NewzIntel.com

Category: United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Secretary reacts to GDP for July 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Ian Murray says difficult short-term decisions must be made for long-term gain

    The latest Scottish GDP stats are published here this morning for the month of July.

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray says that although the 0.3% growth for the month is encouraging, tough short-term decisions are still required for long-term improvement.

    He said:

    Economic growth is one of the key missions of the UK Government and Scotland is at the heart of that, as the Prime Minister underlined yesterday when he confirmed that GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen. Backed by £8.3bn of UK Government investment, it will bring jobs and opportunity for all parts of the UK.

    We inherited a dire fiscal situation from the previous government, as well as an industrial one, and that requires tough decisions that are hard in the short term, but the right thing for the country in the long term.

    Right now, we are making work pay, ensuring the national minimum wage is a true living wage, and we’re ending exploitative zero-hours contracts so workers have increased job security. At next month’s International Investment Summit, we will forge stronger links with our global business partners, all to achieve the growth that’s vital for economic stability.

    Background

    • Scotland’s onshore GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.3% in July. This follows 0.0% change in June (revised up from -0.3%).

    • In the three months to July GDP is estimated to have grown by 0.3%. This is a decrease compared to the Quarter 2 (April to June) growth rate of 0.6%.  

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: What is Thorp?

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant on the Sellafield site in West Cumbria.

    What is Thorp?

    Today, the ponds inside the Thermal Oxide Reprocessing Plant (or as we like to call it, Thorp) are used to store nuclear fuel that has been used in the UK’s 7 operational nuclear reactors.

    Before taking on this new mission, Thorp reprocessed 9,000 tonnes of used nuclear fuel from around the world, generating an estimated £9 billion in revenue for the UK over 2 decades.

    The parts of the plant that were used to reprocess used fuel are called ‘chemical separation’ and are currently going through a process called Post Operational Clean Out (POCO).

    A pulse column used in the chemical separation process

    This stage sees our teams removing any remaining radioactive and non-radioactive materials from the plant and is the first stage of decommissioning.

    In this case study we’ll share:

    • How we’re helping to keep the UK’s lights on by safely looking after used nuclear fuel.
    • The history of one of the biggest nuclear buildings on the Sellafield site.

    Thorp is helping to keep the UK’s lights on

    Even though it’s original reprocessing mission came to an end in 2018, Thorp continues to key role in the UK’s energy strategy.

    Ponds inside the plant that were originally used to store spent oxide fuel before it was reprocessed have been modified so that they can store Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) fuel.

    By doing this Thorp:

    Supports electricity generation in the UK

    With limited interim storage at the AGR reactor sites, spent fuel is transferred to the Sellafield site. This is crucial in enabling continued nuclear reactor operation and electricity generation within the UK.

    Supports with the bulk-defueling of AGR reactors

    As the fleet of 7 UK AGR power stations start come to the end of their operational life, Thorp is also playing a key role in assisting with the bulk defueling (similar to refuelling a reactor but new fuel isn’t put back in) of the reactors before they are decommissioned.

    As of September 2024, 3 of the reactors (Hunterston B, Hinkley Point B and Dungeness B) have ceased generating and begun defueling.

    All other reactors are expected to have completed their defueling operations by the early 2030s.

    At this point there will no longer be new commercial nuclear fuel being received into the ponds.

    Making changes to Thorp’s receipt and storage ponds

    Our teams have been working to make some changes and improvements to Thorp’s receipt and storage pond so that used nuclear fuel can be stored safely for longer.

    The receipt and storage area in Thorp

    Storage

    The Thorp receipt and storage ponds hold the same volume of water as 20 Olympic sized swimming pools. Although large, its storage capacity is finite.

    The solution has been the development and deployment of a new design of fuel can storage racks. Because these new racks are taller but have a smaller footprint than the previous design, they can hold 6,000 tonnes of fuel each. That’s more than 50% more fuel than the previous design.

    Fuel that was already being stored in the pond is being transferred into the new storage racks and all future fuel receipts will be stored in this way.

    The 63 can rack

    Thorp’s history

    Thorp’s story started back in the mid-1970s when a new fleet of nuclear reactors came online and used oxide fuels rather than Magnox fuel. Thorp was designed to reprocess this fuel after it had been used inside the reactors.

    Planning and construction of Thorp (1974 to 1988)

    1974 to 1978

    • For 100 days in 1977, a public inquiry – The Windscale Inquiry – looked at the implications of building Thorp.

    1978

    • The government approved the construction of Thorp.
    • This new building at Sellafield would stretch over a third of mile, housing the facilities needed to reprocess oxide fuel under one roof.

    1981

    • Site clearance and construction began. Thorp was one of the largest and most complex construction projects in Europe, rivalled only by the Channel Tunnel and Disneyland Paris.

    1984

    • Major civil work began.
    • The construction project dominated the site, and the local area. Local towns and villages were filled with the thousands of construction workers required to make this one-stop shop a reality.
    • It was one of the biggest construction projects of its times and saw more than 5,000 people on site and a further 10,000 roles in the supply chain.

    1988

    • The receipt and storage pond opened, taking receipt of the first batch of irradiated fuel.
    • The pond is the size of 20 Olympic swimming pools, at 73m long, 23m wide and 8m deep.

    1993

    • Following a further major Government review of the viability of the project, Thorp was given permission to operate.

    Thorp operations (1994 to 2018)

    1994

    • Thorp reprocessing facility becomes operational with the first batch of fuel sheared.
    • Shearing is where nuclear fuel is cut into pieces at the beginning of the reprocessing cycle.

    1997

    • Thorp is fully operational and has 34 customers in nine different countries.

    2005

    • The plant temporarily closed due to pipe failure in the feed clarification cell.

    2011

    • The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority started to consider the credible options for the future of Thorp, looking at safety, cost, technical and performance risks.

    2012

    • 7,000 tonnes of fuel have now been reprocessed.
    • The decision is made to close Thorp in 2018 when existing contracts have been completed.

    2018

    • The last batch of fuel to be reprocessed began its journey through the plant at 11.32am on Friday 9 November.
    • Over its lifetime, Thorp reprocessed 9,000 tonnes of fuel from around the world, generating an estimated £9 billion in revenue for the UK during its lifetime.

    Further reading and sources

    What is reprocessing?

    New era at Sellafield as Thorp reprocessing ends

    End in sight for reprocessing nuclear fuel at Sellafield

    Operational power stations

    The Sellafield Magazine – issue 8

    The Sellafield Magazine – issue 6

    Overview of the Production and Management of Radioactive Waste in the UK – fact sheet (nda.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Installed: the Sellafield space saver set to save billions

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The first fuel has been placed into a space-saving storage rack at Sellafield set to save billions of pounds.

    Known as the 63-can rack, the container allows the Thorp pond to store 50% more spent nuclear fuel.

    That means Sellafield can safely store all the fuel expected from the UK’s currently operational nuclear power stations.

    Without the rack, a new storage pond would have to be built, potentially costing billions of pounds.

    The rethink was required because Thorp needs to store more fuel than previously thought.

    That’s because the UK no longer reprocesses spent fuel, but instead stores it underwater prior to disposal.

    The 63 can rack

    Roddy Miller, Sellafield Ltd’s nuclear operations director, said:

    From the birth of the nuclear industry in the 1940s, Sellafield has always proudly served the nation.

    These days, our job is to create a clean and safe environment for future generations by safely managing our nuclear legacy.

    This includes receiving and storing the UK’s spent nuclear fuel, helping EDF Energy to continue generating low carbon electricity for homes and businesses.

    Since the change of approach to managing spent fuel, it was clear we would need to innovate to be able to safely store everything we need to in the Thorp pond.

    These racks will increase fuel capacity from 4,000 tonnes to 6,000 tonnes, meaning we can accommodate all current and future arising, negating the need for a new storage facility.

    It’s a great example of collaboration between ourselves, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Group, EDF Energy, and our supply chain. Everyone involved should be proud of their contribution.

    The rack has been 16 years in the making and represents a success story for UK manufacturing.

    Weighing 7 tonnes and standing 5.5 metres high, the stainless steel containers are being built by a consortium of Cumbrian manufacturers and Stoke-based Goodwin International.

    Between them, they will manufacture 160 racks. Another 340 racks will be needed in the future.

    It’s a key contract for Carlisle-based Bendalls Engineering and Workington’s West Cumbria Engineering, who head up the Cumbria Manufacturing Alliance making half the racks.

    Transfers of fuel from the old containers into the new racks started during the summer.

    Operators who previously fed fuel into the reprocessing system are now placing fuel into the new racks.

    Because fuel will be stored for longer than was originally intended, the pond has required other alterations including raising the pH level to avoid corrosion and installing new cooling capacity.

    More information

    Case study -Thorp

    Made in Cumbria: the nuclear storage solution set to ‘rack-up’ the savings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recovered appeal: land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road, Cambridge (ref: 3328390 – 25 September 2024)

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Decision letter and Inspector’s Report for a recovered appeal application.

    Applies to England

    Documents

    Recovered appeal: land between Huntingdon Road and Histon Road, Cambridge (known as Darwin Green phases 2 and 3) (ref: 3328390 – 25 September 2024)

    PDF, 1.15 MB, 150 pages

    Details

    Decision letter and Inspector’s Report for a recovered appeal outline application for up to 1,000 residential dwellings, secondary school, primary school, community facilities, retail uses, open space and landscaped areas, associated engineering, demolition and infrastructure works.

    Updates to this page

    Published 25 September 2024

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Dutton’s nuclear plan would mean propping up coal for at least 12 more years – and we don’t know what it would cost

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Deputy Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute

    Opposition leader Peter Dutton has revealed the Coalition’s nuclear energy plan relies on many of Australia’s coal-fired power stations running for at least another 12 years – far beyond the time frame officials expect the ageing facilities to last.

    The claim has set off a new round of speculation over the Coalition’s plans – the viability of which has already been widely questioned by energy analysts.

    Dutton offered up limited detail in a speech on Monday. He also revealed the plan relies on ramping up Australia’s gas production.

    It seems increasingly clear the Coalition’s nuclear policy would prolong Australia’s reliance on coal, at a time when the world is rapidly moving to cleaner sources of power.

    Coal: old and tired

    The Coalition wants to build nuclear reactors on the sites of closed coal plants. It says the first reactors could come online by the mid-2030s. However, independent analysis shows the earliest they could be built is the 2040s.

    Now it appears the Coalition’s plan involves relying on coal to provide electricity while nuclear reactors are being built. On Monday, Dutton suggested coal-fired electricity would be available into the 2030s and ‘40s.

