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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case, Hirono, Steel, Scott, Moylan And Tokuda Lead Introduction Of Measures In U.S. House and Senate Commemorating October As Filipino-American History Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI 01 and his House colleagues, Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA 45 ), Robert Cortez (Bobby) Scott (D-VA 3), James Moylan (R-GU) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI 02), have joined U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) in co-leading a bipartisan, bicameral measure commemorating October as Filipino-American History Month.

    The Members’ resolution (link to copy below), co-sponsored currently by an additional 33 Members, celebrates the long and distinguished history of Filipino Americans in the United States, where FilAms now number over 4,000,000.

    It resolves that Congress:

    1)   recognizes the celebration of Filipino American History Month as –

    ·        a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans;

    ·        a time to reflect on and remember the many notable contributions that Filipino Americans have made to the United States; and

    ·        a time to renew efforts toward the research and examination of history and culture so as to provide an opportunity for all people of the United States to learn more about Filipino Americans and to appreciate the historic contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States; and

    2)   urges the people of the United States to observe Filipino American History Month with appropriate programs and activities

    “Since 2019, and as the Member of Congress with the most Filipino Americans of any U.S. House district nationwide, I have been honored to co-lead an annual resolution recognizing October as Filipino American History Month,” said Rep. Case. 

    “I have joined many colleagues in doing so in order to recognize and celebrate the great contributions of Filipino Americans to our country, in government and law, music and entertainment, sports, business and countless other ventures.”

    “From the first Filipino contract laborers who arrived in Hawai‘i seeking a better life, to the Filipino American leaders in business, health care, and our Armed Forces, this community has contributed to our country’s diversity and helped to shape our identity as a nation,” said Sen. Hirono. “As we continue working to uplift the voices of Filipino Americans in Hawai‘i and across the country, I am proud to introduce this resolution to honor the Filipino American community’s contributions and accomplishments and celebrate their rich history and culture.”

    “The Filipino community in Southern California adds rich culture and heritage to our communities, and I am proud to serve as the voice of so many of them in Congress,” said Rep. Steel.

    “As we approach Filipino American History Month, I’m excited to celebrate the enormous contributions of Filipino Americans to our shared American story.”

    “As the only currently serving Member of Congress with Filipino ancestry and Co-Chair of the U.S.-Philippines Friendship Caucus, I am proud to co-lead this resolution with Reps. Case, Moylan, Steel, Tokuda and Senator Hirono as we celebrate Filipino American History Month,” said Rep. Scott.  “This is a time to recognize Filipino Americans’ contributions as our veterans, our healthcare workers, our educators, and so much more. I have the privilege of representing a rich and vibrant Filipino American community in Hampton Roads and I am proud to celebrate this month with Filipino Americans across the nation.”

    “I am proud to introduce this legislation with my friend, Representative Case. Filipino Americans have been integral to the success of this nation as well as to my district of Guam,” said Rep. Moylan. “It is important we recognize and celebrate the many achievements of these patriots, and I look forward to the countless future achievements by the Filipino American community.”

    “Since arriving in Hawaiʻi in the late 1800s to work on sugarcane and pineapple plantations, Filipinos played an important role in the history, culture, and fabric of Hawaiʻi,” said Rep. Tokuda. “They have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to my home state and the country and that’s why I’m proud to cosponsor this measure, celebrating the historical achievements and milestones that make up Filipino American History Month.”

    Case continued: “Since their early beginnings, our Filipino American community has grown to some 4.4 million citizens and is the third largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group in the United States. Their mark lies in all parts of our society, with a bright future of further contributions to come.

    “In introducing our resolution, we also recognize the increasingly strong and critical ties between our country and the Republic of the Philippines. We also again honor the over 250,000 Filipinos who answered the call to protect and defend America and the Philippines in the Pacific theater, and who were awarded the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal by Act of Congress and bestowed by President Obama in 2016.”

    Filipino-American History Month resolution is here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. House Passes Case Measure To Further Strengthen Partnerships Between The United States And Pacific Island Nations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai’i-First District) today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 7159, his proposed Pacific Partnership Act, to further increase U.S. engagement in the critical Pacific region.

    Case, a Co-Chair and Founding Member of the first-ever Congressional Pacific Islands Caucus, introduced the measure together with 25 other bipartisan colleagues. 

    “Our country’s Indo-Pacific Strategy states in no uncertain terms that no region is of more consequence to the world and to everyday Americans than the Indo-Pacific,” said Case in remarks during full House debate on the measure. “The United States and our allies and partners around the world who are aligned with an international rules-based order share the common vision  of a free and open Indo-Pacific whose governance, priorities, goals and prosperity are determined by the countries of the Indo-Pacific  without manipulation and dominance by malicious actors.

    “This is especially true of the Pacific Islands themselves, in the heart of the Pacific, which today face the challenges of increased natural disasters and human and drug trafficking, economic sustainability, threats to democracy and more. It is crucial that the United States continue to extend our hand of full partnership in assisting the countries of the Pacific to meet these challenges, as we have for generations.”

    The Pacific Partnership Act requires an annually-updated Strategy for Pacific Partnership that sets specific goals for United States engagement with the Pacific Islands, assesses the threats and pressures to the region and a plan to address such threats, and analyzes the needs and goals of the Pacific Islands in the context of the national interests of the United States. The bill also requires the strategy to be developed in consultation with the governments of Pacific Islands countries, ensuring that the United States follows through on its commitment to support Pacific-led priorities. The bill further extends diplomatic courtesies to the Pacific Islands Forum, the primary multilateral organization of the Pacific Islands nations, and requires increased collaboration in U.S. efforts in the Pacific with ally and partner nations including Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

    “I am honored to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Case that builds off of the actions of successive administrations to strengthen United States engagement in the Pacific Islands,” said Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY 6th District).  “It is essential that the United States demonstrates that we are not merely interested in the region, but we are invested in an evolving, enduring relationship with our Pacific Islands partners. 

    “This important, forward-looking legislation ensures that all arms of the United States government are in coordination to support a rules-based order and address threats to sovereign nations across the region.”

    “As a Pacific nation, the United States has a responsibility to engage and strengthen the partnerships that have ensured the region’s security and prosperity for decades,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY 5th District), the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which approved Case’s bill unanimously. “This legislation will ensure future administrations build on President Biden’s leadership to maintain our focus on the Pacific Islands.”

    “I want to thank Congressman Case for this much-needed bipartisan bill, said Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-American Samoa).  “The United States is a Pacific nation, and our region is critically important to U.S. interests. While Congress has extended the Compacts of Free Association for another 20 years for three Pacific Island countries, there are 11 other nations who need our attention. The United States has enduring cultural, historic, economic, and people-to-people connections with the Pacific Islands. The Pacific Partnership Act will go far in providing better focus for U.S. engagement with Pacific Island nations.”

    “The United States is a Pacific nation, and it is critical that we partner with our friends in the Pacific to tackle shared challenges including climate resilience, healthcare, and economic development,” said Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA 6th District). “This bill designates the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and encourages the establishment of a PIF mission in America. The bill also solidifies our commitment to the region by codifying the Pacific Partnership Strategy. By strengthening our diplomatic presence in the region, we ensure that the United States remains a reliable partner in promoting a free, resilient, and prosperous Pacific.”

    “The Pacific Partnership Act bolsters our longstanding relationship with the Pacific Islands, a crucial region in our defense against the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congressman Steve Womack (R-AR 3rd District).

    “This bill strengthens our partnerships and supports American defense. This is particularly meaningful to my constituents in Northwest Arkansas, given the high concentration of Marshallese in our region. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill and am pleased it passed the House.”

     “We must counter ongoing aggression from the PRC by building effective relationships with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA 36th District). “The Pacific Partnership Act would support diplomatic, strategic and economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen our defenses against CCP aggression. I am pleased to have been a cosponsor on this important bill and am hopeful that it will be signed into law.”

    “Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the critical importance of American leadership in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL 2nd District).  “Continuing the crucial partnership to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and security ties with the Pacific Islands is essential to counteract the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party.

    “The Pacific Partnership Act benefits both America and the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. must continue to show strength and promote regional stability and cooperation.”

    “The U.S. shares a long history with the Pacific Islands, and we must continue to prioritize our diplomatic, economic, and security relationships in the region,” said Congresswoman Katie Porter (D-CA 47th District).  “Pacific Islanders abroad and in the U.S. are counting on us to counter Chinese aggression, right our historic wrongs, and strengthen our cooperation with these important partners. As a member of the Natural Resources Committee’s Indo-Pacific Taskforce and a cosponsor of the Pacific Partnerships Act, I’m glad we are moving forward on developing a forward-looking framework to help shape U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific for the years to come.”

    “The Pacific Partnerships Act stands to shift America’s perspective of global affairs, by acknowledging our country’s deep cultural ties to the Pacific and refocusing on the region as core to national security,” said Congressman James Moylan (R-Guam).

    “The bill’s requirement for consecutive national strategies on Pacific will provide continuity and focus to our nation’s engagement with Pacific partners. I thank Rep. Case for his work on this bill, and his specific focus on elevating small pacific island communities such as Guam.”

    “The U.S.’s longstanding partnerships with the Pacific Islands are critical to national security. The Pacific Partnership Act, which I was proud to cosponsor, ensures we have a strategy for engaging with nations in the Indo-Pacific region and sets us up to support our allies while also preserving U.S. diplomatic, economic, and security interests,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ 1st District). “Today, I was pleased to see this legislation pass the House of Representatives, marking an important step forward in enhancing our national security.”

    “Supporting our friends and allies in the Indo-Pacific is essential to guaranteeing American security in the region and across the world,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8th District). “This legislation will bolster security, stability, and growth across the Pacific Islands while expanding collaboration on efforts to combat the Chinese Communist Party’s continuing aggression.”

    “A strong Indo-Pacific is critical for our national security and economy,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D-WA 10th District). “The Pacific Islands are key partners, and the Pacific Partnership Act further solidifies our relationship and diplomacy with them.”

    Case continued: “As ourselves a Pacific nation for over two centuries, we have enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with the Pacific Islands which only continues to increase in historic, economic, cultural and strategy significance.

    “Our Pacific Partnership Act advances the breadth and depth of our engagement with the Pacific Islands on issues of particular importance to the Pacific Islands, as recently reconfirmed in the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Tonga. In doing so, we advance the mutual national and international interests of like-minded nations throughout the Indo-Pacific who are committed to an international rules-based democratic order.”

    ·        Copy of H.R. 7159 is here.

    ·        Summary of the bill is here.

    ·        Text of Case’s House Remarks are here.

    ·        Video Case’s Remarks Pacific Partnership Act Floor Speech

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: The new Global Signal Exchange will help fight scams and fraud in Australia

    Source: Google

    Scams have a devastating impact on people’s lives, and can cause real-world harm. Keeping people safe from scammers is core to the work of many teams at Google. It’s why we’ve developed world-class systems for detecting and preventing fraud, and block millions of attempted scams every day across our different products and services.

    It’s also why today we’re sharing more information about a new partnership to help fight scams, as well as announcing how Cross-Account Protection is actively protecting 3.2 billion users, since we first announced it earlier this year.

    Global Signal Exchange

    Today we are announcing a new partnership with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and DNS Research Federation (DNSRF) to launch the Global Signal Exchange (GSE). The GSE is a new project with the ambition to be a global clearinghouse for online scams and fraud bad actor signals, with Google becoming its first Founding Member.

    This collaboration leverages the strengths of each partner: GASA’s extensive network of stakeholders, the DNS Research Federation’s robust data platform with already over 40 million signals, and Google’s experience in combating scams and fraud. By joining forces and establishing a centralised platform, GSE aims to improve the exchange of abuse signals, enabling faster identification and disruption of fraudulent activities across various sectors, platforms and services. The goal is to create a user-friendly, efficient solution that operates at an internet-scale, and is accessible to qualifying organisations, with GASA and the DNS Research Federation managing access.

    The GSE seeks to address the complex issue of online fraud and scams signal sharing. We have had a long history of partnering with Priority Flaggers around the world to take in scam signals. In this initial pilot of the data platform, Google was for the first time able to share over 100,000 URLs of bad Shopping merchants and as part of the same test, ingest 1 million scam signals. We’ll start by sharing URLs that we have actioned under our scams policies, and as we gain experience from the pilot, we will look to add data soon from other relevant Google product areas.

    The data engine powering the platform runs on Google Cloud Platform and will allow participants to both share and consume signals gathered by others while benefiting from Google Cloud Platform’s AI capabilities to find patterns and match signals smartly.

    As part of this announcement, Google is supporting the DNS Research Federation and GASA with new funding to launch the GSE. We have also developed a partnership enabling the sending and receiving of signals related to scam and fraud activities across relevant and in-scope products and services related to online scams and fraud.

    We know from experience that fighting scams and the criminal organisations behind them requires strong collaboration among industry, businesses, civil society and governments to combat bad actors and protect users. We’re committed to doing our part to protect users, including through our continued work developing tools, publishing research, and sharing expertise and information with others to protect people online.

    Cross-Account Protection

    In May, we announced Cross-Account Protection, a tool which enables ongoing cooperation between platforms in the fight against abuse. Today we’re sharing that Cross-Account Protection is actively protecting 3.2 billion users across sites and apps where they sign in with their Google Account. This helps support our commitment to keeping you safe on Google platforms — and beyond.

