NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash: SH11, Haruru

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    A section of State Highway 11 near Haruru has been closed due to a fatal crash.

    Police are in attendance at the crash involving a truck and vehicle on Puketona Road / State Highway 11.

    The crash was reported at 2.27pm.

    Sadly, the driver of the vehicle has died at the scene.

    Two occupants of the truck have sustained moderate injuries.

    The Serious Crash Unit is deploying to the site and will examine the scene, with an investigation to commence.

    A section of State Highway 11 has been closed and these are expected to be in place for at least a couple of hours.

    Diversions are in place at the Puketona roundabout (intersection with State Highway 10) and at Haruru Falls Road.

    Light vehicles travelling from Paihia will be able to U-turn at Haruru Falls Road intersection.

    Heavy vehicles will need to travel via Haruru Falls Road, through Waitangi, to return to Paihia.

    Please expect delays on your travels this afternoon.

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Fairness and the rule of law must underpin election commitments – Law Council

    Source: Law Council of Australia

    As parties and individuals seeking election finalise the policies they will take to the people in the lead up to the Federal polls, the Law Council of Australia is calling on them to prioritise protection of the rule of law, promote the administration of justice, support the exercise of rights under the law and commit to the principles of good law making.

    “Today we release our 2025 Federal Election Call to Parties. We wholeheartedly believe the recommendations made in this document can make Australia a fairer and more just society,” Law Council of Australia President, Juliana Warner said.
     
    “The Law Council is seeking a commitment from candidates to improve access to justice for all Australians by providing vital, and long overdue, funding for legal assistance services. These services are relied upon by Australians to help to resolve family law disputes, remove themselves from harm, enforce their employment rights, defend themselves against charges, or make sure they have a roof over their head.
     
    “The Law Council is particularly calling on those seeking election to establish a financially sustainable model of grants of legal aid to private practitioners, including Independent Children’s Lawyers, to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality legal assistance services across Australia.
     
    “Around 72 per cent of legal aid approved matters – more than 100,000 cases – are provided by private practitioners, the majority of whom are working in very small businesses. But these lawyers and small businesses are at breaking point, and many are considering walking away from legal aid work unless rates are raised to more sustainable levels.  
     
    “The level of unmet legal need continues to rise as a result of funding failures. Sadly, those most harmed by these failures are the most vulnerable members of our community, including children, First Nations people, people with disability and older Australians.
     
    “In particular, people living in rural, regional and remote parts of Australia can find it difficult to access a lawyer when they need one. To assist with this growing crisis, the Law Council is proposing a HELP debt relief incentive that we believe can help bring more lawyers to where they are needed.”
     
    The Law Council’s Call to Parties offers considered proposals on a range of other challenges facing Australia today.
     
    “Our next Government must adopt an approach to criminal justice reform that is evidence-based and consistent with the rule of law and Australia’s international human rights obligations,” Ms Warner said.
     
    “This should include national leadership on child justice in line with the recommendations of the National Children’s Commissioner; raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility at the federal level to 14 years; repealing all Commonwealth provisions imposing mandatory minimum periods of imprisonment; and in line with the recent Budget commitment, the establishment of a Commonwealth Parole Board.
     
    “The Law Council is also seeking a commitment to ensuring that our laws are operating as intended – supported by appropriately resourced services – when it comes to protecting and supporting those experiencing family violence.
     
    “The responses we are seeking also include the establishment of a Federal Judicial Commission, further privacy reforms, careful improvements to the regulation of artificial intelligence technology, and the introduction of a federal Human Rights Act.
     
    “Each of the reform measures we are calling for must be underpinned by a commitment to proper consultation with relevant stakeholders.
       
    “Good lawmaking depends on robust and transparent consultation processes. The Law Council is concerned that legislative reform processes are increasingly rushed and lack transparency or public scrutiny. This impacts the efficacy, accuracy and appropriateness of potential reforms. It also undermines the participation of civil society and may erode democratic culture and decision making.
     
    “The Law Council will be asking parties and independent candidates for formal responses to each of the recommendations contained in its Call to Parties, which we will share with the profession and public.”

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Community consultation now open for Girrawheen Hub Precinct redevelopment

    Source: South Australia Police

    The Girrawheen Hub Precinct redevelopment continues to take shape, with community feedback now being sought on the concept design.

    Identified as a priority project by Council last year, the Girrawheen Hub Precinct forms part of the City’s ‘Putting Community First’ advocacy campaign, which aims to secure support from all levels of government to deliver vital community infrastructure.

    The single-storey concept design incorporates the existing hub, senior citizens centre, library, community centre and community garden functions, and provides greater accessibility across the facility and improved flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

    The redevelopment will also provide increased floor space for external service providers based at the hub, more car parking, expanded parklands and a new outdoor event space.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the innovative concept design would deliver a more accessible and inviting community facility for residents of Girrawheen and surrounds.

    “Redeveloping the Girrawheen Hub Precinct will give our community a more welcoming and convenient place to connect with one another, and to access important services closer to their homes,” she said.

    “This consultation will help ensure the hub will meet the needs and aspirations of the community.”

    Community consultation is open from 31 March to 12 May 2025, and findings from the consultation will be presented in a report to Council.

    Construction of the redeveloped hub is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and expected to take approximately 15 months to complete.

    The City will work closely with affected hub hirers and tenants to minimise disruption while we work to build a better Girrawheen Hub precinct for everyone.

    For more information on the Girrawheen Hub Precinct redevelopment project, visit yoursay.wanneroo.wa.gov.au.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China discovers major oilfield in South China Sea

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) announced on Monday that it has discovered a major oilfield in the eastern South China Sea, with proven reserves exceeding 100 million tonnes.
    The newly discovered Huizhou 19-6 oilfield marks a breakthrough in China’s offshore oil exploration, as it is the country’s first large-scale integrated clastic oilfield discovered in deep to ultra-deep layers, CNOOC said.
    Situated about 170 km from Shenzhen in south China’s Guangdong Province, the oilfield sits at an average water depth of 100 meters. Test drilling has yielded a daily production of 413 barrels of crude oil and 68,000 cubic meters of natural gas, demonstrating its potential.
    According to the company, offshore oil and gas exploration in deep to ultra-deep layers faces multiple challenges, including high temperatures, high pressures, and complex conditions.
    Meanwhile, clastic reservoirs, an important component of deep-sea hydrocarbon deposits, generally have low permeability, making the identification of large oil and gas fields more difficult.
    Peng Guangrong, a geologist at CNOOC’s Shenzhen branch, noted that 60 percent of the world’s newly discovered oil and gas reserves have come from deep layers. With abundant resources and a low level of exploration, deep to ultra-deep layers are expected to drive future growth in oil and gas reserves and production.
    China’s oil and gas exploration in the eastern South China Sea has seen consecutive breakthroughs, with oilfields exceeding 100 million tonnes in reserves discovered for two straight years, said CNOOC’s CEO Zhou Xinhuai. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Artificial intelligence fuels China’s high-quality growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People learn about a bionic humanoid robot at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center during the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference in Beijing, capital of China, March 27, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, an innovation pillar empowering China’s smart manufacturing, green transition and even breakthroughs in space sciences, is proving to be a key driver of the nation’s high-quality growth, noted international industry experts at a key forum.