    But this is an overly optimistic reading of coal’s trajectory. The Australian Energy Market Operator says 90% of coal-fired power in the National Electricity Market will close by 2035.

    All this suggests the Coalition plans to extend the life of existing coal plants. But this is likely to cost money. Australia’s coal-fired power stations are old and unreliable – that’s why their owners want to shut them down. To keep plants open means potentially operating them at a loss, while having to invest in repairs and upgrades.

    This is why coal plant owners sought, and received, payments from state governments to delay exits when the renewables rollout began falling behind schedule.

    So who would wear the cost of delaying coal’s retirement? It might be energy consumers if state governments decide to recoup the costs via electricity bills. Or it could be taxpayers, through higher taxes, reduced services or increased government borrowing. In other words, we will all have to pay, just from different parts of our personal budgets.

    Labor’s energy plan also relies on continued use of coal. Dutton pointed to moves by the New South Wales and Victorian governments to extend the life of coal assets in those states. For example, the NSW Labor government struck a deal with Origin to keep the Eraring coal station open for an extra two years, to 2027.

    However, this is a temporary measure to keep the electricity system reliable because the renewables build is behind schedule. It is not a defining feature of the plan.

    Eraring was given a two year extension.

    New transmission is essential under either plan

    Dutton claims Labor’s renewable energy transition will require a massive upgrade to transmission infrastructure. The transmission network largely involves high-voltage lines and towers, and transformers.

    He claims the Coalition can circumvent this cost by building nuclear power plants on seven sites of old coal-fired power stations, and thus use existing transmission infrastructure.

    Labor’s shift to renewable energy does require new transmission infrastructure, to get electricity from far-flung wind and solar farms to towns and cities. It’s also true that building nuclear power stations at the site of former coal plants would, in theory, make use of existing transmission lines, although the owners of some of these sites have firmly declined the opportunity.

    But even if the Coalition’s nuclear plan became a reality, new transmission infrastructure would be needed.

    Australia’s electricity demand is set to surge in coming decades as we move to electrify our homes, transport and heavy industry. This will require upgrades to transmission infrastructure, because it will have to carry more electricity. Many areas of the network are already at capacity.

    So in reality, both Labor’s and the Coalition’s policies are likely to require substantial spending on transmission.

    Gas is not an easy answer

    Both Labor and the Coalition acknowledge a big role for gas in their respective plans.

    Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen says gas, along with storage, is needed to help back up to the grid, when solar and wind farms are not producing electricity.

    Dutton spoke of plans “to ramp up domestic gas production” in the short term, “to get power prices down and restore stability to our grid” – presumably until nuclear comes online.

    But the issue isn’t a lack of gas. It’s that the gas is in the wrong places. There’s a gas shortage because southern reserves are declining and all the gas production is in the north of the continent.

    An increased role for gas means getting someone to pay for new infrastructure, such as pipelines or LNG terminals. That will make for expensive gas, and expensive gas means expensive electricity.

    Many unanswered questions

    It’s now three months since the Coalition released its nuclear strategy. Detail was thin then – and Monday’s speech shed little light.

    Many unanswered questions remain – chief among them, costings of the nuclear plan, and how much of that will be born by government. CSIRO says a nuclear reactor would cost at least A$8.6 billion.

    We also don’t know how the Coalition would acquire the sites, or get around nuclear bans in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

    We still don’t know how the Coalition plans to keep the lights on in the coming decade, as coal exits.

    And crucially, we don’t know what it will cost households and businesses. It is unlikely to be cheap.

    Alison Reeve does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article. Since 2008, Grattan Institute has been supported in its work by government, corporations, and philanthropic gifts. A full list of supporters is published at www.grattan.edu.au.

    – ref. Dutton’s nuclear plan would mean propping up coal for at least 12 more years – and we don’t know what it would cost – https://theconversation.com/duttons-nuclear-plan-would-mean-propping-up-coal-for-at-least-12-more-years-and-we-dont-know-what-it-would-cost-239720

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pawtucket’s Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy recommended for a national award to expand arts participation

    Source: US State of Rhode Island

    Providence, RI � The New England Foundation (NEFA) for the Arts joined the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to announce 112 organizations, including 13 organizations in New England, have been recommended for awards under a new pilot program called ArtsHERE. The R.I. State Council on the Arts (RISCA) reported that only grantees from Rhode Island is Pawtucket’s Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy (PRIAA).

    The arts and advocacy organization was chosen from an applicant pool of more than 4,000 nationwide and recommended for an award of $101,400. All the applications were reviewed by multiple review panels including the applicant’s organizational size and capacity-building project, alignment with the program’s commitment to equity, and engagement with historically underserved communities.

    The Puerto Rican Institute for Arts and Advocacy will use the funding to assist with strategic planning, staff training, community engagement, marketing, and partnerships with heritage organizations and a network for the apprenticeship program.

    Founded in 1994, PRIAA is dedicated to promoting and facilitating civic and cultural awareness of the Puerto Rican culture, as well as other Latino/a/x heritages, through performance, workshops, visual art, literature, crafts and the Afro-ancestral arts. By bringing the best of the Caribbean arts and authentic folklore to Rhode Island and the New England region, PRIAA advocates for cultures that contribute to the social, political and economic well-being of an entire nation. https://www.priaa-ri.org.

    “The National Endowment for the Arts is thrilled to provide resources to a group of exceptional organizations through ArtsHERE, a program to help deepen meaningful and lasting arts engagement in underserved communities,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Everyone should be able to live an artful life, and ArtsHERE is an important step in ensuring we are strengthening our nation’s arts ecosystem to make this a reality.”

    “We are excited to celebrate the 13 grant recipients’ projects in our region, along with many others across the country, that will expand access to arts participation. We are grateful to work on this important pilot initiative with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Wallace Foundation, and our RAO colleagues,” shared NEFA executive director Harold Steward.

    “On behalf of the arts and culture community in Rhode Island, we want to thank the NEA, NEFA, Wallace Foundation and our Congressional delegation for this new innovative program and their ongoing support for arts and culture, one of our state’s key economic drivers. Congratulations to the PRIAA on receiving national attention for the important work they do and continue to do preserving and perpetuating Puerto Rican culture in Rhode Island and beyond. Investments in critical cultural organizations like PRIAA fosters a robust and diverse cultural ecosystem in Rhode Island, leading to economically prosperous and civically engaged communities,” said Todd Trebour, RISCA’s Executive Director.

    Managed by South Arts, the NEA announced the ArtsHERE pilot grant program in 2023 in recognition that engaging in the arts is essential to individual, social, civic, and economic well-being and in response to President Biden’s Executive Order that put forward a government-wide effort to advance equity for all Americans.

    A partnership with South Arts and in collaboration with the other five U.S. Regional Arts Organizations, the organization suggested for grants demonstrated commitment to equity within their practices and programming. The grants range from $65,000 to $130,000 and more than $12.4 million, will fund projects to strengthen the organizations’ capacity to sustain meaningful community engagement and increase arts participation for underserved groups and communities. Grant recipients will also take part in peer-learning and technical assistance opportunities, and the NEA will report on lessons learned from this initiative.

    Recommended grant recipients are from all 50 states, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. ArtsHERE aims to address disparities in arts participation through grants that help organizations better serve and reach their communities.

    ArtsHERE is also supported by The Wallace Foundation through matching funds to the Regional Arts Organizations in support of this program.

    National Endowment for the Arts, established by Congress in 1965 is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing equitable opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

    New England Foundation for the Arts invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation. NEFA accomplishes this by granting funds to artists and cultural organizations; connecting them to each other and their audiences; and analyzing their economic contributions. NEFA serves as a regional partner for the National Endowment for the Arts, New England’s state arts agencies, and private foundations. Learn more at www.nefa.org.

    South Arts advances Southern vitality through the arts. The nonprofit regional arts organization was founded in 1975 to build on the South’s unique heritage and enhance the public value of the arts. South Arts’ work responds to the arts environment and cultural trends with a regional perspective. South Arts offers an annual portfolio of activities designed to support the success of artists and arts providers in the South, address the needs of Southern communities through impactful arts-based programs, and celebrate the excellence, innovation, value and power of the arts of the South. For more information, visit www.southarts.org.

    Rhode Island State Council on the Arts (RISCA) is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders. To learn more, visit www.arts.ri.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

    The United States Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs)�Arts Midwest, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, South Arts, and Western States Arts Federation�are a collective of six nonprofit arts service organizations committed to strengthening America’s infrastructure by increasing access to creativity for all Americans. They serve the nation’s artists, arts and culture organizations, and creative communities with programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the field in which they work. They partner with the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts agencies, individuals, and other public and private funders to develop and deliver programs, services, and products that advance arts and creativity.

    Together, the USRAOs work to activate and operate national arts initiatives, encourage and support collaboration across regions, states, and communities, and maximize the coordination of public and private resources invested in arts programs. In Fiscal Year 2023, they invested over $18.4 million across the United States and Jurisdictions, through nearly 2,400 grants that reached more than 1,000 communities. For more information, visit usregionalarts.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is in his interest alone – to expand his mafia state into a mafia empire”: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the UN Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.

    Location:
    United Nations, New York
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    President Zelenskyy, the UK commends you not only for standing up for your people but for standing up for democracy.

    Seeing you in Kyiv a few weeks ago with Secretary Blinken I saw ordinary people from all walks of life. The soldiers and the civilians. The firefighters and the first responders.

    The mothers and the fathers working together in defence of freedom. Your bravery and courage is an inspiration to us all.

    But Mr. President, I also want to speak directly to the Kremlin and its representative here today. And Vladimir Putin. 

    Russia sits on this Council. But its actions tear up the UN Charter.

    Russia sits on this Council. But over the weekend we saw it put forward amendments designed to wreck the UN’s future.

    Russia claims to stand for the Global South. But it runs roughshod over international law.

    Vladimir Putin, when you fire missiles into Ukraine hospitals. We know who you are. 

    When you send mercenaries into African countries. We know who you are.

    When you murder opponents in European cities. We know who you are.

    Your invasion is in your own interests. Yours alone. To expand your mafia state into a mafia empire. An empire built on corruption.

    Robbing from the Russian people as well as Ukraine. An empire built on crushing dissent. Courageous opponents like Navalny. 

    An empire built on lies. Spreading disinformation at home and abroad to sow disorder.

    Mr President, I speak not only as a Briton, as a Londoner, and as a Foreign Secretary.

