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Category: Politics

  • MIL-Evening Report: The major parties want 9 in 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030. Here’s why we shouldn’t aim for 100%

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yuting Zhang, Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne

    Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock

    Unaffordable GP visits has become a pressing issue amid the increasing cost-of-living crisis. About 30% of Australians delayed or didn’t see a GP in 2023–24.

    To solve this problem, Labor has proposed extending bulk billing incentives to all Australians. It hopes to increase bulk billing from 78% to 90% by 2030.

    The Coalition has promised to match Labor’s plan.

    Why not aim for 100%? It might seem a worthy goal to make GP care free for everyone, for every visit. But the evidence suggests there’s benefit to getting those on higher incomes to contribute a small amount to the cost of seeing a GP.

    GP care should be free for these Australians

    We should aim for access to GP care to be affordable and equitable. For some people, this should mean they can access the services for free.

    Appointments for children should be free. Making health checks regular and accessible during childhood is an effective long-term investment which can delay the onset of disease.

    GP visits should also be free for people with low incomes. Free primary care can mean people who would otherwise avoid seeing a GP can have their ongoing conditions managed, undergo preventive health checks, and fill prescriptions.

    When people skip GP visits and can’t afford to fill their prescriptions, their conditions can worsen. This can reduce the person’s quality of life, and require higher-cost emergency department visits and hospital care.

    Appointments in rural and remote areas should also be free. Australians living in rural and remote areas currently pay more to see a GP, have less access to care when they need it, and experience poorer health outcomes and shorter lives than their city counterparts.

    Making GP visits free for rural and remote Australians would help reduce this rural–urban gap.

    Rural Australians find it harder to see a GP when they need one.
    Michael Leslie/Shutterstock

    However, providing free GP care for everyone can cause unnecessary strain on health budgets and make the policy unsustainable in the long run.

    What can happen if you make care free for all?

    In general, when the price is low, or something is free, people use these services more. This includes medical care and medications. Free GP care may encourage more people to see their GP more than is necessary.

    Previous research showed that free care increased the use of health care but does not necessarily improve health outcomes, especially for those who are relatively healthy.

    If people are using GP services when they’re not really needed, this takes limited resources from those who really need them and can increase waiting times.

    Australia is already experiencing a GP shortage. Higher patient volumes could leave existing GPs overwhelmed and overstretched. This can reduce the quality of care.

    Countries that have made primary health care free for all, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, still report issues with access and equity. In Canada, 22% of Canadian adults do not have access to regular primary care. In the United Kingdom, people who live in poor areas struggle to get access to care.

    Make co-payments more affordable

    To balance affordability for patients with the financial viability of primary care, Australians who can afford to contribute to the cost of their GP care should pay a small amount.

    However, the A$60 many of us currently pay to visit a GP is arguably too expensive, as it may prompt some to forego care when they need it.

    A relatively smaller co-payment in the range of around $20 to $30 to visit the GP would help discourage unnecessary visits when resources are limited, but be less likely to turn patients off seeking this care.

    Providing free GP visits for all may not be efficient or sustainable, but making it more affordable and equitable can lead to a more efficient and sustainable care system and doing so is within our reach.



    Read more:
    Should we aim to bulk-bill everyone for GP visits? We asked 5 experts

    Yuting Zhang has received funding from the Australian Research Council (future fellowship project ID FT200100630), Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Victorian Department of Health, and National Health and Medical Research Council. In the past, Professor Zhang has received funding from several US institutes including the US National Institutes of Health, Commonwealth fund, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She has not received funding from for-profit industry including the private health insurance industry.

    Karinna Saxby has previously received funding from the Department of Health and Aged Care,

    – ref. The major parties want 9 in 10 GP visits bulk billed by 2030. Here’s why we shouldn’t aim for 100% – https://theconversation.com/the-major-parties-want-9-in-10-gp-visits-bulk-billed-by-2030-heres-why-we-shouldnt-aim-for-100-249605

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Calling 000 for help in an emergency doesn’t work in parts of Australia – but a new plan could change that

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark A Gregory, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, RMIT University

    robert paul van beets/Shutterstock

    People could soon make mobile calls and send SMS text messages from the remotest parts of Australia, under a new election promise from the federal Albanese government to overhaul the country’s mobile phone network.

    The proposal would create a new universal outdoor mobile obligation for Australian mobile carriers such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. This obligation would require carriers to work with companies operating low Earth orbit satellites to provide access to mobile voice, SMS and the Triple Zero (000) service almost everywhere across Australia.

    This world-first reform would be a major step forward for public safety – especially in regional and remote areas, where mobile coverage is currently poor to nonexistent. The Albanese government says that if it wins the upcoming election, it would implement the reform by late 2027.

    However, implementing it will come with some technical challenges.

    Satellites boost mobile access

    Low Earth orbit satellites operate at an altitude of between 160km and 2,000km above the Earth’s surface. Examples include the roughly 7,000 Starlink satellites owned and operated by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, that are currently in orbit.

    The new generation of these satellites incorporates a technology known as “direct to device”. This means they can directly connect with mobile phones. And it is this feature the Labor government’s new proposal seeks to utilise.

    Specifically, the proposal aims to:

    • expand Triple Zero (000) access for Australians across the nation
    • expand outdoor voice and SMS coverage into existing mobile black spots
    • improve the availability of mobile signals during disasters and power outages.

    The proposal adds to carriers’ existing obligations to provide fixed phone and internet services across Australia.

    In a few years, low Earth orbit satellites should also be able to provide data using an enhanced direct to device technology. The government has said it will consider including data in the obligation when the opportunity arises.

    Staying safer and better connected in the bush

    The telecommunications industry has long worked towards a goal of providing universal outdoor mobile coverage in Australia. Labor’s new proposal provides the impetus for the industry to take this major step forward.

    It would also provide the guidance necessary to ensure a consumer safety focus remains the fundamental rationale for telecommunications.

    This policy would ensure everyone can connect to emergency services, friends and family during emergencies or natural disasters.

    The benefits for people living and working in regional and remote areas would be considerable.

    For example, truck drivers experiencing a breakdown in the outback would be able to call for assistance. And farmers working in the remote wheat belt regions of Western Australia could stay connected with other workers and their families.

    Technical problems to solve

    However, there are some technical problems the telecommunications industry will need to overcome to achieve universal outdoor mobile coverage.

    Across the world, nations are rolling out mobile networks that use different radio frequencies. For the universal outdoor mobile obligation to be successful, the mobile carriers will need to work with satellite providers to ensure the spectrum bands used in Australia for the 4G, and in the future 5G, mobile networks will also work with satellites.

    Mobile devices connect with the network when the user makes a phone call, sends an SMS text message or browses the internet.

    When the mobile is connected to a low Earth orbit satellite, it’s important that it can tell apps to “shut up” and stop trying to connect to the network to transmit data. Otherwise the connected mobiles could cause congestion and limit service reliability and resilience.

    There are mobile handsets that have this capability today. But the vast majority of older mobile handsets do not. A list of compatible mobile handsets would need to be compiled and made available, so that consumers can consider this information when purchasing a mobile.

    To connect to a low Earth orbit satellite, it is anticipated a mobile will need to be used in a location where the sky can be seen directly. And initially at least, using a satellite-connected mobile inside a vehicle will require an external antenna.

    The universal outdoor mobile obligation would enable drivers experiencing a breakdown in the outback to call for help.
    DedovStock/Shutterstock

    A timely step forward

    The government says the introduction of a universal outdoor mobile obligation would provide an opportunity to modernise and expand existing service obligations for mobile carriers. For both to be successful, there is also a need for minimum performance standards.

    Providing mobile voice call and SMS text access across Australia is of little value if the service quality is poor, and fails during an emergency or natural disaster.

    That being said, Labor’s proposal should gain bipartisan support. It is a timely step forward that will bring positive outcomes for all Australians, especially those living and working in regional and remote areas.

    Mark A Gregory has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network grants program and the auDA Foundation. Life member of the Telecommunications Association.

    – ref. Calling 000 for help in an emergency doesn’t work in parts of Australia – but a new plan could change that – https://theconversation.com/calling-000-for-help-in-an-emergency-doesnt-work-in-parts-of-australia-but-a-new-plan-could-change-that-250762

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – media conference – Eastern Creek Truck Stop

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    CHRIS BOWEN [FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MCMAHON]: Well, thanks for coming, everyone. Australia lives on trucking, and western Sydney relies on trucking more than anywhere else because western Sydney is the industrial heartland of Sydney, the home to the biggest industrial estate in the southern hemisphere, the Smithfield Wetherill Park, Erskine Park Industrial Estate. Even more so with the development of the M7, of course, which has made our area a distribution centre for New South Wales. And the M7, M4 is the first freeway to freeway intersection in Australia. And of course, just as we rely on our truckers, our truckers deserve nothing but the best. We rely on them and they rely on us to provide world class facilities.

    So I’m very, very excited for this announcement today here in my community, but one which has implications beyond this community for truckers to ensure they’re getting the very best support so that they can stay on the road safely and can keep our economy moving. So I’m delighted to welcome my friend Catherine King to my community, together with John Graham, for a very significant announcement. Catherine.

    CATHERINE KING [MINISTER]: Thanks, Chris, and it’s terrific to be here in your part of the world, but also here alongside my state colleague John Graham, who’s been doing terrific work. Can I also acknowledge the state MPs who are here with us as well, as well as Senator Glenn Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, who know very well how important this is. Well, this is a terrific announcement, not just for western Sydney. You can see just how busy the M4 is. With the amount of freight that is moving on, it is one of the busiest freight networks in the country. But this is actually important for the whole country. We know how important it is for truck drivers to be able to rest. We know that there is no dedicated rest area for truck drivers along this incredibly busy stretch of this freight route. And what we also know is that when truck drivers have access to decent rest areas, decent areas to shower and to toilet and to eat, that they are much safer driving on our roads. So this is very much a win for road safety as well. Our roads, our trucks, are truck drivers’ workplaces and they deserve to have safe, proper places that they can actually rest and safe workplaces in the same way every single other working Australian does.

    This announcement today that an Albanese Labor Government will be partnering with the New South Wales Government, 40 million from us, 40 million from the New South Wales Government here at Eastern Creek, at the intersection of the M4 and M7, building the first dedicated truck rest stop area. Hard stand shade areas, showers, toileting facilities for a substantial number of trucks into this region making sure that we actually provide the safety that truck drivers need. This is very much part of our over $18 billion of investment that is coming from the Albanese Labor Government into infrastructure in western Sydney. We know that our freight task is only going to be increasing and actually investing here, investing in this truck rest stop area is incredibly important.

    I want to particularly acknowledge Senator Glenn Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, but also all of the truck drivers in our country. When we came to government, we set up a fund to look at how can we better get rest stops on our great freight networks. And Glenn has been sharing that alongside. He called together truck drivers and trucking companies because they are the people who will use these areas and they know where they need to stop and where the rest areas are best located. This is very much part of the advocacy that we’ve had, trying to bring truck drivers in to make sure that we actually build these where people will stop, and that we make sure that our freight routes are as safe as possible.

    I’m going to hand over to John, and then I think we’re going to hear from TWU, from Glenn and also the representative of the freight truck industry here in New South Wales as well. And then we’ll be happy to take some questions. Thank you.

    JOHN GRAHAM [NSW ROADS MINISTER]: Thanks so much, Catherine. I’m here with Kylie Wilkinson, with Karen McKeown and Stephen Bali from the state parliament. You can see how important this announcement is from the support it’s got today. People turning up backing in this plan for a rest stop here in the heart of Sydney. I want to thank firstly, the Federal Government, Minister Catherine King and the team, Glenn Sterle, Tony Sheldon and Chris Bowen. As soon as we raised this with the federal government, they were instinctively on board. They could see how important this was to Sydney. And there is a big problem. Sydney’s got a reputation as the least friendly city for truckies in the country, and that’s something that we want to change. You can understand why. It’s not just the tolls and the traffic. You expect those, but you also expect to be able to find a toilet. And the truth is, you can’t do that between Wyong and Pheasants Nest. That’s a couple hours’ drive. That’s 180 kilometres between dedicated rest stops for truck drivers moving through Sydney. That’s not safe. It’s not dignified. It needs to change. You can see why Sydney’s got that reputation. It’s the least friendly city for trucks in the country.

    We’re going to change that. This will be a crucial part of that plan to change that. Having this large site with dedicated stopping areas. We’ve talked about 800 members of the freight community to be able to work out what’s required here. And it really is a place to stop and sleep, toilets, a hot shower, maybe a little bit of shade. These are reasonable things to ask for, but they’re things that simply don’t exist in a place that can be used in the Sydney Basin. And that has to change. That’s why I’m so excited to be here with the federal government working hand in hand to really change that.

    I particularly want to give a shout out to Tony Sheldon and to Glenn Sterle. Glenn in particular, during COVID, led the fight to make sure that drivers were able to pull over and get access to restrooms up and down New South Wales, also around the country. It was a real moment to realise just how the basics matter, and we’ll deliver on the basics here. It’ll make a real difference not just to these drivers but also to the community around these areas. This will mean trucks off suburban streets in western Sydney. That’s great news for the residents and the community as well.

    So thanks to the Federal Government, thanks to Richard Olsen and the TWU team who’ve argued the case for this strongly, passionately over a long period. Simon O’Hara from Road Freight New South Wales. This has been a call for a long time. Finally, we’re delivering on it.

