climat qui soient compatibles avec l’objectif consistant à limiter le réchauffement planétaire à 1,5 degré Celsius.

    À l’ère des catastrophes climatiques, il faut que chaque personne sur Terre soit protégée par un système d’alerte précoce ; il s’agit là d’une question de justice. Ensemble, donnons corps à cette ambition.

    ***
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police target antisoical road users in Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Attributable to Inspector Angela Hallett, Eastern District Road Policing Manager:

    Infringements issued, vehicles ordered off the road, and a vehicle impounded are some of the results from Hawke’s Bay Police’s focus on antisocial road users at the weekend.

    Police had an increased presence across Hawke’s Bay as part of our plan to disrupt unlawful driving behaviour of antisocial road users.

    Over the course of the weekend, we saw a large number of antisocial road users out and about, predominantly on Friday night, with some smaller groups stopped or deterred on Saturday night by a strong Police presence.

    At a Police checkpoint in the early hours of Saturday, multiple people were issued infringements for offences including breaches of learner and restricted licence conditions. These breaches carry the penalty of demerit points and fines, which jeopardises an individual’s continued holding of a driver’s licence.

    Several unsafe or defective vehicles were issued pink or green stickers, ordering them off the road until they get a new WOF or COF.

    A further vehicle was impounded after the driver was identified as being disqualified – an offence that results in the vehicle being impounded and the driver being summonsed to appear in court. False number plates were also seized from one vehicle, and an infringement was issued to the driver.

    Antisocial road user behaviour is extremely dangerous to those involved, their spectators, and other road users.

    That fact was highlighted this weekend, when a bystander participating in the event was struck by a vehicle doing skids at a gathering in Hawke’s Bay. While no serious injuries were reported, it was an extremely close call, and enquiries are ongoing.

    We will continue to maintain a focus on this area and work together with partner agencies and the community to suppress this unlawful activity and hold those involved accountable.

    A number of roads were damaged from the activities this weekend, and debris was found scattered on main roads, which require inspection and clearing from local councils and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

    These drivers are often young people who are still living in their family homes with parents. We ask that parents or those known to them to have conversations with your young people about this activity before it gets to a point where Police need to take enforcement action, or worse, where actions result in injury or death.

    Overall, we want to see a stop to this behaviour.

    If you have information that may assist Police, please contact Police on 105 either online or over the phone. If it’s happening now contact us on 111.

    We need your help preventing and responding to this behaviour, no matter how small that information may seem, such as hearing this behaviour outside your house, we want to hear about it.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: This week’s federal budget will focus on cost-of-living measures – and a more uncertain global economy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra

    Treasurer Jim Chalmers will bring down the federal budget on Tuesday.

    It’s likely most of the major spending initiatives have already been announced. An extra A$8.5 billion in spending on Medicare will aim to ensure nine out of ten GP visits will be bulk billed by 2030. Queensland’s Bruce Highway is to be upgraded with the Albanese Government providing $7.2 billion of the $9 billion cost.

    In a speech last week, Chalmers promised “meaningful and substantial” cost-of-living relief.

    He also stressed the global economy is more volatile and unpredictable. He said the budget bottom line would be little changed from the mid-year update released in December, when the deficit was forecast to be $26.9 billion this financial year.

    It was a comprehensive dress rehearsal for tomorrow evening’s budget speech.

    No rabbits out of the hat

    Australian budgets today are well signposted in advance in speeches such as this. That is deliberate. It is seen as a mark of responsible fiscal management to have few surprises, either positive or negative.

    In past decades, treasurers were prone to announcing surprise spending measures. No longer. The rationale for rejecting the “rabbit out of a hat” approach was spelled out by former treasurer Wayne Swan in his 2008 budget lockup press conference: he said the budget had to be “responsible”. Chalmers was Swan’s deputy chief of staff at the time.

    This means calls by economists such as Chris Richardson and Ken Henry for major tax reform are unlikely to be heeded.

    Bracket creep (increases in tax revenues as taxpayers move into higher tax brackets) will do most of the work in the very gradual windback of the budget deficit. In the mid-year budget update, it was projected to take a decade to return the budget to balance.



    Read more:
    If Treasury forecasts are right, it could be a decade before Australia is ‘back in black’

    Good luck rather than good management

    Not that a balanced or surplus budget is a sign of good budgeting. The driver of recent budget surpluses under both Labor and Coalition governments has not been government policy but stronger than expected commodity prices and exports. They have been accidental, not deliberate.

    While deficits add to debt, imposing costs on future generations, what matters is whether the debts can be paid. If the economy grows faster than the rate of debt, the situation is manageable. So we are likely to see a chart in Tuesday’s budget papers showing this, with debt gradually declining as a share of Gross Domestic Product over time.

    However, these forecasts for the bottom line do not include off-budget items such as special green energy funds or student debt write-offs that total close to $100 billion, according to Deloitte Access Economics.

    This is because the budget covers only the “general government sector” – public service departments and agencies and the defence force. It is not the whole of the public sector, which includes commercial or financial entities like government business enterprises, the Reserve Bank of Australia, and various funds.

    On Sunday, the government announced further cost-of-living relief with an extension of electricity rebates, giving households another $150 this year. This will avoid headline inflation rebounding above 3%, as the Reserve Bank is currently forecasting.

    The energy rebate last year cost the budget an estimated $3.5 billion in 2024-25. Extending it for six months will cost $1.8 billion. Chalmers has also promised another reduction in the maximum cost of prescription medicines to $25.

    In December’s budget update, the unemployment rate was forecast to be around 4½% in mid-2025 and stay around that level for the next couple of years. Given the unemployment rate was steady at 4.1% in February, that forecast may be lowered.

    Inflation was forecast to stay below 3%.

    The increasing risk of a global trade war will see some reduction in forecasts for global and Australian economic growth. The OECD has lowered its forecasts for global growth and emphasised the international outlook is highly uncertain.

    This means the Australian budget forecasts are more likely than usual to be wrong. We just don’t know in which direction they will be wrong – will they be too optimistic or pessimistic?

    What will it mean for interest rates?

    The Reserve Bank board is unlikely to feel it has enough additional information to cut interest rates again at the April 1 meeting.

    Nonetheless, the government will be constrained in how much support it can provide households. It does not want undermine its narrative of future interest rate cuts by stimulating household spending too much.

    Something to watch for will be “decisions taken but not yet announced”. These are additional initiatives the government will announce during the election campaign. They will be able to answer the “where’s the money coming from?” question by saying they are already included in the budget.

    Finally, will there be increases in defence spending? US President Donald Trump is pressing US allies to do this. Trouble is, defence spending does not address the political problem of cost-of-living pressures – if anything it adds to them.

    A potential way out is for government to support more defence spending, but only “in principle”, leaving the details for future budgets. That would help manage both domestic and international pressures.

    John Hawkins was a formerly a senior economist at the Treasury and Reserve Bank.

    Stephen Bartos 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. This week’s federal budget will focus on cost-of-living measures – and a more uncertain global economy – https://theconversation.com/this-weeks-federal-budget-will-focus-on-cost-of-living-measures-and-a-more-uncertain-global-economy-252515

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Adelaide Hills water crisis: a local problem is a global wake-up call

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Holland, Principal Research Scientist, Water Security, CSIRO

    A dry farm dam in Montacute, Adelaide Hills, March 2025. Ilan Sagi.

    The Adelaide Hills are experiencing severe water shortages. The root cause? A prolonged dry period and not enough water tankers to meet unprecedented demand from people not connected to the mains water supply.

    Thousands of residents and farmers are hurting as dams, tanks and streams dry up. Water tankers are becoming a common sight, carting in desperately needed water. People are waiting weeks for expensive water deliveries.

    The South Australian government has set up emergency water collection points to cope with the demand from off-grid families. More water tankers have been secured. But despite recent rain, the situation is far from over.

    We found rainfall and flows into Adelaide’s reservoirs are at their lowest levels in 40 years. Reservoir levels have dropped to 44% – the lowest for more than 20 years.

    Adelaide is not currently at risk of running out of water; the state government built a desalination plant after the Millennium Drought. Production at the desal plant is four to six times higher than usual to meet demand. Without the desal plant and water from the River Murray, the city would be under severe water restrictions.

    But the crisis shows many off-grid families, farms and businesses need new options to plan for the future.

    Over the past 12 months, rainfall in parts of South Australia has been the lowest on record.
    Commonwealth of Australia 2025, Bureau of Meteorology

    Global water stress

    This is not the first time entire communities have run out of water.

    Cape Town in South Africa nearly ran out of water in 2018. The city of nearly 4 million people was weeks away from “Day Zero”.

    In Australia, several regional and rural country towns have hit their own Day Zero. Stanthorpe in Queensland officially ran out of water in January 2020. Truckloads of water were carted into town every day to meet residential demand.

    Scientists have coined a new term, “hydroclimate whiplash”, to describe the rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather currently occurring across the globe. This climate volatility amplifies natural hazards such as flash floods, wildfires, landslides and disease.

    The January wildfires in Los Angeles happened when two wet winters were followed by an extremely dry autumn and winter, providing plenty of dry fuel for fire.

    These aren’t isolated events. The global water crisis didn’t go away.

    The bigger picture

    What’s happening in the Adelaide Hills – and in other very dry places worldwide – demonstrates the need for careful, long-term water security planning.

    The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. Water stress already affects more than 2 billion people – more than a quarter of the world’s population.