    But I say to the Russian representative, on his phone as I speak, that I stand here also as a black man whose ancestors were taken in chains from Africa, at the barrel of a gun to be enslaved, whose ancestors rose up and fought in a great rebellion of the enslaved. 

    Imperialism. I know it when I see it. And I will call it out for what it is.

    In this week, when I’m here talking to other partners around the world about our shared futures, and the future of the UN, Russia is trying to return us to a world of the past.

    A world of imperialism. A world of redrawing borders by force. A world without the UN Charter. 

    We cannot allow this to happen. Ukraine’s fight matters to all of us. The UK will remain Ukraine’s staunchest supporter.

    Because Mr. President these are the stakes. 

    If we let an imperialist redraw borders by force those will not be the last borders to be redrawn.

    If we let an imperialist deny a nation its path Ukraine will not be the last state to be subjected. Maduro will take encouragement and go for Guyana next.

    So let me be clear. We want peace in Ukraine. We want it for the Ukrainian people.

    As President Zelenskyy has said, it must be a peace that respects the fundamental principles that underpin the United Nations.

    The principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as enshrined in this UN Charter. The Charter of the United Nations.  Putin’s Russia wants to unravel it. We want to uphold it. And we will.

    As President Zelenskyy said, the UN Charter will prevail.

    Slava Ukraini!

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Britain’s return to responsible global leadership will help drive growth at home, Prime Minister to tell United Nations

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Britain will return to responsible global leadership under my watch, the Prime Minister will tell the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

    • Prime Minister will travel to New York today to participate in United General Assembly meetings with important international partners. 

    • He will contribute to sessions on major global challenges such as the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and climate change. 

    • PM will pledge to return the UK to responsible global leadership to tackle the issues that rebound on British people at home.

    Britain will return to responsible global leadership under my watch, the Prime Minister will tell the UN General Assembly in New York this week.  

    He will use several interventions across his two-day visit to argue that our participation and reputation abroad is directly linked to our security, stability and prosperity at home. 

    In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, he will say that it is only by being a reliable and trusted international partner, working together to solve global problems such as war, poverty and climate change – that we can build a safer and more prosperous UK. 

    The Prime Minister will say: 

    We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership. This is the moment to reassert fundamental principles and our willingness to defend them. To recommit to the UN, to internationalism, to the rule of law. 

    Because I know that this matters to the British people. War, poverty and climate change all rebound on us at home. They make us less secure, they harm our economy, and they create migration flows on an unprecedented scale.  

    The British people are safer and more prosperous when we work internationally to solve these problems, instead of merely trying to manage their effects. So, the responsible global leadership that we will pursue is undeniably in our self-interest.

    He will use his speech to set out how the UK will step up to play its part, guided by the rule of law, in tackling these challenges in a world that is increasingly dominated by conflicts – including those in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan.

    It follows a major drive by the Prime Minister in his first few months in office to reset the UK’s relationship with its key allies and prove that Britain is back as a major player on the world stage – a key part of his ambition to drive growth and improve the lives of hardworking British people.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: British nationals should leave Lebanon, as UK bolsters contingency teams in region

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    British nationals should leave Lebanon immediately, Ministers have warned, as the Government bolsters its presence in the region.

    • Brits warned to act now, and leave Lebanon as soon as possible .
    • Military teams move to Cyprus as contingency planning is rolled out to support British nationals in Lebanon and the region
    • Ministers continue to call for a ceasefire immediately to end the cycle of violence, as more than 500 people killed in Lebanon in the past 24 hours

    British nationals should leave Lebanon immediately, Ministers have warned, as the Government bolsters its presence in the region.

    Around 700 UK troops will move to Cyprus in the coming hours, as the Government continues to prepare its contingency plans following significant escalation between Israel and Lebanon in recent days.

    The military teams will be supported by Border Force and FCDO officials.

    The Government continues to advise against all travel to Lebanon, as the situation continues to deteriorate rapidly, with devastating consequences.

    Defence Secretary, John Healey MP said:

    Events in the past hours and days have demonstrated how volatile this situation is, which is why our message is clear, British nationals should leave now.

    We continue to urge all sides to step back from conflict to prevent further tragic loss of life. Our government is ensuring all preparations are in place to support British Nationals should the situation deteriorate. I want to thank the British personnel who are deploying in the region for their commitment and professionalism.

    The UK already has a significant diplomatic and military footprint in the region, including RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and Royal Navy ships RFA Mounts Bay and HMS Duncan, which have remained in the eastern Mediterranean to support British nationals and allies over the summer.

    The Royal Air Force also have aircraft and transport helicopters on standby to provide support if necessary.

    The call comes after the Defence Secretary held a meeting with Ministers, intelligence chiefs and diplomats on Tuesday afternoon to test government planning.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Britain’s return to responsible global leadership will help drive growth at home, Prime Minister to tell United Nations

    Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

    Britain will return to responsible global leadership under my watch, the Prime Minister will tell the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

    • Prime Minister will travel to New York today to participate in United General Assembly meetings with important international partners. 

    • He will contribute to sessions on major global challenges such as the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East and climate change. 

    • PM will pledge to return the UK to responsible global leadership to tackle the issues that rebound on British people at home.

    Britain will return to responsible global leadership under my watch, the Prime Minister will tell the UN General Assembly in New York this week.  

    He will use several interventions across his two-day visit to argue that our participation and reputation abroad is directly linked to our security, stability and prosperity at home. 

    In a speech to the UN General Assembly on Thursday, he will say that it is only by being a reliable and trusted international partner, working together to solve global problems such as war, poverty and climate change – that we can build a safer and more prosperous UK. 

    The Prime Minister will say: 

    We are returning the UK to responsible global leadership. This is the moment to reassert fundamental principles and our willingness to defend them. To recommit to the UN, to internationalism, to the rule of law. 

    Because I know that this matters to the British people. War, poverty and climate change all rebound on us at home. They make us less secure, they harm our economy, and they create migration flows on an unprecedented scale.  

    The British people are safer and more prosperous when we work internationally to solve these problems, instead of merely trying to manage their effects. So, the responsible global leadership that we will pursue is undeniably in our self-interest.

    He will use his speech to set out how the UK will step up to play its part, guided by the rule of law, in tackling these challenges in a world that is increasingly dominated by conflicts – including those in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan.

    It follows a major drive by the Prime Minister in his first few months in office to reset the UK’s relationship with its key allies and prove that Britain is back as a major player on the world stage – a key part of his ambition to drive growth and improve the lives of hardworking British people.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Historic Hearing on Project 2025, Pressley Spotlights Deadly Impact of Abortion Bans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Hearing Underscored Devastating Harm of Project 2025 on Democracy, Reproductive Freedom, Workers, Seniors, and More

    “Every single woman who has died because of Trump abortion bans should be alive today. But what do we have instead? No compassion. No care. No justice. That’s not the America we should be.”

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), co-founder of the Stop Project 2025 Task Force and Region 12 Representative for the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, joined House Democratic Leadership and her colleagues on the Steering and Policy Committee to hold a historic hearing on Trump’s Project 2025 and its devastating impact on families across America.

    Congresswoman Pressley, who also chairs the Pro-Choice Caucus’ Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, highlighted the harmful and deadly impact of abortion bans in America to date, and discussed the national abortion ban proposed by Trump’s Project 2025. Rep. Pressley also outlined in detail the shameful circumstances under which Amber Nicole Thurman died after being denied necessary abortion care in Georgia.

    Featuring testimony from everyday people who know firsthand how the policies of Trump’s Project 2025 have or will hurt them and their families, the hearing explored the impact of proposals to criminalize abortion nationwide, hurt the middle class with higher costs and tax reform that advantages the wealthiest, and end Social Security and Medicare as we know it.

    A full transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s testimony is available below and full video is available here.

    Transcript: At Historic Hearing on Project 2025, Pressley Spotlights Deadly Impact of Abortion Bans
    September 24, 2024
    U.S. Capitol

    PART ONE

    REP. PRESSLEY: For half a century, Roe v. Wade was the law of the land. Roe protected the right of people in this country to make their own reproductive health care decisions, including the right to get an abortion.

    Abortion care is routine medical care, but then Donald J. Trump became president. He campaigned on banning abortion care and even called to punish women for having abortions.

    When Donald J. Trump took office, he appointed three extreme right-wing justices to the Supreme Court, and in June of 2022, just as Donald J. Trump promised they would, those three justices banded together with other Republican-appointed justices and overturned Roe.

    They gave a green light for Republicans to criminalize abortion, to criminalize doctors and nurses in states across the country.

    Today, one in three women in America lives under a Trump abortion ban. The consequences are being felt by people across this country who are denied the care they need and by providers who can no longer care for their patients, and we will hear from some of them today.

    Donald J. Trump’s campaign to end Roe was a devastating, decisive step in a decades long Republican effort to make it impossible for women to get reproductive health care.

    And while Republicans are now trying to run away from the consequences of their extreme agenda, they were jubilant the day that Roe was overturned and even promised to take it much further.

    [VIDEO BEGINS]

    SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON: There’s no right to abortion in the Constitution, and thankfully, the Supreme Court finally said that decisively, thanks be to God.

    REP. JIM JORDAN: Mr. Speaker, let me first, first say God bless the United States Supreme

    Court, and God bless President Trump for the people he selected for our highest court.

    REP. ANDREW CLYDE: Thank you to the Supreme Court for removing the curse of abortion.

    REP. ANN WAGNER: I am so incredibly grateful and gratified that the Supreme Court has finally overturned Roe versus Wade.

    REP. ELISE STEFANIK: Today’s historic Supreme Court decision is a victory for the sanctity of life.

    REP. STEVE SCALISE: But the work just begins now to go and protect life even more because the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v Wade, correcting that flawed decision, finally allows states and Congress to protect life in ways that we never were able to for the last 50 years.

    [VIDEO ENDS]

    REP. PRESSLEY: Republicans will not stop until abortion is criminalized nationwide. After all, just six pages into the more than 900 pages of Trump’s Project 2025 it says, “The Dobbs decision is just the beginning,” and we just saw how they celebrated the Dobbs decision.

    PART TWO

    [Gracie Ladd of Pennsylvania shares her story]

    REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you for your courage, for sharing your story, for sharing Connor’s story.

    I look forward to the day when people do not have to publicly uplift their trauma in order to compel action. And I’m deeply sorry for your loss. I’m devastated that your family and families across this nation have borne the burden of Trump’s abortion bans.

    No one, no one in America should go through what you went through. You should be able to get the safe and necessary medical care you need in your own community.