    SENATOR GLENN STERLE: Thank you very much, John. Thank you. Catherine, can I just come to- have the opportunity to share this with you as a semi-retired, long distance interstate truck driver, I cannot stress the importance of this announcement. I want to sincerely thank Minister Graham. John, when you were in opposition alongside Premier- now Premier Chris Minns, you had made it very clear in the lead up to the election, not just in the last couple of days, how important it was to progress proper facilities for long distance truckies to get the rest they need. So John, thank you so much and thank you for carrying the can.

    To Minister King, Catherine, my very dear friend and close colleague. I can’t thank you, Catherine, enough. Not only the work that you’ve done, bringing the voice of the Australian truck driver and the voice of the Australian truck operator to the halls of that great place down in Canberra, where you’ve created the opportunity for truckies and trucking operators to share with you, Minister, where we need these rest areas. I do applaud you. Thank you so much.

    I tell you what, I’m so jealous. I’m from Western Australia, but I know in 2025 we still expect men and women in the trucking industry to carry around a roll of toilet paper and to try and just find a bush somewhere here in Sydney or Melbourne in our capital cities. This facility will provide up to 100 truck drivers a safe haven to pull over and manage their fatigue.

    So once again to the New South Wales Government, once again to the Federal Government, and special call out: Simon O’Hara. Simon, the work that you and I did together in the pandemic, mate, yes, it seemed like it was- where are you, Simon? It was you and I against the world where we actually realised just how important our truckies are and our transport operators and our supply chains and our logistics operators to the betterment of this nation. We were shut out of toilets. We were not allowed to even use them to have a shower. And didn’t that highlight in 2022 at the time, Simon, just how disrespected we were as an industry. Well, thank goodness we’ve got the grown-ups in charge. Thank goodness we’ve got magnificent state and federal governments now putting an end to that. I applaud you. And please can we roll you out to Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and heck even Tasmania? Thank you John. Thank you Catherine.

    RICHARD OLSEN [NSW FREIGHT TRANSPORT ADVISORY COUNCIL]:  Thank you so much. And I’ll just answer that question, Glenn, no. We’re here in New South Wales and we are delighted to be a part of this announcement. We’ve been advocating, as has been previously said, and we’ve been working hard behind the scenes for many years and decades to get where we’re at today and today is a remarkable day for the transport industry as a whole. We have been subject to- having to drive as has been previously stated from Pheasants Nest up to Wyong in a truck that is three hours plus on any given bad day on our freeways, expressways, transurban ways if you like, and that needed to stop. That put a whole amount of pressure on the driver in relation to their fatigue and rest in which they are required to have by law, and what they are required to have because they are in charge of 60 to 80 tonne of equipment.

    When you’re driving along that, you want to know that the truck driver has been given a decent rest and is free of fatigue as far as reasonably possible, and that we can do and we can do that now in this great city of Sydney when this establishment opens very shortly. It’s been waiting here for quite a while, a long time for us to get to this base. And we don’t want to waste a minute in getting this established, and get it so that the drivers both coming through this great state or this city, but also local drivers who need to utilise this space as well. It’s for everyone within the transport industry, and I’m very delighted to be a part, and partnering up with both federal and state government, employer organisations. This is the transport community coming together and winning for drivers. Thank you so much.

    SIMON O’HARA [CEO, ROAD FREIGHT NSW]: Good morning all, and thank you Richard Olsen. It’s with such delight that we’re here today. This is a really positive announcement about the announcement relating to the heavy vehicle rest area here in western Sydney. This is a terrific development. For generations, the trucking industry has sought a rest area within metro Sydney, and now we’re looking at an announcement that will make that a reality. This is a terrific announcement today. This means that truckies will be able to rest. We’ve got members who come in from Wagga, come in, go out every day. This allows them to be able to rest, get some food, use the toilet facilities, have a shower. Over the course of the next couple of years, this will lead to greater results in terms of road safety on the roads.

    This means as well that truckies particularly- and Glenn mentioned before the point about dignity and respect. We are absolutely committed to dignity and respect for truckies. This is part and parcel of a key step to being able to make that a reality. During COVID, we had a lot to say, particularly around truckies not having any rest areas, having to keep moving all the time. And what this does today- and I’d like to particularly acknowledge Minister Graham, Minister King, Minister Bowen, Senator Sterle and Senator Tony Sheldon, this makes what we’ve been seeking for some time- we’ve advocated for this for a significant amount of time. This makes it a reality. Thanks very much.

    CATHERINE KING: Happy to take questions, for John or me. No one?

    JOURNALIST: Question for Minister Graham. What were the other sites being considered and why did this one get the nod?

    JOHN GRAHAM: Yeah. So we’ve done a big search across the Sydney basin to look at a range of sites, and we’ve also talked extensively to the freight community, 800 people involved in that consultation. The key really was accessibility. It’s no use having the best site in the world that’s too far from the M4 and the M7. So we’ve looked intensively around this area for the best site. And here we are five minutes from the M7, ten minutes from the M4. That really is the key to be able to allow drivers to get off those freeways, rest, and then get back on their journey as fast as possible. Of course, there’s a limited number of sites- their sites had a premium. That’s why this hasn’t happened before, but that’s why we’re so pleased that we’ve now found the site and this process can unfold.

    JOURNALIST: One more question. Sorry. In ‘22, you came out and said Sydney was the worst city in Australia for truckies. And here we are in ’25, we’ve got an announcement but still no work. Why did it take so long?

    JOHN GRAHAM: Oh look, this has been a tough problem to crack for generations. This has been a call from the industry. Now we’re here, where truckies will be resting as they come off the M4, come off the M7 as they’re delivering to the communities around Sydney. Even better news, they won’t be parked on suburban streets in these communities. So this isn’t an easy problem to solve. We never said it would be, but I’m so pleased to get to this moment today.

    CATHERINE KING: All good. Beautiful. Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Remembering Roberta Flack, a spellbinding virtuoso of musical interpretation

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Leigh Carriage, Senior Lecturer in Music, Southern Cross University

    The multi-Grammy award winner Roberta Flack has passed away at 88.

    Her approach and sound were a unique combination of soul, folk, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop and musicianship, and arranging skills so broad she had had a lasting impact on future artists.

    Her sustained career laid a foundation for pop and neo-soul artists Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Solange, J Dilla, Flying Lotus, and D’Angelo.

    Over her career, Flack performed some original songs, but she is better known for her myriad of covers and performances of songs written for her. No matter who wrote the songs, she made all of them her own. She was a master of musical interpretation.

    An early life of music

    Flack was born in North Carolina in 1937. Both of her parents played piano; her mother was the church organist.

    Her early interest in gospel tunes was encouraged and supported with her participation in a local Baptist church in Arlington, Virginia, and many relatives who sang.

    Her formal classical musical training continued at Howard University. After a brief period teaching at a junior high school, Flack started landing regular bookings at Mr. Henry’s, a Washington DC bar where Flack performed a range of traditional spirituals, jazz, blues and folk repertoire.

    In 1968, she signed with Atlantic Records.

    Her brilliant debut

    Her debut album, First Take, was recorded over just ten hours in 1969 at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York. First take indeed! Genius!

    Considering Flack’s background, religious inspiration and being surrounded by the social movements of the 1960s, it is not surprising that her first album features songs that address race and religion. The album creates a fusion of music with themes of spiritually and compelling political issues.

    Flack blended genres effortlessly. One of the highlights of the album is Flack’s interpretation of the folk song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Written in 1957 by British political singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl for the vocalist Peggy Seeger, Flack’s interpretation is notably delivered with a deliberately slower tempo, and with legato phrasing – smooth, and connected.

    The lesser-known second track, the Venezuelan/Mexican song Angelitos Negros, offers a soulful statement of black rights.

    Flack’s powerful vocal delivery evokes a haunting sense of loss and refined passion. This, combined with her choice of musical arrangement with repeating lyrics, forms a commanding protest song.

    Always forging her own path

    Labels often described her work as “adult contemporary” or “easy-listening”.

    This barely addresses the diversity within her catalogue, which features Broadway ballads like The Impossible Dream, her definitive interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye, Bee Gees and Beatles songs, and folk classics.

    Blending genres like jazz, latin, rock and folk with nuanced elements of classical into her own arrangements and song interpretations, to the listener Flack’s interpretation becomes authorship.

    In this way, Flack played a role in defining pop music’s processes.

    Flack is best known for her majestic indelible early hits songs like Killing Me Softly with His Song, Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You.

    The 1973 live recording of Killing Me Softly With His Song, written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, is breathtaking.

    Flack opens without an introduction: straight in, delicately infusing the lyrics with a vast array of tonal shades. The smooth phrases are delivered with a beautifully aligned dynamic, like the most carefully crafted expression.

    In 1996 Killing Me Softly with His Song, was reinvented by the Fugees with lead vocalist Lauryn Hill.

    Where Is the Love, a duet with Donny Hathaway, brings together their two legendary voices perfectly. Here were two highly skilled pianists with incredible musicality with voices that blended perfectly together.

    I have always enjoyed Flack’s version of Compared to What. Flack’s emotive delivery; the warmth of her tone; the panache; the edgeless smooth phrasing pulls you near in complete comfort.

    For Flack the lyric meaning – telling the story with clarity and honesty – was paramount. Her expression is refined with understated inventiveness. There is such power in her performances. She is spellbinding, reaching a deep soulful place that is both classically and contemporarily informed.

    While Flack wrote some songs, such as You Know What It’s Like, she was not predominantly a songwriter. Instead, she was a virtuosic interpreter of music. Whether penned by Flack or not, each song’s interpretation sounds authored by her. That is the sense you are getting when you listen to her music: it doesn’t matter who it’s written by, her interpretation makes you believe it is by her.

    Leigh Carriage 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. Remembering Roberta Flack, a spellbinding virtuoso of musical interpretation – https://theconversation.com/remembering-roberta-flack-a-spellbinding-virtuoso-of-musical-interpretation-250763

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, The University of Western Australia

    The gold price has surged to a new all-time high above US$2,900 (A$4,544) an ounce this month.

    It has risen by 12% since the start of the year and clearly outperformed US and Australian stock markets. The US stock index S&P500 is up 4% and the ASX 200 has gained just 2% in that time.

    That follows an extraordinary run in 2024, when the precious metal surged 27%, the biggest rise in 14 years.

    The drivers behind this surge include heightened uncertainty and fear of inflation that has been stoked by US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs, together with increased demand from central banks.

    What explains gold’s recent rally?

    There are many factors at play.

    The supply of gold through gold mine production and recycling is relatively constant over time. But the demand is more variable, and consists of four major components: jewellery, technology, investment and central banks.

    In 2024, jewellery accounted for about 50% of total demand, technology or industrial demand was 5%, investment demand was 25% and central bank demand was 20%.

    Investment demand refers to investors who buy gold as an asset. Central banks generally buy gold to diversify their reserve holdings.

    As all four demand components vary over time (some more than others), gold price movements are sometimes driven by jewellery demand, sometimes by investor demand, and sometimes – as has happened recently – by central bank demand.

    What adds to the difficulty is that both the gold supply and gold demand are global. The supply comes from gold mines across the globe, from emerging countries in Africa and industrial countries such as Australia and Canada.

    The same is true for demand. While China and India dominate jewellery demand, the demand comes from many countries, as does investment demand. Central bank demand stems from large and small central banks around the world.

    Why is there demand for gold?

    One key reason for the popularity of gold is that it is considered to be a store of value. This means gold rises with inflation and maintains its value in the long run.

    In other words, an ounce of gold buys the same basket of goods (or more) today than 20 years ago. This is not the case for money (or fiat currency) such as the US or Australian dollars.

    Due to inflation, the value of money is not constant but depreciates over time. Because gold holds its value, it is also called an inflation hedge.

    While the store of value property holds in the long run, there is another important property that is more short-lived and particularly relevant during crisis periods.

    Gold is seen as a safe haven in troubled times

    The safe haven property of gold means gold prices increase when investors seek shelter in response to a shock or crisis. For example, investors bought gold in reaction to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, and the outbreak of COVID in 2020.

    The safe haven effect of gold is generally short-lived, often resulting in falling gold prices after about 15 days.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent sanctions on Russia – especially the freeze of Russia’s foreign government bond holdings abroad – has highlighted the risk to governments of losing access to foreign currency holdings.

    It appears some governments or central banks reacted to this with increased gold purchases. This led to a record high of 1,082 tonnes of central bank gold purchases in 2022.

    2023 saw the second-highest annual purchase in history at 1,051 tonnes, followed by 1,041 tonnes in 2024.

    The potential reaction of central banks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is akin to investors seeking a safe haven, but is a rather new phenomenon for central banks.

    There is an additional, secondary, effect of such central bank purchases and rebalancing from US dollars to gold.

    Selling US dollars for gold implies a weakening US dollar, which increases the price of gold. (If the US dollar weakens, you need more US dollars to buy gold.) The inverse relationship between gold prices and currencies also makes gold a currency hedge. That means gold can protect investors from potential losses due to fluctuating exchange rates. This effect is particularly strong for rather volatile currencies such as the Australian dollar.

    In contrast to the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the more recent increase in gold prices is harder to associate with a single shock.

    Broader economic worries

    The election of Trump has not only increased the risk of higher inflation due to tariffs and a trade war, it has also increased geopolitical risk as the US government reassesses its alliances with other countries.

    The relative unpredictability of Trump compared with his predecessors and with politicians more generally may have increased uncertainty and gold prices.
    The recent gold price trend highlights that “gold loves bad news”.