    By 2030, the UN predicts 2 billion people will still be living without safely managed drinking water, 3 billion without safely managed sanitation, and 1.4 billion without basic hygiene services.

    For many, this is literally a life-or-death matter.

    Investing in water security

    CSIRO is collaborating with industry, government and research organisations on research to overcome drought and build resilience for regional Australia. Our researchers are testing how well each of these strategies might work in different regions during extended dry periods. We calculate how much water can be collected and stored during the driest periods on record.

    Rainfall over Norfolk Island, a subtropical island in the Pacific Ocean roughly 1,500km southeast of Brisbane, has declined by 11% since 1970, with long runs of dry years in recent decades. The future is likely to be drier still.

    Our Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment explored ways to help the community determine how to adapt and build resilience to drought.

    Since this project finished in 2020, residential and commercial rainwater tanks have been upgraded and a new seawater desalination plant installed. Other options to diversify water supplies included sharing groundwater bores, capturing runoff in gully dams, managing vegetation water use, and storing water underground.

    Excess water from rainwater or recycled wastewater can sometimes be stored underground in natural reservoirs called aquifers for use during drought. This is called “water banking” or “managed aquifer recharge”. The technique has been developed over the past 20 years and used to safely store water underground across Australia and overseas.

    Brackish (salty) groundwater is a potential water source that could be unlocked during drought. A National Water Grid funded project is investigating ways to use groundwater that would normally be too salty, along with renewable energy to power inland desalination plants. The project is investigating the prospect of using brackish groundwater across Western Australia for the first time.

    Future generations are likely to face more severe water shortages.
    Rosie Sheba

    A call to action

    The Adelaide Hills water crisis is a microcosm of a global issue. It’s a reminder action is needed now to secure our water future. Not when the water runs out.

    Deeper groundwater bores, water tankers on standby and bigger water storages are all potentially part of the portfolio of emergency plans. And due to climate change, the Adelaide Hills water crisis will happen again if we are unprepared. It is a question of when, not if.

    We have also seen the catastrophic effects of drought in Los Angeles – a tinderbox waiting to burn, and insufficient water on hand to fight the fires. We can and must prepare for natural disasters today. These are not unforeseen consequences. They are not “unknown unknowns”. We know them today. We will have no excuse when this happens.

    By adopting more sustainable water management policies and practices in the longer term, we can make sure the spectre of Day Zero does not become real for more communities around the world.

    With thanks to CSIRO Senior Research Scientist and Hydrologist Matt Gibbs and Principal Experimental Scientist in Hydrogeology Andrew Taylor.

    Kate Holland receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

    Craig T. Simmons has received funding for water research from various government and non-government organisations in the past. He is currently serving as Chief Scientist for South Australia.

    – ref. Adelaide Hills water crisis: a local problem is a global wake-up call – https://theconversation.com/adelaide-hills-water-crisis-a-local-problem-is-a-global-wake-up-call-251265

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘Better than nothing’: clinicians and hospital heads accept lower standards of care outside metro hospitals

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olivia Fisher, Senior Research Fellow, Applied Implementation Science, Charles Darwin University

    Seven million Australians live in rural and remote areas and many struggle to access the same quality of health care as those in metropolitan areas.
    More than 18,000 Australians have no access to primary health care services within an hour’s drive time from their home, and many are hours or even multiple days’ drive from their closest major hospital. Travel to a major city to access health care is costly and time-consuming.

    Rural Australians have almost A$850 less spent on their health per year than those in major cities.

    People living in rural and remote Australia have substantially higher levels of preventable hospitalisations, burden of disease, and avoidable deaths. This leaves a gap in median life expectancy between people in very remote areas and major cities of 13 years for men and 16 years for women.

    Our new research shows clinicians and health care decision-makers are willing to accept a lower standard of care for people outside of major cities because they consider it better than nothing.

    Relying on what they have

    Our research investigated Queensland clinicians’ and health care decision-makers’ perspectives on virtual health care as a means to improve access to care.

    We also asked about what constitutes acceptable quality and standards for rural patients.

    Although we used virtual health care as an example, the results are indicative of a broader issue.

    What is virtual health care? What are its pros and cons?

    “Virtual health care” is more than just telehealth. It includes:

    • hospital in the home. A nurse will visit a patient in their home to provide treatments such as intravenous antibiotics, coupled with telehealth consultations with a doctor. This model of care can achieve similar outcomes to those at traditional hospitals

    • virtual wards, such as influenza or COVID wards. These wards involve a patient in their home, and combination of telehealth, remote monitoring devices such as pulse oximeters, and face-to-face care from visiting clinicians if required.

    • virtual emergency departments. These support patients who can be safely and effectively managed at home. Emergency doctors and nurses provide guidance and identify which patients need to present to a traditional emergency department.

    Virtual health care can minimise travel time to major cities, keeping patients better connected with their family and community while undergoing treatment.

    Virtual health care often involves nurse care and doctor telehealth.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    However, virtual health care is not currently suitable for patients who require intensive care, some types of physical procedures, or for patients at high risk of complications.

    Virtual services need to be well-designed, with appropriately trained clinicians, and consider what can and cannot be accomplished remotely.

    When virtual health care isn’t well designed, and clinicians aren’t adequately trained, it can result in poor patient outcomes. As one doctor explained:

    I can catalogue just over the last month, I’ve seen errors in telehealth […] They’ve missed pneumonia, they’ve missed kidney stones, they’ve missed a bowel obstruction, they’ve missed an ischaemic valve, they’ve missed an MI [myocardial infarction]. You know, all because they think they can do all these things on telehealth […].

    Our research

    We interviewed 26 clinicians (such as doctors and nurses) and executive leaders from private, not-for-profit hospitals and aged care services in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Queensland in 2023.

    Most participants expressed reticence towards using telehealth and other forms of virtual health care for people in major cities who can readily access traditional hospitals and providers face-to-face.

    They felt safety and care standards would be inferior to traditional inpatient care.

    However, they said virtual health care – even if it was a lower standard to traditional hospitals – was better than nothing. As one doctor and health service leader said:

    there’s no other choice is there, so you just do it that way.

    Another doctor and health service leader explained:

    But we would use it for sure. I mean especially those days when we get, you know, which is becoming more and more common where the hospital rings down there’s no beds. There’s no beds and you’re like, well, what do I do now I’ve got ten people here and nowhere to send them.

    Sometimes patients can’t be cared for in other settings and need to go to hospital.
    Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock

    Towards more equitable care for rural patients

    Sub-standard health care will not bring health outcomes and life-expectancy of people in rural and remote areas up to parity – it will merely reinforce current inequities.

    We need to design health services that improve both quality and access. Taking health-care models that work in our major cities and rolling them out in rural areas doesn’t work. We need tailored, creative solutions that meet the same standards we would expect in a city.

    In addition to increasing and improving access to virtual health care, we also need to:

    • attract and retain a rural health workforce of experienced practitioners to provide face-to-face services

    • design health services in conjunction with the community to ensure they suit local needs and conditions

    • address state and federal government funding issues that impact the sustainability and capacity for innovation of rural health services.

    An unconscious willingness to accept better than nothing is simply not good enough for the millions of Australians who live outside of major cities.

    Olivia Fisher receives funding from UnitingCare Queensland.

    Caroline Grogan receives funding from UnitingCare Queensland and the Irene Patricia Hunt Memorial Trust.

    Kelly McGrath receives funding from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources via an Elevate Scholarship, Wesley Research Institute, UnitingCare Queensland, Mitsubishi Development, and the Catalano Family Foundation.

    – ref. ‘Better than nothing’: clinicians and hospital heads accept lower standards of care outside metro hospitals – https://theconversation.com/better-than-nothing-clinicians-and-hospital-heads-accept-lower-standards-of-care-outside-metro-hospitals-251063

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: SUNDAY SHOWS: Trump Administration Delivers Results

    Source: The White House

    This morning, officials from the Trump Administration took to the airwaves to update the American people on another week of success — from reforming education to ensuring the safety and security of the American people.

    Here’s what you missed:

    Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on State of the Union

    • On the Trump Administration’s goal for education: “Our goal is to make sure that we are providing the best education for students in our country. We cannot be last in the world in education … It is up to us and our responsibility to make sure we are giving them the best access to education.”
    • On local control in education: “Am I, the secretary of education sitting in Washington, going to have a view into a school room where a teacher is trying to take care of a student with special needs? Or is that going to happen better at the local level?”
    • On school choice: “[President Trump] wants to make sure that there is equal access to quality education for every student in our country — which is why he is such a proponent of school choice … He doesn’t believe that ANY child should be trapped in a failing school.”

    Attorney General Pam Bondi on Fox News Sunday

    • On overreach by activist judges: “This is an out-of-control judge … trying to control our entire foreign policy, and he cannot do it… There are 261 reasons why Americans are safer today, and that’s because those people are now in an El Salvador prison … We are going to follow the law and we are going to protect Americans.”

    National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on Face the Nation

    • On strikes against Houthi terrorists in Yemen: “75% of our U.S.-flagged shipping now has to go around the southern coast of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal. Keeping the sea lanes open, keeping trade and commerce open, is a fundamental aspect of our national security. The last administration was not effective. The Trump Administration and President Trump have decided to do something much harder, much tougher.”
    • On Iran’s nuclear program: “Iran has to give up its program in a way that the entire world can see. As President Trump has said, this is coming to a head. All options are on the table, and it is time for Iran to walk away completely from its desire to have a nuclear weapon.”

    Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Fox News Sunday

    • On talks to end the war in Ukraine: “I’m not sure how anyone would expect an end to a conflict when you’re not communicating … [President Trump’s] philosophy of peace through strength brings people to the table to clear up misconceptions and to get peace deals done.”

    Border Czar Tom Homan on This Week

    • On deporting illegal immigrant Tren de Aragua gang members: “We’re actually using the laws on the books to enforce immigration law and secure the border … We’re not making this up. Everything we’ve done is based on a statute that was enacted by Congress and signed by a president.”
    • On illegal border crossings: “We’ll use these assets as long as we can until we get to the point that we have total operational control of the border and national security threats have no avenue into this country.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet and Berachain Unveil $80K BERA Airdrop for Ecosystem Users

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has partnered with Berachain to jointly launch an ecosystem campaign featuring a $80,000 BERA airdrop. Running from March 20 at 16:00 to April 2 at 16:00 (UTC+8), the initiative is designed to reward users who actively engage with Berachain’s rapidly expanding ecosystem through a series of interactive on-chain tasks.

    The campaign spotlights six emerging projects within the Berachain network: Dolomite, Kodiak Finance, Infrared, Wasabee (Honeypot Finance), Ramen Finance, and ZooFinance. Participants who engage with these decentralized applications (DApps) through Bitget Wallet—completing tasks such as staking, swapping, and wallet interactions—will become eligible for a share of the $80,000 BERA airdrop pool. The goal is to encourage user exploration of the Berachain ecosystem and support the growth of its early-stage protocols.

    As the first wallet to fully integrate Berachain, Bitget Wallet offers users direct access to the Berachain mainnet, along with built-in features like token swaps, cross-chain transactions, and DApp connectivity—eliminating the need for manual configuration or third-party tools. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Bitget Wallet and Berachain to lower the barrier to ecosystem adoption while supporting builders and early participants, reinforcing both teams’ commitment to making onchain participation more accessible and rewarding.

    “Berachain represents a new wave of DeFi infrastructure, and we’re excited to work closely with its ecosystem to bring users deeper on-chain experiences,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “Through this campaign, we aim to lower the barrier to participation and reward users who help grow the next generation of decentralized protocols.”

    For more details, please visit Bitget Wallet X.

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive onchain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser and crypto payment solutions. Supporting over 130 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and millions of tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets. Experience Bitget Wallet Lite to start a Web3 journey.
    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook
    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa873586-8915-44f0-af6e-24c774b0bed7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Despite some key milestones since 2000, Australia still has a long way to go on gender equality

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janeen Baxter, Director, ARC Life Course Centre and ARC Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellow, The University of Queensland

    Australia has a gender problem. Despite social, economic and political reform aimed at improving opportunities for women, gender gaps are increasing and Australia is falling behind other countries.

    The World Economic Forum currently places Australia 24th among 146 countries, down from 15th in 2006. At the current rate of change, the forum suggests it will take more than 130 years to achieve gender equality globally.

    Australia has taken important steps forward in some areas, while progress in other areas remains painfully slow. So how far have we come since 2000, and how much further do we have to go?

    The good stuff

    There are now more women in the labour market, in parliament, and leading large companies than at any other time.

    Over the past 25 years, there have been major social and political milestones that indicate progress.

    These include the appointment of Australia’s first female governor-general in 2008 and prime minister in 2010, the introduction of universal paid parental leave in 2011, a high-profile inquiry into workplace sexual harassment in 2020, and new legislation requiring the public reporting of gender pay gaps in 2023.

    Timeline of equality milestones

    • 2000

      Child Care Benefit introduced, subsidising cost of children for eligible families

    • 2008

      First female Governor-General (Dame Quentin Bryce)

    • 2010

      First female Prime Minister elected (Julia Gillard)

      First Aboriginal woman from Australia elected to UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Megan Davis)

      Australia’s first national paid parental leave scheme

    • 2012

      Julia Gillard misogyny speech

      Workplace Gender Equality Act becomes law, Workplace Gender Equality Agency established

    • 2013

      Dad or Partner Pay Leave commenced

    • 2016

      First Indigenous woman elected to House of Representatives (Linda Burney)

    • 2017

      Launch of Women’s Australian Football League

      #metoo movement spreads globally to draw attention to sexual harassment and assault

    • 2020

      Respect@Work National Inquiry into sexual harassment in the Australian workplace chaired by Kate Jenkins released.

    • 2021

      Grace Tame named Australian of the Year for her advocacy in sexual violence/harassment campaigns

      Independent review into Commonwealth parliamentary workplaces launched

    • 2022

      National plan to end violence against women is finalised

    • 2023

      Closing the Gender Pay Gap Bill passes parliament

    • 2024

      Superannuation on government-funded paid parental leave from July 1, 2025

      Parental leave to be increased to 26 weeks from July 2026.

    There are, however, other areas where progress is agonisingly slow.

    Violence and financial insecurity

    Women are more likely to be in casual and part-time employment than men. This is part of the reason women retire with about half the superannuation savings of men.

    This is also linked to financial insecurity later in life. Older women are among the fastest-growing groups of people experiencing homelessness.

    The situation for First Nations women is even more severe. The most recent Closing the Gap report indicates First Nations women and children are 33 times more likely to be hospitalised due to violence compared with non-Indigenous women.

    They are also seven times more likely to die from family violence.

    Improving outcomes for Indigenous women and children requires tackling the long-term effects of colonisation, removal from Country, the Stolen Generations, incarceration and intergenerational trauma. This means challenging not only gender inequality but also racism, discrimination and violence.

    At work, the latest data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency suggests the gender pay gap is narrowing, with 56% of organisations reporting improvements.

    On average, though, the pay gap is still substantial at 21.8% with women earning only 78 cents for every $1 earned by men. This totals an average yearly shortfall of $28,425.

    There are also some notable organisations where the gender pay gap has widened.

    The burden of unpaid work

    Another measure of inequality that has proved stubbornly slow to change is women’s unequal responsibilities for unpaid domestic and care work.

    Without real change in gender divisions of time spent on unpaid housework and care, our capacity to move towards equality in pay gaps and employment is very limited.

    Australian women do more unpaid and domestic work after having children.
    Shutterstock

    Australian women undertake almost 70% of unpaid household labour. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics time use data show that of those who participate in domestic labour, women spend an average of 4.13 hours per day on unpaid domestic and care work, compared with men’s 2.14 hours.

    This gap equates to more than a third of a full-time job. If we add up all work (domestic, care and paid), mothers have the longest working week by about 10 hours. This has changed very little over time.

    These charts, based on analyses of data from the Households, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) study, show what drives this gap.

    Women respond to increased demand for care and domestic work by doing more, while men do not. Parenthood significantly increases the time women spend on unpaid care and housework, while also reducing their time in employment.

    Men increase their time in unpaid care after a birth, but the jump is minor compared with women, and there is no change to men’s employment hours.

    Not surprisingly given these patterns, parenthood is associated with substantial declines in women’s employment hours, earnings, career progression, and mental health and wellbeing.

    The way forward

    Current policy priorities primarily incentivise women to remain in employment, while continuing to undertake a disproportionate share of unpaid family work, through moving to part-time employment or making use of other forms of workplace flexibility. This approach focuses on “fixing” women rather than on the structural roots of the problem.

    There is limited financial or cultural encouragement for men to step out of employment for care work, or reduce their hours, despite the introduction of a two-week Dad and Partner Pay scheme in 2013 and more recent changes to expand support and access.

    Fathers who wish to be more actively involved in care and family life face significant financial barriers, with current schemes only covering a basic wage. If one member of the family has to take time out or reduce their hours, it usually makes financial sense for this to be a woman, given the gender earning gap.

    The benefits of enabling men to share care work will not only be improvements for women, but will also improve family relationships and outcomes for children.

    Research shows relationship conflict declines when men do more at home. Time spent with fathers has been found to be especially beneficial for children’s cognitive development.

    Fixing the gender problem is not just about helping women. It’s good for everyone.

    Gender inequality costs the Australian economy $225 billion annually, or 12% of gross domestic product.

    Globally, the World Bank estimates gender inequality costs US$160.2 trillion. We can’t afford to slip further behind or to take more than a century to fix the problem.

    This piece is part of a series on how Australia has changed since the year 2000. You can read other pieces in the series here.

    Janeen Baxter receives funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (CE200100025) and an Australian Research Council Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowship (FL230100104).

    – ref. Despite some key milestones since 2000, Australia still has a long way to go on gender equality – https://theconversation.com/despite-some-key-milestones-since-2000-australia-still-has-a-long-way-to-go-on-gender-equality-250250

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Cantwell Concludes Statewide Medicaid Tour – Doctors and Patients Across WA Affirm Medicaid Cuts Would be Devastating

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    03.23.25

    ICYMI: Cantwell Concludes Statewide Medicaid Tour – Doctors and Patients Across WA Affirm Medicaid Cuts Would be Devastating

    Sen. Cantwell, in weeklong tour of WA, hears how Medicaid has saved lives of patients and their family members

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) heard from voices across Washington state about the dangers of President Trump and the GOP’s proposed cuts to Medicaid. Doctors, patients, and health care providers warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care.

    Medicaid is the federal program that insures many low-income adults and children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Washington state’s Medicaid program, Apple Health, ensures that eligible Washingtonians can afford to seek health care and see providers when they need to.