    Under the wave of the explosion of AI technology, 2025 will be the first year of large-scale AI application implementation,” said Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of 01.AI and chairman of Sinovation Ventures at the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference in Beijing.

    Large models have brought about a revolution in productivity, he said, adding that their intelligence continues to improve with the constant emergence of new technologies, marking the advent of an era characterized by large model applications.

    A defining application trend showcased at the event is the convergence of AI and new energy vehicles (NEVs), which represents a strategic priority in China’s carbon neutrality roadmap. This synergy was epitomized by Li Auto’s intelligent driving demonstration, which has captured considerable attention within the industry.

    All-scenario navigation assist driving feature developed by the company enables vehicles to autonomously change lanes and overtake, enter or exit ramps, pass intersections in response to traffic lights, and avoid or detour around roadwork obstacles. It has made it easier to drive safely on highways and drive proficiently on urban roads, the company said.

    The automotive industry has entered a transformative era of intelligence, marking an evolution from mere transportation tools to AI terminals, said Li Xiang, the CEO of the company.

    At the exhibition venue, nearly 100 robots from 15 companies are actively engaged throughout the event to enhance the experience of the attendees. More importantly, they showcase how humanoid robots are rapidly advancing to boost productivity and expand their real-world applications.

    A humanoid robot named “Adam” amazed visitors with an elegant dance during the conference, showcasing its advanced full-body motion control. Through the fusion of unique hardware design and reinforcement learning, the development team has enabled Adam to coordinate joint movements precisely, achieving human-like agility and flexibility, explained Anna Leung, brand director of Adam’s developer, PNDbotics AI Co., Ltd.

    “The most exciting era for humanoid robots, the era of productivity, is about to begin,” said Wang He, founder and CTO of Beijing Galbot Co., Ltd. The ability of humanoid robots to integrate vision-driven guidance, limb control, and generalized autonomous operation truly makes them valuable assistants to humans, said Wang.

    In the 2025 government work report, China vowed to effectively combine digital technologies with its manufacturing and market strengths. It will support the extensive application of large-scale AI models and develop new-generation intelligent terminals and smart manufacturing equipment, including intelligent connected NEVs and intelligent robots.

    As China steadily advances toward its dual carbon goals, fast-developing AI technologies also contribute significantly with their applications in sectors such as new energy integration, energy production and smart energy consumption, according to industry experts.

    For instance, AI plays an important role in the construction of a new type of power system. By enhancing smart grid regulation and source-grid-load-storage coordination, it addresses grid stability and security challenges as the renewable energy penetration rate continues to rise, according to Ren Jingdong, deputy director of the National Energy Administration.

    Wang Chi, director of National Space Science Center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that AI will play a critical role in future interplanetary exploration, as spacecraft control systems need to be more intelligent for more distant solar exploration, particularly Mars and Jupiter.

    Sending humans to the destinations entails unacceptable hazards, but deploying intelligent agents and robotic systems for preliminary exploration would be able to reduce risks in extreme exploration scenarios, said Liu Hangxin, co-executive director at the frontier research center at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US pharmaceutical giant opens R&D center in Beijing

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer’s new research and development (R&D) center officially opened at BioPark in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) on Saturday.

    As the company’s third R&D center in China, the new facility aims to enhance its existing drug development network in the country, integrating China into Pfizer’s global early-stage clinical trials and all pivotal phase III studies.

    With China’s population aging, the demand for innovative drugs and vaccines is expected to grow, said Michael Corbo, senior vice president of the company.

    He added that the R&D center in Beijing aims to accelerate the global simultaneous development of innovative drugs, benefiting patients worldwide, including those in China.

    Multinational pharmaceutical firms are increasingly recognizing China’s burgeoning innovative drug sector as a strategic goldmine to bolster their global competitiveness.

    British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca signed a landmark agreement earlier this month to invest 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in Beijing over the next five years, demonstrating confidence in the capital’s world-class life sciences innovation ecosystem. Likewise, medical tech firm Medtronic also launched a digital healthcare innovation base at BioPark, its first in China.

    To date, nearly 5,000 medical and healthcare companies have gathered in the BDA, including multinational pharmaceutical giants such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Bayer, AstraZeneca and Medtronic.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s homegrown jetliner C909 enters Lao market

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China’s domestically developed regional jetliner, the C909, marked another milestone in its international expansion as Lao Airlines took delivery of the aircraft on Sunday, becoming its second overseas operator.

    This C909 aircraft, featuring a 90-seat all-economy class configuration, was delivered under a leasing arrangement. It is expected to undergo a series of preparations in Laos before entering commercial operations.

    According to the aircraft maker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC), the C909, bearing interior and exterior signage in Lao and a custom-designed livery, boasts excellent high-temperature performance and the ability to take off and land on short and narrow runways. These features ensure that it is able to adapt to Southeast Asia’s operational environment.

    COMAC has established a dedicated team to assist Lao Airlines with various preparations, including manual development, personnel training, spare parts support and maintenance capability.

    Formerly known as ARJ21, the C909 aircraft is a domestically developed regional jetliner with a range of 2,225 to 3,700 km, making it suitable for most domestic routes in Laos as well as regional international flights.

    So far, 162 units of C909 have been delivered, serving 645 routes across 158 cities and safely transporting over 20 million passengers, said COMAC.

    In 2022, this model was delivered to its first overseas client TransNusa, an Indonesian airline, making it China’s first indigenously developed passenger jetliner to enter foreign markets.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Netanyahu says Israel open to Gaza talks if Hamas disarms, relinquishes control

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The screenshot from a video shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu making a statement, on Nov. 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that Israel is prepared to negotiate an end to the conflict in Gaza, but only if Hamas surrenders its weapons and relinquishes control of the besieged enclave.

    Speaking at the start of a weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel is ready to discuss a final resolution under which “Hamas leaders will be allowed to leave, we will ensure general security in the Gaza Strip, and we will enable the implementation of the Trump plan for voluntary immigration.”

    He said military pressure on Hamas was proving effective, weakening the group’s military and governance capabilities while creating conditions for the release of Israeli hostages.

    Netanyahu said the security cabinet had decided overnight to escalate military pressure, adding that “we are negotiating under fire, and therefore it is effective. We see that there are suddenly cracks.”

    Denying allegations that the government is not prioritizing the hostages’ return, Netanyahu said, “We are working and intend to bring them back. So far, the combination of military and political pressure has been the only factor securing the release of hostages.”

    On Lebanon, he said the Israeli military was enforcing the ceasefire “firmly and optimally” and called on Beirut to prevent attacks from its territory.

    Netanyahu also expressed support for U.S. military action against Yemen’s Houthis, saying, “We have an alliance with the greatest power in the world, and it stands behind us there and in other arenas without reservation.”

    Israeli forces resumed strikes in Gaza on March 18, effectively ending a ceasefire with Hamas that had been in place since January 19.

    On Friday, Israel carried out an airstrike on Beirut, its first since signing a ceasefire with Hezbollah in November.

    The escalation has raised concerns of wider regional instability, prompting the international community to condemn the violence and call for restraint. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese rescue teams racing against time to save lives in Myanmar

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Rescuers prepare to carry out search and rescue operations after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Since a 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, several Chinese rescue teams have arrived in the Southeast Asian country and are racing against time to save lives together with local rescue teams.