    We must restore reproductive freedom so what happened to you never, ever happens again. Women have already lost their lives. It is heartbreaking.

    The last few days, I’ve been thinking of one woman: Amber Nicole Thurman.

    A 28-year-old mom from Georgia, Amber was a dedicated mom to her six-year-old son. Every chance she got, she took her son to petting zoos, to pop up museums and on planned trips like one to a Florida beach.

    ‘The talks I have with my son are everything,’ she posted on social media. She loved her family deeply.

    Trump-appointed justices overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022. Georgia began enforcing its abortion ban that very same day.

    In August, Amber had a medication abortion in another state. She then went back home to Georgia.

    Abortion pills are very safe. On rare occasions they require a follow up, surgical abortion if the body has not expelled the tissue fully. That is what happened in Amber’s case. She developed an infection, one that could have easily been treated with a routine procedure called a D and C.

    But under George’s abortion ban, a doctor performing that procedure could go to prison for 10 years.

    So when Amber shows up at the hospital, the question on doctors minds isn’t just how they can best care for Amber. It’s also what they have to do to comply with Georgia’s draconian law and to stay out of jail.

    That’s never a choice that doctors should be faced with, but that’s exactly what happened in the case of Amber Thurman.

    On August 18, Amber’s infection reaches a boiling point. She’s vomiting blood. Amber arrives at Piedmont Henry hospital in the city of Stockbridge at 6:51pm.

    She suffers all night. She suffers all night.

    By 5:14am, her vitals are dire, and Amber runs the risk of bleeding out.

    At 6:45am – 12 hours from when she first arrived at the hospital – Amber is moved to the ICU. Her doctors look on as her condition worsens. They’ve now given her five liters of IV fluid to no avail.

    7:14am. Amber’s doctors discuss initiating a D and C, the routine procedure to treat infections like hers. Nothing happens.

    At noon, now five hours after Amber was moved to the ICU, a specialist reports that her condition is deteriorating. We are now 17 hours from when she was first admitted.

    2pm. Amber is wheeled into the operating room as her vitals crash and blood pressure bottoms out.

    Her mother is right there with her. As she heads into surgery, Amber turns to her and says, ‘Promise me you’ll take care of my son.’ That afternoon, Amber dies on the operating table.

    Amber should be alive today. Every single woman who has died because of Trump abortion bans should be alive today.

    But what do we have instead? No compassion, no care, and no justice. That’s not the America we should be.

    —

    In March 2024, Rep. Pressley was elected by acclamation to represent members of the New England Congressional delegation on the powerful House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which is responsible for appointing members of the House Democratic Caucus to committee seats and shaping caucus priorities.

    Rep. Pressley is a founding member of a Congressional Task Force designed to stop Project 2025, a thousand-page blueprint for Donald Trump to seize “supreme” powers and radically undermine reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ equality, racial justice, free speech, and other democratic institutions and freedoms. The Task Force was announced by Rep. Huffman in June and its members are leaders on many of the issues currently under attack by Project 2025.

    As a member of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Pressley has repeatedly sounded the alarm on Project 2025, a bucket list extremist policies that would uproot every government agency and disrupt the lives of every person who calls America home.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to WHO data on adolescent social media use and gaming

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Data published by the World Health Organisation looks at adolescent social media use and gaming.

    Prof Ben Carter, Professor of Medical Statistics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London, said:

    “The authors provide a useful snapshot of the evidence and whilst again the study includes cross sectional data- it is large and has collected very pertinent data throughout Europe. 

    “However, they offer an unvalidated tool for problematic social media use. Whilst better than merely ‘screentime’, it isn’t entirely based on the DSM-V criteria for defining a behavioural addiction. Again, this is a useful starting point for measuring potential harm.

    “Their findings suggest approximately 1 in 10 are at risk of problematic use and are consistent with other studies (Carter et al, 2024) which state problematic smartphone usage slightly higher, but when focusing on social media alone offer utility in understanding the problem. 

    “Including Social media and gaming together is not a convincing argument as they are not the only forms of harm adolescents are at risk from- but the findings showing the difference between genders are well established. However, this is a very new and emerging field. 

    “The authors draw distinctions to the long periods of time spent gaming and the risk of harm is at odds with the incredibly helpful quote from the boy highlighting that the time spent isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The boy clearly shows insight highlighting the need to understand the underlying use (e.g. when and what) rather than just the time. This is consistent with the literature 

    “I welcome these finding and thank the authors for the valid contribution to the evidence base.”

    ‘A focus on adolescent social media use and gaming in Europe, central Asia and Canada’ by the World Health Organisation was published at 00:01 UK time on Wednesday 25th September.

    Declared interests

    Prof Ben Carter: No declarations.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nambucca River oyster leases upgraded

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    25 Sep 2024

    For the first time since 1983, Nambucca River oyster growers can harvest and directly sell their shellfish after the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) rezoned sections of the river.

    NSW DPIRD Shellfish Program manager, Anthony Zammit, said two out of three Nambucca River harvest zones now have direct harvest approval.

    “This means locally grown shellfish can be sold directly from the waterway,” Mr Zammit said.

    “We’ve worked with industry to deliver this positive outcome, which gives Nambucca region oyster farmers the confidence to bring their shellfish to market.

    “Growers are now providing quality local seafood for the community to enjoy, as the NSW oyster industry continue to deliver valuable results to the economy, regional employment and tourism.”

    The rezoning of leases along the Nambucca River was achieved thanks to a year-long project to improve water quality, led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

    NSW EPA Executive Director of Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EPA had ramped up its work with Nambucca Valley Council over the past five years to prevent sewage overflows impacting the river.

    “Since 2019, we have placed seven pollution reduction programs on the local sewage plant’s Environment Protection Licence, requiring a range of upgrades to improve infrastructure, prevent overflows and enhance their response to pollution incidents,” Mr Gordon said.

    “We held regular meetings with the council and the local oyster industry to hear and address their concerns and helped with the cost of monthly water monitoring within the catchment.

    “This is a great example of collaboration across government, and we thank oyster growers, Nambucca Valley Council, DPIRD, the NSW Food Authority and the Department of Climate Change, Energy Environment and Water for working together to find a solution for a local problem.”

    The NSW Food Authority operates the NSW Shellfish Program in partnership with the NSW oyster industry to ensure the safety of shellfish harvested from NSW waters.

    The NSW EPA is continuing to work closely with local oyster growers and the council to monitor and improve water quality in the region.

    Media contact: pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New undergraduate course for optometrists

    Source: Scottish Government

    UK-leading course to support delivery of wider range of services.

    A new Master’s undergraduate degree has been launched to increase the skills, knowledge and experience that optometry students will have when they graduate.

    The course at Glasgow Caledonian University, which has just accepted its first cohort of students, is the first in the UK to offer an integrated optometry with independent prescribing qualification.

    Among other things, graduates will be able to prescribe medications for eye conditions previously referred to the GP or hospital ophthalmologists. This will support more patients to be managed in the community closer to home without further referral, helping to get patients treated quicker and ease pressures on NHS waiting lists.

    Higher Education Minister Graeme Dey and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto met the new cohort of students and representatives from the university at its Vision Centre facilities.

    Mr Dey said:

    “It’s exciting to see Scotland is ahead of the game when it comes to upskilling our optometry workforce and this new course will ensure they will have the right skills, knowledge and experience to meet future challenges.

    “Graduates of this groundbreaking course will play an important role in establishing a wider range of community-based ophthalmic care. Patients will be able to be treated closer to home, helping to reduce the pressures on GPs and hospital waiting lists.

    “I’m delighted that we’re able to support Glasgow Caledonian University’s new course. The Scottish Government continues to invest over £1 billion in university teaching and research.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Thousands of deaths could be avoided with new vaccine Older people should take a new vaccine to protect them against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) according to new research from the University of Aberdeen and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Older person being vaccinatedOlder people should take a new vaccine to protect them against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) according to new research from the University of Aberdeen and the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research.

    In new research published in Age & Ageing today, a team of scientists led by Professor Roy Soiza, Consultant Geriatrician and Honorary Chair at the University reviewed the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines against RSV in older and frailer individuals. They found the vaccines to be 86 percent effective in preventing RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections in the first year after vaccination. 

    If uptake of the vaccine reaches 70 percent, evidence suggests that up to 2,800 deaths could be prevented in the UK every year.  Additionally, with at least 70 percent uptake, around 36,000 GP consultations, 4,600 hospitalisations and 1,000 ICU admissions could be avoided.   

    However, the authors warn of a culture of ‘vaccine fatigue’ as well as ‘vaccine hesitancy’ which could impact on the numbers of older people accepting the vaccine.  

    The review paper comes in response to the UK launch of a new vaccination programme against RSV for 75 to 79-year-olds. Known to cause serious lung infections in very young infants, there is growing evidence that RSV can also cause serious chest infections in the elderly population contributing to an estimated 8000 deaths and 175,000 GP interventions every year in the UK.  

    Professor Roy Soiza who led the research at the University of Aberdeen explains: “The NHS is badly stretched, so efforts to reduce the healthcare burden from avoidable communicable diseases such as RSV infection are highly desirable. Although some sections of social media are often dominated by anti-vaccine messages, it is important that reliable public health messages cut through the noise. 

    “Our review found that the vaccines are safe and effective and we are calling on healthcare professionals and carers to encourage those invited to receive the vaccine to take up the opportunity.   

    “There is evidence of effectiveness in preventing RSV-related lower respiratory tract infections of around 86 percent in the first year after vaccination.  

    “Trials have been conducted in people aged over 60 years of age, including those with underlying medical conditions, but the number of volunteers aged 80 or over was too small to be certain of the extent of benefit. Nevertheless, we saw in the covid pandemic that the effectiveness of vaccines in trials of younger and healthier people was replicated in those who were much frailer and older.   

    “We therefore urge those with an interest in the care of older people to encourage those eligible and invited to have the new vaccine to take it.” 

    Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Immunisation and Vaccination at Public Health Scotland, said: “The recent launch of Scotland’s new RSV vaccination programme marks another significant step forward to protect the health of the population.    

    “RSV can be very serious for those who are more vulnerable, such as older adults. In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in those aged 75 years and over being hospitalised for RSV. That’s why we’re asking all those who are eligible for the RSV vaccine to take up the offer to protect themselves against the more serious complications of an RSV infection.” 

    Antonia Ho, Professor of Infectious Diseases at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, who collaborated on the research said: “The availability of the first effective RSV vaccines in the UK is really exciting. Along with existing influenza and covid-19 vaccines, they will allow us to protect vulnerable groups from serious lung infections, and reduce the enormous pressures faced by the NHS in the winter months. 