    Gold prices may anticipate geopolitical shocks or higher inflation. Gold prices rose well before inflation increased after the pandemic and started to fall when inflation had peaked in 2022.

    It is not clear exactly why gold has risen to all-time highs in 2025, but it’s possibly not good news for the world economy.

    Dirk Baur 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. The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move? – https://theconversation.com/the-gold-price-has-surged-to-record-highs-whats-behind-the-move-250391

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Remembering Roberta Flack, a spellbinding virtuoso of musical interpretation

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leigh Carriage, Senior Lecturer in Music, Southern Cross University

    The multi-Grammy award winner Roberta Flack has passed away at 88.

    Her approach and sound were a unique combination of soul, folk, rhythm and blues, jazz, pop and musicianship, and arranging skills so broad she had had a lasting impact on future artists.

    Her sustained career laid a foundation for pop and neo-soul artists Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Solange, J Dilla, Flying Lotus, and D’Angelo.

    Over her career, Flack performed some original songs, but she is better known for her myriad of covers and performances of songs written for her. No matter who wrote the songs, she made all of them her own. She was a master of musical interpretation.

    An early life of music

    Flack was born in North Carolina in 1937. Both of her parents played piano; her mother was the church organist.

    Her early interest in gospel tunes was encouraged and supported with her participation in a local Baptist church in Arlington, Virginia, and many relatives who sang.

    Her formal classical musical training continued at Howard University. After a brief period teaching at a junior high school, Flack started landing regular bookings at Mr. Henry’s, a Washington DC bar where Flack performed a range of traditional spirituals, jazz, blues and folk repertoire.

    In 1968, she signed with Atlantic Records.

    Her brilliant debut

    Her debut album, First Take, was recorded over just ten hours in 1969 at Atlantic Recording Studios, New York. First take indeed! Genius!

    Considering Flack’s background, religious inspiration and being surrounded by the social movements of the 1960s, it is not surprising that her first album features songs that address race and religion. The album creates a fusion of music with themes of spiritually and compelling political issues.

    Flack blended genres effortlessly. One of the highlights of the album is Flack’s interpretation of the folk song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. Written in 1957 by British political singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl for the vocalist Peggy Seeger, Flack’s interpretation is notably delivered with a deliberately slower tempo, and with legato phrasing – smooth, and connected.

    The lesser-known second track, the Venezuelan/Mexican song Angelitos Negros, offers a soulful statement of black rights.

    Flack’s powerful vocal delivery evokes a haunting sense of loss and refined passion. This, combined with her choice of musical arrangement with repeating lyrics, forms a commanding protest song.

    Always forging her own path

    Labels often described her work as “adult contemporary” or “easy-listening”.

    This barely addresses the diversity within her catalogue, which features Broadway ballads like The Impossible Dream, her definitive interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye, Bee Gees and Beatles songs, and folk classics.

    Blending genres like jazz, latin, rock and folk with nuanced elements of classical into her own arrangements and song interpretations, to the listener Flack’s interpretation becomes authorship.

    In this way, Flack played a role in defining pop music’s processes.

    Flack is best known for her majestic indelible early hits songs like Killing Me Softly with His Song, Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You.

    The 1973 live recording of Killing Me Softly With His Song, written by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, is breathtaking.

    Flack opens without an introduction: straight in, delicately infusing the lyrics with a vast array of tonal shades. The smooth phrases are delivered with a beautifully aligned dynamic, like the most carefully crafted expression.

    In 1996 Killing Me Softly with His Song, was reinvented by the Fugees with lead vocalist Lauryn Hill.

    Where Is the Love, a duet with Donny Hathaway, brings together their two legendary voices perfectly. Here were two highly skilled pianists with incredible musicality with voices that blended perfectly together.

    I have always enjoyed Flack’s version of Compared to What. Flack’s emotive delivery; the warmth of her tone; the panache; the edgeless smooth phrasing pulls you near in complete comfort.

    For Flack the lyric meaning – telling the story with clarity and honesty – was paramount. Her expression is refined with understated inventiveness. There is such power in her performances. She is spellbinding, reaching a deep soulful place that is both classically and contemporarily informed.

    While Flack wrote some songs, such as You Know What It’s Like, she was not predominantly a songwriter. Instead, she was a virtuosic interpreter of music. Whether penned by Flack or not, each song’s interpretation sounds authored by her. That is the sense you are getting when you listen to her music: it doesn’t matter who it’s written by, her interpretation makes you believe it is by her.

    Leigh Carriage 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. Remembering Roberta Flack, a spellbinding virtuoso of musical interpretation – https://theconversation.com/remembering-roberta-flack-a-spellbinding-virtuoso-of-musical-interpretation-250763

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dirk Baur, Professor of Finance, The University of Western Australia

    The gold price has surged to a new all-time high above US$2,900 (A$4,544) an ounce this month.

    It has risen by 12% since the start of the year and clearly outperformed US and Australian stock markets. The US stock index S&P500 is up 4% and the ASX 200 has gained just 2% in that time.

    That follows an extraordinary run in 2024, when the precious metal surged 27%, the biggest rise in 14 years.

    The drivers behind this surge include heightened uncertainty and fear of inflation that has been stoked by US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs, together with increased demand from central banks.

    What explains gold’s recent rally?

    There are many factors at play.

    The supply of gold through gold mine production and recycling is relatively constant over time. But the demand is more variable, and consists of four major components: jewellery, technology, investment and central banks.

    In 2024, jewellery accounted for about 50% of total demand, technology or industrial demand was 5%, investment demand was 25% and central bank demand was 20%.

    Investment demand refers to investors who buy gold as an asset. Central banks generally buy gold to diversify their reserve holdings.

    As all four demand components vary over time (some more than others), gold price movements are sometimes driven by jewellery demand, sometimes by investor demand, and sometimes – as has happened recently – by central bank demand.

    What adds to the difficulty is that both the gold supply and gold demand are global. The supply comes from gold mines across the globe, from emerging countries in Africa and industrial countries such as Australia and Canada.

    The same is true for demand. While China and India dominate jewellery demand, the demand comes from many countries, as does investment demand. Central bank demand stems from large and small central banks around the world.

    Why is there demand for gold?

    One key reason for the popularity of gold is that it is considered to be a store of value. This means gold rises with inflation and maintains its value in the long run.

    In other words, an ounce of gold buys the same basket of goods (or more) today than 20 years ago. This is not the case for money (or fiat currency) such as the US or Australian dollars.

    Due to inflation, the value of money is not constant but depreciates over time. Because gold holds its value, it is also called an inflation hedge.

    While the store of value property holds in the long run, there is another important property that is more short-lived and particularly relevant during crisis periods.

    Gold is seen as a safe haven in troubled times

    The safe haven property of gold means gold prices increase when investors seek shelter in response to a shock or crisis. For example, investors bought gold in reaction to the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, the start of the global financial crisis in 2008, and the outbreak of COVID in 2020.

    The safe haven effect of gold is generally short-lived, often resulting in falling gold prices after about 15 days.

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent sanctions on Russia – especially the freeze of Russia’s foreign government bond holdings abroad – has highlighted the risk to governments of losing access to foreign currency holdings.

    It appears some governments or central banks reacted to this with increased gold purchases. This led to a record high of 1,082 tonnes of central bank gold purchases in 2022.

    2023 saw the second-highest annual purchase in history at 1,051 tonnes, followed by 1,041 tonnes in 2024.

    The potential reaction of central banks to the Russian invasion of Ukraine is akin to investors seeking a safe haven, but is a rather new phenomenon for central banks.

    There is an additional, secondary, effect of such central bank purchases and rebalancing from US dollars to gold.

    Selling US dollars for gold implies a weakening US dollar, which increases the price of gold. (If the US dollar weakens, you need more US dollars to buy gold.) The inverse relationship between gold prices and currencies also makes gold a currency hedge. That means gold can protect investors from potential losses due to fluctuating exchange rates. This effect is particularly strong for rather volatile currencies such as the Australian dollar.

    In contrast to the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the more recent increase in gold prices is harder to associate with a single shock.

    Broader economic worries

    The election of Trump has not only increased the risk of higher inflation due to tariffs and a trade war, it has also increased geopolitical risk as the US government reassesses its alliances with other countries.

    The relative unpredictability of Trump compared with his predecessors and with politicians more generally may have increased uncertainty and gold prices.
    The recent gold price trend highlights that “gold loves bad news”.

    Gold prices may anticipate geopolitical shocks or higher inflation. Gold prices rose well before inflation increased after the pandemic and started to fall when inflation had peaked in 2022.

    It is not clear exactly why gold has risen to all-time highs in 2025, but it’s possibly not good news for the world economy.

    Dirk Baur 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. The gold price has surged to record highs. What’s behind the move? – https://theconversation.com/the-gold-price-has-surged-to-record-highs-whats-behind-the-move-250391

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Japanese House of Representatives Member Tamaki Yuichiro

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan
    On the morning of February 21, President Lai Ching-te met with Abe Akie, the wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan. In remarks, President Lai thanked Mrs. Abe for carrying on the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe, being a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and calling on all parties to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. The president stated that Taiwan will carry on the legacy and spirit of former President Lee Teng-hui and former Prime Minister Abe, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Last May, Mrs. Abe came to Taiwan to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao, and we reminisced about the past here at the Presidential Office. I would like to warmly welcome her back today. I am also delighted to be meeting with all guests in attendance. Yesterday, Mrs. Abe and I attended the opening of the very first Halifax Taipei forum, for which Mrs. Abe also delivered a keynote speech earlier today. In her speech, she offered valuable input on global security and democratic development. I would like to thank Mrs. Abe for making this special trip to Taiwan to take part, showing her strong support for Taiwan. Former Prime Minister Abe pioneered the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and called on the international community to pay attention to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific. These have become common strategic goals of democratic countries around the world and will have a far-reaching influence over international developments and Taiwan’s security. They were important contributions that former Prime Minister Abe made in regard to the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. Recently, current Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and United States President Donald Trump held a meeting and jointly reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as well as opposed unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. They also expressed support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. This shows that Prime Minister Ishiba is furthering the legacy of former Prime Minister Abe. We are very grateful for the former prime minister’s friendship toward Taiwan, and to Mrs. Abe for carrying on his legacy. Mrs. Abe is a benevolent and determined force for regional peace and prosperity, and has called on all parties at numerous public venues to continue to place attention on peace in the Taiwan Strait. Last December, for instance, she traveled at the invitation of President Trump and his wife to the US, where she addressed cross-strait issues and spoke up for Taiwan. We were deeply moved by this. As authoritarian states continue to expand, Taiwan will keep working alongside like-minded nations such as Japan and the US, as well as the European Union, to jointly contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity. I look forward to continued advancement of regional peace and prosperity with the help of Mrs. Abe’s efforts. Mrs. Abe will also be meeting with daughter of former President Lee and Lee Teng-hui Foundation Chairperson Annie Lee (李安妮) tomorrow. Former President Lee and former Prime Minister Abe were both fully devoted to promoting Taiwan-Japan relations. We will carry on their legacy and spirit, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and deepen the Taiwan-Japan friendship. In closing, I wish you all a smooth and successful visit. Mrs. Abe then delivered remarks, first expressing her sincere thanks to President Lai for taking the time to meet. She said that former Prime Minister Abe hailed from Yamaguchi Prefecture, and that accompanying her that day were House of Councillors Member Kitamura Tsuneo, Yamaguchi Prefecture Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa, Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Deputy Speaker Shimata Noriaki, and many other important figures from Yamaguchi. If former Prime Minister Abe’s spirit could look upon this scene, she said, he would certainly be very pleased. Mrs. Abe recalled that when the former prime minister passed away, then-Vice President Lai traveled to their official residence to express his condolences and pay tribute. She said that she will never forget such a gesture of deep friendship, heartfelt condolences, and care. The year before last, she indicated, a memorial photo exhibition for former Prime Minister Abe was held in Taiwan, and many Taiwanese people from all walks of life came to view it. Last year, Mrs. Abe continued, she had the privilege of attending President Lai’s inauguration ceremony, where she met with many friends from Taiwan and personally felt the close and beautiful ties that Taiwan and Japan share. Mrs. Abe stated that she will carry out the wishes of former Prime Minister Abe and do her utmost to help raise Taiwan-Japan relations to new heights, saying that she looks forward to hearing the advice that President Lai and all those present have to offer. The delegation also included Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum
    On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP.  Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains.  For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position.  We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation
    On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there.  Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.  

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger
    On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit.  Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.

