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  • MIL-Evening Report: Step length, a devastating finish and ‘springs in his spikes’: the science behind Gout Gout’s speed

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dylan Hicks, Lecturer & Movement Scientist / PhD Sports Biomechanics, Flinders University

    2024 Chemist Warehouse Australian All Schools Championships live stream, Australian Athletics

    Every now and then an athlete comes along who makes people wonder, “how are they so fast?”

    Let me introduce you to Gout Gout.

    Gout is a 17-year-old sprint sensation from Australia, whose blistering 100m and 200m times have drawn comparison to none other than Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt.

    While he was edged out over 200 metres in Melbourne last weekend by 21-year-old Lachlan Kennedy – recent 60-metre world indoor silver medallist who is a rising sprinter poised to break the ten-second barrier for 100 metres – Gout’s performances continue to signal a bright future on the track.

    In a seven-month period since last August, Gout has:

    • won silver in the 200m at the World Junior Championships (20.60 seconds, -0.7 metres/second wind)
    • broken Peter Norman’s long-standing Australian 200m record (20.04 seconds, +1.5m/s)
    • two weeks ago in Brisbane, smashed through the magical 20-second barrier for the 200m, recording a world-leading 19.98 seconds (+3.6m/s), albeit wind-aided (anything greater than 2.0 metres/second is considered wind-aided).

    But what makes Gout so fast?

    Is it his explosive start, long stride, top speed or smooth technique?

    The answer, as with all athletic outliers, is likely a combination of several unique attributes.

    Let’s dive into the science.

    The science of sprinting

    Sprinting is an ongoing battle of force and mass.

    Gravity is pulling the athlete’s body mass down. Meanwhile, the athlete must apply muscular force into the track to keep the body upright.

    Research suggests the world’s fastest sprinters generate the highest ground reaction force relative to their body mass and apply it in the shortest period, in the right direction (more horizontally in acceleration and more vertically at top speed).

    At 5’11” (180cm) and 66kg, Gout does not display the muscular physiques of past champion sprinters including Asafa Powell (Jamaica), Justin Gatlin (the USA), or Australia’s own Matt Shirvington. Yet his performances suggest is he redefining the archetype of elite sprinting.

    For anyone who has run at school, you know the difficulty of holding your top speed for the duration of a 200-metre race.

    But Gout defies logic. His speed endurance (maintaining speed) sets him apart from nearly all athletes.

    And not just compared to his age group, although he currently sits second on the all-time under-18 200-metre list behind US runner Erriyon Knighton.

    Gout’s speed endurance is up there with the best in 200-metre history: Bolt, Michael Johnson or Noah Lyles. Each of them has won multiple Olympic medals.

    The fastest official 100-200 metre segment (the final 100 metres of the race) ever run in a 200-metre event is 9.16 seconds by American Lyles, on his way to winning the 2022 world athletics championships in Oregon (19.31 seconds overall).

    In Gout’s recent performance in Brisbane, he completed this segment of the race in 9.31 seconds. Bolt and Johnson’s best 100-200 metre segment is 9.27 and 9.20 seconds respectively.

    This statistic puts Gout in elite company.

    The magic of Gout

    Closer analysis of Gout’s performance highlights some sprinting anomalies.

    He covers the first 100m of the race in 10.67 seconds, which is quite slow relative to his finishing time of 19.98.

    For comparison, when Bolt broke the 200-metre world record in 2009 (19.19 seconds), he ran 9.92 seconds on the curve (and 9.27 seconds on the straight).

    But once Gout enters the straight, his magic is on full display.

    Gout has an average step length of 2.60 metres. Bolt’s average step length in his 100-metre world record performance was 2.45m, with Lyles displaying a similar result, 2.35m, in his 100-metre win in Paris.

    This allows Gout to take between 3.75-4 steps for each ten-metre segment, which he covers at an average speed of 10.8m/s (or 38.8km/h). Like Bolt, his step length is a huge advantage over his competitors.

    However, there is a trade-off with step length and step frequency.

    Gout’s longer-than-average step length reduces his average step frequency to 4.15Hz (steps per second), much lower than Bolt who averaged 4.47Hz when at his best.

    However, research highlights elite sprinters are reliant on either step length or frequency, and athletes should train to their strengths, rather than fixing their weaknesses.

    So this may not be an area of concern for the teenager.

    Gout also displays a unique coordination pattern in how he interacts with the ground: the way he strikes the track with his feet almost makes it look like he has springs in his spikes.

    Well, we all do in a sense.

    Elastic energy is stored and released in our Achilles tendon which acts as a muscle power amplifier during running.

    Longer Achilles tendon length and stiffness play a huge role in sprint efficiency. This allows athletes to move at faster speeds for longer periods at a reduced energy cost, and may be another one’s of Gout advantages over his contemporaries.

    A bright future

    At 17, Gout’s performances are out of this world.

    The way he generates and maintains speed challenges some conventional paradigms in sprinting – namely that raw power and muscle mass are the primary determinants of speed.

    With most elite sprinters peaking in their mid-20s, Gout’s performances at this stage of his career are even more noteworthy.

    His success likely highlights the role of his unique coordination patterns, biomechanics, technical efficiency, hard work and great coaching all bundled together.

    Gout has already rewritten Australian sprinting history. Next up, he’s taking on the world.

    Just don’t blink – he’s that fast, you might miss him.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Step length, a devastating finish and ‘springs in his spikes’: the science behind Gout Gout’s speed – https://theconversation.com/step-length-a-devastating-finish-and-springs-in-his-spikes-the-science-behind-gout-gouts-speed-252629

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New services for patients under record pharmacy funding deal

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New services for patients under record pharmacy funding deal

    Patients to benefit from new services thanks to funding deal agreed between the government and Community Pharmacy England (CPE).

    • More services for patients at their local pharmacy and record investment for community pharmacies
    • Full-year funding package is the first to be agreed by the sector since 2023
    • Deal with Community Pharmacy England signals government’s first step towards rebuilding community pharmacy through its Plan for Change

    Patients will receive more services as community pharmacies receive record investment in the government’s first step to rebuilding community pharmacy through its Plan for Change. This demonstrates our commitment to rebuild community pharmacy for the long term.

    The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed it has agreed funding with Community Pharmacy England worth an extra £617 million over two years following a six-week consultation with the organisation.

    On top of this, the government is writing off £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners to give them confidence going into the new financial year on April 1.

    The increase signals the government’s first steps in addressing the years of underfunding and neglect that has left the sector facing significant financial shortfalls.

    The investment comes alongside reforms to deliver a raft of patient benefits, as part of the government’s agenda to shift the focus of care from hospitals into the community, so that people can more easily access care and support on their high streets. The greater range of services provided will not only improve access for patients, but also free up GP time and cut waiting lists by avoiding the need for people to book in to see their GP.

    This includes:

    • Making the ‘morning-after pill’ available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS for the first time ever, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities.
    • Offering patients suffering depression convenient support at pharmacies when they are prescribed antidepressants, to boost mental health support in the community.
    • Cutting red tape and bureaucracy to give patients easier access to consultations, with more of the pharmacy team able to deliver a wider number of services such as medicines and prescriptions advice, Pharmacy First services, and carrying out blood pressure checks.
    • Boosting financial incentives for pharmacists to identify patients with undiagnosed high blood pressure and take pressure off GPs.
    • Boosting funding for medicine supply so patients have better access to the medicines prescribed for them. This includes writing off the historic debt linked to dispensing activity during the pandemic and increasing fees linked to dispensing prescriptions.

    Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said:

    Community pharmacists are at the heart of local healthcare, and we want them to play a bigger role as we shift care out of hospitals and into the community through our Plan for Change.

    We’re working to turn around a decade of underfunding and neglect that has left the sector on the brink of collapse.

    This package of record investment and reform is a vital first step to getting community pharmacies back on their feet and fit for the future.

    The agreement shows how this government is working in partnership with community pharmacy to deliver more care for patients closer to their home, freeing up GP appointments, and catching ill-health earlier and preventing it in the first place.

    The deal is the first full-year funding to be agreed by Community Pharmacy England since 2023 after it rejected an offer from the previous administration.

    It includes confirmation of a final funding settlement for this year (2024/25) worth an extra £106 million compared to the previous year, and a further £375 million for 2025/26. It takes the total package for the coming year to £3.073 billion.

    A further £30 million has also been freed up by devolving funding for blood pressure and contraception services to pharmacies.

    In total, the 2025/26 uplift represents a 15% increase in government spending on the previous year, higher than the record 5.8% growth in the total NHS budget.

    Community Pharmacy England Chief Executive Janet Morrison said:

    As highly trusted and accessible healthcare locations, community pharmacies have so much to offer patients and the NHS to help shift more care into communities.

    But we came to these negotiations as a sector in crisis – with the impact of a decade’s worth of real-terms cuts to funding leaving pharmacy businesses fighting to survive, and closures continuing at an alarming rate.

    We are pleased that this settlement takes a positive first step in the right direction for pharmacies, towards stabilisation and a better future.

    A sustainable community pharmacy sector can and must play a huge part in the future of the NHS.

    David Webb, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England:

    This positive investment underscores the importance of community pharmacy as an integral part of the NHS team, providing clinical care, optimising the use of medicines, and supporting people in their neighbourhoods to prevent ill-health.

    Thank you to community pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy teams across England for your professionalism, innovation and commitment. I look forward to continuing our exciting work together to develop future professional practice, building on the achievements in education and training and workforce development that we have so far progressed.

    Amanda Doyle, National Director – Primary Care and Community Services, said:

    I welcome this funding deal for pharmacies, and I am pleased that community pharmacists will be able to build on their success in supporting patients through expanding their roles in recent years.

    Community pharmacists and their teams are delivering important clinical services for patients in the heart of their local communities, and, through Pharmacy First, patients have been given easy access to support for common conditions, as well as blood pressure checks, oral contraception and vaccinations. This funding secures their good work for patients for the future.

    The government has promised to deliver three big shifts through its 10 Year Health Plan, including moving care from hospitals into the community.

    Community pharmacies will play a vital role in delivering patient services at convenient locations under this plan, as well as helping the government’s wider objectives to build an NHS fit for the future through its Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Taupō gets revved up for Supercars

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Motorsport fans heading to the 2025 ITM Taupō Super 440 event next month should plan ahead and be prepared for heavy traffic on the roads as people and vehicles converge in the central North Island. 

    The event will be held at Taupō International Motorsport Park from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 April with an expected crowd of over 67,000 over 3 days, which is expected to be bigger and better than last year. 

    “We’re expecting to see heavy traffic volumes in and around Taupō over the days of the Supercars Championship,” says Andrew Brosnan, Journey Manager for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi in the Waikato. 

    “All non-essential maintenance activity will be paused on SH1 and SH5 in the central North Island over this period, however there may be some active work sites with temporary speed limits in place. Please take care and stick to the posted speed,” Mr Brosnan says.  

    “Anyone travelling on State Highways 1 and 5 through the central North Island should allow plenty of time, and check journey planner for the latest traffic conditions.” 

    Journey Planner(external link)

    When spectators arrive in Taupō, parking for the event at the Motorsport Park is only available using the SH1 Interchange with Centennial Drive. There is no access from SH1 onto Broadlands Road. Traffic Management will be in place to help guide spectator vehicles and manage traffic flows. 

    A park and ride service for ticket holders will be available at Kaimanawa Reserve on Rifle Range Road.