    In Seattle on Tuesday: Sen. Cantwell joined Whitney Stohr and McKenzi Fish, as well as doctors and hospital executives, in speaking at a press conference. Stohr depends on Medicaid funds to pay for her son Malachi’s treatment for spina bifida, and Fish was covered by Medicaid during her fight against Hodgkin lymphoma as a teenager.

    “While I was taking care of him in those early days in the hospital I knew that there was no way my family could afford the care,” said Stohr, about Medicaid’s role in her son Malachi’s treatment: “We couldn’t pay for it then, we couldn’t pay for it now – at least not without Medicaid.”

    Video of the entire Seattle press conference is available HERE. Sen. Cantwell’s remarks are available HERE with a transcript HERE

    In Spokane on Wednesday: At a roundtable, Sen. Cantwell heard from Gail Halverson, Julie Sparkman, Elisanne McCutchen, and hospital leadership about how they and their communities rely on Medicaid funds for treatment. Halverson and McCutchen rely on Medicaid for ongoing medical care, and Sparkman is a Spokane-area home care provider whose family members have had their lives saved by Medicaid-funded treatment.

    “People are going to be sick, and they’re going to have to go to nursing homes — well who’s going to pay for the nursing homes? That’s Medicare, that’s Medicaid!” said Halverson. “So, are we just left to die?”

    Video of the entire Spokane roundtable is available HERE. Sen. Cantwell’s remarks are available HERE with a transcript HERE

    In the Tri-Cities on Friday: At a press conference with Sen. Cantwell and local health care leadership, Brenda Morgan shared the story of her client, Samantha, an autistic young adult with a heart condition, who needs a feeding tube for meals and medications.

    “She wants me to ask you,” Morgan said, “’Why aren’t people thinking about us? Do they not know that I can’t survive without Medicaid?

    Video of the entire Tri-Cities press conference is available HERE. Sen. Cantwell’s remarks are available HERE with a transcript HERE

    And at each event, across the state, Sen. Cantwell warned that the GOP’s plans to cut Medicaid are not hypothetical.

    “This is a tsunami of cuts coming at the people of Washington and the United States of America,” said Sen. Cantwell in Seattle. “And I guarantee you this is not a drill.”

    Sen. Cantwell has released two snapshot reports that, together, highlight the impact that slashing Medicaid to fund tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy would have on Washington state’s health care system.  Her first snapshot report provided new data on the percentage of Medicaid patients in each of the State of Washington’s U.S. congressional districts, as well as by region. Congressional District 4 (Central Washington) and Congressional District 5 (Eastern Washington) have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid. 

    Sen. Cantwell’s second snapshot report detailed new data showing the crucial role that Medicaid plays in funding Seattle-area health care. That report showed that Medicaid funded 22.6% of inpatient care and 18.1% of outpatient care at hospitals in Western Washington in 2023. Western Washington hospitals saw 623,549 Medicaid patients in 2023.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can Mark Carney truly connect with Canadian voters? Canada will now find out

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kevin Quigley, Scholarly Director of the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance, Dalhousie University

    After a busy two weeks as prime minister, Mark Carney has called an election for April 28.

    As the first in Canadian history to be named prime minister without ever having held public office, Carney is hoping he can win the trust of Canadians. He’ll run for a seat in the Ottawa riding of Nepean.

    Trustworthiness is awarded to those who are at least perceived as knowledgeable, transparent and concerned. Can Carney pull it off?

    When it comes to economics, Carney is among the most knowledgeable in the country. After obtaining a PhD at the University of Oxford, Carney has had a distinguished public service career in the Canadian Department of Finance, the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England.

    With such a high level of economic uncertainty today in the face of repeated threats from United States President Donald Trump, his supporters say he’s the right person to lead Canada. His chief rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, was first elected to the House of Commons at the age of 25 and has quite a different CV.

    Is Carney empathetic?

    Carney, however, might struggle more with the other characteristics of trustworthiness — seeming open and showing concern.

    The Conservatives have criticized Carney for not being more transparent about his private financial interests. While Carney is following disclosure rules, the Conservatives argue Canadians need to know more about whether he’s in a conflict of interest when he makes decisions in government.

    Carney’s answers to questions about his time at Brookfield Asset Management have on occasion been unsteady.

    On the surface, this is about transparency, but in fact it’s just as much about empathy and whether Carney can relate to working-class voters. By alluding to Carney’s wealth and connections, the Conservatives are implying that Carney is an out-of-touch elite who doesn’t share the concerns of average Canadians.

    Some of the early visuals of Carney can cut both ways.

    His recent chummy embrace at the Élysée with French President Emmanuel Macron exemplifies how immediately comfortable he is with world leaders. Some will find this reassuring, given the state of geopolitics; others might find it privileged and off-putting. Even his hockey skills, which were part of a recent photo-op in Edmonton when he practised with the Oilers, were acquired partly during his time at Harvard University, an institution among the most elite in the world.

    Empathy, instinct

    Can Carney connect with people?

    Arguably, he needs work on this front. He might consider some of his Liberal predecessors.

    Former prime minister Justin Trudeau could certainly rally a crowd. Trudeau became a motivational speaker in the 2000s and used opportunities like the WE Charity to practise public speaking to what would become an important constituency for him — young voters — when he led the Liberals to victory in 2015.

    Not everything can be taught at school. Political instinct is also crucial. It requires reconciling the knowledge of experts with the concerns of everyday citizens. There is no formula for this balance sheet.

    Here again, Trudeau had insight. Bill Morneau, a corporate executive himself and the former federal finance minister, noted after the COVID-19 pandemic that government payouts had been too generous and driven more by Trudeau’s view of the politics of the moment than by the economic analysis provided to him by the Finance Department.

    This may be so, but most would say Trudeau handled the early stages of the pandemic deftly.

    Chretien’s skills

    It was interesting that at the recent Liberal convention confirming Carney as leader, delegates gushed over former prime minister Jean Chretien, far from an elitist. A winner of three consecutive majorities, Chretien delivered a speech that went over at least as well with delegates as Carney’s.

    Chretien had unparalleled political instincts. When Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney rolled out the GST in 1991, it was deeply unpopular. Despite Chretien later famously backtracking on his original opposition to the GST, the Liberal Party under his stewardship used the issue to exact maximum damage on the Progressive Conservatives, delivering them a near-fatal blow.

    Chretien’s killer instincts trumped expert knowledge. While the Progressive Conservatives paid a heavy price for adopting the GST, the policy was largely advocated and shaped by business and economic elites, including in the Department of Finance. Good economics does not always make for good politics.

    Emotions to run high

    If the 1988 federal election that focused almost exclusively on free trade with the U.S. is any indication of what the next few weeks will look like in Canada, the election campaign is going to get heated quickly. Arguments may be more emotional than sensible.

    The fact that Carney dropped the carbon tax and capital gains tax was an early sign that he’s not an economist anymore, he’s a politician.

    The challenge for Carney — and for any politician in the heat of an election campaign battle — will be to find the sweet spot that reconciles expert opinion with public concerns and to articulate policies in a manner that voters will understand and support.

    Kevin Quigley receives funding from SSHRC.

    – ref. Can Mark Carney truly connect with Canadian voters? Canada will now find out – https://theconversation.com/can-mark-carney-truly-connect-with-canadian-voters-canada-will-now-find-out-252365

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Child Poverty – CPAG calls on Ministers to reverse lunch cuts with Budget bid

    Source: Child Poverty Action Group

    The Child Poverty Action Group is urging senior Government Ministers to put children first and find the money needed to reverse the cuts it has made to the school lunches programme.
    CPAG has today written to Minister of Finance Nicola Willis with a ‘Budget Bid’ on behalf of the children of New Zealand.
    CPAG Executive Director Sarita Divis said David Seymour, Erica Stanford, Winston Peters and Louise Upston had been copied into the bid and CPAG wanted one of them to put the bid in.
    “It’s been problem after problem with school lunches this year: late deliveries, flies in food, inappropriate and unsafe food for students, a student in hospital with burns. Not to mention excessive wastage and lost economic opportunities for local community suppliers,” Ms Divis said.
    “The time has come for the Government to admit the cuts were a mistake and to put things right by funding the previous model properly.”
    CPAG was also concerned that nutritional information about the food under the new model was not clear. Good nutrition is essential for children, especially if they are not having breakfast or dinner.
    A recent Talbot Mills poll showed 60 percent of voters want the government to reinstate the previous Ka Ora, Ka Ako system.
    “Budgets and taxes are how we prioritise the things that really matter and the Government needs to put children first,” Ms Divis said.
    “Ministers will right now be putting in their Budget bids for Budget 2025. We ask the Ministers to consider stepping forward to do the right and compassionate thing, which is what most Kiwis want, and reverse the cuts for the children of New Zealand.”
    As well as reinstating the budgeted amount for food from $3 back to $8 per meal, CPAG wanted schools to once again be able to source school lunches from local community suppliers.
    “The new model has been bad news for children. David Seymour continues to say it’s working well, but Kiwis know that’s just not the case,” CPAG Deputy Chair Rich Greissman says.
    “Funding needs to be found in Vote Education, which is within the power of both Ministers Stanford and Seymour.”
    Ms Divis said Minister Upston, as Minister for Child Poverty Reduction, was also well within her power to call for funding to be reversed.
    “Corporate tax cuts or feeding hungry kids? It’s a no-brainer. The Government can find the money to do this. It is a choice.”
    Based on the 2023 and 2024 Budget Summary of Initiatives, CPAG refers to estimates of the cost of restoring school lunches to their 2024 standard, between $107-115 extra a year.
    There are also hidden costs to the new model, with many schools citing unexpected costs associated with the new model that are not covered by the School Lunch Collective.
    For example, schools are now having to employ people to remove waste which comes out of a school’s operations budget.
    Background
    The Ka Ora Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches programme was introduced in 2020 to meet genuine unmet needs in New Zealand classrooms and homes.
    It was a policy created by New Zealand First when it was in government with Labour and championed by former NZ First MP Tracey Martin which is why Winston Peters has also been copied into CPAG’s letter.
    In the lead up to the 2023 election, National leader Christopher Luxon described Ka Ora, Ka Ako as a “good programme” and promised it would “continue to improve each and every year under a National government”.
    A Ministry of Education evaluation of the original Ka Ora, Ka Ako in October 2022 found that the wellbeing results of the programme often exceeded expectations, with even greater benefits for students who rarely had enough food at home. Other benefits included less hunger at school, improvement in dietary patterns and greater local employment.
    The Child Poverty Action group is concerned the new model for school lunches, along with the cuts to the programme budget, puts these gains at risk.
    Under the Child Poverty Reduction Act (2018), the Government is legally required to address child poverty rates in the Budget with specific policies.
    The Child Poverty Action Group believes an additional $115m a year of funding for the school lunches programme represents a remarkably small cost when the wider economic and social benefits of Ka Ora, Ka Ako are considered.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Could bullying be an evolutionary trait?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tony Volk, Professor, Child and Youth Studies, Brock University