    Details
    2025-02-21
    President Lai meets Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini
    On the afternoon of February 11, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In remarks, President Lai thanked Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. The president stated that Taiwan and Eswatini work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare, and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both peoples.  A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests to the Presidential Office. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla previously visited Taiwan while serving as minister of foreign affairs. This is her first time leading a delegation here as deputy prime minister. I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla has earned a high degree of recognition and trust from His Majesty King Mswati III. She was not only Eswatini’s first woman foreign minister, but is also the second woman to have held her current key position. She shows an active interest in people’s welfare, and has a reputation for being deeply devoted to her compatriots. I have great admiration for this. I am truly delighted to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla today. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to His Majesty the King for leading a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao last year. This demonstrated the close diplomatic ties between our countries. I also want to thank Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. I would ask that when Deputy Prime Minister Dladla returns to Eswatini, she conveys Taiwan’s greetings and gratitude to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala. Diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini have endured for over half a century. Our two nations have continued to work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare. Our largest collaboration to date has been assisting Eswatini in the construction of a strategic oil reserve facility. We will continue to push forward with this project, and look forward to achieving even greater results in all areas. I understand that Deputy Prime Minister Dladla is very concerned about issues regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment. During her term as foreign minister, she facilitated bilateral cooperation in those areas. Now, as deputy prime minister, she is actively attending to the disadvantaged and advancing social welfare. These policies are very much in line with the priorities of my administration. I look forward to strengthening cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla for the benefit of both our societies. Taiwan and Eswatini are peace-loving nations. Faced with a constantly changing international landscape and the growing threat posed by authoritarianism, we hope that our two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both our peoples. In closing, I wish Deputy Prime Minister Dladla and our distinguished guests a pleasant and successful visit. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla then delivered remarks, first greeting President Lai on behalf of the King, the Queen Mother, and the people of Eswatini, and extending gratitude for the warm reception afforded to her and her delegation, which underscores the strong bonds of friendship between our two nations. The deputy prime minister stated that, in reflecting on the fruits of our partnership, the evidence of Taiwan’s commitment to Eswatini is all around us. The strategic oil reserve project launching in April, she indicated, will redefine Eswatini’s energy security, and the Central Bank complex and electrification project stand as monuments of Taiwan’s vision for Eswatini’s progress and indicate that our partnerships are very strong. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla pointed out that education is the foundation of any nation’s progress, and that Taiwan’s contribution to Eswatini’s education sector cannot be overstated. Through Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship programs, she said, Eswatini has sent numerous students to Taiwan, where they’ve received world-class education in various disciplines, including engineering, business, and medicine. In turn, she said, these graduates are now contributing to the development of Eswatini. The deputy prime minister stated that Taiwan has also strengthened Eswatini’s industrial and technological sectors, with collaborations and partnerships that create new opportunities for employment and innovation, and that Taiwan’s technical and medical assistance has strengthened Eswatini’s healthcare systems and uplifted the expertise of its professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla also congratulated President Lai once again on his presidency, which she stated will lead Taiwan to new heights, adding that His Majesty coming to Taiwan personally for the inauguration was a resounding declaration of Eswatini’s enduring support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, stability, and rightful place on the world stage. She emphasized that Eswatini stands with Taiwan always and unwaveringly. In conclusion, the deputy prime minister stated that Eswatini fully agrees with Taiwan that we must all safeguard our national sovereignty and protect the lives and property of our people. She said that our common enemy will always be poverty and natural disasters, but against all odds, we will stand united, and we shall remain united and be one. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Eswatini Ambassador Promise Sithembiso Msibi.

    Details
    2025-02-14
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 150 years since one of Australia’s worst maritime disasters

    Source: Government of Queensland

    Issued: 25 Feb 2025

    Underwater photo of the Gothenburg shipwreck

    It has been 150 years since the steam ship Gothenburg tragically sunk off the coast of Queensland in blinding rain.

    At the time, the Northern Territory was an outpost of South Australia, where prominent members of political and legal circles often travelled for business.

    On 24 February 1875, on its usual route from Darwin to Adelaide, Gothenburg ran into the Great Barrier Reef at low tide in monsoonal rain, 16 miles too far east, and sunk over the next 24 hours.

    Sadly, many prominent public figures were swept away or drowned trying to board the four lifeboats during the wrecking – including a former premier of South Australia, a French Vice-Consul, a judge and all women and children – with only 22 recorded survivors.

    As many as 112 people perished, which represented one seventh of the total European population of Darwin.

    The vessel had £43,000 of uninsured gold on board that was salvaged soon after news of its sinking broke.

    The historic shipwreck is situated in a protected zone and managed by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) under the Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018.

    Principal Heritage Officer Celeste Jordan said the shipwreck was discovered in 1971 and is managed by DETSI as it remains in Queensland waters.

    “The ripple effects of this tragedy were widespread and extremely significant.

    “It is etched into Australia’s history as a significant maritime tragedy. Adelaide went into mourning with relief funds set up in Melbourne and Sydney. No family in Darwin or Adelaide was left untouched by Gothenburg’s sinking.

    “We manage the shipwreck to ensure it is preserved and protected for generations to come. It is an offence to interfere with the remains.”

    Department for Environment and Water SA Principal Maritime Heritage Officer, Mark Polzer, said that although Gothenburg did not wreck in South Australian waters, the vessel’s loss had a profound impact on the South Australian community.

    “Among those that perished were residents of Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Woodville, Northfield, Gawler and Angaston,” Mr Polzer said.

    “The South Australian Maritime Museum holds a commemorative turtle-shell plaque carved by South Australian survivor and rescuer James Fitzgerald in 1925 as a private act of remembrance of the tragedy.

    “Immediately after the shipwreck, Fitzgerald, along with John Cleland and Robert Brazil, were presented with gold meals and gold watches for bravery by Governor Musgrave for the South Australian Government.

    “He inscribed the names of the survivors on the shell, which is said to have been taken from a turtle killed for food while he and the other survivors waited on Holborne island for rescue. Fitzgerald gifted the plaque to the museum in 1932.”

    To dive around the Gothenburg you will need a free permit which can be applied for through the Australasian Underwater Cultural Heritage Database.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What do young people want to see in politics? More than 20,000 pieces of their writing hold some answers

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Philippa Collin, Professor, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University

    Shutterstock

    Ahead of the Australian election, candidates, advisers and political parties might be paying attention to what young people think. And if they’re not, they should be.

    This election will be the first in which Gen Z and Millennial voters (aged 18–40) will outnumber Baby Boomers (aged 60–79). Many of these young people were in high school during the previous two elections.

    While there are concerns about the effectiveness of civics and citizenship education, there is also evidence young people are interested in, and active on, many issues.

    So what do young people care about most? We analysed thousands of pieces of writing by young Australians to find out.

    What matters to young people?

    For the past 20 years, young people have been telling us what matters to them as part of the Whitlam Institute’s What Matters? writing competition. Students in years 5–12 can write about whatever they like. Most are directed by their schools to contribute as a part of their civics curriculum. Some opt to enter the competition out of interest.

    A unique sample, our analysis of 22,500 entries from 2019 to 2024 provides insight into the issues that resonate most with this generation.

    We identified common themes: society and democracy, mental health, environment and climate change, intergenerational justice and (social) media.

    1. Society and democracy

    We found young people were actively grappling with complex and diverse issues in an increasingly fragmented political landscape. They are also concerned about anti-democratic forces.

    They reflect on what makes this moment exceptional – climate change, war and violence, rapid technological change – and consider actions needed from individuals, communities and institutions for them to have a future.

    Our research shows young people prioritise care in local and global futures, valuing peer support, family, intergenerational ties, and connections across communities and borders. The most common topic was family, followed by pollution, racism and poverty.

    An ethics of care shapes their sense of belonging and responsibility –
    and the responsibilities of government. As a senior student wrote in 2022:

    Children are being abused, or watching one of their parents be abused countless times. The Government needs to step up and do their job properly by using more effective ways of helping children and their parents get out of unsafe environments.

    Our sentiment analysis shows that they write with hope – and frequently with anxiety and fear.

    2. Mental health

    Many young people write about “health”, including physical health and the health of communities and natural environments. Most often, though, they write about mental health and the causes of worry, distress and illness.

    Young people want governments and leaders to tackle the causes of the causes of ill-health. In other words, they want action on what creates the drivers of ill-health, including climate change, inequality and loneliness.

    For policymakers and advocates, this means recognising mental health as deeply connected to broader social and political issues – issues young people believe governments must address if they are serious about improving wellbeing.

    3. Environment and climate change

    Environmental issues, particularly climate change, were dominant themes — more so than in previous years. Students write about their relationship to the environment and the benefits of connecting to nature.

    Concerns about climate change were a common theme across the entries.
    Shutterstock

    Some are calling out extractive relationships with the environment, particularly by large corporations. They demand urgent action from individuals and institutions, advocating for policies that prioritise future generations and the planet.

    A senior student wrote in 2019:

    our future is under threat because of climate change […] it is our generation’s future that is on the line, yet we continue to be unheard.

    4. Intergenerational justice

    Young people see intergenerational justice and social justice as interconnected, demanding climate action, economic opportunity and democratic participation. Their concerns reflect a commitment to human rights including refugee rights, gender equality and Indigenous justice.

    Their writing shows awareness of Australia’s role in the world. Many discuss global conflicts and the responsibilities of nations in promoting peace and security. They want to contribute to efforts to address these issues.

    Young people want to trust and have more of a role in Australian democracy. They want those in power, and the institutions and agencies over which they preside, to be more transparent, to communicate regularly and honestly, and to show how they are taking action for a better future for all generations.

    Key areas where young people want greater accountability are in government, the media and business. Twelve-year-old Ivy said in an interview:

    young children should have a direct voice to parliament […] adults would take us more seriously instead of just viewing us as just kids. If issues affect kids right now or this generation, they should have a say about that to parliament.

    Young people want their activism and efforts recognised and supported. They hope for a democracy in which they’re not just heard, but are actively engaged by leaders, with a direct voice in government (at all levels) and institutions.

    5. (Social) media

    Young people highlight social media’s pros and cons, calling for strategies that better engage with them to reduce harm and maximise benefits.

    Young Australians painted a nuanced picture of social media.
    Shutterstock

    They stress the need for digital literacy to navigate online information critically, and they want online environments to be supportive and safe.

    Young people are concerned about how they are represented in the media generally. They argue that inclusive and accurate portrayals are key to having their voices heard and respected – crucial for meaningful civic participation.

    Candidates on notice

    Young people are not just future constituents – they are voting at the next election.

    The young people whose writing we analysed have formed civic and political values during a turbulent time in Australian and world history: catastrophic bushfires and floods, a climate crisis, a pandemic, and digital technologies that are changing our lives.

    They reject the idea they are too young to understand issues, and instead want a participatory democracy in which their voices influence real decisions. Indeed, the public has shown a desire to let young people have more of a say.

    Our analysis tells us many of this year’s 18–24-year-old voters are informed, engaged and ready to hold leaders accountable. They want action on climate, mental health, economic justice and democratic accountability. They’re tired of being ignored and sidelined.

    The authors would like to acknowledge research assistant Ammar Shoukat Randhawa for their work on the research this article reports.

    Philippa Collin receives funding from the Australian Research Council, Telstra Foundation, Google, batyr, Whitlam Institute, Academy Of The Social Sciences In Australia and NSW Health. In recent years she has received funding from the NHMRC, the Federal Department of Education, Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies.

    Azadeh Dastyari is the Director, Research and Policy at the Whitlam Institute. She also receives funding from the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).

    Michael Everitt Hartup has no conflict of interest.

    Sky Hugman receives funding from The Whitlam Institute

    – ref. What do young people want to see in politics? More than 20,000 pieces of their writing hold some answers – https://theconversation.com/what-do-young-people-want-to-see-in-politics-more-than-20-000-pieces-of-their-writing-hold-some-answers-250062

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $28 million for life-saving road upgrades in NSW

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Local roads across New South Wales will receive important safety upgrades thanks to more than $28 million in new Albanese Government funding.

    The Albanese Government recognises that local governments are crucial to maintaining and upgrading transport infrastructure.

    That’s why we’ve been progressively doubling our Roads to Recovery funding for councils to fix their local roads, and why we’ve lifted and back-dated the freeze on road maintenance indexation instated by the former Coalition Government. 

    Today’s significant investment will help fund 14 new projects under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) throughout the state.

    This includes more than $3.7 million for Maitland City Council for upgrades to Haussman Drive in Thornton.

    The project will involve lane duplication between Raymond Terrace Road and Taylor Avenue to provide dual carriageways each direction, shared path and bicycles lanes and improved property accesses.

    These improvements will deliver significant benefits for the residents and visitors of Maitland and its surrounds by alleviating traffic congestion, reducing travel times and increasing road safety. 

    The SLRIP is part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthen investment to support the delivery of safer and more productive roads across Australia. 

    For more information and the list of projects, visit Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.

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

    “The Albanese Government recognises that local governments are crucial to maintaining and upgrading transport infrastructure.

    “We have increased funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program to make sure we continue to invest in better, safer local roads across New South Wales and Australia. 

    “We are committed to delivering the funding local councils need to improve road safety and in a way that reduces the burden on them, allowing more money to be spent on projects and less on administration.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson:

    “I welcome this announcement of $3.7million for the duplication of Haussman Drive, Thornton as I have had many community members voice their safety concerns about this road.

    “This significant investment to upgrade Haussman Drive will alleviate congestion, reduce travel times and improve road safety for all who use this transport corridor.

    “As more families move into Thornton, Chisholm, and the broader Maitland area, these road upgrades will enhance connectivity and provide safer travel options across our region.”

    Funded projects:

    Local Council

    Project 

    AG Funding 

    Moree Plains Shire Council

    Terry Hie Hie Road Upgrade

    $ 5,000,000

    Bogan Shire Council

    Remove and replace the existing informal low-level crossing with Box Culvert at Monkey Bridge Bypass at Bogan River, Coolabah

    $ 412,000

    Wentworth Shire Council

    Design and upgrade of Milpara Road, Anabranch South

    $ 559,417

    Goulburn Mulwaree Council

    Glynmar Road Causeway Design and Upgrade Project 

    $ 1,219,092

    Gwydir Shire Council

    Design and Construction to upgrade Buckie Road, Croppa Creek.