    More information about park and ride service(external link)

    2025 ITM Taupō Super 440 event access information(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Myanmar junta must stop the airstrikes

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    The Government should work with other countries to press the Myanmar military regime to stop its bombing campaign especially while the country recovers from the devastating earthquake.

    “Labour welcomes the Government’s contribution of $2 million to earthquake relief efforts but it is imperative there is international pressure on the junta to stop its military action,” Labour associate foreign affairs spokesperson Phil Twyford said.

    “The junta needs to lift its curfew to allow aid workers to search for the missing, and end its ban on overseas journalists entering the country.

    “This is a regime that is at war with its own people. Since the earthquake they have continued to carry out airstrikes on townships. 

    “While the country is reeling from the earthquake, the regime’s curfew, communications and media shutdowns will get in the way of an effective humanitarian response to the disaster.

    “The Myanmar military has a long track record of weaponizing humanitarian aid. Countries like New Zealand need to contribute to the relief effort but must also raise their voices to demand an end to the regime’s war on its people, and strict humanitarian neutrality so that the people who need aid the most get it,” Phil Twyford said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New rules simplifying recycling for workplaces in England come into force

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New rules simplifying recycling for workplaces in England come into force

    New regulations requiring businesses to separate recycling from waste come into effect

    New rules on how workplaces in England sort their recycling and waste have now come into force, ending confusion over what goes where and enabling consistent, more streamlined collections. 

    The measures as part of the Government’s Simpler Recycling plans will boost flatlining recycling rates, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or for incineration, and deliver cost savings for some businesses, while replacing previous legislation which could have required them to have up to six bins.  

    From today (Monday 31 March), workplaces with 10 or more employees will need to arrange for the collection of the following:  

    • dry recyclable materials – including plastic, metal, glass, and paper and card 

    • food waste  

    • residual (non-recyclable) waste

    Workplaces will need to separate paper and card from the other dry recyclables unless their waste collector collects them together. They will also have the freedom to decide on the size of containers and frequency of collections based on the volume of waste they produce.   

    This is a sensible, pragmatic approach to the collection of materials for the businesses and other premises in scope, which include residential homes, universities and schools, and hospitals or nursing homes.   

    Simplifying the approach will mean more high-quality recycled material can be sourced domestically, which can then be used by manufacturers to make new products as part of the transition to a more circular economy.  

    This will reduce carbon emissions, cut environmental and societal impacts from waste disposal, and support growth of the UK reprocessing industry. 

    Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said:

    We are committed to ending the throwaway society, boosting recycling rates which have stalled for too long, and driving growth through the Government’s Plan for Change. 

    Simplifying the rules for workplaces will make recycling easier, maximising environmental benefits, delivering cost savings and stimulating growth.  

    We’ll continue to work hand-in-hand with businesses to deliver our reforms to drive up recycling rates and ensure there’s more recycled content in the products we buy.

    As of 31 March, the Environment Agency has assumed responsibilities as the regulator for Simpler Recycling, meaning it is committed to supporting businesses – both waste producers and collectors – with their new duties. 

    This includes helping businesses to understand the actions they need to take to ensure compliance with the regulations. 

    Steve Molyneux, deputy director of waste and resources regulation at the Environment Agency, said: 

    The implementation of Simpler Recycling for workplaces is a pivotal moment and a huge step forward, driving change in the waste market, optimising the use of our precious resources, and contributing to a circular economy. 

    We are committed to supporting businesses with their new duties. We will take a pragmatic approach to implementation and will work with stakeholders to support them in overcoming any difficulties they might face in relation to compliance.

    Simpler Recycling in England is integral to the Government’s commitment to move to a circular economy in which resources are kept in use for longer and waste is reduced; the path to net zero is accelerated; and the economy prospers thanks to investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs. 

    Further measures under Simpler Recycling to come mean the public will be able to recycle the same materials across England, whether at home, work or school. 

    By 31 March 2026, local authorities will be required to collect the core recyclable waste streams from all households in England. This includes introducing weekly food waste collections for most homes, unless their councils have a transitional arrangement in place, giving them a later start date in legislation. 

    Kerbside plastic film collections from workplaces and households will also be introduced by 31 March 2027. 

    Workplaces with fewer than 10 employees have until 31 March 2027 to arrange for the recycling of the core recyclable waste streams. 

    Alongside extended producer responsibility for packaging and the deposit return scheme for drinks containers, Simpler Recycling in England is estimated to deliver greenhouse gas emissions savings equivalent to £11.8 billion and make a significant contribution towards meeting the ambition to recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2035. 

    The reforms will also drive up recycling rates – household recycling rates in England have flatlined at around 44-45% since 2015.  

    The implementation of Simpler Recycling for workplaces follows Environment Secretary Steve Reed setting out a new plan to transform the nation’s economy on 27 March, ensuring resources and products are used more sustainably and delivering cleaner streets and a healthy countryside. 

    The Environment Secretary confirmed the first five priority sectors that the independent Circular Economy Taskforce will focus on to make the greatest difference, which are textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, and chemicals and plastics.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK hosts first major international summit to tackle illegal migration

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    UK hosts first major international summit to tackle illegal migration

    The UK has mobilised over 40 countries and organisations to launch an unprecedented global fight against ruthless people smuggling gangs.

    The UK is spearheading the toughest ever international crackdown on organised immigration crime as the Prime Minister and Home Secretary host a landmark summit today (31 March). 

    The Organised Immigration Crime (OIC) Summit brings together over 40 countries, including the United States, Vietnam, Iraq, and France, to unite behind a new approach to dismantle people smuggling gangs and deliver on working people’s priorities for secure borders.

    This is the first time the full range of factors driving illegal migration, from the supply chain in small boats to anti-trafficking measures, illicit finance and social media advertising, have been explored at a global summit of this scale.

    The summit will also see representatives from Meta, X and TikTok discuss how to jointly tackle the online promotion of irregular migration. 

    Through the summit, the government will use all available levers at its disposal to push forward progress in bringing gangs to justice, tackle the global threat of organised immigration crime and protect vulnerable people from exploitation.

    To back this drive, the Home Secretary has today announced £30 million of funding going directly to high impact operations from the Border Security Command to tackle supply chains, illicit finances and trafficking routes across Europe, the Western Balkans, Asia, and Africa. 

    An additional £3 million will enable the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to increase its capacity to prosecute organised international smugglers and expand its international footprint to support the Border Security Command to pursue, disrupt and arrest those responsible for dangerous people smuggling operations. 

    This reflects the Prime Minister’s long-held view, informed by his work as Chief Prosecutor, that cross border cooperation is the foundation of tackling international gangs and securing Britain’s borders.

    In remarks delivered later today, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is expected to say: 

    This vile trade exploits the cracks between our institutions, pits nations against one another and profits from our inability at the political level to come together. 

    When I was the Director of Public Prosecutions, we worked across borders throughout Europe and beyond to foil numerous plots, saving thousands of lives in the process. We prevented planes from being blown up over the Atlantic and brought the perpetrators to justice. 

    I believe we should treat organised immigration crime in the same way. 

    I simply do not believe organised immigration crime cannot be tackled. We’ve got to combine our resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream at every step of the people smuggling routes.

    The summit will deliver concrete outcomes across Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and North America by strengthening international partnerships, enhancing intelligence sharing, and implementing targeted disruptions to Organised Immigration Crime networks.

    As a direct result, we will be able to strengthen UK borders and security and create a more efficient and manageable asylum system, taking the burden away from housing, the NHS and schools, and giving hotels back to the local economy.  

    Speaking ahead of the summit, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:   

    Smuggler and trafficking gangs make their money crossing borders so law enforcement needs to work together across borders to bring them down. Only a coordinated international response, across the whole irregular migration route, can effectively dismantle these networks.  

    The Organised Immigration Crime Summit is the first of its kind and will reinforce the UK’s position as a leader by securing international commitments to disrupt Organised Immigration Crime at every stage of the business model.   

    The summit demonstrates mine and the Prime Minister’s absolute dedication to disrupting the callous Organised Criminal Gangs, strengthening our borders and ultimately save countless lives.

    The UK’s global leadership on this is issue is already delivering results. France has agreed to launch a unit of specialist officers who are mobile, highly trained and equipped to respond dynamically to prevent small boat launches. 

    Germany has committed to strengthen their laws against those who facilitate smuggling to the UK and a new UK-Italy taskforce is hitting people smugglers’ financial flows. After boosting the resources for the National Crime Agency to work with international law enforcement partners, they have seized 600 boats and engines since July. 

    Along with this, work continues at home through giving law enforcement tougher powers than ever to smash the smuggling gangs, ramping up removals to record levels and surging illegal working raids to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats. 

    This comprehensive approach is a vital aspect of the government’s Plan for Change, with the threat from organised immigration crime increasing in scale and complexity.  

    Organised immigration crime spans multiple countries, nationalities, and criminal methodologies, with recent estimate of the total global income from migrant smuggling reaching $10 billion last year.

    Criminal gangs headed by hundreds of kingpins are using sophisticated online tactics, the abuse of legitimate goods and services, and illicit financial networks to facilitate dangerous and illegal journeys which undermine border security and put thousands of lives at risk each year.  

    The summit will also examine the work of the government’s Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) in supporting the US, by providing innovative space-based maritime surveillance capability to monitor and dismantle any vessels along Haiti’s north coast suspected to be involved in illegal immigration, illegal fishing activities and drug smuggling.

    The JMSC is harnessing cutting edge technology and capabilities to provide 24 hour monitoring of UK waters and ensure our borders are secure, by using satellite to provide a better overall understanding of incoming threats to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The UK government is working with our partners in Turks and Caicos to support and protect the Island from irregular migration. 

    This collaboration demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to deploying advanced capabilities against illegal migration while protecting overseas territories. 

    There has also been a series of major arrests of smuggling kingpins, including: 

    • arrests linked to a major Syrian organised crime group responsible for smuggling at least 750 migrants into the UK and Europe
    • the arrest of a Turkish national suspected of being a huge supplier of small boats
    • the conviction of 2 men in Wales who ran a smuggling ring moving thousands of migrants across Europe
    • the arrests in February of 6 men wanted in Belgium over their suspected involvement in a major people smuggling ring

    These arrests come alongside the NCA working with the authorities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for the first time, to facilitate the arrests of 3 men linked to a Kurdish people smuggling organised crime group, as well as an increase in the takedown of social media accounts linked to people smugglers.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New proposals to ban heather burning on peatland to protect air, water and wildlife

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New proposals to ban heather burning on peatland to protect air, water and wildlife

    Extension to ban of burning on deep peat proposed by Government, so that an extra 146,000 hectares are protected

    • Peatlands store carbon, improve water quality, provide valuable habitat for wildlife, and help protect communities from flooding

    • Action will improve air quality in villages, towns and cities, help deliver manifesto commitments to reach Net Zero by 2050 and expand wildlife-rich habitat, as part of our Plan for Change

    Nature-rich peatland habitats are to be better protected under plans set out by the Government today (Monday 31 March), which would ban burning on peat in the uplands, improving health and wellbeing of people in nearby communities.

    Sometimes described as the country’s lungs, peatlands are a vital resource which can store carbon, reduce flood risk, improve water quality, and support rare wildlife such as the golden plover and curlews. They are also some of our richest habitats for dragonflies with 25 of the UK’s 38 species found on upland peatbogs.

    However, 80% of England’s peatlands are currently degraded. Burning on peatland increases heather growth, which dries out the peatland, causing it to actually emit rather than store carbon.