    “The vaccination catch-up campaign for 76 to 79 years is due to end on 30 September 2024 and I would urge those who are eligible to attend their vaccination appointment.”

    Our review found that the vaccines are safe and effective and we are calling on healthcare professionals and carers to encourage those invited to receive the vaccine to take up the opportunity.” Professor Roy Soiza

    To find out how you can help support medical research at the University of Aberdeen please contact giving@abdn.ac.uk. If you would prefer to make a gift of your time, please contact alumni@abdn.ac.uk to find out more about our alumni volunteering opportunities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Conserve Privately Owned Working Forestlands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA08) reintroduced the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) with Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA02), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH02), Jim Costa (D-CA21), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR01).

    “As Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, I know that our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must do a better job of working with private landowners who want to choose conservation, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. My bill would unlock billions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands to support jobs and sustainable forest management that reduces wildfire risk,” said Congressman Garamendi. 

    “Forests provide crucial habitat for wildlife, protect clean watersheds, and absorb climate-warming carbon from the atmosphere. They are also an important part of Northwest Oregon’s rural economy. The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act will result in the conservation of more private forestlands, creating a better future for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. 

    “The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving our forests. This legislation will enable us to better engage private landowners and reduce wildfire risks, supporting both our rural economy and sustainable forest management,” said Congressman Costa.

    The “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal grant funds under the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that only the federal or state governments hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. 

    Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help to conserve more land permanently by working with private landowners who want to choose conservation but do not want to sell the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Conserving working forestlands also supports the rural economy, and sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk will support local jobs. 

    Garamendi’s bill also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for the State of California. 

    To date, the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) is supported by: 

    • National Endorsements: Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, American Farmland Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association 
    • California Endorsements: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), California Rangeland Trust, Pacific Forest Trust, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Feather River Land Trust, American River Conservancy, Placer Land Trust, Lassen Land and Trails Trust, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sierra County Land Trust, Shasta Land Trust, Hardy Conservation 
    • New England Endorsements: New England Forestry Foundation, Monadnock Conservancy, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, Squam Lakes Conservation Organization, Kestrel Land Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Northeast Wilderness Trust 
    • Oregon Endorsements: Northwest Rangeland Trust; Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT); Greenbelt Land Trust; McKenzie Land Trust; North Coast Land Conservancy; Oregon Agricultural Trust

    Past Cosponsors: 

    • 114th Congress: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) 
      • Now-Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) 
    • 113th Congress: Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH), Jared Huffman (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Steve Womack (R-AR), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA) 
      • Now-Senators Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY), Todd Young (R-IN) 

    Garamendi previously served on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources (2011-2012) and the Committee on Agricultural (2012-2014), which oversee both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest System. Garamendi served as the first Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998 during the Clinton Administration. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New laws enhance protections for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Attorney General, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

    The NSW Government has passed new laws to better protect victim-survivors of domestic and family violence, including tougher penalties for breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) in certain circumstances.

    The new offences target conduct that may indicate a high risk of harm to the protected person, including:

    An intentional breach offence directed at serious or harmful breaches of ADVOs due to the offender’s intention to cause harm or fear to the protected person. This offence will carry a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment.

    A persistent breach offence directed at repeated breaches of ADVOs over a short period of time, reflecting a clear disregard for the conditions of the ADVO. This offence will carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

    These new aggravated offences will complement the existing offence for any breach of an ADVO, which has a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.

    A new civil protection order scheme targets serious domestic and family violence offenders.

    The Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (SDAPO) provides law enforcement with a tool to monitor and supervise very high-risk offenders, with the aim to keep relatives and former, current or potential future intimate partners safe from violence.

    The scheme allows the court to impose any conditions it considers appropriate to prevent the perpetrator engaging in domestic abuse.

    Orders may include a requirement to report to a police station at an appointed time or to notify police when commencing an intimate partner relationship, and a restriction on the use of social media and dating apps.

    Breaching an SDAPO carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

    Other legislative reforms passed include:

    • Changes to the definition of stalking to expressly include the monitoring and tracking of a person’s activities, communications or movements through the use of technology, such as using GPS trackers or monitoring the victim’s online accounts.
    • Allowing police to issue a provisional AVO electronically where the parties consent, instead of requiring police officers to take individuals to a police station to print out a physical copy of the order.
    • An amendment to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1995 to allow a sole parent with an appropriate court order to change their child’s name.

    These new domestic violence laws further enhance protections for victim-survivors after the criminalisation of coercive control and stronger bail laws came into effect in July.

    They also complement measures announced in the 2024-25 NSW Budget, including an investment of $245.6 million to improve support for domestic and family violence victim-survivors and expand programs that reduce the rate of violence against women and children.

    $45 million of this package has been set aside to improve bail laws and justice system responses to domestic violence.

    Attorney General Michael Daley said:

    “The NSW Government is committed to a whole-of-government approach to preventing and eliminating domestic violence in our state.

    “These new laws will strengthen the justice system to better protect victim-survivors and support their safety.

    “We will continue to consult legal and sector stakeholders as we seek to improve laws and justice system responses to domestic violence.”

    Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

    “Too many lives have been lost to domestic and family violence, and these new laws are a vital step to improve the safety and security of victim-survivors.

    “The new laws complement other services we are delivering across the state, including homelessness and crisis support, early intervention and primary prevention programs, and activities to build and strengthen the sector.

    “We want to ensure that any person fleeing domestic and family violence has a safe pathway to healing and recovery.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: T3 Bankstown line to close from Monday

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Transport

    The closure of the T3 Bankstown line between Sydenham and Bankstown will begin from Monday 30 September to convert the line to Metro.

    During this disruptive time, travel will be free for all passengers on the dedicated pink buses connecting Sydenham and Bankstown, known as Southwest Link:

    • SW1 (all stops) – Sydenham, Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park, Canterbury, Campsie, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Bankstown.
    • SW2 (limited stops) – Sydenham, Belmore, Lakemba, Wiley Park, Punchbowl, Bankstown.
    • SW3 (limited stops) – Sydenham, Canterbury, Campsie.

    Fare-free travel will begin on Monday and continue for the entire conversion period until the projected completion in late 2025. This date is an estimate only, as the program of works is highly complex and could take longer.

    Work to bring the new T6 Lidcombe & Bankstown train line into operation in time for the closure was delayed due to now-lifted protected industrial action.

    Transport planners are working through the logistics to get the T6 online as soon as possible, and will share further details when available.

    Once open, the T6 will give passengers more travel options by connecting Bankstown to Lidcombe Station via Yagoona, Birrong, Regents Park and Berala.

    In the interim, while preparatory trackwork is underway, additional fare-free buses will replace trains between Lidcombe and Bankstown. These will be known as the 8T3 All Stops and 8AT3 Express (direct between Bankstown and Lidcombe).

    The rest of the T3 line will still be open between Liverpool and the City via Regents Park and Lidcombe.

    When the conversion is complete, passengers will have access to a 21st century high-tech metro line with a train every 4 minutes during the peak, along with fully accessible stations and services. Currently there are stations on the T3 that only receive four trains an hour in the peak.
     
    This final section of the metro line will eventually be known as the M1 Northwest & Bankstown Line, completing the transformative 30km alignment between Bankstown and Tallawong.

    Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

    “Make no mistake – this will be a tough time, and I want to thank the tens of thousands of impacted commuters in Canterbury Bankstown and the Inner West for their understanding.

    “We recognise there is a lot of complicated information to digest, so I’d encourage people to head to transportnsw.info, or chat to the Transport staff in pink shirts at their local station.

    “It’s only fair that we don’t charge you a fare for this disruptive duration, so remember you don’t have to tap your Opal card or device when you get on.

    “I want to continue to be very upfront with people – transforming this 130-year-old line for modern metro trains is a complex and difficult task, meaning it could take longer than 12 months.

    “It will be worth the wait, as the 6.3 million passengers who’ve used City Metro since it opened can attest. I’m pleased we’re able to move ahead with giving these communities the same benefits.”

    Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins said: 

    “The final T3 conversion will be difficult but worth it.

    “While we continue to transform the transport network, there are big changes coming from Monday so we ask commuters to please plan your trip and check your transport apps for updates.

    “Transport for NSW has handed out over 22,000 information cards since 18 September, and we have teams on the ground across the T3 corridor to ensure everyone has the information they need to plan their trips, including dates to remember for the upcoming changes.

    “We have worked hard to minimise the impacts on passengers, but we do need the community to work with us, and our street teams are on hand to help.

    “I’m pleased all bus driver positions have been filled to support the dozens of Southwest Link buses that will run from early in the morning to late at night seven days a week. The timetable aims for a service every 2-4 minutes in the peak.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Construction on track for Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Health

    Construction of Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station is on track for completion, with local paramedics soon to be handed the keys to the new purpose-built ambulance station.

    Fairy Meadow’s first ambulance station will be co-located at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

    The state-of-the-art ambulance station will feature internal parking bays including an internal wash bay, administration and office areas, staff rest facilities, gym, logistics and storage areas and on-site parking.

    With construction almost complete, landscaping and other finishing touches will be underway in the coming months. Finalising the IT infrastructure and cabling systems will be a priority during this time to ensure seamless connectivity and functionality for the new ambulance to operate effectively.

    The new ambulance station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program. 

    The RAIR program is delivering 54 new or upgraded ambulance stations and is the single largest infrastructure investment in regional NSW Ambulance’s almost 130-year history.

    The NSW Government is recruiting 2,500 additional staff including paramedics, nurses, doctors and support staff to optimise ambulance response times and meet current and future demand.

    Additional stations are also planned to bolster the network of stations across the Illawarra at Warilla and Unanderra as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.

    Expressions of Interest for suitable sites to build a new ambulance station at Unanderra are open until 3pm Thursday 10 October 2024.

    To find out more, or to lodge an Expression of Interest, visit the Health Infrastructure website

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “Fairy Meadow’s new ambulance station will provide paramedics with a high-quality base with the latest facilities and equipment to meet the current and future emergency care needs of the local community.

    “The new ambulance station on Innovation Way will significantly enhance access to mobile emergency health care for the growing community across the Illawarra.

    “The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in rural and regional health infrastructure to support better health outcomes for local communities.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

    “I’m pleased Fairy Meadow’s first ambulance station is nearly complete and look forward to the day when paramedics can move in to this state-of-the-art facility and add to the local ambulance network.