    $ 5,000,000

    Lismore City Council

    Chelmsford Rd – Bridge Renewal

    $ 1,676,000

    Waverley Council

    Construction of Continuous Footpath Treatments on Mitchell Street, Bondi Beach 

    $ 121,750

    Lismore City Council

    Channon Rd, Dunoon Upgrade

    $ 2,015,708

    Mid-Coast Council

    Replacement of Mt. Coxcomb Rd Bridge No.1, Upper Lansdowne

    $ 1,433,225

    Waverley Council

    Construction of Raised Pedestrian Crossing on Newland Street at Walter Street, Bondi Junction 

    $ 96,250

    Waverley Council

    Construction of Bourke Street Upgrades, Bondi Junction

    $ 444,299

    Maitland City Council

    Thornton North Road Infrastructure Lane Duplication of Haussman Drive 

    $ 3,745,400

    Goulburn Mulwaree Council

    Lansdowne Street Heavy Vehicle Route Pavement Rehabilitation Project 

    $ 1,909,687

    Shellharbour City Council

    Yellow Rock Road Safety Upgrades, Tullimbar

    $ 5,000,000

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Samoan Prime Minister Fiame survives in resounding no-confidence vote

    By Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor

    Samoan Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa has survived a vote of no confidence after weeks of political turmoil.

    In a vote today, she defeated the motion by 34 votes in favour and 15 against.

    The motion was prompted by a split in the ruling FAST Party, which saw Fiame leading a minority government.

    But in a shock move today, FAST members voted alongside Fiame’s faction to register a resounding defeat against Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi’s motion.

    The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Papalii Lio Masipua, had granted the opposition’s formal request for a vote of no confidence against Fiame on Friday.

    Tuilaepa, who is also the head of the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), confirmed that the Speaker approved the motion in writing and allowed five members from the opposition bench to speak on it.

    According to Samoa’s constitutional requirements, the MP who commands the majority of MPs should be elected as Prime Minister or continue as Prime Minister.

    ‘Another desperate attempt’
    However, the Samoan government stated Tuilaepa’s move was “another desperate attempt to stir political drama” ahead of the no-confidence vote.

    Political upheaval hit Samoa just three days into 2025 when the chair of the ruling FAST party and Samoa’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries La’auli Leuatea Schmidt confirmed he was facing criminal charges.

    FAST Party chair Laauli Leuatea Schmidt (left to right), Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi. Image: RNZ Pacific/123RF/Samoa Government/FAST Party

    On January 10, Mata’afa removed La’auli’s ministerial portfolio and subsequently removed three of her Cabinet ministers.

    But La’auli remained chair of the FAST Party, and went on to announce the removal of the prime minister and five Cabinet ministers from the ruling party.

    This decision was reportedly challenged by the removed members.

    Fiame then removed 13 of her associate ministers.

    Laauli acknowledged the challenge of holding a vote of no confidence, but refrained from disclosing the party’s position, stating they would wait until Tuesday.

    First female prime minister
    Fiame is Samoa’s first female prime minister. She had heritage — her father, Fiame Mata’afa Faumuina Mulinu’u, was the country’s first prime minister.

    She took office following the April 2021 election, but that devolved into political crisis.

    The caretaker HRPP government locked the doors to Parliament in an attempt to stop the then prime minister-elect from being sworn into office following her FAST Party’s one-seat election win.

    Two governments claimed a mandate to rule, and the United Nations urged the party leaders to find a solution through discussion.

    The Court of Appeal ruled that the country had a new government after it judged the impromptu swearing-in by the newcomer FAST party on May 24 was legitimate under the doctrine of necessity.

    It took until July for the incumbent, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, to concede.

    Fiame went to school and university in Wellington, New Zealand, but her studies were interrupted in 1977 when she returned to Samoa to help with court cases around the succession of her father’s titles following his death in 1975.

    In 1985, she was elected as MP for Lotofaga, the same seat held by her father and then her mother after his death.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Video: You ask, we answer: careers, inflation and cooperation

    Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

    Your questions answered: whether it’s about careers at the ECB, how our work affects people and businesses, or how we plan to tackle global challenges, we tackle listeners’ questions in this #AskECB episode of The ECB Podcast.

    Join our host Stefania Secola as she talks to colleagues Eglantine Devaux and Gabriel Glöckler.

    The views expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of the European Central Bank.

    Published on 25 February 2025 and recorded on 20 February 2025.

    In this episode:
    00:36 Your questions answered
    You, our listeners, sent us your burning questions on social media. What did you want to know? And who do we have onboard to answer your questions?

    01:54 Working at the European Central Bank
    What does it take to join the team? How do we nurture and grow talent? And what are the advantages of working in such a diverse environment?

    08:34 Small businesses and consumers
    How do our monetary policy decisions affect small businesses and consumers? How does this relate to our mission? We tackle these questions by looking at the example of a garden centre.

    08:54 Stable, predictable changes in prices
    How do we keep prices stable? What tools do we have available? And how does our price stability objective help motivate us?

    14:47 Facing global economic challenges
    What challenges lie ahead? How can we respond to uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and a changing climate?

    16:19 The challenge posed by tariffs
    How will tariffs impact our economies, and what about inflation?

    18:27 Europe’s potential
    What opportunities can we harness as Europeans? And what could they mean for our economy?

    22:43 Communication among central banks worldwide
    How do we work together? Are there particular structures in place? And what topics do we discuss?

    27:49 Our guests’ hot tips
    Eglantine and Gabriel share their hot tips with our listeners.

    Further reading:
    ECB vacancies
    https://talent.ecb.europa.eu/careers

    Graduate programme
    https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/what-we-offer/graduate/html/index.en.html

    Traineeship
    https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/what-we-offer/traineeship/html/index.en.html

    What we offer
    https://www.ecb.europa.eu/careers/what-we-offer/benefits/html/index.en.html

    IMF – Ask an Economist https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmYAE4wV1YQzDbnDZlNJoqMhIDUQpEPTZ

    IMF – Back to Basics https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmYAE4wV1YQyRb6H1_XJWY73HJVdR6oBX

    IMF- Analyze This! https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmYAE4wV1YQz_LzOLaKTpDWyH93SNuF7x

    IMF – Charts in Motion https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmYAE4wV1YQz6xXWx5eB7uT9zE-4KcmAZ

    ECB – Espresso Economics
    https://www.youtube.com/@Espresso_Economics

    ECB Instagram
    https://www.instagram.com/europeancentralbank/

    European Central Bank
    www.ecb.europa.eu

    ECB Banking Supervision
    https://www.bankingsupervision.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9slWx4FR28

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. Announces MOU to Purchase 10-Megawatt Data Center Infrastructure

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc. (TSX-V: DMGI) (OTCQB: DMGGF) (FRANKFURT: 6AX) (“DMG” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated blockchain and data center technology company, announces it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an undisclosed counterparty (“Counterparty”) to purchase the infrastructure for a prefabricated 10-megawatt air-cooled data center (“PDC”) that meets Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) specifications (which is generally a military requirement) for its deployment of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) computation facilities. DMG and Counterparty have agreed to work towards a definitive agreement within the next 90 days, during which time DMG will perform its due diligence as a follow-up to its already performed initial inspection of the PDC at Counterparty’s site. DMG will issue an additional news release related to the final structure and terms of the potential transaction, and other material information if and when it becomes available.

    Upon execution of the definitive agreement, DMG would pay Counterparty for the PDC US$5 million as an upfront payment and the balance of the to-be-agreed-upon price based on future DMG revenue resulting from Gen AI computing off-take agreements as part of vendor financing being offered to DMG. Revenue from off-take agreements may be derived from either GPUs that DMG purchases or the colocation of customer-purchased GPUs. DMG is currently focused on securing off-take agreements, which may be sourced from entities that require SCIF requirements, such as federal government agencies/departments, non-governmental entities (potentially with enterprise SCIF requirements), Counterparty and/or with other parties with whom the Company has a relationship to develop Gen AI business opportunities, which may be outside of Canada.

    DMG intends to deploy the PDC at one or more locations, as the PDC can be partitioned into smaller units due to its modular nature. While the infrastructure forms the basis for a Gen AI data center, it does not include medium-voltage power distribution, battery storage or backup power generation, the configuration and amount of which have yet to be determined. Additionally, the PDC is not facilitated with computing, networking nor storage systems, all of which will need to be installed to realize revenue from off-take agreements.

    DMG’s CEO Sheldon Bennett stated, “This MOU catalyzes our entry into Generative AI in a very meaningful way. Not only does the PDC shorten our time to deployment by at least a year, but it also gives us the needed credibility as a new AI entrant to secure off-take agreements in a timely manner. Given the SCIF (military-grade) nature of the infrastructure, we will be focused on off-take opportunities that prioritize this need, as we believe we can garner a revenue premium for offering this capability. This MOU also enables us to proceed with our Gen AI strategy in a most-capital efficient manner, helping us to maximize our return to shareholders.”

    About DMG Blockchain Solutions Inc.

    DMG is a publicly traded and vertically integrated blockchain and data center technology company that manages, operates and develops end-to-end digital solutions to monetize the digital asset and artificial intelligence compute ecosystems. Systemic Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of DMG, is an integral component of DMG’s carbon-neutral Bitcoin ecosystem, which enables financial institutions to move bitcoin in a sustainable and regulatory-compliant manner.

    For more information on DMG Blockchain Solutions visit: www.dmgblockchain.com
    Follow @dmgblockchain on X and subscribe to DMG’s YouTube channel.

    For further information, please contact:

    On behalf of the Board of Directors,

    Sheldon Bennett, CEO & Director
    Tel: +1 (778) 300-5406
    Email: investors@dmgblockchain.com
    Web: www.dmgblockchain.com

    For Investor Relations:
    investors@dmgblockchain.com

    For Media Inquiries:
    Chantelle Borrelli
    Head of Communications
    chantelle@dmgblockchain.com

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This news release contains forward-looking information or statements based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include the execution of a definitive agreement for the MDC and the timing thereof, the expected benefits and outcomes of the MDC including the potential Gen AI computing off-take agreements, the Company’s strategy for growth, the planned monetization of certain product and service offerings, developing and executing on the Company’s products, services and business plans, the launch of products and services, events, courses of action, and the potential of the Company’s technology and operations, among others, are all forward-looking information.

    Future changes in the Bitcoin network-wide mining difficulty or Bitcoin hashrate may materially affect the future performance of DMG’s production of bitcoin, and future operating results could also be materially affected by the price of bitcoin and an increase in hashrate and mining difficulty.

    Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as “may”, “expect”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “believe” and “continue” or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, market and other conditions, volatility in the trading price of the common shares of the Company, business, economic and capital market conditions; the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition; the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products; regulatory uncertainties; access to equipment; market conditions and the demand and pricing for products; the demand and pricing of bitcoin; security threats, including a loss/theft of DMG’s bitcoin; DMG’s relationships with its customers, distributors and business partners; the inability to add more power to DMG’s facilities; DMG’s ability to successfully define, design and release new products in a timely manner that meet customers’ needs; the ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel. DMG may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, the ability to successfully develop software, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, anticipated costs, the ability to secure sufficient capital to complete its business plans, the ability to achieve goals and the price of bitcoin. Given these risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The securities of DMG are considered highly speculative due to the nature of DMG’s business. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca. In addition, DMG’s past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance.

    Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, failure to obtain regulatory approval, the continued availability of capital and financing, equipment failures, lack of supply of equipment, power and infrastructure, failure to obtain any permits required to operate the business, the impact of technology changes on the industry, the impact of viruses and diseases on the Company’s ability to operate, secure equipment, and hire personnel, competition, security threats including stolen bitcoin from DMG or its customers, consumer sentiment towards DMG’s products, services and blockchain technology generally, failure to develop new and innovative products, litigation, adverse weather or climate events, increase in operating costs, increase in equipment and labor costs, equipment failures, decrease in the price of Bitcoin, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, government regulations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of or statements made by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy and Support – Rainbow organisations stand together despite hate and violence

    Source: OutLine Aotearoa

    Rainbow organisations stand together to address the recent attempts to shut down our communities’ joy and celebrations. It will not succeed. We have been excited to see the unity of our community, and how our shared spaces have encouraged belonging and safety amidst recent events. We want our rainbow rangatahi and whānau to stay proud, stand firm, and know there are always support services available.
    To our incredible rangatahi and community, our existence will outlive any hate. Always. No agenda, no opposition, and no force is stronger than the love we share, the friendships we build, and the courage we embody every day. To those who are out, to those still finding their way, to those reclaiming the words that reflect who you are, to those simply existing-we see you, we celebrate you, we stand with you. 
    Na RainbowYOUTH.
    There is no place for hate and violence in Aotearoa. Our rainbow communities are vibrant, loving and welcoming. We will continue to strive to stand in the gap for our people and to whakamana takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow peoples across the motu. We see you and value you.
    OutLine welcomes constructive kōrero from religious leaders across the spectrum to encourage communities to come together and show solidarity against hate and violence in this country. We implore religious leaders to use their platforms to bring their people in and teach love and acceptance because takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow peoples have always existed and will continue to exist. 
    It is ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY to keep Aotearoa hate and violence-free. 
    Na OutLine Aotearoa.
    It is time the Government takes serious action to prevent and respond to violence towards rainbow communities. The recent incidents at Auckland Pride are part of an organised ongoing attack on rainbow people’s rights to be themselves and come together. As pride and visibility in our communities grows, loud bigoted voices have tried to drown that pride out, including attempts to embed anti-trans rhetoric from overseas that has no place in Aotearoa. We need to show that we will not overlook hate and a key part of that must be our Government taking leadership. 
    Na InsideOUT Kōaro.  
    Our organisations call on the Government to:
    • 1. Remove the charitable status of Destiny Church and associated charities.
    • 2. Ensure no government agencies are making referrals to Destiny Church-led programmes, such as Man Up.
    • 3. Ask NZ Police to urgently instigate a work programme to improve the collection of hate crime data related to rainbow communities and grow public awareness on how to report hate crimes.
    • 4. Government prioritise a response to investing in rainbow mental health support and preventing and countering violent extremism and disinformation, with a focus which targets rainbow communities. 
    • We encourage our rainbow communities and allies to sign the parliament petition to remove Destiny Church’s charitable status and write to Charity Services to make a complaint. We encourage you to seek out support when you need it and stand steadfast in your right to be who you are and celebrate with pride.
    If you need support:
    1737 (txt anytime)
    0800 OutLine
    0800 611 116 Healthline

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts St. Louis Man of Drug Trafficking and Charges Connected to Nine Murders

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ST. LOUIS – A jury in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Monday found a St. Louis man guilty of a cocaine trafficking charge and charges related to the death of nine people during a nearly six-year period.