    Cross-Account Protection is free and automatically available when sites and apps integrate Sign in with Google, allowing Google to share security notifications — in a privacy-preserving way — about suspicious events with the apps and services you’ve connected to your Google Account. Collaboration is critical to protect people across the internet, and that’s why we’re proud to be partnering with your favorite sites and apps on Cross-Account Protection, including Canva, Electronic Arts and Indeed. In turn, third-party apps and services can use Google’s suspicious event detection to help keep you safer online and prevent cybercriminals from gaining and maintaining a foothold across your many online accounts.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Hurricane Helene Recovery Continues as Biden-⁠ Harris Administration Prepares for Hurricane  Milton

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    The Biden-Harris Administration continues to both make urgent and life-saving preparations for Hurricane Milton and carry out response and recovery efforts for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
    Today, President Biden and Vice President Harris received a briefing from members of their Administration about updates on the latest forecast for Hurricane Milton, expected impacts for the State of Florida, and the robust pre-landfall preparations underway. They also received an update on the ongoing response to the impacts of Hurricane Helene across the Southeast and Appalachia. President Biden will address the Nation tonight regarding Hurricane Milton.
    President Biden has spoken to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector, and Pinellas County Chairwoman Kathleen Peters to get firsthand reports on recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene and to discuss preparations for Hurricane Milton. The President told each of the officials to call him directly if they need additional assistance on response and recovery efforts.
    More than 8,000 Federal personnel are on the ground across the Southeast, including in Florida, to continue Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and respond to the impacts of Hurricane Milton.
    At the direction of President Biden, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will travel to Florida tonight to join the personnel on the ground and ensure every Floridian gets the help they need when this storm passes.
    Additional updates on our efforts for Hurricanes Milton and Helene include:
    Hurricane Milton Pre-Landfall Preparations
    Pre-Landfall Outreach and Emergency Declarations
    President Biden granted pre-landfall emergency declarations for the State of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida for Hurricane Milton, enabling FEMA to provide direct assistance to the state, local and Tribal response, preposition supplies and response assets and mobilize hundreds of personnel in the state, many of whom were already in place supporting the Hurricane Helene response.
    The White House has been in contact with more than 60 Florida officials from all 51 counties that fall under the pre-landfall Emergency Declaration approved by President Biden. We remain in close communication with officials in the 16 cities and counties that will likely be in the direct path of the storm.
    Surging Resources and Personnel to Florida
    FEMA has over 1,000 responders on the ground in Florida supporting Hurricane Milton preparations and recovery efforts from previous disasters. There are over 1,400 search and rescue personnel pre-staged to support Hurricane Milton response efforts.
    The U.S. Coast Guard has 1,300 personnel stationed in Florida ready to immediately assist with life-saving and life sustaining search and rescue operations throughout the State. The Coast Guard also has personnel ready who will work directly with the U.S. Army Corps of engineers to assess and open the critical lifeline of the Port of Tampa as quickly as possible to ensure necessary supplies and fuel can start to flow into the impacted areas again.
    The State of Florida has activated over 6,000 members of the National Guard and expects to bring on an additional 3,000 National Guard members from Florida and other States to support State response activities.
    The Federal government has pre-positioned resources to support local and state response efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton. FEMA pre-staged seven FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams, eight federal Urban Search & Rescue and swift water rescue teams, three U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue teams, 10 HealthCare System Assessment Teams, two U.S Army Corps of Engineers temporary power teams, debris experts, Environmental Protection Agency wastewater experts, over 500 ambulances, 20 helicopters prepared to support media requirements following landfall, and 60 High Water Vehicles with ladders from the Department of Defense.
    Additionally, FEMA has five incident staging bases with commodities including food and water. Right now, FEMA has 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water ready to deploy to address ongoing Helene and Milton response efforts with capacity to expand as needed.
    The Department of Defense is ready to support air search-and-rescue efforts, support urban search-and-rescue teams, provide helicopters to move personnel and equipment, and provide high water vehicles. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is staged across the area of impact and is prepared to support debris management, assessments of infrastructure and water/wastewater facilities, temporary power installations, and flood/water mitigation efforts.
    Additional Efforts to Support Pre-Landfall Preparations and Protect Communities
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is leveraging state-of-the-art technology to keep communities safe throughout the southeast. NOAA’s fleet of “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft gather vital data to help improve track and intensity forecasts, supporting the 24-7 work of the National Weather Service (NWS). NWS provides the real-time, accurate information that assists local meteorologists and emergency operations leaders protect their communities and combat weather misinformation. Additionally, data from reconnaissance planes and drones used to survey damage following Hurricane Helene’s landfall will help us better prepare for post-Milton recovery operations.
    The Department of Energy’s Energy Response Organization remains activated to respond to storm impacts. Via the Electricity Sub-Sector Coordinating Council and Oil and Natural Gas Sub-Sector Coordinating Council, the Department has been coordinating continuously with energy sector partners on both the ongoing Hurricane Helene response and potential impacts from Hurricane Milton.
    The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has notified local public housing authorities and owners of its assisted multifamily and heath care properties within the State of Florida to immediately implement all appropriate safety protocols for residents and workers. HUD is committed to ensuring that residents of its assisted homes and properties receive critical information that can save lives during extreme weather events. HUD is also conducting outreach and communications on the programmatic flexibilities and waivers that can be utilized to assist communities and survivors. Additionally, HUD is working with communities, shelter operators and homelessness services providers to prepare and support them—in collaboration with FEMA and disaster assistance organizations such as the Red Cross—as they provide life-saving assistance before and after the storm.
    The Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is assessing potential critical supply chain disruptions following Hurricane Helene’s impact on the IV solution supply chain. ASPR is coordinating with B Braun, an IV solution manufacturer with a facility in Daytona Beach, Florida, to move their product out of the path of the storm and facilitate other activities that will mitigate potential impacts on future distribution. ASPR and HHS partners are committed to continue working with public and private partners to support the supply chain as facilities address return to full operational capacity. ASPR is encouraging manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors to evaluate product allocation and healthcare providers to implement product conservation strategies to maximize available supply. ASPR is in communication with stakeholders to reduce disruption and facilitate product allocation.
    Protecting Impacts to Power and Travel Infrastructure
    The Department of Transportation is deploying a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Air Traffic Field Incident Response team to Florida and pre-staging operations in Jacksonville to support any impacted towers and airports. The team will work with the State and local authorities and the Department of Defense within the established Emergency Operations Center. The Department of Transportation is also deploying the FAA Communication Support Team (CST), which plays a critical role in restoring communications at impacted air traffic management facilities. Specifically, the CST will set up Starlink and Mobile Phone Bonding kits, which increase signal stability and data throughout the region. The FAA Air Traffic Organization Technical Operations Team is on-site and leading the restoration efforts for communications at air traffic facilities. The FAA is placing aircraft on standby to transport personnel from various agencies, mobilize resources, and support damage assessments to infrastructure.
    The FAA granted permission to the utility Florida Power & Light to use large Teros drones to assist with damage assessments and power restoration after Milton passes. These 1,800-pound drones can fly in harsh conditions and operate in winds up to 70 mph before crewed aircraft are able to fly.
    The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is coordinating with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and is prepared to rapidly process Emergency Relief (ER) funding requests from FDOT. The ER program helps pay for long-term, permanent repairs, and other immediate emergency repairs, such as protecting remaining facilities and restoring essential traffic. It reimburses State, local, federal, Tribal, and territorial governments for eligible expenses associated with damage from natural disasters or other emergency situations based on their requests.
    Hurricane Helene Response and Recovery
    The Department of Defense continues to support search-and-rescue operations, route clearance, and commodities distribution across western North Carolina with 1,500 active-duty troops. The Department of Defense is also employing additional capabilities to assist with increasing situational awareness across the remote terrain of Western North Carolina. The Army Corps of Engineers continues missions supporting temporary emergency power installations, infrastructure assessments, and debris management oversight.
    Mobilizing Financial Assistance and Surging Additional Personnel and Resources
    Over $344 million in assistance has been provided to Hurricane Helene survivors. President Biden approved a 100 percent Federal cost-share for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee to assist in those States’ response efforts. In North Carolina alone, FEMA has approved over $60 million in aid for more than 51,000 households.
    FEMA personnel and other Federal partners, including FEMA’s Surge Capacity Force, remain on the ground supporting impacted communities, with over 17.2 million meals and 13.9 million liters of water delivered and ensuring information is accessible, including resources in preferred languages and ASL.
    Over the course of the last two weeks, 1,000 Urban Search and Rescue personnel have assisted over 3,200 survivors. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods in all Helene-affected States helping survivors apply for assistance and connecting them with additional State, local, Federal and voluntary agency resources.
    Supporting Infrastructure Recovery
    The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced over $130 million in Quick Release Emergency Relief funding to support North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The funding represents a down payment to address the immediate needs to restore vital transportation systems in these states. Additional funding will flow to affected communities from the Emergency Relief program.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) worked with partners to ensure the national airspace returned to steady state operations and all airports across impacted states reopened. The FAA’s Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Communication Support Team was deployed to restore communications to impacted airports, including delivering satellite communications kits to the Asheville Regional Airport in North Carolina and ongoing work at Valdosta Regional Airport in Georgia. The FAA Air Traffic Organization Technical Operations Team is on-site and leading communications restoration efforts at air traffic facilities. FAA also supported FEMA with two aircrafts to conduct flyover assessments and transport emergency personnel and gear, such as satellite communications kits.
    Additionally, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued Regional Emergency Declarations for Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. This Declaration affords emergency regulatory relief from Federal Motor Carrier Safety regulations, including maximum driving time for property- and passenger-carrying vehicles from the date of declaration. This allows truck drivers to get essential supplies to affected areas. The FMCSA Regional Declaration eliminates the need for each individual state to request a 14-day extension and allows FMCSA the ability to manage one declaration that includes all eight states and does not expire until October 27.
    NOAA continues to support post-disaster imagery flights following Hurricane Helene, already totaling over 68 flight hours during 20 flights, including over western North Carolina. NOAA is currently repositioning to support Florida and the impacts of Hurricane Milton. NOAA’s aerial imagery captures damage to coastal areas caused by a storm and aids safe navigation. Aerial imagery is a crucial tool to determine the extent of the damage from flooding, and to compare baseline coastal areas to assess the damage to major ports and waterways, coastlines, critical infrastructure, and coastal communities. This imagery not only supports FEMA and the broader response community, but the public at large.
    Supporting Students and Student Loan Borrowers
    The U.S. Department of Education is lifting up a series of resources for students, families, and borrowers impacted by these hurricanes. These resources include guidance, in person support, technical assistance, and peer-to-peer connections for state and local leaders; resources for recovery needs such as mental health support for students and educators; flexibilities to help institutions of higher education continue to manage the Federal financial aid programs; and automatically enrolling affected borrowers with missed payments into a natural disaster forbearance. Thanks to regulations issued by the Biden-Harris Administration, this forbearance will count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and income-driven repayment forgiveness.
    Providing Financial Flexibilities to Homeowners and Taxpayers
    The Department of Housing and Urban Development is providing a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) as well as foreclosures of mortgages to Native American borrowers guaranteed under the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee program. The moratorium and extension are effective as of the President’s disaster declaration date in each state. When homes are destroyed or damaged to an extent that reconstruction or complete replacement is necessary, HUD’s Section 203(h) program provides FHA insurance to disaster victims. Borrowers from participating FHA approved lenders are eligible for 100 percent financing including closing costs. HUD’s Section 203(k) loan program enables individuals to finance the purchase or refinance of a house, along with its repair, through a single mortgage. Homeowners can also finance the rehabilitation of their existing homes if damaged. FHA is coordinating and collaborating with the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Agriculture to ensure consistent messaging and policies for single family loans regarding foreclosure moratoriums and repayment/arrearage agreements. Additionally, affected homeowners that have mortgages through Government-Sponsored Enterprises – including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – and the FHA are eligible to suspend their mortgage payments through a forbearance plan for up to 12 months.
    The Internal Revenue Service announced disaster tax relief for all individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Helene, including the entire states of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina and parts of Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. Taxpayers in these areas now have until May 1, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service is providing more than 1,000 employees to help with FEMA disaster relief call lines and intake initial information to help disaster victims get federal relief. IRS Criminal Investigation agents are also on the ground in devastated areas to help with search and rescue efforts and other relief work – including assisting with door-to-door search efforts.
    Protecting Public Health
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services activated the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program for North Carolina to aid uninsured residents in replacing prescription medicines or certain medical equipment lost or damaged in Hurricane Helene.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is working closely with state and local officials to restore drinking water service in North Carolina and across the Southeast as well as provide assistance in debris and hazardous waste clean-up efforts.
    Supporting Workers and Worker Safety
    The U.S. Department of Labor announced initial emergency grant funding to Florida to support disaster-relief jobs and training services to help respond to Hurricane Helene. Additional grant funding for North Carolina is forthcoming. The National Dislocated Worker Grant – supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 – allows the Florida Department of Commerce to provide people with temporary disaster-relief jobs and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to address immediate, basic needs for those displaced by Hurricane Helene. The funding also enables the state to provide training and services to individuals in the affected communities.
    Working alongside the Department of Labor, the States of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have all announced that eligible workers can receive federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance to compensate for income lost directly resulting from Hurricane Helene. And, through the Department of Labor’s innovative partnership with the U.S. Postal Service, displaced workers from North Carolina and South Carolina can now go to the post office in any other state and verify their ID for purposes of getting their benefits quickly.
    The Department of Labor is also working alongside on-the-ground personnel providing disaster relief, recovery, and rebuilding to prevent additional workplace disasters. This includes producing a worker safety training resource for resilience workers in Florida who are continuing to clear debris, rebuild infrastructure, and prepare for Hurricane Milton. This also includes activating the Wage and Hours Division Natural Disaster outreach, education and strategic enforcement program to provide employers and workers with the information they need to ensure everyone is paid correctly under the law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Reappointment of Australian statistician

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The Albanese Government has reappointed Dr David Gruen AO as the full‑time Australian Statistician to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for a further five years, beginning on 11 December 2024.

    Dr Gruen has served as the Australian Statistician since 2019, providing outstanding leadership of the ABS through a unique period in history.

    Dr Gruen is one of Australia’s best and most experienced economists and has a distinguished record of public service. He previously served as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and in the Department of the Treasury.

    The professional manner in which Dr Gruen has led the ABS meant that during the COVID‑19 pandemic the ABS provided rapid statistics to guide policy responses during a period of unprecedented economic uncertainty, and again after the pandemic to assess how it changed Australia’s economy and society.

    He is a distinguished, innovative and respected leader who has led the agency to streamline data collection and harness existing data sources, improving the quality, reliability and timeliness of statistics, which is helping to better inform important public policy issues.

    The ABS has curated major longitudinal data assets, including the Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) and Business Longitudinal Analysis Data Environment (BLADE) datasets, which are being used extensively by researchers in government and academia, including research that has informed the work of the Competition Taskforce.

    Alongside his role as Australian Statistician, Dr Gruen was appointed by the Australian Public Service Commissioner as the inaugural Head of Data Profession.

    The Data Professional Stream ensures the entire APS workforce has the data capabilities to harness the growth in the availability and value of data across the public service.

    The ABS is Australia’s national statistical agency and provides trusted, independent, timely and relevant data, statistics and insights to inform Government policy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Cramer, Capito and Colleagues File Bicameral Amicus Brief to Overturn FHWA’s Unlawful Emissions Rule

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) led 27 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit opposing a final rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets for those GHG emissions. The brief requests that the Court uphold the April 2024, U.S. District Court decision finding that Congress did not grant the FHWA the authority to issue the rule.

    The brief argues Congress explicitly debated providing the FHWA the necessary authority to issue this rule, but decided against doing so in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FHWA then intentionally misconstrued congressional intent and used unrelated statutory authorities to attempt to justify issuing its GHG performance measure rule. The lawmakers also contend the rulemaking is inconsistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back executive branch overreach, and that FHWA is ignoring principles of federalism at the expense of state governments to further its own policy agenda.

    “Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.” 

    “Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” the members continued. 

    Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) – as well as U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee – also cosigned the brief. 

    Full text of the amicus brief is available here.

    Background:

    Shortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general, including Arkansas, filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration. 

    In April of this year, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval overturning the rule by a vote of 53-47. The bipartisan measure was led by Cramer and cosponsored by Boozman, Ranking Member Capito and dozens of their colleagues.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS: Capito Visits New Clendenin Elementary, Hosts Girls Rise Up Event

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    CLENDENIN, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), today visited Clendenin Elementary School where she toured the new school and later hosted a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with special guest, Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito, a statistician, political commentator, TV show host, and Professor of Data Science.
    “After years of working to secure resources and wait for construction to be completed, I am so glad that Clendenin students, faculty, and staff have a wonderful facility to call their own. We will never forget the 2016 floods and the destruction it caused, but this new school is an important milestone in our recovery and proves the resilience of West Virginians,” Senator Capito said. “I was also excited to bring my Girls Rise Up message—with the help of Liberty—to Clendenin and inspire the next generation. I am confident that these students are dedicated to setting new goals and achieving them, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish.” 
    “It’s such an honor to get to stand in front of the future of West Virginia with Senator Capito’s Girls Rise Up Program. These young girls will help to shape our state and this program shows them how they can truly be and do anything they want to if they set their minds to it. I can’t wait to see what they do in the future,” Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito said.
    “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to host Senator Shelley Moore Capito and bring the Girls Rise Up event to Clendenin Elementary. I feel that all females benefit from seeing strong, trailblazing women, and hearing their stories of resilience and determination to achieved their dreams. I believe that we as women should embrace every challenge as an opportunity to grow, and let our passion be the guiding light on our journey,” Clendenin Elementary School Principal Gurski said.
    ON SENATOR CAPITO’S SUPPORT FOR CLENDENIN ELEMENTARY:
    As a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Capito has worked diligently with state partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and through consultation with local leaders in Clendenin over the years to secure needed resources for Clendenin to recover from the 2016 flooding. Senator Capito announced funding awards in December 2023 and June 2020 to help rebuild the school. Today’s visit marked Senator Capito’s first time viewing the newly completed elementary school since it opened.
    ON SENATOR CAPITO’S GIRLS RISE UP PROGRAM:
    Senator Capito launched the West Virginia Girls Rise Up program in 2015 to instill confidence in young West Virginia women and empower them to be strong and kind female leaders. The program focuses on three areas: education, fitness, and self-confidence. Joining Senator Capito in hosting the Girls Rise Up event was Liberty Vittert Capito, who is a statistician, political commentator, TV show host, and Professor of Data Science at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. Today’s event marks the 33rd event since the program’s launch in 2015.
    Photos from today’s visit are below:

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) hosts a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito at Clendenin Elementary School in Clendenin, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) hosts a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito at Clendenin Elementary School in Clendenin, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) hosts a West Virginia Girls Rise Up event with Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito at Clendenin Elementary School in Clendenin, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the new Clendenin Elementary with Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito and speaks with students in Clendenin, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) with Dr. Liberty Vittert Capito and Clendenin Elementary School officials outside the new Clendenin Elementary School in Clendenin, W.Va. on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Luckey Meet with UND Students and Faculty

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here to download media resources.***
    GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Following today’s fireside chat at the 18th annual Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and defense entrepreneur and founder of Anduril Industries, Palmer Luckey, participated in a townhall with students at the University of North Dakota (UND). The discussion focused on the topic of how small, nimble defense companies like Anduril are “rebooting the arsenal of democracy.” 
    “As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I appreciate smart investment,” said Cramer. “This is why I love Palmer Luckey. I brought him to the University of North Dakota because we need innovators who can match the speed of China, doing it cost-effectively and at a scale that can win wars. This is where the opportunity rests in our challenge, how do we unleash the innovators? I enjoyed visiting with UND students and faculty to emphasize the importance of spurring real investment in our capabilities, while fostering a culture of innovation and ingenuity.” 
    “Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are transforming modern conflict,” said Palmer Luckey, Founder of Anduril Industries. “Transforming the way we fight requires an approach to capability development and adoption that is more closely aligned with the commercial market than the traditional defense industrial base. I am honored to join Senator Cramer at this year’s UAS Summit and Expo, and enjoyed the opportunity to engage with UND faculty and students who continue to drive progress in this critical field.”

    The pair then met with UND President Dr. Andrew Armacost and faculty to discuss what companies like Anduril look for in recent college graduates and ways UND can foster an environment of student innovation. Additionally, they emphasized ways to support creativity by shaking up the status quo of traditional educational design.
    Before the townhall, Cramer and Luckey spoke at the UAS Summit, where they highlighted how policymakers can break through tradition to unleash the potential of private sector and startups like Anduril while encouraging the government to match the speed of business. The defense missions in North Dakota play a pivotal role in strengthening national security and maintaining the United States’ nuclear deterrence capabilities. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Cramer has brought several national defense and industry leaders to experience the innovative defense ecosystem in Grand Forks such as Director of the Space Development Agency Derek Tournear and E-Space Founder and CEO Greg Wyler.
    Cramer has been working to attract several new missions to Grand Forks, including a temporary relocation of B-1 Bombers at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB), as well as counter UAS test missions. He has also advocated for the GFAFB to receive a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) mission in the future.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Hosts Anduril Founder Palmer Luckey at 2024 UAS Summit, Receives UAS Sky Pioneer Award

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here to download media resources. ***
    GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The 18th annual Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit and Expo takes place this week in Grand Forks, with hundreds of UAS industry leaders and policymakers from across the country gathering in North Dakota. 
    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), attended this year’s summit with entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, a global defense technology company with the mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. The Pentagon recently awarded Anduril a $250 million contract to counter drone attacks against U.S. forces. 
    In addition to attending the summit, Cramer was presented with the UAS Sky Pioneer Award, recognizing his commitment to UAS development, research, and deployment in North Dakota and across the nation.
    “What’s inspirational about Palmer Luckey is not just his story of accomplishment, but how he got there,” said Cramer. “I just learned he still has the family farm in Minnesota, which explains a lot about his pioneering spirit. Palmer is also inspirational because he could have taken all of his brain power, all that talent, and charming personality and applied it to a lot of things that could make him wealthy. But he chose, as a patriotic American, to invest in national defense by rebooting our arsenal of democracy. I’m honored to attend this year’s summit with my friend, a true pioneer, Palmer Luckey.”
    “Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are transforming modern conflict,” said Palmer Luckey, Founder of Anduril Industries. “Transforming the way we fight requires an approach to capability development and adoption that is more closely aligned with the commercial market than the traditional defense industrial base. I am honored to join Senator Cramer at this year’s UAS Summit and Expo, and enjoyed the opportunity to engage with UND faculty and students who continue to drive progress in this critical field.” 

    Cramer introduced Luckey for a fireside chat, where they discussed how policymakers can break through tradition to unleash the potential of private sector and startups like Anduril while encouraging the government to match the speed of business.

    In April, the United States Air Force named Anduril as one of the two vendors funded for the next phase of the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program. As the Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, Cramer visited Anduril’s headquarters in southern California where he had the opportunity to directly experience the company’s large and extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles. Cramer also saw Anduril’s CCA submission, Fury, a high-performance, multi-mission group 5 autonomous air vehicle. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Speech – Australian Technology Network 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    Rankings are in the media today. And I have said this before, but I will say it again.

    When I think about the best universities in Australia, I don’t look at rankings.

    I look at what they do.

    And when I do that I see universities like you.

    Universities that are the real deal when it comes to fairness and opening the doors of opportunity.

    When it comes to helping more people from poor families and the regions to get a crack.

    Things that are important to me.

    On average only about 15 per cent of university students are from poor families.

    Across your six universities combined, it’s much higher than that.

    At universities like Newcastle, it’s as high as 24 per cent. At the University of South Australia, 25 per cent.

    That sort of university doesn’t just change the lives of the students they teach.

    It ricochets through generations.

    They transform communities.

    And I am going to give Newcastle a plug again, because there is no better example of that than their Open Foundation program.

    It’s been running now for 50 years.

    A free program that helps people who aren’t ready for uni to be ready.

    About 70,000 people in the last 50 years.

    One in five people who get a degree from Newcastle Uni today start with one of these free courses.

    People like Jennifer Baker.

    Jennifer was a mum at 19. She worked in hospitality for 10 years. One day, just by chance, she saw an ad in the paper for one of these free courses.

    Now she’s got a science degree, an honours degree, a PhD and a Fulbright scholarship.

    She’s a computational medicinal chemist.

    That’s what these courses do. That’s what I call a great university.

    And that’s what I am trying to replicate across the country with the legislation in the Parliament right now, that massively expands these Fee-Free Uni Ready Courses.

    This is supported by a funding injection in the Budget of an extra $350 million.

    I know you are doing a lot of the heavy lifting already.

    Reforms like this, and the ones to come, are because I want you to do even more.

    Of course, it’s not just equity that binds you together or makes you great.

    You can see it in your name.

    The ATN was formed 25 years ago from the five largest Institutes of Technology. And you are still focused on that mission.

    Still doing the heavy lifting when it comes to producing engineers in this country.

    But what makes you great in my eyes isn’t just what you are doing here at home.

    It’s what you are taking to the world.

    I am talking about the campuses you have set up around the world – from India to Vietnam, Singapore to Malaysia to Indonesia.

    You get that international education isn’t a one way street.

    That it shouldn’t just be about students coming here to study, but it can also be about taking what we do to them.

    Almost every one of you are doing this.

    And that tells me this a group of universities that doesn’t just expect things to happen, you go out and make it happen.

    There’s a bit happening at the moment.

    The international education legislation is being debated in the Senate this week.

    The first of the Accord Bills is being debated in the House.

    That’s the one that uncaps funding for those free university ready courses. It also wipes about $3 billion of student debt for three million Australians and introduces the Commonwealth prac payment.

    The second of the Accord Bills – the Bill that establishes a National Student Ombudsman, has just passed the House.

    I will also introduce legislation to establish a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence.

    And before the end of the year I will also set out the details of the next stage of the Accord.

    What the Australian Tertiary Education Commission will look like. And the details of managed growth and needs based funding.

    And that’s just higher ed.

    There is also legislation in the House to implement the 15 percent pay rise we announced for early educators a few weeks ago.

    And tomorrow I will introduce legislation to increase funding to our public schools.

    To remove the ceiling that stops the Australian government providing more than 20 percent of the funding needed for public schools, and make it a floor.

    To help finish the job that David Gonski started more than a decade ago.

    And to tie that funding to the sort of reforms that are needed to help more young people from poor families and from the regions to finish school and knock on your door.

    None of these reforms are easy.

    All of them are hard.

    And all of them are necessary.

    If we are going to really build a better and a fairer education system, these are the sorts of things we have to do.

    And you are an important part of that.

    You know like I do how important all of this is.

    That education is the most powerful cause for good in this country.

    That it’s the greatest tool we have to build a country where your chances in life don’t depend on who your parents are, where you live or the colour of your skin.

    A country that the Prime Minister describes as a place where no one is held back and no one is left behind.

    We can be that country.

    And our education system can make it real.

    But that means serious reform.

    The sort we are doing now.

    And more.

    And it will be better because of your input.

    Thank you for the work you do and for the constructive role you have played for the last 25 years.

    I look forward to continuing to work with you as we build a better and a fairer education system for all Australians.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Opinion piece: Modernising Merger Approvals to bring them into the 21st century

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    Boosting competition has been one of the cornerstones of the Albanese government’s economic plan ever since we came to office.

    This week we’re taking another big step towards making our economy more competitive, by introducing the single biggest reform to Australia’s mergers law in 50 years to parliament.

    Our new merger rules will improve how these types of deals are approved across the board.

    They will make the system faster, stronger, simpler, more targeted and more transparent.

    They will also create certainty for businesses that have been forced to navigate an unclear and antiquated merger system for decades.

    Under our current merger approvals regime, businesses that are looking to merge don’t know if they need to notify the competition regulator, when they need to notify the competition regulator and how to best go about it.

    This will all change under the new regime.

    We will set clearly defined monetary thresholds that will determine whether a merger needs ACCC approval before proceeding.

    There will be 3 key thresholds.

    Firstly, any merger will be looked at if the Australian turnover of the combined businesses is above $200 million, and either the business or assets being acquired has Australian turnover above $50 million or global transaction value above $250 million.

    Secondly, the ACCC will look at any merger involving a very large business with Australian turnover more than $500 million buying a smaller business or assets with Australian turnover above $10 million.

    Finally, to target serial acquisitions, all mergers by businesses with combined Australian turnover of more than $200 million where the cumulative Australian turnover from acquisitions in the same or substitutable goods or services over a 3-year period is at least $50 million will be captured, or $10 million if a very large business is involved.

    Land acquisitions involving residential property development and certain commercial property acquisitions won’t be included to avoid clogging up the system with simple land acquisitions unless they are captured under other notification requirements.

    In addition, the legislation provides flexibility to allow the Treasurer to adjust and calibrate the thresholds to respond to evidence-based concerns from the ACCC about high-risk mergers, like in the supermarket sector.

    These thresholds are all about striking the right balance between creating a rigorous and robust regime that can capture all risky mergers without calling in every merger. The thresholds will be reviewed 12 months after coming into effect, to ensure they are working as intended.

    The new system will allow the ACCC to review all the mergers that they have been typically concerned about, not just some.

    It will take a more targeted approach that allows the ACCC to focus its efforts on the mergers that really matter.

    We want to see the majority of mergers approved quickly, so the ACCC can focus on the minority that give rise to competition concerns. The ACCC has committed to this, with an expectation around 80 per cent of mergers will be approved in 15 to 20 business days.

    That’s because we understand that most mergers have genuine economic benefits and are an important feature of any healthy, open financial system.

    Last year, over 1,400 mergers were recorded, at a value of around $300 billion.

    They can attract capital, re‑tool businesses and improve the uptake of new technologies.

    They can allow businesses to achieve greater economies of scale and scope, to access new resources, technology and expertise.

    This can flow through to consumers via greater product choice and quality as well as lower prices.

    But some mergers can cause serious economic harm.

    This can happen when businesses are not interested in improving profitability by lifting productivity.

    When they’re solely focused on squeezing out competitors to capture a larger percentage of the market.

    This can strangle innovation, reduce productivity in our economy and punish consumers with reduced choice.

    We’ve developed this legislation and these thresholds through detailed consultation.

    We’re especially grateful for the input from the Expert Advisory Panel, comprising Kerry Schott, David Gonski, John Asker, Sharon Henrick, John Fingleton, Danielle Wood and Rod Sims.

    We’re also genuinely thankful for all the discussions and consultation we have held with businesses, the competition regulator, and the broader community, about the legislation.