    “As Wollongong grows, it is important that we invest in health infrastructure to meet the needs of the community.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Biggest infrastructure project in Western NSW taking shape

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Regional Transport and Roads

    Work on the once-in-a-generation New Dubbo Bridge continues to progress with one third of the concrete deck, which will eventually support traffic crossing, now in place.

    The Australian and NSW governments are investing $263.2 million to deliver this region-shaping piece of infrastructure on the Newell Highway in Dubbo.

    The Australian Government has committed $210.6 million towards the project, with the NSW Government committing the remaining $52.6 million.

    The decking along the 660-metre bridge structure is being built in sections, with each section involving the pouring of about 105 cubic metres of concrete to provide a deck slab of up to 25 centimetres in depth.

    The deck pours will be carried out progressively while the rest of the bridge takes shape, with the final deck pour expected in mid-2025.

    Once the concrete deck is completed, the final step in building the bridge surface will be to add an eight-centimetre thick layer of asphalt.

    Pile driving was recently completed along the entire length of the new structure which crosses the Macquarie River and a section of the floodplain east of the river.

    Construction is also underway for the network of roads that will link the bridge to the Dubbo road network, including road widening work at the intersections of Whylandra and Thompson streets and River and Bourke streets.

    The New Dubbo Bridge project is due to be completed in late 2026, weather permitting.

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

    “It is exciting to see the new bridge rapidly taking shape and I’m proud to see the Australian and NSW governments’ investments delivering for regional communities.

    “New infrastructure like this is critical for the growth of regional communities and it will set Dubbo and western NSW up for the future.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison:

    “This bridge will provide vital flood resilience and unlock more housing in Dubbo – providing essential infrastructure for an estimated 5,500 homes.

    “The Minns Labor Government is proud to be partnering with the Albanese Labor Government to deliver this project, supporting nearly 1,500 direct and indirect jobs in western NSW.

    “On my recent visit to see the bridge I saw how transformative this bridge will be to Dubbo and I thank the workers who have given so much to this project and I thank the people of Dubbo for their patience.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill:

    “Once completed, the New Dubbo Bridge will transform the way western NSW residents, tourists and freight operators travel through Dubbo.

    “The Bridge will reduce travel times in the city centre and improve access across the Macquarie River, particularly during flood events.”

    Quotes attributable to NSW Labor’s spokesperson for Dubbo Stephen Lawrence MLC:

    “The Minns and Albanese governments are delivering transformative regional road infrastructure for Dubbo. It’s been wonderful to see the progress of the new Dubbo Bridge construction.

    “I’m pleased to see more than half of all people working on this project are from my local area, including many local apprentices and aspiring tradies through innovative employment programs. Many Dubbo businesses are benefiting from the economic activity being generated.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Training programs to plug jobs gap in the visitor economy

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 25 September 2024

    Released by: Minister for Jobs, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Minister for Tourism

    The Minns Labor Government is boosting NSW’s visitor economy workforce, delivering subsidised training programs for a sector that is expected to need up to 150,000 more workers over the next decade.

    TAFE NSW is partnering with Destination NSW to develop and deliver training programs jointly funded by the Federal Government’s NSW Choose Tourism Program.

    The subsidised courses are designed to address industry workforce shortages by encouraging Australians to pursue a career in the visitor economy, helping operators to attract, retain and upskill staff. 

    A key recommendation of the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 Review, to be released in coming weeks, is to encourage school leavers and other jobseekers into the tourism workforce, with the aim of growing the sector in NSW to 450,000 workers. 

    The Review finds that currently school leavers are spurning visitor economy careers, with leakage of workers into mining, agriculture and trades due to “perceived better career paths, industry confidence and better pay”. 

    Having reached a record $52.9 billion of annual visitor expenditure in the year to June, the NSW visitor economy is Australia’s biggest. 

    The growth in the NSW visitor economy over the coming decade will coincide with the opening of the Western Sydney Airport in 2026 and a new emphasis on visitor experiences that show off the best of our food and wine, coastal and aquatic environments, nature-based, cultural, heritage, arts, First Nations, adventure and wellness experiences. 

    The new training programs include:

    • An ‘Introduction to the Visitor Economy’ microskill: a short self-directed online course, designed to provide foundational knowledge and explore careers in the visitor economy industry. The microskill will be offered free to the public for the first six weeks of release, with fully subsidised access available for NSW high school students.
    • Five one-hour video masterclasses: fully subsidised pre-recorded masterclasses will be available on the TAFE NSW website, featuring industry experts such as Scenic World, Cupitt’s Estate, Merlin Entertainments, Sydney Opera House, and W Hotels.  
    • Modernised Certificate III in Tourism: set for delivery in 2025, this updated qualification will include new visitor economy skills. Updates will also incorporate contemporary case studies and assessments based on industry feedback to ensure the qualification meets the current needs of the sector. 

    The ‘Introduction to Visitor Economy’ microskill is launching today and masterclasses will be available from late October 2024. To find out more, visit tafensw.edu.au/visitoreconomy

    Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham said:

    “Through the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 review, we discovered that we need more school leavers to pursue careers in the visitor economy.

    “A career in the visitor economy offers not just an incredible professional pathway but also the opportunity for some of the best life experiences available anywhere in the world.  

    “These new training programs will be invaluable to attracting more people to the visitor economy workforce and will alleviate pressure from the countless small businesses who are feeling the pinch as they look for skilled workers to fill jobs.”

    Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:

    “TAFE NSW is working closely with industry to deliver relevant, modern training to build a pipeline of workers needed to support a thriving visitor economy.

    “High schools across NSW, as well as the public, will have access to fee-free places in the Introduction to Visitor Economy microskill, opening doors for people to discover opportunities in this dynamic sector.

    “These exciting new training opportunities will be available online, so people across the state can access the skills and expertise needed to excel in the visitor economy, helping regional businesses attract and retain talent.”

    Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said:

    “A strong, sustainable, skilled workforce is critically important to Australia’s tourism industry.

    “It is a great industry to work in with a diverse range of exciting career opportunities.

    “That is why the Albanese Government is supporting New South Wales, and all states and territories, to build their tourism workforce through our Choose Tourism grants program.

    “My first job was in tourism, and I know firsthand what an amazing opportunity this industry provides, I commend NSW on these initiatives.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What are ‘rent tech’ platforms? Action on reining in these exploitative tools is long overdue

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Linda Przhedetsky, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Law, University of Technology Sydney

    Bernard Hermant/Unsplash

    This week the New South Wales government announced it would introduce legislation that ensures renters are offered convenient, fee-free options to pay their rent.

    The announcement is just one of many state and territory reforms that aim to address issues arising from the use of rental technology platforms.

    In recent years these platforms and the landlords who use them have come under fire for intruding on renters’ privacy and charging additional fees. While practices such as “rent bidding” have already been outlawed around Australia, governments are now starting to turn their attention to other harmful practices facilitated by new technologies.

    Action on these issues is long overdue, and there’s much more that needs to be done to ensure rental technology platforms actually benefit consumers.

    An expanding industry

    A wide range of digital technology platforms are used to facilitate the use, trading, operation and management of real estate assets. A well-known example is AirBnb, a technology platform that facilitates short-term rentals by connecting hosts with guests.

    The property technology industry in Australia is rapidly expanding. In 2023, there were more than 478 products, start-ups and established companies ranging from marketing tools to data analytics platforms. This was up from 188 in 2019.

    A portion of these companies make services typically designed to be used by renters, real estate agents or landlords.

    A major selling point of rental technology platforms is that they promise to streamline a range of processes. To renters, these technologies are billed as quick, easy and effective ways to submit property applications, request maintenance or pay rent.

    If designed well, these platforms can certainly offer convenience. But many have expressed dissatisfaction with rental technology businesses that pressure renters to pay for costly background checks, collect too much personal data, or use opaque algorithms to “score” applicants.

    People who struggle to access or use technologies may also find these platforms difficult to use. This makes it harder for them to access an essential service.

    Some 41% of renters report feeling pressured to use a third-party rental technology platform to apply for a property. And 29% say they have opted not to apply for particular rentals because they do not trust rental technology platforms. This suggests that the use of these technologies may sometimes deter, rather than attract, applicants.

    Additional fees

    Over 30% of Australians rent their homes, a figure that continues to grow as people find themselves priced out of home ownership. Rising rents and the overall increase in the cost of living have put many renters under substantial financial pressure.

    With this in mind, it’s concerning that some renters have found themselves with little choice but to use rental technology platforms that charge fees to process rental payments.

    For example, renters using a popular platform called Alio are typically charged between 0.25% to 1.50% to make automated rental payments, depending on the method of payment they use. A rough estimate shows that a household paying the median weekly rent (A$627 per week) on a fortnightly basis might see themselves paying between $81.51 and $489.06 in additional fees each year.

    As required by law, Alio does offer a fee-free option to pay rent. But this option is highly inconvenient: it requires renters to enter their bank details anew every month.

    The fee-free options offered by some other rental technology platforms are equally inconvenient. They include paying rent in cash at the local post office.

    For renters who have been asked to use a rental payment platform, this may mean spending additional time and effort every time they pay their rent to avoid paying additional fees.

    The NSW government already requires lessors to offer fee-free ways to pay rent (similar protections are legislated in other states and territories). However, the key element of this week’s announcement is a commitment to making sure these fee-free methods are actually convenient. This should hopefully close the legislative loophole that is enabling these rental technologies to unfairly profit at renters’ expense.

    While the draft legislation is yet to be seen, these reforms might see renters reverting to tried and tested payment methods such as bank transfers and bypassing rental technology payment platforms altogether.

    Effective enforcement

    Introducing laws that ensure renters have access to convenient, fee-free ways to make rental payments is a no-brainer. The next step is ensuring these laws are enforced effectively.

    To achieve this, the regulator must be well resourced to carry out compliance and enforcement activities that ensure lessors and rental technology businesses comply with these protections.

    Beyond these reforms, there is more work to be done to ensure renters are effectively protected from a range of harms that are created or exacerbated by rental technology platforms.

    Issues such as discrimination and unfair treatment through rental technology platforms warrant further attention.

    The key challenge for governments and regulators is to keep up with technological developments so they can identify and address issues as they arise.

    Linda Przhedetsky is a Board Member at the NSW Tenants’ Union, and is a member of the NSW Fair Trading’s Industry Reference Group on Protecting Renter Information. She receives funding from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.

    – ref. What are ‘rent tech’ platforms? Action on reining in these exploitative tools is long overdue – https://theconversation.com/what-are-rent-tech-platforms-action-on-reining-in-these-exploitative-tools-is-long-overdue-239602

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Appointment to the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Labor Government has today announced the appointment of Ms Amanda Heyworth as a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council for a three-year term.