    Evidence and testimony presented at trial showed that Anthony “TT” Jordan, 38, was the leader of a cocaine trafficking ring. Jordan committed murders to protect that organization and hinder any investigation by law enforcement. He later committed additional murders to retaliate against a St. Louis gang he held responsible for the murder of a friend, gathering information and targeting gang members with the help of associates. Jordan and his co-conspirators also killed several bystanders, to include Clara Walker, a 51-year-old mother of nine, and Keairrah Johnson. Among those who testified were direct witnesses to the murders.

    Jordan was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and nine counts of use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime resulting in death. Those counts relate to the following fatal shootings, with details according to trial testimony:

    •    The April 19, 2008, deaths of Al Walters, Linnie Jackson, and Keith Burks. Walters was Jordan’s target.
    •    The Feb. 3, 2010, deaths of Marquis Jones and Keairrah Johnson. Jones was the target.
    •    The June 25, 2013, death of Anthony “Blinky” Clark.
    •    The Dec. 29, 2013, deaths of Robert “Parker G” Parker and Clara Walker. Parker was the target.
    •    The Jan. 21, 2014, death of Michail “Yellow Mack” Gridiron.

    Jordan was also convicted of a nonfatal shooting on Dec. 23, 2013.  

    “I would like to thank the jury for their service over the last few weeks and commend all of our law enforcement partners, the Assistant United States Attorneys, and the support staff who worked tirelessly over the years to investigate and prosecute this case,” said U.S. Attorney Sayler A. Fleming. “With today’s guilty verdict, justice was served.  The evidence proved without a doubt that Anthony Jordan is a violent drug-trafficker and serial murderer who needed to be removed from the streets of St. Louis. Our office remains dedicated to working with our local, state, and federal counterparts to bring at least some measure of comfort and resolution to the families of the victims of such violence, as they deserve nothing less.”

    “These murders were committed to benefit a large-scale drug trafficking organization that flooded our communities with poison directly sourced from cartels in Mexico. Anthony Jordan is not only a drug trafficker, but a serial murderer whose job was to eliminate competition from other drug dealers,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “St. Louis is a safer place with Jordan and his associates off the streets.”

    “Today’s verdict is the culmination of countless hours of investigative work,” DEA St. Louis Division Special Agent in Charge Michael Davis said. “Over a span of several years, we uncovered the extent of Anthony Jordan’s reach into our St. Louis neighborhoods. His acts of violence instilled fear in our communities, while the drugs he pushed destroyed lives. Let this serve as a reminder that no one is above the law. The DEA, in partnership with our fellow law enforcement agencies, will go to great lengths to bring justice to the families impacted by those who inflict pain and suffering in our neighborhoods.”

    The trial began with jury selection on January 31. Jordan is scheduled to be sentenced on May 29, and faces up to life in prison.

    Jordan’s cocaine was supplied by Adrian Lemons, who obtained cocaine in bulk from representatives of a Mexican cartel. Lemons, now 46, of St. Louis, was sentenced in 2020 to 20 years in prison. Lemons, Jordan and 32 others were indicted as part of a long-running investigation by the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and the St. Louis County Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Granger and Donald Boyce are prosecuting the case.

    This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq, Inc. Announces Early Results of Cash Tender Offers for Up to $218 Million Outstanding Debt Securities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq: NDAQ) (“Nasdaq” or the “Company”) announced today the early results of its previously announced offers to purchase for cash up to an aggregate principal amount of $218,053,000 (the “Aggregate Notes Cap”) (reflecting an $18,053,000 increase from the previously announced cap of $200,000,000) of its outstanding Notes, comprised of (i) up to $41,360,000 aggregate principal amount (the “2028 Notes Cap”) of the Company’s 5.350% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2028 Notes”), (ii) up to $57,583,000 aggregate principal amount (the “2034 Notes Cap”) of the Company’s 5.550% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) and (iii) up to $119,110,000 aggregate principal amount (the “2052 Notes Cap”) of the Company’s 3.950% Senior Notes due 2052 (the “2052 Notes”). The 2028 Notes, the 2034 Notes and the 2052 Notes are referred to collectively herein as the “Notes,” such offers to purchase are referred to collectively herein as the “Tender Offers” and each a “Tender Offer,” and the 2028 Notes Cap, the 2034 Notes Cap and the 2052 Notes Cap are referred to collectively herein as the “Series Notes Caps” and each a “Series Notes Cap.” The Tender Offers are being made upon the terms and subject to conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, dated February 10, 2025 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), which sets forth a detailed description of the Tender Offers. The Company refers investors to the Offer to Purchase for the complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offers.

    As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 24, 2025 (such date and time, the “Early Tender Date”), according to information provided by D.F. King & Co., Inc., the tender and information agent for the Tender Offers, the aggregate principal amount of each series of Notes listed in the table below has been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in each Tender Offer. Withdrawal rights for the Notes expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Early Tender Date.

      Title of
    Security    		 Security
    Identifiers    		 Principal Amount
    Outstanding    		 Series Notes Cap Principal
    Amount
    Tendered at
    Early Tender
    Date    		 Principal
    Amount
    Accepted    		 Approximate
    Proration
    Factor
    2028
    Tender
    Offer    		 5.350%
    Senior
    Notes
    due 2028    		 CUSIP:
    63111X AH4
    ISIN:
    US63111XAH44    		 $921,360,000 $41,360,000 $356,599,000 $41,360,000 12%
    2034
    Tender
    Offer    		 5.550%
    Senior
    Notes
    due 2034    		 CUSIP:
    63111X AJ0
    ISIN:
    US63111XAJ00    		 $1,187,583,000 $57,583,000 $448,646,000 $57,583,000 13%
    2052
    Tender
    Offer    		 3.950%
    Senior
    Notes
    due 2052    		 CUSIP:
    631103 AM0
    ISIN:
    US631103AM02    		 $549,105,000 $119,110,000 $244,562,000 $119,110,000 49%

    All conditions were satisfied or waived by the Company at the Early Tender Date. The Company has elected to exercise its right to make payment for Notes that were validly tendered on or prior to the Early Tender Date and that are accepted for purchase on February 27, 2025 (the “Early Settlement Date”).

    The Tender Offers for the Notes will continue to expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2025, or any other date and time to which the Company extends the applicable Tender Offer, unless earlier terminated.

    As the aggregate principal amount of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or prior to the Early Tender Date exceeds the Aggregate Notes Cap, the Company will accept for purchase the Notes on a prorated basis and will not accept for purchase any Notes validly tendered after the Early Tender Date. The applicable consideration (the “Total Consideration”) for each $1,000 principal amount of the Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on or prior to the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase pursuant to each Tender Offer will be calculated in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to the applicable fixed spread for such Notes plus the applicable yield based on the bid-side price of the applicable U.S. Treasury Reference Security at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on February 25, 2025 (the “Price Determination Date”) (excluding Accrued Interest (as defined below)). The Total Consideration includes an early tender premium of $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase (the “Early Tender Premium”).

    In addition to the consideration described above, all holders of Notes accepted for purchase in the Tender Offers will receive accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to such Notes to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date (“Accrued Interest”).

    Promptly after the Price Determination Date, the Company will issue a press release specifying, among other things, the Total Consideration for each series of Notes.

    The Company intends to fund the purchase of validly tendered and accepted Notes with available cash on hand and other sources of liquidity.

    Information Relating to the Tender Offers

    The complete terms and conditions of the Tender Offers are set forth in the Offer to Purchase. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as dealer manager in connection with the Tender Offers. Investors with questions regarding the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers may contact the dealer manager as follows:

    J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
    383 Madison Avenue
    New York, New York 10179
    United States
    Attention: Liability Management Group
    U.S. Toll-Free: (866) 834-4666
    Collect: (212) 834-7489

    D.F. King & Co., Inc. is the Tender and Information Agent for the Tender Offers. Any questions regarding procedures for tendering Notes or request for copies of the Offer to Purchase should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. by any of the following means: by telephone at (866) 342-4881 (toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (collect) or by email at nasdaq@dfking.com.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of tenders with respect to, the Notes. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The Tender Offers are being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase made available to holders of the Notes. None of the Company or its affiliates, their respective boards of directors, the dealer manager, the tender and information agent or the trustee with respect to any series of Notes is making any recommendation as to whether or not holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Notes in response to the Tender Offers. Holders are urged to evaluate carefully all information in the Offer to Purchase, consult their own investment and tax advisors and make their own decisions whether to tender Notes in the Tender Offers, and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender.

    About Nasdaq

    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking information that involves substantial risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. When used in this communication, words such as “enables,” “intends,” “will,” and similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among other things, statements about the proposed Tender Offers and the expected source of funds. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, risks related to the ability of Nasdaq to consummate the Tender Offers on the terms and timing described herein, or at all, Nasdaq’s ability to implement its strategic vision, initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors detailed in Nasdaq’s reports filed on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and in other filings Nasdaq makes with the SEC from time to time and available at www.sec.gov. These documents are also available under the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at http://ir.nasdaq.com. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date hereof. Nasdaq disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

    Media Relations Contacts:

    Nick Jannuzzi
    +1.973.760.1741
    Nicholas.Jannuzzi@Nasdaq.com

    Nick Eghtessad
    +1.929.996.8894
    Nick.Eghtessad@Nasdaq.com

    Investor Relations Contact:

    Ato Garrett
    +1.212.401.8737
    Ato.Garrett@Nasdaq.com

    NDAQF

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Calculating the economic cost of climate change is tricky, even futile – it’s also a distraction

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis Wesselbaum, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Otago

    Piyaset/Shutterstock

    Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It’s here, it’s real and it increasingly affects us all.

    But predicting climate change and its associated costs, particularly over long periods of time, is inherently uncertain. And based on the best available evidence from organisations such as the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the economic costs of climate change appear to be small – making this a relatively weak argument for environmental action.

    At its most basic, climate is the long-term average of the weather we experience. Or, as former president of the American Meteorological Society, Marshall Shepherd, famously put it, “weather is your mood, and climate is your personality”.

    It’s widely accepted that climate change refers to a shift in long-term weather patterns, typically driven by human activities.

    But the impact of climate change, ranging from rising temperatures and extreme weather events to health impacts and disruptions to food and water supply, varies greatly. Some areas experience more extreme impacts than others, exacerbating social and economic disparities.

    There also appears to be a false sense about our state of knowledge. For example, many believe climate change already causes more frequent and intense storms, but the evidence for this is inconclusive.

    Trying to predict the unpredictable

    To understand the economic costs of climate change, we must first grasp how climate affects socioeconomic outcomes.

    The relationship between temperature and socioeconomic outcomes can be modelled using a “dose-response” function, which shows how much a given change in temperature (the “dose”) influences the outcome (for example, temperature-related mortality).

    A key challenge is to understand the shape of the dose-response function. Is the relationship between temperature and mortality linear or is it more complex? Does it have thresholds beyond which the effects substantially change? Is there only one function or are there different ones for different populations?

    As climate change shifts the distribution of weather variables, it alters the outcomes as well. Yet, predicting how these distributions will evolve is difficult.

    The further into the future we look, the harder it is to make reliable predictions about both weather and the associated economic costs.

    If you were asked in 1925 to predict the economy in 2000, for example, how accurate would you have been? In 1925 you drove a Ford Model T, used coal-fired steam trains and passenger ships for travel, and a trip from London to Auckland took up to eight weeks by sea. You used a telegraph for long-distance communication and a radio for entertainment.

    Compare that with the globalised, interconnected economy of the year 2000. Given the technological advancements, would your prediction have been even close?

    Rather than focusing on the uncertain future economic costs of climate change, we should be addressing how it is affecting human life now.
    James Andrews1/Shutterstock

    Cost estimates

    There are a wide range of estimates on the economic costs of climate change. But one of the most reliable has come from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

    The panel’s latest assessment report avoids quantifying the economic costs of climate change. So, to understand the economic costs of climate change, we can use the best estimate based on the previous report and the insights from meta studies. These analyses posit a temperature rise of 3.7°C will reduce global gross domestic product (GDP) by about 2.6% (ranging from 0.5 to 8.2%) by 2100.

    For New Zealand, this is equivalent to about NZ$11 billion, or twice the cost of Auckland’s City Rail Link.

    However, this comparison is extremely misleading. The value of 2.6% today will differ substantially from 2.6% in 75 years.