    Given the seriousness of the consequences of bullying for its victims, it behooves us all to take a good, hard look at why so many people continue to bully. (Shutterstock)

    Bullying is a serious problem that impacts hundreds of millions of young people across the world each year. Defined as the goal-directed, harmful abuse of a power imbalance, bullying can cause serious, long-term physical and mental health outcomes for victims.

    As a result, countries around the world have mobilized anti-bullying efforts. Unfortunately, these efforts have had relatively little impact on bullying worldwide.

    Why? One reason might be that bullying is, at least in part, an evolutionary adaptation that offers adolescent perpetrators benefits, like popularity, resources and even dates and sex.

    But do these benefits extend beyond adolescence? This is what we set out to test at Brock University’s Research on Aggression and Victimization Experiences group. In particular, we wanted to know if the earlier and more frequent dating and sex that adolescent bullies experienced translated into having more children in later life.

    Children of bullies may learn how to be bullies themselves, through directly experiencing bullying from their parents or through indirectly watching their parents bully others.
    (Shutterstock)

    An evolutionary trait?

    There is very little data on whether bullying benefits like popularity or sex extend beyond adolescence, but early data suggested that might be the case. We sought to replicate that research using two studies.

    The first was a longitudinal study of adolescents: approximately 600 Canadian boys and girls from age 14 until their mid-20s. The second was a retrospective study of more than 500 North American adults ages 18-35. We found that adolescents who bullied others reported having children earlier and having more children in total, compared to adolescents who did not engage in bullying.

    While we note that a complete study should entail following adults into their mid-40s (the very end of most child births), we wanted to compile data now rather than waiting another 15-20 years for our longitudinal sample to mature. That means that while we can’t rule out that non-bullies might catch up with later reproduction, the data clearly shows that onset of reproduction is tied closely to total reproduction.

    Is having children early, and more often, a good thing? Given that bullying does appear to be partly due to evolved genetics (with the environment still playing a pivotal role in its expression), reproduction is the ultimate currency of evolution. Passing on genes is, quite literally, the biological meaning of life. So this is strong evidence for the theory that bullying is, at least in part, an evolutionarily successful strategy in some contexts.

    Socially, bullies are also more likely to be in the romantic relationship that is typically required to have children. We believe this is because bully’s power is related to potentially positive attributes, like attractiveness, strength and even social skills.

    Our yet-to-be published data also indicates that former bullies end up investing more energy into their children than average parents. Think of the hockey or soccer parents yelling on the sidelines, bullying their child’s coach, referees or other players in order to benefit their own child. Bullying’s links with parenting go beyond purely quantitative considerations and impact both mating success and parental effort.

    If bullying offers benefits, we want to reduce, replace and redirect those benefits.
    (Shutterstock)

    Why does this matter?

    It matters because it helps explain why bullying is so ubiquitous and hard to prevent. Bullying appears to offer meaningful benefits to those who use it and that’s critical information if parents, teachers, schools and governments want to come up with strategies for preventing it.

    What might some of those strategies look like? If bullying offers benefits, we want to reduce, replace and redirect those benefits. We can do so by getting peers to not reward bullies with the attention and popularity that they desire. We can replace benefits with costs by pointing out that while bullies gain popularity, they lose likeability. People might fear the bully’s power, but they generally don’t like them.

    Finally, we can try to teach adolescents to replace bullying with more prosocial behaviour that might have equal or better outcomes with respect to peer support.

    This also matters because our data shows bullying as a potentially intergenerational problem. We know that violence can be transmitted from parents to their children. It is possible that children of bullies will learn how to be bullies themselves, through directly experiencing bullying from their parents or through indirectly watching their parents bully others.

    This generational transmission might very well be another reason why bullying is so hard to prevent — because it starts in the home. Given the seriousness of the consequences of bullying for its victims, we must all to take a good, hard look at why so many people continue to bully, or support bullies, so that we can understand how we to best stop this toxic and damaging pattern of behaviour.

    Tony Volk receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Could bullying be an evolutionary trait? – https://theconversation.com/could-bullying-be-an-evolutionary-trait-251237

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Asteroid 2024 YR may not hit Earth in 2032, but it — and others — will keep coming back

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Martin Connors, Professor of Astronomy, Mathematics, and Physics, Athabasca University

    A double plume created by the Chelyabinsk meteor that flew over Russia on Feb. 15, 2013. The shock wave caused damage and a small meteorite dropped. (Shutterstock)

    In late 2024, astronomers spotted asteroid 2024 YR4 on a trajectory that could potentially threaten Earth. This observation triggered a fervid series of observations of the object — possibly as big as a football field — to determine that it will not hit. However, an impact on the moon cannot be ruled out.



    Read more:
    What are the chances an asteroid will impact Earth in 2032?

    Then in January of this year, the near approach of an asteroid perhaps a million times more massive went almost unnoticed.

    Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a diameter between 40 to 90 metres and was referred to as a “city-killer” capable of causing regional damage and affecting the climate; the larger asteroid, 887 Alinda, is over four kilometres in diameter and could cause a global extinction event.

    A radar image of asteroid Alinda taken in January 2024. The rectangular region is about three kilometres a side.
    (NASA/JPL)

    Alinda remains just outside Earth’s orbit, while 2024 YR4 does cross our orbit and still could impact Earth; however, this won’t occur in the foreseeable future.

    Asteroid orbits

    Both 887 Alinda and 2024 YR4 orbit the sun three times for every time the massive planet Jupiter goes around once. Since Jupiter’s orbit takes 12 years, the asteroids will take four years to be back on similar paths in 2028. These special kinds of asteroids are dangerous, since they come back regularly.

    Alinda was discovered in 1918 and has made several sequences of near passes at four-year intervals. 2024 YR4 has made what NASA considers close passes every four years since 1948, but was only recently noticed.

    Not since the 1970s has so much attention been paid to asteroids with a three-to-one relation to Jupiter. Such relationships had already been noted as a curiosity by American astronomer Daniel Kirkwood in the late 1800s. Working with very sparse data since few asteroids were known at the time, he noted none went around the sun twice for each Jupiter orbit, nor three times, nor in more complex ratios like seven-to-three or five-to-two.

    These so-called Kirkwood gaps are not obvious since they show up only in plots of the average distance of asteroids from the sun. The gaps remained a mere curiosity of the solar system for about 100 years.

    Numbers of asteroids by averaged distance from the sun, showing the Kirkwood gaps. The gap labelled 3:1 harbors both Alinda and 2024 YR4, located at an average distance 2.5 times Earth’s orbit radius from the sun.
    (NASA/JPL)

    The employment of new computer technologies to calculate orbits revealed the effects of resonance to scientists in the 1970s. Resonance occurs when asteroids appear to move at the same, or a multiple of, the orbit speed of another external object — in this case, Jupiter.

    The Kirkwood gaps are explained by asteroids similarly interacting with Jupiter to leave the asteroid belt, even while their average distance from the sun does not change. By dipping into the inner solar system, these asteroids are often removed from the gaps in a very simple way: by hitting an inner planet like Mars, Venus or Earth.

    Scientists also found that these gaps were not completely empty; Alinda, for example, was in the three-to-one gap. Many more such asteroids have been found, and they are generically named “Alindas,” after the prototypical first discovery whose name origin is a bit obscure.

    Return of the asteroids

    If the bad news is that Kirkwood gaps are due to asteroids hitting inner planets, including Earth, can it get much worse? For Alinda-class asteroids it does. Alindas follow their pumped-up orbit every four years, so properly aligned Alindas get a chance to hit Earth about that often.

    Near passes of these asteroids tend to happen spaced by longer intervals, but when aligned, they come back several times with four-year spacing. A limiting factor is how tilted their orbits are: if they are quite tilted, they are not often at a “height” matching Earth’s, so are less likely to hit.