    A 37-member rescue and medical team from China’s Yunnan Province arrived at Myanmar’s Yangon International Airport at around 7 a.m. local time on Saturday, carrying emergency supplies such as full-function life detectors, earthquake early warning systems, portable satellite phones and drones. The team immediately joined a Myanmar fire and rescue team and headed to the badly hit capital Nay Pyi Taw.

    On Saturday evening, the rescue team arrived in the capital and started rescue work at once.

    Rescuers discuss rescue plans after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 30, 2025. [Blue Sky Rescue team/Handout via Xinhua]

    At 5 a.m. on Sunday, after an emergency rescue operation overnight, they rescued an elderly man trapped for nearly 40 hours under the rubble of Ottara Thiri Private Hospital.

    On Sunday morning, Myanmar’s State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited the hospital and extended his appreciation to members of the Chinese rescue team for their timely assistance.

    In Mandalay, another severely affected city, the first batch of members of China’s Blue Sky Rescue arrived early Sunday and immediately started rescue work with local volunteers. A quake survivor in Mandalay was recovered at around 9:30 a.m. by members of the Blue Sky Rescue team from China’s Hunan Province.

    At 6:30 a.m., more than 100 young volunteers of overseas Chinese in Myanmar started to carry out preliminary technical, information and logistical support work such as collecting information under the guidance of the rescue team.

    Members of the Blue Sky Rescue team, a Chinese civil relief squad, check the rescue equipment before departure in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, March 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Officials from the Myanmar rescue department briefed the rescue team on Myanmar’s arrangements for international rescue efforts.

    A local Chinese resident, surnamed Yang, told Xinhua early Sunday morning that many overseas Chinese living in Yangon drove more than 10 hours overnight to deliver supplies, such as antiseptics, gloves and N95 masks, to rescue teams in Mandalay. Many restaurants offered free meals to rescue workers.

    Relief supplies were rushed to the earthquake-stricken areas. On Saturday, China’s Yunnan Province launched an emergency response mechanism to prepare tents, blankets, foldable beds and other relief supplies, with the first batch of supplies arriving in Myanmar on Saturday by air.

    Rescuers prepare to carry out search and rescue operations after an earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, March 30, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    On Saturday evening, more emergency relief supplies were seen going through the border check at Ruili Port on the China-Myanmar border.

    To ensure quick clearance of relief supplies, rescue workers and medical personnel, the China-Myanmar border has launched a post-earthquake emergency clearance coordination mechanism, operating 24 hours a day with a green channel for related personnel and supplies, officials from Kunming Customs said.

    About 1,700 people died, 3,400 were injured, and 300 remained missing in the massive earthquake in Myanmar, according to the country’s State Administration Council on Sunday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police appealing for information following serious assaults, Hastings

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Hawke’s Bay Police are appealing for information from the public in relation to a number of serious assaults in Hastings.

    Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley says Police were called to a disorder involving a large number of people fighting on King Street at around 3.30am on Sunday 30 March.

    “Police arrived and located five people with injuries, some are believed to have been from a weapon.

    “They were all transported to hospital to receive treatment.”

    Police are speaking with several people believed to be involved and are working to establish what has occurred.

    “We would like to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the assaults as we believe they have information that could assist in our investigation,” says Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley.

    Police would also like to hear from anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage in the King Street area between 3am and 4am on Sunday.

    If you have any information that could assist Police, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

    Please use the reference number 250330/6709.

    You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or via 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rail ferries and straightforward infrastructure

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Rail Minister Winston Peters has announced the plan for two new rail ferries to enter service in 2029, continuing the 60-year legacy of the Interislander connecting New Zealanders and their goods.

    Cabinet today agreed the package which Mr Peters says will deliver the appropriate ships and infrastructure for the job at a significant saving for the taxpayer.

    “Our solution will be markedly cheaper than the cancelled $3.1 billion programme and the $4 billion warning the previous Government received. That’s because of a minimum viable and maximum reuse approach for the port infrastructure,” Mr Peters says.

    “The future Interislander ferries will have road and rail decks, given the efficiency of single shunt movements for multiple rail wagons for loading and unloading.

    “The design specifications chosen include vessel lengths of approximately 200 metres – longer and wider than the current fleet and capable of serving our people and goods into the future, but shorter than the large ferries ordered in 2021 which created significant infrastructure issues.”

    Mr Peters says in addition to selecting the appropriate rail ferry specifications, getting the infrastructure right is essential for a cost-effective solution.

    “The marine infrastructure in Picton requires replacement, so it will be replaced. The marine infrastructure in Wellington has life left in it, so it will be modified and re-used.

    “Our analysis showed this to be the most cost-effective option, and contrasts sharply with the wanton demolition and extravagant specification under the cancelled project, where they assumed almost all costs would be at the taxpayers’ expense.

    “We are extraordinarily grateful to our small Ferry Holdings team and the hard work put in across the three companies,” Mr Peters says.

    Now the mode and specifications have been selected, the Ferry Holdings Board will shortlist shipyards to compete on price and quality, with a ferry contract awarded later this year. Ferry Holdings will also work with Port Marlborough, CentrePort and KiwiRail to finalise the scope, progress engineering, strengthen the delivery programme and agree co-funding terms.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Parent Portal coming to ACT public schools

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    It is planned that all ACT public schools will have access to Parent Portal in a gradual rollout by term 2, 2024.

    A new parent portal will be rolled out across all ACT public schools this year, making it easier for parents and carers to engage with their school.

    Parent Portal is a secure online platform for sharing student information between schools and parents and carers.

    Key information – spanning preschool to year 12 – will be housed on the one system.

    The portal has capacity for parents and carers to:

    • notify their school if their child is sick
    • book parent-teacher interviews
    • receive their child’s academic reports (including past reports)
    • receive their school newsletter
    • receive messages from their child’s teachers
    • see their child’s student timetable
    • get daily notices of school activities
    • update contact details
    • make payments.

    The introduction of the portal will be phased. At first it will complement existing school communication channels. Eventually it will be the key online communication tool used by all ACT public schools.

    In term 4 2023, the portal was successfully rolled out at nine northside schools in a pilot program.

    More than 2000 parents at these schools are already using Parent Portal.

    Parents and carers with children across multiple schools will not need to sign up to the system twice.

    They can easily add a student to their account once those schools have access to Parent Portal.

    It is planned that all ACT public schools will have access to Parent Portal in a gradual rollout by term 2, 2024.

    “Council’s P&C delegates were really impressed to see a recent demonstration of the Parent Portal, and its capabilities. Parents are looking forward to the roll-out of the portal to their local schools, it will make it easier for them to keep track of what’s happening, from explaining absences, excursions and making payments. Parents will be cheering to not have to dig through school bags for lost notes,” said Executive Officer ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations Veronica Elliott.

    As Parent Portal becomes available at each school, information will be provided to explain the benefits and how families can access the platform.

    School front office staff can assist parents and carers who can’t access the online tool, or who may need assistance.

    For more information on beginning the sign-up process, visit the ACT Education Directorate website: https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/parent-portal.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Next phase of Canberra Hospital Master Plan underway

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Upcoming building demolition will make way for new a facility for pathology and other clinical services. 

    The Canberra Hospital Master Plan will reach a new phase with demolition work beginning on Building 23.