    The New Zealand economy grew at a compound annual rate of 1.4% between 1960 and 2000. Using this same average growth rate, New Zealanders will have a 184% higher standard of living in 2100. If nothing is done to address climate change, and given the best cost estimate, our standard of living would still be 176% higher than it is now.

    Reporting costs

    There are also issues with how some people report costs. For instance, while the total damage caused by floods and hurricanes in the United States has gone up in dollar amounts, it has not actually increased as a percentage of peoples’ incomes.

    In this context, it is crucial to distinguish between the damage caused by climate change and that resulting from human activities – such as the construction of more houses, higher property prices and river management practices.

    The economic costs of climate change based on the best available evidence appear to be small and highly uncertain.

    Shifting the focus

    Even if we accept our best estimates, economic costs are not the issue, but saving the environment is.

    Instead of focusing the debate of climate change around economic costs, we need to refocus the debate on tangible impacts happening right now: retreating glaciers, species extinction, shifting seasons and coastal erosion, to name a few.

    Addressing these issues is costly, but action will be needed to save the environment and ensure a liveable world into the future.

    Dennis Wesselbaum 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. Calculating the economic cost of climate change is tricky, even futile – it’s also a distraction – https://theconversation.com/calculating-the-economic-cost-of-climate-change-is-tricky-even-futile-its-also-a-distraction-248862

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: US’ restrictive trade moves to be self-harming

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China has called on the United States to adhere to international rules and end misguided policies, warning that it will take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights, the Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday.

    On Friday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative invited comments from the public on proposed Section 301 actions aimed at China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.

    The US’ proposed restrictive measures, such as levying port fees, would be self-harming and have detrimental effects, according to an online statement issued by the Commerce Ministry.

    The statement said these moves would not only fail to revive the US shipbuilding industry, but also increase transportation costs on US-related shipping routes and intensify domestic inflationary pressures.

    The moves would diminish the global competitiveness of US goods and negatively affect the interests of US port and terminal operators, as well as their workers, it added.

    Since March 2024, China and the US have held multiple rounds of talks on the proposed actions. China has repeatedly expressed its stance on the Section 301 investigation, urging the US to be rational and objective, and to stop blaming China for its own industrial development issues.

    The ministry noted that a panel of the World Trade Organization has ruled that US imposition of Section 301 tariffs on China is in breach of WTO regulations. The misuse of the Section 301 investigation mechanism, driven by the US’ domestic political needs, continues to erode the multilateral trading system, the ministry said.

    Liao Fan, a professor of international law at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, said that to counter rising protectionism and the weaponization of unilateral sanctions, WTO reform is urgently needed to address systemic issues, such as chronic underfunding and weak enforcement mechanisms.

    John Quelch, executive vice-chancellor of Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, Jiangsu province, warned that international trade is entering a dangerous “Wild West” era, in which weaker economies and small countries more dependent on international trade are likely to suffer the most.

    “China needs to redouble its efforts to increase trade with Global South countries, gradually reducing dependence on traditional markets,” Quelch said, adding, “China should further stimulate domestic consumption if a global tariff war slows down international trade.”

    Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Co, an automotive engine manufacturer in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is already expanding into emerging markets.

    “We have leveraged multiple cooperation mechanisms and trade deals, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, to actively participate in international trade shows and establish new plants in Thailand and Vietnam in recent years. Our export value jumped 73 percent year-on-year in January, hitting a record high for a single month,” said Liu Hongbo, president of marketing at Guangxi Yuchai’s overseas business unit.

    “We have broadened our customer base in key regions, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East, while diversifying our market structure to reduce risks associated with overreliance on any single market,” Liu added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China rebukes US over new investment curbs, vows to defend interests

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    An aerial drone photo shows U.S. carmaker Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    By shutting out Chinese enterprises and the Chinese market, the United States will end up hurting its own economic interests and international credibility, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

    Lin made the remarks at a regular press briefing while commenting on a memorandum released by the United States on Friday, which outlined further restrictions on two-way investment with China.

    The memorandum listed China as a “foreign adversary” on national security grounds and imposed various discriminatory measures, Lin said. “We strongly deplore and firmly oppose this and have lodged serious protests with the U.S. side.”

    The tightening of security reviews targeting Chinese investments in the United States severely hits the confidence of Chinese companies in investing in the United States and undermines the U.S. business environment. Increasing restrictions on U.S. investment in China is artificially interfering with the independent decision-making of U.S. companies and distorting the flow of investment exchanges between the two countries, Lin said.

    “China urges the United States to abide by international investment and trade rules, respect the laws of market economy, and stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues,” the spokesperson said.

    China also calls on the United States to stop undermining China’s legitimate development rights, he added, stressing that China would take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

    In response to U.S. restrictions on China’s shipbuilding industry and other related sectors, Lin said that the United States, driven by domestic political interests, had abused the Section 301 investigation mechanism, thereby seriously violating WTO rules and further damaging the multilateral trading system. “China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it,” Lin said.

    “We urge the United States to respect facts and multilateral rules, and immediately stop its wrong actions. China will take necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests,” Lin added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese business delegation visits Qatar

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

    DOHA, Feb. 24 — A Chinese business delegation, organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), visited Qatar from Saturday to Monday to boost bilateral economic and trade ties and promote mutually beneficial cooperation.

    The visit featured extensive talks between the delegation led by CCPIT Vice President Yu Jianlong and Qatari officials and business leaders, including those from the Investment Promotion Agency Qatar and QatarEnergy, and resulted in several cooperation agreements.

    The delegation briefed Qatari political and business figures on China’s economic outlook and its latest opening-up measures.

    It voiced readiness to level up practical business and industrial cooperation between the two countries, actively deepen and consolidate the Belt and Road cooperation, and strengthen bilateral cooperation under such frameworks as the China-Arab States Summit.

    It also welcomed the Qatari business community to participate in the third China International Supply Chain Expo to be held in Beijing from July 16 to 20 to deepen bilateral industrial and supply chain cooperation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: MEDIA RELEASE: Labor shuns business in new round of FWC appointees

    Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA

     Statement by AREEA Chief Executive Officer Steve Knott AM 

    On the eve of the federal election, the Albanese Government has continued to stack the Fair Work Commission with Labor’s union and lawyer mates.

    Today’s announcement of four new members means the Albanese Government since taking office has appointed 21 members to the national workplace tribunal who have backgrounds in trade unions or with Labor-aligned law firms.

    The Commission now comprises 31* Labor appointees and 26 Coalition-appointed members.

    All this does is encourage a future Coalition government to perpetuate Labor’s unacceptably partisan nature of appointments in an effort to rebalance the tribunal.

    The Government’s sweeping legislative changes have elevated the FWC’s involvement in setting employment terms and conditions.

    Businesses are being significantly impacted by new intractable bargaining laws – or arbitration under a fancy label – multi-employer bargaining, same job same pay orders and more.

    At a time when the FWC is increasingly required to make decisions on major commercial and contractual matters, the growth of union-linked appointees and the dearth of tribunal members with business experience is alarming.

    You would think that raising the stocks of members with a proven background and record in business practice and analysis would be a good idea.

    By sidelining these candidates, the Albanese Government’s politicisation of the nation’s IR tribunal with union- and Labor-linked members is another kick in the teeth for business confidence and productivity.

    It comes despite only 7.9 per cent of private sector employees who are union members.

    The broader public trust and confidence in courts, tribunals and other institutions is undermined when appointments are so blatantly political in nature.

    *Figure amended

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese researchers develop system for quantum direct communication

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A team of Chinese researchers proposed a theory of one-way quantum direct communication and successfully developed a practical system, advancing quantum direct communication from a concept to the stage of practical application.
    According to a study recently published in Science Advances, researchers from the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, Tsinghua University, and North China University of Technology set a record in a standard optical fiber communication test with a transmission distance of 104.8 km. They achieved stable transmission at a rate of 2.38 kilobit per second for 168 consecutive hours.
    Quantum direct communication was previously proposed by a team led by Long Guilu from Tsinghua University, one of the corresponding authors of the study paper. It enables secure communication by utilizing quantum states and features characteristics such as eavesdropping detection and prevention, compatibility with existing networks, simplified management processes, and covert transmission.
    The core challenge in this field is achieving secure and reliable communication using quantum states with extremely low energy. These states are highly susceptible to interference in quantum channels characterized by high noise, high loss, and the risk of eavesdropping.
    Previous research used bidirectional protocols, in which both communicating parties had to transmit quantum states back and forth. This resulted in significant system loss and severely limited communication performance improvement.
    “In 2022, we set a world record for quantum direct communication over 100 kilometers, but the rate was only 0.5 bit per second, which allowed transmission of messages with very few characters,” Long recalled.
    He explained that one-way transmission could halve the distance of quantum state transmission, significantly reducing loss, which is the key to improving the performance of quantum direct communication.
    The researchers developed high-noise and high-loss channel coding and other key technologies to propose a theoretical method for one-way quantum direct communication. They resolved the technical challenges and completed the development of the communication terminal.
    The new system’s communication rate has increased by 4,760 times compared with the one developed in 2022, significantly enhancing the performance of quantum direct communication.
    According to Long, quantum direct communication systems are expected to be widely applied in fields with extremely high requirements for information security, such as government affairs and finance.
    There are two main types of quantum secure communication. One is quantum key distribution, which uses quantum states to generate keys while transmitting encrypted information through classical communication. Its advantage is the high transmission rate.
    The other is quantum direct communication, which directly transmits information using quantum states. In the event of eavesdropping, the quantum states can self-destruct to ensure information security. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Fishing ban near HKZMB to begin in March

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Fishing will be prohibited in the waters around the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge starting in March to ensure navigation safety and protect the bridge structure in the Pearl River estuary.
    The ban covers water areas within 5 kilometers on both sides of the bridge’s entire axis in Guangdong, according to the Regulations on Safety Management of Sea Fishing in Zhuhai Special Economic Zone. It also applies to nearby nature reserves, military restricted zones and harbor waters.
    The regulation, passed by the Zhuhai People’s Congress, takes effect on March 1. It is the first rule in Guangdong province specifically regulating sea fishing safety.
    Sea fishing activities in the bridge waters could interfere with ship navigation and lead to accidents, said Wen Guangfu, deputy director of the Zhuhai maritime safety administration.
    The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which spans a busy shipping lane, connects the eastern and western parts of the Pearl River Delta and is a key link in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The 55-km project, which includes a bridge, undersea tunnels and artificial islands, opened in 2018.
    Ensuring the safety of the bridge and maintaining orderly ship navigation in surrounding waters is critical, Wen said.
    Zhuhai’s sea fishing industry has grown in recent years, bringing safety concerns, said Liang Xianming, deputy director of the Zhuhai ocean development bureau. The city, which has abundant fishing resources, has hosted multiple national and international sea fishing events.
    “The city government attaches great importance to the management of sea fishing events,” Liang said. “The new regulation will clarify government and industry responsibilities, strengthen safety oversight, minimize risks, and safeguard lives and property.”
    The regulation requires fishing vessels to report departure and return times to maritime authorities. Boats must be equipped with automatic identification systems, satellite positioning devices and other safety equipment. Passengers must be provided with life jackets and positioning devices.
    Unlicensed vessels are banned from participating in sea fishing events. The regulation also prohibits illegal docking, overloading, sailing beyond approved areas, night sailing without permission and captains from operating vessels while under the influence of alcohol.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China sentences 4 key figures in cross-border telecom fraud to life in prison

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Chinese court has sentenced 4 key figures in cross-border telecom fraud cases to life in prison, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) said on Monday.
    The four defendants all left China to form telecom fraud organizations, with one of them, surnamed Yu, organizing a number of people to go abroad to commit crimes, the SPC revealed when releasing a selection of illustrative cases.
    In another case, a defendant surnamed Yang, who had been previously convicted for involvement in telecom fraud, was severely punished for reoffending, according to the SPC.
    Two convicts in a separate case were found to have recruited minors for telecom scams. Despite their status as accomplices and their confessions to the offenses, they received harsh sentences, said the SPC.
    Along with imposing harsh penalties, the courts ordered the criminals to return the money they had fraudulently obtained, and assured the victims they would receive confiscated funds in a prompt manner. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China outlines key tasks to deepen rural reforms, advance rural revitalization

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Agricultural machines work in fields at a farm of Beidahuang Group in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]
    China unveiled its “No. 1 central document” for 2025 on Sunday, outlining priorities to deepen rural reforms further and solid steps to advance all-around rural revitalization.
    As the first policy statement released by China’s central authorities each year, the document is seen as an indicator of policy priorities.
    The document consists of six parts covering six areas: ensuring the supply of grain and other important agricultural products, consolidating the achievements of poverty elimination, developing local industries, advancing rural construction, improving the rural governance system, and optimizing the rural resource allocation system.
    The document calls for enhanced efforts in work related to agriculture, rural areas and farmers in 2025 and beyond, and sets the goals of advancing all-around rural revitalization and consolidating the country’s agricultural foundations further.
    With reform, opening-up, and scientific and technological innovation as driving forces, the country will safeguard its grain security and ensure that no large-scale lapse or relapse into poverty occurs, the document says.
    The country will make every effort to enhance agricultural efficiency, invigorate rural areas and increase farming incomes, thereby laying a solid foundation for the advancement of Chinese modernization, the document stresses.
    It emphasizes the importance of developing new quality productive forces in agriculture in light of local conditions. It also calls for the cultivation of leading high-tech agricultural enterprises, and the acceleration of breakthroughs in crop varieties.
    China will support the development of smart agriculture and expand the application scenarios of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and low-altitude systems, according to the document.
    It outlines plans to expand cold-chain logistics and instant retail services to townships, and encourages regions with suitable conditions to establish public charging and battery-swap facilities for electric vehicles.
    To promote the effective management and utilization of rural resources and assets, the document calls for the exploration of feasible ways to make good use of legally owned rural housing through methods such as leasing, equity participation and cooperation.
    The document urges innovation efforts related to the financing mechanisms for rural revitalization. Steps will be taken to strengthen support from central budget investments, ultra-long special government bonds, and special local government bonds for major projects in agriculture and rural areas. Monetary policy tools will be utilized to encourage financial institutions to increase funding for rural revitalization.
    Reforms related to forestry, state farms, and supply and marketing cooperatives will be advanced in a coordinated manner. The document stresses the importance of deepening the reform of the collective forest tenure, of enhancing comprehensive reforms of water pricing and water rights in the agricultural sector, of strengthening water usage management, and of promoting water-saving irrigation technologies.
    Eligible cities are encouraged to include their agricultural migrant populations with stable employment into the scope of local urban housing security policies gradually, the document notes.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges global participation in Int’l Humanitarian Law Initiative

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Trucks loaded with Chinese aid get ready to set off from the warehouse of Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization in Zarqa, Jordan, on Feb. 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China has called on the international community to actively engage in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Initiative, co-launched by China, stressing the importance of joint efforts to uphold humanitarian principles and protect civilians in conflict zones.