    As an example, we heard concerns about aspects of our draft legislation from the business community, including that parts of the review process were still too time‑consuming, and businesses wouldn’t be able to access the evidence the ACCC relied on when making its decision.

    We’ve addressed these issues in the updated Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024 we will introduce into Parliament on Thursday.

    The Bill clarifies and provides certainty on timelines for ACCC assessment and limits the ability of the ACCC to stop the clock at various stages of the assessment process.

    The Bill also now allows discretion for the Australian Competition Tribunal to permit parties to provide new information if relevant to the ACCC determination and they didn’t have a reasonable opportunity to make submissions during the ACCC’s review.

    These new targeted and balanced merger rules are part of the Albanese Labor Government’s substantial and broad competition reform agenda, which is all about creating a more dynamic, more productive and resilient economy.

    They build on actions we’ve already taken, like revitalising National Competition Policy with states and territories, abolishing 500 nuisance tariffs, our reforms to boost competition in the supermarket sector, and productivity enhancing reforms to planning and zoning around the country.

    This agenda will help expand choices, lift living standards and grow our economy.

    It will help ensure that our people, businesses and industries are beneficiaries of the opportunities before us in the defining decade ahead.

    This article was first published as Government has listened to concerns on merger law reform in The Australian Financial Review.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Transcript – TODAY Show

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    ALEX CULLEN: The New South Wales and South Australian Government will today hold a Social Media Summit focusing on the danger it poses to younger users.

    Joining us to discuss today’s headlines is Education Minister Jason Clare and 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe. Good morning lads, thank you so much for being with us.

    Minister, let’s start with you. This as new data revealed almost every Aussie primary school student is on social media. They love it, it’s extremely concerning.

    JASON CLARE, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION: It really is, and anyone who’s a mum and dad with children in primary school or high school knows the damage that this social media cesspit can do to our kids. I see it as a parent as well. We’ve seen already the difference that we can make when you ban a mobile phone in schools. We banned mobile phones in schools starting this year right across the country, and it’s having a massive impact, you know, kids are more focused in the classroom, they’re having more fun in the playground.  

    Alex, teachers are telling me that the playgrounds are noisier at lunchtime this year than they were last year because kids don’t have their heads down looking at phones like zombies in the playground, they’re playing with their friends, they’re running around.

    But when the school bell rings at the end of the day, the phones are turned back on and they’re back in that cesspit of social media that has all of that mental health impact on our kids, as well as I’ve got reports that tell me it has a massive impact on their studies as well, if you spend a lot of time on social media after school, then it affects how you go at school.

    And so that’s why the work that Michelle Rowland is doing, the Minister for Communications, in setting a national minimum age for access to social media’s so important, and the work that New South Wales and South Australia are doing today is an important part of that.

    CULLEN: Yeah, too right. Minimum age limit, Chris, at 18, what do you think?  

    CHRIS O’KEEFE: That’s probably a bit high, but, well, 14, 16, whatever it is, just go and do it, they don’t need to do a summit, a victory lap, keep talking about it, getting everyone around tables and, you know, the Labor Governments all around Australia effectively saying, “How good are we, we’re cracking down on social media?” That’s what this is about.

    There would be no parents, no teachers, very few people in society who believes what we’re doing with social media now is the right way forward. There needs to be a minimum age limit. Just get on and do it.

    CULLEN: Yeah, too right. My kids especially, I don’t want them on social media until they’re a lot older, let me tell you.

    But the Australian Education Union has been accused of putting kids last after imposing an immediate ban on the roll out of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement.

    Minister, let’s bring you in. The AEU says your reforms will short change public schools and increase teachers’ workload. What do you say to that?

    CLARE: Today I’m going to introduce legislation into the Parliament, Alex, to increase funding for public schools, but I want to tie that funding to real and practical reforms to help our children.

    The crux of this is that at the moment the percentage of young people finishing high school’s going backwards, and it’s particularly happening in our public schools. Seven or eight years ago, 83 per cent of students finished high school, now it’s dropped to 73 per cent, and if we’re going to fix that, we’ve got to go all the way back to the start when kids are really young when they’re starting primary school, identify children who are starting behind or falling behind and make sure that we intervene with practical reforms like catch up tutoring. So you get children out of a classroom of 25 or 30, put them in a classroom with three or four, and we know that if you do that right, then children can catch up, they can learn as much in six months as they’d normally learn in 12 months.

    I’ve got $16 billion I want to invest to increase funding for our public schools, but I want to invest it in these practical reforms so we can help children right across the country to catch up when they’re little, and keep up, have more people go on and finish high school and go on to TAFE or go to uni.

    CULLEN: Okay, Chris, just as we [indistinct].

    O’KEEFE: Can we just be honest here for a second, and people might not want to hear this, but at what point are teachers going to hang a big mirror in their staff rooms and think, are we the problem here?

    Because there’s got to be some accountability. You’ve never had children dumber. You’ve got one in three kids who are failing NAPLAN when it comes to numeracy and literacy. That’s not good enough in a country like Australia. The classrooms have never had more money in them. The Governments have never spent more on education, yet our kids have never been dumber.

    So you can draw a straight line and say to yourselves, okay, who is responsible for this? It’s not the Government. Is it the parents? Well, the teachers like to say so, but maybe it’s the teachers.

    So at what point is the union movement and the teachers’ cohort more broadly going to sit with themselves and look, and say, well, are we going to take some accountability here?

    Is it have we got something to answer for? Whenever you raise that, “Oh, no, no, no, but teachers are hard working”. I’m not saying they’re not hard working; I’m just saying they might not be doing a very good job.

    CULLEN: Jason?  

    CLARE: I’m not going to attack our teachers, they do the most important job in the world.

    O’KEEFE: No, of course you’re not, but it’s true. Nobody wants to confront this problem, Minister.

    CLARE: No, and Chris, don’t talk down our kids either, they’re not dumb. But the challenge that we’ve got here, and NAPLAN data shows it, is that one in 10 children are below the minimum standard we set for literacy and numeracy, but kids from poor families and kids from the bush, and Indigenous kids, it’s one in three.

    Now here’s a statistic that will scare you: only 20 per cent of those kids that are behind when they’re little, when they’re eight, have caught up by the time they’re 15. That’s why I say you need practical reforms here that we know work.

    O’KEEFE: And the teachers are holding you over a barrel and trying to stop these reforms from happening, and I think it’s shameful.

    CLARE: Well, and I’m determined to act, and I’ve got $16 billion to invest in these reforms to help to make sure that more children catch up and keep up    

    O’KEEFE: But then why   but why as a government and a Minister are you not going to call out the teaching profession, and more broadly the unions, and say, “Hey guys, not good enough”.

    CLARE: I disagree fundamentally with what the union is arguing, but I back our teachers every single day, because they do such an important job. Many teachers out there, if you ask them, will back these reforms. They grab me every single day and say, “Keep going mate”.

    CULLEN: It’s tough, I know, it’s tough for teachers.

    O’KEEFE: [Indistinct] though don’t they?

    CULLEN: Thank you, you two, always interesting. Jason, Chris, thanks so much, boys

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACCC welcomes introduction of merger reform bill, prepares for implementation

    Source: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

    The ACCC today welcomed the introduction of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024 into the Australian Parliament, which if passed through the Parliament will provide the ACCC with fit for purpose tools targeted at identifying and preventing anti-competitive mergers.

    “This marks a significant milestone in the process of reforming Australia’s merger laws,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

    If passed by the Parliament, the new legislation will represent a major change for the ACCC, business and the Australian community. In anticipation of the new legislation coming into effect, the ACCC has today issued a statement of goals to outline its approach to implementing the new regime and to reduce uncertainty during the transition.

    “The ACCC is committed to the successful implementation of these reforms, if passed by parliament, to ensure that transactions that may adversely affect competition are subject to adequate scrutiny based on the risks raised, and to provide a more efficient and transparent process for businesses and for the wider community,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    This contrasts to the current situation where only a small proportion of the estimated 1,000 – 1,500 mergers that occur each year are notified to the ACCC and around 93 per cent of those that are voluntarily notified are assessed on a confidential basis.

    “Part of making these reforms a success will be ensuring businesses have clarity on their obligations, the timeframes they can expect, and other key aspects of the process,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    “Our statement of goals is the first step in signalling how we will implement these reforms and outlines what merger parties and stakeholders, including customers and suppliers to merger parties, should expect.”

    The new system will provide for greater transparency of the mergers the ACCC is reviewing and the reasons on which decisions are based. This will enable the wider community, including consumers and small businesses, to comment on mergers relevant to them.

    It will also result in a more efficient and faster process and more certain timelines for businesses seeking clearance, with new obligations on the ACCC to complete decisions within legislated timeframes.

    The ACCC expects about 80 per cent of mergers will be cleared within 15 to 20 business days.

    Under the new regime, the ACCC will enhance its economic and data analysis to further drive and inform its decision making.

    “The ACCC will take a risk-based approach, with resources prioritised to acquisitions more likely to harm the community,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

    Subject to the passage of the legislation, the new regime will come into effect from 1 January 2026 but will also allow for merger parties to start using the new merger regime on a voluntary basis from 1 July 2025.

    The ACCC will consult on and publish guidelines on the transition period to ensure stakeholders are well informed about the options available to them during this period and have open channels available for merger parties to seek guidance.

    The ACCC has also previously announced it will renew and expand its Performance Consultative Committee to advise on the ACCC’s merger review functions as well as the broad range of the ACCC’s responsibilities.

    The committee will consist of a range of stakeholders including consumer, business, and legal representatives.

    Background:

    Reforms to Australia’s existing merger laws were announced by the Treasurer in April 2024. The Treasurer’s announcement was welcomed by the ACCC.

    The ACCC first released proposed merger reforms at the Law Council in 2021. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb commenced her term in 2022 and has continued to advocate for merger reform including at the National Press Club in April 2023.

    The ACCC’s submissions to the Treasury Competition Review, which includes detailed analysis and argues the case for reform can be found here: https://www.accc.gov.au/inquiries-and-consultations/accc-submissions-to-external-consultations#toc-mergers-

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: More than £14 million in joint government and industry funding to boost innovation and working conditions in freight

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Funding will provide more parking for HGVs, better conditions for lorry drivers and support UK businesses to take advantage of the latest technology.

    • lorry drivers will enjoy better rest areas, more parking and improved security thanks to over £12 million in joint government and industry funding
    • funding comes as nearly £2 million also announced to drive innovation and decarbonise freight
    • investment will help strengthen the UK supply chain, support jobs, and get the UK back on track to growth

    More green e-cargo bikes will deliver parcels to people’s doorsteps and better truckstops will help relieve local congestion, thanks to a £14 million boost from both government and industry to drive innovation in freight and improve working conditions. 

    Today (10 October 2024), Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood revealed the 23 successful applicants of up to £4.5 million from the government to improve truckstops and working conditions for lorry drivers.  

    From Immingham Lorry Park in Lincolnshire to Embassy Truck Park in Kent, the upgrades include 430 new lorry parking spaces to relieve local congestion by helping reduce the number of large trucks parking in town centres or on the side of the road. 

    The investment will also help build better dining, changing and rest facilities, as well as new CCTV and secure fencing to boost welfare and security for lorry drivers.  

    The funding is from the third year of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, which will come in addition to £8 million from industry, for a total funding boost of £12.5 million to improve truckstops.

    See the winning bids for round 3 of the HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme.

    This investment comes on top of £1.8 million from the government for 10 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to trial new groundbreaking technology for decarbonising freight and driving innovation in the sector. 

    Examples of groundbreaking ideas that will become reality include TUAL working with Wincanton to trial high performance powerbanks for electric lorries, and Innervated Vehicle Engineering working in partnership with Asda to retrofit hydrogen power to small delivery vans.

    This funding is the third tranche of the department’s Freight Innovation Fund Accelerator Programme, a £7 million government investment across 3 years to support the freight sector in deploying AI and automation to improve the way trains, lorries, vans, and ships carry parcels and goods. 

    See the winning projects for the third round of the Freight Innovation Fund.

    Today’s measures will help the government achieve its core mission of getting the country back on track for growth. They will improve working conditions for lorry drivers while pioneering innovation and sustainability across freight to strengthen the UK’s supply chain and support jobs across the country.  

    The announcement comes ahead of the International Investment Summit which will gather UK leaders, high-profile investors and businesses from across the world to discuss how we can deepen our partnership to drive investment and growth.

    Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, said: 

    Freight is a crucial engine of our economy and it is only right we do all we can to improve working conditions, pioneer innovation and drive sustainability across the industry. 

    Our funding, combined with investment from the industry, will ensure lorry drivers can enjoy safer parking, a proper rest and a warm meal, while supporting UK businesses to harvest the best of technology to move freight faster, decarbonise our supply chain, and grow the economy for all.

    Today’s £12.5 million for truckstops follows £31 million in previous joint government and industry funding as part of earlier application windows.  

    Together with National Highways Lorry Parking Facilities Improvements Scheme, this takes the total joint investment from the department and the sector to improve lorry roadside facilities to up to £64 million. 

    The funding will be spread across England to ensure all lorry drivers in the country can benefit from better roadside facilities and better working conditions, while supporting local jobs and economic growth. 

    Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the Road Haulage Association, Declan Pang, said:

    We are delighted to see funding allocated to drive improvements to standards and capacity at lorry parks and truck stops across England.

    The grant scheme continues to be a very welcome commitment from government and the industry to bring about much-needed improvements for lorry drivers who are a vital workforce in keeping the country’s supply chains moving. We look forward to seeing the impact of these investments in improving conditions and driver welfare.

    The Freight Innovation Fund is providing highly successful in fostering industry investment, as UK businesses from the first year of the fund have so far raised £97 million in additional capital to fund their innovative projects. 

    Delivered by Connected Places Catapult, the Freight Innovation Fund will give SMEs access to technical and business support from the organisation to develop new groundbreaking projects. 

    Chief Executive Officer at Connected Places Catapult, Erika Lewis, said:

    Building on the success of the Freight Innovation Fund to date, I’m very pleased to welcome a third cohort of high potential innovators onto the Accelerator.

    This programme gives bespoke support to SMEs, working hand-in-hand with industry as they trial their solutions in real-world environments. By supporting new ideas in freight, we are helping to unlock the sector’s potential to be greener and more efficient.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government introduces legislation to increase funding for public schools

    Source: Australian Ministers for Education

    The Albanese Government has today introduced legislation to increase funding to public schools across Australia.

    This legislation is all about enabling governments to fully fund our public schools and tie that funding to reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.

    Over the last eight years the percentage of students finishing high school has declined, from 83 per cent to 73 per cent in public schools.

    We need to turn around and that’s what this legislation is about.

    At the moment, non-government schools are funded at the level David Gonski set, or they are on track to get there, or they are above it and coming back down to it.