    The demolition of Building 23 and the adjacent Building 6 will make way for a new state-of-the art facility for pathology and other clinical services.

    The next step in delivering a modern, accessible Canberra Hospital campus, it is also an early priority of the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.

    It is also just one of many significant changes taking place at the hospital.

    The hospital’s new Critical Services Building will open later this year, featuring a new emergency department and additional operating rooms, treatment spaces and intensive care beds.

    The hospital is also home to the recently completed expansion of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, and a new Cancer Research Centre to be completed in late 2024.

    Multiplex will undertake the demolition work for Building 23 and will then progress to the demolition of Building 6.

    Demolition work is expected to take several months and is projected to be completed in quarter three of 2024.

    The Canberra Hospital Master Plan will continue to transform the campus over the next 20 years.

    Planning work for Canberra’s new northside hospital and more community-based health centres also continue.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Monaro Highway upgrades are now underway

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new Lanyon Drive Interchange is the first of three upgrades planned for the Monaro Highway.

    Construction has begun on the first of three interchanges planned for the Monaro Highway, south of Canberra.

    Work on the new Lanyon Drive Interchange has begun which will improve safety and reduce congestion.

    This consists of a southbound flyover for the highway over Lanyon Drive and three intersection upgrades including:

    • the removal of traffic lights at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (intersection of the Monaro Highway and David Warren Road)
    • a new roundabout at the intersection of the new Monaro Highway southbound off-ramp and David Warren Road extension
    • upgrading the signalised intersection at Lanyon Drive and Sheppard Street to include a direct connection to David Warren Road and the Monaro Highway southbound off-ramp.

    The design aims to have a minimal impact on existing native plants.

    The landscaping plans will focus on local and native species. They will prioritise tree planting, water sensitive urban design and biodiversity conservation.

    Some of the construction work has already been completed or is underway. This includes:

    • major water mains and telecommunication networks were relocated for protection in 2022
    • two gas mains have been relocated
    • early preparatory works, including site clearing and earthworks, started last month. This involves large machinery, including excavators and trucks.

    Preliminary design is also underway on future interchanges at the Hume industrial precinct and Isabella Drive.

    There will be impacts to travel times during construction. This includes during peak periods, with reduced speed limits and temporary lane closures expected.

    The ACT Government is encouraging motorists to rethink their travel plans where possible and consider taking public transport or travelling outside peak times where possible.

    The government expects construction to take about three years to complete. The design and construction phases are estimated to create 700 jobs.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Commissioner puts children’s rights in the spotlight

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Jodie Griffiths-Cook wants to help children and young people access information they can trust and understand.

    ACT Children and Young People Commissioner Jodie Griffiths-Cook is on a mission to help Canberra’s children and young people understand their rights.

    In her role – which is independent from government and part of the ACT Human Rights Commission – she consults and speaks with kids every day.

    “My role principally involves being able to engage directly with children and young people and find out what is important to them, then using that to try to influence public policy and create change that will hopefully make Canberra a better place for children and young people generally,” Jodie said.

    She does this in a variety of ways, including creating simply written resources that can be used in schools and more broadly.

    She regularly updates a dedicated section of the commission’s website with targeted, trustworthy information for kids, teens and young people.

    Jodie also distributes the monthly Rights in ACTion newsletter to further inform ACT children and young people about their rights and wellbeing.

    From school visits to Instagram posts, finding ways to tailor sometimes complex information for different age groups is important.

    “Children and young people have a right to access information they can trust and understand,” she said.

    “It really humanises things when you’re able to speak in a language that is clearly understood by kids.”

    The Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 highlighted a particular need for this.

    “We saw a lot of communications going out to adults but very little being targeted to children and young people. For us, that really started the process of thinking mindfully about what we can do to shift that, both in terms of direct communications and modelling – trying to encourage others to do the same,” she said.

    “If we actually think about some of the decision-making that happens – so many of our decisions impact young people in ways that we perhaps don’t consider,” she said.

    Having been Commissioner for eight years now, Jodie says the discussions she has with children and young people are most rewarding.

    “Some of those conversations are just absolute gold when it comes to what young people already intrinsically understand about their rights and about those sometimes competing rights that we all grapple with,” she said.

    “I can almost take off my own commissioner hat and give it to some of them!”

    Particularly engaged young people can also get directly involved with the commission. This in turn provides important feedback.

    “We started a new youth advisor role, pitched for young people aged 16–25 years who have left school. We bring young people in for six months where they are looking for opportunities that will help them decide and pursue their career direction. From them we get a lot of intel about the kind of language to use, and the kind of things that are of interest to young people. We also take in work experience students in years 9-12,” she said.

    A range of child-friendly resources to help children and young people understand the Human Rights Act will be launched in March this year – on the Act’s 20th anniversary.

    Visit actkids.act.gov.au for more information.

    Jodie wants all Canberra children and young people to know her door is always open – whatever they have to say.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New graduate health professionals ready to help Canberrans

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    New nurses Ainslie and Shreejana are excited to get started on their clinical placements at Canberra Hospital.

    Canberrans can expect to see many new faces in healthcare settings around the city.

    A new cohort of over 360 graduate health professionals have joined Canberra Health Services (CHS) in recent weeks.

    There are over 200 nurses and midwives, 96 junior medical officer interns and 59 allied health graduates starting their first year of supported practice in Canberra’s public health system.

    These graduate programs help build and develop the city’s public health workforce.

    Graduates will experience a broad range of specialities across their rotations which span Canberra Health Services.

    Placements include:

    • Canberra Hospital
    • North Canberra Hospital
    • University of Canberra Hospital
    • justice health
    • outpatient clinics
    • community health care centres
    • Hospital in the Home
    • locations in south-east NSW.

    Shreejana and Ainslie are two of the new graduates starting at Canberra Hospital this week.

    Between them they will be rotating through the geriatrics, oncology, cardiology and orthopaedic wards.

    For registered nurse Shreejana, this career was a childhood dream.

    “I’m feeling very nervous, as well as excited,” she said.

    “Seeing all the support and the guidance that I will be receiving from the CHS team, I’m very, very much looking forward to this journey.”

    Enrolled nurse Ainslie completed her 18-month certification at CIT.

    “I wanted to care for people and give back to my community,” she said.

    “Honestly, it’s the little things. It’s when you ask someone “how can I help you?” It’s giving them a cup of tea, giving them coffee, giving them warm blanket. The little things that put a smile on someone’s face and just knowing that you’ve made them happy.”

    In a Canberra Health Services first, three cohorts of graduate nurses are undergoing orientation at the same time.

    This includes:

    • the graduate Transition to Practice Program
    • North Canberra Hospital’s existing graduate program
    • the Novice Nurse Consolidation Program, which offers an alternative pathway to join the nursing workforce for those who may only be able to work part-time or hold a working visa.

    “The new starters bring a great amount of enthusiasm and energy into our services and teams, and it is hugely fulfilling for all our staff to support and guide these new health professionals at a critical time in their career,” Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery at North Canberra Hospital Judy Ryall said.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Another milestone for new Whitlam school

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The new school is expected to open for the 2026 school year.

    The development application for the new public school in Whitlam has been lodged, marking a key milestone in the project.

    The ACT Government has committed $76.8 million to deliver a new school, which is expected to open for the 2026 school year.