    Burning of vegetation including heather on this scale causes the release of harmful smoke into the air, impacting air quality across communities. This includes harmful air pollutants for human health, including ones strongly associated with strokes, cardiovascular disease, asthma and some lung cancers.

    Nature Minister Mary Creagh said:

    Our peatlands are this country’s Amazon Rainforest – home to our most precious wildlife, storing carbon and reducing flooding risk.

    The UK has 13% of the world’s blanket bog. A rare global habitat, it is a precious part of our national heritage, and that is why we‘re announcing a consultation on these measures to ensure deep peat is better protected.

    These changes will benefit communities by improving air and water quality, and protect homes and businesses from flood damage, which supports economic stability and security under our Plan for Change. 

    If implemented, these changes will increase the area currently protected from 222,000 to more than 368,000 hectares of England’s total 677,250 hectares of deep peat, meaning an area equivalent to the size of Greater London, Greater Manchester and West Midlands put together will now be better protected.

    The definition of deep peat will be revised, so that deep peat is counted as anything over 30cms rather than 40cms. The entire area of upland deep peat that is potentially subject to burning will be protected.

    This approach is being supported by evidence provided by Natural England. Any prescribed burning would need to be done under strict licence, issued where there is a clear need, for example to reduce wildfire risk.  

    The move comes as part of wider government plans to support nature recovery and clean up the air for our health, wellbeing and the environment. It is an important step in tackling the underlying drivers of ill-health as outlined in the Government’s mission to improve health and follows announcements on the wild release and management of beavers in England, a new approach to neonicotinoid pesticides on crops grown in England and new measures to strengthen our protected areas and meet 30×30.  The Government has also pledged up to £400 million for tree planting and peatland restoration, as part of its Nature for Climate Fund. 

    The consultation will run for eight weeks from today and the public and land managers are urged to have their say. The Government is proposing to refine the existing licencing system whereby applicants need to successfully explain why alternative methods have not or would not work and show how they intend to move the land away from the need to burn in future in order to receive a licence. One of the grounds to apply for a licence to burn will be to reduce the risk of wildfire, so we can balance environmental protection with practical land management. 

    The supporting evidence has also been published today. Natural England published a comprehensive updated Evidence Review on ‘The effects of managed burning on upland peatland biodiversity, carbon and water’, along with a Definition of Favourable Conservation Status for Blanket bog, which sets out its view on favourable conservation status for Blanket bog in England.
    The England Peat Map, a detailed, open-access map of England’s peatlands, covering extent, depth, and condition, is being developed by Natural England and will be published later in the spring. 

    Notes to editors: 

    • The consultation on proposed changes to the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 will allow stakeholders time to comment and for responses to be analysed and fed into subsequent policy development. 

    • The consultation is available on gov.uk and will run until 25 May. 

    • It is proposed that the increase in total area protected would be achieved by changing the designated area from Sites of Special Scientific Interest that are also Special Areas of Conservation and/or Special Protection Areas to Less Favoured Areas.  

    • In addition, the proposed changes would extend the regulations to protect shallower peat, over 30cm. 

    • The amended licencing regime proposed by the consultation would enable land managers and owners to apply for a licence to burn in limited circumstances. For their application to be successful they must explain why alternative methods have not or would not work and demonstrate how they intend to move the land away from the need to burn in future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Three high-range drink drivers detected in states north

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Three high-range drink drivers detected in states north

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 7:43 am.

    Police detected three high-range drink drivers in the North overnight Friday including a woman who was nearly five times the legal alcohol limit.
    About 6.30pm Friday a Northern Highway Patrol officer stopped a 38-year-old woman on the Midland Highway near Symmons Plains, after reports the driver had been been weaving across the road at Epping Forest.
    During the intercept police discovered the driver – from NSW – had two passengers in the car who were both licensed and sober.
    The NSW woman was taken to the Longford Police Station where she was breath tested, returning a reading of 0.234 – nearly five times the legal alcohol limit.
    She was arrested, and charged and disqualified from driving for 12 months.
    She will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date.
    In the early hours of Saturday morning, Launceston police intercepted two further high-range drink drivers.
    A 31-year-old Ravenswood man on Invermay Road who returned a reading of 0.159 – more than three times the legal limit and a 25-year-old Ravenswood man in Launceston CBD who returned a reading of 0.148 – nearly three times the legal limit.
    Northern Road Policing Services Acting Sergeant Rockliff said driving while under the influence of alcohol, particularly such high levels, posed a serious risk not only to the drivers, but all other road users.
    “We would like to thank the members of the public who reported the woman’s driving behaviour at Epping Forest,” he said.
    “Anyone with information about dangerous driving should contact police on 131 444.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Man charged with drink driving and driving under the influence, Kingston

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Man charged with drink driving and driving under the influence, Kingston

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 9:05 am.

    A 41-year-old Kingston man has been charged with drink driving and driving under the influence following a two-vehicle crash on the Channel Highway, Kingston yesterday.
    Police were called to the crash about 2pm Saturday 29 March.
    A driver of one of the vehicles returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.255 – more than five times the legal alcohol limit.
    Thankfully, nobody was injured in the crash.
    Kingston Police would like to thank the members of the community who assisted at the crash prior to the arrival of emergency services.
    The man will appear in court at a later date.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cooee Point Reserve incident

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Cooee Point Reserve incident

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 9:48 am.

    A pedestrian has been flown to Melbourne in a critical condition following an incident at Cooee Point Reserve overnight.
    Police and emergency services were called to Cooee Road about midnight after reports a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle.
    The pedestrian was taken to the Northwest Regional Hospital with serious injuries before being airlifted to Melbourne in a critical condition.
    The driver of the vehicle – a 17-year-old-boy- presented to the Burnie Police Station a short time after the incident and was assisting police with their inquiries.
    Investigations into the circumstances leading up to the crash are ongoing.
    Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash, Orford

    Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

    Fatal crash, Orford

    Sunday, 30 March 2025 – 6:00 pm.

    Sadly, a man in his 60s has died after a single-vehicle crash at Orford today.
    Police and emergency services were called to the scene on the Tasman Highway just before 12.45pm Sunday after reports a camper had left the road, and crashed into a tree.
    The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle sadly died at the scene. 
    At this stage it is believed the man suffered a medical episode.
    Investigations into the crash are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
    Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transcript: County Executive Jenkins’ Swearing-In Ceremony

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul attended County Executive Ken Jenkins’ swearing-in ceremony and delivered remarks.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

     I know you’re expecting a video from me. In some of your eyes that might have been better — it was only a minute long, but I recorded it the other day knowing that I’d be tied up with the Budget. But then all of a sudden, as the day went on, I was in the Capitol this morning, I said, “I have to be here in person.”

    I mean, this is the beginning of the “Ken Jenkins era” for Westchester, and I did not want to miss this momentous occasion. I heard the remarks of our great Comptroller — always unfortunate to follow Tom DiNapoli, but he’s a great, great, great leader and I thank him for all the work he does in every corner of the State. Let’s give him another round of applause.

    And I heard there’s a new Congressman in the house. Who’s that guy? Let’s give a round of applause to George Latimer. God, I’m glad he’s there and I’m not anymore. But it is great to see you and, of course, to Shelley Mayer, our emcee, and all the electeds who are here.

    Thank you, Shelley. I’ve just so enjoyed working with you over many, many, many years and many elections you had as well. It seemed like you were constantly on the ballot. And Suzanne Berger, thank you, thank you, thank you, for putting forth great, great leaders. Tim Idoni, we go way back a long time as County Clerks — I want to thank him for his leadership as well, and what a great public servant. Deborah’s here as well, the family’s in this house. There we go. Congratulations.

    I will say this — a reflection back to election night of 2024 — one of the few bright lights were these couple of guys here, right? I mean it was a rough, rough night for us, and to know that we have leaders like George and now Ken in this important position gives me confidence to know that as we’re taking on the fights out of Washington, I’ll have the allies I need. And who would’ve thought? One of the first places they would pick on in our nation would be White Plains in Westchester County saying, “No, no, we don’t care about your seniors. They can go miles, and miles, and miles to get help from Social Security because we really don’t care about them and we don’t care about the 40 or 50 people who work there either.”

    So, literally, my friends, we are two months away from a shutdown that is so unnecessary. Ken offered him space. George offered them space. It wasn’t space, it was that they wanted to inflict pain on our people and that’s the only thing I can conclude. So, as the Governor who needs partners like Ken Jenkins to continue doing what we’re doing, building more housing so our kids don’t have to leave when they finally get of age and they want to have their own families — and I know they want to stay because they’re going to want you to babysit their kids, okay? I know this now, I’m a grandma.

    They want to stay. They want to continue investing in first-rate education — that’s what Westchester County is known for: exceptional teachers in schools and education; and Shelly Mayer knows a lot about this, she’s been a tireless fighter. We want to make sure that I continue to fight for childcare — $7 billion, we’re spending a lot of it here in Westchester County; our downtown revitalization issues, we want to make sure that money keeps coming back to Westchester County; our investments in Metro-North, $6.2 billion, my friends, we found a way. With the support of the Legislature, I think we’re going to get this through the Budget — $25 million to shave time off the trip into the city.

    So, that’s what we’re doing, but I can’t do it without a great partner here in county government who’s going to take on the fights shoulder-to-shoulder with Washington, but also to make sure that we deliver for the people right here. So, I appreciate you — all of you who supported Ken Jenkins.

    He’s been an exceptional leader. You know his history, you know his Bible. I don’t have to tell you, it’s all in my video if you want to watch it again. But, listen up. This era calls for strong leaders that people can believe in again, and that’s what we have to deliver with leaders like Ken Jenkins, and George Latimer and everyone else because we have the backs of our people. We know who we’re fighting for, and we’ll never, ever surrender to anyone — not here, not now, not ever.

    So, thank you everyone for supporting my great friend, Ken Jenkins. God bless every one of you. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Staff who are volunteers too

    Source:

    Lukasz Lipnicki

    Whether they become staff members first then join a brigade, or vice versa, these dedicated CFA members live and breathe CFA – and love it.

    Lukasz Lipnicki, South East Region
    With CFA volunteers at the heart of what he does as both a firefighter and staff member, Lukasz Lipnicki well and truly embodies the spirit of CFA and community service.    

    Working as a regional brigade administrative support officer for the past five years, Lukasz coordinates volunteer sustainability projects in the region, such as the District 9 and District 27 Women’s Network, Women’s Challenge Camp, and Diversity and Inclusion Working Group.

    On the other side of the hose, Lukasz reflects fondly on his near four years as a Cockatoo Fire Brigade member, particularly enjoying the regular contact he gets with volunteers as it reminds him of why they do the work they do.   

    “Overall, being a CFA volunteer is fun. I enjoy the camaraderie of the brigade, the nature of the work, the callouts and more broadly being a part of our organisation for our community,” Lukasz said.  

    “I’m currently the brigade’s health and safety officer. My job has helped me understand the dynamics and the nuances of how CFA systems and processes work.   

    “Every day I travel across the south-east interacting with members in Districts 9, 10 or 27, even as far out as 11. Having the language and understanding of what firefighters face on the ground is invaluable.  

    “Having completed the General Firefighter course and attended incidents, working alongside other emergency services and being deployed to major fires has allowed for relatable conversations and the opportunity to build rapport.”  