    The National Archives is Australia’s federal government record collecting agency, preserving and managing documents and other evidence that record important events in Australian history, and making them available to the public. 

    Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said Ms Heyworth would be a valuable addition to the Council. 

    “The National Archives holds some of our most important records dating back to Federation in 1901, helping to tell the story of our nation. 

    “Amanda’s experience in digital transformation and service design will benefit the National Archives as it works to make collections more digitally available and improve information management.”

    Ms Amanda Heyworth is a professional company director, with expertise in governance, strategy and innovation. Ms Heyworth currently holds Chair positions at UniSA Ventures Pty Ltd and the Centennial Park Cemetery Authority, and is a non‑executive Director at People First Bank and Commissioner of the Essential Services Commission of South Australia. 

    Ms Heyworth has previously held senior executive positions in the venture capital, technology and finance sectors. Early in her career, she served as an economist with the Federal Treasury and as Adjunct Faculty in the Australian Graduate School of Management at the University of New South Wales.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Swing and a miss? Why golf in Australia is struggling to attract women and girls

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle O’Shea, Senior Lecturer, School of Business, Western Sydney University

    kasakphoto/Shutterstock

    Prestigious Victorian golf club 13th Beach Golf Links, famed for award-winning courses and hosting the Victorian Open, has found itself in the middle of a controversy.

    In a bid to bolster membership, diversity and revenue, the club has introduced additional membership categories for women. These memberships form part of a dedicated campaign to get more women on the greens, following a member and board supported strategic plan to grow women’s membership from 18% to 30% by 2027.

    Despite the club’s commitment to gender representation, its status as a signatory to The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A)’s Women in Golf Charter and recognition as a 2023 Visionary of the Year by Golf Australia for its “whole-club approach to gender equity”, support among some members remains wanting.

    A stunt that made waves

    Controversy erupted at 13th Beach after its new women’s memberships were launched.

    One male member, wearing a blonde wig and skirt, was captured approaching club staff to inquire about the new women’s membership options, remarking:

    I’m identifying as a female now and I’m just about to inquire about the new membership deal.

    The male member, and two others who filmed and shared the footage, were temporarily suspended from the club.

    A key element to the controversy is the discounted membership compared to male golfers.

    After the stunt, some men and women claimed:

    [The club] openly discriminates against males […] it is both fair and just for female members to pay the same subs as their male counterparts, as equality is a fundamental principle that we should uphold.

    However, this statement conveniently denies the sport’s current and past issues with gender, race and class.

    Historical and current barriers

    Globally year-on-year, the growth of male golf participation outnumbers women, with women making up 23% of adult registered golfers worldwide.

    In Australia, golf participation rates continue to rise. Among women and girls, Golf Australia reported a near 13% increase from 2022–23.

    Despite this rise, access issues and barriers to full participation for women and girls run deep.

    A lack of visibility of female golfers can reinforce stereotypes of golf as a men’s game, while women can struggle with amenities and equipment designed for men.

    Golf is steeped in gendered, raced and classed exclusion, and was traditionally a sport for men of similar social standing.

    Women were confined to secret games or putting activities, away from the “real” golf played by men.

    Women were banned from golf’s spiritual home, St Andrews in Scotland, for 260 years – until a 2014 vote when female membership was finally permitted.

    Two years earlier, premier United States course Augusta National welcomed its first women members.

    Golf Australia is trying to attract more women and girls to the sport.

    An uneven playing field

    Despite recent improvements, women’s golf participation and membership access frequently remain conditional.

    Traditionally in Australia, women and girls have been restricted to “associate” or “lady” memberships – which often have lower status and fewer benefits.

    Course access can also be problematic, with Saturdays often reserved for male players.

    At many Australian clubs, Tuesdays are often referred to as “ladies day” which assumes women don’t have work or other commitments.

    A poster on the Reddit forum, r/WomenGolf, has queried the different options for men and women’s golfers.
    Reddit

    Women members are often allotted less popular tee times while overall, some club cultures can render golf courses chilly climates for women.

    Being scrutinised and surveilled on the greens by male golfers is reported by women as a barrier – feelings of hyper-visibility, being mocked for their play and their bodies frequently undermines women’s enjoyment.

    At the professional level, while the women’s game is increasing in prize money, media coverage and sponsorship, there is still significant room for change.

    For female professional golfers, research also highlights a male-dominated and “sexist environment”.

    Inclusivity is good for everyone

    In a bid to increase participation among more diverse groups, Golf Australia is inspiring people to “go play and enjoy golf in their own way”.

    As part of its “own way campaign,” programs have been designed for seniors, women and disabled players.

    Recognising how differences such as race and culture shape golf participation, more community-facing programs are targeting improved diversity.

    Off the greens, golf leadership and administration is also under the spotlight.

    Including women’s voices in decision making is key to realising meaningful change – research clearly finds boards with diversity of thought and representation perform better.

    Beyond the important inclusivity debates, there are clear commercial reasons to enable women’s participation.

    Very recent industry research states there are an estimated 36.9 million latent women golfers around the world, and this group may be worth up to US$35 billion (A$51 billion) to the golf industry should they take up the sport more permanently.

    Golf has a lucrative opportunity.

    Valuing and enabling diversity in all areas should fill the coffers and genuinely position golf as a sport for all.

    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. Swing and a miss? Why golf in Australia is struggling to attract women and girls – https://theconversation.com/swing-and-a-miss-why-golf-in-australia-is-struggling-to-attract-women-and-girls-239202

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Government grants ACEREZ transmission operator’s licence for Central-West Orana REZ

    Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage

    ACEREZ, a consortium of Acciona Concesiones, Cobra and Endeavour Energy, was selected by the Energy Corporation of NSW (EnergyCo) as the preferred network operator to deliver the Central-West Orana REZ transmission system, following a rigorous competitive tender.

    The NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe granted the licence, which will enable ACEREZ to design, construct, own and operate the Central-West Orana REZ transmission system, which will connect renewable energy projects within the REZ to the existing Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong load centres.

    When operational, the Central-West Orana REZ transmission system will unlock 4.5 gigawatts of network capacity, allowing generation and storage projects to connect at scale. This is expected to deliver $3 billion in net benefits for NSW energy consumers, drive $20 billion in regional investment and support 5000 jobs during peak construction.

    The Central-West Orana REZ is a vital component in the government’s roadmap to powering the state with affordable, clean and reliable energy.

    The decision follows the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) recommendation to the NSW Minister for Energy on ACEREZ’s application for the licence, published in its final report.

    In granting the licence, the Minister included several licence conditions, some unique to ACEREZ, which were recommended by IPART and developed in response to public consultation, including consultation with the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, EnergyCo and ACEREZ. These are intended to support safe and reliable operation of the Central-West Orana REZ transmission system. An important condition to support social licence is a requirement for ACEREZ to become a member of an external dispute resolution scheme.

    A copy of the ACEREZ transmission operator’s licence, along with IPARTs final recommendation report, are available on the IPART website.

    Background:

    Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap

    The Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is NSW’s pathway to powering the state with affordable, clean and reliable energy for everyone. It sets out how we are transitioning the electricity network to one that will keep the lights on and put downward pressure on energy prices for years to come. The Roadmap will support the delivery of at least 12 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation and 2 gigawatts of long-duration storage by 2030.

    Energy Corporation of NSW

    EnergyCo leads the design, delivery and coordination of Renewable Energy Zones (REZs) and priority transmission in a way that benefits consumers, investors and regional communities. This includes the new transmission lines infrastructure required to connect generation projects within each Renewable Energy Zone with the electricity grid.

    Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal

    IPART is an appointed regulator under the Roadmap to help NSW electricity consumers get safe and reliable services at a fair price. Alongside its regular duties, IPART is responsible for undertaking performance audits of the entities delivering the Roadmap and prepares an annual report on the exercise of Roadmap functions by the Consumer Trustee, the Financial Trustee, the Infrastructure Planner and the Regulator.

    Going forward, IPART is also responsible for monitoring for compliance by ACEREZ with the transmission licence in the Central-West Orana REZ.

    ACEREZ

    ACEREZ, a consortium comprising Acciona Concesiones, Cobra and Endeavour Energy, was selected by EnergyCo as the preferred network operator to deliver the Central-West Orana REZ transmission system. following a competitive tender process. EnergyCo entered into a commitment deed with ACEREZ in December 2023.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Revealed: the two faces of a Scottish Labour MP

    Source: Scottish National Party

    The hypocrisy of Scottish Labour has been put on full display in the party’s latest humiliation.

    Numerous Labour MPs from Scotland – including the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray – have been exposed as bitterly opposing Tory policies towards pensioners in winter, before axing the winter fuel payment with their first move in the new parliament.

    The guilty MPs also include Labour Party darling Michael Shanks, who has purveyed misleading information and was feted for saying he would vote for a ceasefire in Gaza and the abolition of the two child cap – before backtracking on both once he was elected.

    Here’s a start on the growing list of Scottish Labour MPs whose volte face is showing exactly why they can’t be trusted.

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray (Edinburgh South)

    The Secretary of State for Scotland is known for capitalising on a media opportunity and has regularly taken to the airwaves to rail against Conservative policies – at times trying to draw bizarre parallels with the SNP’s record in Scotland, which couldn’t be further from the plans of the Conservative Party.

    In a particularly feisty intervention, the Scottish Secretary claimed pensioners were daily “freezing to death” under the Conservatives.

    Which makes it even more puzzling that among his first moves as a senior government minister – entitled to a salary of over £160,000 plus expenses – was a vote to axe winter fuel payments for pensioners across the UK. Presumably his Labour government will take their share of responsibility for any pensioners “freezing to death” as a result of their policy.

    Ex-Better Together chief Blair McDougall (East Renfrewshire)

    McDougall was head strategist for the Better Together campaign, and has unsuccessfully sought elected office before.

    Since his entry into politics as a student, he backed the failed leadership campaigns of both David Miliband and Jess Phillips while retaining senior status among the ranks of Scottish Labour.

    He has vehemently defended Labour’s time in government and listed the winter fuel payment as among its top achievements. Unfortunately, his senior status in Scottish Labour didn’t warrant any consideration from Sir Keir – and when the call came, he trooped through the voting lobbies to strip pensioners of that same winter fuel payment along with all the other Scottish Labour MPs.