    Once open, the school will span preschool to year 6 and include an early childhood education and care centre.

    It will accommodate up to 780 students with 130 childhood education and care places.

    The new school will help cater to the growing population in Whitlam and will be in the heart of the new residential suburb and community.

    It will be built adjacent to John Gorton Drive on the corner of Hazel Hawke Avenue and Alice Moyle Way, alongside local shops.

    This location provides convenient access to the local neighbourhood via nearby public transport stops, bike paths and footpaths.

    View a flythrough of how the new school will look.

    Information about the new school is available at builtforcbr.act.gov.au

    Regular updates are also available on the Whitlam School web page: education.act.gov.au/Whitlam_School

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Keeping Canberra’s playgrounds safe

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Playground Safety Inspector Lawrence and the safety inspection team

    Canberra has more playgrounds than any other state or local council in Australia.

    And each day, plenty of work goes into ensuring they are safe and ready for play.

    Playground Safety Inspector Lawrence is part of a City Services team working to assess Canberra’s 500+ playgrounds.

    Lawrence’s team of six inspects district parks twice a week, community play spaces weekly and smaller neighbourhood parks every fortnight.

    Lawrence and his team use three main assessment methods.

    Level 1 – visual inspection

    In this initial inspection, workers check the area for sharps, vandalism and major equipment faults.

    They collect any litter and rake bark into heavy-use areas to keep the playground clean and ready to use.

    Level 1 inspections occur bi-weekly to fortnightly, depending on the size and use of the playground.

    Lawrence assesses a timber post for repair

    Level 2 – detailed inspection

    A Level 2 inspection occurs monthly or bi-monthly.

    The team tests all playground equipment for wear and tear, operational defects, deterioration and any other faults.

    They also test for hazards, including potential for head, torso and finger entrapment.

    They check timber posts, look for swing chain entrapment and measure the height of swing sets to ensure a safe distance between the bottom of the seat and the ground.

    Depending on the risk associated with the fault or hazard, the playground may need to be fenced off or temporarily closed for repairs.

    Finger entrapment testing

    Level 3 – independent assessor inspection

    Qualified external assessors carry out Level 3 inspections annually.

    These assessors are independent from the ACT Government and have an engineering background.

    The assessor compares each playground to the Australian Playground Standards.

    This ensures equipment is safe and the existing process of ongoing safety inspections is compliant.

    External assessor Grant from Playtest conducting surface impact testing

    Get involved

    The community is the most important playground safety inspector, so if you see a potential safety hazard, please complete a job request via the Fix My Street online tool.

    Provide as much detail as possible on the location and issue when completing the request.

    Head entrapment testing

    Find out more about Canberra’s playgrounds.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: See inside Canberra Hospital’s new building

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Critical Services Building building provides a major upgrade and expansion to the Canberra Hospital.

    Construction of the new Critical Services Building at Canberra Hospital is progressing well towards the planned opening later in 2024.

    The 44,000 square metre building provides a major upgrade and expansion to the Canberra Hospital.

    It will include:

    • a larger Emergency Department, including a dedicated children’s emergency area
    • more operating rooms
    • more treatment spaces
    • more intensive care beds.

    The building’s public facilities and amenities have been designed to make the hospital experience more comfortable for staff, patients, their carers, and families.

    New facilities and amenities include:

    • two new cafes
    • a family respite lounge with kitchenette, meeting room and showers
    • breakout spaces and waiting lounges for patients, families, carers and visitors
    • parent rooms
    • a kid’s play zone and sensory room
    • a Changing Places facility with accessible toilet facilities
    • outdoor gardens, courtyards and terraces for patients.

    Take a peek at the construction work happening inside the building:

    Main reception area and view of patient transfer link bridge.

    Medical imaging in the Emergency Department.

    Nurses’ station in inpatient unit.

    Family lounge area in inpatient unit.

    Operating theatre.

    Surgical recovery area.

    Helipad.

    Acute care treatment space in the new Emergency Department.

    Ambulance triage area in the new Emergency Department.

    Treatment spaces in the new Emergency Department.

    Find more information on the Canberra Hospital Master Plan.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Preserving Canberra’s past

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The heritage home offers a unique glimpse into Canberra’s past.

    Lanyon Homestead offers a unique glimpse into Canberra’s past.

    The restored 1850s property is open for the community to enjoy, with some special events ahead to allow Canberrans to embrace all it has to offer.

    A rich, multifaceted history

    You can’t speak about Canberra’s history without appreciating the thousands of years of Aboriginal history preceding our 190 years of European settlement.

    And you can’t speak about the last 190 years of Canberra’s history without mentioning historic places like Lanyon Homestead.

    Each of the homestead’s residents left their distinctive mark over the years, and each area is meticulously honoured as part of the heritage site’s preservation.

    New life for a historic walnut tree

    Attention to detail in the property’s restoration and maintenance filters down to individual plants and trees.

    Recently, Lanyon Homestead and Yarralumla Nursery partnered to preserve a historically significant walnut tree, first planted between 1835 and 1840.

    Along with his team, the head gardener at ACT Historic Places, Neil Wright, tried to propagate the tree for eight years with limited success.

    “We just couldn’t get it, so we called Yarralumla Nursery in,” Neil said.

    “They’ve got better facilities than us. They’ve got 200 cuttings and of those, only 11 were successful.”

    The trees were grown under the careful watch of the team at Yarralumla Nursery.

    Eventually, seven were planted along the river corridor to replace the stumps where the original trees once stood.

    While Neil has a deep appreciation of the garden, he says Lanyon Homestead has something to offer everyone.

    “You come and do a tour of the house but then you realise it’s nice to just sit here, to have a cup of coffee at the cafe. The kids can run around, you can have a picnic, and then you come back again and appreciate something new.”

    The team at Lanyon Homestead meticulously manage the house according to seasonal needs. In summer, the muslin curtains billow in the breeze, while in winter the fires are lit and candles glow.

    Outside, the gardening team work to update the garden in line with the seasons.

    “I try and do something different in the garden every year to bring people back. This year we’ve got a big pumpkin display, and the Harvest Day Out is coming up,” Neil said.

    Harvest Day Out: Saturday, 2 March

    Harvest Day Out is a celebration of Lanyon Homestead’s autumn kitchen garden. There’s a focus on sustainable food and growing practices under the theme of “grow – preserve – sustain”.

    The event will include workshops, demonstrations, and tours. Guests can learn about practices like preserving, pickling, seed saving and gardening practices as valuable today as they were in the homesteads early days.

    From 10am to 2pm there will be face painting on offer, and from 10am to 4pm there will be market stalls selling coffee, food, wine, jewellery, arts and more.

    Find out more about Harvest Day Out.

    Dinner and stargazing events: various Fridays

    See Lanyon Homestead in another light and attend a Dinner with the Stars – dinner and stargazing event.

    Enjoy a two-course meal at Barrack’s Café, featuring produce grown in the gardens.

    Find out what to look for in the night sky, before venturing out to stargaze with telescopes.