    But most public schools aren’t.

    The Commonwealth Government provides 80 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) funding for non-government schools and the State and Territory Governments provide the other 20 per cent.

    For public schools it’s the reverse. The Commonwealth provides 20 per cent of the SRS funding, and the States and Territories are supposed to provide another 75 per cent. That means there is at least a five per cent gap.

    The Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024 amends the Australian Education Act 2013 (the Act) and enables the Commonwealth to lift its share of funding to public schools above 20 per cent.

    The legislation removes the funding ceiling that stops the Commonwealth providing more than 20 per cent of funding to public schools and turns that into a funding floor.

    This means the 20 per cent will become the minimum, not the maximum, the Commonwealth contributes to public schools.

    This legislation will enable the Government to fully fund public schools in Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and any other jurisdictions that sign on to the Albanese Government’s public school funding offer in the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (BFSA).

    The BFSA is a 10-year agreement that ties new funding to practical reforms to help lift student outcomes, sets targets and improves school funding transparency.

    Greater funding certainty will be provided to jurisdictions and public schools by:

    •    setting a minimum ‘funding floor’ for Commonwealth funding contributions to public schools at 20 per cent from 2025, and 40 per cent for the Northern Territory from 2029
    •    locking in Commonwealth funding for public schools so it cannot go backwards
    •    increase transparency and accountability of how school funding is being spent 
    •    requiring the Minister to report each year to Parliament on the progress of national school education reform.

    The Albanese Government has put $16 billion of additional investment for public schools on the table.

    If delivered, this would represent the biggest extra investment in public education by the Australian Government in this country’s history.

    This legislation will enable additional funding to flow to the states and territories who have signed up to the BFSA.

    The Albanese Government will continue to work with the remaining states and territories to fully fund government schools across Australia.

    If a state or territory does not sign on to the Government’s public school funding offer, the current funding arrangements will continue for another 12 months.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

    “At the moment, the maximum the Commonwealth Government can provide to public schools is 20 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard.

    “This Bill turns that maximum into a minimum. It turns that ceiling into a floor.

    “It enables the Commonwealth government to ratchet up funding for public schools.

    “This important legislation allows the Albanese Government to deliver more funding to public schools and tie that funding to practical reforms to help students catch up, keep up and finish school.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK announces support to drive stability and growth in Ethiopia

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The UK Minister for Africa has announced a package of support for Ethiopia.

    • UK Minister announces support to promote stability in northern Ethiopia, two years after the civil war ended.
    • New UK programming aims to support jobs and growth in Ethiopia’s textiles sector.
    • As part of a two-day visit to Ethiopia, the Minister will see first-hand how UK aid is helping vulnerable people recover from conflict.

    New UK funding announced today [10 October] will promote greater stability and will boost exports in the textile and garments sector, Ethiopia’s largest manufacturing export. 

    Two years after hostilities ended in northern Ethiopia, many vulnerable communities are still suffering from the effects of a violent civil war, with over 3 million people facing food insecurity, and many women and girls impacted by conflict related sexual violence.

    The UK is taking critical steps to secure lasting peace in the country, providing £16 million to help 75,000 Tigrayan military personnel return to civilian life with cash, medical and mental health support. 

    Announcing the two-year programme in Tigray, the UK Minister for Africa will meet with individuals affected by conflict and drought.

    Rebuilding communities devastated by civil war, the UK will accelerate economic recovery. The Minister will visit a factory that has just re-started exporting garments to the UK, and will announce £6.9 million of three-year support for Ethiopia’s textiles and garments sector.

    Funding will be provided for several regions in Ethiopia including Tigray, and aims to improve working conditions for 7,000 female workers and increase exports by 20% over three years.

    The UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins said:

    Peace and Stability are the foundations of growth – that’s why we are providing vital support that will help fighters in northern Ethiopia take their first steps back into civilian livelihoods. 

    In Tigray, I will see communities rebuilding and businesses beginning their journey towards economic recovery.  UK support will boost the Ethiopian textile sector, creating job opportunities and economic growth.

    During the visit, the Minister will see how UK aid has positively impacted nutrition services, meet with mothers and health workers, and will speak with women and girls who are survivors of conflict related sexual violence.

    In Addis Ababa, he will meet with the Ethiopian government, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, to discuss economic cooperation, internal conflict, regional security, and the humanitarian situation in the country.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New scheme to attract investment in renewable energy storage

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Long Duration Electricity Storage investment support scheme will boost investor confidence and unlock billions in funding for vital projects

    • Government will unlock investment opportunities in vital renewable energy storage technologies to strengthen energy independence, create jobs and help make Britain a clean energy superpower. 

    • New scheme will remove barriers which have prevented the building of new storage capacity for nearly 40 years, helping to create back up renewable energy. 

    • Increasing long duration storage capacity could lead to billions in system savings, helping reduce bills.

    The UK is a step closer to energy independence as the government launches a new scheme to help build energy storage infrastructure. 

    This could see the first significant long duration energy storage (LDES) facilities in nearly four decades, helping to create back up renewable power and bolster the UK’s energy security. 

    These technologies work like giant batteries by storing renewable energy and releasing it onto the grid and into homes when needed. This includes pumped storage hydro, which stores electricity by pumping water up a reservoir, to be released later. 

    By having a steady supply of clean, home-grown energy, these projects would strengthen the UK’s energy independence, and protect consumers from volatile global gas markets. 

    However, barriers including high upfront costs – despite low operating costs – have held back investment in this critical infrastructure.  

    The investment support scheme announced today will boost investor confidence and unlock billions in funding for vital projects which will help create thousands of jobs and deliver clean power as the country accelerates to net zero.   

    This comes days before the government’s set-piece International Investment Summit which is poised to put the UK back at the global table – kickstarting a decade of economic renewal and giving business confidence and opportunity to invest in the United Kingdom. 

    Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, said: 

    We are wasting no time in unlocking Britain’s vast renewable potential by expanding wind and solar power. But we also need to increase our ability to store this energy for when the sun isn’t shining, or the wind isn’t blowing. 

    We’re reversing a legacy that has seen no new long duration storage built for 40 years – and taking steps to unleash private investment in both established and new technologies.  

    With these projects storing the surplus clean, homegrown energy produced from renewable sources, we can boost our energy security by relying less on fossil fuels, protect household bills, and help deliver our key mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. 

    The announcement follows a consultation held earlier this year which proposed a ‘cap and floor’ scheme to encourage LDES investment. A cap and floor model would provide a guaranteed minimum income for developers, in return for a limit on revenues. Ofgem has agreed to act as regulator and delivery body and the scheme’s first round is expected to be open to applicants next year. 

    Great Britain currently has 2.8GW of LDES across four existing pumped storage hydro schemes in Scotland and Wales, which already play a significant role in powering the country. 

    Other technologies include liquid air energy storage, compressed air energy storage and flow batteries, which are currently in development and would benefit from investor support. 

    Analysis has found that deploying 20GW of LDES could save the electricity system £24 billion between 2025 and 2050, reducing household energy bills as additional cheaper renewable energy would be available to meet demand at peak times, which would cut reliance on expensive natural gas. 

    Meanwhile, the National Electricity System Operator has estimated that a total of 11.5 to 15.3 GW of LDES will be required by 2050 to achieve net zero. 

    Several projects are currently under development and with some expected to be operational by 2030, and the introduction of an investment support scheme will help deliver them.   

    A similar cap and floor scheme is used for electricity interconnectors which connect Great Britain’s grid with other countries. Introduced in 2014, no floor payments have been made but developers have shared revenues with consumers.   

    Ofgem will design the investment support scheme and under these proposals, it will be split into two application routes, with one focusing on mature technologies, while another will be dedicated to new innovation. 

    This is the latest step in the government’s mission for clean power and energy security, building on the confirmation last week of major funding for two carbon capture sites in Merseyside and Teesside, to create thousands of jobs and attract £8 billion of private investment.  

    It also follows the launch of Great British Energy, lifting the ban on onshore wind and delivering a record number of clean energy projects through its renewables auction – all part of the plan to protect billpayers from volatile energy price spikes driven by fossil fuels.   

    Beatrice Filkin, Director of Major Projects at Ofgem said:  

    We are pleased to see the government’s publication today on its plans for long duration electricity storage. Unlocking investment in this important technology is another significant step towards decarbonisation of the  the power system.  

    We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with government as we take on the role of regulator and investment support scheme delivery body for the sector. 

    Notes to editors 

    • a cap and floor scheme provides revenue support to developers should their gross annual margin (the difference between the revenues from selling electricity back to the grid, and the cost of charging) fall below a set threshold known as the “floor”

    • floor levels are set low to minimise the likelihood of their use, while still providing comfort to investors that operators can meet debt payments in the unlikely scenario that revenues are much lower than forecast. They are not high enough for the asset owners to make a profit (when considering the cost of debt), so there is no incentive for them to seek floor payments – they are merely a form of insurance    

    • in return for consumers underwriting this risk, a revenue cap ensures that LDES asset owners must share some or all profits above a certain level 

    • this announcement follows a consultation on proposals to enable investment in LDES which closed in March 2024. The full response will be published on GOV.UK 

    • the analysis on LDES savings is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/long-duration-electricity-storage-scenario-deployment-analysis

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New unit to boost effectiveness of UK sanctions against Russia

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New trade sanctions unit becomes operational

    • New unit to help businesses comply with the UK’s trade sanctions to launch today.
    • Unit has new and enhanced powers to crack down on businesses in breach and make sure UK sanctions are effective.
    • Sanctions are helping to defund Putin’s illegal war, depriving Russia of over $400 billion of funds since February 2022.

    UK sanctions against Russia are set to be strengthened as the Government launches a new unit to help companies comply with trade sanctions and penalise those who do not.

    Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the UK implemented its most comprehensive set of sanctions against a major economy, with over £20 billion worth of trade with Russia now sanctioned.

    The new Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), launching today, will work with industry to make complying with sanctions obligations as straightforward as possible by issuing guidance and user-friendly online tools.

    There has been overwhelming support from business in implementing sanctions against Russia, and the vast majority of businesses comply. For the minority that don’t, OTSI will have powers to publish information about sanctions breaches and impose civil monetary penalties.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    Sanctions are vital in defunding Putin’s illegal war and only by working hand in hand with business can we make them as effective as possible.

    This new unit will help ensure businesses comply with trade sanctions and take decisive enforcement action where needed so that, together with business, we can continue to exert maximum pressure on Putin’s regime.

    Sanctions Minister Stephen Doughty said:

    This new government is resolutely committed to strengthening our sanctions regime, with robust enforcement and penalties for those who fail to comply. From Moscow to Tehran – kleptocrats, aggressors and the enablers who support and facilitate their wealth and  malign actions  should be on notice.

    OTSI will be instrumental in providing vital additional tools not only to help businesses comply with our sanctions, but also to deter and impose costs upon those seeking to breach them.

    The new unit is part of the Department for Business and Trade.  OTSI will work with businesses to offer guidance, issue licences and investigate reports of trade sanctions breaches.

    Chloe Cina, international sanctions expert and Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) fellow said:

    Investing in a new specialist unit to issue guidance, grant licences, and enforce certain trade sanctions across 21 UK regimes is compelling evidence that the novel measures introduced as part of the UK’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are here to stay.

    The industry will be reassured to see that the most complex restrictions relating to professional services will now be dealt with by OTSI directly from today.

    This launch also sees new reporting obligations introduced for financial services firms, money service businesses and legal service providers. They will now be expected to inform OTSI of suspected breaches of certain trade sanctions.

    OTSI’s new enforcement powers for trade sanctions complement those HMRC already has. While HMRC remains responsible for the enforcement of trade sanctions on goods that cross the UK border as part of its customs role, OTSI now has lead enforcement responsibility for sanctioned services leaving the UK, as well as trade in sanctioned goods and services anywhere else in the world where a UK business or person is involved.

    Notes to editors:

    • From today, OTSI takes on responsibility for issuing licences for certain sanctioned activity – specifically the provision of standalone services, including professional and business services. Sanctions licensing for the export of goods and the provision of ancillary services (services related to the export of tangible goods) remain the responsibility of the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). DBT’s Import Controls Team continue to be responsible for licensing the import of goods and other activities (including provision of ancillary services) which are prohibited under UK import sanctions. More information is available here
    • A full list of the UK’s sanctions can be found here
    • Businesses can visit GOV.UK to submit enquiries or contact OTSI@businessandtrade.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Lantronix Announces Five New System-in-Package Solutions Powered by Qualcomm for AI/ML and Video Solutions at the Edge

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions, today announced its powerful new System-in-Package (SiP) solutions powered by Qualcomm® Technologies’ chipsets that reinforce Lantronix’s position in industrial and enterprise IoT innovation, bringing advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities to the edge.

    “Qualcomm Technologies and Lantronix have had strong relationships for more than 15 years,” stated Dev Singh, vice president of Business Development and head of Industrial Automation at Qualcomm Technologies Inc. “Utilizing Qualcomm Technologies’ cutting-edge processors, Lantronix enables its customers to seamlessly deploy AI solutions at the edge, bringing its expertise in embedded computing and IoT to deliver reliable, industrial-grade systems.”

    With a combination of leading-edge performance and cost efficiency, Lantronix’s five new SiP families are set to accelerate the development of AI-driven applications in industrial and enterprise use cases, including robotics, industrial automation, video surveillance, video collaboration and drones. The new SiP modules are compliant with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

    “With the addition of these five new SiP solutions, we continue our strategic collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies that has enabled Lantronix to build a proven track record of successfully delivering integrated, collaborative solutions that are driving forward IoT and AI/ML technologies to meet the evolving needs of today’s advanced-edge applications,” said Mathi Gurusamy, chief strategy officer for Lantronix.

    Lantronix enables the creation of superior, high-performance AI-driven applications by integrating AI capabilities from the Qualcomm® AI Hub. The Qualcomm AI Hub provides a reference base of more than 100 AI models and a simplified model optimization process to efficiently utilize AI capabilities (3.5 to 100 INT-8 TOPS) in these SiP families.  

    IQ9 Series SiPs for Industrial and Robotics Applications

    Lantronix’s pin-compatible 9100IQ and 9075IQ SiPs, powered by the Qualcomm® IQ-9100 and IQ-9075 processors, provide scalable, power-efficient and robust computing to autonomous devices and next-generation Industry 4.0 designs using advanced AI. The new IQ9 Series can enable:

    • Robust safety functions in autonomous mobile robots (AMR) or platforms with functional safety (FuSa) up to level SIL-3 level (IQ-9100-based SiPs only)
    • Device robustness with fault tolerance Error Correction Code (ECC) memory support and system cost savings by leveraging an integrated, dedicated safety island (IQ-9100) or real-time subsystem (IQ-9075) with four dedicated independent processing cores supporting real-time operating systems for system error monitoring and other critical functions.
    • Robot perception, navigation and versatility improvement through a powerful Qualcomm® Adreno™ 663 GPU and support for up to 16 concurrent cameras.
    • Interactive industrial edge AI systems utilizing up to 100 TOPS by integrating Large Language Model (LLM) support at the edge. The IQ9 Series Hexagon tensor processor can achieve a generation rate of 12 tokens per second when running the Llama 2 13B parameter mode.
    • Fanless systems to enhance operating temperature with the SiP family supporting a -40°C to 115°C junction temperature range.