    Chen Xu, China’s permanent representative to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, attended a high-level event to galvanize political commitment to IHL. He introduced the IHL Initiative and outlined China’s position on humanitarian issues.

    Noting that the current global humanitarian crisis remains dire, Chen emphasized that promoting effective compliance with IHL is “a pressing challenge of our time” that must be addressed and it is also the concern that served as a driving force behind the initiative’s launch. He stated that the IHL Initiative aims to raise awareness of IHL among the international community, particularly among parties to armed conflicts.

    He stressed that the international community should foster the spirit of humanity, fraternity, and devotion while ensuring the universal and uniform application of IHL, resolutely rejecting double standards and selective application. He added that the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence must be upheld to avoid the politicization of humanitarian issues, and that support for international humanitarian organizations is essential to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers.

    Chen invited all parties to participate in the IHL Initiative and actively contribute to its various workstreams based on their expertise. He also emphasized that traditional Chinese values – such as “a benevolent man loves others” and “do not impose on others what you do not want others to do to you” – embody a deeply rooted humanitarian spirit.

    He said China will remain an active supporter, participant, and contributor to the international humanitarian cause, upholding its vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and implementing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.

    Chen stressed that China remains committed to peace talks, promoting peace and hope in conflict zones, continuing its assistance to Africa and other developing countries, supporting humanitarian organizations to the best of its ability, and alleviating the suffering of people in conflict zones.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Moran Lead Introduction of Legislation to Prevent Taxation of Broadband Deployment Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) led 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code to make certain that federal broadband deployment funding will not be considered taxable income.

    Grants awarded to broadband providers for the purposes of broadband deployment are currently factored into a company’s income and taxed as income. This bipartisan legislation moves to exclude broadband deployment grants awarded through certain federal programs from an organization’s income, ensuring the entirety of federal dollars awarded to companies for the purpose of deploying broadband around the country can be used for that purpose, rather than making their way back to the government through taxes.

    The senators were joined by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) in introducing this legislation.    

    “In order to fully reap the benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan, every dollar that was set aside to fund broadband expansion and deployment should be used for that purpose,” said Sen. Warner. “Taxing these broadband investments awards is counter-productive, and will ultimately diminish efforts to give more Americans access to high-speed internet.”

    “Reliable, high-speed internet is more crucial than ever for Kansans to run their businesses, access telehealth or pursue an education,” said Sen. Moran. “This commonsense legislation would make certain federal grants provided for broadband deployment are not counted as taxable income to maximize the impact and success of these resources.”

    “Broadband investments that I worked hard at securing in the bipartisan infrastructure bill will continue to unlock limitless possibilities in terms of telehealth, education and small business opportunities, and importantly, allow Alaskans to connect with one another,” said Sen. Sullivan. “However, taxing these investments weakens our efforts. This legislation ensures that funds directed by Congress are spent on deploying broadband, furthering my goal of connecting every single Alaskan.”

    “We made tremendous federal investments, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build broadband infrastructure and help ensure Virginians can access reliable, high-speed internet, which is critical for school, work, and other opportunities,” said Sen. Kaine. “This legislation would ensure every dollar is used for this purpose by preventing broadband deployment grants from being taxed.”

    “Rural communities are the backbone of our nation, and we want to ensure that Americans living in these communities have access to high-speed internet,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Taxing broadband grants would undermine federal efforts to prioritize rural broadband expansion. I am proud to support this legislation so that those living in rural America have internet needed to run their businesses, access health care, and pursue educational opportunities.”

    “Taxing federal broadband grants as gross income undermines the intent for broadband deployment programs,” said Sen. Capito. “The Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act would help make sure this doesn’t happen so we can continue our efforts to close the digital divide in the areas that need broadband connectivity the most.”

    “In today’s digital age, access to high-speed, affordable broadband is critical for Maine people to live, work and stay connected with one another,” said Sen. King. “Every single dollar that is invested in broadband deployment is vital, and shouldn’t be clawed back by the government at the cost of connecting an extra community street or neighborhood that needs it. I want to thank my colleagues for coming together to help close the digital divide in rural and urban communities in Maine and across the nation.”

    “It certainly won’t surprise North Dakotans to know that reliable, high-speed broadband brings our country together in many respects,” said Sen. Cramer. “Much like our integrated highway system and anchored by our interstate highway system, it connects large, rural states like ours to essential services like telemedicine, educational opportunities, and it strengthens, probably more than anything, our small businesses with e-commerce opportunities. By making every dollar for broadband expansion count, this bill really does pave the way for a much more connected future.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Moran, Warner Lead Introduction of Legislation to Prevent Taxation of Broadband Deployment Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) led 10 of their colleagues in introducing legislation to amend the Internal Revenue Code to make certain that federal broadband deployment funding will not be considered taxable income.

    Grants awarded to broadband providers for the purposes of broadband deployment are currently factored into a company’s income and taxed as income. This bipartisan legislation moves to exclude broadband deployment grants awarded through certain federal programs from an organization’s income, ensuring the entirety of federal dollars awarded to companies for the purpose of deploying broadband around the country can be used for that purpose, rather than making their way back to the government through taxes.

    The senators were joined by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Angus King (I-Maine), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) in introducing this legislation.     

    “Reliable, high-speed internet is more crucial than ever for Kansans to run their businesses, access telehealth or pursue an education,” said Sen. Moran. “This commonsense legislation would make certain federal grants provided for broadband deployment are not counted as taxable income to maximize the impact and success of these resources.”

    “In order to fully reap the benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the American Rescue Plan, every dollar that was set aside to fund broadband expansion and deployment should be used for that purpose,” said Sen. Warner. “Taxing these broadband investments awards is counter-productive, and will ultimately diminish efforts to give more Americans access to high-speed internet.”

    “Broadband investments that I worked hard at securing in the bipartisan infrastructure bill will continue to unlock limitless possibilities in terms of telehealth, education and small business opportunities, and importantly, allow Alaskans to connect with one another,” said Sen. Sullivan. “However, taxing these investments weakens our efforts. This legislation ensures that funds directed by Congress are spent on deploying broadband, furthering my goal of connecting every single Alaskan.”

    “We made tremendous federal investments, including through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build broadband infrastructure and help ensure Virginians can access reliable, high-speed internet, which is critical for school, work, and other opportunities,” said Sen. Kaine. “This legislation would ensure every dollar is used for this purpose by preventing broadband deployment grants from being taxed.”

    “Rural communities are the backbone of our nation, and we want to ensure that Americans living in these communities have access to high-speed internet,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Taxing broadband grants would undermine federal efforts to prioritize rural broadband expansion. I am proud to support this legislation so that those living in rural America have internet needed to run their businesses, access health care, and pursue educational opportunities.”

    “Taxing federal broadband grants as gross income undermines the intent for broadband deployment programs,” said Sen. Capito. “The Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act would help make sure this doesn’t happen so we can continue our efforts to close the digital divide in the areas that need broadband connectivity the most.”

    “In today’s digital age, access to high-speed, affordable broadband is critical for Maine people to live, work and stay connected with one another,” said Sen. King. “Every single dollar that is invested in broadband deployment is vital, and shouldn’t be clawed back by the government at the cost of connecting an extra community street or neighborhood that needs it. I want to thank my colleagues for coming together to help close the digital divide in rural and urban communities in Maine and across the nation.”

    “It certainly won’t surprise North Dakotans to know that reliable, high-speed broadband brings our country together in many respects,” said Sen. Cramer. “Much like our integrated highway system and anchored by our interstate highway system, it connects large, rural states like ours to essential services like telemedicine, educational opportunities, and it strengthens, probably more than anything, our small businesses with e-commerce opportunities. By making every dollar for broadband expansion count, this bill really does pave the way for a much more connected future.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – Radio 2SM Sydney – Breakfast with Ron Wilson

    Source: Australia Government Ministerial Statements

    RON WILSON [HOST]: Truck drivers in western Sydney are set to benefit from the city’s first dedicated heavy vehicle rest stop. It’s considered a crucial infrastructure project aimed at improving safety and reducing fatigue for long haul truckies. It’s located at Eastern Creek and the site is strategically placed near key motorway junctions. It comes with a $40 million investment price tag from both the Albanese and Minns Labor governments. The project was part of an election promise by the New South Wales Labor government, and marks a significant step in enhancing road safety and ensuring truck drivers have the facilities they need to rest and recharge during their long journeys.

    Catherine King is the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Local Government in Australia as well. She’s on the line right now. Catherine, good morning.

    CATHERINE KING [MINISTER]: Hi, Ron. It’s great to be with you.

    RON WILSON: Tell us about this truck stop. How important is it in the overall scheme of transport?

    CATHERINE KING: Well, it’s incredibly important. We know just how much- how busy that freight route is between Melbourne right the way through to Brisbane. Truck drivers are required under our law to actually have rest and rest stops. We can’t have fatigued drivers on the road. But in that area, particularly where there is such a high volume of freight going through, there just really isn’t anywhere for truck drivers to safely rest. And this will be the first dedicated area specifically for trucks ever in western Sydney and at Eastern Creek. We often hear, you know, truck drivers are parking on suburban roads. They’re parking on the side of the road, trying to make sure that they comply with their rest hours. And that is not safe for anybody. It’s certainly not safe for them.

    The other thing we know is that we’re seeing increasing numbers of female drivers. They want, as should anyone in their workplace, access to decent toilet facilities, decent shower facilities, safe places to be able to rest and shaded places to be able to rest as well. So this is a really important project. 40 million from the Albanese government, 40 million from the Minns government. They took it to the last state election. We’re saying we’re going to back this in. This is budgeted funding. This is not an election commitment. This is something we want to fund, really as part of the infrastructure program.

    It’s been identified by truck drivers as the area- really a missing spot. So this is a really important announcement both for truck drivers but also for road safety. We want drivers who are on our roads that have had- you know, have got decent workplaces that are well rested and have places where they can rest and actually shower and recover from what is a really gruelling and difficult job.

    RON WILSON: Boy, a total of over $80 million. It must be some truck stop.

    CATHERINE KING: Well, it takes a lot to, you know, build roads to actually get the hard surfacing, but also to get the services out there. You obviously need electricity, you need water, you need sewerage out there as well. Unfortunately, it just does take that amount of money to be able to do that and to build those proper dedicated facilities. Unfortunately, infrastructure is expensive.

    RON WILSON: Well, that’s one truck stop. It’s an awful big country. Have you got more of these planned?

    CATHERINE KING: Yeah. Well, what we’ve done, I’ve had a $180 million fund. And Senator Glenn Sterle, who might be known to all of you, he’s still driving trucks himself. Every now and again, he gets behind the wheel. He’s from over in the west. I asked him to chair- basically to bring trucking companies together and truck drivers together to identify sites to fund that. And we’ve put the first tranche out of that. There’s smaller stops, often in the regional areas, because we wanted truck drivers to identify, well, where are you stopping? Where are the facilities that are needed? How can we actually fund these? So that’s been part of the government- we took that to the last election, and that’s been steadily rolling its way out, as well as as we build big scale infrastructure. So you’d be aware, you know, there’s big projects up in the Hunter. We look at opportunities there to partner with state and local government to also build those facilities in at the same time. But there’s no doubt that we could have more. And we need to continue to look at opportunities to do that, which is why we’ve got the funding program to try and roll them out. But this will be a single biggest one, and it’s a really big missing area. Like there just isn’t anywhere in that area really. And often you’ll see truck drivers just trying to plough- keep going. But they’ve got to, you know, make sure that they’ve stopped within the hours that [indistinct] drive a certain number of hours.

    RON WILSON: [Talks over] Yeah, that’s right.

    CATHERINE KING: So it’s really difficult for them to then, you know, get that push through to get to the next stop where they can. And there’s really just nothing in that area for them to stop at.

    RON WILSON: Yeah. Minister, this is such good news for all road users, not just the trucking industry. So very pleased that you’re able to come on and have a chat to us about it this morning, I appreciate it.

    CATHERINE KING: Really good to be with you.

    RON WILSON: The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in Australia, Catherine King, talking about this new truck stop. It’s located at Eastern Creek. It comes at a cost of over $80 million.

    MIL OSI News –