    Lukasz said whether they are rolling out region-wide strategies, delivering supplies, or considering where to park when visiting stations, they are mindful of making each other’s lives a little easier.  

    “Our staff and volunteers lead busy lives and give CFA so much while asking for so little,” Lukasz said. “I think it’s important that, wherever we can, we all consider how best to support each other in the decisions we make.”  

    Given Lukasz’s nature to assist in times of need, when Cockatoo was hit by a severe storm in February 2024, he was able to lend a hand to his brigade members behind the scenes.   

    “I decided to head to IGA to grab a few roast chooks, bread rolls, and a slab of soft drink for when they came back to refuel and swap crews,” Lukasz said. “Pulling up to a hot meal and something to drink brought a lot of smiles out.” 

    Tegan Kearney, South West Region
    Tegan Kearney can be found tackling spreadsheets and helping managers and executives manage their budgets in her day job at CFA as the Senior Finance Business Partner in the Financial Planning and Analysis Team. But her work with CFA extends beyond the dollars and cents.   

    As a volunteer for Grovedale Fire Brigade in Geelong, Tegan doesn’t hesitate to roll up her sleeves and help her local community.   

    After getting a job at CFA in 2019 shortly before the Black Summer fires, Tegan said she was overwhelmed with the camaraderie she saw in CFA, even from people working from a desk.   

    “It was like nothing I had ever experienced in my career before, having come from a banking background,” Tegan said. “Everyone was focused on the fires no matter what their role. They put aside their usual tasks and turned their attention to how they could help.  

    “Whether it was working in an incident management team in a finance or logistics capacity, backfilling someone else with specific skills so they could be freed up to help, driving people or resources to where they need to be, everyone just did what they could.”  

    Seeing how well everyone worked together towards a common goal encouraged Tegan to think about how she could contribute even more and that led her to knock on the door of Grovedale Fire Brigade.

    Being a volunteer in the same location as your work is a unique experience, but Tegan said it is one she loves.   

    “My roles are completely different but they both ultimately work towards the same outcome of supporting CFA to protect lives and property,” Tegan said.   

    Tegan is grateful CFA encourages her passion for volunteering as well as working.    

    “My work colleagues are really good and understanding of my role as a volunteer. They support me to attend callouts or deployments wherever possible.”   

    Tegan said she loved CFA and felt lucky to be able to work and volunteer with such an organisation.   

    “CFA is an organisation you can be proud to be a part of, whether you are working at HQ, supporting the brigades on the ground or jumping on a truck,” Tegan said. “It’s all important work and it’s a good feeling knowing you are contributing to that.”

    Will Hodgson, West Region
    In 1991, 14-year-old Will Hodgson boarded a bus home from Fiskville after a CFA training session, unaware that over the next 34 years the organisation would become a central part of his life.  

    What began as a way to help his community following the Warrandyte bushfires that year has grown into a lifelong commitment to fire and emergency services.  

    “During the fires in ’91, I remember feeling helpless watching the helicopters and fire trucks as smoke filled the air. I made a phone call to North Warrandyte brigade and haven’t looked back since,” Will recalled.  

    “I’ve been turning out since I was 14 years of age – the rules were a bit different back then.”  

    Will’s volunteer CFA journey has been marked by steady progression.  

    “I spent more than 16 years at North Warrandyte, then transferred to Christmas Hills and then onto Warrandyte, moving through the officer ranks in all three brigades.”  

    His professional career with CFA began in 2008 as a pad operator at Bangholme training ground working on volunteer and promotional courses. Over the years, he has taken on numerous roles, including working on the Road Crash Rescue Support Project.  

    Today, Will is the captain of Warrandyte brigade and a full-time employee with Fire Rescue Victoria seconded to CFA as the pad supervisor at Central Highlands training ground in Ballan.  

    “Balancing the dual roles has its challenges, but ultimately it’s been rewarding,” he said. “The bonus of playing in both worlds is gaining a holistic understanding of what the organisation is trying to achieve. I’ve also become a bit of a conduit for other volunteers looking for guidance.” 

    Will has been deployed to some of Victoria’s most significant incidents and travelled interstate.  

    Reflecting on his journey, Will said, “I didn’t think this would be a career path, but CFA showed me you can learn new skills and be given opportunities. I was lucky enough to turn a hobby into a career and a passion. 

    “I’d never have dreamed that the 14-year-old on a bus to Fiskville would one day be responsible for a CFA training facility. Set yourself a dream; you never know what’s possible.”  

    Tanya Lumley, North East Region
    Seeing her dad volunteering with CFA during the Ash Wednesday fires started a long-lasting love of CFA within Tanya. She is a member of Strathbogie brigade and works in the Volunteer Sustainability Team (VST). 

    Originally a volunteer with Boneo brigade, Tanya recently transferred to Strathbogie brigade, where she said she is incredibly lucky to have an amazing mentor.

    “I was sad to leave an awesome brigade, and joining a new brigade felt a little like starting again,” Tanya said. “But seeing my new team in action on the fireground and how willing they were to share their skills and knowledge, made me happy about my new brigade home.”

    Tanya said she loved both her VST role and being a volunteer at CFA and she was lucky the roles complemented each other. 

    “Although I’m only new to the role in VST, I can see that it allows for a great understanding of the diverse experiences and needs of brigades and volunteers,” she said. 

    “On the other hand, learning from the experienced and skilled members of my brigade equips me with valuable knowledge that I can take to my day job. Working on projects that help to empower brigades, having experienced what it’s like in a brigade, is incredibly rewarding. It’s a bit of a symbiotic experience.”

    Tanya has a strong connection to the community and she’s happy that CFA embodies this value and gives her a place where she can uphold it in both her personal and professional life. 

    “Being a member of a CFA brigade embodies community for me – a bunch of people working together to do good. At my brigade and office I’m surrounded by dedicated people who are passionate about making a difference. That’s such a wonderful place to be.” 

    Tanya said balancing work and volunteering for her is no different from all the other volunteers who give up their time. 

    “Just like all members who have a job and volunteer for CFA, we do what we can and what we have time for. We all have families and hobbies and interests outside of these roles and they’re just as valuable and important,” she said. 

    Despite being a new staff member, Tanya said she was already feeling good about taking her passion for CFA and making it her day job, and she’s pleased to be working with fantastic people.

    Submitted by News and Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: RBA and ASIC Act on Deep Concerns with ASX

    Source: Airservices Australia

    The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) (the regulators) have taken further steps to address their increasing concern over the management of operational risk at ASX, following the CHESS batch settlement failure incident that occurred on 20 December 2024.

    In a joint letter to ASX, the regulators expressed their deep concerns about the potential for operational incidents, such as the CHESS batch settlement failure, to affect the ability of the CHESS system to reliably service the Australian equities market until CHESS is replaced. The regulators also highlighted their concern about the speed and nature of ASX’s remediation actions following the initial incident.

    In response, the RBA has taken the unprecedented step of reassessing the compliance of ASX Clear Pty Limited and ASX Settlement Pty Ltd with the RBA’s Financial Stability Standards outside the usual annual assessment cycle. The RBA has downgraded its assessment of these entities’ compliance with the “Operational Risk” standard from partly observed to not observed. A rating of not observed is made when the RBA has identified serious issues of concern that warrant immediate action.

    In addition, ASIC has directed ASX, under section 823BB(4) of the Corporations Act 2001, to engage an expert approved by ASIC to undertake a technical review of CHESS. This review and any remediation will provide greater confidence to regulators, and the public, in the stability and operational resilience of the current CHESS platform.

    RBA Governor Michele Bullock said, ‘It is deeply disappointing that the regulators need to take these actions today. But they are necessary. ASX operates critical infrastructure that plays a central role in the financial system. ASX’s management of operational risk has been a concern for RBA staff and the Payments System Board for some time, and the recent CHESS incident has underscored those concerns. The underlying issues that we have raised need to be addressed as a matter of priority to strengthen the resilience of the CHESS system.’

    ASIC Chair Joe Longo said, ‘Our actions underscore our increasingly deep concerns with ASX’s management of the CHESS system, and we will continue to consider further action. The technical review of ASX’s core technology infrastructure is necessary given the ongoing concerns the regulators have raised about ASX’s operational resilience. It is troubling that these risks were realised in this major incident.’

    The regulators together outlined their expectations that ASX needs to give the highest priority to the immediate remediation of issues that caused and exacerbated the December 2024 incident.

    If not urgently addressed, the regulators are prepared to take further regulatory action. This could include the use of the regulators’ new powers under reforms to modernise the regulatory framework for Financial Market Infrastructures, which came into effect in September 2024, and further rulemaking under the Competition in Clearing and Settlement reforms.

    Background

    The RBA and ASIC are co-regulators of licensed CS facilities and have separate, but complementary, responsibilities for the licensing and supervision of CS facilities licensees.

    These responsibilities include supervising each CS facility licensee’s compliance with the obligation to do all things necessary to ensure that the facility’s services are provided in a fair and effective way, to the extent it is reasonably practicable to do so. In carrying out supervision and assessment of CS facilities, the RBA and ASIC work closely as appropriate.

    The RBA supervises CS facilities from the perspective of the facilities’ importance to the stability of Australia’s financial system. This includes the power to determine financial stability standards for the purpose of ensuring that CS facility licensees conduct their affairs in a way that causes or promotes overall stability in the Australian financial system.

    ASIC’s regulatory action announced today are in addition and separate to ASIC’s investigation into ASX Settlement Pty Ltd (ASX Settlement) for suspected contraventions of section 821A of the Corporations Act.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reserve Bank capital review welcomed

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Reserve Bank’s decision to review its capital requirements has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
    “Submissions made to the finance and expenditure committee’s banking inquiry have raised concerns that New Zealand’s bank capital regime is too conservative, and that this is undermining banking competition, driving up the cost of lending and reducing growth in the New Zealand economy.
    “I share these concerns and welcome the Reserve Bank Board’s decision to conduct an evidence-based review of its capital regime, using international experts, and comparing New Zealand’s requirements with those in comparable countries. 
    “It’s important that the Reserve Bank’s prudential regime preserves the stability of our financial system, while taking care not to not impose excessive costs in the process. 
    “Higher capital requirements increase the cost of borrowing. This can reduce economic activity and drive up the cost of living. I want to see settings that preserve financial stability while encouraging investment, job creation and income growth. 
    “Submitters have argued that other countries have less onerous bank capital requirements and that New Zealand is becoming an outlier internationally. 
    “The Reserve Bank’s decision to conduct a prompt review is a good opportunity to objectively assess New Zealand’s settings and consider whether the Bank’s intention to keep increasing capital requirements still makes sense.” 
    The Reserve Bank increase in minimum capital requirements followed a review in 2017-2019 and is being implemented over seven years with annual increases on 1 July each year. 
    The big banks are currently required to maintain minimum capital of 13.5 per cent and the smaller banks minimum capital of 11.5 per cent. The Reserve Bank has been planning to, by 2028, lift those requirements to 18 and 16 per cent respectively.
    “I welcome the Reserve Bank’s willingness to step back and consider whether decisions it made several years ago are still in step with domestic and international developments.”
    Decisions about bank capital requirements are taken independently by the RBNZ Board in accordance with the Bank’s financial stability objective.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police strike lucky cord to locate four firearms

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have located four guns inside a guitar case in Ōrākei following a call to Police.

    At about 2.10pm yesterday, Police received a report of a person in possession of what appeared to be a firearm outside a property in Kitemoana Street.

    Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy, says Police arrived and quickly located the firearms inside a vehicle parked at the address.

    “An armed approach was made, however all parties were cooperative with Police.

    “A search of the vehicle located a guitar case with four firearms inside, including two pistols, one shotgun and one rifle.

    “Taking another four firearms out of circulation from our community is a great result and we continue to be committed to holding people to account and delivering on our intent to keep people safe.”

    A 29-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court on 4 April charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police strike lucky chord to locate four firearms

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police have located four guns inside a guitar case in Ōrākei following a call to Police.

    At about 2.10pm yesterday, Police received a report of a person in possession of what appeared to be a firearm outside a property in Kitemoana Street.

    Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy, says Police arrived and quickly located the firearms inside a vehicle parked at the address.

    “An armed approach was made, however all parties were cooperative with Police.

    “A search of the vehicle located a guitar case with four firearms inside, including two pistols, one shotgun and one rifle.

    “Taking another four firearms out of circulation from our community is a great result and we continue to be committed to holding people to account and delivering on our intent to keep people safe.”

    A 29-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court on 4 April charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement about Kootenay Lake ferry labour dispute

    Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement about the Kootenay Lake ferry labour dispute:

    “Residents use the Kootenay Lake ferries to get to work, go to school, access services and stay connected to their communities. The ongoing labour dispute has been disruptive to daily life and the local economy. To help resolve the ongoing labour dispute between Western Pacific Marine and BCGEU Local 2009, I have appointed Vince Ready as a special mediator.

    “Mr. Ready has vast experience in labour relations and is renowned for his success in helping employers and unions reach agreements. This appointment provides a path for the parties to work through their differences and I appreciate their willingness to engage in this process.

    “I expect the two sides to bargain fairly throughout this process, while ensuring reliable ferry service for residents in the Kootenays.

    “Mr. Ready will begin work immediately to reach a settlement. If a settlement is not reached between the parties within 14 days, he will issue recommendations to the minister and the parties. 

    “These recommendations will represent a fair and transparent path to the resolution of this dispute. It is in the best interest of both parties to carefully consider the special mediator’s recommendations.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pursuit ends in arrest

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A pair have been arrested after a pursuit through the western suburbs yesterday evening.

    ​Just before 6.30pm on Sunday 30 March, patrols spotted a white Holden sedan stationary in Edward’s Park, Adelaide. The vehicle was stationary within an area only permitted for authorised vehicles to access. Police indicated for the driver to speak to police before he drove away from police. Police activated emergency lights, indicating for the driver to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to drive from police.

    The car stopped for a short time and then took off again. Police followed the car as it headed west on Port Road.  PolAir were quickly in the air and tracked the car as it travelled south on Tapley Hills Road and onto West Lake Boulevard.  The driver drove through two red lights on Cheltenham Parade and Addison Road.

    The car was tracked through the back streets of Pennington and then west onto Grand Junction Road.   The car was successfully spiked as it approached Addison Road and the vehicle came to a stop on Grand Junction Road.

    The driver and the passenger refused to exit the car and officers had to break the car window to arrest the occupants.

    The driver, a 27-year-old man from Ingle Farm, was breath tested and he provided a positive result of 0.107 – more than double the legal limit.  He was charged with dangerous driving to escape a police pursuit, failing to stop, driving whilst unlicenced and a raft of other traffic offences.

    The passenger, a 28-year-old woman from Queensland, was charged with resisting arrest.  They have both been refused police bail and will appear in Port Adeliade Magistrates Court on Monday 31 March.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pedestrian dies in crash on Wakefield Street

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A pedestrian died after being struck by a car on Wakefield Street in the city last night.

    Police and emergency services were called to the intersection of Wakefield Street and Frome Street, Adelaide about 9.30pm on Sunday 30 March by reports of a collision.

    It is believed the pedestrian was crossing Wakefield Street when he was struck by a Nissan four-wheel drive, then by a second vehicle, a Mazda station wagon.

    Sadly, the 65-year-old Adelaide man died at the scene.

    The driver of the Nissan, a 61-year-old Mitchell Park man, was arrested by Major Crash officers and charged with cause death by careless driving.  He was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 18 June.

    The driver of the Mazda, a 20-year-old Hillcrest man, is assisting police with their enquiries.

    Both vehicles were towed from the scene for forensic examination.

    Major Crash investigators closed Wakefield Street while they examined the scene overnight, but the road has reopened.

    The pedestrian’s death is the 23rd life lost on South Australian roads so far this year.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Snow, Freezing Rain and Ice

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for snow, freezing rain and ice beginning tonight and continuing through Sunday for parts of the North Country, Mohawk Valley and Capital District. A period of wet snow and sleet is expected this evening, transitioning over to freezing rain tonight except over far Northern New York where a mix will persist. Freezing rain will occur Saturday into Sunday with the greatest ice accumulation potential occurring during the overnight and early morning hours. Some parts of the North Country could see up to seven inches of snow and more than a quarter inch of ice accumulation through Sunday. In these areas, hazardous travel is likely and local power outages are possible. Governor Hochul urged New Yorkers to pay close attention to weather conditions this weekend and adjust plans accordingly.

    “We’re expecting a series of winter weather conditions to hit parts of the North County, Mohawk Valley and the Capital District, and our agencies are prepared to assist as the forecast fluctuates across the regions this weekend,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers in these regions should monitor emergency alerts and their local forecasts to prepare themselves for the snow, freezing rain and ice accumulation.”

    A Winter Weather Advisory in effect for the North Country and northern parts of the Mohawk Valley and Capital District for mixed precipitation and ice from tonight into Sunday. Also on Sunday, for parts of Western New York and the Finger Lakes, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms. On Monday, additional severe thunderstorms with damaging winds are possible, mainly across the southeast half of the state.

    For a complete listing of weather alerts, visit the National Weather Service website. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by subscribing to NY Alert — a free service providing critical emergency information to your cell phone or computer.

    Agency Preparations
    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Division’s Office of Emergency Management is in contact with their local counterparts and is prepared to facilitate requests for assistance. State stockpiles are staffed and ready to deploy emergency response assets and supplies as needed. The State Watch Center is monitoring the storm track and statewide impacts closely.

    Department of Transportation
    The State Department of Transportation is monitoring weather conditions and prepared to respond with 3,754 supervisors and operators available statewide. All field staff are available to fully engage and respond. All available response equipment is ready to deploy and all residencies in impacted locations will remain staffed for 24/7 operations with operators, supervisors, and mechanics throughout the duration of the event and priority cleanup operations.

    Statewide equipment numbers are as follows:

    • 1,615 large plow trucks
    • 350 large loaders
    • 159 medium duty plows
    • 53 tow plows
    • 30 snow blowers
    • 19 graders

    The need for additional resources will be re-evaluated as conditions warrant throughout the event. For real-time travel information, motorists should call 511 or visit 511ny.org, New York State’s official traffic and travel information source.

    Thruway Authority
    The Thruway Authority is ready to respond with 691 operators and supervisors available. Statewide equipment numbers and resources are listed below:

    • 365 large and medium duty plow trucks
    • 10 tow plows
    • 65 loaders

    Variable Message Signs and social media (X, formerly known as Twitter, and Facebook) are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway.

    The Thruway Authority is leveraging technology to enhance the safety of both plow operators and drivers through a pilot program utilizing iCone technology. More than 50 of the Thruway’s heavy-duty plow trucks across the state are equipped with devices that can provide real-time data and alerts to popular vehicle navigation applications. In addition, all of the Thruway’s more than 250 heavy-duty plow trucks are equipped with green hazard lights, complementing the standard amber hazard lights. Green lights are intended to improve visibility and enhance safety during winter operations, particularly in low-light conditions and poor weather. Drivers are reminded that Thruway snowplows travel at about 35 miles per hour — which in many cases is slower than the posted speed limit — in order to ensure that salt being dispersed stays in the driving lanes and does not scatter off the roadways. The safest place for motorists is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and treated.

    The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras, and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert emails and follow @ThruwayTraffic on X for the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway.

    Department of Public Service
    New York’s utilities have about 5,500 workers available statewide to engage in damage assessment, response, repair and restoration efforts across New York State, as necessary. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    New York State Police
    State Police instructed all Troopers to remain vigilant and will deploy extra patrols to affected areas as needed. All four-wheel drive vehicles are in service and all specialty vehicles are staged and ready for deployment.

    Department of Environmental Conservation
    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to snow, sleet, and ice.

    DEC reminds local officials to watch for ice jams and potential flooding in their communities. Ice jams are a major hazard that occurs when ice breaks apart and the pieces prevent a stream from flowing, leading to rapidly rising river stages and flooding. Municipalities are encouraged to undertake local assessments of potential ice jams in flood-prone areas and to remove any accumulating ice or woody debris. DEC permits and authorization are not required to remove debris unless stream banks or beds will be disturbed by debris removal and/or the use of heavy equipment. Municipalities and local governments are advised to contact DEC’s Regional Permit Administrators if assistance is required and to help determine if a permit is necessary.
    If a permit is necessary, DEC can issue Emergency Authorizations to expedite approval of projects in place of an individual permit. DEC approves Emergency Authorizations for situations that are deemed an emergency based on the immediate protection of life, health, general welfare, property, or natural resources. DEC coordinates with agency partners — including DHSES and DOT — on monitoring and response to potential ice jams.

    Additional information on ice jam flooding, contact information for emergency assistance, and permit requirements is available on the DEC website: https://dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/water-quantity/dam-safety-coastal-flood-protection/flood-preparation/ice-jam-flooding

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, snow, ice, and the cold to ensure a safe outdoor experience. Trails have mixed conditions of snow, ice, slush, and mud.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information. Backcountry visitors should Hike Smart and follow proper safety guidelines. Plan trips accordingly. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
    New York State Park Police and park personnel are on alert and closely monitoring weather conditions and impacts. Park visitors should visit parks.ny.gov, check the free mobile app, or call their local park office for the latest updates regarding park hours, openings and closings.

    Safety Tips
    Travel
    Some of the most important tips for safe driving include:

    • Monitor the forecast for your local area and areas you may be travelling to.
    • Avoid unnecessary travel.
    • If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, flashlight and extra batteries, extra warm clothing, set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
    • If you have a cellphone or other communications device such as a two-way radio available for your use, keep the battery charged and keep it with you whenever traveling. If you should become stranded, you will be able to call for help, advising rescuers of your location.
    • The leading cause of death and injuries during winter storms is transportation accidents. Before getting behind the wheel, make sure that your vehicle is clear of ice and snow; good vision is key to good driving. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Be extra alert and remember that snowdrifts can hide smaller children. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions.
    • It is important for motorists on all roads to note that snowplows travel at speeds up to 35 mph, which in many cases is lower than the posted speed limit.
    • Oftentimes on interstate highways, snowplows will operate side by side, to safely clear several lanes at one time.
    • Motorists and pedestrians should also keep in mind that snowplow drivers have limited lines of sight, and the size and weight of snowplows can make it very difficult to maneuver and stop quickly. Snow blowing from behind the plow can severely reduce visibility or cause whiteout conditions.
    • Motorists should not attempt to pass snowplows or follow too closely. The safest place for motorists to drive is well behind the snowplows where the roadway is clear and salted. Never attempt to pass a snowplow while it’s operating.

    Power Outages

    • Check with your utility to determine area repair schedules.
    • If you lose power, turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored; leave one light on to indicate when power has been restored.
    • If heat goes out during a winter storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need.