    Find out more about Dinner with the Stars.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – income tax issues

    Source:

    [3957] Taxation privileges and immunities of international organisations and persons connected with them

    Title

    Final Taxation Ruling

    Income tax: income of international organisations and persons connected with them that is exempt from income tax

    Purpose

    The final Ruling will update the ATO view in Taxation Ruling TR 92/14 Income tax: taxation privileges and immunities of prescribed International Organisations and their staff (now withdrawn) following the High Court decisions in Macoun v Commissioner of Taxation [2015] HCA 44 and Commissioner of Taxation v Jayasinghe [2017] HCA 26.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2019/D1 Income tax: income of international organisations and persons connected with them that is exempt from income tax published on 27 March 2019. Comments period closed 28 May 2019.

    Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2024/D2 Income tax: exempt income of international organisations and persons connected with them published on 22 May 2024, replacing TR 2019/D1. Comments period closed 21 June 2024.

    Contact

    Simon Weiss, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone: (02) 6216 1943

    Simon.Weiss@ato.gov.au

    [4056] Decline in value of a depreciating asset

    Title

    Decision impact statement on Commissioner of Taxation v Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited [2022] FCAFC 2

    Purpose

    The Decision impact statement provides the ATO’s response to the Full Federal Court decision, which concerned whether the amount of the deduction available under section 40-25 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 for the decline in value of a depreciating asset was the cost of that asset by virtue of the operation of section 40-80 of that Act.

    Comments

    The Decision impact statement on Commissioner of Taxation v Shell Energy Holdings Australia Limited [2022] FCAFC 2 published on 31 January 2023. Comments period closed on 3 March 2023.

    Contact

    Nitin Gulati, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone: (02) 9285 1661

    Nitin.Gulati@ato.gov.au

    [4115] Personal services business and Part IVA

    Title

    Final Practical Compliance Guideline

    Personal services businesses and Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936

    Purpose

    This Guideline explains when we are more likely to apply resources to consider the potential application of Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (the general anti-avoidance provisions of the income tax law) to an alienation arrangement where personal services income of an individual is derived through a personal services entity that is conducting a personal services business.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/D2 Personal services businesses and Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 published on 28 August 2024. Comments period closed on 11 October 2024.

    Contact

    Sally Cummins, Small Business

    Phone: (07) 3213 3299

    SBPAGConsultation@ato.gov.au

    [4145] Application of section 109U to arrangements involving guarantees

    Title

    Final Taxation Determination

    Income tax: Division 7A – does section 109U of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 only apply to arrangements where a private company gives a guarantee to another private company?

    Purpose

    This Determination sets out the ATO view on whether section 109U of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 can apply to arrangements in which a private company gives a guarantee to an entity that is not a private company (for example, a public company financial institution).

    The Determination also references the ATO’s compliance approach to the application of section 109U.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Taxation Determination TR 2024/D3 Income tax: Division 7A – does section 109U of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 only apply to arrangements where a private company gives a guarantee to another private company? published on 11 December 2024. Comments period closed 31 January 2025.

    Contact

    Anthony Pulvirenti, Private Wealth

    Phone: (07) 3213 8538

    anthony.pulvirenti@ato.gov.au

    [4165] Disregarding private company loan repayments

    Title

    Final Taxation Determination

    Income tax: disregarding certain payments under section 109R of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in determining how much of a loan has been repaid in situations where notional loans are involved

    Purpose

    This final Determination will set out the ATO’s view about the interaction of sections 109R and 109T of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936, including whether section 109R of that Act can operate to disregard loan repayments in cases where there is a notional deemed loan because of sections 109T and 109W.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Taxation Determination TD 2025/D2 Income tax: disregarding certain payments under section 109R of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 in determining how much of a loan has been repaid in situations where notional loans are involved published on 5 March 2025. Comments period closes 17 April 2025.

    Contact

    Pri Wijesooriya, Private Wealth

    Phone: (03) 9285 1262

    Priyangi.Wijesooriya@ato.gov.au

    [4169] Part IVA held not to apply to a scheme involving use of intra-group debt to acquire an Australian subsidiary productive of tax benefits in Australia

    Title

    Decision impact statement on Mylan Australia Holding Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (No 2) [2024] FCA 253

    Purpose

    This Decision impact statement outlines the ATO’s response to this case. The court concluded that the general anti-avoidance provision in Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 did not apply to a scheme under which the applicant claimed deductions in Australia for interest and carry forward losses incurred from intra-group debt taken on to acquire an Australian subsidiary as part of the acquisition of a pharmaceutical business.

    Comments

    The Decision impact statement on Mylan Australia Holding Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (No 2) [2024] FCA 253 was published on 28 February 2025. The comments period closed on 28 March 2025.

    Contact

    Simon Weiss, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone: (02) 6216 1943

    Simon.Weiss@ato.gov.au

    [4194] Capital raised for the purpose of funding franked distributions

    Title

    Final Practical Compliance Guideline

    Capital raised for the purpose of funding franked distributions – ATO compliance approach

    Purpose

    This Guideline sets out the ATO’s compliance approach to the assessment of the level of risk that a distribution is unfrankable under section 207-159 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    Draft Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/D4 Capital raised for the purpose of funding franked distributions – ATO compliance approach published on 4 December 2024. Comments period closed on 31 January 2025.

    Contact

    Virginia Gogan, Public Groups

    Phone: (03) 8632 4643

    Virginia.Gogan@ato.gov.au

    [4201] Early stage innovation company schemes and Part IVA

    Title

    Final Taxation Determination

    Income tax: application of Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to certain early stage innovation company investment arrangements

    Purpose

    This final Determination will provide the Commissioner’s view on whether Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 applies to early stage innovation company (ESIC) schemes as described in Taxpayer Alert TA 2024/1 Early stage investor tax offset claimed using circular financing arrangements.

    Expected completion

    To be advised

    Comments

    The ATO is currently looking at arrangements designed to inappropriately access the ESIC incentives and other tax benefits.

    Draft Taxation Determination TD 2025/D1 Income tax: application of Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to certain early stage innovation company investment arrangements published on 28 February 2025. Comments period closed 28 March 2025.

    Contact

    Kevin Hu, Office of the Chief Tax Counsel

    Phone (03) 9247 0703

    Kevin.Hu@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Advice under development – FBT issues

    Source:

    [4202] Calculation of electricity costs for plug-in hybrid electric cars charging at home

    Title

    Update to Practical Compliance Guideline

    Practical Compliance Guideline PCG 2024/2 Electric vehicle home charging rate – calculating electricity costs when a vehicle is charged at an employee’s or individual’s home

    Purpose

    We are updating PCG 2024/2 to provide a methodology for the calculation of the cost of electricity when a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged at an employee’s or individual’s home. This adds to the methodologies currently provided in the Guideline for zero emissions vehicles.

    Expected completion

    April 2025

    Contact

    Amber Ibbott, Superannuation and Employer Obligations

    PAGSPR@ato.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: State Highway 2, Waikino closed following crash

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    State Highway 2, Waikino is curerntly closed while emergency services respond to a crash.

    The two-vehicle crash happened near School Road, and was reported just before 1pm.

    Initial indicications are that there are serious injuries.

    Detours are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign business leaders reaffirm China as oasis of certainty

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Participants attend the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In a world haunted by growing protectionism, China has continuously expanded opening up, injecting stability into the global economy, and has become an oasis of certainty and a hot spot for investment and entrepreneurship.

    This is the belief shared by more than 40 representatives of the international business community who met in Beijing on Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    From the China Development Forum 2025 in Beijing to the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 in south China’s Hainan Province, foreign executives have reaffirmed their commitment to China as a key market for investment and collaboration. They noted China’s complete industrial system, rich application scenarios, vast market scale and large talent pool, which combine to offer extensive collaboration opportunities for international industrial and technological innovation.

    Investing in China, investing in future

    China’s reform and opening up continue to draw global attention. Riding the wave created by China’s high-level opening-up endeavors, foreign companies are leveraging the advantages of the world’s second-largest economy and participating in its innovation pursuit, aiming at win-win cooperation.

    “We have been very proud to play a role in China’s development, enabling and connecting China to the world,” said Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, adding that China has grown into the world’s second-largest consumer market, presenting vast opportunities for multinational operators to invest and expand their businesses.

    Foreign business operations and investments in China have driven economic growth and employment, boosted technological and managerial progress, and facilitated reform and opening up. In this process, foreign businesses have thrived and generally enjoyed handsome returns, achieved win-win results, and forged profound friendship with the Chinese people.

    In 2024, a total of 59,080 new foreign-invested enterprises were established in China, up 9.9 percent year on year. Over the past five years, the return rate of foreign direct investment in the country has remained at approximately 9 percent, ranking among the highest in the world.

    “We invest in infrastructure that supports domestic consumption. A prosperous Chinese consumer is good for our business,” said Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and CEO of Prologis.

    “We are more than 30 years now in China, and we have several production hubs. For us, it’s a very large market. China also is a very attractive market with a lot of opportunities today, in the past, but also in the future — and that’s why we’re here,” said Christian Hartel, president & CEO of Wacker Chemie AG.

    “So we keep investing, and we have very great people here on the ground in China, who are very innovative. We develop and produce products for the Chinese market, and also feel very positive for the outlook in the future,” he added.

    Merchants visit the “Invest in China” area of the 24th China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen, southeast China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    All eyes on new quality productive forces

    Foreign investment plays a significant role in fostering new quality productive forces, and China supports the participation of foreign enterprises in its new industrialization, with a focus on high-tech fields, according to an action plan to stabilize foreign investment in 2025, which was approved by a State Council executive meeting in February.

    The nation’s emphasis on innovation as a driver for high-quality growth resonated strongly with the foreign business representatives.

    They said that from “Made in China” to “new quality productive forces,” China has empowered industrial transformation and upgrading through innovation, and is set to realize higher-quality and more sustainable development. These foreign business representatives have reached the consensus that the outlook of the Chinese economy is strong.

    “Today there are multiple signs of investment on optimism,” said Jean-Pascal Tricoire, chairman of Schneider Electric, adding that China’s promotion of green development aligns with Schneider’s goal of pursuing sustainability, instilling confidence in enterprises to advance investment, research and development in China.

    This photo taken on Nov. 9, 2024 shows the booth of Schneider Electric during the 7th China International Import Expo in east China’s Shanghai. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “We remain committed to the country, not only as a market, but as a strategic hub for innovation, investment and collaboration,” said Geoff Martha, chairman and CEO of Medtronic. He emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation collaboration in China and expressed the hope of jointly promoting the innovative development of global healthcare via continued investments in China.

    Beijing Benz, the joint venture between Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. and Mercedes-Benz, in March 2024 marked the milestone of producing its 5 millionth vehicle. Later, in September 2024, Mercedes-Benz and its Chinese partners announced an additional 14 billion yuan (about 1.92 billion U.S. dollars) investment to expand their product offerings in the region.

    Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, also praised China’s innovation-driven market. “China’s competitive advantage lies in its passion for innovation,” he said. “That is why Mercedes-Benz continues to deepen its presence in China.”

    A Mercedes-Benz G-Class electric off-road vehicle is pictured during an unveiling ceremony at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, April 25, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Open collaboration for shared future

    Against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism in the world economy, China has vowed to expand high-standard opening up, while keeping foreign trade and foreign investment stable.

    China is an oasis of certainty, according to Aramco President and CEO Amin H. Nasser. “What we see today in the global environment is uncertainty. We are seeing unpredictability, and we need China’s stability, certainty and predictability that we are seeing,” Nasser explained.

    “I think for us exactly in these times of uncertainties, having the commitment from President Xi and from the Chinese government in general to show consistency in their approach, to continue with their focus on multilateralism, on providing a level playing field, and on opening up… these are very powerful messages of stability in a world that really needs stability at this time,” said Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller-Maersk.

    “We have been in China for a little bit more than 60 years, and we are now planning for our next 60 years, for Inter IKEA here in China. We are very confident in China, and in how China and IKEA can grow together,” said Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of Inter IKEA Group.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, Russia cooperate on rescuing grounded Chinese cargo ship

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese and Russian authorities are actively advancing rescue efforts for the Chinese cargo ship Anyang-2, which ran aground near Nevelsk, on Russia’s Sakhalin Island, the Chinese Consulate General in Vladivostok said on Sunday.

    A Chinese task force recently arrived in Russia’s Sakhalin Oblast to consult with local Russian government officials and rescue agencies to coordinate the ship’s salvage operation, according to the consulate.

    Both sides have signed a letter of intent regarding oil removal, with further efforts underway to draft the next phase of the rescue plan.

    Staff from the Chinese consulate boarded the vessel after it ran aground to visit the crew. As of now, all 20 crew members are in good health, maintaining smooth communication with the outside world and having sufficient supplies of food and drinking water.

    The Chinese cargo ship “Anyang-2” ran aground near the Port of Nevelsk on Sakhalin Island in the early hours of February 9 following a severe storm. The vessel was carrying approximately 50 tons of diesel and 700 tons of heavy fuel oil. No pollution has been detected in the surrounding waters following the incident, according to Sakhalin’s governor.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New ESA Commissioner appointed

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Mr Phillips has been in the Interim Commissioner position since 30 September 2023.

    The ACT Government has appointed Mr Wayne Phillips as the new Commissioner for the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA).

    Mr Phillips has been in the Interim Commissioner position since 30 September 2023.

    Commissioner Phillips is the sixth Commissioner to lead the ESA.

    He brings a significant amount of operational and leadership experience to the Commissioner role.

    Prior to joining ESA in 2022, he had a long and distinguished career with Fire and Rescue NSW.

    Commissioner Phillips is focused on the ESA’s workplace environment. He is known as a consultative leader who engages with employees, volunteers and the community to better understand their needs.

    Commissioner Phillips advocates for building partnerships and working with First Nations employees and community members to embed cultural practices and respect into the Agency.

    Mr Phillips’ appointment is intended to provide the Canberra community with strong and effective emergency services leadership.

    “I am honoured to be appointed to lead the ESA through the next five years and am committed to working alongside our very capable emergency services leaders in our shared mission to keep Canberra safe,” Commissioner Phillips said.

    “The ESA is a fantastic organisation, full of talented and hard-working experts who have a collective goal – to make Canberra the safest place to live and work.”

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Work underway at Gordon and Chisholm play spaces

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Staged work has started at the junior play area at Point Hut Pond playground and will next move to the Maliyan nest.

    Construction is underway on upgrades to Gordon’s Point Hut Pond playground and Chisholm’s Alston Street playground.

    Both upgrades follow community consultation and will provide Canberrans with better places to play.