    The bad news about that is that both Alinda and 2024 YR4 are very nearly in the plane of Earth’s orbit, and are not tilted much, so are more likely to hit.

    The resonant “pumping” stretching the orbit both inward and outward from the asteroid belt has already made 2024 YR4 cross Earth’s orbit, giving it a chance to impact. The much more dangerous Alinda is still being pumped: in about 1,000 years, it may be poised to hit Earth.

    One piece of good news is that 2024 YR4 will miss in 2032, but by coming close it will be kicked out of its Alinda orbit. It will no longer come back every four years.

    However, getting an orbital kick from Earth, its orbit will still cross ours, just not as often. The current orbit shows a somewhat close approach (farther than the moon) in 2052, and beyond that, calculations are not very accurate.

    Other asteroids

    Although Earth is a small target in a big solar system, it does get hit.

    If 2024 YR4 managed to sneak up on us in 2024, can other asteroids also surprise us? The last damaging one to do so appeared undetected on Feb. 15, 2013, over Chelyabinsk, Russia, injuring many people when its shock wave shattered glass in buildings.

    In 1908, a larger explosion took place over Tunguska, Russian Siberia, a remote region where huge areas of forest were devastated but few people injured.

    Part of the huge region of Siberian forest blown down by the Tunguska meteor explosion of 1908; this photograph was taken in 1929.
    (Leonid Kulik)

    Keeping watch

    While astronomers work diligently to survey the night sky from Earth’s surface, space-based surveys like the upcoming Near-Earth Object (NEO) surveyor can be very efficient in detecting asteroids. They do so by their heat (infrared) radiation and, being in space, can also study the daytime sky.

    According to Amy Mainzer, lead on the NEO surveyor, “we know of only roughly 40 per cent of the asteroids that are both large enough to cause severe regional damage and closely approach Earth’s orbit.” Once launched in late 2027, NEO will “find, track and characterize the most hazardous asteroids and comets,” eventually meeting the U.S. Congress-mandated goal of knowing of 90 cent of them.

    Among asteroids, we must pay special attention to resonant ones, such as 2024 YR4, because eventually, they’ll be back.

    Martin Connors has received funding from NSERC and the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Canadian Space Agency. He is currently a self-funded academic visitor at UCLA.

    – ref. Asteroid 2024 YR may not hit Earth in 2032, but it — and others — will keep coming back – https://theconversation.com/asteroid-2024-yr-may-not-hit-earth-in-2032-but-it-and-others-will-keep-coming-back-250958

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier pledges further opening up amid rising global uncertainties

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

    BEIJING, March 23 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday pledged to unswervingly advance opening up and cooperation amid rising global instability and uncertainty.

    Li made the remarks in a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing.

    China will continue to welcome enterprises from around the world with open arms, further expand market access, actively address the concerns of businesses, and facilitate the deeper integration of foreign-funded enterprises into the Chinese market, he said.

    The increasing global economic fragmentation, coupled with rising instability and uncertainty in today’s world, underscores the growing need for countries to open their markets and for enterprises to share resources, in order to address challenges and pursue common prosperity, the premier said.

    He said China will safeguard free trade, and contribute to the smooth and stable operation of global industrial and supply chains.

    China has set its full-year growth target at around 5 percent for 2025. Li said the decision reflects both China’s profound understanding of its fundamental economic conditions and strong confidence in its governance capacity and future development potential, and pledged efforts to strengthen policy support while stimulating market forces in order to achieve the target.

    The country will implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, further strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments, and introduce new incremental policies when necessary to provide strong support for the sustained improvement and stable operation of the economy, Li said.

    The country will continue to advance the building of a unified national market and unclog bottlenecks in economic circulation to create a better development environment for various business entities, he added.

    Li pointed out that around this year’s Spring Festival, the Chinese economy has seen a surge of phenomenal highlights, with new growth drivers gaining strength across various sectors, which will inject sustained and robust momentum into the economy.

    The China Development Forum 2025 is scheduled from March 23 to 24. The theme of this year’s forum is “Unleashing Development Momentum for Stable Growth of Global Economy.”

    Around 720 people, including entrepreneurs, government officials, experts and representatives from international organizations from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony of the forum, hosted by the Development Research Center of the State Council.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: AI empowers China’s agriculture to harvest smarter future

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

    BEIJING, March 23 — Inside a smart greenhouse in Chengdu, the capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, two robots, swiftly zipping through ridges between fields, were taking patrol training. With their high-definition cameras, these robots can snap real-time shots of crops’ growth and send images straight to the cloud.

    “After integrating with the DeepSeek large model, our team trained the robots through tens of thousands of images to improve their pest identification accuracy, which has exceeded 80 percent,” said Wu Yuanqing, the robots’ developer.

    Once the accuracy is improved, these robots can help farmers increase their decision-making precision in planting and efficiency of agricultural production, Wu added.

    The rise of AI-powered agriculture in China highlights the government’s continued efforts to modernize its agricultural sector to accelerate rural revitalization, which profoundly impacts the lives of over 460 million people in rural areas.

    The Chinese government has introduced multiple policies to promote smart agriculture development for years. In this document for 2025, Chinese policymakers have, for the first time, identified the development of “new quality productive forces in agriculture” as a top priority.

    The document underscores the need to increase support for smart agriculture and calls for expanding the use of technologies such as AI, big data and low-altitude systems in agricultural production.

    Maoming, a well-known lychee-growing city in south China’s Guangdong Province, is a premium example of how age-old practices meet with cutting-edge technologies to create a smarter, more efficient, precision-driven local industry.

    In February, the city completed deploying the DeepSeek model into its local AI assistant platform, integrating more than five million data points, including a lychee disease prevention database and detailed local meteorological records.

    So far, 69 sets of 5G-powered Internet of Things sensors have been installed across 20 lychee-growing towns in Maoming, according to Xu Hong, an official with Maoming’s agricultural and rural affairs bureau. These facilities monitor everything from soil moisture to air temperature, generating real-time insights that allow farmers to anticipate and mitigate risks before adverse weather takes a toll.

    Farmers in Maoming also dived into learning and applying AI technologies in lychee cultivation. Zhang Xianfeng, a local farmer, has recently turned to an AI-powered assistant for guidance as persistent wet and chilly weather threatened Zhang’s lychee. Within seconds, the system provided a tailored management plan for her.

    “In the past, we relied entirely on experience to determine the flowering period of crops. Fertilizers were applied by instinct, and we often reacted too late to disease outbreaks,” Zhang said. “Now, solutions provided by AI help us tackle these challenges immediately and accurately.”

    Fueled by a surging demand, AI in agriculture has expanded rapidly. In 2021, China’s “AI plus Agriculture” market was valued at approximately 68.5 billion yuan (about 9.55 billion U.S. dollars). That figure is projected to exceed 90 billion yuan by 2024, marking an average annual compound growth rate of around 10 percent, according to the Qianzhan Industry Research Institute, a Chinese think tank.

    While still in the early stages, experts are optimistic about AI’s future in agriculture. “AI holds great potential in precision farming, pest identification and control, automated agricultural machinery, and supply chain optimization,” said Li Zhan, a professor at Southwest Jiaotong University.

    Li noted that domestic AI technologies like DeepSeek will significantly enhance agricultural production efficiency, resource management accuracy, and product quality safety, driving the intelligent and sustainable development of agriculture.

    However, challenges still remain. Issues such as inconsistent data collection, privacy concerns, and limited farmer adoption continue to curtail the full potential of AI in this field.

    More efforts are needed to strengthen infrastructure in rural areas to lower the barriers to AI access, said Liu Jingjing, a researcher at a research center under China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

    Liu stressed that it is vital to cultivate more AI talents to facilitate the integration of new technologies into agricultural practices.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: 5 things to look for in the budget – and why we really need another budget soon

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Jim Chalmers likes to boast, or marvel, that he is the first treasurer since Ben Chifley to deliver four budgets in a term.

    If Labor wins the May election, the treasurer will reckon the budget will be done and dusted for this year. But actually, we really need another budget post election.

    That’s for two reasons. First, because this one will be short on any hard reforms or big savings, because it is all about chasing votes.

    From roads to health, this year has been give, give, give from the government. Much of the spending has been matched by the opposition. Just in recent days, the Coalition has said yes to the government’s initiatives to boost bulk billing and to reduce the price of pharmaceutical scripts. At the weekend, it instantly embraced the announcement to extend energy bill relief (A$150 dollars off bills in the second half of 2025).

    Secondly, the budget could, to an extent, be quickly overtaken because it is being delivered days before the Trump administration’s April 2 tariff announcement. That announcement could have big implications for the world economy, which would flow through to the outlook for Australia.

    The international fallout would be more serious for Australia than any direct hits we might take – there are worries around beef exports and pharmaceuticals – although the politics would centre on what happened to our industries.

    Given the election context, you will have to look hard for specific “nasties” in this budget. The main negative is likely to be the overall uncertainty about the future.

    So specifically, what should we look for on Tuesday? Independent economist Chris Richardson suggests, in an interview with The Conversation, five things to track.

    1. The big ‘off-budget’ number

    This is where the cost of initiatives does not directly show up in the underlying bottom line (which will be deficits through the forward estimates).

    Putting large commitments off budget has increased over the years. Richardson says the Albanese government inherited about $33 billion off-budget spending (over the forward estimates), and in this budget it could be more than $100 billion. This includes spending on student debt relief, the NBN, some housing areas, and infrastructure programs.