    Imogen Walker (Hamilton and Clyde Valley)

    A former longtime London councillor, Walker is the wife of Starmer’s chief spin doctor Morgan McSweeney and the couple are high flyers among Labour’s Westminster leadership. She was parachuted into the Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency in the hope that it would be a winnable seat for Labour – a stark sign that the party was taking local voters for granted before a single ballot had even been cast.

    Her new constituents will be unsurprised to learn that she too was vocal about the energy crisis and a ‘long hard winter’. She even promised a Labour government would lower bills.

    Since Labour took office, Ofgem has announced it is once again lifting the price cap and bills are set to rise 10%.

    Johanna Baxter (Paisley and Renfrewshire South)

    Another career politician, Baxter has unsuccessfully contested elections before and was previously a senior trade unionist and Labour NEC member.

    She urged her followers online to support a petition to create a national strategy for reducing excess winter deaths.

    The Labour Party’s own research has suggested its policy of cutting the Winter Fuel Payment could cause in excess of 4,000 deaths.

    Baxter, like other Scottish Labour MPs, voted to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment.

    Kirsty McNeill (Midlothian)

    Having unsuccessfully stood for election in London, McNeill turned her sights to what she thought might be a winnable seat in Scotland. Parachuted into the constituency and immediately appointed to the Scotland Office, McNeill has been silent about the devastating impact Starmer’s winter fuel cut on her new constituents.

    She wasn’t so silent in 2022, when she slammed the Conservative government’s decisions and said many families “are set to have a brutal winter.”

    We can only assume a cushy Scotland Office job is keeping her too busy to be just as vocal this time.

    Michael Shanks (Rutherglen)

    Shanks has unsuccessfully sought election three times before.

    Once elected to serve as MP for Rutherglen in last year, he quickly backtracked on promises he had made to constituents such as supporting a ceasefire in Gaza and campaigning for the abolition of the two child cap.

    Initially, he masqueraded as an MP who would be fighting for those struggling with punishing energy bills.

    But before long, Shanks was marching into the voting lobbies to support the winter fuel cut – it seems his position might have changed?

    Patricia Ferguson

    Ferguson was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, serving twice as a minister and even as Deputy Presiding Officer. Once she left office in 2016, she fought to be a local councillor before her run for the Westminster parliament.

    As part of the Labour group, she championed the Winter Fuel Allowance.

    After decades of public service, we’d have thought Ms Ferguson might have learnt the value of being true to her word – and the duty to be honest with the people who elected her.

    Instead, she managed to sideline her longtime support for the allowance, backing Starmer over Scotland.

    Scottish Labour’s most senior MPs have sold out

    They’ve sold out on their principles, their policies and most importantly – they’ve sold out Scottish communities who trusted Labour’s promise of change. And their support for Starmer’s fiscal plans is forcing our own government here in Scotland into some impossible decisions.

    This is just the beginning. For the next five years, Scottish Labour MPs will continue without fail to put Starmer before Scotland. It’s clear they’ve already forgotten who their real boss is – the Scottish people.

    That’s if they ever cared in the first place.

    The SNP can promise one thing – whoever you are and wherever you are in Scotland, we’ll stand up for you and your family.

    While Labour will spend the next five years taking Scotland for granted, we’ll be busy fighting for the change Scotland really needs.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New laws to be introduced to crack down on fraud

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The government will bring forward a new Fraud, Error and Debt Bill in this parliamentary session to crack down on fraud in the social security system.

    • Fraud, Error and Debt Bill brought forward to tackle fraud in social security system
    • New laws to give DWP more powers to catch fraudsters faster and prevent customers from getting into debt sooner
    • Bill to include measures to protect vulnerable customers and ensure support goes to those who need it most

    The Bill is expected to save £1.6 billion over the next five years and will extend and modernise DWP’s powers to stop fraud in its tracks, recover money lost to fraud and protect vulnerable customers from racking up debt.

    Fraud and error in the social security system currently costs the taxpayer almost £10 billion a year and since the pandemic a total of £35 billion of taxpayers’ money has been taken away from those who need it most. 

    The nature of fraud has also become more sophisticated, meaning without new legal powers, DWP cannot properly keep pace with the changing nature of fraud to tackle it robustly enough.

    This legislation will give DWP powers to:

    • Better investigate suspected fraud and new powers of search and seizure so DWP can take greater control investigations into criminal gangs defrauding the taxpayer.
    • Allow DWP to recover debts from individuals who can pay money back but have avoided doing so, bringing greater fairness to debt recoveries.
    • Require banks and financial institutions to share data that may show indications of potential benefit overpayments 

    The Bill will also include safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable customers. Staff will be trained to the highest standards on the appropriate use of any new powers, and we will introduce new oversight and reporting mechanisms, to monitor these new powers. DWP will not have access to people’s bank accounts and will not share their personal information with third parties. 

    We will also bring forward a Code of Practice which will be consulted on during the passage of the Bill to provide further assurance on the safe use of the powers. 

    This legislation delivers on the government’s manifesto commitment to safeguard taxpayers’ money and demonstrates the government’s commitment to not tolerate fraud, error or waste anywhere in public services, including the social security system. 

    Further details on the scope of the legislation will be set out when the Bill is introduced.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 September 2024

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council and National Trust for Scotland in discussions over Dunkeld housing

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The National Trust for Scotland, the conservation charity which cares for and shares Scotland’s heritage, has been responsible for the management of the residential homes, an office and two commercial units in Dunkeld since the 1950s. The charity stepped in to save the 17th and 18th century buildings, which were at risk of demolition, taking ownership, restoring the buildings and then letting them to tenants, preserving the unique historic character of Dunkeld town centre which is widely regarded as one of the most attractive in Scotland.     

    The charity and Perth and Kinross Council have confirmed that they are now in talks about the properties transferring into the ownership of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account.

    Around 25 tenants will be affected by the change, which will see them become tenants of the Council with a range of associated benefits. The charity and Council are committed to making as smooth as possible for residents.

    Stuart Maxwell, Regional Director for Edinburgh & East said: “We have been reviewing our management approach to these properties and are now proposing to work in closer partnership with Perth and Kinross Council. We feel this in the interests of the continued long-term conservation of the buildings and their use as accommodation for local people, which we know is an important issue in this area.

    “Following consultation with our Board of Trustees, Perth and Kinross Council, and the Scottish Government, we have reached an agreement in principle for the local authority to take on ownership of these properties and most of our other buildings in Dunkeld, which, we feel will ensure the conservation of both the individual properties, the historic township and bring benefits for residents too.

    “Our priority for the next few weeks is to talk to our tenants and ensure that any transition would happen as smoothly as possible.”

    Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener, Councillor Tom McEwan said: “Perth and Kinross Council’s Housing Service is recognised as one of the best in Scotland, and this transfer will bring many benefits for the tenants who live in these properties.

    “We anticipate being able to offer tenants significantly lower levels of rent, as well as a secure tenancy that they can enjoy for as long as they want to, access to our excellent Repairs Service and regular investment to improve their homes to the highest standard possible.

    “The tenants in Dunkeld will have the support of our dedicated and highly-qualified Housing staff to help them in their tenancy, as well as access to a wide range of other quality services that our current tenants enjoy.”

    Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, said: “The Council will work closely with sitting tenants to answer any questions they might have as the transfer progresses and provide them with any support they need.  Measures will be implemented to ensure that when any vacancies arise in the properties in the future, they will be allocated to people with a local connection to the Dunkeld area. This is a positive for the community where local housing availability is a concern. I am delighted for the Community of Dunkeld.” 

    Local elected member for the Strathtay ward, Bailie Claire McLaren said: “This transfer will ensure that these homes are secured as valued affordable social housing in Dunkeld into the future. One of the key aims of the Housing Service is to provide high-quality additional homes for affordable rent for people right across Perth and Kinross.”

    Mr Maxwell continued: “The National Trust for Scotland has been proud to play a part in protecting Dunkeld for many decades. If this plan proceeds, we will still own land on the bank south of the River Tay, at Stanley Hill, so we will certainly still have an active role in ensuring that Dunkeld retains the nature, beauty and heritage that makes it so special.”

    Negotiations will continue between the National Trust for Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council with a joint meeting being held locally with all tenants on Wednesday 25 September. Housing staff from the Council will be in attendance along with representatives from the Trust to answer any questions.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nominations now open to thank Canterbury’s heroes

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Home  »  Latest News   »   Nominations now open to thank Canterbury’s heroes

    It’s time to get your nominations in for the 2024 Lord Mayor’s Award, which will see unsung heroes from the Canterbury district celebrated for their selfless dedication to helping others. 

    There are no age limits and nominations are welcome from all walks of life.  

    Nominees must live in Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable or a village in the district, but you don’t have to live in the district to nominate. 

    The deadline to put someone forward is Friday 1 November. 

    Entries will be judged by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Jean Butcher, and a representative from each of the political groups at the city council. The awards will be presented at a ceremony early next year. 

    Cllr Butcher said: “It is always wonderful to read the award nominations and hear about all the incredible people we have in the district supporting communities and making a real difference.  

    “Being able to shed light on their brilliant work each year through this award is a huge honour. 

    “You could make someone’s day, month or even year by simply taking a few minutes to nominate them, so please do get in touch if you know someone who deserves thanks for what they do.” 

    You can nominate online, or hard copy forms are available by calling the Lord Mayor’s office on 01227 862080 or by emailing lordmayor@canterbury.gov.uk. 

    Published: 24 September 2024

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Greens call for republic: Monarchy is increasingly ridiculous and unjustified

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Sep 2024 Scottish Independence For A Scottish Republic

    We will always stand for an independent Scottish republic.

    More in Scottish Independence

    The UK Monarchy is an increasingly ridiculous, costly and unjustified institution, says Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie, who has long called for an independent Scotland to be a republic.

    Mr Harvie’s comments follow a report by Republic, an anti-monarchy campaign group, which puts the “true cost” of the Monarchy at over £500m a year.

    Mr Harvie said: “The Monarchy is an increasingly ridiculous and unjustified institution. It represents a different and long gone era, and it is impossible to justify the eye watering sums that we spend on it.

    “Lavishing any family with huge privilege, power and wealth as a birthright is a fundamentally undemocratic idea, and it is particularly distasteful during a cost of living crisis which is seeing scandalous levels of child poverty, and pensioners across our country forced to choose between feeding themselves and heating their home.

    “We should always be able to elect or remove our rulers and heads of state at the ballot box. That is a key part of any democracy. If any of the Windsors want to represent the country then they should stand for election.

    “The Scotland I want to see is an independent republic where power rests with the people rather than being treated like a family heirloom.”

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