    Work is taking place between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday. If required, work may be undertaken on weekends between 8 am and 4 pm.

    Both play spaces will feature First Nations artwork by Bradley Mapiva Brown.

    Point Hut Pond playground, Gordon

    Staged work has started at the junior play area and will move to the Maliyan nest.

    Point Hut Pond District Park – including the toilets, picnic facilities and barbecues – will still be open during the construction period.

    The basketball court will remain accessible with partial closures only.

    Junior play area key features:

    • nature play including stone and timber steppers with artwork and timber balancing stilts
    • play opportunities including a vortex climber and a rocker
    • new softfall throughout the play area
    • retaining all existing equipment from the playground.

    Maliyan nest area key features:

    • Maliyan nest climber with slide, suitable for junior, pre-teen and teen play
    • slide and scramble slope
    • nature play elements including timber and boulder steppers
    • informal seating opportunities with sandstone blocks.

    There will also be more seating added at the basketball court, interpretive signage, cultural design elements and landscaping.

    Find out more and view designs

    Alston Street playground, Chisholm

    Exciting additions are coming to Alston Street playground.

    Key features:

    • nature play with balancing and climbing elements including stone and timber steppers and recycled fallen tree trunks
    • all ages and abilities accessible spinner and nest swing with softfall beneath both items
    • play opportunities including climbing poles, a pommel walk and vortex as well as a brown snake sculpture to climb on
    • retaining existing equipment from the playground including the combination unit, swings and rockers
    • picnic tables, shelter and seating
    • existing shade sail retained and improved with cultural artwork on its posts as well as on the upgraded basketball hoop and backboard
    • concrete path with animal imprints
    • nine new trees and landscaping including groundcover, native grasses and shrubs
    • improved drainage throughout the playground and improvements to the carpark surface.

    Alston Street playground will be closed while upgrades are underway.

    The closest alternative playgrounds are the Caroline Chisholm playground and the Chisholm shops playground.

    Find out more and view designs

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Patterson leads the running of the sheep at the Great NZ Muster

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Te Kūiti’s Great New Zealand Muster is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the sheep and the farmers, and the invaluable role they play in our communities and regional economies, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Mark Patterson.

    Mr Patterson, known as the ‘Minister for Wool’, joined the front of the Great NZ Muster running of the Sheep down the main street of Te Kūiti today. 

    “It’s a great honour to be part of this iconic event, which demonstrates the vibrant spirit of our rural communities.”

    The event is combined with NZ Shears, one of New Zealand’s premiere shearing events, where you can see world class shearers in action – and big contributors to the rural community.

    “For me, it’s also a chance to reflect on the state of the wool sector and the positive steps the government and industry are taking to turn it around – supporting the NZ wool industry is a key part in doubling the value of NZ exports.”

    “The recent bar that we have crossed is that wool prices now cover the shearing costs, which is something that we have been working hard at to change, but we know there is much more to be done. I am more confident than ever that we can turn around the fortunes of wool.”

    “There is a swing back to natural fibres – we’re seeing good gains, with strong wool price steadily increasing over the last 18 months to be now sitting around $4 per kg (clean), which is an eight-year high.”

    “Wool exports were worth NZD $549 million in the year to 30 June 2024, up from NZD $513 million in the previous year.”

    “New Zealand is the largest exporter of strong wool, accounting for 20 percent of the 500 million kilograms of strong wool produced globally – and we want to remain on top and deliver higher and more sustainable pricing for our farmers.”

    “Together with key players in the sector, we’re investing time, energy, and money into innovation and new uses to lift the demand for strong wool.”

    “To date, 20 strong wool projects from across the value-chain have been approved for funding, with $17.8 million of government investment via the Ministry for Primary Industries and co-funding of $22.9 million from industry partners, for a total of $40.7 million.”

    “These projects are focused on finding high-value opportunities for our strong wool, facilitating collaboration, and improving sector and supply chain capability.”

    “Projects that have received funding include Bremworth’s 100 percent, fully compostable wool carpets and rugs, and T&R Interior Systems’ Floc wool acoustic panel – both with huge potential to boost returns for our wool farmers significantly.” 

    Mr Patterson says he hopes that the Great New Zealand Muster will act as a springboard for thinking about the benefits of strong wool. 

    “New Zealand wool was once the backbone of New Zealand’s economy and I remain excited about the future of the wool industry as we tap into new high value opportunities.”

    “I will continue to work with farmers to rebuild the industry into a strong sector that recognises its exporting and sustainability potential” says Mr Patterson.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig memorial unveiling

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A tight-knit country community will honour and remember a local police officer during a special memorial unveiling event this Sunday.

    A life-size silhouette of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig and accompanying plaque will be unveiled by SA Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and Doig family members at Lucindale’s Centenary Park from 2pm Sunday.

    On 17 November 2023, Brevet Sergeant Doig, 53, was killed in the line of duty on a property at Senior in South Australia’s upper south-east.

    He joined South Australia Police in 1989 and served the Limestone Coast community for more than a decade, taking up the Lucindale post in 2011.

    SA Police Legacy, Police Association of South Australia, Wall to Wall and Cops 4 Kids have worked with SAPOL to organise the memorial following an outpouring of donations and support after Brevet Sergeant Doig’s death.

    He was posthumously awarded the South Australia Police Bravery Medal for saving the lives of two police colleagues.

    The memorial silhouette is based on a 2013 photo (pictured) taken during Brevet Sergeant Doig’s Lucindale posting, where he stands proudly next to a patrol vehicle.

    Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens will join fellow SAPOL members, the Doig family and other dignitaries and guests to celebrate Brevet Sergeant Doig’s life and career.

    “The Lucindale community has been extremely generous, which is a testament to the impact Brevet Sergeant Doig had during his career,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “He leaves behind a legacy of community service and will forever be remembered for his courage and sacrifice.”

    Along with being the officer-in-charge at the Lucindale police station, Brevet Sergeant Doig was well known around town for volunteering at several sporting clubs and participating in crime prevention activities.

    SA Police Legacy Board President Kellie Watkins will emcee this Sunday’s event, which will include a Commissioner’s address, memorial unveiling, prayer and blessing, minute’s silence, speech by brother Brett Doig and a SAPOL course mate, and conclude with the laying of tributes.

    The Band of the South Australia Police will also perform The Requiescant – played at funerals and memorial ceremonies for Australian police officers killed on duty.

    Coinciding with the unveiling, Lucindale Lions Club has renamed a structure in the local park to be the ‘Jason Doig PBM LEM Memorial Shelter’.

    Members of the public are invited to attend the memorial event on Sunday, April 6 at Lucindale Centenary Park, Musgrave Avenue, 1.45pm for a 2pm start.

    A life-size silhouette and plaque will be unveiled at Lucindale this Sunday in honour of Brevet Sergeant Jason Doig.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Changes to tipping off offence in effect from today

    Source: Australian Department of Communications

    Businesses and individuals bound by the tipping off offence must now consider whether a disclosure could be expected to prejudice an investigation, under changes to the AML/CTF laws that came into force today.
    The changes to the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of around $39,000 or up to 2 years in prison, are now focussed on the harms that could flow from a disclosure.
    AUSTRAC CEO, Mr Brendan Thomas, said the change is part of AML/CTF reforms passed late last year to expand and simplify the legislation.

    MIL OSI News –