    Learn more about Lantronix’s 9100IQ and 9075IQ SiP families here. 

    Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550CS for Advanced Video and AI Applications

    Building on the success of its existing Open-Q SiP portfolio, Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550CS family, powered by Qualcomm® Technologies’ QSC8550 processor, delivers high AI performance, power efficiency and advanced Wi-Fi® 7 and Bluetooth® 5 connectivity, making it ideal for long-term, high-demand edge computing applications. Benefits include the abilities to:

    • Enhance video conferencing meeting experiences, automated guided vehicle pathing, smart camera image quality and edge AI box scalability with the family’s octal-core computing capabilities and 48 AI TOPS tensor performance.
    • Perform complex 3D rendering and computer vision tasks with a powerful Adreno 740 GPU supporting ray tracing, Open GL ES, Vulkan and Open CL profiles and 4K240/8K60 video decoding and 4K120/8K30 encoding.
    • Connect edge AI boxes leveraging high-speed 2.5G and 10G Ethernet ports.

    Learn more about Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550CS SiP family here. 

    Lantronix’s Open-Q 6490CS and 5430CS for Scalable AI Solutions

    Lantronix’s pin-compatible Open-Q 6490CS and Open-Q 5430CS families, powered by Qualcomm® Technologies’ QCS6490 and QCS5430 processors, allow customers to scale their product lines with minimal development effort while benefiting from low-power AI performance, Wi-Fi 6E and BLE 5+ connectivity as well as flexible peripheral expansion. Features include:

    • Real-time machine learning on 6th-generation AI engine, delivering 3.5 to 13 AI TOPS and complemented with up to octal-core CPU and Adreno 640 class GPU. 
    • Advanced multimedia and AI powered camera support through up to three concurrent ISPs supporting up to 192MP cameras, 4K30 encoding and 4K60 decoding, sufficient to handle up to 8 camera streams simultaneously for video-intensive applications.
    • Percepxion™ device management for over-the-air (OTA) upgrades for performance, security and software feature improvements. 

    Learn more about Lantronix’s Open-Q 6490CS here and 5430CS families here.

    About Lantronix   

    Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth industries including Smart Cities, Automotive and Enterprise. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that address each layer of the IoT Stack. Lantronix’s leading-edge solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing. 

    For more information, visit the Lantronix website.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements related to our Open-Q SIP solutions for Qualcomm developers. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, future business, financial condition, or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this news release. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as the effects of negative or worsening regional and worldwide economic conditions or market instability on our business, including effects on purchasing decisions by our customers; our ability to mitigate any disruption in our and our suppliers’ and vendors’ supply chains due to the COVID-19 pandemic or other outbreaks, wars and recent tensions in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, or other factors; future responses to and effects of public health crises; cybersecurity risks; changes in applicable U.S. and foreign government laws, regulations, and tariffs; our ability to successfully implement our acquisitions strategy or integrate acquired companies; difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights; the level of our indebtedness, our ability to service our indebtedness and the restrictions in our debt agreements; and any additional factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on Sept. 9, 2024; as well as in our other public filings with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in our future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and we do not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. 

    © 2024 Lantronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Lantronix is a registered trademark. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

    Qualcomm-branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm and Adreno are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. 

    Lantronix Media Contact:         
    Gail Kathryn Miller 
    Corporate Marketing & 
    Communications Manager 
    media@lantronix.com
    949-212-0960 

    Lantronix Analyst and Investor Contact:         
    investors@lantronix.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Director General in Slovenia Before Key Nuclear Power Referendum

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The JEK2 project would provide up to 2400 MWe capacity with a pressurised water technology of either GEN III or GEN III+ design, further strengthening Slovenia’s capacity to reduce emissions and meet its climate and development goals.

    The Director General spoke to a number of Slovenian media outlets on the topic. “I have seen much interest here in detailed nuclear topics related to price, waste and safety. I am happy to answer any questions and appreciate these informed exchanges.

    “I think the important thing is that the Slovenian society is well-informed, and that there is a good public debate about it. My impression is that there is widespread consensus on the reasonability of moving forward with nuclear in the country. But, of course, it will be up to the Slovenes to decide what you want to do.”

    Mr Grossi spoke of nuclear power’s key role supporting the clean energy transition. “An integrated intelligent energy mix is what is needed. You cannot have full reliance on one single source of energy. We believe that renewable energy is indispensable, and it should be scaled up. The issue here is that you also need base load energy. You cannot power a full economy simply on renewable energies.

    “So, countries are choosing what kind of base load capacity they can use. Many important economies are looking into nuclear simply because they need useful instruments that will allow them to have this base load energy,” he added.

    Following the political gathering this morning and a meeting with Bojan Kumer, Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy, Mr Grossi spoke with student groups on the topic.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Meaningful connections take centre stage on World Mental Health Day

    Source: Mental Health Australia

    On World Mental Health Day, Mental Health Australia is urging policymakers to recognise that meaningful connections are critical to mental health.

    10 October is not just a date on the calendar. It’s an opportunity to spotlight mental health, challenge stigma, and push for real change. This year, Mental Health Australia’s World Mental Health Day campaign focusses on why meaningful connections are so important for good mental health.

    “At the heart of our campaign are the powerful voices of people in Australia with lived and living experience of mental ill-health,” said Mental Health Australia CEO, Carolyn Nikoloski.

    “Twelve advocates from across the country have shared their personal stories, demonstrating how meaningful connections transformed their mental health journeys and helped them find a path to recovery.”

    From Outback Queensland to Australia’s capital, these stories remind us that mental health affects everyone, regardless of income or postcode.

    “World Mental Health Day reminds us to connect—to loved ones, our communities, colleagues, and to Country. It’s a call to reach out for support and, just as importantly, to reconnect with ourselves for better mental health,” Ms Nikoloski urged.

    This message was reflected to policymakers yesterday at Mental Health Australia’s Mental Health Sector Expo, which was co-hosted with the Parliamentary Friends of Youth Mental Health and the Parliamentary Friends of Mental Health.

    The event united over 120 mental health professionals from 45 member organisations at Parliament House, with the Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care addressing the audience about the vital importance of this year’s theme – the power of meaningful connections – by highlighting the valuable contribution of the mental health sector.

    Mr Butler said, “I want to thank all of you for the work that you do. These are really tough times. We’ve gone through an incredibly traumatic period with the pandemic that really impacted people’s mental health…you have the best ideas of how we can do better to support people in mental distress, whether that’s relatively temporary mental distress or whether it’s lifelong relatively severe mental illness.”

    As one of the final parliamentary sitting weeks of 2024 unfolds, Australia’s leading mental health organisations showcased their critical work and achievements, calling attention to the mental health services available in local communities across the country.

    “This event was an important opportunity for mental health professionals, policymakers, and people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health and their family, carers and supporters to connect and unite in a bipartisan effort to continue building a mental health system that supports every person in Australia,” Ms Nikoloski said.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Second reading speech, Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    I move that this Bill be now read a second time.

    Today I am proud to introduce the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024.

    I’m also introducing it on behalf of my colleague Andrew Leigh as the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, and I’d like to acknowledge him and thank him for his contribution.

    This Bill is another big step towards reforming Australia’s merger rules and further boosting competition and productivity in our economy.

    It outlines the biggest reforms to Australia’s merger settings in almost 50 years.

    It will create a regime that more efficiently and effectively targets mergers that are anti‑competitive, while allowing mergers that are pro‑competitive to proceed faster.

    Speaker,

    We understand most mergers have genuine economic benefits and are an important feature of any healthy, open financial system.

    They can attract capital, re‑tool businesses and improve the uptake of new technologies.

    They can allow businesses to achieve greater economies of scale and scope, to access new resources, technology and expertise.

    This can flow through to consumers via greater product choice and quality as well as lower prices.

    But some mergers can cause serious economic harm.

    This can happen when businesses are not interested in improving profitability by lifting productivity.

    When they’re solely focused on squeezing out competitors to capture a larger percentage of the market.

    This can strangle innovation, reduce productivity in our economy and punish consumers with reduced choice.

    Treasury’s Competition Taskforce has spent a lot of its time hearing about and thinking about these issues.

    Andrew and I set up this Taskforce and its work has made plain that Australia’s approach to mergers is no longer fit for purpose.

    Speaker,

    The need for reform is clear.

    Australia is one of only 3 OECD countries that doesn’t require compulsory notification of mergers.

    Last year, over 1,400 mergers were recorded, at a value of around $300 billion.

    Meanwhile, the ACCC looked at an average of 330 mergers a year over the past decade.

    But we don’t know whether these are the right 330, or the mergers with the greatest potential to cause harm.

    When the ACCC does assess mergers, the current approach is not transparent for businesses or the community.

    Clearance can be too slow and cause expensive delays for some businesses as they wait.

    This legislation will bring our merger system into the 21st century.

    Speaker,

    This Bill enshrines our historic reforms into law.

    The legislation will improve our regime in 5 ways, by making the system faster, stronger, simpler, more targeted and more transparent.

    Approvals will be faster under the new system, with mergers ticked within 30 working days where the ACCC is satisfied they pose no threat to competition.

    The regime will be stronger thanks to a mandatory notification system and empowering the ACCC as the decision maker on all mergers.

    The system will be simpler, because we are reducing 3 streams to a streamlined path to approval that removes duplication and standardises notification requirements for mergers.

    It will be more targeted, because mergers that create, strengthen or entrench substantial market power will be identified and stopped while those consistent with our national economic interest will be fast tracked.

    Finally, the merger regime will be more transparent, by ensuring the ACCC has better visibility of merger activity.

    We are creating a public register of all mergers and acquisitions notified to the ACCC to promote this transparency and accountability.

    Reviews of ACCC decisions will be the responsibility of the Competition Tribunal made up of a Federal Court judge, an economist and a business leader.

    Under the strengthened system, not every merger will be captured.

    Only mergers above monetary thresholds will need to be notified to the ACCC and be approved before proceeding.

    The government intends to set these monetary thresholds in regulations following the passage of this Bill.

    There will be 3 key thresholds.

    Firstly, any merger will be looked at if the Australian turnover of the combined businesses is above $200 million, and either the business or assets being acquired has Australian turnover above $50 million or global transaction value above $250 million.

    Secondly, the ACCC will look at any merger involving a very large business with Australian turnover more than $500 million buying a smaller business or assets with Australian turnover above $10 million.

    Finally, to target serial acquisitions, all mergers by businesses with combined Australian turnover of more than $200 million where the cumulative Australian turnover from acquisitions in the same or similar goods or services over a 3‑year period is at least $50 million will be captured, or $10 million if a very large business is involved.

    Land acquisitions involving residential property development and certain commercial property acquisitions won’t be included to avoid clogging up the system with simple land purchases unless they are captured by additional targeted notification requirements.

    These thresholds have been developed in close consultation with industry and the community.

    The thresholds strike the right balance between creating a rigorous and robust regime without calling in every merger.

    These thresholds will allow the ACCC to focus its efforts on the mergers that really matter.

    We want to see the majority of mergers approved quickly, so the ACCC can focus on the minority that give rise to competition concerns.

    The thresholds will be reviewed 12 months after coming into effect, to ensure they are working as intended.

    In addition, the legislation provides flexibility to allow the Treasurer to adjust and calibrate the thresholds to respond to evidence‑based concerns from the ACCC about high‑risk mergers, like in the supermarket sector.

    This power, combined with the thresholds, will allow the ACCC to review all the mergers that they have been typically concerned about.

    Using this provision, the government intends to make sure the ACCC is notified of every merger in the supermarket sector.

    Our intention to mandate this approach is based on evidence provided by the competition regulator.

    Reviewing every supermarket merger is all part of the decisive action our government is taking to help Australians get fairer prices at the checkout.

    We want to make sure supermarket mergers don’t come at the cost of Australians, families and pensioners getting a fair price on their grocery bills.

    Our merger reforms will help ensure our supermarkets are as competitive as they can be so Australians get the best prices possible.

    On the advice of the ACCC Chair, the government also intends to use this power to get the competition regulator to review purchases of an interest above 20 per cent in an unlisted or private company, if one of the companies involved in the deal has turnover more than $200 million.

    This is all about lifting the level of scrutiny and transparency for private markets transactions, which have boomed in Australia in the past decade.

    It will give the ACCC the ability to analyse changes of control in private companies to ensure negative competition effects are avoided and to scrutinise these deals in more detail.

    The government will also consider designation requirements for sectors such as fuel, liquor and oncology‑radiology.

    These merger laws will take effect from 1 January 2026 and apply voluntarily from 1 July 2025.

    Speaker,

    This Bill has been developed through detailed consultation and we’d like to take a moment here to thank everyone for their contributions.

    We’re especially grateful for the input from the Expert Advisory Panel, comprising Kerry Schott, David Gonski, John Asker, Sharon Henrick, John Fingleton, Danielle Wood and Rod Sims.

    I’m also thankful for all the discussions and consultation we have held with businesses, the competition regulator, and the broader community.

    That input and those views helped shaped this legislation.

    This Bill builds on the Albanese Labor government’s substantial and broad competition reform agenda, which is all about creating a more dynamic, more productive and resilient economy.

    This includes revitalising National Competition Policy with all state and territory governments.

    Abolishing around 500 nuisance tariffs to cut compliance costs, reduce red tape, make it easier to do business, and boost productivity.

    Helping Australians get a fair price at the checkout with a new mandatory Food and Grocery Code, an ACCC inquiry and more funding for its investigations, reforming planning and zoning regulations and funding for CHOICE for price transparency reports.

    Promoting competition in our financial system, including in payments, financial market infrastructure and through the introduction of a financial services regulatory grid.

    Helping bank customers find and follow better deals on their mortgages and higher interest rates on their savings accounts.

    This agenda will help expand choices, lift living standards and grow our economy.

    It will help ensure that our people, businesses and industries are beneficiaries of the opportunities before us in the defining decade ahead.

    The legislation I introduce today forms a key part of these competition reforms.

    And we are proud to introduce it to the House.