    Putting lots of items off budget “means less scrutiny and accountability,” Richardson says.

    2. Tax reform (or lack thereof)

    Richardson’s second item won’t involve much of a search. He asks rhetorically, “Will there be any hint the government is trying to do anything about the narrowing base of the tax take?” That is, anything to lighten the very heavy weight we place on personal and company taxes to raise revenue. As an advocate for tax reform, Richarson expects the budget will contain zero in this area.

    3. NDIS spending

    What is really happening with reining in spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme? The government has made much of its progress towards bringing the growth in its share of spending on the scheme down to a projected 8% annually.

    But Richardson says this is looking at only part of the story. Considerable responsibility is being pushed back onto the states; the federal government agreed to finance half the cost of new services to be delivered through state education and health systems for children with developmental disabilities to curb the burden on the NDIS. “To focus only on the federal spend on the NDIS is to miss the wider cost picture,” he says.

    4. The mid-year mystery

    How will the budget deal with the “mystery” that existed in its December mid-year update? That update did not seem to account for a rise in wages for public servants, even this was clearly in the pipeline.

    5. The Trump factor

    The budget will discuss the risks on the downside for the economy, but how will it deal with what is to come from Donald Trump? What assumptions will it contain on the likely actions of an unpredictable president?

    With the election so close, there will be almost as much interest in Peter Dutton’s Thursday budget reply as in the budget itself.

    The understanding is it will contain some new policy. It could hardly do otherwise. But will whatever Dutton announces stand up to scrutiny? If it is too thin, it will reinforce an impression the opposition is not presenting a credible alternative. In last year’s budget reply Dutton announced his proposed migration cuts and that quickly became mired in an argument about whether his numbers fitted together.

    Under the spotlight in budget week, the opposition also has to be careful with precisely what is being said and committed to. We’ve seen the confusion over its divestiture policy and about a possible referendum to facilitate the removal of dual citizens.

    On Sunday finance spokeswoman Jane Hume gave Labor some material for a scare campaign on the NDIS.

    She told Sky, “The NDIS, for instance, is one of those areas in the budget that has run out of control; it was growing at 14% per annum.

    “It’s been brought under control somewhat. We think that there’s more that can be done.”

    Chalmers immediately jumped on her comments, demanding detail. Labor’s spinners and ad team would have been rubbing their hands.

    Michelle Grattan 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. View from The Hill: 5 things to look for in the budget – and why we really need another budget soon – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-5-things-to-look-for-in-the-budget-and-why-we-really-need-another-budget-soon-252513

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney’s future rail and road connections to be mapped out for funding from Albanese Government

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Albanese Government is building on its recent $1 billion investment to protect the corridor for the South West Sydney Rail Extension by investing $32.5 million to map out other road and rail corridors across the city. 

    We’re investing $20 million to plan for three future programs: 

    • A preliminary business case for the New Cumberland Line 
    • A preliminary business case for T8 Airport & South and T2 Leppington & Inner West line upgrades
    • Outer South West Housing Enablement Development Program

    Building on the current Cumberland Line on the Sydney rail network, the New Cumberland Line would provide an enhanced north west-south west rail connection, better linking Western Sydney’s major population centres. 

    The preliminary business case will provide Government with a road map for future investments in transformative north-south rail links to improve public transport between Greater Parramatta, Fairfield, Bradfield and Liverpool. 

    Upgrades to the T8 Airport & South and T2 Leppington & Inner West rail lines will also be explored, to better connect Sydney’s south west to Parramatta and the harbour CBD. 

    The Preliminary Business Case will consider investments to upgrade existing rail networks and expand fast, frequent and reliable rail services into Sydney’s Outer South West.

    To support this, we’re investing in the Outer South West Housing Enablement Development Program component will support project development on future infrastructure initiatives that enable new housing and improve transport links in outer South West Sydney.

    An additional $12.5 million will also be invested to develop Final Business Cases for both the Devonshire Link Road and Bradfield Metro Link Road, critical connections in the Western Sydney International Airport Precinct Road Network. Investing in these business cases delivers on a high priority recommendation of the 2023 Western Sydney Transport Infrastructure Panel Independent Report. 

    When built, the Bradfield Metro Link Road will link Fifteenth Avenue, Badgerys Creek Road and the Eastern Ring Road. The Australian and NSW governments recently announced a $1 billion joint investment to upgrade Fifteenth Avenue. 

    Subject to finalisation of the scope, the 3 kilometre long, 45 metre wide road is expected to feature two traffic lanes and two dedicated bus lanes, as well as walking and cycling shared paths on both sides. 

    The Devonshire Road Link Project is a critical junction that completes the network of road projects, including Mamre Road, Elizabeth Drive, and the M12 Motorway. This vital link will also connect the Mamre Road Precinct, which hosts the Western Sydney Employment Area and the future freight intermodal, to the M12 and the Elizabeth Drive, reducing travel times and improving freight access and connectivity.

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

    “Sydney’s incredible growth has to be matched by an ambitious and well-considered infrastructure pipeline. 

    “Our final business cases will bed down the future roads the Western Sydney Airport precinct needs to keep people moving. 

    “We also know a city’s public transport network always needs to evolve to keep pace with how people travel and where they want to go. Our new preliminary business cases on a New Cumberland Line and capacity upgrades on the existing network will provide a roadmap for future rail connections across the city. 

    “In the early 2010s, when Anthony Albanese was Infrastructure Minister, he was commissioning comprehensive studies on Sydney’s second airport. Today, that airport is nearing completion with freight flights due to start next year, with passenger flights not long after. 

    “City building takes time, but we know that careful, detailed planning leads to excellent results.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Labor Government delivering for Perth’s south

    Source: Workplace Gender Equality Agency

    The Albanese Labor Government is building Western Australia’s future, investing in the transport infrastructure to support Perth’s growing south. 

    We’re investing $95 million in two projects in a big win for the city: 

    • $90 million to upgrade the intersection of Leach Highway and Manning Road, Bentley.
    • $5 million to plan for the future of Murdoch Station. 

    The intersection of Leach Highway and Manning Road is the second most congested in WA, costing an estimated $18.2 million in lost productivity each year. 

    More than 44,000 vehicles use the intersection daily, and over the past five years there have been 105 crashes. 

    The funding will go towards the first stage of the project, which will include a grade-separated interchange to help ease congestion and improve safety. 

    Murdoch Station is Perth’s busiest station outside of the CBD, connecting train and bus passengers to the Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct, including Murdoch University, Fiona Stanley Hospital and residential communities. 

    The station is nearing capacity, with patronage expected to grow to 15,000 daily boardings by 2031 and the new Women and Babies Hospital planned for the precinct expected to create even further demand.

    This critical funding will enable concept and detailed design work to take place to upgrade the capacity and improve passenger experience at Murdoch Station.

    These designs will include:

    • A new multi-story carpark on the eastern side of the train station;
    • An additional bus bridge and additional bus stands;
    • An additional passenger concourse between the station platform and the bus interchange; and
    • A new southern passenger overpass 

    This comes on top of our other commitments for Western Australia including a $700 million partnership to upgrade the Kwinana Freeway, METRONET, upgrades to the Tonkin Highway and Outback Way.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Catherine King: 

    “We’re building Western Australia’s future by doing the important work of planning for Perth’s growth.

    “Whether travelling to Perth from the southern suburbs or home to Fremantle from the airport, the upgrades to Leach Highway will give 44,000 travellers every day a safer journey.  

    “Murdoch station is the busiest on the network outside the CBD and this investment will ensure the Perth’s southern suburbs continue to be serviced by world-class public transport into the future.

    “We’re investing in roads and rail right across Perth and around its surrounding suburbs to better connect the city, improve road safety and give locals precious time back in there day.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Burt Matt Keogh: 

    “These projects will be a game-changer for our south eastern suburbs, making people’s journeys faster and safer.

    “They complement the other major infrastructure projects we are delivering with the Cook Labor Government.

    “Unclogging our roads ensures ongoing economic growth, more jobs, and helps cut transport costs that are otherwise passed onto consumers

    “It is only Labor Governments that invests in better public transport so people can access work, schools, Uni’s and hospitals easily and cheaply.

    “Only Labor has a plan to build Australia’s future.” 

    Quotes attributable to Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas:

    “I’m thrilled the Albanese Labor Government is investing $90 million to widen Leach Highway and Manning Road. 

    “This is a game-changer for anyone heading to Curtin University, Carousel Shopping Centre and the Airport.

    “No one likes sitting in traffic. These upgrades will ease congestion, cut travel times, and make our roads safer.

    “But it’s not just about roads—it’s about making life a little easier for the community. Less time stuck in traffic means more time for the things that matter.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Tangney Sam Lim: 

    “The Albanese Labor Government’s investment into transport in Perth’s south is what Tangney’s residents need and deserve.

    “With this investment in Murdoch Station, our Government has the right priorities when it comes to planning for our city’s growth.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s (TEQSA) 2024 Conference

    Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

    I start by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting and pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging. 

    [Acknowledgements omitted]

    Two and half years ago when I got this job, I said I didn’t want to be the type of Minister that just signed letters.

    I wanted to reform the system. 

    To make it better and fairer.

    I suspect now you can see I meant it. 

    And I hope you can see the reason why in the Universities Accord. 

    What it tells us is that by the middle of this century we are going to need a workforce where 80 per cent of people have a university degree or a TAFE qualification.

    That’s up from about 60 per cent today. 

    That’s a big shift. A big change.