    To Report an Electric Outage, call:

    • Central Hudson: 800-527-2714
    • Con Edison: 800-752-6633
    • National Grid: 800-867-5222
    • NYSEG: 800-572-1131
    • O&R: 877-434-4100
    • PSEG-LI: 800-490-0075
    • RG&E: 800-743-1701

    For more safety tips, visit https://www.dhses.ny.gov/safety.

    For all non-emergency service needs in New York State before, during or after a storm, call 211 or visit www.211nys.org/.

    About the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
    The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides leadership, coordination and support to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate disasters and other emergencies. For more information, follow @NYSDHSES on Facebook, Instagram, and X, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Some Gen Zs are taking a ‘micro-retirement’. It’s one way to address burnout – but it comes with risks

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sugumar Mariappanadar, Senior Academic Researcher – Human Resource Management and Management, Australian Catholic University

    Dmitry Molchanov/Shutterstock

    For young people in the early stages of their career, the idea of waiting 40 years or more to retire might feel like a marathon. For those already feeling burnt out, it can be an excruciating thought.

    So – why not take a break or two somewhere along the way?

    The concept of “micro-retirement” is having a moment. While the term appears to have been first coined in 2007, it’s recently found new popularity on social media.

    The idea is that retirement doesn’t have to be a fixed, clearly defined period at the end of your working life. Rather, it’s possible to restore your human energy and levels of wellbeing by dipping in and out of it, with small or large career breaks.

    Many onlookers have pointed out that the underlying concept is not a new idea. Sabbaticals and other kinds of career breaks have been a feature of the workforce for a long time.

    However, the trend gripping some of the Gen Z workforce on social media appears to be slightly different. And while it’s trying to solve some legitimate problems, it could also carry some unique risks.

    Taking a break

    The notion that rest is crucial – that humans shouldn’t just work themselves into the ground – is very old indeed.

    Major religions around the world have long preached the importance of rest and restoration for human beings to survive the hardship of paid work.

    Letting employees get burnt out isn’t a good outcome for anyone.
    fizkes/Shutterstock

    Career breaks, however, are a bit different from the ordinary rest opportunities we get such as weekends, public holidays and annual leave. There are a few different types.

    The first is the full-time career break, such as a sabbatical. This is where an employee, in consultation with their employer, hits pause for an extended period.

    This might be to enjoy travel, develop new hobbies or complete training necessary for career progression. However, the company typically continues to pay a salary (or a percentage of it) during the mutually agreed period.

    In Australia, many employees are entitled to paid long service leave after serving between seven and 10 years with the same employer, depending on which state or territory they’re in.

    Taking a full-time job part-time, can also constitute a kind of career break for some. This is where an employee reduces their working hours or days and earns reduced pay compared to full-time work.

    Other types of long-term leave can include parental leave and leave for medical assistance.

    In Belgium, a government scheme allows employees to take a career break of up to a year, during which they receive a paid allowance from the government. Previous research into the scheme showed 76% of employees taking full-time career breaks from both public and private sectors were aged between 25 and 49.

    In Belgium, a government scheme allows people to take career breaks.
    Werner Lerooy/Shutterstock

    Micro-retirement might be different

    When Gen Z is talking about micro-retirement, they often aren’t talking about exactly the same thing as a paid, mutually agreed sabbatical.

    For many, micro-retirement is a voluntary choice to terminate their employment and support their living through personal savings or government support.

    But they are trying to solve similar problems: the health and wellbeing risks associated with pushing too hard – or for too long – at work.

    Research by the World Health Organization found the number of deaths from heart disease and stroke that could be attributed to long working hours increased by 29% between 2000 and 2016.



    Read more:
    What’s the difference between burnout and depression?

    The energy ceiling

    My own previous research has examined the “ceiling effect” of human energy. This is when an employee’s energy depletion reaches a tipping point due to their work and begins to affect their wellbeing.

    When employees reach the tipping point, or ceiling effect at work, they often use coffee and alcohol as a coping mechanism. This has long-term negative impacts on health.

    Sleep also becomes a problem, which can lead to “presenteeism” – where employees show up physically to work but function poorly. This can cost businesses in lost employee productivity.

    Flexible or hybrid work can be a double-edged sword that leads to intrusion on home life.

    Like any extended break, micro-retirement is a way to replenish or restore the energy depleted. Research into Belgium’s career break scheme found it did improve individual physical and mental health – but it’s important to remember this scheme paid an allowance.

    What are the risks?

    Micro-retirement might be a new label. But drawing parallels from research into career breaks, there is evidence of so-called “scarring” effects.

    This is where the future wages of an individual attempting to re-enter the job market after a career break may be lower than if they had an uninterrupted career.

    This can impact physical and mental health, and lead to lower income levels in retirement.

    Businesses may not be too inclined to develop policies to implement paid career breaks such as sabbaticals. That may lead more young people to take their own unpaid breaks.

    Outside of taking extended breaks, there’s a broader discussion to be had about increasing productivity by redesigning the way we work every day with sustainability and flexibility in mind.

    It’s crucial there are ways for employees to disengage from work on a daily basis to restore and replenish their energy.

    In addition to his academic post at Australian Catholic University, Sugumar Mariappanadar is a senior sustainability advisor at InSync Australia, where he has advised businesses on environmental, social and governance (ESG) sustainability business strategy.

    – ref. Some Gen Zs are taking a ‘micro-retirement’. It’s one way to address burnout – but it comes with risks – https://theconversation.com/some-gen-zs-are-taking-a-micro-retirement-its-one-way-to-address-burnout-but-it-comes-with-risks-252505

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘It is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder’: school principals speak about stress, violence and abuse in their jobs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Kidson, Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership, Australian Catholic University

    Isuzek/Getty Images

    School principals around Australia are responsible for about 4.5 million staff and students in almost 10,000 schools. Not only do they oversee students’ progress, but they are also responsible for the performance of staff and the wellbeing of everyone at their school. Their jobs are huge.

    As we have previously tracked in our annual survey of principals, their jobs are also extremely stressful and they are subject to regular abuse – often from parents.

    Our latest survey shows these trends are not changing. And more than 50% of those we surveyed are seriously thinking about quitting.

    Our research

    Since 2011, we have surveyed Australian school leaders. This includes principals, deputy principals, and other school leaders such as heads of junior or senior schools.

    In our new report, we surveyed almost 2,200 people, which is more than 20% of Australian school leaders. In 2024, we surveyed primary and high school leaders from government, independent and Catholic schools all around the country.

    This makes it the most comprehensive data set on principals’ health and wellbeing in Australia. It is also the longest-running survey of its type in the world.

    The survey asked almost 2,200 school leaders about their jobs and wellbeing.
    Sol Stock/ Getty Images

    High workloads and stress

    Previous surveys have shown school principals face unsustainably high workloads and high levels of stress. Unfortunately, these trends continue in our latest 2024 results.

    School leaders work an average of 54.5 hours a week during term time and 20.6 hours during holidays. They nominated the “sheer quantity of work” as the biggest source of their stress.

    This was closely followed by “lack of time to focus on teaching and learning” and “student-related issues”.

    As a high school principal from Western Australia told us:

    I do love what I do however it is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder.

    Generalised anxiety and depression reports have also increased from last year’s survey. Severe anxiety was reported by 14.8% of participants, up from 11.4% in 2023. Moderate depression is reported by 11.1% of participants, up from 10.6%.

    Critical incidents

    For the first time, our 2024 survey asked principals about the number of “critical incidents” they have to deal with. These are defined as an “often unexpected event that may involve loss or threat to wellbeing or personal goals”.

    Nearly three-quarters (73.7%) said they had experienced a critical incident while in their role. The most common type of incident was violence and security threats (43.9%). Suicide and suicidal threats represented 12.6% of reported incidents. Participants also reported medical emergencies (10.3%) and custody or child-protection incidents (7%).

    As one NSW principal told us:

    I think it is untenable for principals to continue to be under constant stress at this level and am aware that many of my colleagues are also retiring or considering retiring. I have only just turned 59 and would like to work for another 5-10 years but can’t continue due to the ridiculous workload and pressure.

    Schools are not safe for principals

    An increasing number of principals report being subject to offensive behaviours that are unacceptable in any workplace – let alone one that involves children and young people.

    Nearly 55% reported they are subjected to threats of violence, 57% are subjected to gossip and slander, and 35% are subjected to cyberbullying. These are the highest levels we have ever reported.

    When asked “from whom”, more than 65% of school leaders said parents and caregivers. Students also contribute, but unfortunately, so do staff. They were the source of 29% of “gossip and slander” reported by school leaders.

    As one ACT school leader told us:

    The major cause of distress are parents. Parents behave in an unreasonable manner, have ridiculous expectations and think that because they went to school they can therefore run a school. Principals are constantly defending staff from parents. Parents are rarely told to stop and desist by Education Support Offices.

    While many principals report loving their jobs, stress and abuse are constant features.
    Rawpixel.com/ Shutterstock

    Many prinicpals want to leave

    In 2023, we first asked the question whether school leaders seriously consider leaving their job. More than half (56%) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement.

    It’s pleasing to report this has reduced slightly to 53% nationally, but the trend is, unfortunately, not consistent across the country.

    For example, the figure in NSW has dropped from 63% to 51%, but in Victoria it has increased from 48% to 54%. Policymakers across jurisdictions could benefit from working together to address these findings, to see what is working and what is not.

    How can we help?

    The demands on today’s school principals are significant – the work takes an emotional toll – and this means we need different approaches to supporting them.

    It’s why we recommend education departments and school boards provide “reflective supervision” for school leaders. This gives professionals a regular chance to reflect on what they are doing with a confidential and experienced practitioner in the field, which in this case would be another experienced school leader.

    This is a widespread practice in other demanding workplaces, such as family violence, healthcare, and child mental health. Practitioners in these fields benefit through improved management of their own wellbeing, which in turn helps them support their clients and patients.

    We also need to make sure governments regularly and routinely consult principals about education policy.

    Schools and education departments should also explore alternative models to make the job more sustainable. This could include co-principals or job sharing models.

    Without change, too many leaders will leave too quickly, without anyone left to replace them.

    Herb Marsh receives funding from ARC research grant funding

    Theresa Dicke has received funding from ARC and still receives funding from several peak principal associations to complete this research.

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

    – ref. ‘It is a seriously difficult role and only getting harder’: school principals speak about stress, violence and abuse in their jobs – https://theconversation.com/it-is-a-seriously-difficult-role-and-only-getting-harder-school-principals-speak-about-stress-violence-and-abuse-in-their-jobs-253327

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Brisbane 2032 is no longer legally bound to be ‘climate positive’. Will it still leave a green legacy?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marcus Foth, Professor of Urban Informatics, Queensland University of Technology

    When Brisbane was awarded the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it came with a widely publicised landmark promise: the world’s first “climate-positive” games.

    The International Olympic Committee had already announced all games would be climate-positive from 2030. It said this meant the games would be required to “go beyond” the previous obligation of reducing carbon emissions directly related to their operations and offsetting or otherwise “compensating” for the rest.

    In other words, achieving net-zero was no longer sufficient. Now each organising committee would be legally required to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than the games emit. This is in keeping with the most widely cited definition of climate-positive.

    Both Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 made voluntary pledges. But Brisbane 2032 was the first contractually required to be climate-positive. This was enshrined in the original 2021 Olympic Host Contract, an agreement between the IOC, the State of Queensland, Brisbane City Council and the Australian Olympic Committee.