    Full details of the measure are contained in the Explanatory Memorandum.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Parson Orders Missouri National Guard, Department of Public Safety Resources to Florida to Aid Hurricane Milton Response Efforts

    Source: US State of Missouri

    OCTOBER 9, 2024

    Jefferson City — “Missouri always stands ready to assist our fellow states in need, and as Governor Ron DeSantis and the people of Florida brace for one of the strongest and potentially most destructive hurricanes in recent memory, Missouri will be there to help them respond and recover,” Governor Parson said. “We will continue to assess how best Missouri can assist Florida in response to this hurricane and other states recently impacted by Hurricane Helene. In the meantime, Teresa and I are praying for Americans who have been displaced by Helene and the safety of the people of Florida as Milton approaches landfall.”

    Preparations are being made for Missouri personnel to arrive in Florida once the immediate threats of Hurricane Milton have passed. They will assist in Florida for five to 20 days, depending on response and recovery needs. Potential extensions and additional deployments may be assessed in coordination with Florida’s emergency response agencies.

    The cost of the combined deployment is estimated at $1.6 million and will be covered primarily by the Governor’s Office’s discretionary emergency response fund. The State could potentially be reimbursed by the federal government.

    MONG assistance to Florida consists of transportation and logistics support. Vehicles from MONG’s transportation Company are capable of traveling off road and over adverse terrain to deliver needed food, water, and other supplies and capabilities to the point of need. These assets were identified to fill critical capability gaps and meet anticipated needs on ground. Ongoing coordination with state and federal partners will define the full mission.

    MSHP is rostering a team of 15 troopers and six civilians with the technical expertise, equipment, and supplies to support operations for a sustained period of time. MSHP is determined to assist Florida authorities and residents during this emergency without compromising the level of service it provides every day in Missouri. MO DMAT-1 team members will support any medical or logistical needs of the MSHP.

    To date, the State of Missouri has not received any direct EMAC requests for states affected by Hurricane Helene but is prepared to consider any requests should they be received.

    Individuals interested in helping are encouraged to direct donations to trusted disaster relief organizations such as the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. Financial contributions are the fastest and most flexible method of donating as it allows these organizations to quickly address urgent or emerging needs. If you wish to donate supplies, first check to see what items have been identified as high need and where.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Burkina Faso

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    October 9, 2024

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    Ouagadougou: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team led by Martin Schindler visited Ouagadougou during September 30–October 9 to discuss macroeconomic policies in the context of the second review of the authorities’ four-year program supported by the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Staff met with the Minister of Economy and Finance, Hon. Aboubakar Nacanabo; the BCEAO National Director, Armand Badiel; and other senior government officials. The team also met with private sector representatives and development partners.

    At the conclusion of the mission, Mr. Schindler issued the following statement:

    “An IMF team visited Ouagadougou for discussions on the second review of the IMF-supported four-year program, which aims at creating fiscal space for priority spending, strengthening social protection, advancing good governance, and promoting sustainable growth. We had constructive discussions on the evolution and prospects of the program in the context of a volatile security situation. They focused on macroeconomic and fiscal developments, improving fiscal transparency and governance, reducing fiscal risks, and enhancing efficiency in the energy sector.

    “The team will return to Washington, D.C., to advance its technical work, and discussions with the authorities will continue in the weeks ahead, including during the upcoming IMF/World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. in late October. The discussions will focus on making further progress on the authorities’ structural reform and fiscal governance agenda, among other topics.

    “We reaffirm our commitment to support Burkina Faso in these challenging times, consistent with IMF policies.

    “Staff expresses their gratitude to the authorities, private sector representatives, development partners, and other stakeholders in Burkina Faso for their constructive engagement and support during this mission.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Tatiana Mossot

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    @IMFSpokesperson

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2024/10/09/pr-24362-burkina-faso-imf-staff-concludes-visit

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government unveils most significant reforms to employment rights

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ministers have unveiled the Employment Rights Bill to help deliver economic security and growth to businesses, workers and communities across the UK.

    • Legislation introduced in Parliament to upgrade workers’ rights across the UK, tackle poor working conditions and benefit businesses and workers alike 
    • Ahead of International Investment Summit, government reveals landmark reforms in under 100 days to boost pay and productivity, showing the benefits of a ‘pro-business, pro-worker’ approach 
    • New balance for early months of a job at heart of pragmatic reforms to help drive growth in the economy and support more people into secure work 
    • Employment Rights Bill will end exploitative zero-hour contracts and unscrupulous fire and rehire practices, while establishing rights to bereavement and parental leave from day one 

    Today (10 October) ministers have unveiled the Employment Rights Bill, introduced within 100 days of the new government coming to office, to help deliver economic security and growth to businesses, workers and communities across the UK.  

    Getting the labour market moving again is essential to economic growth with one in five UK businesses with more than 10 employees reporting staff shortages. Flexibility, for workers and businesses alike, is key to answering this challenge and is at the heart of the legislation to upgrade the law to ensure it is fit for modern life and a modern economy. 

    The existing two-year qualifying period for protections from unfair dismissal will be removed, delivering on the manifesto commitment to ensure that all workers have a right to these protections from day one on the job. 

    The government will also consult on a new statutory probation period for companies’ new hires. This will allow for a proper assessment of an employee’s suitability to a role as well as reassuring employees that they have rights from day one, enabling businesses to take chances on hires while giving more people confidence to re-enter the job market or change careers, improving their living standards.  

    The bill will bring forward 28 individual employment reforms, from ending exploitative zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices to establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for millions of workers. Statutory sick pay will also be strengthened, removing the lower earnings limit for all workers and cutting out the waiting period before sick pay kicks in. 

    Accompanying this will be measures to help make the workplace more compatible with people’s lives, with flexible working made the default where practical. Large employers will also be required to create action plans on addressing gender pay gaps and supporting employees through the menopause, and protections against dismissal will be strengthened for pregnant women and new mothers. This is all with the intention of keeping people in work for longer, reducing recruitment costs for employers by increasing staff retention and helping the economy grow. 

    A new Fair Work Agency bringing together existing enforcement bodies will also be established to enforce rights such as holiday pay and support employers looking for guidance on how to comply with the law. 

    Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said:

    This government is delivering the biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation, boosting pay and productivity with employment laws fit for a modern economy. We’re turning the page on an economy riven with insecurity, ravaged by dire productivity and blighted by low pay. 

    The UK’s out-of-date employment laws are holding our country back and failing business and workers alike. Our plans to make work pay will deliver security in work as the foundation for boosting productivity and growing our economy to make working people better off and realise our potential. 

    Too many people are drawn into a race to the bottom, denied the security they need to raise a family while businesses are unable to retain the workers they need to grow. We’re raising the floor on rights at work to deliver a stronger, fairer and brighter future of work for Britain.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    It is our mission to get the economy moving and create the long term, sustainable growth that people and businesses across the country need. Our plan will give the world of work a much needed upgrade, boosting pay and productivity.    

    The best employers know that employees are more productive when they are happy at work.  That is why it’s vital to give employers the flexibility they need to grow whilst ending unscrupulous and unfair practices.  

    This upgrade to our laws will ensure they are fit for modern life, raise living standards and provide opportunity and security for businesses, workers and communities across the country.

    Alongside the legislation, a ‘Next Steps’ document for the Make Work Pay Plan has been published [available here – link to when available] outlining the government’s vision and long-term plans and setting out our ambitions for the plan to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities for all. 

    Ending one-sided flexibility

    The legislation will level the playing field where all parties understand what is required of them and good employers aren’t undercut by bad ones.  

    The bill will end exploitative zero hours contracts, following research that shows 84% of zero hours workers would rather have guaranteed hours. They, along with those on low hours contracts, will now have the right to a guaranteed hours contract if they work regular hours over a defined period, giving them security of earnings whilst allowing people to remain on zero hours contracts where they prefer to. According to TUC research nearly two thirds of managers (64%) believe ending zero hours contracts would have a positive impact on their business.  

    Ending unscrupulous employment practices is a priority for this government and none more so than shutting down the loopholes that allow bullying fire and rehire and fire and replace to continue. The government is closing these loopholes and putting in place measures to give greater protections against unfair dismissal from day one, ensuring that the feeling of security at work is no longer a luxury for the privileged few. 

    This bill turns the page on the previously ineffective, costly and conflicting approach to dealing with industrial relations that has brought so much disruption to businesses and livelihoods. lt repeals the anti-union legislation put in place by the previous administration, including the Minimum Service Levels (Strikes) Act legislation that failed to prevent a single day of industrial action while in force. 

    Employment Rights Minister Justin Madders said:

    We know that most employers proudly treat their staff well. However, for decades as the world of work has changed, employment rights have failed to keep pace, with an increase in one-sided flexibility slowing the potential for growth in the economy.

    The steps we’re taking today will finally right these wrongs, working in partnership with business and unions to kickstart economic growth that will benefit them, their workers and local communities.  

    From tackling fire and rehire to ending exploitative zero hours contracts, we are delivering a modern economy that drives up living standards for families across the UK.

    Supporting working families

    Too many people find that the current system isn’t compatible with the realities of everyday life, whether that’s raising children or supporting a loved one with a health condition. The government wants to make sure that everyone can get on in work and not be held back because work isn’t compatible with important family responsibilities. 

    That is why the government will:

    • Change the law to make flexible working the default for all, unless the employer can prove it’s unreasonable.   
    • Set a clear standard for employers by establishing a new right to bereavement leave, with the entitlement sculpted with the needs of employees and the concerns of employers at the forefront.  
    • Deliver stronger protections for pregnant women and new mothers returning to work including protection from dismissal whilst pregnant, on maternity leave and within six months of returning to work.   
    • Tackle low pay by accounting for cost of living when setting the Minimum Wage and remove discriminatory age bands.  
    • Establish a new Fair Work Agency that will bring together different government enforcement bodies, enforce holiday pay for the first time and strengthen statutory sick pay. It will create a stronger, recognisable single organisation that people know where to go for help – with better support for employers who want to comply with the law and tough action on the minority who deliberately flout it.   

    Beyond the bill

    The Make Work Pay Plan doesn’t stop with this bill. Continuing to reform employment rights in line with changes to the economy and labour market is critical to maintaining growth, prosperity and opportunity. As an outlook to the future, the government has also today published a Next Steps document that outlines reforms it will look to implement in the future.  

    Subject to consultations, this includes:

    • A Right to Switch Off, preventing employees from being contacted out of hours, except in exceptional circumstances, to allow them the rest and get the recuperation they need to give 100% during their shift. 
    • A strong commitment to end pay discrimination by expanding the Equality (Race and Disparity) Bill to make it mandatory for large employers to report their ethnicity and disability pay gap.  
    • A move towards a single status of worker and transition towards a simpler two-part framework for employment status.  
    • Reviews into the parental leave and carers leave systems to ensure they are delivering for employers, workers and their loved ones.

    Responding to the government’s initiative, these businesses and employee groups have said:

    Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of the Co-op, said: 

    We support the Government’s ambitions to strengthen rights for workers and value the co-operative approach to involve employers in the reforms. As the UK’s largest consumer co-operative, Co-op has long supported colleagues to have good working lives, with policies like our leading bereavement leave, day one right to request flexible working arrangements, and menopause support already in place. The positive impact of these policies is clear to see. 

    Being able to support colleagues when they need it, and in particular women, parents and carers, helps retain valuable talent and makes good business sense. We look forward to continuing to work with Government to make work pay and to deliver economic growth.” 

    Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, said: 

    After 14 years of stagnating living standards, working people desperately need secure jobs they can build a decent life on.    

    Whether it’s tackling the scourge of zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire, improving access to sick pay and parental leave, or clamping down on exploitation – this Bill highlights the Government’s commitment to upgrade rights and protections for millions.    

    Driving up employment standards is good for workers, good for business and good for growth. While there is still detail to be worked through, it is time to write a positive new chapter for working people in this country.”    

    Jane van Zyl, CEO at Working Families, said: 

    As campaigners for better rights for working parents and carers, we’re pleased there is hope on the horizon for the millions who stand to benefit from the transformational changes in the proposed Employment Bill.  

    Establishing workplace rights from day one and making flexible working the default could be the key to unlocking labour market mobility, with the promise of getting the economy moving and ensuring parents and carers are not held back in their careers. In addition, we welcome any strengthening of legislation that helps protect pregnant women and new mothers against losing their jobs unfairly at a vulnerable time in their lives.  

    The proposals in the Plan to Make Work Pay have the potential to remove barriers in the workplace, give a better start for new parents and reduce gendered roles in caring. The message it sends that worker’s rights matter, and the willingness to address inequalities, is very promising.”  

    Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s, said:

    As one of the UK’s largest employers we put our colleagues at the heart of everything we do. We see the clear link between engaged, motivated colleagues and business performance and that is why we have increased colleague pay by over 50% in the last 5 years. 

    We share the Government’s vision of making work pay, enabling growth and driving productivity. We welcome today’s announcement and Government engagement with business to date and look forward to seeing progress on business rates reform, which would deliver real benefits for our colleagues, customers and communities.” 

    Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of CIPD, the professional body for HR and Learning & Development professionals, said:

    We share the Government’s ambition to raise employment standards and job quality through the Employment Rights Bill as part of the wider Make Work Pay agenda.  

    The changes being proposed represent the greatest update in employment legislation in decades. We’re pleased to see the ongoing commitment from Government to engage with the business community to work through the important details to ensure they have a positive impact for both employers and workers.” 

    Jemima Olchawski, CEO of Fawcett Society, said:

    Today’s draft employment bill is a win for women. Fawcett and our members have campaigned long and hard to see government chart a new course for inclusive economic growth and to improve women’s working lives. We share this government’s ambition to ensure all women can thrive at work and fully contribute to the economy.”   

    Mark Reynolds, Mace Group Chair and Chief Executive, said:### 

    Ensuring British workers are supported with strong employment rights benefits everyone – employers as well as employees. This package of reforms is a welcome insight into the Government’s plans and show that they have engaged extensively with businesses and taken a pragmatic approach. We’re pleased to support it; both on behalf of Mace and the wider construction industry. We look forward to working closely with the Government as they take these plans forward.”  

    Brian McNamara, CEO of Haleon, said:

    It is crucial that the Government continues to engage with the business community on such an important piece of legislation and we welcome the dialogue to date. Haleon is committed to creating an inclusive culture that provides all employees with equal opportunities.  This is central to our company strategy and will be core to our future success.” 

    Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus Energy, said:

    In formulating these proposals it’s clear that the government has listened to both workers and employers to create protections against bad practices while enabling good businesses to invest in growth and training. For example, the probation period will allow progressive employers to give a chance to people without typical experience or educational backgrounds, opening up new opportunities for them in great careers.” 

    Chris O’Shea, CEO of Centrica, said:

    As the largest Unionised workforce in the energy sector, we are pleased to see the Government publish their landmark legislation providing more rights and flexibility to employees. 