    Some of this will happen organically. 

    Think about it. The fastest growing professions all require some sort of tertiary qualification.

    But some of it will require us to change what we do and how we do it.

    The key message in the Accord is that we are not going to hit that 80 per cent target unless we break that invisible barrier that stops a lot of young people from walking through your door. 

    Overwhelmingly, the young people they are talking about are from poor families, from the outer suburbs of our big cities and from our regions.

    Breaking down that barrier means reforming our entire education system.

    Here’s the nub of it.

    At a time when we need more people to go to TAFE and university, the number of people finishing school at the moment is going backwards.

    From 85 per cent 8 years ago to 79 per cent today.

    That drop isn’t happening everywhere. 

    In non-government schools it’s either pretty flat or going up. 

    It’s happening in our public schools. It’s dropped from 83 per cent to 73 per cent in just eight years.

    And in particular its kids from poor families.

    If we are going to hit that 80 per cent target we have got to turn this around.

    And that doesn’t start in high school either.

    The same young people you don’t see walking through your doors, the same young people who don’t finish high school are the same people who fall behind when they are little.

    They are also the same people who are more likely to start behind, to have never been to early education and care.

    Can you see the common thread?

    Fixing this isn’t easy or quick.

    It is going to talk a lot of work and it is going to take time.

    But the first parts of that are in the Parliament right now.

    In the next two weeks six pieces of education legislation will be voted on by the Senate. 

    The first is a 15 per cent pay rise for early educators right across the country.

    Some of the most important workers in the country and some of the most underpaid.  

    If we are going to build the sort of early education system that we need, that Danielle’s team have plotted out for us in their recent report, we need to build the workforce first. 

    And that’s what this is about. 

    The second bill is to increase funding for our public schools – to help complete the work that David Gonski started more than a decade ago. 

    Fully funding all public schools and tying that funding to reforms to turn around that drop in high school completion rates. 

    The third bill is another piece of unfinished business. 

    It extends the system of USIs, or unique student identifiers, that every university student and every TAFE student has to every school student.

    We have been talking about this for 15 years – and now it is finally happening.

    The fourth bill implements the change we are making to international education. 

    It makes important changes to fix integrity issues in the system and introduces limits, or caps, on the number of international students. 

    For VET providers, it will mean they will be able to enrol about 30 per cent fewer students next year than they did last year.

    For universities it’s different. It will mean they will be able to enrol roughly the same number of students next year that they did last year.

    The difference is it won’t just the big metro universities that benefit. 

    And when it passes, Ministerial Direction 107 will go.

    I know how important international education is. 

    It doesn’t just make money. It makes us friends.

    But we have got to get the balance right here.

    And we have also got to remember what the primary and most important job our universities do is.

    And that brings me to the fifth bill. 

    This is the bill that implements the first stage of the Universities Accord.

    It includes almost half a billion dollar investment in paid prac.

    The first time the Commonwealth has ever done this.

    That’s financial support for teaching students, for nursing students, for midwifery students and for social work students, to help support them while they do the practical part of their degree.

    A lot of students tell me that when they do their prac they have to give up their part-time job, or they’ve got to move away from home or work fewer hours. 

    Sometimes it can mean they have to delay doing their degree or not finish it at all.

    This will give people who have signed up to do some of the most important jobs in this country a bit of extra help to get the qualifications they need. And we need.

    Just to give you one example of what this will mean, earlier this year I met a midwifery student at UTS who told me this:

    “I’m a first-year mature-age midwifery student. This payment is going to be absolutely life-changing for me. As a mother of two small children, I’m often balancing between practical work, placement and looking after my babies. 

    “There are literally some days where I’m doing 16 hour days between my study and my work and looking after my children. 

    “I cannot wait for this payment to be available for myself and other future mature-age students who might also want to enrol in this course who previously couldn’t financially afford it.”

    That’s what this reform is all about.

    This is also the bill that will massively expand the number of free enabling courses.

    You know what I’m talking about.

    These are those free courses that are effectively a bridge between school and university. 

    A lot of unis already offer these courses.

    Not many do it better than Newcastle University. They have been doing it now for 50 years. 

    One in five people who get a degree from Newcastle University today, start with one of these free courses.

    People like Jennifer Baker.

    Jennifer was a mum at 19. She worked in hospitality for 10 years. One day she saw an ad for one of these free courses in the local paper. 

    Now she’s got a science degree. An Honours degree. A PhD. And a Fulbright Scholarship. 

    She’s a computational medicinal chemist.

    That’s what these courses do.

    And what this bill does is effectively uncap funding for those courses, right across the country.

    We’ve committed an additional $350 million over four years to significantly expand these courses. 

    It’s an ongoing funding commitment. 

    Universities currently receive as little as $1,286 per place to run these courses.

    These changes ensure that universities will receive $18,278 per place next year, which will be tied to CPI increases each year. 

    It provides funding certainty for universities. 

    It deals with the disincentives baked into the current system. 

    And most importantly, it ensures that these courses remain free. 

    It will help more Australians to get a crack at university and succeed when they get there. 

    The Department of Education estimates that this will increase the number of people doing these free courses by about 40 per cent by the end of this decade and double that number in the decade after that.

    This is also the bill that fixes how HECS debts are indexed. 

    It fixes what happened last year when inflation spiked and indexation went through the roof, and makes sure it never happens again.

    To do this, it caps indexation at either inflation or wage growth, whatever is the lowest.

    And it backdates this to June last year. 

    That on its own will wipe $3 billion in student debt for more than 3 million people.

    But it is just the first step in making HECS fairer. 

    As you know, a bit over a week ago, the Prime Minister announced that if we win the next election, the first piece of legislation we introduce will cut all student debts by a further 20 per cent. 

    For someone with an average student debt of around $27,000 the legislation in the Parliament at the moment will wipe about $1,200 off their debt. This will wipe a further $5,500 off it. 

    That’s real help for a lot of young Australians, just out of uni or just out of TAFE, just moved out of home, just getting started.

    And we will also make another change, to make it easier to pay off your student debt.

    We will increase the salary you have to earn before you have to start paying it off from $54,000 to $67,000. 

    And will reduce your annual minimum repayments.

    For someone on about $70,000, for example, this will mean you have to repay more than $1,000 less a year.

    It’s another recommendation of the Universities Accord. In fact it’s a recommendation from the architect of HECS, Professor Bruce Chapman. 

    The fact is university is more expensive today than it was when most of us were uni students. 

    When HECS was first created students paid an average of about 24 per cent of the cost of degree. 

    This increased to about 36 per cent in the late 1990s. 

    And now, because of the changes the previous government made, it’s about 45 per cent. 

    Cutting student debt by 20 per cent fixes that for a generation of Australians. 

    But there is more to do. 

    That includes changing the way we fund universities. 

    Part of that is uncapping the number of places at university for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who get the marks for the course they want to do. 

    Part of that is a new needs-based funding system, so these same students get the extra academic and wraparound support that they need to succeed when they get there. 

    And part of that is a new Australian Tertiary Education Commission.

    A steward. To drive reform over the long term. 

    And I hope to provide you with more detail on all of that before the end of the year.

    Finally, the sixth bill that I want the Senate to pass in the next two weeks creates a National Student Ombudsman. 

    When I was at this conference last year, I talked about the scourge of sexual violence in our universities and I said that change is coming.

    And change is coming. 

    What we are establishing is a dedicated, national body to handle student complaints within our higher education system.

    Equipped with the power:

    • To investigate complaints;
    • To bring parties together to resolve issues, including offering restorative engagement processes and alternative dispute resolution where appropriate;
    • To make findings and recommendations on what actions universities should take; and
    • To monitor the implementation of those recommendations.

    It will also have the sort of investigative powers a Royal Commission has. That includes the power to:

    • To require a person or university to provide information, documents or other records relevant to an investigation;
    • To enter premise of a university as part of an investigation; and
    • To require a person to attend and answer questions before the Ombudsman.

    Recent events at St Paul’s College in Sydney remind us of how important this work is. 

    This is another recommendation of the Universities Accord.

    And it’s not just about sexual violence. 

    It will be able to investigate everything from complaints about homophobia to antisemitism to Islamophobia to any other form of racism or discrimination.  

    This will complement the work of TEQSA.

    A couple of weeks ago I was with Dr Russell and the team at TEQSA for a meeting they organised with all Vice Chancellors as well as the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and the Race Discrimination Commissioner.

    It was focussed on lessons learned from the last few months, sharing best practice and the work we need to do together to ensure students and staff are safe and feel safe on campus.  

    As part of this, TEQSA is currently developing ‘Sector Guidance’ and a ‘Statement of Regulatory Expectations’ for Australian higher education providers.

    To help manage contested issues, protests, and improve complaints and grievance services.

    Can I thank Dr Russell and the whole team for all the work you are doing here.

    Can I also thank you and the whole team for bringing us together yesterday and today. 

    To grapple with everything from good governance to generative AI. 

    And to talk about what’s next. 

    That’s what our universities are all about. 

    What’s next. 

    What this conference calls “Navigating Tomorrow”. 

    I have talked a bit about that today. 

    But it is really just the start. 

    There is a lot to navigate. 

    And a lot to do. 

    To make our education system better and fairer. 

    And if we get this right. Make the country we love better and fairer too. 

    It’s what makes this job so important and such a privilege. 

    One I will never take for granted. 

    Thank you so much for inviting me to talk to you today.

    MIL OSI News –