    But the host contract has quietly changed since. All references to “climate-positive” have been replaced with weaker terminology. The move was not publicly announced. This fits a broader pattern of Olympic Games promising big on sustainability before weakening or abandoning commitments over time.

    A quiet retreat from climate positive

    Research by my team has shown the climate-positive announcement sparked great hope for the future of Brisbane as a regenerative city. We saw Brisbane 2032 as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to radically shift away from the ongoing systemic issues underlying urban development.

    This vision to embrace genuinely sustainable city design centred on fostering circular economies and net positive development. It would have aligned urban development with ecological stewardship. Beyond just mitigating environmental harm, the games could have set a new standard for sustainability by becoming a catalyst to actively regenerate the natural environment.

    Yet, on December 7 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) initiated an addendum to the host contract. It effectively downgraded the games’ sustainability obligations.

    It was signed by Brisbane City Council, the State of Queensland, the Australian Olympic Committee and the IOC between April and May 2024.

    The commitment for the 2032 Brisbane Games to be climate positive has been removed from the Olympic Host Contract.
    International Olympic Committee

    Asked about these amendments, the IOC replied it “took the decision to no longer use the term ‘climate-positive’ when referring to its climate commitments”.

    But the IOC maintains that: “The requirements underpinning this term, however, and our ambition to address the climate crisis, have not changed”.

    It said the terminology was changed to ensure that communications “are transparent and easily understood; that they focus on the actions implemented to reduce carbon emissions; and that they are aligned with best practice and current regulations, as well as the principle of continual improvement”.

    Similarly, a Brisbane 2032 spokesperson told The Conversation the language was changed:

    to ensure we are communicating in a transparent and easily understood manner, following advice from the International Olympic Committee and recommendations of the United Nations and European Union Green Claims Directive, made in 2023.

    Brisbane 2032 will continue to plan, as we always have, to deliver a Games that focus on specific measures to deliver a more sustainable Games.

    But the new wording commits Brisbane 2032 to merely “aiming at removing more carbon from the atmosphere than what the Games project emits”.

    Crucially, this is no longer binding. The new language makes carbon removal an optional goal rather than a contractual requirement.

    A stadium in Victoria Park violates the 2032 Olympic Host Contract location requirements.
    Save Victoria Park, CC BY

    Aiming high, yet falling short

    Olympic Games have adopted increasingly ambitious sustainability rhetoric. Yet, action in the real world typically falls short.

    In our ongoing research with the Politecnico di Torino, Italy, we analysed sustainability commitments since the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. We found they often change over time. Initial promises are either watered down or abandoned altogether due to political, financial, and logistical pressures.

    Construction activities for the Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi, Russia, irreversibly damaged the Western Caucasus – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rio 2016 failed to clean up Guanabara Bay, despite its original pledge to reduce pollutants by 80%. Rio also caused large-scale deforestation and wetland destruction. Ancient forests were cleared for PyeongChang 2018 ski slopes.

    Our research found a persistent gap between sustainability rhetoric and reality. Brisbane 2032 fits this pattern as the original promise of hosting climate-positive games is at risk of reverting to business as usual.

    Victoria Park controversy

    In 2021, a KPMG report for the Queensland government analysed the potential economic, social and environmental benefits of the Brisbane 2032 games.

    It said the government was proposing to deliver the climate-positive commitment required to host the 2032 games through a range of initiatives. This included “repurposing and upgrading existing infrastructure with enhanced green star credentials”.

    But plans for the Olympic stadium have changed a great deal since then. Plans to upgrade the Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as the Gabba, have been replaced by a new stadium to be built in Victoria Park.

    Victoria Park is Brisbane’s largest remaining inner-city green space. It is known to Indigenous peoples as Barrambin (the windy place). It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register due to its great cultural significance.

    Page 90 of the Olympic Host Contract prohibits permanent construction “in statutory nature areas, cultural protected areas and World Heritage sites”.

    Local community groups and environmental advocates have vowed to fight plans for a Victoria Park stadium. This may include a legal challenge.

    The area of Victoria Park (64 hectares) compared with Central Park (341h), Regent’s Park (160h), Bois de Vicennes (995h).
    Save Victoria Park

    What next?

    The climate-positive commitment has been downgraded to an unenforceable aspiration. A new Olympic stadium has been announced in direct violation of the host contract. Will Brisbane 2032 still leave a green legacy?

    Greater transparency and public accountability are needed. Otherwise, the original plan may fall short of the positive legacy it aspired to, before the Olympics even begin.

    Marcus Foth receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He is a Senior Associate with Outside Opinion, a team of experienced academic and research consultants. He is chair of the Principal Body Corporate for the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, chair of Brisbane Flight Path Community Alliance, and a member of the Queensland Greens.

    – ref. Brisbane 2032 is no longer legally bound to be ‘climate positive’. Will it still leave a green legacy? – https://theconversation.com/brisbane-2032-is-no-longer-legally-bound-to-be-climate-positive-will-it-still-leave-a-green-legacy-246672

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Uncertainty and pessimism abound. Will fear be enough to push Dutton into office?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University

    Tony Abbott was once unelectable. So were Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.

    And so was Peter Dutton, not so long ago. But opinion polls over much of 2024 and early 2025 indicated otherwise, and a nightly assault of pre-election political advertising – as my wife and I watched reruns of Law & Order: Criminal Intent – suggested that the Liberals had done their research and needed to humanise their man.

    Devotees of Detectives Goren and Eames in that venerable program were able to enjoy briefly reviewing Detective Senior Constable Dutton’s time as a Queensland cop, as well as his splendid business career (which has received some closer scrutiny since) and his more recent meeting and greeting of ordinary Australians as a likeable everyman and all-round good guy.

    The ad sometimes played twice in a particular break: the saturation coverage suggested that the Liberals had done rather well with donors. Unfortunately for Dutton, we later gained a deeper insight into the very high priority he attaches to rattling the can for the Liberal Party. Dutton’s decision to attend a fundraiser in Sydney while a cyclone was descending on Queensland did him immense damage, recalling his predecessor’s “I don’t hold a hose, mate” response to the Black Summer bushfires of 2020-21.

    If historical precedent is any guide, Dutton’s task should be somewhere between formidable and impossible. When Australians elect their national governments, they can normally assume they are doing so for at least two terms. The last one-termer was the Labor government of James Scullin, elected in October 1929 and sent into oblivion via an election held a few days before Christmas in 1931.

    Scullin was a victim of the century’s greatest international economic crisis; governments everywhere faltered or disintegrated under similar pressures. The economic challenges faced by the present Labor government have been more modest. But will it suffer a similar fate to Scullin’s Depression-era administration?

    Normally, the rarity of one-termers might have provided Anthony Albanese with a measure of reassurance. But we live in an era where historical precedent seems to count for little.

    That was clear enough even at the 2022 election. It was unprecedented in several respects. There was nothing resembling the atmosphere of excitement of 1972, 1983 and 2007 – or, for that matter, 1929 – which had brought Labor governments to power from opposition and awarded them solid or large majorities.

    Labor’s majority on the floor of the House of Representatives following the 2022 election was piddling – a mere three seats, and just two after the election of a speaker. Its primary vote was about 32%. It won just five of the 30 available seats in the third most populous Australian state, Queensland.

    There had never been a Labor victory like this one. Its exceptionalism haunts Labor’s efforts to gain re-election in 2025.

    Labor won in 2022 rather like many state Labor oppositions have won in recent decades. The margin was narrow. The unpopularity of a government, and its leader, was there to be exploited. Again and again, state Labor oppositions have fallen over the line at an initial election, sometimes able only to form minority government: Bob Carr, Mike Rann, Peter Beattie, Steve Bracks and Annastacia Palaszczuk were all examples.

    Voters seemed at best grudging in their support, but enough were willing to give Labor a go and then look over the results when a new election came round a few years later. In each case, governments were able to consolidate, sometimes winning landslide victories by establishing their credentials, exploiting incumbency, and building new constituencies.

    There were signs Albanese might do the same after May 2022. His slim three-seat majority became a five-seat advantage when Labor’s Mary Doyle won the Aston byelection on April 1 2023 – a seat deep in the traditional Liberal heartland. As late as the Dunkley byelection of March 2 2024, also in Melbourne, the base of electoral support that had seen Albanese into office almost two years before looked to be more or less intact.

    Part of the problem for the Coalition seemed to lie with Dutton himself. Would Australians vote for him? Or to put it more precisely: would the kinds of voters in the mainland capital cities who had turned so sharply against Scott Morrison in 2022 shift their votes to a figure as conservative and as bleak as Dutton?

    That bleakness always struck me as being a bigger problem than the conservatism. Australians routinely elect conservative prime ministers. They elected Malcolm Fraser when they thought he was a conservative (as indeed he was). Then they elected him twice more. They elected John Howard, who had proudly called himself the Liberal Party’s most conservative leader ever. Then they elected him another three times. They elected Abbott, even if buyer’s remorse quickly followed. They elected Morrison when the Coalition had seemed dead in the water.

    But leaders such as Howard and Morrison were much more optimistic than Dutton. They both seemed to think Australia was a pretty good place full of pretty good people and that all things being equal, the future was likely to be pretty good too while there were pretty good blokes in charge (but, of course, it would be much better under a Coalition government, which had the best blokes).

    Abbott, to be sure, was more pessimistic – his description of the Syrian conflict as a struggle between “baddies” and “baddies”, and his references to “death cults”, said more about his habit of reducing complexity to melodrama than it did about that Middle East. Yet Abbott’s outlook, at least as expressed publicly while in office, was nowhere near as dismal as Dutton’s.

    For Dutton, the enemy is close to home, menacing us in the dark. His bleakness is in a league of its own.

    Lech Blaine’s portrait in his Quarterly Essay Bad Cop was convincing: Dutton was a man formed and perhaps damaged by his experience as a policeman, and a political hardman in the habit of painting whole groups of people – commonly politically vulnerable – as a threat to society. Dutton evokes a vision of good people besieged by bad, of the decent and law-abiding as in constant danger of being swamped by the immoral and the criminal – or possibly mugged on their way home from a Melbourne restaurant.

    As 2024 unfolded, no one doubted there was sufficient dissatisfaction with Labor building, especially in many outer Australian suburbs, to do the government serious damage at an election. Persistently high interest rates had increased the cost of a mortgage. Inflation had moderated, but living standards had taken a beating. The chattering classes started talking of the inevitability of minority government, but they usually meant minority Labor government. Then they started talking about minority Coalition government, as the polls turned nastier for Labor.

    Labor spirits have revived in recent weeks after Dutton’s missteps over Cyclone Alfred, a comfortable victory in the Western Australian election, and opinion polling that shows the ALP ahead on a two-party preferred count. Still, uncertainty abounds.

    Albanese often campaigned poorly last time: will he again falter? Dutton, meanwhile, is untested as leader in an election campaign, has little policy on the table, and has a habit of going missing when there are hard questions to be answered.

    For me, the key to this election is whether there is a sufficient number of voters, concentrated in the right places, who share enough of Dutton’s pessimism about their own circumstances and, to a lesser extent, about the general state of the country. If, indeed, there is enough congruence between Dutton’s bleakness and theirs, Australia may well have a new government and a new prime minister by winter.