    At Centrica, we offer a range of policies to support our 21,000 colleagues including flexible working and health and wellbeing support from day one, a leading 10 days paid carers policy, our Pathway to Parenthood which offers comprehensive financial support towards fertility treatment alongside paid leave to for any fertility, adoption or surrogacy appointments, and additional support for neurodivergent colleagues. It’s the right thing to do and we want to help our employees and share best practices with others. Our experience shows that there is a clear business case for doing this with savings from increased retention and ensuring colleagues don’t have to take unplanned absences.” 

    Helen Dickinson OBE, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, said:

    As the country’s largest private sector employer, employing three million people, the industry stands ready to work with government to ensure these reforms are a win:win for employers and colleagues, and maximise employment opportunities, investment, and growth. Many of the expected provisions, including stopping exploitative contracts and offering flexibility in employment, are things that responsible retailers already do. Introducing these standards for everyone means good employers should be competing on a level playing field. We look forward to engaging the government on the details, including around seasonal hiring and the use of probation periods.” 

    Kate Nicholls, CEO of UKHospitality, said: 

    I’m pleased the Government has recognised the importance of flexibility to both workers and businesses. This is crucial for hospitality, which employs 3.5m people and provides countless flexible roles for working parents, students, carers and many more. 

    We look forward to continuing our engagement and consultation with the Government on its plans, which are not without cost, to get the details right for all parties.” 

    BT Group spokesperson, said:

    BT Group believes that a strong economy is one that works for everyone, and has already adopted many of the measures that will be covered by this legislation.  It will be crucial to get the details right, to avoid unintended consequences and keep the UK competitive, and we welcome the constructive, consultative approach that the Government is taking.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Confirmation of Payee service to improve payment security

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new confirmation of payments system in the banking sector will make it safer for Kiwis making bank transactions, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. 

    “In my open letter to the banks in February, I outlined several of my expectations of the sector, including the introduction of a Confirmation of Payee (CoP) system. I am pleased to see this being implemented and look forward to continued progress in this area.

    “This new system will give Kiwis greater peace of mind by allowing them to confirm that the name of the person they’re paying matches the bank account details before they send any money.

    “The CoP service is a practical step towards making payments more secure, reducing the chances of errors or potential fraud where funds are mistakenly sent to the wrong person.”

    New Zealand’s retail banks will begin a phased rollout of the CoP service from November 2024, with full implementation across all digital banking platforms, including mobile apps, expected by Easter 2025.

    “Banks are working to ensure the service is carefully tested and integrated across different platforms to guarantee a smooth implementation for customers. This phased approach ensures consumers will experience the benefits without any disruptions.

    “CoP is part of a broader effort by government and the banking sector to enhance security and protect New Zealanders from financial crime.”

    Notes to editor: 

    • More information on the Confirmation of Payee service can be found at: getverified.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Kim Wlliams to deliver intersection of leadership and truth and Menzies Oration in Ballarat

    Source: Federation University

    Renowned media executive and chair of the ABC, Kim Williams AM, will be in Ballarat on Wednesday 30 October to deliver a though-provoking speech on the importance of clarity, transparency, trust and accountability in leadership in an era of misinformation, propaganda and sensationalism. 

    A former Chief Executive of News Corp Australia, FOXTEL, Fox Studios Australia, the Australian Film Commission, Southern Star Entertainment and Music Viva Australia, Williams is the guest orator at this year’s Menzies Oration – an annual event delivered by The Menzies Foundation – which will be hosted by Federation University Australia for the third consecutive year. 

    The livestreamed event titled Intersection of Leadership and Truth Williams will delve into the vital connection between leadership and truth, shedding light on how these elements shape the fabric of Australian leadership and public perception. He will share his extensive insights and experiences, highlighting the essential qualities that underpin effective and ethical leadership in the 21st Century. 

    Liz Gillies from the Menzies Foundation will host the event, Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley serving as the Master of Ceremonies.  

    The Menzies Oration is free to the public and will take place at the Emerging Technologies Hub at Federation’s SMB Campus on Wednesday October 30 from 6:00pm.  

    The session can also be viewed online, and tickets are available on the Eventbrite by searching for ‘Menzies Oration’ or via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/menzies-oration-intersection-of-leadership-and-truth-kim-williams-am-tickets-1014287670727 

    Quotes attributable to Federation University Australia Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Duncan Bentley 

    “It is exciting to be hosting the Menzies Oration at Federation University again this year, where we will be setting the stage for Kim Williams to share his expertise in the media landscape, detailing his extensive insights and experiences that mould quality leadership in an era where it is challenging to cut through misinformation.” 

    “We are privileged to have Kim’s important voice at the event this year, who has been a longstanding figure in the media, with diverse knowledge of what it takes to be a good leader.” 

    Quotes attributable to Menzies Foundation CEO Liz Gillies 

    “As we navigate an era where truth is increasingly clouded by misinformation, the importance of trust and accountability in leadership has never been more critical.” 

    “The 2024 Menzies Oration will offer a powerful exploration of the nexus between leadership and truth, and we are honoured to have Kim Williams AM share his perspectives on how our response to this challenge will shape our society now and into an uncertain future.” 

    Quotes attributable to Chair of the ABC, AM Kim Williams  

    “It is a real honour to deliver the 2024 Menzies Oration. Named after one of the titans of Australian political leadership and history, the oration gives one time to reflect on issues that matter in the contemporary settings of Australian public life and discourse.” 

    “Sir Robert Menzies was a dauntingly fine orator matched by few others. He set a standard that demands real effort on the part of all who deliver the annual Menzies oration to meet.” 

    “In my own instance I intend to tackle the subject of the inextricable link between leadership and truth as the foundation stone of a good society and the base from which effective public policy and resilient institutions, core pillars to our democracy, follow.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Opinion piece: Albanese good for growth in the west

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The most recent growth statistics showed that the Australian economy faces some strong headwinds. In an environment where global growth is subdued, the national economy grew just 0.2 per cent in the June 2024 quarter. Yet Western Australia’s growth was considerably faster. With a quarterly growth rate of 0.9 per cent, Western Australia tied with South Australia as the fastest‑growing state in the nation.

    There are other positive signs. Investment in WA continues to grow, reflecting business confidence in WA’s future. In the past financial year, the value of new capital expenditure in Western Australia rose 18.5 per cent in the mining industry and 16.9 per cent in non‑mining industries. This new investment accounts for nearly a quarter of Australia’s new private investment, showing that WA continues to punch above its weight.

    As pro‑growth progressives, we recognise that government has a role to play in boosting the growth rate and continuing to build on WA’s economic success. Higher productivity also increases the speed limit of the economy, allowing Australians to live longer, and live better.

    What are the best policies to encourage growth? As the nation’s most export‑oriented state, international settings are of particular significance for Western Australia. Since coming to office, the Albanese government has sought to stabilise Australia’s relationships with our major trading partners.

    Under the former Coalition government, China effectively closed the door to many of our exports. Since May 2022, as a result of the Albanese government’s calm and consistent approach – in concert with a great deal of hard work and advocacy by industry – most of the Australian products previously subject to impediments have been able to re‑enter China’s market. That includes coal, cotton, timber logs, barley, and wine. Trade impediments imposed by China on around $20 billion of Australian exports remain on less than $1 billion.

    We have also worked to build stronger partnerships with countries throughout our region. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Trade Minister Don Farrell have worked to diversify our trading relationships, by leading a diplomatic and business push into countries throughout the South East Asia and the Pacific.

    A key element is the development of a new South East Asia Economic Strategy, based on a report that the government commissioned from Nicholas Moore, the former CEO of the Macquarie Group, titled ‘Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040’. This strategy aims to boost trade and investment by enhancing economic engagement and leveraging Australia’s strengths: a well‑capitalised corporate sector, sophisticated capital markets, and a substantial national savings pool.

    In the mining sector, the government’s production tax incentive scheme seeks to nurture the critical minerals and green hydrogen industries. These tax credits aim to secure Australia’s critical mineral supply chain and assist with the energy transition in economically productive ways. Yet, remarkably Peter Dutton has opposed production tax incentives. His position puts him at odds with both major parties in Western Australian – Liberal and Labor. As Resources Minister Madeleine King puts it, Dutton’s stance is ‘anti‑resources and anti‑WA’.

    Another important part of Labor’s pro‑growth productivity agenda is competition reform. The last big wave of national competition policy took place in the 1990s, when consumers were given more choice about their electricity provider and a host of unnecessary regulations were scrapped. During the 2000s and 2010s, Australia experienced a rise in market concentration and markups, and a drop in economic dynamism. Too many industries have become dominated by too few companies. Disappointing productivity performance in the 2010s is likely linked to the lack of competition in many Australian markets and Australian consumers have suffered.

    Last year, our government established a competition taskforce in the Australian Treasury, mandated to identify reforms that would create a more competitive economy that drives down costs. This year, the Albanese government has introduced the biggest shakeup of our merger laws in half a century, aiming to ensure that the merger control system is simpler, quicker, and more efficient. Our reforms will ensure quicker approvals for low‑risk mergers but that the competition watchdog sees all high‑risk mergers through mandatory reporting thresholds.

    Another priority of the competition taskforce is the reform of non‑compete clauses. One in 5 Australian workers have a clause in their employment contract that limits their ability to move to a competing company. Non‑compete clauses slow wage growth and impede new business formation. In the United States, the government has estimated that scrapping non‑compete clauses would boost wages by US$500 for the typical worker, and lead to the creation of 8,000 more businesses annually. In Australia, we are actively considering the best way to address the adverse effects of non‑compete clauses.

    These are just some examples of how the Albanese government, with the states and territories, is revitalising the National Competition Policy to deliver more jobs, more startups, and more prosperity. Western Australia is on board with National Competition Policy and stands to share the benefits.

    Being pro‑growth is not about being anti‑fairness. Indeed, the best way to deliver for the most vulnerable is through a growing economy, where everyone can share in the gains. By choosing openness, encouraging dynamism, and strengthening competition, we can get a better deal and expand opportunities for consumers, workers, and households in Western Australia.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Africa: Countries on the cusp of abolition must take a stand against the death penalty 

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Three sub-Saharan African countries on the cusp of abolition must act now and abolish the death penalty once and for all, paving the way for others around the world to follow in their footsteps, said Amnesty International on World Day Against the Death Penalty (10 October).

    Kenya and Zimbabwe currently have bills tabled to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, while Gambia, which has made steady progress against this cruel punishment since 2017, has commenced a constitutional amendment process that will, among other things, effectively abolish the death penalty. So far, 24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes while two additional countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes only.

    “Although the sub-Saharan Africa region saw a surge in both recorded executions and recorded death sentences in 2023, Gambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe have the opportunity to buck that trend in the region,” said Oluwatosin Popoola, Amnesty International’s legal adviser on the death penalty.

    “Countries that still retain the death penalty are an isolated minority as the world continues to decidedly move away from this cruel punishment. The more countries that abolish the death penalty for all crimes, the more isolated the remaining countries will become and the weaker their position on the death penalty will be. The majority of countries in the world have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. It’s time for all countries to move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment once and for all.”

    Countries that still retain the death penalty are an isolated minority as the world continues to decidedly move away from this cruel punishment.

    Oluwatosin Popoola, Amnesty International’s legal adviser on the death penalty

    Hope for the region

    Gambia, Kenya and Zimbabwehaven’t carried out an execution in over a decade while each country has commuted multiple death sentences in the same period.

    The last known execution in Kenya was recorded in 1987. Although the country does not have an official moratorium on executions, it has an established practice of not carrying them out. While the courts in Kenya continue to impose death sentences, the country continues to make good progress against the death penalty. In 2023, 606 commutations of death sentences were granted, while four bills to abolish the death penalty are currently pending in Parliament.

    The last known execution in Zimbabwe was carried out in 2005 even if courts continue to impose death sentences. However, since President Emmerson Mnangagwa assumed office in November 2017, he has made his opposition to the death penalty clear.

    “Zimbabwe’s President himself was sentenced to death for ‘terrorism’ as a young man due to his involvement in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. He narrowly avoided execution as he was below the age of 21 at the time and was sentenced to 10 years in prison instead. The President knows what it’s like to be facing the death penalty and he now has the opportunity to ensure no one else goes through that,” said Oluwatosin Popoola.

    In December 2023, the Death Penalty Abolition Bill was published in the official gazette in Zimbabwe and the government cabinet announced its support for it in February 2024. The Bill is currently pending before parliament.

    The last execution in Gambia was carried out in 2012, when nine soldiers were executed by firing squad. However, since President Adama Barrow assumed office in January 2017, Gambia has been making remarkable strides against the death penalty with the country establishing an official moratorium on executions, becoming a party to an international treaty aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, and regularly commuting death sentences.

    Moving forward

    In 2023, Amnesty International recorded 1,153 executions, an increase of 31% (270) from the 883 known executions in 2022. This year has continued a worrying trend with an alarming surge in executions in Iran and Saudi Arabia, a decision in Democratic Republic of Congo to resume executions, and Taiwan’s Supreme Court failing to abolish the death penalty. Yet countries in sub-Saharan Africa offer a glimmer of hope in the way towards the global abolition of the death penalty. So far, 113 countries around the world have abolished the death penalty for all crimes.

    “Countries that still retain the death penalty in their laws often resort to the death penalty believing the punishment can make their people and communities safer. However, that is a misconception. The death penalty does not have a unique deterrent effect, and it violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The small minority of countries that insist on using this punishment must move with the times and abolish the death penalty once and for all,” said Oluwatosin Popoola.

    Background information

    In 2023, Amnesty International documented a sharp increase in the use of the death penalty across sub-Saharan African. Recorded executions more than tripled and recorded death sentences increased significantly by 66%. Somalia was the only country in the region known to have carried out executions. Death sentences were recorded in 14 countries, a decrease of 2 compared to 2022. Four countries took positive legislative steps towards the abolition of the death penalty. For more information, please see Death Sentences and Executions 2023.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese mainland, Hong Kong agree to promote services trade

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 9 — The Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have agreed to build closer ties in services trade, China’s Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday.

    Li Yongsha, an official with the ministry, and Paul Chan, financial secretary of the HKSAR government, signed a document on amending the service trade agreement under the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

    The agreement will take effect from the date of signing and will be officially implemented as of March 1, 2025.

    According to the amendment, thresholds of market access for Hong Kong service providers in fields including finance, telecommunications, architecture and tourism, will be further lowered or removed.

    Signed between the mainland and Hong Kong in 2003, the CEPA has significantly facilitated trade liberalization in both goods and services.

    The amendment is an important measure to improve the mechanism for Hong Kong to play a better role in China’s opening-up, said the ministry, adding that it is the second time the CEPA service trade agreement has been amended, the first time being in 2019.

    MIL OSI China News –