    But Dutton’s blessed run might well have now come to an end. Inflation has moderated, the Reserve Bank has made a cut to interest rates, and a sense of scepticism seems to have settled in about Dutton among voters taking a serious look at him as a potential prime minister a few weeks ago.

    He now looks more like Old Mother Hubbard with a bare policy cupboard, desperately seeking to shore up the hard right vote against depredations from Pauline Hanson and Clive Palmer, than Australia’s answer to Donald Trump.

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

    – ref. Uncertainty and pessimism abound. Will fear be enough to push Dutton into office? – https://theconversation.com/uncertainty-and-pessimism-abound-will-fear-be-enough-to-push-dutton-into-office-247360

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anne Twomey, Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney

    Now that the election has been called for May 3, parliament has been dissolved and the caretaker government period has commenced. During this period, the caretaker conventions require the government to exercise self-restraint. It must stick to routine government business and not embark on major new commitments.

    There are commonly claims in the media that various actions by the government breach the caretaker conventions. Before the accusations start flying, here are the basics to help you make your own assessment.

    Why do we have caretaker conventions?

    There are two reasons for caretaker conventions. First, once parliament is dissolved, the government can no longer be called to account by parliament. It should therefore be more restrained in its actions while not under parliamentary scrutiny.

    Second, as a matter of fairness, the government should not be entering into binding commitments immediately before an election, if they will burden an incoming government. It is unfair for an outgoing government to stack important statutory positions with its own people or enter into contracts that commit a new government to policies it opposes.

    When do the caretaker conventions apply?

    The caretaker conventions commence from the moment parliament is dissolved. They continue until the election result shows the existing government has been returned to office or a new government is formed.

    If there is a hung parliament, it may take a few weeks before we know who will form the new government. If important matters have to be resolved during that prolonged caretaker period, the opposition may be consulted to try to get a cooperative outcome. The existing government, however, retains full legal power to act at all times.

    How do the caretaker conventions restrict government actions?

    Before each federal election, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet issues a document called Guidance on Caretaker Conventions. It sets out the rules for ministers and public servants.

    During the caretaker period, a government must avoid:

    • making major policy decisions that are likely to commit an incoming government
    • making significant appointments
    • entering into major contracts or undertakings, such as entry into treaties or other international agreements.

    Whether a decision, appointment or policy is major, is a matter of judgement. In making this assessment, consideration is given to whether it is likely to be controversial or a matter of contention between the government and the opposition. The cost of the decision and its impact on future resources and policies will also be considered.

    Both the government and the opposition can still, of course, make election commitments about future action. The caretaker conventions only apply to actions taken within the caretaker period. They also do not apply to decisions made and actions taken before the caretaker period commenced, even if they are only announced after it has commenced.

    The public service and the caretaker period

    Rules have also developed on the fair use of the public service and public resources before and after elections. Technically, these are not part of the caretaker conventions, which concern self-restraint by ministers. But because they concern fairness in relation to elections, they are often lumped in with the caretaker conventions and they are included within the official guidance document.

    These rules are based upon obligations imposed on public servants by statutes and other instruments, such as the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth), and APS Code of Conduct. They require public servants to behave in an impartial and apolitical manner. They also require that public resources not be used to advantage political parties during an election campaign.

    It is also customary to restrict the use of government advertising during the caretaker period to necessary matters, and those that do not highlight the role of ministers or promote the achievements or policies of the government.

    Two recent examples show how these rules can become controversial during an election campaign. In 2013, the Rudd Labor government was criticised by the opposition for breaching the caretaker conventions by running ads, within Australia, about asylum-seekers not being settled in Australia. The ads were reluctantly approved by public servants under a ministerial direction that they were obliged to obey.

    The opposition was happy for the ads to be run in overseas countries, as a source of information and deterrence, but regarded their publication in Australia as partisan and breaching the rules. Opposition spokesperson Scott Morrison called it a “shameless and desperate” grab for votes, with the government spending taxpayers’ money to advertise to the vote-people, rather than the boat people.

    On the day of the 2022 election, the Morrison Coalition government instructed the Department of Home Affairs to publish a statement that a boat containing asylum seekers had been intercepted.

    It requested that this information be emailed immediately to journalists and tweeted by the Australian Border Force. The issue was highly political. Prime Minister Scott Morrison told a press conference before any announcement had been made that:

    I’ve been here to stop this boat. But in order for me to be here to stop those that may come from here, you need to vote Liberals and Nationals today.

    Officials published a factual statement about the boat, because they were required to act as directed by the minister. But, as a subsequent investigation revealed, they refused requests to amplify the controversy by sending material to journalists and to publish it on social media, as this would breach their obligations to be apolitical.

    Who enforces the caretaker conventions?

    The caretaker conventions are not legally binding and cannot be enforced by a court. But some governors-general have given effect to the conventions by deferring action on anything that would breach them. Then, when the election is over, a new government can decide whether to proceed with the matter.

    Breaches by public servants of their obligations under codes of conduct and the Public Service Act can have real consequences, such as disciplinary action being taken against them.

    While conventions are not legally enforceable, they ordinarily work because there is agreement among political actors that these rules are fair and politically binding on them. Controversy in the media about breaches of conventions can raise public anger. Punishment is left in the hands of the voters.

    Anne Twomey has received funding from the Australian Research Council and occasionally does consultancy work for governments, parliaments and inter-governmental bodies.

    – ref. What are caretaker conventions and how do they limit governments during election periods? – https://theconversation.com/what-are-caretaker-conventions-and-how-do-they-limit-governments-during-election-periods-251366

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Show your working: how the ‘open science’ movement tackles scientific misconduct

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Danny Kingsley, Visiting Fellow, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University

    VTT Studio/Shutterstock

    In December 2001, a small but lively meeting in Budapest, Hungary, launched a whole new international movement. The resulting Budapest Open Access Initiative opened with the words: “An old tradition and a new technology have converged to make possible an unprecedented public good”.

    This was the first definition of open access and referred to harnessing the internet to make scientific research openly available, without a subscription. It was a “statement of principle, a statement of strategy, and a statement of commitment”.

    More than two decades later, the open access movement has broadened beyond simply research articles. It now incorporates research data, protocols, software and all aspects of the research process. The universal term for this is “open science”.

    With its focus on transparency, open science offers part of the solution to the growing problem of scientific misconduct.

    A system that enables misconduct

    Academic institutions and researchers are focused on a very narrow set of metrics for success. These come down to authorship on a publication being the most valued currency in academia because this is the primary measure towards career progression and academic prestige.

    Another industry resulting from these metrics is the international university ranking systems. These are run by commercial organisations that publish lists of universities, which in turn promote their institution as being in the “top X%” of whichever list they have done well in.

    Despite widespread criticism, these systems continue to give institutions incentive to reward their academics for publishing in certain journals for the purpose of raising their rank.

    With its focus on transparency, open science offers part of the solution to the growing problem of scientific misconduct.
    ssi77/Shutterstock

    This “publish or perish” push is undermining science.

    For example, it has opened up several exploitative industries, such as predatory publishers. These are entities that exploit authors by charging fees for publication without providing adequate editorial services.

    Also on the rise are covert entities known as “paper mills”, which manufacture academic articles (either using a human or a machine) and submit them to journals on behalf of paying researchers. This causes serious issues for editors who need to work through an increasing number of rubbish articles to choose which ones are genuine before sending them out for review by other researchers.

    These paper mills create major problems for the scientific record. Some experts believe they are also illegal.

    Many of the current problems with research integrity were highlighted by a 2024 study, which estimated that as many as one in seven papers is based on suspect data. A whole new area of research called forensic scientometrics has developed to try to identify some of these questionable publishing practices.

    Science does have a way of correcting itself through retractions, where a problematic paper is withdrawn from the journal and a retraction notice put up instead. But identifying problem papers is only part of the solution. For example, one 2024 study found less than 5% of all papers identified as retracted were actually removed from journal websites.

    University ranking systems give institutions incentive to reward their academics for publishing in certain journals.
    Olga Kashubin/Shutterstock

    Working openly improves science

    So how can making science more open and transparent help?

    When we talk about research integrity, we often look to the integrity of the researcher – expecting them to show “moral character”. However, ultimately it is the integrity of the research itself that really matters.

    Working in an open environment helps research integrity in several ways.

    Making the data used for the work freely available means the work can be better scrutinised. This is something that would have helped prevent the publication of the now-retracted study in The Lancet examining whether the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine was effective at treating COVID. The study was retracted after investigations revealed the data the research was based on was deeply flawed and unable to be verified.

    Requiring clinical trials to be registered means drug studies that are unfavourable or show no effect cannot be buried.

    Reviewing the “instruction manuals” of how research studies are going to be conducted, called the protocols, before the studies are undertaken also ensures more rigorous research. That’s because the quality of the protocols determines the robustness of the work.

    These are just a few of the ways open science creates an environment where poor research practice is much harder to undertake.

    Working openly won’t necessarily stop bad actors. But it will make it much harder for them to operate without being noticed.

    A true paradigm shift

    A 2022 study on open access policies in Australian universities showed only 50% had an open access policy at the time, even though this is a requirement under the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

    Despite this, there is some hope for open science in Australia.

    For example, in 2024, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia convened a roundtable event to discuss how to transition to a fair and equitable open research system. This led to the formation of the National Open Science Taskforce, which is currently co-ordinating open activity in Australia.

    Internationally, the European Union was an early advocate for open science, beginning work on the European Open Science Cloud in 2015.

    Individual European countries are forging ahead, with The Netherlands having a National Open Science program and Ireland launching its National Framework on the Transition to an Open Research Environment in 2019.

    The EU-funded Open and Universal Science is being implemented by a consortium of 18 organisations across the world. It’s due to be completed this year.

    Countries worldwide also submitted their first reports last month on their implementation of the 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science.

    Open science is a radical departure from traditional research practices. As the summary report of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia’s roundtable event says, transitioning to it requires “a true paradigm and cultural shift”.

    But for the sake of improving research integrity, this shift is urgently needed.

    Danny Kingsley is a member of the National Open Science Taskforce, a Board member of FORCE11 (Future of Research Communications and eScholarship) and a member of the Royal Society Advisory Group on the Future of Scientific Publishing.

    – ref. Show your working: how the ‘open science’ movement tackles scientific misconduct – https://theconversation.com/show-your-working-how-the-open-science-movement-tackles-scientific-misconduct-249020

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fatal crash, Oparau, Otorohanga

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    One person has died after a single-vehicle crash on Kawhia Road, Oparau, last night.

    Emergency services were called to the scene about 8.45pm.

    The sole occupant died at the scene.

    The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Valley Medical Center Layoffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    03.30.25

    Cantwell Statement on Valley Medical Center Layoffs

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, gave the following statement regarding the 101 recent layoffs at Valley Medical Center in Renton:

    “Hospitals in Washington state rely heavily on stable Medicaid funding. I urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to quickly approve Washington state’s 2025 application for the Safety Net Assessment Program so our hospitals can continue to provide care for the most vulnerable.. The necessity of this program shows how hospitals are already struggling to keep pace with costs – and Congressional Republicans’ plan to slash up to $880 billion from Medicaid would be devastating for patients and hospitals. We should not be giving hospitals another reason to worry when they are busy providing lifesaving care.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious crash, Wairere Road, Hamilton

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on Wairere Road, Queenwood, Hamilton.

    Police were called about 7.12am. 

    Initial indications are there have been serious injuries. 

    Diversions will be in place, and motorists are asked to avoid the area.

    ENDS 

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –