Former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama was handed down a one-year custodial sentence by Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo today.
Meanwhile suspended police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho was sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Bainimarama was found guilty of one count of attempt to pervert the course of justice in the University of the South Pacific case while Qiliho was found guilty for the charge of abuse of office.
According to local media reports Justice Temo quashed the sentence that was previously handed down by Magistrate Seini Puamau.
They were found not guilty by Ms Puamau last October where she had announced that both their convictions would not be registered.
Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with a fine of $1500 on 28 March 2024 by the Suva Magistrates Court.
According to the FijiVillage news, Justice Temo said there was a breach of trust and at the material time, Bainimarama was the Prime Minister, adding that Bainimarama had taken an oath of allegiance.
Justice Temo also highlighted that Bainimarama’s mitigating factors were his medical condition and character reference by two former presidents.
Both prison sentences start immediately.
THIS NEWS WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN WANSOLWARA AND HAS BEEN REPUBLISHED HERE WITH THE KIND PERMISSION OF THE EDITOR(S).
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Next week, the Federal government is set to introduce important legislation aimed at bolstering the integrity and sustainability of Australia’s international education sector. This move is a significant part of the government’s broader migration strategy and is shaped by extensive engagement with stakeholders within the education industry.
Highlights:
Prevent education providers from owning education agent businesses.
Pause applications for registration from new international education providers and of new courses from existing providers for periods of up to 12 months.
Require new providers seeking registration to demonstrate a track record of quality education delivery to domestic students before they are allowed to recruit international students.
Cancel dormant provider registrations to prevent them from being used as a market entry tool by unscrupulous actors.
Prevent providers under serious regulatory investigation from recruiting new international students.
Improve the sharing of data relating to education agents.
International Students: Image Source @CANVA
The proposed legislation, heralded by Minister for Education, Jason Clare, will empower him to cap the number of new international student enrolments each education provider can accept.
These caps, particularly in the vocational education sector, will be informed by advice from the Minister for Skills and Training, ensuring a tailored and responsive approach to the needs of various educational disciplines.
Australia’s Minister for Education Jason Clare (Source: Twitter)
“This measure is about ensuring our international education sector remains a world leader by prioritising quality and sustainability over unchecked growth,” Minister Clare explained.
“International students are back, but unfortunately, so are the shonks looking to exploit them. These reforms aim to protect students and ensure the long-term health of this crucial sector.”
To strengthen the framework, the legislation is designed to prohibit education providers from owning agent businesses, halt the registration of new international education providers, and suspend the introduction of new courses for up to a year.
International Students: Image Source @CANVA
This will allow for a consolidation of quality and a crackdown on substandard practices. Additionally, providers under serious investigation will be barred from recruiting new international students, and there will be enhanced data sharing concerning education agents.
Another significant reform includes banning agent commissions on student transfers between providers within Australia. This is intended to curb the predatory practice of ‘poaching’ students, which undermines both student welfare and the reputation of the sector.
In addition to legislative changes, the government is also releasing the draft International Education and Skills Strategic Framework. This document outlines the administration’s vision for a managed, quality-focused growth of the international student population.
Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, also commented on the strategic importance of these changes.
Minister for Home-Affairs, Clare-ONeil; Image Source: Supplied
“With visa grants for international students returning to pre-pandemic levels, it’s essential that we manage this growth strategically to ensure it benefits our country and keeps pace with our national priorities,” she said.
“The Framework will provide greater certainty, especially for Australia’s regional universities, enabling international education to better contribute to Australia’s skills needs,”
Minister Clare stated.
Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor, emphasised the importance of these reforms for the vocational education and training (VET) sector:
“We are focused on making our VET sector a safer, more welcoming space for international students. By targeting the bad actors, we uphold the integrity of our education system and protect the good name of our majority genuine providers.”
The government will continue consulting with stakeholders on the draft Framework over the coming months, with plans to finalise and publish the document later this year. These discussions are poised to shape a sustainable future for international education in Australia, ensuring it continues to contribute robustly to the nation’s economy, workforce, and cultural diversity.
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India-Australia ECTA Joint Committee, led by Mr Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary and Mr George Mina, Deputy Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Image Source: Supplied
India and Australia have made significant strides in strengthening their economic relationship through the latest meetings on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) negotiations.
An Indian delegation led by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal had “very constructive and productive discussions” on various trade and prospective investment-related issues with the Australian delegation led by Deputy Secretary George Mina from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra as well as the businesses in Sydney and Melbourne.
India-Australia ECTA Joint Committee, led by Mr Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary and Mr George Mina, Deputy Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
In the first Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) under the India-Australia Economic Co-operation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA), both sides acknowledged the smooth implementation of the ECTA. Briefly, they elaborated on ECTA implementation issues including MRAs on organic products, and market access issues related to products like okra, pomegranate, grapes, cottage cheese, macadamia nuts, lentils and avocado.
They also talked about TRQ administration, pharmaceutical pricing control in Australia particularly on Generics, progress made by the working group on whisky and wine aiming to address regulatory challenges and promote trade of these products, outcomes of the ECTA sub-committee meetings and the need for their regular meetings for a timely resolution, areas of mutual interest including coastal tourism, critical mineral and collaboration for establishing disease-free zones for shrimps and prawns in India.
India-Australia ECTA Joint Committee, led by Mr Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary and Mr George Mina, Deputy Secretary Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
“Discussions were also held at the chief negotiators level between Additional Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal from DoC and Assistant Secretary Ravi Kewalram from DFAT under India-Australia CECA negotiations to review the progress made after nine rounds and the way forward for its completion with a view to reaching at a balanced outcome, building on the achievements of India-Australia ECTA, keeping in mind the sensitivities on both the sides,”
a joint press release said.
“It also explored areas of effective cooperation in various sectors, going beyond the traditional approach to FTAs “for a deeper integration of the economies”.
Australia is an important trading partner of India in the Oceania region with merchandise trade between India and Australia reaching around 24 billion USD in 2023-24, signalling significant potential for further growth.
Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, India’s Department of Commerce and Chief Negotiator India-Australia CECA had a detailed meeting with his CN Australia in Canberra
The Joint Committee Meeting serves as a vital platform for both nations to further strengthen trade ties and explore new opportunities for bilateral economic cooperation in areas such as trade facilitation, and investment promotion, as well as cooperation in other areas including technology support.
JCM also adopted the Rules of Procedure for the Joint Committee and established an institutional mechanism, the first of its kind for FTAs for the regular exchange of preferential import data on monthly basis. It also briefly deliberated on an integrated approach for the forthcoming CEO forum event for promoting investments, in particular on startups.
The JCM meeting also addressed certain critical services issues, including the consideration of India’s request for the facilitation of cross-border e-payments and mutual recognition agreements in professions like nursing and dentistry.
The release said that the commitment to “remove the ENT/LMT requirement” in line with the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement was reiterated, alongside discussions focusing on facilitating the mobility of healthcare workers between the two nations, promoting tele-medicines.
“The JCM reaffirmed the commitment of both India and Australia to foster a robust and mutually beneficial economic relationship, paving the way for enhanced cooperation and prosperity for both nations,”
the release said.
The meeting also touched upon the WTO issues. The release said the Commerce Secretary made it amply clear on the importance of the support of Australia for early resolution of the long pending issue of a permanent solution to public stockholding (PSH). Australia sought the support of India for the plurilateral arrangement for domestic support for services. Both sides agreed to discuss these matters inter-seasonally if required.
Meetings with the businesses and business associations including Australia India Business Council and Chambers of Commerce in Sydney and Melbourne as well as CII explored areas of mutual interest, the release said.
“It was evident that given the existing potential, businesses are eager to work together including capacity building and vocational training, hiring of skilled professional and caretakers such as healthcare workers, nurses through skill gap mapping exercise, need for mutual recognition of standards, collaboration on critical minerals, digital connectivity including cross-border payment system, finance, education, agri, dairy and food processing, transport and storage, sports, pharmaceuticals, silicon wafers, space and medical equipment,” the release said.
“Overall, these meetings revealed the extreme eagerness of the businesses and governments of both sides to work hard and bring new synergy to take the strategic partnership to a new level, bringing in significant benefit to businesses and citizens,” it added.
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In a bid to address growing concerns over allegedly potential radicalization among students, the Hindu Council of Australia has made a call for the removal of prayer rooms from public schools.
A concerned Indian-origin parent at the Perth school attended by the radicalised teenager shot dead by police had contacted authorities in the weeks before the attack over fears students were being radicalised.
In a letter dated April 3, a Hindu mother claimed that a year 11 student at the school named Mohammed was using the school’s prayer room to try and convert her year 8 son to Islam.
(Source: WA Today)
Now, citing fears that these spaces could be misused to indoctrinate young minds to extremist ideologies, the HCA has urged Australian authorities to take immediate action.
National president of the Hindu Council, Sai Paravastu, expressed profound disappointment upon learning of recent complaints from a parent regarding activities within a prayer room at Rossmoyne Senior High School.
Mr Paravastu said in a statement that the HCA called on Rossmoyne and all schools across the country to act to “combat conversion and the promotion of radical ideologies”.
“It is crucial to strike a balance between upholding the rights of students to practice their faith freely and safeguarding against activities that may undermine the safety and cohesion of the school community.”
He added that in the view of HCA there should not be a prayer room in public schools which is funded by taxpayers.
“Removal of prayer rooms from public schools serves to uphold principles of neutrality, inclusivity and respect for multiculturalism within the Australian education system. Additional monitoring should be in place for signs of conversion and radicalism in schools as it has become the need of the hour — schools should create environments where students feel empowered to keep their faith identities while safeguarding against potential risks to their wellbeing and security.”
Allegations surfaced suggesting that students were forced to attend the prayer room were being allegedly exposed to videos featuring controversial Muslim fundamentalist preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
Image: Dr Zakir Naik (Source: Peace TV)
Dr Naik, who is banned from India and lives in exile, is allegedly accused by the Indian authorities of spreading hate speech and inciting terrorism. He promotes a radical form of Islam on the channel Peace TV that is broadcast from Dubai and is owned by the Islamic Research Foundation. It is reported that his TV show has an estimated 200 million viewers worldwide including Australia.
Image: WA Knife attack (Source: News screenshots)
Last Saturday night, Mohammed, a 16-year-old a Caucasian boy who self-converted to Islam, stabbed a man in the back in Perth’s south before being shot by local police. The teenager frequented the school’s prayer room, reportedly sent a final message before his fatal altercation, indicating his alignment with the “path of jihad.”
The 16-year-old’s online movements had been closely watched before the attack. And he had been caught viewing videos of people being beheaded and was provided with a school laptop with a locked browser on which his activity was monitored. He was also part of a government-funded de-radicalisation program since he was 14 years old, following an incident at the school where he threw a science experiment – a small explosive – into a toilet block.
Dr Rateb Jneid, a lawyer and president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, told The Nightly that while it respected the right of the HCA to express its concerns, it was “generally inappropriate” for one faith group to advocate for the removal of facilities used by another.
“Prayer rooms in schools, like any facility dedicated to personal reflection and faith, do not inherently lead to radicalisation. There is no substantial evidence to support the assertion that these spaces contribute to radical ideologies.”
This afternoon I met with faith leaders representing religious communities across Perth.
WA is one of the safest places to live in the world. And only by working together can we keep it that way.
WA Premier Roger Cook has met with faith leaders representing religious communities across Perth: “We stand in solidarity against all forms of violence – no matter your faith or your race.”
Mr Cook said that he would leave it to experts to decide how to approach the issue after being made aware of the Hindu Council of Australia’s comments on prayer rooms.
“I’m not an expert in an education environment or in terms of education issues. I’ll leave it up to them to decide. But we want our schools to be inclusive environments, we want every kid to feel that they belong.”
A petition has been started to keep prayer rooms in WA schools, while an earlier petition protesting against their inclusion in schools has been removed.
The Western Australia’s education department said prayer rooms at schools would remain open so students had the opportunity to practise their religion. The department’s director-general Lisa Rodgers said this week that under the Discrimination Act, a principal may be required to provide a prayer room if requested “to ensure students are not discriminated against on the basis of religion”.
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23-year-old Sakshi Agrawal with Victoria Police - Image source: Nine News Screenshot.
In a case that has captivated Melbourne’s legal community, Sakshi Agrawal has been sentenced to nine months in prison following a harrowing 2022 traffic incident where she hit a nurse and then fled the scene.
The crash occurred as Nicole Lagos, a nurse, was attempting to board a tram on Wattletree Road in Armadale, an inner suburb of Melbourne.
Ms Agrawal, who initially blamed the autopilot feature of her Tesla for the accident, fought the dangerous driving charges for two years. She asserted that the vehicle was controlling itself at the time of the incident. However, before last month’s court hearing, she reversed her plea to guilty.
The case, presided over by Judge Peter Rozen, highlighted not just the misuse of vehicle technology but also the severe consequences of distracted driving.
Judge Rozen dismissed the defence that the autopilot was engaged, noting that Agrawal made “a conscious decision to undertake a dangerous manoeuvre on the road.”
The impact on Ms. Lagos has been devastating. She suffered permanent brain damage and spent several weeks in hospital and rehabilitation. In her victim impact statement, she expressed profound distress over her uncertain future, both professionally and personally.
The investigation into the crash revealed critical details that undermined Agrawal’s account. Police analysis showed that the Tesla’s autopilot was not active at the time of the crash, and Agrawal had not slowed down before hitting Ms Lagos. Immediately after the incident, instead of stopping, Agrawal accelerated to nearly 80 kilometres per hour and did not return to the scene for two hours.
Rather than seeking help or reporting the accident, she went home, contacted her partner, drank water, and changed her clothes. This delay in response and the initial falsehood about the autopilot feature significantly affected the case’s outcome.
Judge Rozen condemned Agrawal’s lack of immediate action post-crash, stating she failed to show “common decency” expected under the law and basic moral standards. However, he also recognised her panic at the time of the incident and acknowledged her counsel’s argument that her flight from the scene was not an act of self-protection but rather a panicked reaction.
Despite the seriousness of the offence, Judge Rozen noted Agrawal’s remorse and deemed her at a low risk of reoffending. At the time of the crime, Agrawal was 23 years old, a factor that the judge considered in assessing her potential for rehabilitation.
This case serves as a grim reminder of the responsibilities drivers bear, especially when technologies like autopilot are involved. Victoria’s road laws are explicit in requiring drivers to stop when a tram is boarding passengers, a regulation flouted by Agrawal with severe consequences.
As this case concludes, it leaves a stark message about the dangers of technological over-reliance and the critical importance of adhering to road safety laws to prevent such tragedies.
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Treasurer Jim Chalmers, discussing cost of living relief, housing ambitions and the Future Made in Australia on the Inside Politics podcast, has urged Australians to have more babies.
Image: Treasurer Jim Chalmers (Source: Website)
Chalmers stated in an interview with The Morning Edition podcast:
“It would be better if birth rates were higher. I think people are leaving it later. And sometimes that means you get timed out. But there are a whole range of reasons people’s preferences are changing. It’s expensive to raise kids.”
In anticipation of the forthcoming federal budget unveiling new strategies to address housing needs for Australia’s burgeoning population and projecting a decline in immigration, Chalmers has advocated for increased childbirth rates.
The federal government aims to offer support to individuals desiring to start families, although Chalmers has ruled out implementing a baby bonus akin to former Treasurer Peter Costello’s approach.
These remarks emerge as the government prepares to disclose budget projections indicating a significant decrease in net migration, heightening discussions about population growth strategies independent of migration reliance.
Drawing inspiration from Costello’s exhortation in the 2004 budget for Australians to “have one for mum, one for dad, and one for the country,” Chalmers expressed support for boosting childbirth rates.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese; Image Source: Twiter @ALBO
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened a national cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday, to delve into housing policy discussions via video conference ahead of the budget announcement, prompting speculation regarding potential new measures and funding agreements.
“I don’t want to pre-empt it, but I am prepared to say that we want to work with the states and territories to build more homes. You think about the pressures on rent, how hard it is for people to get into the housing market – we’ve got a responsibility here, and we will meet it.”
Australia’s population surged by 2.5% to 26.8 million over the past year, primarily fueled by increased immigration. However, natural population growth, calculated as births minus deaths, is declining. It presently stands 14% lower than in 2019, with the fertility rate plummeting nearly 20% since the 2008 global financial crisis.
A study published in The Lancet in March forecasts a further decline in Australia’s fertility rate—from approximately 1.63 to 1.45 by 2050 and to 1.32 by 2100—far below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1.
Image: John Howard (Source: National Museum)Image: Peter Costello (Source: Flagstaff Partners)
While acknowledging the erstwhile baby bonus under the Howard-Costello government, Chalmers emphasized the government’s focus on implementing more effective policies that afford individuals greater flexibility in family planning.
“All of these things are about trying to make it easier for people to have more kids if they want to, and to work more if they want to after they’ve had their kids. People have got different preferences and we want to make it easier for them to make choices in their own interests.”
Initiatives such as expanded childcare services and superannuation benefits for paid parental leave are geared towards supporting parents.
Chalmers, who is on track to deliver a second successive surplus, has already signalled there will be deficits from 2024-25. It is understood that next week’s budget is set to improve the economic forecast, forecasting a one percent growth in business investment for the upcoming financial year, following a substantial 5.25 percent increase in 2023-24. Projections indicate that by 2025-26, business investment could soar to $305.7 billion, indicating a positive trajectory for economic development.
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Image: AFP Commissioner, Reece Kershaw was presented with the Homeland Security Medal by the French Minister of the Interior (Ministère de l'Intérieur) (Source: X)
Commissioner Kershaw, who assumed office in October 2019, brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as the Northern Territory Police Commissioner and chief executive of Fire and Emergency Services.
Expressing gratitude towards the AFP workforce for their unwavering commitment to public safety, Commissioner Kershaw emphasized the evolving challenges posed by modern crime. He underscored the imperative for a technologically adept and agile workforce to combat increasingly complex transnational criminal activities.
“Crime has never been more complex and transnational. It requires a tech-savvy, agile and experienced workforce to help stay ahead of those criminals who wrongly believe they are untouchable. The dedicated women and men of the AFP are among the first lines of defence for Australia.”
During his tenure, Kershaw spearheaded innovative strategies to dismantle organized crime networks, including the establishment of specialized teams targeting global fugitives and high-value criminal entities. Notably, domestic drug seizures under his leadership have prevented over $45 billion in harm to the Australian public.
Child protection remains a cornerstone of Kershaw’s agenda, with initiatives such as the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) yielding significant results. Between 2019 and 2023, the AFP, in collaboration with international partners, apprehended 748 offenders and safeguarded 565 children from exploitation.
In response to the escalating threat of cybercrime, Kershaw instituted Operation Dolos, which has since reimbursed $65 million to victims. Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre underscores the AFP’s commitment to combating cyber threats.
Under Kershaw’s stewardship, the AFP has strengthened its international presence and forged strategic partnerships across the Pacific, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. This concerted effort aims to mitigate crime at its source while addressing geopolitical challenges.
Investments in workforce professionalization and gender balance, coupled with an 18% increase in personnel, signify Kershaw’s commitment to addressing burgeoning federal crime. Additionally, the appointment of a Deputy Commissioner for ACT Policing underscores the AFP’s commitment to local law enforcement.
Image: Operation Tyers (Source: AFP)
Reflecting on Operation Ironside’s third anniversary, Kershaw lauded its success in disrupting organized crime syndicates, leading to the apprehension of 392 alleged offenders and seizure of over 6.6 tonnes of illicit drugs. He commended the dedication of AFP personnel, particularly those stationed abroad, for their pivotal role in safeguarding Australia’s interests.
Looking ahead, Kershaw affirmed his dedication to upholding public safety and thwarting criminal enterprises. He assured the Australian community of ongoing vigilance and emphasized the AFP’s unwavering resolve in combating crime.
Commissioner Kershaw’s reappointment signals a continuity of effective leadership in Australia’s law enforcement landscape, underscoring the nation’s commitment to combating evolving threats and safeguarding its citizens.
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Representative image: NATCON event in india (Source: CREDAI)
In a significant development, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) has announced that its annual convention, NATCON2024, will be hosted in Australia in September 2024.
This decision comes after extensive deliberations, with Austrade South Asia – the Australian Trade and Investment Commission – actively advocating for Australia as the host country.
Philip Green OAM, Australia’s High Commissioner to India, said:
“We look forward to welcoming CREDAI National to Sydney & to offer whole of govt. support for the success of #NatCon2024. Austrade will support engagements b/w the best of developers & service providers to collaborate on #GreenEconomy & sustainable cities.”
The event is expected to draw over 1500 High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) from India’s leading corporates, promising substantial economic and business benefits for Australia.
Irfan Razack, the past Chairman of CREDAI National, in a message extended a warm invitation to all members to register for NATCON 2024.
Mr. Irfan Razack, Past Chairman CREDAI National, extends a warm invitation to all members to register for NATCON 2024 as he officially kicked off registrations!
Austrade’s enthusiasm for the convention stems from its potential to foster collaboration between Indian and Australian stakeholders in driving initiatives toward a Green Economy and achieving NetZero targets.
By bringing together key players from both nations this event aims to facilitate discussions and partnerships on critical issues and innovations in urban development projects.
These discussions are anticipated to focus on reducing energy consumption and emissions, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring safety across major urban development endeavours in India.
The decision to hold NATCON2024 in Australia reflects a mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Australia, particularly in the realms of real estate development and sustainable urban planning.
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Image: University of Wollongong India (UOW India) has appointed Nimay Kalyani as new Campus Director (Source: UoW)
The University of Wollongong India (UOW India) has appointed Nimay Kalyani as the Director of its India Campus in GIFT City, announced on 9 May 2024.
On the appointment, Nimay said in a statement he is excited to take on the role of the Campus Director and the opportunities it will bring for Indian students.
“Growing up in the back allies of Ahmedabad in Gujarat, I guess I have always been a Gujarati and by virtue an Indian at heart. As a Campus Director, my role will be to provide strategic input and operational and financial leadership to ensure the successful delivery of the University’s educational objectives and that the highest quality student experience is achieved.”
Originally from Gujarat, India, Nimay is a global professional who settled in Australia in 2010 after diverse international experiences. He joined UOW as a Project Director – Commissioning (India), responsible for establishing the GIFT City campus, which includes collaborating with key stakeholders across UOW and UOW Global Enterprises (UOWGE).
Image: UOW Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Tony Travaglione (Source: UoW)
UOW Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Strategy) Professor Tony Travaglione congratulated Nimay on his appointment.
“We are delighted to welcome Nimay to this important role at UOW India. Our upcoming GIFT City campus will be a world-class facility and we are excited to see new developments taking shape under Nimay’s leadership.”
Professor Travaglione added:
“His extensive background and wealth of experience in academia, international relations and business development makes him the best fit to setup and manage a world-class campus in India.”
Prior to joining UOW, Nimay contributed to academia at The University of Newcastle, where he also played a key role in expanding the South Asia partnerships for the Faculty of Business and Law. His decade-long contribution to academia included research and teaching in Strategy, Change Management, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Management.
Image: Nimay Kalyani has joined the #UOWIndia team in GIFT City as Project Director – Commissioning (India).
Nimay added that UoW is also partnering with large corporates such as IBM India to extend the relationship from UOW Dubai to UOW India.
“This will enable us to enrich our curriculum through industry engagement, bring in industry experts in classrooms and bring real life case studies and assignments to the courses. The entire workforce being hired at UOW India, and the support being received from UOW Australia, UOW Dubai and UOWGE is built on the objective of ensuring students receive a very high-quality educational experience with rewarding career outcomes.”
UoW is also in discussions with the local government organisations to place ourselves as their preferred and strategic education partners and widen our network of local organisations.
Nimay says:
“We aim to get support from this network with student placements, internships, capstone projects and importantly joint research and publications between our academics and these organisations.”
Nimay’s background uniquely blends business acumen, strategic vision, and academic expertise, demonstrating his commitment to education excellence.
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BRITISH PM RISHI SUNAK VOLUNTEERS WITH GO DHARMIC; Image Source: Supplied
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently took part in volunteer activities with the international NGO Go Dharmic in London to boost community service.
During his visit, Sunak engaged hands-on in the preparation of Vegan Kichari, a nutritious and environmentally sustainable meal, which is part of Go Dharmic’s “Feed Everyone” initiative. This effort aims to distribute these wholesome meals across the globe to support those in need.
PM Sunak’s involvement included chopping vegetables and stirring large pots, working alongside other volunteers in the kitchen. His participation highlighted not only his commitment to social causes but also his personal connection to the principles of Dharma, a concept he has often referenced since his inauguration.
BRITISH PM RISHI SUNAK VOLUNTEERS WITH GO DHARMIC; Image Source: Supplied
At the event, several Go Dharmic trustees and lead volunteers from across the UK, including Central London, Wembley, Luton, Harrow, Northampton, Leicester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, highlighted the organisation’s significant social impact, collectively serving over 50,000 meals a month to vulnerable individuals in their communities.
Sunak’s visit coincides with his previous recognition of Go Dharmic’s founders, Hanuman Dass and Sheena Randerwala, whom he honoured with the Points of Light award during Diwali in November 2023.
Reflecting on the Prime Minister’s visit, Hanuman Dass expressed deep gratitude for Sunak’s active participation and genuine interest in the NGO’s mission.
BRITISH PM RISHI SUNAK VOLUNTEERS WITH GO DHARMIC; Image Source: Supplied
Dass remarked,
“This profound act of kindness by the leader of the nation will inspire more seva (selfless service) and attract more volunteers for many years to come.”
Go Dharmic, known for its humanitarian and environmental efforts, has made a significant impact through its wide array of initiatives. The organisation serves over 50,000 meals monthly to vulnerable individuals across the UK and runs extensive campaigns in various global regions including India, Nepal, Morocco, Lebanon, Uganda, Nigeria, Cuba, and even war-torn areas like Ukraine.
BRITISH PM RISHI SUNAK VOLUNTEERS WITH GO DHARMIC; Image Source: SuppliedBRITISH PM RISHI SUNAK VOLUNTEERS WITH GO DHARMIC; Image Source: Supplied
Go Dharmic continues to expand its reach and influence, advocating for peace and compassion through its campaigns in Environmental Action, Poverty Alleviation, Education, Plant-Based Diets, and Crisis Response. Established in 2011, the organisation now operates globally with offices in London, Glasgow, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Georgia, USA.
For more information about Go Dharmic and its initiatives, interested parties can visit their website at www.godharmic.com and explore detailed campaign information at www.godharmic.com/campaigns.
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In a heartbreaking incident in Melbourne’s south-east suburb of Ormond, a dispute tragically cut short the life of 22-year-old Navjeet Singh Sandhu. The young international student was reportedly trying to intervene in a fight outside a residence on North Road on Saturday morning when he was fatally stabbed.
Emergency responders who arrived at the scene around 1 am discovered two men with stab wounds. While Sandhu succumbed to his injuries at the location, a 30-year-old man Sharvan Kumar was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The individuals involved in the altercation were known to each other, according to police reports.
Navjeet Singh Sandhu, hailing from a modest farming family in India, had come to Australia fuelled by dreams of a brighter future.
Gurmeet Singh, a close family friend and Sandhu’s room-mate, wrote on a GoFundMe page to support the family,
“Navjeet came to Australia on a student visa with hopes of securing a better future for his family back home,”
Singh described Sandhu as the only son of his parents and a loving brother to two sisters.
The GoFundMe initiative aims to raise funds to repatriate Sandhu’s remains to India and provide financial relief to his bereaved family. So far, it has gathered over $74,000 towards a $100,000 goal, reflecting a community deeply moved by the tragedy.
The case has taken a significant turn with the arrest of two brothers, Abhijeet Abhijeet and Robin Gartan, in regional New South Wales. The suspects, aged 26 and 27, are facing extradition to Victoria over their alleged involvement in the homicide.
Image: Police arrested brothers Abhijeet Abhijeet, 26, and Robin Gartan, 27, for an alleged fatal stabbing. Picture: Victoria Police
Victoria Police homicide detectives have travelled to Goulburn where the arrests were made, and the brothers have faced court for an extradition hearing.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities faced by international students and the broader implications for community safety and international relations. The loss of a young life aspiring for success leaves a void in the hearts of his family and community, turning a hopeful journey into a devastating story of loss and a call for justice.
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Western Sydney’s Cumberland city council has banned all books depicting same-sex parents in its eight public libraries, citing concerns over the “safety” of children.
The ban was passed (six votes for and five against, while four councillors were not present to vote) at a recent council meeting, and was spearheaded by councillor and former Cumberland mayor Steve Christou. According to the ABC, a process is underway to determine how many books will be banned.
As a queer woman and foster mother to 12 children over the past decade, as well as a researcher on the connection between representation in children’s books and child welfare, I was disheartened to learn Christou had argued books about same-sex parenting “sexualised” children.
Presenting the council with a copy of the children’s picture book Same-Sex Parents by Holly Duhig, Christou said: “Our kids shouldn’t be sexualised […] This community is a very religious community, a very family-orientated community […]”
Christou said toddlers shouldn’t be “exposed” to same-sex content. His argument epitomises a particular social fallacy that children need to be “taught” about same-sex parented families at a specific, appropriate age.
This speaks to the idea of same-sex relationships as being unnatural or strange, and therefore something that requires explanation and consent to discuss. Conversely, heteronormative relationships are seen as natural and appropriate, and therefore something children are exposed to from birth without explanation.
This status quo does serious damage to children with same-sex parents as well as those without. It questions and dismisses the legitimacy of same-sex parented families, greatly limiting the extent children can see their families represented (in picture books as well as other media) and sending a clear message that their families aren’t “normal”. This, in turn, sends an equally clear message to their peers regarding the validity of same-sex couples as parents.
‘Welcome, belong, succeed’
MP Lynda Voltz and NSW Arts Minister John Graham have expressed concerns over the ban. Voltz believes it may breach the state’s Anti-Discrimination Act. Graham has accused the council of censorship, stating:
It is up to readers to choose which book to take off the shelf. It should not be up to local councillors to make that choice for them or engage in censorship.
Cumberland mayor Lisa Lake and councillor Diane Colman have raised similar concerns. Lake is “appalled and saddened” the ban has passed, stating: “As long as parents are loving families, that’s what’s important.”
Colman told Guardian Australia the ban contradicts the Cumberland city council motto “welcome, belong, succeed”. She said, “Bans like this indicate some people believe that isn’t the case.”
Censorship in Australia
Australia has a long and complicated history with censorship and book banning. The Trade and Customs Act of 1901 controlled the importation of books for most of the 20th century (and banned plenty along the way, including The Catcher in the Rye).
The Australian Classification Board began in 1970. If school boards, community members, or even politicians raise concerns about books, the board – a statutory body – makes a decision about the book’s suitability to be publicly available. The review board consists of a convenor, a deputy convenor and board members, and operates on a “majority-based decision-making procedure”.
The book Christou used in his argument, Same-Sex Parents by Holly Duhig, is what is known as an “issue-based book”, meaning it outlines information rather than presents a narrative. It is recommended for children aged 5-7, and talks directly to the reader, saying:
A small number of people might treat people from same-sex families unfairly. This is not OK. All loving families are good … Remember, as long as you are happy, it doesn’t matter what other people think.
The overall theme appears to be simple reaffirmations of belonging for children in same-sex parenting families.
The actions of Cumberland Council are unusual, to say the least. (Earlier this year, the same council passed a motion to ban drag queen “story time” events.)
But in America, such library bans are apparently escalating. The key difference is that American libraries are run by their own boards, which dictate library policy. There have been reports of libraries “stacking” boards with “conservative appointees” and closing board meetings to the public.
In the US, attempts to censor books at public libraries increased by 92% from 2022 to 2023, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in the US in 2023. As TV host John Oliver revealed this week, library staff there have experienced “a huge increase in harassment, with some baselessly accused of paedophilia for allowing certain books to be checked out”.
What next?
It remains to be seen what the fate of this ban will be. Its implementation may impact Cumberland library’s government funding, and action is being taken by advocacy groups. Rainbow Families, an advocacy group for LGBTQ+ families in Australia, has reportedly spoken to the anti-discrimination board about getting the ban reversed.
Meanwhile, a Cumberland community member has started a petition calling on the council to “rescind the motion banning books about same-sex parents”. She will present it to the council at a meeting next Wednesday.
Ultimately, Cumberland’s ban is counter-intuitive. When children, and their families, are represented in books, it creates inclusivity rather than division, promoting a greater sense of community – and a better understanding of what makes a family.
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Starting May 10, 2024, Australia is increasing the financial capacity requirements for its Student and Student Guardian visa programs.
This update aligns the required financial proof with 75% of the national minimum wage, reflecting a more accurate cost of living for students during their stay in Australia.
The adjustment aims to ensure that students can maintain a minimum standard of living without breaching visa conditions through excessive work, thus reducing financial distress and vulnerability to exploitation.
Students are less likely to:
be in financial distress once in Australia
breach their visa conditions by working more hours than their visa conditions allow
be vulnerable to worker exploitation.
The new standards raise the necessary proof of funds significantly across all categories: from primary applicants and their spouses to dependent children and school costs.
For instance, primary applicants will now need to show AUD 29,710, up from AUD 24,505. This change will apply to all applications lodged after May 9, 2024, while earlier applications will adhere to the previous requirements.
The table below details the financial amounts required to meet the minimum financial capacity for visa applications, which will be updated effective 10 May 2024.
The move is expected to help students make better-informed decisions about their educational investments in Australia, safeguarding their experience and contributing to a more stable and compliant international student community.
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The AFP acknowledges a decision by Australian, US and UK governments to impose financial sanctions and a travel ban on Dmitry Yuryevich Khoroshev for the senior position he held in LockBit.
This is the second use of Australia’s thematic autonomous cyber sanctions framework. In October last year, the Australian, US and UK governments sanctioned Russian man Alexander Ermakov for his role in the cyber attack on Medibank Private.
The sanction today imposed on Khoroshev builds on the recent disruptive action undertaken by international law enforcement under the coordinated, global, National Crime Agency-led Operation Cronos.
Operation Cronos is centred on targeting LockBit, which is known for its ransomware off-the-shelf products sold to cyber criminals.
The AFP’s domestic investigation, working alongside Operation Cronos, is Operation Orcus Junkers. It began in November 2021 and continues.
Operation Orcus Junkers sits within the standing Aquila Taskforce, which includes the AFP and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).
The AFP is working with state and territory police to work through the 119 reports of crime involving Australian businesses and individuals who were targeted by LockBit.
In many cases, Australian victims had their data exfiltrated, encrypted, or both, severely impacting business and individuals.
The AFP is working closely with Australian LockBit victims and is assisting overseas law enforcement to help continue building a global case against the ransomware group.
In conjunction with DFAT, domestic and international law enforcement and intelligence partners, the AFP led the development of the sanction Statement of Case, which was based on comprehensive local and international intelligence and law enforcement holdings.
AFP Cyber Command Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Goldsmid said the AFP had worked with key partners to gather evidence and intelligence to identify LockBit offenders and their infrastructure.
“A decision to publicly name Khoroshev is supported by the AFP,’’ Acting Assistant Commissioner Goldsmid said.
“By taking away his anonymity, it has severely undermined Khoroshev’s credibility with cyber criminals and also signals any dealings they have with him could be subject to law enforcement action.
“Since 2019, LockBit has caused billions of dollars’ worth of harm across the globe, including millions of dollars lost by Australian individuals and businesses.
“In cooperation with international partners under Operation Cronos, the AFP has used information collected to trace the global LockBit network and build the global case against the ransomware criminal group.
“For months now, the AFP has been sharing information with Operation Cronos partners to dismantle LockBit, which is considered the world’s most prolific ransomware group.
“In Australia, we have a range of evidence and information to work through, including IP addresses, tools and software deployed on Australian-owned systems, plus the infrastructure and communication used by cyber criminals.
“In terms of the role and capability provided by the AFP, our investigators have helped attribute LockBit affiliates as well as other facilitators of cybercrime used by the group.
“This has been done through analysis of evidence and intelligence gathered during domestic investigative activity in partnership with domestic law enforcement as well as joint analysis of overseas partner information within Operation Cronos.
“This sanction is a result of a truly global effort and the strong and productive partnership between the AFP and ASD, plus the longstanding partnerships and joint operations with international partners under Operation Cronos.”
The investigation into LockBit continues. As there are still ongoing investigations in relation to this group, it would not be appropriate to go into further operational details at this time.
Operational Cronos in February disrupted LockBit’s critical infrastructure, including its primary platform and 34 servers across Australia, Netherlands, Germany, Finland, France, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom.
After seizing control in February, the ransomware group’s leak site on the dark web was redesigned by law enforcement to host instead a series of articles exposing the different actions undertaken against LockBit.
It meant the world’s most prolific criminal ransomware group was seriously hindered by global law enforcement action.
It allowed law enforcement to post on LockBit’s dark web site that they had been severely compromised by law enforcement.
The group’s unlawful profits have been frozen by law enforcement, including more than 200 cryptocurrency accounts allegedly owned by ransomware group members.
In response to the growing cyber threat, the AFP and ASD established Operation Aquila in November 2022 to investigate, target and disrupt cybercriminal syndicates, with a priority on ransomware threat groups.
Under Operation Aquila, the AFP and ASD investigate the highest priority cyber criminals targeting Australia, including the LockBit and BlackCat ransomware groups.
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Image: 2023 India trade delegation, GrainGrowers' CEO Shona Gawel with
@GrainsAustralia
Pulse Council Chair Peter Wilson,
@GrainTradeAus
CEO Pat O'Shannassy and The Hon Minister
@MurrayWatt
met with Indian importers and decision-makers to promote Australia as a trusted trading partner (Source: Grain Growers - X)
This decision brings promising prospects for Australian growers while showcasing the positive collaboration between the two nations, supported by initiatives from the Australian Government.
Philip Green OAM, the Australian High Commissioner to India, said:
“Australia welcomes India’s removal of chickpea tariffs through to 31 March 2025 and our farmers stand ready to support India’s needs.”
In 2023, a trade delegation from Australia, led by Minister Murray Watt, Grain Growers’ CEO Shona Gawel, alongside Grains Australia Pulse Council Chair Peter Wilson, and Grain Trade Australia CEO Pat O’Shannassy, embarked on a visit to India.
The objective of this delegation was to engage with Indian importers and decision-makers, advocating for Australia as a reliable and trusted trading partner.
The elimination of tariffs not only benefits Australian farmers but also signifies a win-win situation for both countries, fostering a conducive environment for trade in the agricultural sector.
Grains Australia, an industry body, anticipates that the combination of higher prices and growing demand from India will incentivize farmers to increase chickpea planting in the upcoming months.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Image Source: PIB
Currently, India is the world’s biggest chickpea consumer and Australia is the largest exporter of chickpeas. Australian desi chickpea prices rose from around A$810 ($535) a ton in February to more than A$900 last week in anticipation of the tariff decision.
According to the agriculture ministry’s forecast in March, chickpea harvest for the 2024/25 season is expected to reach 732,000 tons, marking a significant increase from 531,000 tons in 2023/24 and the highest yield since 2021/22.
In 2017, India initiated a 33% tariff on desi chickpeas to bolster domestic farming, later escalating it to 66%. Consequently, approximately 60% of Australia’s chickpea exports were directed to India, accounting for up to 90% of India’s chickpea imports, before the tariffs nearly halted the trade.
This development underscores the importance of proactive engagement and sustained efforts in key markets, highlighting the significance of respectful and continuous interaction for mutually beneficial outcomes.
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In response to a concerning shortage of vacant rentals in Western Australia, the state government has implemented a novel approach to address the housing crisis.
With an unusually low number of available rental properties, many West Australians are struggling to secure housing.
Image: Western Australia Premier Roger Cook (Source: X)
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has announced a unique initiative:
“So we’re doing something a bit different. We’re offering $5,000 incentives to private owners of vacant properties to put their empty home on the long-term rental market.”
To combat the rental housing crisis, the WA government has announced a new initiative offering $5,000 incentives to private owners of vacant properties.
The aim is to encourage these property owners to put their empty homes on the long-term rental market, thereby increasing the availability of housing options for those in need.
Under the program, eligible property owners can receive payments for each vacant property they agree to rent out on a long-term basis. To qualify, owners must commit to providing a minimum 12-month lease agreement to new long-term tenants.
This initiative targets underutilized properties that have remained vacant for extended periods, despite the growing demand for housing in the region.
By incentivizing property owners to make their homes available for long-term rental, the Cook government hopes to provide stable housing solutions for Western Australians who require them the most.
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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to maintain the cash rate at 4.35% and the interest rate on Exchange Settlement balances at 4.25%, citing ongoing high inflation and slower-than-expected economic adjustments.
Despite recent data showing some moderation, inflation remains stubbornly high, influenced by persistent services inflation and strong domestic cost pressures.
The RBA expressed concerns over excess demand in the economy, particularly from labor and non-labor costs, indicating that wage growth, although peaking, remains unsustainably high against productivity trends.
This economic scenario has kept household consumption growth weak, impacted by earlier interest rate hikes and inflation’s erosion of real disposable income.
Looking forward, the RBA forecasts that inflation will return to its target range of 2-3% only by the second half of 2025, with a midpoint reach expected in 2026. Challenges such as services inflation, labor market tightness, and the effects of monetary policy contribute to a complex and uncertain economic outlook.
The RBA emphasises that its priority remains to steer inflation back to target while keeping an eye on global economic developments and domestic demand trends.
In their statement, RBA officials reaffirmed their commitment to monitoring economic indicators closely and adjusting policies as needed to ensure inflation targets are met, reflecting ongoing vigilance against potential risks.
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Israeli authorities took swift action and have shut down the local offices of Al Jazeera thus ceasing the satellite news network’s operations within the country.
Israel has joined Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt who have allegedly accused Al Jazeera of inciting violence in their countries.
During the American occupation of Iraq following the 2003 invasion that removed Saddam Hussein from power, the U.S. government specifically targeted the broadcaster for airing videos featuring the late al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Israeli officials defended the decision, citing Al Jazeera as a threat to national security. “The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel,” declared the country’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media following a unanimous cabinet vote.
Prime Minister Netanyahu: "I would like to comment on the tendentious media reports that are damaging the negotiations for the release of the hostages, as well as causing needless suffering to the families of the hostages that are enduring a nightmare. My heart goes out to them.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 5, 2024
A government statement outlined immediate actions to be taken, including the closure of Al Jazeera’s offices, confiscation of broadcast equipment, disconnection from cable and satellite providers, and blocking of its websites.
The Al Jazeera network, funded by Islamist State of Qatar, has been openly pro-Hmaas and critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Earlier, the IDF has revealed a trove of images and documents it said prove that Al Jazeera reporters were also working for Hamas and endangered Israeli lives.
Al Jazeera condemned the earlier accusations against its journalists and in present response has dismissed allegations of endangering Israeli security.
“Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access information,” stated the company in a released statement.
Al Jazeera has previously accused Israeli authorities of targeting its journalists, some of whom were killed during the Gaza conflict. Israel denies these allegations, stating it does not target journalists.
State of Qatar established Al Jazeera in 1996 with the aim of expanding influence across the Middle East and beyond. Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language service is well-known to disseminate propaganda statements from Hamas and other Islamist militant groups, drawing condemnation from Israeli officials.
Israel’s parliament passed a law in the preceding month allowing for the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters deemed a threat to national security.
With this, Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel for 45 days, a period that can be renewed, so it could stay in force until the end of July or until the end of major military operations in Gaza.
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Sexual harassment is often considered to be a person-to-person act, but new research shows Australians are also experiencing and perpetrating workplace harassment in large numbers through technology.
Our latest study shows one in seven Australian adults surveyed reported having engaged in workplace tech-based sexual harassment. One in eight reported having engaged in both tech-based and in-person sexual harassment at work.
The research, launched today by ANROWS, is the first national study to investigate the perpetration of workplace tech-based sexual harassment. We found hostile motivations underpinning the behaviour, including wanting to frighten and humiliate victims.
Tech-based workplace harassment is common
We conducted a national perpetration survey with 3,345 Australian adults (18-65 years) who had participated in paid or voluntary work in the last 15 years. We also interviewed 20 industry stakeholders, including employer representatives, technology providers, regulators and workplace and online safety experts; and ran focus groups with 28 young adults (18-39 years).
The most common types of tech-based sexual harassment at work reported were:
sending someone sexually suggestive or explicit comments via technologies (such as emails, SMS messages or social media)
repeatedly inviting someone to go out on dates via technology
making sexually explicit phone calls.
When engaging in these behaviours, perpetrators used their work email (31%), personal phone or mobile (29%), personal email (26%), and work phone or mobile (25%). The majority of perpetrators said that their behaviour was a “one-off” incident (60%).
However, one in three acknowledged that they had engaged in tech-based sexual harassment towards a colleague on more than one occasion.
The findings align with other research on workplace harassment. According to 2022 figures from the Australian Human Rights Commission, one in three Australians have experienced workplace sexual harassment in the past five years. The same study found women (41%) are more likely to report experiencing workplace sexual harassment than men (26%).
To date, workplace sexual harassment has centred primarily around in-person or face-to-face forms of unwelcome and/or threatening sexual conduct. But as our reliance on technology in workplaces has increased, so too have tech-based forms of workplace sexual harassment. That is, sexual harassment that is perpetrated using mobile, online and other digital technologies in a workplace context.
What is workplace tech-based sexual harassment?
Workplace tech-based sexual harassment can include a wide range of behaviours within and beyond the physical location of the workplace. It can take place during or after working hours.
It can include:
unwelcome sexual advances, comments and jokes
sexual requests
relational pursuit (including monitoring or stalking behaviours)
sexually explicit and abusive communications
threats of physical violence such as rape
the non-consensual taking, sharing or threat to share nude or sexual images (also known as image-based abuse).
Harassment can be instigated by co-workers, contractors, suppliers, customers, clients, and members of the community. It can include, for example, sharing sexually suggestive or explicit comments or images about a public or high-profile figure, such as a journalist or politician, due to their work.
Is gender an issue?
Clear gendered patterns emerged in the study. These included that men (24%) were significantly more likely than women (7%) to report engaging in tech-based sexual harassment at work. Men (10%) were more likely than women (3%) to report engaging in both tech-based and in-person workplace sexual harassment. It also most commonly occurred when the gender composition of the workplace was male-dominated (45%) or had roughly equal numbers of men and women (38%), as opposed to the workplace composition being female-dominated (16%).
There were also gendered differences in perceptions of how the behaviour would be viewed and experienced by the victim. Overall, men were significantly more likely than women to minimise a victim’s perceptions of the act, for example, by thinking the person would be flattered or okay with it. Men were also more likely to hold negative feelings towards the victim, such as wanting to humiliate or frighten them.
Why do people sexually harass in the workplace?
One of the key findings to emerge from the study was the high rates of hostile motivations underpinning the behaviour. More than one in four of those who had engaged in tech-based sexual harassment at work said they did so to: “frighten” (30%), “humiliate” (30%), “express their anger towards” (30%), “hurt the feelings of” (30%) or “annoy” (31%) the victim.
The high level of hostile motivations challenges some of the common myths around sexually harassing behaviour. For example, it is often thought that someone engages in sexual harassment because they want to have a sexual or personal relationship with the person. Instead, our findings highlight how these behaviours form part of a pattern of sexual violence designed to humiliate, degrade and cause harm to the victim. https://www.youtube.com/embed/3hjWosUyfm0?wmode=transparent&start=0
We also found similar patterns in the indicators of perpetration. Those respondents with a high endorsement of sexist and gender-discriminatory attitudes, such as “women often flirt with men just to be hurtful” and “in the workplace, men generally make more capable bosses than women”, were over 15 times more likely to report perpetrating tech-based sexual harassment at work than those with low endorsement of these attitudes.
Similarly, respondents with a high endorsement of sexual harassment myths, such as believing “women enjoy being hit on at work” or that “stopping sexual harassment at work is as simple as telling your colleague you’re not interested”, were almost five times more likely to report engaging in tech-based sexual harassment at work than those with low endorsement of these myths.
This suggests that there are cultural and social norm challenges to be addressed by governments and workplaces in preventing sexual harassment of this kind.
Of further concern, less than half (39%) of those who disclosed engaging in tech-based sexual harassment at work said that a formal report or complaint had been made against them for their behaviour. This finding suggests there is a significant problem with workplace cultures and highlights potential gaps in appropriate internal and external responses.
Where to from here?
Employers, technology providers, and government policy and legislation must take a combination of actions to address tech-based sexual harassment at work. These include
clarity in workplace policies
greater awareness of the changing nature of workplace sexual harassment (including the use of technologies)
improved reporting options for victims and bystanders in the workplace
proportional and consistent responses to those who use tech-based sexual harassment at work
proactive steps to improve workplace cultures that promote equality and respect.
There are a range of challenges, particularly given how significantly workplace communication has changed in recent years. At the same time, industry (employer, technology platforms and government) responses have yet to keep pace.
However, new laws introduced in 2022 require employers to take proactive steps to eliminate sexual harassment. In addition, the Australian Human Rights Commission has new powers to investigate and enforce compliance.
These changes may provide the opportunity for new actions and responses to address and prevent tech-based sexual harassment in the workplace.
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Nitazene, an illicit synthetic opioid, has been identified in numerous air and mail cargo detections at the Australian border over the past year, considered to be as potent as, if not more potent than fentanyl, this drug has raised alarm bells among law enforcement agencies.
Image: Forensics team at a Western Sydney (Source: AFP)
In October 2023 alone, ABF officers intercepted 22 suspected nitazene imports concealed within postal packages originating from the United Kingdom (UK). These detections led to the seizure of a total of 742 tablets confirmed to contain metonitazene, a variant of nitazene. This surge in detections marks a concerning trend, as prior to this, only two instances of the synthetic opioid had been identified by ABF.
In one case, a Northern Territory man was charged for allegedly importing 5 grams of metonitazene through mail cargo from the UK. The AFP initiated the investigation after receiving a referral from the Commonwealth Agencies Operation Centre (CAOC) regarding a suspicious postal package destined for the Northern Territory.
Image: Forensics team at a Western Sydney (Source: AFP)
Another incident involved the arrest of a Western Sydney man in August 2023, who allegedly attempted to import a variety of illicit drugs, including 97 tablets of a nitazene analogue, for online sale. These drugs, believed to have been sold on the dark web, were cleverly concealed within everyday items such as cookware and toy cars.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson emphasised the increasing trend of nitazene importation and the ongoing efforts to disrupt the illicit drug supply chain.
Hudson stated, “Nitazenes were never approved for any therapeutic purpose due to their adverse effects and high risk of overdose. If you choose to take this drug, the risk you are taking is your own life.”
Nitazenes, available in various forms including powders, tablets, nasal sprays, and vape liquids, are often disguised as other substances such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA, or counterfeit pharmaceuticals. The potency of nitazene poses a grave risk of overdose or death, either independently or when combined with other illicit drugs.
ABF Acting Commander Trade East Asha Patwardhan echoed these concerns, emphasising the ABF’s commitment to preventing illegal imports of nitazene. Patwardhan stated, “The ABF will stop at nothing to prevent such illegal imports from making it to Australia,” highlighting the agency’s dedication to protecting the Australian community from the harm posed by these dangerous substances.
As authorities intensify efforts to combat the influx of nitazene into Australia, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking. With collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community awareness, steps can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with this potent and potentially lethal drug.
The following services provide people with access to support and information.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
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Image: Police are searching for two brothers Abhijeet Abhijeet, 26, and Robin Gartan, 27, in relation to a fatal stabbing. Picture: Victoria Police
In the aftermath of a tragic incident at a house party in Melbourne’s southeastern suburb of Ormond, Victoria Police are intensifying their search for two brothers allegedly involved in a fatal stabbing.
The altercation, which erupted in the early hours of Sunday morning, resulted in the death of a 30-year-old man and left another, aged 22, critically injured.
Emergency services swiftly descended upon North Rd at Ormond following distress calls around 1 am on Sunday. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of one victim and attended to the other victim’s critical injuries.
The focus of the investigation has now shifted to locating Abhijeet Abhijeet, 26, and Robin Gartan, 27, both of Indian descent and described as having a solid build with black hair. Victoria Police have released their identities to the public, urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to come forward.
Image: Police are searching for two brothers Abhijeet Abhijeet, 26, and Robin Gartan, 27, in relation to a fatal stabbing. Picture: Victoria Police
According to Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Homicide Squad, the altercation transpired during a gathering where alcohol was being consumed. He characterized the incident as a “violent crime,” expressing concern over the use of knives.
Inspector Thomas cautioned against direct contact with the suspects, emphasizing the importance of immediate communication with law enforcement if sighted. The brothers, believed to be residents of the North Rd address, were reportedly involved in prior altercations throughout the night, culminating in the fatal stabbing.
Image: The brothers are believed to be travelling in a stolen car. Picture: Victoria Police
The suspects fled the scene in a stolen 2014 white Toyota Camry sedan with registration 1ZO 2QW, last spotted in the Ormond area shortly after the attack.
It is reported that one brother holds a student visa and the other is on a bridging visa. With this concerns about their potential flight risk have heightened, especially as their family is believed to reside in India.
While the exact motive behind the dispute remains under investigation, police have disclosed that the victims were acquainted with the suspects. Efforts to establish a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the altercation are ongoing.
Authorities have released images of the wanted brothers and the vehicle they are believed to be traveling in, urging the public’s cooperation in apprehending them. Anyone with pertinent information regarding the current whereabouts of Abhijeet and Robin Gartan is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.
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Image: Prime Minister Modi convened with scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at ISRO's Telemetry Tracking & Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru to extend his personal congratulations to women scientists (Source: X)
This bogus propaganda stems from the declaration and resolution of the All India People’s Science Network of the All India People’s Science Network in Kolkata, West Bengal. Signed by 109 esteemed scientists and intellectuals, the declaration highlights the alarming rise of socio-political movements in India that undermine scientific integrity and the collective pursuit of universal knowledge grounded in widely accepted methods and principles. Funnily, the signatories of this declaration hide their designation and association!
Building on this declaration and using “two distinguished academics, directors of top-ranked centres of scientific research,” Guha paints a rosy picture of India under Congress. He says that in 2009, there was a noticeable shift in the flow of scientific talent, with more researchers educated abroad returning to India for work, attracted by improving research opportunities and social conditions. Further, many eminent scholars returned to India because of increased investment in research and the freedom to pursue research by the Congress government.
However, no surprises here for readers who are now familiar with Guha’s writings, the situation has deteriorated since 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who shows little interest in promoting scientific research and has allowed ideological interference in academic institutions. This politicisation threatens the integrity of scientific research in India and undermines the morale of scientists. Guha goes ahead and even draws parallels with how political ideologies hampered science in Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, warning of similar consequences in India. For Guha, therefore, the subordination of science to political and religious interests, Hindutva obviously, raises concerns about the future of scientific progress and the retention of talented researchers in India.
For Aiyar, you guessed it right, India’s academic freedom has steadily declined over the past decade, as evidenced by its low ranking in the 2024 Academic Freedom Index produced by V-Dem. Aiyar doesn’t talk about science but is kind enough to expand our knowledge regarding growing restrictions on international funding by tightening regulations under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), difficulties in obtaining visas for foreign researchers, and withholding of crucial government data impeding objective analysis in fields like development and social policy.
Her solution to combat draconian regulations undermining (political) scientific freedoms is for researchers to defend academic freedom publicly and engage with philanthropists and civil society to preserve civil discourse.
In the realm of advancing productivity and sustaining economic growth, India, akin to Australia, heavily relies on science and innovation. Contrary to the expectations of both Guha and Aiyar, India stands amongst the leading nations in basic research and is emerging as a pivotal global centre for research and development (R&D).
Perhaps these two distinguished scholars are unaware of India’s remarkable transformation into a global research and development powerhouse, particularly in advanced sectors such as network equipment, medical technology, aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, and computation.
Last year, the Indian Parliament passed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill, laying the groundwork for establishing a key apex body aimed at guiding scientific research in line with the National Education Policy (NEP). The budget announcement in February 2024, introducing a scheme to bolster scientific research, has garnered praise from India’s scientific community, igniting hope for increased investment in applied science over the next five years. Many scientists in India are hopeful that the next five years too would bring greater spending on applied science.
They believe Indian PM Modi’s slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan and Jai Anusandhan’ has effectively showcased his ambitious vision for revolutionising the Indian economy through self-reliant scientific initiatives. These initiatives and collaborations aspire to establish India as the premier destination for future pioneering technological innovations.
Currently, India stands as the third-largest destination for imported research and development and boasts the sixth-largest research and development expenditure globally, surpassing nations like France and the United Kingdom.
Furthermore, with close to 800 multinational corporations establishing research and development centres in India and over 127,000 startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of April 2024, India’s innovation ecosystem presents a significant opportunity for global players.
The number of patents granted in India has surged eightfold from 5978 in 2014-15 to 47735 in 2023. It also holds the third position among the most appealing investment destinations for technology transactions globally. Additionally, India has climbed to the third spot in terms of publications in SCI journals, up from sixth place in 2013. Furthermore, India ranks third in the number of PhDs awarded in Science and Engineering, with nearly 25,000 recipients, following the USA and China.
Despite India’s public spending on research remaining relatively stagnant at around 0.8% of GDP for over a decade, the country has made significant strides. From ranking 81st in the Global Innovation Index in 2015, India proudly holds the 40th position out of 132 economies in 2023. This progress is primarily fuelled by increased investment from both government and private institutions, leading to enhancements in data capture and utilisation.
At @isro, I had the opportunity to meet the women scientists associated with Chandrayaan-3. I bow to our Nari Shakti and applaud their contribution to Indian science. pic.twitter.com/tjIhAbN2A8
In 2023, following the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 on the Moon, Prime Minister Modi convened with scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at ISRO’s Telemetry Tracking & Command Network Mission Control Complex in Bengaluru to extend his personal congratulations. During the meeting, he specifically lauded the significant contributions of women scientists who played pivotal roles in the Moon mission. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi announced that the site where Chandrayaan-3’s Lander Vikram touched down will be named ‘Shivshakti’.
Dr Om Dwivedi, writing on the rise of scientific temper in India, observes that when one scrutinises the relevance of initiatives like “Make in India” (2014) and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (2020), it becomes apparent that ISRO has spearheaded a surge in launches under the Modi administration, surpassing the achievements of all preceding governments. Since 2014, ISRO has executed 47 launches, each accomplished at a notably reduced cost compared to launches conducted by other nations.
Further, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) aims to establish a flourishing semiconductor ecosystem, positioning India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. Confident, with space tech, semiconductors and 5G, India is also launching an AI Mission to bolster startups and innovators with increased computing power, enabling them to address challenges in crucial sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education.
In fact, the Australian government is hopeful that it stands poised to gain immensely by aligning its interests with India’s scientific prowess. Combining Australia’s strong research and development infrastructure with India’s vast scale and proven history of frugal innovation could yield substantial dividends. Such collaboration not only fosters deeper engagement across diverse sectors of the economy but also drives mutual growth and advancement.
For Guha, it may come as a surprise that it’s not the political party or dynasts or foreign-returned entitled eminent directors but rather the ingenuity of Indian people and the robust research ecosystem that has been created in the last decade under PM Modi that attracts multinational corporations. Factors such as ease of access to technical talent, competitive wages, innovative solutions, and proximity to Asian markets make India an attractive destination for foreign players and the diaspora alike.
Similarly, for Aiyar, the realisation may dawn that it’s not any policy research centre but rather NITI Aayog that spearheads the drive to harness science and technology for building a robust innovation sector. Through initiatives like incubation facilities and quality higher education, NITI Aayog is committed to nurturing India’s innovation landscape.
India, once reliant on foreign technology for its space and innovation programs, is now emerging as a self-reliant nation in all scientific domains. However, India, just like Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna, is not selfish and generously shares its research and innovation with the world. Recognising that other nations also encounter common challenges in enhancing productivity, sustainability, energy efficiency, and public health, India understands the importance of leveraging each other’s expertise. It is through this collaborative effort that new innovations and applications can be developed to address global needs effectively.
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The Albanese Government has announced the introduction of the Commonwealth Prac Payment, a new financial support initiative for students in Australia.
Starting July 1, 2025, this payment aims to assist students who are required to complete mandatory workplace placements as part of their university or vocational education in fields such as teaching, nursing, midwifery, and social work.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting students entering critical care fields, stating, “We’re proud to be backing the hard work and aspiration of Australians looking to better themselves by studying at university.
“We’re funding support for placements so our future nurses, teachers, and social workers can gain the experience they need.”
“And we’re expanding access to university in our regions and suburbs to make sure no Australian is left behind,”
PM Albanese added.
Image: PM Anthony Albanese (Source: X @AlboMP)
Approximately 68,000 higher education students and over 5,000 vocational education and training (VET) students will benefit annually from the Prac Payment, which offers $319.50 per week during their placement periods. This rate is aligned with the single Austudy weekly rate and is designed to alleviate cost-of-living pressures for students.
The payment will be means-tested and is in addition to any other income support students may receive.
Education Minister Jason Clare highlighted the practical benefits of the initiative, noting, “Some students say prac means they have to give up their part-time job, and that they don’t have the money to pay the bills.”
Australia’s Minister for Education Jason Clare (Source: Twitter)
“Placement poverty is a real thing… This will give people who have signed up to do some of the most important jobs in this country a bit of extra help to get the qualifications they need.”
The Prac Payment also aligns with the government’s gender equality strategy, particularly supporting the predominantly female workforce in the care and teaching sectors.
With the majority of students and workers in these critical care fields being women, the payment also helps implement the Government’s gender equality strategy, Working for Women. The payment will also help support the pipeline of social workers available to support those affected by family, domestic and sexual violence.
Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor discussed the additional benefits, “This Prac payment is in addition to the Government’s investment in Fee-Free TAFE which is supporting thousands to gain Division 2 nursing qualifications and helping to address skills shortages in aged and health care.
“This is an additional payment to support nursing TAFE students who have extra costs such as uniforms, travel, temporary accommodation or child care, during mandatory clinical placements.
This policy is part of broader reforms under the Albanese Government, responding to the Universities Accord and enhancing the HELP system to make higher education more accessible and equitable across Australia.
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A 16-year-old armed with knife has been shot dead Perth by Western Australia Police officers.
WA Police was called to Willetton in Perth’s south on Saturday night, just after 10pm, with reports a man had been stabbed in the car park of a Bunnings hardware store.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese extended his thoughts to the people impacted by the incident in Willetton.
“I have spoken with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, and I thank the WA Police for acting swiftly to contain the incident. I have also received a briefing on the situation by the ASIO Director-General and the AFP Commissioner, and I’m advised there is no ongoing threat to the community on the information available.”
My thoughts are with those who have been affected by the incident in the Perth suburb of Willetton overnight.
I have spoken with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, and I thank the WA Police for acting swiftly to contain the incident.
WA Police Commissioner Col Blanch told media that officers were confronted with a 16-year-old boy wielding a large kitchen knife when they arrived on the scene.
A man aged in his 30s was stabbed in the back and is in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Commissioner Blanch added that the teen rushed at an officer holding a Taser, prompting two police to deploy their Tasers but that did not have the “desired effect.”
“They [WA police] exited their vehicle and were confronted with a male alone with a large kitchen knife. Two officers drew their tasers and one of the officers drew his firearm. They challenged the male to put down the knife, which he did not.”
The teenager then moved towards a third officer, who fired a single shot. WA Police officers rushed the teenager to hospital where he died.
WA Premier Roger Cook said there were indications the boy had been radicalised online.
“But I want to reassure the community at this stage it appears that he acted solely and alone. Members of the WA Muslim community, who were concerned by his behaviour, contacted police prior to the incident and I thank them for their help.”
Mr Cook has also called a meeting of the multi-faith community leaders.
Commissioner Blanch said the incident although has “the hallmarks” of a terrorist attack but is not being labelled one at this stage.
It is reported that the teenager was a Caucasian male who had converted to Islam. He had called WA Police and told them he was going to commit acts of violence.
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The Commonwealth has seized a property located in regional Victoriafollowing revelations that it was purchased with funds obtained through fraudulent activities.
The individual responsible for the purchase, a 31-year-old man, had been sentenced to imprisonment in August 2023 for his involvement in an $800,000 GST fraud scheme.
The fraudulent activities revolved around fictitious claims made by a registered landscaping business, which, in reality, had no legitimate business operations. Over a period spanning from January 2018 to November 2021, the man submitted more than 45 false Business Activity Statements to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), claiming refunds based on non-existent business activity.
Upon uncovering the fraudulent scheme, the ATO referred the matter to the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT). Through collaborative efforts, the agencies successfully restrained the property in Mount Helen, Ballarat, suspected to be purchased with proceeds from the fraudulent activity.
Investigations revealed that the man had transferred the illicitly obtained GST refunds to a family member’s account, who then facilitated the purchase of the property through a real estate agent. The property was also registered under another individual’s name, in an attempt to conceal its true ownership.
The AFP presented evidence to the County Court of Victoria, demonstrating that the transactions and ownership arrangements were designed to obscure the origins of the funds and the true ownership of the property. Consequently, on April 15, 2024, the Court declared the forfeiture of the property under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth).
Commander Allison Buck, leading the AFP-led CACT, emphasized the agencies’ commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the tax system and ensuring that those who attempt to exploit it are held accountable. Similarly, ATO Deputy Commissioner John Ford reiterated the seriousness of GST fraud and urged individuals involved to come forward voluntarily.
“This case shows that even if people try to obscure the source of their wealth it does not put them out of reach of the criminal justice system.”
The man, who had already been sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment for various offenses including dishonestly obtaining financial advantages from the Commonwealth and dealing in proceeds of crime, now faces the loss of the property purchased through illicit means.
Proceeds from the sale of the forfeited property will be deposited into the Confiscated Assets Account, managed by the Australian Financial Security Authority on behalf of the Commonwealth. These funds will then be utilized for community benefit, supporting crime prevention, intervention, or diversion programs, as part of the government’s efforts to combat criminal activities and protect the welfare of Australians.
The successful outcome underscores the collaborative efforts of agencies such as the AFP-led CACT and the ATO-led SFCT in combating financial crimes and ensuring compliance with taxation laws. Established to dismantle criminal enterprises and divert ill-gotten gains, these task forces play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the interests of the community.
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Image: PM Modi 'leading' from front at Quad Summit (Source: Twitter- Amit Malviya)
In the cacophony of global politics, India once again finds itself at the center of a storm brewed by the West’s misguided and misjudged interference into the country’s democratic framework. Thus ignoring that the new India is built on the principles of cooperation and collaboration – sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas (Together with all, development for all and the trust of all).
History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation. https://t.co/OglSaEj3Pf
The Western media’s penchant for sensationalism through propagandist stories specifically when it comes to writing about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not hidden. Recent reports emanating from the heart of Western intelligence agencies, allegedly leaked from Five Eyes spooks, have attempted to paint a grim picture of India’s counter-terrorism efforts. In fact, Kanwal Sibal, a former Indian Foreign Secretary and Ambassador, has called it “a masterclass in Yellow Journalism” that “is full of innuendoes, speculation, tentative assessments and distortions…[with] no qualms in pushing a narrative to serve a political purpose in connivance with US agencies.”
On the coverage of India in Western media, Dr Om Dwivedi says that many of “these headlines are not only racial but also prejudiced, teeming as they do with self-serving ideologies.” In fact, he adds, “the pot-bellied colonial ego comes out forcefully in some of the headlines.”
While 970 million Indians freely exercise their franchise in the General Elections over the next two months, this is the extent to which an array of elements across Global Media Outlets, Global Think-Tanks, Activists and NGOs have worked overtime to undermine the legitimacy and…
— Shashi Shekhar Vempati शशि शेखर (@shashidigital) April 20, 2024
At the forefront of these unscrupulous and unethical allegations is the insidious insinuation that Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), is running amok, conducting covert operations on foreign soil just like a Hollywood or Bollywood spy universe film.
The timing of these alleged intel leaks and so-called investigative reports lacking credible proof published in the Western media raises suspicions. It’s apparent that certain elements within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand, are attempting to rein in India’s burgeoning influence on the global stage.
A naive South Asia expert sitting in the ivory tower of Western university may ask: If the Five Eyes were really bent on “defanging” India’s counter-terror and intel apparatus do you really think a newspaper scoop is how they’d do it?
In this era of social media, truth often takes a backseat to biased narratives and popular opinion. Sadly, yes, that’s precisely how things are done now with every effort made to push the narrative about democracy backsliding in India, the rise of Hindutva and authoriatarianism under Modi.
With PM Modi poised for a potential third term, Modi 3.0, the fear of India’s ascension into a higher economic, national growth and global leadership trajectory looms large. Many perceive the Five Eyes’ partnership with India in various groupings as primarily aimed at addressing the “China problem,” with a reluctance to share leadership role with a nation that helped them in the last decade in stabilising the Global South.
Some experts popular on social media argue that India’s accusations of Western media and think-tanks are biased is unfounded, suggesting instead that these are independent institutions simply scrutinizing the country objectively.
The last I checked, Economist Intelligence Unit categorized India as a “flawed democracy,” V-Dem labelled it as an “electoral autocracy,” Freedom House assessed it as “partially free,” Australia-India Institute described the Modi governemnt as “authoritarian populism.” Prof. Salvatore Babones has shown how the these major international evaluations of Indian democracy are “suffused with wanton speculation, misleading statistics, and uncritical reproductions of activist accusations” against PM Modi thus pointing to “intentional deception.” These organizations have become politicized themselves, diminishing the credibility that initially elevated their prestige in the non-Western world.
Further, many anti-ndia and anti-Modi reports have been published by public broadcasters of Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Also, the Western media is not “independent” as it is often portrayed due to its high rate of publishing paid op-eds and heavy leaning towards Leftist-Islamist ideology. Which speaks volume for their biased narrative built half-baked credible allegations and sources which in most cases is Pakistani intelligence.
This heightened foreign interference in India through Western media narratives, often disseminated uncritically by some Indian outlets, Anti-Modi propaganda activists (supported by Pakistan-based admins), and WhatsApp universities of fact-checkers, could not only undermine the credibility of PM Modi’s government but also potentially influence a change in government, if strategically leveraged, leading up to the 2024 Indian general elections.
(WATCH VIDEO: In an exclusive interview with The Australia Today’s Editor, Pallavi Jain, Prof. Salvatore Babones said that internationally India enjoys tremendous goodwill at the official and geo-political level but that it was Indian intellectuals who were poisoning India’s reputation)
But what’s truly perplexing is the double standard that are at play here! Kanwal Sibal also highlights this hypocrisy: “The US can have a long list of those it sees as terrorists but there is something suspect in India declaring anyone a terrorist.” Under this biased lens, while Indian intelligence is scrutinized under a microscope with the pretence of Big Brother watching i.e. acting as if no spies from Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand are operating in India and influencing Indian operatives, bureucrats, politicians, media person, activists and gangsters is conveniently overlooked by the same Western media.
It’s evident that there’s more to these unsubstantiated allegations than meets the eye especially people in the Indian Diaspora living in these very countries. The diplomatic policy putting India first, concrete or anticipatory steps against terror sanctuaries, scrapping of Article 370 in Kashmir and the country’s resolute stance and questioning of providing safe havens to Islamist and Khalistani separatists in these very countries has definitely increased Pakistan’s complaining to the Big Brother(s).
The focus on the Khalistan issue, particularly engineered through North American safe haven, serves as a convenient distraction from the real agenda at hand in these very countries i.e. poor political leadership, rise of ultra Left idelogy, rising authoritarianism as seen in crackdown on peaceful protesters, high inflation and housing crisis, uncontrolled illegal immigration, rising crime and gang wars, and higher rate of extremist radicalisation amongst youths. So, by conveniently attempting to sow discord within India’s communities, Punjab, Kashmir, and Manipur, paying certain political parties aligned with Western interests hope to sway electoral outcomes in their favour.
However, their efforts may be in vain as people in India know very well. As India is weary of incessant terror attacks backed by foreign based extremist groups. So, when the dust settles on these unfounded accusations, it’s imperative for the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and their media proxies to acknowledge the ground reality. In the end, the resilience of the Indian spirit will prevail, transcending the petty politics of international espionage and bogus activism.
Image: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sydney (Source: Supplied)
History tells us that India has never and will not bow down to external pressure, especially when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty and protecting its citizens. At the forefront of PM Modi’s diplomatic paradigm is his visionary approach, which harnesses the power of traditional India – maitri (mateship) – to forge deeper bonds with partner nations. I call this concept “paraspara diplomacy“—a notion deeply rooted in India’s historical and cultural ethos that holds significant promise in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. Unlike many xenophobic nations of the West, India that is Bharat extends a warm invitation to the world, inviting nations to embrace the spirit of unity in diversity.
In essence, “paraspara diplomacy” embodies a philosophy of mutual trust, sustainability and reciprocity—a shared commitment to nurturing relationships and tapping into the vast opportunities that abound in the world. As India takes center stage on the global platform, it is imperative that the world, especialy Five Eyes, embraces this inclusive approach to diplomacy, one that transcends borders and fosters enduring partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding.
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“Put simply, it’ll cut debt for more than 3 million Australians. Uni should create opportunities for you, not a lifetime of debt. We’re taking pressure off to help you get ahead.”
The proposed legislation, set to be tabled in parliament, outlines a pivotal change in the calculation of student loan increments by incorporating a new indexation methodology.
Effective retroactively from June 1 of the previous year, this adjustment will factor in the lower of either the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Wage Price Index (WPI) for determining loan escalations.
We’re making student loans fairer and cheaper.
We’ll cap how your loan is indexed so you’ll pay less over the life of the loan.
And we’ll deliver $3 billion in HELP loan credits to relieve some of the cost that came with last year's inflation spike. pic.twitter.com/CExRAl0t52
During the preceding fiscal year, the average Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt, totaling $26,500, surged by $1881.50, or 7.1 percent, under the CPI gauge, which gauges inflation by monitoring fluctuations in a selection of consumer goods and services. Conversely, utilizing the WPI metric, which registered a mere 3.2 percent increase over the same period, would have resulted in a $848 uptick in the average HELP debt.
According to government projections, the average student loan recipient stands to witness a reduction of approximately $1,200 in outstanding balances by the fiscal year’s end.
For an individual grappling with a $100,000 student loan burden, this translates to an alleviation of nearly $4,500 from their indebtedness.
Image: Estimated indexation credit for HELP debtors (Source: Education Minister Media Release)
The scope of this transformative measure extends to all accounts under the HELP, VET Student Loan, Australian Apprenticeship Support Loan, and other student support loan categories that were in existence as of June 1 of the prior year.
Embedded within the upcoming May budget, this initiative aims to furnish substantial relief to individuals contending with student loans amidst the battle against inflation.
We are wiping $3 billion in student debt for more than 3 million Australians. pic.twitter.com/2SuxDErmLu
“This will wipe out around $3 billion in student debt from more than three million Australians. The Universities Accord recommended indexing HELP loans to whatever is lower out of CPI and WPI. We are doing this, and going further. We will backdate this reform to last year. This will wipe out what happened last year and make sure it never happens again.”
Image: Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor (Source: X)
Echoing Minister Clare’s sentiments, Skills and Training Minister Brendan O’Connor emphasized the government’s commitment to mitigating the cost of living expenses and dismantling financial impediments to education and training.
Minister O’Connor asserted:
“This continues our work to ease cost of living pressures and reduce and remove financial barriers to education and training. VET Student Loans and Apprenticeship Support Loans support many Australians to get the skills they need for secure and rewarding careers, and these changes make sure that help is provided on a fairer basis. By backdating this reform to last year, we’re making sure that those with student loans affected by last year’s jump in indexation get this important cost-of-living relief.”
This reform will encompass all student debts subject to indexation in the year 2023.
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled its annual update of the cricket team rankings this Friday, marking significant shifts and intense competition among the world’s cricketing powerhouses. Australia has dethroned India to claim the top position in Test cricket, while India continues to lead decisively in both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Australia’s rise to the summit in Test rankings was propelled by their emphatic 209-run victory over India in last year’s World Test Championship final at The Oval. This victory not only clinched the championship title but also boosted their rating to 124 points, putting them four points ahead of India, which now sits at 120 points. England remains in third place with 105 points.
Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager, remarked on the shifts seen in the rankings;
“This year’s rankings testifies to the dynamic nature of international cricket. Australia’s resurgence to the top of the Test rankings highlights their consistent performance and strategic prowess.”
“Meanwhile, India’s stronghold in the limited-overs formats underlines their depth and versatility.”
The Test rankings reflect the latest performances, with the current evaluation period starting from May 2021. This methodology phased out India’s remarkable 2-1 series victory over Australia in January 2021, as results from May 2021 to May 2023 are weighted at 50 per cent, and those in the subsequent 12 months, including Australia’s championship win, are weighted fully.
Despite losing its crown in the Test format, India maintained its supremacy in white-ball cricket. The team has extended its lead in the ODI rankings, now sitting six points clear of second-placed Australia with 122 points. This is particularly impressive considering their recent loss to Australia in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final, which ended a 10-match winning streak.
In the T20I rankings, India remains the leader with 264 points, although their lead has been reduced from 11 to seven points, with Australia now trailing closely at 257 points. England and South Africa are also making strong showings in the T20I format, underscoring the competitive spirit and shifting dynamics within international cricket.
Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle commented on the rankings, “The ICC rankings are always a reflection of not just the skills on display but also the strategies and mental toughness of the teams.”
“Australia’s rise and India’s dominance in ODIs and T20Is showcase the high standards of cricket being played and the ever-changing narratives in the sport,”
Bhogle added.
As the cricketing world eyes these rankings, the clear message is the continuous evolution and fierce rivalry that define international cricket. Teams are not only battling for supremacy in individual matches but also for long-term dominance across all formats of the game. This ranking update sets the stage for another exciting year in world cricket, with all eyes on how teams adjust and respond to the challenges ahead.
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In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of job vacancies fell by 6.1% between November 2023 and February 2024. Every click on a job ad can either open doors to amazing opportunities, or plunge job seekers into perfectly set up cyber traps.
The latest annual Targeting Scams report shows a seemingly encouraging 13.1% decline in scam losses reported by Australians – down to A$2.74 billion in 2023. But it doesn’t mean we should get complacent. Scammers are continuously refining their techniques and expanding their reach.
Particularly alarming is the volume of job scams (also known as employment or recruitment scams). These scams were among the top ten scam categories in 2023, with a dramatic 150% increase in financial losses compared to the year before.
How exactly do job scams work? And how can job seekers distinguish between legitimate job offers and deceptive schemes?
What is a job scam?
Job scammers attract people by promising fake jobs that require little effort but promise a substantial financial reward or “guaranteed” income, or perhaps even a “dream job” at a real company they’re impersonating. The end goal in all cases is to extract money and/or personal details from the victim.
Employment scams may take many forms, but there are several tell-tale signs.
Scammers use social media, unsolicited emails, encrypted chat applications (such as WhatsApp or Telegram), phone calls or even legitimate employment websites to advertise non-existent jobs.
An example of a job scam is sent through a text message. The Conversation
Job scammers may also impersonate recruiters from genuine organisations, including high-level executives or even hiring managers conducting interviews for jobs that do not exist.
An example of a job scam impersonating a recruiter from a legitimate company. The Conversation
For some of these jobs, the scammer will ask for some type of upfront fee to secure employment, pay for onboarding, or to purchase (non-existent) products the job seeker is supposed to sell. The moment the fee is paid, the scammer will instantly disappear.
Sometimes, job scammers promise a high commission if the person uses their own bank account to transfer existing funds into an offshore account, cryptocurrency exchange or gift card. This is likely money laundering.
Depending on the type of job scam, cyber criminals conducting a fake application and onboarding process may even gain access to sensitive information such as your passport number, driver’s licence and other credentials. This puts you at high risk of identity theft.
Who is vulnerable to job scams and why?
Scammers target their victims based on their online behaviour, financial situation, needs and even vulnerability to certain types of persuasion.
The increasing cost of living in Australia is creating a fertile ground for job scams. People in desperate need of employment, those who have been unemployed for a very long time and those seeking additional income via part-time (usually remote) jobs are all at high risk of becoming victims to these job scams.
These individuals are driven by economic need and will easily overlook or not recognise red flags. University students and recent graduates looking for valuable work experience in tough job markets are increasingly becoming targets of job scams, too.
Immigrants can be particularly susceptible to job scams, mainly because they may not be familiar with legitimate employment processes, standard recruitment practices and Australian employment rights.
In extreme cases, employment scams can even result in international human trafficking, as shown by an incident in Cambodia last year, with victims being locked into compounds, having their passports confiscated and being trained to scam others. Captors would release them only upon receiving a ransom fee payment.
How can I avoid a job scam?
Apart from using a “stop, think and protect” approach, here are more tips on how to protect yourself from job scams:
Use only legitimate job boards and networking sites. For example, LinkedIn verifies recruiters with a visible badge on their profiles.
Critically evaluate and check job listings by looking for comprehensive information and list of qualifications. Seek advice from trusted professionals to validate the legitimacy of the job offer.
Don’t respond to non-corporate emails, texts or other messages offering “too good to be true” unsolicited employment opportunities with high returns.
Conduct thorough research by always verifying the legitimacy of the offer. Check the company’s official website, read trusted reviews, call or even visit.
Avoid providing credentials including passport details, a driver’s licence, Medicare number, or financial information (a bank account number or PayID) during the application or onboarding process.
Don’t provide an upfront payment and don’t pay fees for training, equipment or software as a condition of being hired.
Never agree to receive or transfer funds through your bank account on behalf of someone else for a commission.
Overall, stay vigilant. If you do come across any job scams, make sure to report them to the Scamwatch website.
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Image: His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley host an Investiture Ceremony for Ms Harinder Sidhu AM.
Ms Sidhu was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to public administration, and to foreign affairs (Source: Australian Honours and Award - Facebook)
Former Australian High Commissioner to India, Harinder Sidhu, has been invested as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of her distinguished service to public administration and foreign affairs.
Ms Sidhu, who served as the Australian High Commissioner to India from 2016 to 2020, was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia during this year’s Australia Day Honours. Her investiture ceremony, officiated by Governor-General Hurley, officially conferred upon her the prestigious honor.
Image: His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley host an Investiture Ceremony for Ms Harinder Sidhu AM. Ms Sidhu was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to public administration, and to foreign affairs (Source: Australian Honours and Award – Facebook)
Philip Green OAM, the current Australian High Commissioner to India, expressed his congratulations and admiration for Ms Sidhu’s achievements, stating,
“My personal congratulations and those from the many here who fondly remember HC Harinder Sidhu’s posting in Delhi. Great to see you rewarded so fittingly for your achievements Harinder!”
With over 30 years of experience in government across multiple agencies, Ms Sidhu is one of Australia’s most senior female diplomats. She holds degrees in Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney. Ms Sidhu has also served in diplomatic postings in Cairo, Damascus, and Moscow.
Throughout her career, Ms Sidhu has held senior leadership roles in various departments, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, the Office of National Assessments, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Image: His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley host an Investiture Ceremony for Ms Harinder Sidhu AM. Ms Sidhu was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to public administration, and to foreign affairs (Source: Australian Honours and Award – Facebook)
Ms Sidhu’s tenure as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Secretary at DFAT underscores her dedication to public service and her commitment to advancing Australia’s interests on the global stage.
The investiture of Ms Sidhu as a Member of the Order of Australia highlights the Order’s mission to recognize individuals from diverse backgrounds for their outstanding achievements across various fields.
Since 2022, Ms Sidhu is serving as the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand.
The Order of Australia recognises individuals of all demographics for their achievements in a wide range of endeavours.
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Image: Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (Source: JNU)
In a landmark ceremony, the Government of India has bestowed the honorary rank of Colonel in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) upon 19 distinguished Vice Chancellors (VCs) from various Indian universities, symbolizing their commitment to nation-building and academic leadership.
Among the esteemed recipients is Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who is the first woman to hold this prestigious position at the university.
“I do not want to hide it. Those who are Maoists they do not hide it so why should I hide it. I have not done anything that is anti-national and I think the RSS in the south is not as politicised as it is here. I have a lot to do with the Sangh and most of my values come from there. I think everybody has different affiliations. For me Sangh has been a very positive influence,” Pandit said.
The conferment of honorary military ranks upon civilians, such as these eminent educationists, underscores their exceptional contributions to society and their dedication to advancing the nation’s educational landscape. This recognition not only honors their achievements but also serves to enhance the visibility of the armed forces and bolster national pride.
Honorary military ranks have historically been awarded to individuals for their outstanding performance and significant contributions in various spheres, ranging from sports to academia. Renowned sports personalities like MS Dhoni, Kapil Dev, and Abhinav Bindra have been honored with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, highlighting their exemplary sportsmanship and national representation.
Similarly, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was appointed as Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, marking a historic first for the service. These honorary appointments not only recognize the individuals’ achievements but also foster a strong bond between civilian achievers and the armed forces.
IMAGE: Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (Source: NCC – JNU – Facebook)
The conferment of the honorary rank of Colonel upon Vice Chancellors is a testament to their leadership and dedication to nurturing academic excellence. This gesture, recommended and appointed by the Ministry of Defence, emphasizes the vital role of educationists in shaping the future of the nation and fostering a sense of patriotism among the youth.
The practice of conferring honorary ranks within the NCC is not new, with past recipients including Vice Chancellors from esteemed institutions such as IP University, Palampur University, and Sharnbasva University. This tradition continues to recognize and honor the pivotal role of education in nation-building.
The ceremony, held under the auspices of the respective NCC directorates, saw the Vice Chancellors being formally presented with the honorary rank of Colonel, along with official gazette notifications and ceremonial batons. This significant event not only celebrates their individual achievements but also underscores the collective commitment of educators towards shaping a brighter future for the nation.
The conferment of honorary military ranks upon Vice Chancellors represents a symbolic union between academia and the armed forces, emphasizing the shared values of leadership, discipline, and dedication to the nation. As these esteemed educationists assume their roles as Colonel Commandants of their respective universities, they embody the spirit of service and excellence, inspiring future generations to strive for greatness in both education and national service.
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Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Head of Sikh for Justice, a India designated Khalistan terror group issuing threats to Australian journalists; Image Source; The Australia Today
Today, on World Press Freedom Day, we stand in solidarity not only to honour the relentless pursuit of truth by journalists worldwide but to highlight a grave concern that hits closer to home.
Here at The Australia Today, our dedicated team has faced dire threats from extremist factions, including threats to their lives and those of their families by Khalistan terror groups. This day, therefore, is not just a celebration but a stark reminder of the dangers journalists face and the essential need for their protection.
Journalists serve as the pillars of democracy, tasked with the critical role of informing the public and holding those in power accountable. The threats they encounter in their line of work are not just attacks on individuals but assaults on the transparency and accountability we strive for in a free society.
In light of these threats, our call to the Australian authorities is unequivocal:
The protection of journalists is non-negotiable and must be upheld at all times, everywhere.
The chilling effect of threats and violence on media freedom is undeniable. When journalists are silenced, whether by fear or force, democracy suffers. The right to report freely is fundamental to our society’s well-being, informing public opinion, and fostering informed debate. Any attempt to curb these liberties through intimidation or violence is a direct attack on the fabric of our democratic values.
However, the persistence of these threats and the failure of authorities to adequately address them cast a long shadow over our collective claim to uphold human rights and freedoms. Law enforcement and governmental bodies must bolster their efforts to protect journalists and ensure that such threats are met with the full force of the law.
The failure is not just a lapse in security but a significant blemish on Australia’s global standing as a bastion of free press and safety.
On this World Press Freedom Day, while we reflect on the importance of journalistic freedom, we also condemn in the strongest terms the violence and intimidation tactics used against media personnel. These are not merely attacks on individuals but are attempts to stifle the freedom of the press.
We stand together, undeterred and united, in our mission to report the truth and shed light on injustices.
We also stand with our colleagues around the world who navigate similar threats and continue their work despite the dangers involved.
To every journalist out there braving threats to bring stories to light, know that your courage is recognised and your safety is paramount. And to the authorities tasked with protecting these brave individuals, let today be a reminder of your vital role in safeguarding the principles of freedom and justice. Let it also be a call to action to strengthen your resolve and your resources to protect those who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of truth.
While we celebrate the fearless pursuit of journalism, we also urge a recommitment to the values that underpin our profession. Let us ensure that World Press Freedom Day is not only a reminder of the freedoms we cherish but also a call to action to defend and protect the journalists who, despite facing unimaginable threats, continue to serve the public good.
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Image: Cocaine in a van loaded with frozen chickens (Source: AFP)
In a dramatic turn of events, a 55-year-old man from Wacol, Queensland, finds himself at the center of a high-profile case, charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) with trafficking over 120kg of cocaine. The alleged scheme involved transporting the illicit substance from Victoria to New South Wales, cleverly disguised within frozen chicken products.
According to AFP reports, the accused was purportedly part of a clandestine operation attempting to ferry cocaine from Melbourne to Sydney concealed amidst a van full of frozen poultry in August 2022.
Image: Cocaine in a van loaded with frozen chickens (Source: AFP)
Scheduled to make his appearance today (Friday, May 3, 2024) in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, the defendant faces a grave charge of trafficking in commercial quantities of controlled drugs, as outlined in sections 302.2(1) and 11.2(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment looming over him.
Image: Cocaine in a van loaded with frozen chickens (Source: AFP)
This isn’t the first encounter with law enforcement for the accused.
In October 2022, he was one of two Queensland men apprehended and charged by the AFP in connection with an alleged money laundering syndicate responsible for funneling $4.5 million through illicit channels.
During the 2022 investigation, authorities executed search warrants across multiple addresses, including locations in Helensvale, Graceville, Bardon, and Brisbane City. The searches yielded significant discoveries, with officers seizing $70,000 in cash from concealed safes under stairs and a cash counter at a Bardon property, along with an additional $160,000 retrieved from a safe in Helensvale.
Image: Helensvale cash recovered (Source: AFP)
The accused faced charges related to conspiring to deal in the proceeds of general crime, with the value of the money or property in question exceeding $1,000,000, under sections 400.3(1B) and 11.5 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the gravity of the accusations against the defendant underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat organized crime and illicit drug trafficking across state borders.
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As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver.
Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live in yourself, while simultaneously purchasing an investment property somewhere cheaper and leasing it out.
Ideally, “rentvestors” get to enjoy the capital gains on an investment property while living where they actually want to live, allowing them to cash in and upsize to their dream home later.
Heard of rentvesting? This post is to compare prices and rental yields only, does not include capital gains returns, and is not advice to invest in a particular suburb. #rent#rentvesting#property#finance
It might seem like a savvy way to game the property market. But what are the risks of such an investment strategy? And how might the broad adoption of this behaviour affect housing affordability in Australia?
A rising tide lifts all boats differently
The aim of the rentvesting game is to buy cheap property now, ride the expected capital gains, and move into a more desirable home down the track. The hope is that by climbing the first rung of the property ladder early, the whole thing won’t be pulled up out of reach.
The first problem with this strategy, however, is that capital gains on housing are not always and everywhere equal.
Generally, the cheapest properties available to rentvestors will be houses in the regions or apartments in the city. But both regional housing and apartment properties tend to appreciate more slowly than the inner-city houses rentvestors might hope to live in one day. They might get a foot on the property ladder, but the rungs themselves are slowly drifting apart.
Would-be rentvestors should also be aware that investments by “out-of-town” buyers tend to generate much lower returns – both capital gains and rental yields – than investments by locals. Out-of-towners don’t know the local market trends, don’t know which neighbourhoods to avoid, and aren’t able to monitor their investments as effectively from afar.
Avoiding the regions by investing in city apartments presents its own difficulties. Large, unexpected maintenance bills and poor strata management are common complaints.
Different costs lead to different returns
Perhaps the potential rentvestor should invest in something more straightforward instead, like stocks. After all, the return on equities in Australia has outperformed housing in recent decades.
However, it is much easier to borrow to invest in property than it is to borrow to invest in the stock market. And leverage is the investor’s secret weapon. For example, if house prices were to appreciate at 10% per year, then using a mortgage and an A$100,000 deposit on a $1 million property would earn you a 100% return on equity before costs.
But while both investors and homeowners would earn that same basic return, their costs could be very different. For starters, property investors face capital gains tax on the proceeds of property sales, unlike those selling their primary residence. Banks also typically charge higher interest rates on mortgages to investors than to homeowners.
At times, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has also imposed caps on bank lending against investment properties, making it more difficult to find mortgage financing in the first place.
Highly leveraged properties require mortgage insurance, too. Investors may need to take out larger insurance policies against the properties themselves, reflecting the higher risks associated with investment properties. Then, you also have to throw in property management fees, council rates, strata management fees and regular and unexpected maintenance costs.
Negative gearing offers little benefit
What about negative gearing? Property investors that generate losses on their property can deduct these costs against the tax bill on their other income.
However negative gearing disproportionately benefits high-income earners with large tax bills. The median Australian individual income is around $55,00, which generates a tax bill of about $8,000 – not a lot from which investment property losses can be deducted.
The bigger picture is that while negative gearing helps defray the regular costs of managing a property, it doesn’t do anything to change expected capital gains.
At the end of the spreadsheet tally, an investment property could end up earning rentvestors significantly less than they could have gained by simply buying their first home.
Effects on housing affordability
Rentvesting is new enough that its prevalence and influence await formal academic study. But economists might speculate about its implications for the housing market more broadly.
The simplest analysis suggests that a rentvestor occupies one rental property while supplying an additional rental property to the market. If, instead, they had bought a home, they would vacate a rental property while removing another property from the market. In this case, even rentvesting en masse would have zero net effect on the housing market.
But a more nuanced perspective might consider where rentvestors are renting and where they are investing. Perhaps they are most likely to rent properties in the already-crowded inner city but purchase investment properties in regional areas where other first-home buyers would like to live.
This would increase demand for rentals in the city and reduce the supply of owner-occupier properties in the regions, worsening the affordability of both.
Of course, if these rentvestors all eventually move up the property ladder – selling in the region and purchasing in the city – this effect would be reversed. From that longer-term perspective, rentvestors would ultimately have little effect.
We still need more houses
Rentvesting is not a panacea for Australia’s housing market woes. Potential investors should weigh the benefits of property investment against its substantial costs and risks. Additionally, they need to carefully consider the obvious alternative: simply buying their first home up-front.
We have good reason to be wary of yet another get-rich-quick scheme involving the housing market. But initial considerations suggest that for the market overall, rentvestor behaviour is no worse than someone simply buying their first home, which we would otherwise encourage.
Rather than criticising those seeking a way though our housing market morass, we might instead redouble our efforts to increase the supply of housing.
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Australia has emerged as one of the top destinations for Indian professionals looking to work abroad, according to the latest ‘International Mobility Trends’ study by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This report reveals significant changes in the preferences and mobility of the Indian workforce, alongside broader global trends.
Despite a general decline in the number of Indians willing to relocate internationally for work, from 78% in 2020 to 54% in 2023. Australia, along with the USA, Canada, and the UK, have become increasingly popular among those still interested in pursuing careers overseas.
Image Source: Supplied
The study, involving responses from 150,000 people across 188 countries, highlights several key factors influencing these migration trends. Economic incentives and professional development opportunities are the primary motivators, with 64% of participants citing financial reasons and 56% pointing to career advancement as their main reasons for moving abroad.
“Australia’s rise as a preferred destination underscores its appeal in terms of quality of job opportunities and lifestyle,” said Neetu Chitkara, MD & Partner, India Lead People and Organisation Practice at BCG.
“The robust job market and high standard of living in Australia are attracting a skilled workforce from India, keen on enhancing their career prospects in a conducive environment.”
This preference for Australia is reflected globally, as the country ranks among the top four most desirable destinations worldwide, alongside the USA, Canada, and the UK. Major cities such as London and New York continue to be hotspots for international job seekers, indicating a strong preference for established economic centres.
According to the report, Australia became more attractive to respondents from Asian countries, and it rose in popularity among respondents from North America, Africa, and several European countries, including the UK and Ireland. Amid an economic boom as the world emerged from the worst stages of the pandemic, Australia has been attractive to talent from abroad, offering job opportunities, visas, and a great quality of life.
Dr Amit Sarwal, an award-winning expert on Indian diaspora and mobility in Australia and author of Roots and Routes (2016), commented on the findings;
“The deep emotional ties that bind Indian professionals to their homeland are quite striking. While 59% of Indians show a reluctance to relocate—significantly higher than the global average of 33%—it reflects a profound commitment to their cultural and familial roots.
Dr Amit Sarwal, Expert on Indian diaspora and mobility in Australia
“It not only highlights the cultural depth that Indians bring to the global stage but also points to potential challenges in talent mobility that need to be addressed with culturally sensitive strategies,” added Dr Sarwal.
This attachment highlights the dual challenge of attracting international talent to India while retaining its own.
The study further underscores India’s rising stature as an attractive work destination, particularly among individuals from the UAE, Nigeria, and Kenya. Cities like Bengaluru and Delhi, despite a drop in their global rankings, continue to draw foreign professionals, with Ahmedabad making its debut in the top 100 global cities for employment.
India’s role as a major contributor to the global workforce is also significant, with the world’s largest overseas diaspora consisting of 13.6 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), 18.68 million Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and nearly 32.3 million Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). Annually, approximately 2.5 million Indians migrate overseas, representing the highest number of migrants from any single country globally.
As global mobility trends continue to evolve, the insights from the BCG report provide crucial data for governments and businesses aiming to understand and adapt to the changing landscape of international labor markets. For Australia and India, these trends not only reflect economic and professional opportunities but also highlight ongoing shifts in cultural and social dynamics influencing global workforce mobility.
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The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Business Council of Australia (BCA) have unveiled the India-Australia Women’s Leadership Forum, aimed at enhancing gender diversity in the corporate sector. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in promoting women’s leadership and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Image Source; Supplied
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the forum was signed at a high-profile event in New Delhi, where leaders from both countries gathered to witness this transformative initiative.
The forum will be co-chaired by Viji Murugesan, Head of Scaleup Business Transformation at Tata Consultancy Services, and Ravneet Pawha, Asia CEO of Deakin University, underscoring the commitment of top corporate figures to this cause.
Viji Murugesan, Head of Scaleup Business Transformation at Tata Consultancy Services (left), and Ravneet Pawha, Asia CEO of Deakin University (right) with Jodi Mckay, Director, Australia-India CEO Forum (centre); Image Source; Supplied
Echoing this sentiment, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, linked the forum’s goals to global initiatives discussed earlier in the year.
“Aligned with the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity & Equality announced in Davos, the India – Australia Women’s Leadership Forum aims to harness the strengths of women in our bilateral relationship,”
he said.
The initiative not only aims to elevate women into leadership roles but also to integrate gender equality into the broader economic discourse, as reflected in the ongoing commitment following the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). This agreement has already begun to facilitate easier trade between the two countries, benefiting from reduced tariffs and fostering a conducive environment for economic growth.
Bran Black, Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia and Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII; Image Source; Supplied
Bran Black, Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, highlighted the importance of this initiative within the broader context of the Australia-India CEO Forum.
“Our commitment to enhancing gender equality is firm, and we see the Women’s Leadership Forum as a pivotal platform for promoting female leadership, which is essential for boosting the productivity of our economies,”
Black stated.
Parimita Tripathi, Joint Secretary – Oceania at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, emphasised the forum’s strategic importance, stating,
“This Forum will play a crucial role in broadening our economic and social relationship with Australia, particularly by deepening people-to-people ties.”
The forum plans to engage women leaders through workshops, mentorship programs, and policy-making exercises, aiming to create a robust ecosystem that supports female professionals. These activities will provide vital resources for women, facilitating their rise in corporate hierarchies and helping them to form supportive networks across the India-Australia corridor.
By fostering such cross-border collaborations, the India-Australia Women’s Leadership Forum not only aims to champion gender diversity but also to build lasting relationships that could shape the future of corporate leadership in both nations. With strong backing from governmental and corporate leaders, the forum is poised to make a significant impact on the international stage, advocating for women’s economic empowerment and leadership.
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Image: Sai Sanjeevani Children's Hospital Fiji celebrated its 2nd Anniversary on 24th April 2024 (Source: Facebook)
By Riya Bhagwan
HEART disease ranks highest among the leading causes of child mortalities. Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirmed this while speaking at the second anniversary celebrations of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital at the civic centre auditorium in Suva last week.
More than a hundred cases of heart disease have been diagnosed through the Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Heart Screening Centre alone and the staggering numbers are of great concern.
Image: Fiji’s Prime Minister Rabuka at the event organised by Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital to celebrate its 2nd Anniversary on 24th April 2024 (Source: Facebook)
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to improve healthcare services in Fiji, Mr Rabuka expressed his gratitude to the founding trustees and directors of the hospital for their continued commitment in giving the region its first ever paediatric cardiac hospital, built on international standards.
“While government aims to provide quality, affordable and efficient health services for all, it (the hospital) is like a dream given our economic challenges,” Mr Rabuka said. “This hospital is an answer to the prayers of thousands of mothers and families.”
Image: The April cardiac surgical mission commenced on the 14th of April lead by the incredible Dr Shaun Setty and the team from the USA, UAE, Australia and New Zealand (Source: Facebook – Dr. Krupali R. Tappoo)
As of Monday, April 22, 2024, 277 little hearts were healed by 10 international visiting teams at the $25 million facility. This outlines the hospital’s successful journey in achieving its vision of becoming the premiere paediatric care facility for Fiji and the Pacific Island nations.
“Without the support of the Honourable Prime Minister, the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and the government, our ability to perform these life-saving surgeries would have been severely limited,” director for the Sai Prema Foundation, Sumeet Tappoo highlighted.
Image: Sumeet Tappoo with Dr. Krupali R. Tappoo (Source: FijiVillage)
Speaking about the international visiting teams, Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital director Dr. Krupali Tappoo thanked local doctors and nurses for their support.
“We extend our heart-felt gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, staff of CWM, Labasa hospital and head of paediatric at CWM hospital Dr. Ilisapeci Vereti for supporting and working with the visiting team,” Dr. Krupali said.
The various initiatives by the Sai Prema Foundation have improved the lives of thousands of families across the region, including a state-of-the-art out-patient medical facility for mother and child care, a specialist children’s heart screening centre with 4D technology, and the specialist children’s heart hospital.
The non-profit charitable organisation established in 2016 has emerged as a leading NGO in Fiji providing free-of-cost services to families across the Pacific region.
Image: (R) India’s High Commissioner to Fiji P.S. Karthigeyan (Source: Fiji Government)
A beacon of hope also aroused for adults in Fiji and the region as the Indian government stepped up to fulfil their promise of building a specialist hospital in Fiji. This came after Mr Rabuka confirmed the construction of a 100-bed care facility in Nasinu.
“I am confident that this will come to fruition very soon to increase access to life-saving cardiac surgery for adults in Fiji and the region,” Mr Rabuka remarked as he noted that the initiative was presented in cabinet recently by a delegation from the Indian Government.
Image: PM Modi conferred with ‘Companion of the Order of Fiji’-highest honour of Fiji by PM Rabuka (Source: Fiji Government)
This hospital is part of the initiatives announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit (FIPIC-III) held in Papua New Guinea in May last year.
Mr Rabuka also acknowledged the pivotal role of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, founder of the Sanjeevani hospitals worldwide, in spearheading humanitarian projects and other initiatives in Fiji, and thanked him for being the inspiration behind the establishment of the children’s hospital.
India is privileged to join hands with Fiji again, to help build a strong & healthy next generatn. Glimpses from todays event to handover FJ$280000+ worth of #MadeinIndia drugs to Hon. @MOHFiji Minister @DrLalabalavu for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness program 🇮🇳🤝🇫🇯. pic.twitter.com/KXdN6JKf3L
The Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital was inaugurated on April 27, 2022, housing modern equipment and a training centre with technological capabilities for video conferencing.
Since its inception, the hospital has hosted numerous international surgical teams. Notably, Dr. Shaun Shetty, a renowned paediatric cardio surgeon, has maintained a close affiliation with the hospital, leading several surgical teams, and being the first surgeon to perform at the hospital.
Image: (L) Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Biman Prasad (Source: Fiji Government)
Present at the grand celebrations were beneficiaries of the hospital, Deputy Prime Minister Prof. Biman Prasad, the hospital’s surgical team, board members, foreign dignitaries and other members of the community.
The celebrations concluded with the Gift of Life ceremony, honouring the recipients of the life-saving surgeries and recognising the surgical team’s efforts. Emotions ran high at the auditorium as recipients shared their heart-felt journey with the audience.
This article was first published in Wansolwara and has been republished here with the kind permission of the editor(s).
Contributing Author: Riya Bhagwan is a second-year Journalism student and Veniana Willy is a third-year Journalism student and also a Photographer for the Wansolwara Editorial team.
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The Australian Federal Police (AFP) welcomed 46 new recruits in a dual graduation ceremony held in Canberra on April 26, 2024.
Among the new members are 26 graduates from the Federal Police Development Program, set to be deployed in critical areas such as Counter Terrorism, Special Investigations, Crime, Cyber, Intelligence, Covert Services, and Specialist Protective Commands.
Additionally, 20 recruits from the Protective Service Officer (PSO) Program are poised to serve in various locations across the nation.
One of the graduating PSOs, Courtney McKew, brings a wealth of diverse experience to her new role. Transitioning from a career in the Australian Defence Force and as a funeral director’s assistant, McKew saw joining the AFP as an opportunity for a fulfilling career with ample growth prospects and work-life balance.
“I applied to the AFP because I was interested in a career with a good work-life balance and the opportunity for growth,” she shared, emphasizing the enriching experience and lifelong friendships formed during her training.
Commander Sandra Booth expressed her pride in welcoming the new recruits to the AFP fold, commending their dedication throughout the training process and their commitment to safeguarding the community.
“Our recruits are the best of the best, and I have no doubt this cohort will go on to achieve amazing things in the community,” said Commander Booth, urging anyone interested in joining the AFP to explore the diverse and rewarding roles available.
A career in policing and protection, she emphasized, is not only vital but also deeply rewarding, offering recruits six weeks’ annual leave, mandatory rest days, superannuation benefits, and competitive salaries of up to $100,000 annually.
As these new recruits embark on their journey to serve and protect, their induction into the AFP marks not just a personal milestone but also a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of communities across Australia.
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An economic analysis undertaken by the Group of Eight (Go8) which demonstrates there is no direct link between international student numbers and the nation’s current housing crisis.
Go8 Chief Executive Vicki Thomson said in a statement that “the number of international student arrivals has no direct bearing on underlying supply side factors.”
“It includes decades of underinvestment; Government regulation, planning approvals, elevated construction costs and workforce shortages; supply chain disruptions; and weak productivity growth,” said Ms Thomson.
She added that the international student demand for housing is stronger in some inner city areas of Sydney and Melbourne where demand already exceeds supply. Because of this reason Go8 universities and purpose-built student accommodation providers are investing heavily in affordable student accommodation options.
Ms Thomson added: “Our universities also have a substantial forward plan of additional supply across the next decade.”
She further observed that these supply issues cannot be solved overnight and regardless of international student intake, Australia would still be facing a housing crisis.
“Any plans to impose a cap on international students as one mechanism to ease housing pressure – especially during a domestic skills crisis – is shortsighted and risks putting a brake on Australia’s economic growth and prosperity,” noted Ms Thomson.
Image: Cost of living (Source: CANVA)
In 2023, following a downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, total spending by international students bounced back to $47.8 billion.
Further, international students contributed an 0.8 per cent increase in GDP over 2023 (more than half of the recorded 1.5 per cent economic growth) according to the National Australia Bank.
Ms Thomson cautioned against putting the “blame to one cohort of students who were responsible for most of the nation’s economic growth.
International education is one of Australia’s greatest export success stories and is critical to our future prosperity.
Ms Thomson said: “Australia is in a global race for top international students who go on to earn advanced qualifications and help Australia’s drive to become a knowledge economy. Only around 16 per cent of international students who study in Australia remain long term, but those who do contribute to our skills and talent pool in critical areas such cyber security, defence, engineering and energy sectors. We need to encourage more high-quality international graduates to stay longer.”
The Go8 has backed the Albanese government’s goal to embed quality and restore integrity at all levels of the broader education sector.
“We need to target and retain high quality students to supplement our domestic workforce where there are skills gaps, and to boost sovereign capability,” Ms Thomson said.
Image: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Source: ALP)
The Albanese government has initiated a crackdown on ghost colleges and student visas, aiming to refine the overall migration strategy by implementing crucial recommendations from the migration review.
These recommendations encompass: raising the English language criteria for student visas; granting authorities new capabilities to halt high-risk educational institutions from enrolling international students; and introducing a new genuine student assessment to more effectively deter individuals seeking to enter Australia primarily for work rather than study.
By targeting universities deemed at higher risk of admitting students for work rather than study, the Albanese government hopes to streamline the migration process and uphold the integrity of the education system.
Image: Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil (Source: ALP)
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has said the government has been successful in reducing net migration and the goal of returning migration to pre-pandemic levels was clear.
“Since September, the government’s actions have led to substantial declines in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35 per cent on the previous year. The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the Migration Strategy to fix the broken system we inherited,” Minister O’Neil said.
Representative image: Student (Source: CANVA)
Go8 represents Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and either provide or facilitate access to accommodation that caters for over 83,000 students. This is equivalent to approximately two international students at a Go8 university for every per student accommodation supply.
Ms Thomson’s comments come after a recent report by IDP Education revealed a notable transformation in the preferences of international students regarding study destinations, particularly in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Australia and Canada, once standing shoulder to shoulder at the forefront, have seen a shift in their positions, now trailing behind in second and fourth places respectively.
The prominent deterrents cited are the soaring costs of living and education, marking a significant sway in the aspirations of prospective international students.
While Australia’s ranking as a preferred study destination witnessed a marginal decrease of two percent to 23 percent compared to mid-2023, student satisfaction levels have managed to hold steady.
The United States claimed the top spot with a commanding 24 percent, closely followed by Australia at 23 percent, then Britain with 22 percent, Canada with 19 percent, New Zealand with 4 percent, and Ireland with 2 percent.
The IDP report observed that tuition fees and the cost of living emerged as the foremost deterrents for international students considering Australia for their education journey. On the flip side, factors such as education quality, employment prospects, and value for money emerged as pivotal drivers in the decision-making process for prospective students.
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In preparation for the highly anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, to be held in the West Indies and USA, the cricket boards of India and Australia have officially announced their 15-member squads. The tournament, starting on June 1, promises intense competition with top cricketing nations showcasing their best talents.
India’s Squad Announcement: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed on Tuesday that Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team, with Hardik Pandya serving as vice-captain. India’s squad includes key players such as Virat Kohli, who has been in exceptional form in the ongoing IPL 2024, and Rishabh Pant, making a notable return to international cricket approximately 16 months after his car accident.
India’s selection committee has chosen a balanced team with two wicket-keepers, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson. The squad also features a strong spinning contingent with Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal, who is participating in his first T20 World Cup. The pace attack will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, supported by Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj.
India’s campaign kicks off against Ireland on June 5 at the newly-constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, followed by a high-stakes match against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue.
Australia’s Squad Announcement: On the other hand, Cricket Australia has also named its squad, led by Mitchell Marsh. Notable exclusions include veteran Steve Smith and young talent Jake Fraser-McGurk. Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar makes a return to the team despite not playing a T20 international since the last World Cup.
George Bailey, Selection Chair, expressed confidence in the balanced nature of the Australian squad, highlighting the inclusion of all-rounders like Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green, alongside the powerful batting lineup featuring Glenn Maxwell and David Warner. The team is set to open their World Cup journey against Oman in Barbados on June 5, with further group matches against England, Namibia, and Scotland.
Bailey emphasised the difficulty in selecting just 15 players due to the depth of talent and the variety of scenarios the team might face. He mentioned that players not initially selected could still have a chance to be part of the team, as adjustments are possible under ICC regulations before the tournament begins.
Australia squad: Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, and Adam Zampa.
Looking Forward: Both India and Australia enter the tournament with strong teams, reflecting their preparation and strategic planning. As two of the favourites, their performance will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, with expectations of deep runs into the later stages of the World Cup.
This upcoming T20 World Cup not only brings together the best of international cricket but also highlights the evolving strategies and dynamic nature of the shortest format of the game, promising an exciting spectacle for cricket enthusiasts around the world.
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In our era of instant coffee, 5G networks, and bullet trains – a world obsessed with speed – a new culture is sprouting: slow living. The idea is to hit the pause button on your hectic life and activate the mindful side of your brain to bring in much-needed calm.
Why are we, the so-called pace setters, suddenly talking about slow living?
Maybe you’re wondering what this trend is all about, or perhaps you’re pondering its very meaning. Regardless, celebrities like Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, and many others are embracing slow living by adopting relaxing hobbies.
Why is everyone talking about this trend?
On the surface, slow living is about embracing the restful aspects of life. Everyone, from homemakers to CEOs, is constantly running their own race. Each person faces their own struggles, with new daily targets that create a constant feeling of walking a tightrope. This constant pressure triggers a major societal ill: stress. Stress wrecks our mental well-being, leaving us feeling hollow. In extreme cases, it can shatter a person’s self-confidence and ability to lead a happy life. The rat race often leaves people like you and me with no time to cherish the moments that truly make us happy. Hence, the art of slow living.
Image: Indian psychiatrist Dr. Santosh Bangar (Source: Sanctum Foundation)
According to renowned Indian psychiatrist Dr Santosh Bangar, a senior consultant at Gleneagles Hospitals in Mumbai, India,
“Slow living is a lifestyle choice that includes mindfulness, simplicity, and being present in the moment. Currently, people are living hectic lives, constantly on the go, working according to notifications and obligations. They often don’t have time to connect with their families and friends. This is why many are opting for the idea of slowing down.”
He added, “Slow living reduces stress, builds deeper connections with others, and helps people live in the present and show empathy towards others. Many people are also choosing slow living as a way to tackle burnout and restore balance in their lives. Due to erratic schedules, deadlines, meetings, and presentations, people are overwhelmed and exhausted by their demanding professional or personal lives.”
“Slow living offers much-needed relief by allowing one to set boundaries, practice self-care, lower blood pressure, cook balanced meals, and appreciate the beauty of nature. Slow living also helps to practice gratitude and allows you to tackle anxiety-inducing issues in a better way. Constant stress and anxiety lead to excess levels of the cortisol hormone, which causes effects like food cravings and weight gain, further putting you at risk for diabetes and heart disease.”
Deepika Padukone chooses embroidery. Hrithik Roshan enjoys pottery. What’s your slow living hobby?
Thanks to Instagram, we get a glimpse into the lives of celebrities and other influential people who motivate us daily. Some famous Indian actors like Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Hrithik Roshan, Saba Azad, and many others have confessed to adopting slow living hobbies to become more mindful.
Time and again, it’s been proven that hobbies that take time, such as embroidery, pottery, gardening, cooking, etc., are therapeutic in nature.
Dr Bangar explains,
“Gardening encourages mindfulness and establishes a strong connection with nature. Seeding, watering, and nurturing plants require patience, perseverance, and dedication.”
He adds further: “Once the plant grows, there’s a sense of accomplishment as you witness your garden flourish over time. You grow the plant with tender love and care, which in turn benefits you by providing fresh air and easing stress. Apart from gardening, painting or drawing are other examples. These hobbies help with self-expression, providing relief from the daily hustle and bustle. Mixing colors, creating outlines, and bringing a blank canvas to life can be a therapeutic, satisfying, and rewarding experience. These hobbies boost creativity and help you gain a deeper understanding and awareness of your surroundings.”
Should we try slow living hobbies?
In today’s frenetic world, carving out time for slow hobbies can be a powerful antidote to the constant hustle. These activities offer a welcome respite, fostering relaxation and a sense of calm.
Gardening isn’t just about cultivating flowers or vegetables. It’s about the transformative act of nurturing life, witnessing the beauty of a seed blossoming into a vibrant plant. The fruits (or vegetables!) of your labor provide not only enjoyment but also a tangible connection to the natural world.
Slow hobbies like knitting or crafting are more than just creating something beautiful. They provide a meditative experience, focusing your mind on repetitive yet rewarding tasks. These deliberate movements serve as a form of stress relief.
In today’s whirlwind world, prioritizing mental well-being can feel like an uphill battle. But here’s the secret weapon: slow living. Think of it as hitting the pause button on the fast-forward of life. By embracing activities like gardening, reading, or simply taking mindful walks, we can cultivate a sense of calm and presence. Slow living isn’t about idleness, it’s about intentionality. By prioritizing activities that bring us joy and reduce stress, we’re investing in ourselves and building a foundation for a happier, healthier life. So, take a deep breath, slow down, and rediscover the magic of living in the present moment.
Contributing Author: Nikita Bhardwaj has over 13 years of experience in content and communication. She is passionate about crafting compelling stories and clear messages.
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In a dynamic turn of events, a recent report by IDP Education has revealed a notable transformation in the preferences of international students regarding study destinations, particularly in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
Australia and Canada, once standing shoulder to shoulder at the forefront, have seen a shift in their positions, now trailing behind in second and fourth places respectively.
The prominent deterrents cited are the soaring costs of living and education, marking a significant sway in the aspirations of prospective international students.
Image: ennealle O’Shannessy, the managing director of IDP Education (Source: IDP)
Speaking to AAP, Tennealle O’Shannessy, the managing director of IDP Education, expressed concern over the impact of governmental measures on international student demand.
She said:
“As governments in some countries adopt measures which impact international students, demand is inevitably being affected and it is increasingly difficult for driven and bright students across the world to pursue their global goals.”
While Australia’s ranking as a preferred study destination witnessed a marginal decrease of two percent to 23 percent compared to mid-2023, student satisfaction levels have managed to hold steady.
In February 2024, Australia has surpassed 700,000 international students, contributing to a new record of 2.8 million temporary entrants in the country.
The United States claimed the top spot with a commanding 24 percent, closely followed by Australia at 23 percent, then Britain with 22 percent, Canada with 19 percent, New Zealand with 4 percent, and Ireland with 2 percent.
The IDP report observed that tuition fees and the cost of living emerged as the foremost deterrents for international students considering Australia for their education journey. On the flip side, factors such as education quality, employment prospects, and value for money emerged as pivotal drivers in the decision-making process for prospective students.
Image: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (Source: ALP)
Amidst these shifts, the Albanese government has initiated a crackdown on ghost colleges and student visas, aiming to refine the overall migration strategy by implementing crucial recommendations from the migration review.
These recommendations encompass: raising the English language criteria for student visas; granting authorities new capabilities to halt high-risk educational institutions from enrolling international students; and introducing a new genuine student assessment to more effectively deter individuals seeking to enter Australia primarily for work rather than study.
By targeting universities deemed at higher risk of admitting students for work rather than study, the Albanese government hopes to streamline the migration process and uphold the integrity of the education system.
Image: Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil (Source: ALP)
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has said the government has been successful in reducing net migration and the goal of returning migration to pre-pandemic levels was clear.
“Since September, the government’s actions have led to substantial declines in migration levels, with recent international student visa grants down by 35 per cent on the previous year. The actions this weekend will continue to drive migration levels down while delivering on our commitments in the Migration Strategy to fix the broken system we inherited.”
The research report draws insights from a diverse pool of 11,500 prospective, applied, and current international students hailing from 117 countries, providing a comprehensive understanding of the evolving dynamics in global education preferences.
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Image: (L-R) Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo and High Commissioner of India to Australia, His Excellency Mr Gopal Baglay (Source: ASA)
The Australian Government has announced that three projects have been awarded a total of $18 million under the Australian Space Agency’s (ASA) International Space Investment India Project program.
Each project includes a number of Australian and Indian partners, building valuable commercial links with the Indian Space Research Organisation and the booming Indian space sector.
Image: Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science (Source: LinkedIn)
Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science, said in a statement:
“Australia and India are enduring strategic partners, and by working together in space we can strengthen our relationship while also delivering outcomes that will benefit our nations and region more broadly. These projects emphasise the role space science can play in enhancing cooperation in our region for mutual benefit.”
He added:
“The innovations that will be developed as part of these projects are going to help address some of our greatest challenges of today like climate change, while also driving gains in areas like advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence that will promote a Future Made in Australia.”
This investment will strengthen Australia’s already enduring strategic partnership with India.
Three projects have been awarded a total of $18M under our International Space Investment India Project program. 🇦🇺🇮🇳
This investment will boost our commercial space partnership with India to address combined challenges like climate change.
— Australian Space Agency (@AusSpaceAgency) April 30, 2024
Head of the ASA Enrico Palermo said:
“India’s commercial space sector is rapidly growing, propelled forward by historic feats like becoming the first nation to successfully land on the South Pole of the Moon.”
He added:
“By investing in these collaborative projects (see below) we can further strengthen the relationship between our space sectors and unlock opportunities for Australian organisations to develop even more joint projects and missions with India into the future.”
Each of the following successful collaborative projects is a prime example of how we can boost Australia and India’s commercial space relationship by aligning on agreed areas of strategic importance.
⚫ LatConnect 60 Ltd (Western Australia) has been awarded almost $5.8 million to develop and build a Low Earth Orbit satellite in Australia to collect information on carbon emissions at a very high resolution. The satellite will be launched from India, and aims to significantly lower the cost of data acquisition and insight generation of key indicators like methane and carbon dioxide.
⚫ Space Machines Company (New South Wales) has been awarded more than $8.5 million for Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India’s Technology, Research and Innovation) – demonstrating advanced concepts such as on-orbit transportation and space debris mitigation. Space MAITRI will incorporate an Australian-built Orbital Servicing Vehicle, sent into space on a dedicated Indian launcher.
⚫ Skykraft (ACT) has been awarded $3.7 million to propose and validate a new Position, Navigation and Timing system with an ultimate aim to better connect large-scale satellite constellations, which are vital for Earth observation and forecasting weather.
In partnership with @AusSpaceAgency and @UTSEngage, Aii delivered the 'Australia-India Space Cooperation' panel highlighting the three grantees sharing in a total of $18 million through the International Space Investment India Projects (ISI India Project) program. pic.twitter.com/jThdtwVjqL
— Australia India Institute (@AIinstitute) April 30, 2024
Australia India Institute CEO, Lisa Singh said that the success of Chandrayaan-3 shows India is dedicated to advancing its space and cutting-edge technology capabilities, and it’s an exciting time to explore greater opportunities to partner with them.
“Australia and India possess significant untapped potential as space partners. As they become closer economic and security partners, the areas for cooperation on space technologies will grow.”
In 2023, Australia helped track India’s historic landing on the South Pole of the Moon and is currently supporting India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human space flight mission.
Mr Palermo added:
“Australia has unique competitive advantages to offer in Earth observation, communications technologies and services, and robotics and automation. We also have the capacity to contribute to and learn from India’s human space flight ambitions, particularly in space health and life sciences.”
This program demonstrates the role space – and science and innovation more broadly – can play in enhancing cooperation in our region for mutual benefit.
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What if the government was doing everything it could to stop thieves making off with our money, except the one thing that could really work?
That’s how it looks when it comes to scams, which are attempts to trick us out of our funds, usually by getting us to hand over our identities or bank details or transfer funds.
Last year we lost an astonishing A$2.74 billion to scammers. That’s more than $5,200 per minute – and that’s only the scams we know about from the 601,000 Australians who made reports. Many more would have kept quiet.
If the theft of $5,200 per minute seems over the odds for a country Australia’s size, a comparison with the United Kingdom suggests you are right. In 2022, people in the UK lost £2,300 per minute, which is about A$4,400. The UK has two and a half times Australia’s population.
It’s as if international scammers, using SMS, phone calls, fake invoices and fake web addresses are targeting Australia, because in other places it’s harder.
If we want to cut Australians’ losses, it’s time to look at rules about to come into force in the UK.
Scams up 320% since 2020
The current federal government is doing a lot – almost everything it could. Within a year of taking office, it set up the National Anti-Scam Centre, which coordinates intelligence. Just this week, the centre reported that figure of $2.74 billion, which is down 13% on 2022, but up 50% on 2021 and 320% on 2020.
It’s planning “mandatory industry codes” for banks, telecommunication providers and digital platforms.
But the code it is proposing for banks, set out in a consultation paper late last year, is weak when compared to overseas.
Banks are the gatekeepers
Banks matter, because they are nearly always the means by which the money is transferred. Cryptocurrency is now much less used after the banks agreed to limit payments to high risk exchanges.
Here’s an example of the role played by banks. A woman the Consumer Action Law Centre is calling Amelia tried to sell a breast pump on Gumtree.
The buyer asked for her bank card number and a one-time PIN and used the code to whisk out $9,100, which was sent overseas. The bank wouldn’t help because she had provided the one-time PIN.
Here’s another. A woman the Competition and Consumer Commission is calling Niamh was contacted by someone using the National Australia Bank’s SMS ID. Niamh was told her account was compromised and talked through how to transfer $300,000 to a “secure” account.
After she had done it, the scammer told her it was a scam, laughed and said “we are in Brisbane, come find me”.
How bank rules protect scammers
And one more example. Former University of Melbourne academic Kim Sawyer (that’s his real name, he is prepared to go public) clicked on an ad for “St George Capital” displaying the dragon logo of St. George Bank.
He was called back by a man using the name of a real St. George employee, who persuaded him to transfer funds from accounts at the AMP, Citibank and Macquarie to accounts he was told would be in his and his wife’s name at Westpac, ANZ, the Commonwealth and Bendigo Banks.
They lost $2.5 million. Sawyer says none of the banks – those that sent the funds or those that received them – would help him. Some cited “privacy” reasons.
The Consumer Action Law Centre says the banks that transfer the scammed funds routinely tell their customers “it’s nothing to do with us, you transferred the money, we can’t help you”. The banks receiving the funds routinely say “you’re not our customer, we can’t help you”.
That’s here. Not in the UK.
UK bank customers get a better deal
In Australia in 2022, only 13% of attempted scam payments were stopped by banks before they took place. Once scammed, only 2% to 5% of losses (depending on the bank) were reimbursed or compensated.
And they are about to pay out much more. From October 2024, reimbursement will be compulsory. Where authorised fast payments are made “because of deception by fraudsters”, the banks will have to reimburse the lot.
Normally the bills will be split 50:50 between the bank transferring the funds and the bank receiving them. Unless there’s a need for further investigations, the payments must be made within five days.
The only exceptions are where the consumer seeking reimbursement has acted fraudulently or with gross negligence.
The idea behind the change – pushed through by the Conservative government now led by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – is that if scams are the banks’ problem, if they are costing them millions at a time, they’ll stop them.
But here, the treasury’s discussion paper on its mandatory codes mentions reimbursement only once. That’s when it talks about what’s happening in the UK. Neither treasury nor the relevant federal minister is proposing it here.
Australia’s approach is softer
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones is in charge of Australia’s rules.
Asked why he wasn’t pushing for compulsory reimbursement here, Jones said on Monday prevention was better.
I think a simplistic approach of just saying, ‘Oh, well, if any loss, if anyone incurs a loss, then the bank always pay’, won’t work. It’ll just make Australia a honeypot for these international crime gangs, because they’ll say, well, ‘Let’s, you know, focus all of our activity on Australia because it’s a victimless crime if banks always pay’.
Telling banks to pay would certainly focus the minds of the banks, in the way they are about to be focused in the UK.
It says if banks had to reimburse money lost, they’d have more of a reason to keep it safe.
In the UK, they are about to find out. If Jones is right, it might be about to become a honeypot for scammers. If he is wrong, his government will leave Australia even further behind when it comes to scams – leaving us thousands more dollars behind per day.
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Office leaders for diverse communities; Image Source: @CANVA
The Albanese Government has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing cultural and linguistic diversity within the senior ranks of the Australian Public Service (APS).
The initiative, outlined in the newly published Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Employment Strategy and Action Plan by the Australian Public Service Commission, targets increasing representation and reducing barriers for CALD employees in leadership positions.
Screenshot
Despite the APS reflecting Australia’s broad cultural and racial diversity, there is a noticeable decline in representation at higher levels, accompanied by increased reports of discrimination and racism among CALD staff. Addressing this imbalance, the new strategy sets a significant goal to boost CALD representation in the Senior Executive Service (SES) to 24% within the next four years.
Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for the Public Service emphasised the urgency of this initiative, “With half of our population born overseas or having a parent born overseas, it’s critical that our APS leadership mirrors the community it serves.”
“We are committed to leveraging the rich skills and experiences of our CALD employees and dismantling the obstacles they face in advancing their careers.”
The action plan outlines five key measures to foster a more inclusive and diverse public service:
Whole of APS Standards: Implementation of an APS Statement of Leadership to Support Cultural Diversity, ensuring all workplaces uphold standards of cultural respect and safety.
Cultural Understanding: Development of an APS-wide Interagency CALD Champion Network, along with a curated collection of multi-media learning resources to enhance cultural understanding across the APS.
Leadership and Management: Integration of cultural capability training and active sponsorship of CALD employees to build a more inclusive leadership within the APS.
Recruitment and Progression: Modernization of recruitment and promotion processes to ensure a comprehensive and rigorous understanding of merit.
Representation: Establishment of a reportable benchmark of 24% CALD representation in the SES to monitor progress and accountability.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles highlighted the broader significance of the strategy.
“Our multicultural diversity is a cornerstone of our national identity and strength. It’s imperative that our public service reflects this diversity at every level to truly serve its best.”
Assistant Minister for Public Service, Patrick Gorman also voiced strong support for the initiative, describing it as a pivotal step for the APS and the Australian community at large.
“This strategy is not just about representation; it’s about creating an environment where all public servants can thrive and contribute effectively. By doing so, we make the APS a model employer and a true reflection of the society it serves.”
The strategy marks a proactive effort by the Albanese Government to address and eliminate systemic barriers to inclusion within the APS, ensuring that the public service can benefit from the diverse perspectives, knowledge, and capabilities that a culturally diverse workforce brings.
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UST Australia's C R Kumaran and Strativity Group' Brad Meehan; Image Source: Supplied
To bolster its digital transformation capabilities, UST, a global leader in digital transformation solutions, has announced the acquisition of Australia’s Strativity Group, a boutique strategy consultancy known for its expertise in customer-centric transformations.
This acquisition is set to enhance UST’s offerings in customer experience strategy, design, innovation, and change management.
Strativity Group has built a strong reputation for its insight-led approach, which focuses on creating competitive advantages and tangible value for its clients through customer-centric strategies. The consultancy’s expertise in customer experience strategy, design, and organisational change management is expected to synergistically complement UST’s technical and domain expertise.
Brad Meehan; Image Source: Supplied
“Joining the UST family marks a significant milestone for Strativity. We share a common ethos and commitment towards elevating customer experiences.”
“With UST’s global reach and technical prowess, we are excited about the new avenues this partnership opens up for our clients in the ANZ region,” said Brad Meehan, Managing Director of Strativity.
UST’s acquisition of Strativity is part of a broader strategy to integrate deeper customer experience capabilities into its services. Kumaran CR, Managing Director of UST Australia, emphasised the strategic nature of this acquisition, stating,
C R Kumaran; Image Source: Supplied
“We are excited to welcome Strativity into our fold. This move is aligned with our commitment to provide impactful and comprehensive digital solutions to our clients. By merging Strativity’s strategic advisory services with our robust technical solutions, we aim to deliver enhanced value across various customer touchpoints.”
The integration of Strativity will enable UST to offer an enriched portfolio of services that includes enterprise architecture, product engineering, Gen AI & data services, process transformation, cybersecurity, and SaaS implementation. This comprehensive approach is designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses in today’s digital landscape.
Strativity’s team will take the lead in customer experience strategy and design solutions for UST in the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) region. Existing Strativity clients are assured a seamless transition with continued high levels of service and commitment.
Earlier this year, UST had also expanded its footprint in the ANZ region by acquiring Leonardo, a provider known for its expertise in business process improvement, automation, and integration services. These strategic acquisitions underscore UST’s dedication to strengthening its customer-centric digital transformation solutions globally.
With this latest acquisition, UST reinforces its position as a pioneering force in the digital transformation arena, promising to deliver end-to-end solutions that meet and exceed client expectations in fostering meaningful customer relationships and driving business success.
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Image: Alex Greenwich
introducing the LGBTIQA+ Equality Bills, (Source: Equality Australia)
Welfare, health, family, faith and women’s groups have joined forces with LGBTIQ+ groups to call on the state government to back the NSW Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 and remove legal discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people.
The Equality Legislation Amendment (LGBTIQA+) Bill 2023 introduced by Independent MP Alex Greenwich and suggests making changes to 20 pieces of NSW legislation.
NSW wakes up a safer place for LGBTQIA+ people with the passage of the Conversion Practices Ban Bill 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/zXhr829TpQ
Signed by 80 organisations, the letter to NSW Premier Chris Minns includes the Australian Services Union, NCOSS, Women’s Health NSW, Women’s Electoral Lobby, Pitt Street Uniting Church, the Black Dog Institute and Rainbow Families.
The letter states:
“NSW has some of the worst laws in the country for LGBTIQ+ people. We ask you to change our laws to make sure that all people and families are equal in NSW.”
The submission focused on two priority areas: broad reform of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and amendments to the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 (NSW).
Image: Anna Brown, CEO of national LGBTIQ+ group Equality Australia (Source: Equality Australia)
Anna Brown, CEO of national LGBTIQ+ group Equality Australia, pointed out that an incredibly broad and diverse range of organisations from right across the social and political spectrum support these reforms.
“Discrimination has no place in the modern state of NSW. Equality and a fair go for all is not too much for NSW citizens to ask of their government, and it’s time for us to catch-up with the rest of Australia on these long overdue reforms.”
ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill observed that she believes the Bill provides excellent environmental conditions, and protective factors, to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people in NSW.
“ACON recommends passing the Equality Bill in full. The reforms follow best practice in other Australian jurisdictions and are an unprecedented opportunity to create a more inclusive, respectful, and safe society for our communities to live.”
Jozefa Sobski, National Convener Women’s Electoral Lobby, added that their group has long been concerned about the exemptions from the Anti- Discrimination Act that allow religious schools and institutions such as public hospitals run by religious charities, to discriminate against women and LGBTQI + people more generally.
“We are delighted the Bill provides for the removal of blanket exemptions that currently allow private schools to discriminate against a person based on marital or domestic status, carers responsibilities, transgender status, disability, sexuality and other attributes.”
Sobski further pointed out that the Bill better protects aged care workers, nurses and teachers, introduces new grounds for the making of AVOs and APVOs to better protect people from all forms of domestic violence, better recognises families created through surrogacy in the best interests of children, ensures trans and gender diverse women can access ID that matches their identity and addresses unnecessarily gendered terms in NSW laws.
The bill supports reforms to recognise sex or gender markers beyond male or female, so that non-binary and gender diverse people have access to accurate identity documentation.
Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre Alastair Lawrie said that NSW is the only place in Australia where trans and gender diverse people must undergo genital surgery before they can access birth certificates reflecting who they are. The Equality Bill proposes a straight-forward application process in line with other jurisdictions.
“The Equality Bill will remove the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act’s broad exceptions that allow ‘private educational authorities’ to discriminate. We urge Parliament to support it, to allow young people to learn without the fear of discrimination, and to ensure teachers are employed because of their skills and experience, not their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Ashley Scott Executive Officer Rainbow Families said that the ban on overseas commercial surrogacy has been ineffective with no prosecutions taking place in NSW since the commencement of the Surrogacy Act in 2010.
“Rather, the effect of the ban has been damaging, resulting in children born through overseas commercial surrogacy being deprived of the security and certainty of legal parentage.”
Transcend Australia CEO Jeremy Wiggins added that Trans young people living in NSW “deserve every opportunity to live and dream of healthier and stronger futures, but this can only be achieved with equal protections under the law.”
Reverend Dr Josephine Inkpin, Pitt Street Uniting Church observed: “The Equality Bill is consistent with Christian teaching that each person is created by God and deserving of dignity and respect. Many of the measures, especially for trans people and intersex people, are long overdue.”
Jain Moralee CEO Twenty 10 said:
“All young people in NSW regardless of their sexuality, gender or body deserve this. “
Image: Rt Rev Michael Stead, the Bishop of South Sydney and chairman of Freedom for Faith (Source: Sydney Anglicans)
Rt Rev Michael Stead, the Bishop of South Sydney and chairman of Freedom for Faith, writing in Sydney Anglicans pointed out that “Mr Greenwich’s bill is extreme and prioritises the interests of one group over all other parts of society.”
He added that a “more balanced approach needs to be taken, with wide consultation” as the legislation is 50 pages long and makes more than 80 changes to 20 different pieces of legislation. This includes 52 amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act – even though the Act has been referred to the NSW Law Reform Commission.
Rt Rev Stead further observed:
“There is no safe way of splitting this bill, or passing parts of it, without risking significant unintended consequences, because the legislation is complicated and interlinked. The different issues are interwoven, with consequential amendment.”
Hearings begin on Tuesday for a Parliamentary Committee into Independent MP Alex Greenwich’s Equality Bill, which will close carve-outs that allow religious schools and organisations to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, better protect people from violence and recognise more rainbow families.
NSW is also one of the last remaining states where trans and gender diverse people face cruel and unnecessary barriers, including the only place to require surgery on reproductive organs, in order to access ID documents that recognise them for who they are.
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Representative image: University students (Source: CANVA)
By Sakul Kundra
OpenAI created an Artificial intelligence tool named ChatGPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer), which has revolutionized the academic community, as it is used by around 180.5 million users.
Technology is exerting a tremendous influence on society as a whole and fundamentally altering society and humanity (Hill-Yardin et al., 2023). About sixty per cent is used by people in the age bracket of 18-34 years, where over 55% are male users while 44% are females. It is suitable to be used in chatbots and conversational interfaces. After the launch of Chat GPT on 30 November 2022, it reached over one million users within a short time of only five days, which attracted global attention (Yu, 2023).
This op-ed is an opinion-based essay that purports to understand the complexity and controversies revolving around this issue.
Despite the popularity and acceptance of this AI tool, many academics have reservations about the use of this AI tool, and some have accepted it as a usual norm. This invention has transformed learning and writing to such an extent that controversy surrounds the question of whether universities allow Chat GPT to be used by students in writing assignments and among the educators.
Many consider it a form of cheating behaviour, and many students have been penalized for academic dishonesty and unethical practices of plagiarism. This is considered to undermine academic integrity. Other, AI experts believe that AI tools are here to stay forever; despite one’s choice, many students, as well as educators, use these tools.
Dr Ritesh Chugh, an Indian-Australian expert in this field, has given detailed YouTube videos on this issue for educators to understand the complexity of the issue.
Some even say the academic world is under the threat of Chat GPT, while others state the responsibility should be taken by the students and educators to use it under proper regulations and guidelines.
The concerns are also raised about the dependence on AI will reduce human cognitive skills, self based study, applying critical thinking, summarizing and evaluation capabilities; it may potentially displace several jobs and result in a rise in unemployment rates and an adverse impact on the overall economy (Yu, 2023). Another study shows that peer reviewers can recognize 63% of abstracts produced using Chat GPT, which suggests that academic fraud might lead to questioning the reputation in academia (Thorp, 2023).
New York City Department of Education issued a statement to prohibit students from using this tool for the purpose of plagiarism (Lund and Ting, 2023), similar measures were taken by other areas like New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia in different areas (Yu, 2023; Deshpande and Szefer, 2023). Other Universities like RV University in Bangalore, India and the University of Hong Kong have strong reservations about some aspects of using Chat GPT (Chan and Hu, 2023; Yadava, 2023; Yu, 2023).
Huallpa et al. (2023) stated that research has shown that incorporating chatbots into the first year of college may enhance students’ academic involvement and facilitate the transition to college life for incoming students. The study findings demonstrated that engaging with chatbots had a positive impact on students’ study habits and social relationships. The chatbot facilitated students’ communication with their programme leader and enhanced their ability to seek help, resulting in increased comfort levels (Huallpa et al, 2023).
Another research shows that 89% of college students of American college use Chat GPT to complete their homework tasks, a large percentage write papers, a significant percentage use the tool during exams and more than 20 per cent to generate paper outlines (McGee, 2023; Yu, 2023). Yu (2023) believed that instead of prohibiting students from using these AI technologies for efficiency and convenience, it is more advantageous to include these tools in the education system, enabling students to acquire knowledge and use them in a proper and accountable way.
In fact, Australian universities such as Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia “will allow students to use ChatGPT as a writing prompter for assignments if they disclose it.” Despite some universities having a positive approach towards it, it still lacks the critical approach which the examiner may expect from the student’s written assignment. It is believed that it only gives basic ideas about a concept or theme; they may also lack authenticity, need verification, lack read-world understanding, and absence of emotional and empathic understanding. There are copyright issues with the material generated by CHAT GPT; who owes the ownership of the content is the bigger issue. In order to curb these practices, many universities are opting for plagiarism detection tools such as Turnitin and Grammerly plagiarism check to check the percentage of plagiarism.
Even the accuracy of facts and figures is another challenge with AI Tools. There are also incidences seen that this AI tool lacks interpretive abilities and is unable to comprehend the content it processes or produces. Issues of fabrication in the references and sources are also found. The limitation of verifying the source reliability is a concern in the academic world, especially when it is used for research and publication. Data privacy and security is a major challenge (Kavitha et al., 2023), especially as this tool depends largely on the volume of data to generate responses, and researchers emphasise the significant importance of strong privacy policies, data encryption, and informed consent processes (Huallpa et al., 2023).
Some have a positive approach towards AI Tools for brainstorming, student support service, and proofreading for grammar problems. The University of Queensland suggests “using the reference style you would use for personal correspondence.” Some even claim that the student using AI tools should give proper referencing so that the examiner becomes aware of the AI-generated material.
Representative image: University students (Source: CANVA)
Many researchers have highlighted the potential advantages of AI tools and predict the increase in the usage of CHAT GPT in the future. If this is in store for us in future, serious thought needs to be given to evaluate the ethical, technical, integrity and authenticity of the usage of ChatGPT and similar AI tools in teaching, research and learning.
The debate continues among educators to use AI tools in education institutions; both sides have their own pros and cons, where some emphasize the benefits while others are worried about the limitations. Overall, the ownership of AI-created text needs to be assigned to establish the fundamental responsibilities of the author, who is using them for academic purposes.
Contributing Author: Dr Sakul Kundra is an Associate Dean (Research) and Associate Professor at the College of Humanities, Education and Law at Fiji National University. The views expressed are his own and not of this newspaper or his employer.
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Image: Hardeep Kaur (Source: Nine News screenshot)
A young Indian-origin family residing in Blacktown, Sydney, is in search of a new place to live following two separate drive-by shooting incidents targeting their home on Virginia Street.
Hardeep Kaur, a mother of two, along with her husband, cousin, and their young children, were inside their residence around 9:00 pm when gunfire rang out, shattering the tranquility of their evening.
Image: Bullet hole at Hardeep Kaur’s house (Source: Nine News)
The family narrowly escaped harm as a bullet pierced their window, coming dangerously close to hitting their five-year-old son.
“We can’t hide behind the doors, we can’t hide our children. It’s hard, please. It’s not us, we’re not doing anything.”
The assailant’s vehicle, captured on CCTV footage, was identified as a ute seen prowling the street moments before the attack.
Subsequently, a Ford Ranger believed to be linked to the shooting was discovered abandoned eight kilometers away in Eastern Creek, declared a crime scene by authorities.
NSW Police Inspector Kylie Evans stated it “is a mistaken identity,” emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
“It was abandoned but because police believe that it has a link to the shooting it was declared a crime scene. This family is innocent and we believe that this is a mistaken identity.”
This incident marks the second assault on the family’s home, with a prior shooting occurring just two weeks earlier. Although the family was absent during the initial attack, bullets struck their bedroom window, leaving evidence of the peril they narrowly avoided.
Image: NSW Police outside Hardeep Kaur’s house (Source: Nine News)
Investigations by the NSW Police suggest that the residence may have been targeted due to its former occupants, prompting authorities to delve into the circumstances surrounding the previous shooting.
In light of these alarming events, the family has been compelled to seek refuge elsewhere, fearing for their safety.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information regarding the incidents to come forward, contacting Blacktown Police or Crime Stoppers to assist in the ongoing investigation.
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In a significant political move, India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as its candidate for the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra.
Renowned for his role as the public prosecutor in the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks, Nikam’s nomination marks the replacement of incumbent MP Poonam Mahajan from the seat.
Image: Ujjwal Nikam (Source: Facebook)
Nikam gained prominence for his pivotal role as the prosecutor in high-profile cases, including the Mumbai 26/11 attacks and the murder case of BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, Poonam Mahajan’s father.
Poonam Mahajan, who had been elected from the Mumbai North Central constituency in 2014 and 2019, served as the president of the BJP’s youth wing. The decision to drop her as the candidate reportedly stemmed from organizational feedback, according to sources cited by news agency PTI.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Nikam thanked Prime Minister Modi, BJP Chief JP Nadda, Maharashtra BJP Chief Chandrashekar Bawankule, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Mumbai BJP Chief Ashish Shelar.
It is reported that India’s Union Minister Piyush Goyal supported the party’s decision to nominate Nikam, stating that it is a proud moment for the BJP to choose someone who will speak out against terrorism and work in alignment with PM Modi’s vision of eradicating it from its roots.
Image: Ujjwal Nikam (Source: Facebook)
Nikam was awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India in 2016. He emphasized his commitment to upholding the country’s Constitution, laws, and security, asserting that despite being new to politics, he would prioritize the welfare of the constituency.
Mumbai North Central, a historically significant constituency, has been represented by notable figures such as late Manohar Joshi, Ramdas Athawale, and Poonam Mahajan, all known for their active participation in parliamentary debates.
The nomination of Nikam comes amidst preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for 20 May 2024 in Mumbai.
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Image: Online interaction on water Safety (Source: Supplied)
In a collaborative effort to promote water safety awareness among the Indian diaspora community in Australia, the Vivekanand Society of Australia, in partnership with Sishu Mandir Australia and the Hemant Govekar Foundation, organized a significant online interaction.
In late January 2024, in Victoria’s Gippsland region, four individuals lost their lives at Forrest Caves beach on Phillip Island. In March, a young man passed away, while two others were hospitalized in critical condition after being rescued from the water near Apollo Bay in Victoria’s southwest. Earlier this month, a father-son duo tragically drowned on the Gold Coast. This marks the third Indian-origin family living in Victoria to face such a heartbreaking fate.
Image: Total number of deaths by drowning in Australia from financial year 2011 to 2023 (Source: Statista 2024)
In the financial year 2023, around 281 people were reported to have drowned in waterways in Australia. The highest number of drowning deaths have been recorded in New South Wales followed by Victoria and Queensland.
“84% of coastal drowning deaths were male, and regional and remote drowning deaths accounted for 60% of fatal coastal drowning, which is 9% above last year.”
The event featured a distinguished panel of experts including Amrita Jathar from the Hemant Govekar Foundation team, Louise Lambeth, Founder of Deep Water Publishing, Sarah Fettell, a surf lifesaver from Queensland, and Dr. Sandeep Bhagat, Director of Medical Services at Peninsula Health.
Image: Amrita Jathar with her brother Late Hemant Govekar (Source: Supplied)
The session featured a poignant recount by Amrita Jathar, who shared the tragic loss of her brother, Hemant Govekar, on Christmas Day 2017 at Philip Island, Victoria.
Hemant and Amrita, originally from Mumbai, India, were celebrating Hemant’s graduation from the University of Queensland. Ms Jathar observed:
“Hemant went very close to the sand where we were, but in a few seconds, he was pulled away. There were people on the beach who swam close to Hemant, but they couldn’t save him.”
The absence of lifeguards on duty that day, due to it being a public holiday, accentuated the need for greater water safety awareness. Thus, Ms Jathar’s tragedy spurred her to establish the Hemant Govekar Foundation to raise awareness about water safety, particularly among newcomers to Australia’s beach culture.
Image: Louise Lambeth with her book – “Rohit at the river” (Source: Facebook)
Louise Lambeth, a lifesaver in NSW for the last 16 years was inspired by a tragic drowning incident involving a 5-year-old boy, to transition from being a lifeguard to a publisher and children’s author.
Ms Lambeth’s venture, Deep Water Publishing, focuses on creating storybooks to teach children water safety skills. One of her notable works, “Rohit at the River,” emphasizes the importance of water safety education through storytelling. The story follows Rohit as he learns to stay safe around water at his local swimming pool and highlights the dangers around inland waterways.
Dr Sandeep Bhagat emphasized the significance of incorporating water safety education into a healthy lifestyle. He stressed the importance of teaching children how to call for help and highlighted the ease with which drowning incidents can be prevented through awareness and basic survival swimming skills.
Three in four deaths across Australia occurred at a beach with rip currents which is the number one coastal hazard accounting for 29% of drownings.
Some participants shared their harrowing experiences with life-threatening situations on Australian beaches, particularly in rip currents.
The volunteer surf lifesavers across Australia account for more than 5,700 rescues, 25,000 first aid treatments and 1.3 million preventative actions.
Surf Life Saving Australia notes:
“With more than 1.4 million hours volunteered by surf lifesavers on patrol every year, their actions are estimated to have contributed $1.6 billion economic value to the Australian community during the 2023/24 summer alone.”
Image: Sarah Fettell, from Surf Life Saving Queensland (Source: LinkedIn)
Sarah Fettell, representing Surf Life Saving Queensland, underscored the lifeguards’ role in providing essential survival skills and ensuring beachgoers’ safety.
Ms Fettell encouraged beach visitors to approach lifeguards for guidance on safe swimming spots, emphasising that the water should be enjoyed without fear but with vigilance.
Image: Yogesh Bhatt from Vivekanand Society of Australia
Yogesh Bhatt, the event organiser, reiterated the session’s objective to equip the Indian diaspora community with essential water safety knowledge and beach awareness.
The online session witnessed enthusiastic participation from Indian diaspora members across Australia, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in fostering awareness and promoting safety within the community.
The success of this event through collaboration between various organizations and experts underscores a collective commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals enjoying Australia’s beaches.
It would be an understatement to say that by fostering a culture of water safety through education, awareness, and community engagement, tragedies like Hemant Govekar’s loss can be prevented.
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In a remarkable feat of perseverance and talent, Katherine Bennell-Pegg has made history by becoming the first person to become a qualified astronaut under the Australian flag by earning certification from the European Space Agency – ESA in Cologne, Germany.
Her achievement comes following her successful completion of the rigorous selection process conducted by the ESA, a journey that saw her emerge triumphant from a pool of 22,500 eligible applicants, numbering among a select group of only 25 individuals.
Enrico Palermo the head of the Australian Space Agency wrote on a social media post, “What a special moment to watch our Australian astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg, graduate alongside the European Space Agency – ESA’s class of 2022 in Cologne – the ‘hoppers’.”
As a nation, we can all feel a sense of pride in Katherine’s achievement – the first qualified astronaut under the 🇦🇺 flag.
“The training has opened doors and is going to continue to do so, allowing us to further grow our national space ecosystem. Katherine will bring home knowledge, insights and connections that will help generate global collaboration opportunities for our industry – driving more investment, innovation and economic development here at home,” he further added.
“Katherine’s achievement inspires us all to dream big.”
“I want to use this experience to open doors for Australian scientists and engineers to utilise space for their discoveries, to inspire the pursuit of STEM careers, and show all Australians that they too can reach for the stars.”
In 2007, Katherine graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in aeronautical Engineering (Space) and a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) in physics from the University of Sydney.
She kept busy during her studies, completing internships as a mechanical engineer, as a physics researcher, and later, working as a computer programmer. She was also an Australian Army Reservist, a volunteer in the NSW SES, and travelled to India with Engineers Without Borders.
It was in her voyage to India with Engineers Without Borders that Bennell-Pegg discovered the true power of technology to uplift communities and transform lives.
She adds:
“I have always dreamed of being an astronaut. When I was young, it was for the adventure, but after more than a decade working in space it’s now because I know the role it plays in tackling real-world problems and developing new knowledge that can benefit our society, environment, and science.”
Her journey was just beginning, marked by a relentless drive to push the boundaries of possibility. In 2023, as an employee of the Australian Space Agency (ASA), Katherine was invited by the ESA to undertake Basic Astronaut Training in Germany, becoming the first international astronaut candidate to do so.
She finally received her certification alongside the European Space Agency – ESA – ESA Class of 2022 and is now qualified for missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Now, Katherine stands on the brink of history as Australia’s first qualified astronaut inspiring many others that there’s always a triumph of ambition over adversity, of dedication over doubt.
“Through her training as an employee of the Australian Space Agency, she has been able to develop and harness knowledge that can be brought home to benefit all Australians.
ASA and the ESA have a strong history of partnership relating to space, with treaties in place since 1979 to enable ESA ground stations on Australian soil to track spacecraft and interplanetary missions.
Most recently, a new deep space antenna has begun construction in regional Western Australia as part of a multi-million-dollar collaboration.
WATCH: Graduation ceremony of ESA astronaut class of 2022
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Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022.
The annual rate peaked at 7.8% in the December quarter of 2022 and is now just 3.6%, in the March quarter figures released on Wednesday, leaving it within spitting distance of the Reserve Bank’s 2–3% target.
But it’s too early for mortgage holders to celebrate.
Last week on Wednesday Westpac noted the pace of improvement was slowing and pushed out its forecast of when the Reserve Bank would begin cutting rates from September this year to November.
The monthly measure of annual inflation also released on Wednesday rose marginally from 3.4% in February to 3.5% in March.
While some may see this as suggesting that the “last mile” of bringing inflation to heel might be difficult, not too much should be read into it.
The monthly series is experimental and volatile. As the chart shows, it has twice given a false impression that inflation was rising again over the past year.
Australia is in good company. While inflation has fallen throughout the developed world since late 2022, in recent months the improvements have slowed.
In the US, inflation is edging up.
US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell says it might take “longer than expected” for them to be sure inflation has fallen low enough to begin cutting rates.
Other banks might cut rates first. The head of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde said she was “data-dependent, not Fed-dependent”.
In Australia, as in much of the rest of the world, inflation in the price of goods has come down faster than inflation in the price of services.
But the figures released on Wednesday show inflation in the price of services continuing to fall, although more slowly over the March quarter.
Rents climbed a further 2.1% in the quarter, to be up 7.8% over the year.
The measure reported is out-of-pocket rents, net of rental assistance. The Bureau of Statistics said had it not been for the increases in rent assistance announced in last year’s May budget, it would have recorded an increase in rents of 9.5%
In a report released with the consumer price index, the Bureau noted that renters’ experiences were not uniform and that many received rent reductions during COVID.
One in five city renters continued to pay less rent than before the pandemic.
Price falls for electricity (due to government rebates) and clothing in the March quarter helped lower annual inflation.
But sharp rises in the prices of insurance (a response to natural disasters) as well as education and pharmaceuticals made the task harder.
There might have also been a Taylor Swift effect. Prices for restaurant meals, urban transport, domestic accommodation and “other recreational and cultural services” rose more strongly in Sydney and Melbourne, where she played concerts in February, than in Brisbane and Perth where she did not.
What will it mean for student debt?
While interest is not charged on the debt accumulated by students as part of their student loans, the amount owed increases every June in line with the March quarter consumer price index.
Today’s figures produce an increase of 4.7499517% – a figure slightly closer to 4.7% than 4.8%, meaning it rounds down to 4.7%.
However, one interpretation of the rules suggests it might be rounded up, to 4.8%.
Regardless, the increase due in June will be substantial, on top of an already outsized increase of 7.1% in June last year.
There’s a chance the increase won’t be either of these figures. The government promised an announcement about the scheme before the May budget.
The Reserve Bank will update its inflation and other economic forecasts on May 7, one week before the May budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers will hand down the budget on Tuesday May 14.
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Image: Smt. Chongtham Kamala received the award for the “Best Voice Over” at the event (Source: Sahitya Akademi - X)
On April 27, 2024, the 15th Manipur State Film Awards were distributed in Imphal by the Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Ms. Anusuiya Uikey in the presence of Vineet Joshi, the Chief Secretary, the Government of Manipur.
At the event, the documentary “Khuman Prakash Singh” produced by Sahitya Akademi and directed by Aribam Syam Sharma was awarded the 15th Manipur State Film Award for the year 2023 under the category “Best Biography/Arts and Culture Film”.
Smt. Chongtham Kamala received the award for the “Best Voice Over” at the same event. The award for “Best Biography/Arts and Culture Film” was received by Dr K.S. Rao who is the Secretary Sahitya Akademi.
Dr Rao’s tenure as the Secretary has brought great laurels to Akademi. He pointed out that this happens to be the 164th documentary produced under the Indian Literature Archives Project of the Sahitya Akademi, which was started in 1997 to preserve the valuable works of eminent Indian writers, who have made significant contributions to the development of the 24 languages recognized by the Akademi.
So far, the Academy has produced 172 documentaries honouring writers such as Amrita Pritam, Vinda Karandikar, Gopalkrishna Adiga, D. Jayakanthan, Dharamveer Bharati, Vijay Dan Detha, Mulk Raj Anand, Kurratulain Haider, Vaikam Muhammad Bashir, Rahman Rahi, Mahasweta Devi, Binodini, Ashok Mitran, Nirmal Verma, Manohar Roy Sardesai, Ruskin Bond, C. Narayana Reddy, and many others.
This is the first time Sahitya Akademi has received a state-level award for its documentary film on Indian writers.
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Image: India's Prime Minister at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh (Source: X)
By Jagdish Batra
Election time is the opportune occasion for the West to lecture India about what democracy means or how secularism is practised or elections conducted. In the process, spokespersons of various governments, think tanks, media houses, self-styled experts, et al get over-busy nit-picking and making mountains of the molehill to somehow prove what they wish to be true. Currently, one finds Western media propaganda reports bashing India, pouring in like the barrage of hail hitting the windowpanes during a hailstorm.
Sweden-based V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report observes “electoral autocracy” in India, as if the Congress era elite dynasty is still ruling the country! UK-based The Financial Times believes it is the craze for making economic progress even if you lose out on democracy. In the same vein, a “research paper” released by the British think tank Chatham House rues the “downward trajectory of Indian democracy” and “democratic backsliding” by India even though in the same breath, it admits that the country is now better governed. The Times of UK has noted Prime Minister Modi’s popularity based on “spectacular growth, new technology and welfare policies.” One should be thankful to these institutions for admitting progress and seeing the writing on the wall (not the writing that Congress’s Jairam Ramesh is talking about!) that Prime Minister Modi will come back to power.
Nevertheless, The Times must fault Modi anyway, and so his reference to “infiltrators” is interpreted as Muslims in general, rather than the ones who are entering illegally from Bangladesh and Myanmar. The New York Times too does the same when it refers to the “brazenness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vilification of India’s largest minority group.” If it is not the hidden anti-Modi prejudice, then it is the total ignorance of the background of the illegal influx creating problems for India – something that they could have easily matched with the influx of illegal refugees from Arab and African countries trying to reach the European shores or the Mexicans trying to scale the wall on the American border, for which, they are being starved in refugee camps or deported back to home countries or even planned to be sent to Rwanda. How limited is the knowledge of the Western columnists is seen from the other New York-based newspaper Bloomberg, whose oped article refers to the north as poverty-ridden and the south as a progressive and successful part of the country. Such perceptions are then used to form postulates of north-south divide and dished out to gullible Indians in the academic and political arenas.
Modi is also accused of being intolerant of opposition parties and using the Enforcement Directorate to harass them. The Times of UK, in its “leading article”, proffers as a proof the incarceration of certain political leaders, glossing over the fact that the ED is mandated to deal with financial criminals, but all actions are subject to judicial review in India. The western media forgets that India has a powerful judiciary with an enviable track record of independent decision-making. Many instances of overturning of government’s decisions are available, the latest being the electoral bonds issue. So, an aggrieved party can always approach the courts. But the myopic western media won’t cite the court orders imprisoning or assigning judicial custody to erring politicians on the basis of sufficient evidence against them. If such politicians are innocent, then surely Donald Trump facing a number of court cases in the US is also innocent and is maliciously sought to be put behind bars by the ruling Democrats! It also must be noted that the appointment of judges of the apex court is controlled more by the executive branch in the US than in India.
The western press goes a step further to do a mischievous crystal-gazing. The Chatham House paper cautions the voters that if the Modi government comes to power the third time, its enactment of UCC will “continue to raise concerns in the West about India’s democratic and secular credentials.” It does not stand to reason that the uniform civil code, which treats all communities and sub-cultures alike in cases like matrimony, inheritance, etc., should be faulted by the people whose own countries have such laws. America, the model of modern democracy upheld by the West, is itself governed by uniform civil code, while countries like France, Germany and Ireland have elements of such uniformity regardless of distinctions of faith. The think tank paper also notes that “an erosion of India’s democratic credentials would have implications of how the country is perceived globally” as if what the media in the UK and USA think is true of the entire world. Such megalomania is born of the colonial times. Afterall, the India page of The Times begins with a reminder to the readers that India is a former British colony!
The democratic society all over the world values freedom, but allowing unlimited freedom is a utopian ideal. India had the taste of unlimited freedom allowed to protesting farmers when chaos prevailed for thirteen months on the Delhi borders in 2020-21. Compare it to what happened in Canada when, in late 2021, truckers went on a strike and jammed the highway to America. A month was enough for the Canadian government to come cracking down on the protesters. The western media which supported the mayhem in India validating the toolkit theory, did not support the Canadian truckers in the same manner. The moral of the story is that it is easier to preach than to practice. The media and the doubting Thomases in the corridors of power in the West have to understand that India of today is more confident than ever and does not require certification from the duplicitous agents of the deep state.
Contributing Author: Prof. Jagdish Batra is an academic, author, commentator and social activist. He is a regular contributor to many national and international dailies.
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It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s violence in recent weeks.
A spate of cases involving women dying, allegedly at the hands of men, in the Ballarat region. The shocking case of Molly Ticehurst, allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend in central west New South Wales. The fact so many of the victims of the violence at Bondi Junction were women.
It is clear there is a collective grief across our nation. The headlines express our shared hurt and disbelief that women continue to lose their lives to men’s violence against them. This weekend, a National Rally Against Violence will urge governments to take more assertive action to end gender-based violence in our communities.
So what’s being done – and are we making any progress?
What is being done?
At this time, it is appropriate we seek to ease our individual and collective grief.
It is a time for expressing our respect for the women who have lost their lives, and for renewing our commitments that we will not stand by and do nothing while women continue to be harmed.
We have not been standing in silence.
Australians have been – and will continue – taking action to end gender-based violence.
This plan emphasises prevention and early intervention, as well as improving support for victim-survivors and justice responses. There is also a focus on recovery and healing.
For the first time, there is a specific Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan to address violence against women and children in First Nations communities.
The Commonwealth government has also committed to centring Aboriginal women’s leadership in the development of a standalone National Plan for First Nations women.
Across our communities, workplaces are implementing new policies and programs to prevent sexual harassment and to promote equity and respect at work.
The media, too, are reporting with greater sensitivity and respect for victim-survivors of violence.
Universities are embarking on a program of policy, services and cultural change to address sexual violence and harassment.
More and more schools are delivering on respectful relationships education with children and young people.
From sports clubs to faith communities, to licensed venues and public spaces, there is a heightened awareness of family and sexual violence, and the role we all have to play in responding to and preventing it.
Is it working?
Our national data is telling us that these shared efforts are starting to show impact in our communities. Of course, zero preventable deaths should be our goal.
But the data from the Australian Institute of Criminology’s National Homicide Monitoring Program does show a continuing decline in rates of intimate partner homicide, in particular.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Personal Safety Survey, the most accurate measure of self-reported experiences of all forms of personal violence in Australia, also shows some promising trends. It shows the 12-month rate of family violence may have reduced in some states, while remaining the same in others.
What more needs to be done?
There is so much policy and program work that Australia has committed to – but much is still in its infancy of implementation.
Police and justice systems in several states have been reviewing policies and practices that have too often failed to protect women’s lives.
Accountability of men who choose to use violence is critical – but there is also a need for more work with men who want to change their behaviour, and for early intervention programs to prevent men’s violence from escalating.
We also urgently need funding for recovery and healing services for victim-survivors.
It is unacceptable that many of those experiencing lasting trauma and other impacts of family and sexual violence face a lack of affordable, accessible, trauma-informed support beyond a situation of dangerous crisis.
It has been less than ten years since we have had a national framework to guide evidence-based strategies to prevent the violence before it occurs. Addressing the underlying drivers of gender-based violence goes hand-in-hand with our response efforts, if we want to see lasting change.
Impact on survivors
The recent headlines on gender-based violence have also undoubtedly affected remaining victim-survivors.
For some, hearing about these recent cases may add to existing trauma. It can prompt an unnerving sense of unsafety; a feeling of endless risk that too often women are left to navigate largely on their own.
Others may feel the time is right to disclose their own experience of violence to a friend or family member, or contact a helpline like 1800 RESPECT.
If you find yourself responding to a disclosure of violence, remember your initial response can have a lasting impact.
Now, more than ever, she will need to be listened to without blame or judgement. She will need to be believed, and she may need some support to connect with specialist support services.
Many men too, will no doubt be reflecting on what needs to be done to end this violence. There is a particularly important role for non-violent men to play in speaking out against gender-based violence and helping break these patterns.
We must not lose heart, but rather accelerate the progress we have begun to make.
We must continue to take action if we are to fulfil our shared commitment to an Australia where women – and indeed, all of us – live free from all forms of violence.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. In immediate danger, call 000.
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Image: Arup K. Chatterjee’s latest book, Adam’s Bridge: Sacrality, Performance, and Heritage of an Oceanic Marvel (Source: Supplied)
By Richard B. Cathcart
Arup K. Chatterjee’s latest book, Adam’s Bridge: Sacrality, Performance, and Heritage of an Oceanic Marvel (Routledge, 2024) is unique, as is the subject of this formidably complex and multilayered volume.
Adam’s Bridge, also known as Ram Setu, is indeed a marvelous geological sill in a stretch of the Indian Ocean’s Palk Strait lying between India and Sri Lanka. It is also extremely eventful, insofar as—to quote Amitav Ghosh from The Great Derangement—it often ‘turns out to be vitally, even dangerously alive.’
The coralline Indian Ocean structure projects above the current sea-level as isolated atolls. It is both a hallowed shrine and a potential infrastructural linkage between Sri Lanka and India. Some elements of its immediate region like the Jaffna Peninsula’s (Sri Lanka) coastal zone may soon be adversely affected by a change in sea-level. The erosions in the islands of the Gulf of Mannar (Southeast India) are caused in part by the coral mining and regional climate change. Deadly blooms of the phytoplankton Noctiluca scintillans in the Gulf of Mannar south off Adam’s Bridge during 2022 made the seawater anoxic, harmful to marine life. On either side of Adam’s Bridge, pirates—a ‘seafood mafia’—illegally harvest the multi-species sea cucumber. So, quite aside from its ancient religious significance among Hindu and Abrahamic faiths, the surrounds of Adam’s Bridge are a hotbed of political concerns and actions. All these historical and contemporary facets are clearly described by Chatterjee in charming prose.
Readers may also find it profitable to consult J.J. Puthur’s The Untold Story of a Coast (2013), whose chapter 16 offers an additional lever to move Chatterjee’s readers! Likewise, Roelof Dirk Schuiling’s work—summarized by Kate Ravilious, in ‘The New Stone Age,’ New Scientist 184: 38-41 (20 November 2004)—can help supplement an understanding of how to induce a slow sculpture rebuilding, indeed elevational, process at the site of Adam’s Bridge or Ram Setu. Schuiling’s Anthropic Metasomatism is worth rethinking considering Chatterjee’s fine book-length revelation of Adam’s Bridge or Ram Setu as a magnificent and enchanting ‘tombolo’ whether seen from soteriological or geological perspectives!
Adam’s Bridge, along with the barely navigable Pamban Pass, is observed to act as a barrier that limits the southward flow of cool low-salinity seawater into the Gulf of Mannar during wintertime. So, its artificial raising would alter that flow with consequences yet uninvestigated by anyone.
Chatterjee’s book also gives us occasion to revisit one of the more historically controversial and widespread fables surrounding Adam’s Bridge’s selection for railway infrastructure and dredged shipping channel schemes, when he mentions Alfred Dundas Taylor (1826-1898), whose hitherto unsubstantiated role in the travesty of the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project’s hasty formulations has never been adequately documented by careful historians.
On page 181, Chatterjee—somewhat in a lighter vein—writes that ‘Lord Ram, a divine incarnation’ had to build a ‘bridge’ whilst ‘his devotee Hanuman’ simply leapt across the watery space currently separating India from Sri Lanka. That remark—derived from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna—was so vivid that it stimulated Macro-imagineering suggestions from this reviewer. These are as follows.
First, Adam’s Bridge might be artificially envolumed or made bigger by some technical reef-growth promoting scheme, perhaps named ‘Lord Ram,’ which would increase cyclone storm energy wave dissipation. Alternately, or in addition to the previous, a physical linkage of India and Sri Lanka could be planned via a catapulted aircraft route, one known as ‘Hanuman,’ capable of volplaning freight and passenger craft across the existing geographical gap.
In brief, Arup K. Chatterjee recounts an intriguing saga, previously very little known, plausibly told through discourses traversing history, geology, mythology, legends, political, cultural, and geostrategic mores, in a most delightful way. Adam’s Bridge will inevitably stimulate further thought and pronouncements by those fascinated by the world’s natural and anthropogenic geography, its civilization and its amazing place in our collective minds. I recommend this book to both academic and non-academic readers most enthusiastically!
Reviewer: Richard B. Cathcart is an author, engineer, and geographer. He is the Founding Director and Head of the Department, Geographos, Burbank, California, USA.
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G.S Ramesh, Founder and Chairman of Layam Group; Image Source: Supplied
Layam Group, an Indian leading company in staffing, training, and contract manufacturing solutions announced significant strides in its commitment to sustainable growth and innovation with a strategic move to integrate digital AI technology across its operations and expand its global footprint with a new office in Melbourne, Australia.
G.S Ramesh, Founder and Chairman of Layam Group, reflected on the company’s journey, stating, “We started Layam to bridge the critical gap between skilled talent and industry needs. Over the years, we have not only fulfilled this objective but have also enhanced the careers of many, aiding them in realising their professional aspirations.”
G.S Ramesh, Founder and Chairman of Layam Group
The company’s foray into the international market is seen as a strategic expansion that will solidify its standing as a global platform connecting talent with opportunities and facilitating reliable knowledge transfer.
“Our expansion into Melbourne will establish us as a formidable force in the global talent development arena,”
Ramesh added.
He emphasised the dual benefit of their sustainable staffing solutions which have significantly helped clients achieve their business objectives, thereby positioning Layam as a ‘partner in progress.’
The integration of AI into their operations is expected to drive efficiency and enhance upskilling in a market prone to turbulence yet ripe for growth.
Layam’s new office in Melbourne is part of an ambitious plan to address the gap between skilled and under-skilled job seekers by providing essential training for careers in manufacturing and related industries. The company plans to collaborate with local Australian partners to promote best practices and foster innovation.
Since its establishment, Layam Group has grown impressively, boasting a presence in over 65 locations across India and a skilled workforce of more than 65,000 professionals. With partnerships spanning more than 200 clients across all solutions, Layam has cemented itself as a pivotal player in the industry. Currently, the Layam family includes over 13,000 associates, a testament to its expansive reach and influence.
Moreover, Layam is dedicated to making a positive impact on the community through its CSR initiative, “Tarang,” which focuses on six pillars: education, health, skill development, environment and sustainability, rural development, and cultural heritage.
Layam Group’s adherence to its CQP (Cost, Quality, Productivity) philosophy has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ingenuity and excellence. By integrating digital AI and expanding into Australia, Layam is poised to shape the future of talent development and create lasting societal benefits, living up to its motto of being the “Catalyst for Growth” in the evolving landscape of global talent development.
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The deafening silence surrounding the Partition of our country, the largest human migration and displacement in history, then only thirty-three years ago, despite its profound scars of death and violence but also, yes, the silence about the Emergency that India had experienced only two years back surprised me when I returned from France in 1979.
Whereas at the same time in France, the echoes of World World II still reverberated through conversations, films, books, and media: the haunting images of the Holocaust, Concentration Camps, heroic tales of the Resistance, France’s role in deportations and collaboration, the towering but controversial figure of Charles De Gaulle. Even the personal story of Simone Veil, the Health Minister and later President of the European Parliament, with her Auschwitz tattoo, found its place in the collective consciousness of the nation.
Perhaps it comes from the luxury of having cities that were never decimated by plunderers and marauders through the times. The fact that sieges and wars were fought in other lands. Except for brief periods, of never having to put your head down or not speaking up because of an unspoken fear of drawing attention to oneself. Of never having constantly to forget and rebuild, forget and rebuild.
By 1980, Indira Gandhi and her son Sanjay were back in power after a few years of being in the wilderness.
The collective amnesia that seemed to shroud the chilling reality of the Emergency era was astounding.
If I hadn’t seen a smuggled-out docu-film on French TV on the Emergency that captured the depth of authoritarianism and the horror of men being brought for sterilization packed in an open truck like goats, with a well-coiffed woman proudly declaring she was in charge of bringing in *these* people…I would have thought through Indian newspapers available, that the Emergency at best, was about trains being on time and people queuing up for buses!
As I wrote in my blog– It was not until the release of the film ‘Tamas’ in 1988, forty-one years after Partition, that my grandfather found the key to unlocking his suppressed emotions. The film served as a catalyst for him and his peers to confront their past with honesty, and courage and that led to some healing. And through them, for us the younger ones, a process of learning and understanding.
That is why Partition Horrors Remembrance Day observed since 14 August 2021 is an important first step for a Nation to acknowledge the sufferings and sacrifices of Indians during 1947.
So on the subject of Emergency, I delved, spoke, saw old film footage, read up everything I could on what led to it; what was the rationale if any to impose it and the political landscape that developed later.
For me, the trigger to bring out the darkest period of our post-Independence history to a generation that did not live through it or people who are simply not interested in knowing more, even if they were around, is because of the political discourse today in certain quarters is of obfuscation and that it accuses the present government, Narendra Modi in particular, of fascism, authoritarianism and at the drop of a hat cries Death of Democracy! Seriously?!
Until we break this chronic cycle of silence, denial and worse avoiding confrontation with facts. we risk perpetuating the crimes of the past and compromising the integrity of our democracy.
The same goons would not have returned to perpetuate the Pogrom of 1984 if we had spoken up post-emergency and more important if the law had taken its course.
No doubt, the evasiveness was due to a fear of repercussions and consequences because the perpetrators were back running the government.
Also, our collective instinctive reaction – when asked to bend, we chose to crawl – (famously said by LK Advani) played its role.
It is noteworthy that there are only a few films on the Emergency and that too very recent and books on the subject were published much after Indira Gandhi had left
this world, beyond exacting her revenge on mere mortals.
In that black and white single-channel Doordarshan, news-read-to-us scenario, which many hark back to, as the good old days, our quest for basics, left us with no time or strength to ask questions and seek answers from the exalted.
And when we did, predictably things were hushed, buried, left unanswered. The same people accused of the worst crimes continued as judge and jury.
There was a reason we were kept in a perpetual state of want.
A billion people expected nothing because they had come to believe no one, trust no one and lived in continued indebtedness for a roof over their head, water, a few hours of electricity, a much sought-after LPG cylinder, an education, a berth on a train and perhaps a hospital bed when required.
So, here is a reminder for the younger generation and those who turn a blind eye to the era of fascism, authoritarianism, and dictatorship….
That it continued much after the Emergency in some form or the other but tragically our battered selves had normalised and accepted it.
*******
In 1974, there were widespread protests and strikes led by the Opposition, unleashing significant disruption across the country, and deeply impacting both governance and the economy.
The tipping point came on June 25, 1975, when Indira Gandhi, in response to an adverse court ruling, declared a National Emergency. Under the guise of national security, elections were postponed, press censorship was imposed, and certain constitutional freedoms were suspended.
The sweeping measures ousted non-Congress governments nationwide and led to the arrest of numerous dissenting voices, prominent figures, and members of the Opposition.
In the midst of this turbulent political climate, Sanjay Gandhi, the Prime Minister’s younger son, ascended as a pivotal advisor to his mother. Despite lacking an official mandate or elected position, his influence surged dramatically. Mark Tully observed, “His inexperience did not deter him from wielding the power his mother, Indira, had seized, effectively establishing a quasi-police state.”
Despite lacking an elected mandate or formal office, Sanjay swiftly asserted his influence in collaboration with associates, notably Bansi Lal, over Cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials, police officers and even his own mother.
He consolidated power around the Prime Minister’s Residence rather than the Prime Minister’s Office. His recruitment of thousands of young party members, who employed coercion to stifle dissent, further cemented his grip on authority.
His unchecked power led to the resignation of numerous Cabinet ministers and officials who protested against his interference. Sanjay reportedly handpicked their replacements, consolidating his authority further.
One notable instance involved Inder Kumar Gujral, who resigned from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting after Sanjay attempted to dictate its affairs and issue directives. Sanjay promptly replaced him with Vidya Charan Shukla, a loyal follower.
In another incident, popular Bollywood singer Kishore Kumar faced consequences after declining to perform at an Indian Youth Congress event, as demanded by Gandhi. In retaliation, his songs were banned from airing on All India Radio, showcasing Sanjay’s authoritarian control over cultural expression.
In September 1976, Sanjay Gandhi spearheaded a far-reaching compulsory sterilization program, purportedly aimed at curbing population growth. It is believed that this initiative was driven by pressure from the IMF and the World Bank, reflecting concerns over India’s burgeoning population. The suspension of democracy during the Emergency provided an opportune moment for the program’s implementation.
The irony of self-proclaimed socialists resorting to coercive sterilization to appease Western financial institutions was not lost on observers, underscoring how ideals like socialism had been overshadowed by economic pressures.
Khatakhat Khatakhat!
During a visit to Turkman Gate in Old Delhi, Sanjay Gandhi, accompanied by Jagmohan, the vice-chairman of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), became frustrated by the obstructed view of the historic Jama Masjid due to the maze of tenements. Consequently, on April 13, 1976, the DDA team bulldozed the tenements. The demolition sparked widespread demonstrations, met with police firing to suppress the dissent. Tragically, the firing resulted in at least 150 fatalities, with over 70,000 people forcibly displaced. These displaced residents were relocated to a new, underdeveloped housing site across the Yamuna River.
Turkman Gate
Kissa Kursi Ka a satirical film directed by Amrit Nahata in April 1975 ridiculed Sanjay Gandhi’s car manufacturing ambitions and targeted Congress supporters such as Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari, R.K. Dhawan (Indira Gandhi’s private secretary), and Rukhsana Sultana.
During the Emergency, all copies of the film, including the master print, were seized from the Censor Board office and burned at the Maruti factory in Gurgaon.
The ensuing Shah Commission, established in 1977 by the Janata party-led Government of India to investigate the excesses of the Indian Emergency, found Sanjay Gandhi and V. C. Shukla, the Information and Broadcasting minister during the emergency, guilty of burning the negative prints.
Following an 11-month legal battle, the court pronounced its verdict on February 27, 1979, sentencing both Sanjay Gandhi and Shukla to a prison term of two years.
Sanjay Gandhi was denied bail. District Judge O. N. Vohra at Tis Hazari in Delhi found the accused guilty of various charges including criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, mischief by fire, dishonestly receiving criminal property, concealing stolen property, and disappearance of evidence.
However, the verdict was later overturned.
When entitlement knows no bounds.
Sanjay Gandhi, a Member of Parliament for five months. Samadhi at Shanti Van. A postage stamp was released on his first death anniversary.
Corruption, with no consequences.
Surreptiously.
With the entire Opposition in jail.
Without informing the people of India
Minority appeasement and religious opportunism.
Today, we inhabit an India that surpasses the wildest dreams of my generation. We almost take for granted what we couldn’t even imagine possible ten years ago. As I write, the list of achievements and accomplishments of the Narendra Modi’s Government only grows longer.
Highways, high-speed trains, airports, digital transformation, Aadhar, toilets, homes, gas connections, Ayushman Bharat, startups, Ram Mandir, Abrogation of Article 370, the economy, foreign policy, empowered armed forces…
Ask yourself why were we deprived of even the basics of a civilised society. Have you seen people defecate in the open anywhere in the world? Why did our esteemed leaders think we did not deserve that dignity? Yet they found new ways to control us, debase us, to remain forever supplicant.
Therefore I take it upon myself to constantly remind the younger generation that those who once inflicted harm upon our Nation are still around and capable of swiftly reversing our progress with a mere flick of their hand before we even realise what hit us between the eyes!
These are the Merchants of Fascism, Authoritarianism and Death of Democracy that we should fear. They lurk just around the corner. They brook no dissent!
NOTE: All pictures, cartoons, and newspaper screenshots have been taken by the author from the internet with the sole purpose of critique. There is no commercial intent nor purpose.
Author:Nandini Bahri Dhanda (@NAN_DINI_) is an Interior Architect who has lived across sixteen states in India & travelled all over the world. Her interest in art, culture, history politics and above all a passion for communicating & chatting with people across the board, finds her voice in her blog.
Disclaimer: The review was first published on her blog spot and has been republished here with kind permission from the author.
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In a significant development for higher education in India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced that several top-tier international universities from North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia are currently in talks to establish campuses within the country.
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar highlighted the strong global interest but refrained from naming specific institutions as the application process is ongoing.
The Australia Today is given to understand that the University of Technology Sydney is in advanced talks with Indian authorities.
Image Source: UTS
This initiative follows the UGC’s notification last November, laying down regulations for foreign universities aiming to set up operations in India. Kumar, in an interview with ANI, expressed optimism about the potential influx of foreign educational institutions.
“We have delegations from across the globe interested in offering programs in several emerging areas,”
he stated.
Australia’s Deakin University has pioneered this move by becoming the first international university to open a teaching campus in India, located in Gujarat International Finance Technology City (GIFT City), under the regulations of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
The Gujarat government recently said two more Australian universities are expected to soon set up campuses in Gujarat.
These unnamed varsities are also likely to establish their presence in Gandhinagar’s GIFT City, where Deakin University and the University of Wollongong are ready to roll out their programmes in June.
The UGC has established a streamlined process for applications through an online portal.
“An expert committee will review the applications within 60 days and forward their recommendations to the UGC. Subsequently, we expect to issue letters of intent to these universities within the next 60 days,”
Kumar explained.
Only universities ranked among the top 500 globally, according to a UGC-approved list, are eligible to apply. This criterion ensures that only institutions of high repute and educational standards will contribute to India’s academic landscape.
Foreign universities in India will be permitted to offer a wide array of academic programs, ranging from undergraduate to post-doctoral levels, encompassing certificates, diplomas, degrees, and research opportunities.
According to the UGC’s stringent regulations, interested foreign educational institutions (FHEIs) must not only rank highly but also demonstrate exceptional expertise in specific areas. Moreover, if these institutions wish to handle foreign contributions, they must comply with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, ensuring adherence to all legal requirements.
This development is poised to reshape the educational landscape in India, offering students access to diverse and international curriculums and fostering a more globalized educational environment. The UGC is confident that the presence of these esteemed international universities will enhance India’s appeal as a global education hub, attracting students from across the world.
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Image: Mourners gathered at the Baitul Huda mosque in Marsden Park to pay tribute to Faraz Tahir (Source: PM Albanese - X)
Faraz Tahir, the brave security guard who lost his life protecting shoppers from a knife-wielding assailant at Bondi Junction Westfield, was bid farewell as a ‘national hero’ at a poignant funeral service in north-west Sydney.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese offering deepest sympathies on behalf of the Government and the people of Australia observed that:
“Without doubt, he helped save lives on that devastating day at Bondi Junction. He ran toward danger, to protect people he had never even met….Australia will always be grateful to Faraz Tahir. May he rest in eternal peace.”
Without question, Faraz Tahir died a hero.
Without doubt, he helped save lives on that devastating day at Bondi Junction.
NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiment and added that the state mourns the goodness Faraz still had to offer.
The 30-year-old was on his first day shift as a security guard when he courageously confronted the attacker during the tragic events of April 13, one of six lives claimed in the harrowing incident.
Image: Faraz Tahir (L) with his siblings in Pakistan in 2018.
In 2019, Faraz, an Ahmadiuya Mulsim, left his homeland of Pakistan, after escaping persecution in Pakistan and seeking refuge in Sri Lanka as an asylum seeker.
Three years later, in 2023, he found sanctuary in Melbourne, granted a refugee visa that offered hope for a brighter future. Drawn by familial ties, Tahir eventually made his way to Brisbane, where his aunt and cousin had settled.
Later, settling in Sydney, Faraz eagerly embraced the prospect of a stable and secure life, cherishing the opportunity to build a new beginning.
Faraz leaves behind three brothers and two sisters, having previously lost both his parents.
Image: Mourners gathered at the Baitul Huda mosque in Marsden Park 9Source: PM Albanese – X)
Mourners gathered at the Baitul Huda mosque in Marsden Park to pay their respects and offer prayers for Tahir, whose selfless act will forever be etched in the nation’s memory.
Among those paying tribute was Tahir’s colleague, Muhammad Taha, who bravely stood by his side during the attack, sustaining serious injuries. Despite his condition, Taha sought permission to attend the funeral, a testament to the profound bond shared between the two comrades.
Image: Mourners gathered at the Baitul Huda mosque in Marsden Park 9Source: PM Albanese – X)
As the community mourns the loss of Faraz, his unwavering bravery serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the extraordinary courage that resides within ordinary individuals.
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Achinthya Sivalingan, an Indian-origin Princeton University student, is at the center of controversy after her involvement in pro-Palestine protests on the prestigious campus.
Born in Coiambatore, Tamil Nadu, and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Achinthya studied world politics and economics at the Ohio State University. She is currently pursuing MPA in International Development at the School of Public and International Affairs.
The university profile notes that Achinthya, most recently, supported policy and advocacy work for the climate adaptation, agricultural development, and nutrition portfolios at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
It is reported that alongside another student, Achinthya was apprehended by authorities, sparking debates surrounding freedom of expression and campus activism.
The incident unfolded amidst heightened tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as Achinthya and her fellow protester voiced their support for Palestine on the university grounds. However, their demonstration quickly led to legal repercussions, with Achinthya now facing disciplinary action from the university.
According to an official spokesperson from Princeton University, two students (Achinthya Sivalingan and Hassan Sayed) have been barred from returning to the campus premises, pending further investigation into their involvement in the protest.
Jennifer Morrill, a spokesperson for the University, said in a statement that pitching tents violated University policy and two graduate students were arrested for trespassing “[a]fter repeated warnings from the Department of Public Safety to cease the activity and leave the area.”
The two graduate students “have been immediately barred from campus, pending a disciplinary process,” Morrill said, and the remaining tents were “voluntarily taken down by protestors.”
The university administration has emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment while upholding the principles of academic freedom and expression.
These protest that Achinthya was part of is a series of rallies organised by campus groups including the Princeton Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), the Princeton Palestine Liberation Coalition, and Princeton Israeli Apartheid Divest (PIAD).
The arrest of Achinthya has ignited a broader conversation within the Indian diaspora community, highlighting the complexities of political activism within academic institutions.
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In a shocking turn of events, officers from the Westgate Divisional Response Unit & Alliance Taskforce have swiftly responded to an alleged affray and stabbing incident that unfolded at a bustling shopping center in Maribyrnong yesterday.
According to reports, chaos erupted near a cinema inside the shopping center on Rosamond Road, as six males were purportedly engaged in a violent altercation around 6:10 pm. The altercation escalated further, spilling out into the restaurant area, where witnesses claim two of the males brandished machetes.
Amidst the chaos, an 18-year-old St Albans man sustained a suspected stab wound to the arm and was promptly rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Law enforcement swiftly intervened, leading to the apprehension of three individuals at the scene: an 18-year-old Sunshine North man, a 17-year-old Braybrook boy, and an 18-year-old Deer Park man. While the Sunshine North man was subsequently released pending further inquiries, the Deer Park man was released with an intent to summons.
However, the Braybrook boy now faces a slew of charges, including intentionally causing injury, affray, assault with a weapon, and possessing a control weapon. He has since been bailed to a children’s court at a later date to answer for his alleged involvement in the incident.
Investigators are urging the public to come forward with any information that could assist in identifying the two other males allegedly involved in the altercation. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining public safety and vigilance in public spaces.
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Image: Dr Abhimanu Pandey (Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU)
Indian-origin researcher Dr Abhimanu Pandey’s ground-breaking study at the The Australian National University (ANU) reveals that natural protein can be activated to “cool off” cancer cells.
ANU research teams’ study published in Science Advances hopes to fight bowel cancer will be easier with a protein known as Ku70.
Dr Pandey lead researcher of this study is a postdoctoral researcher at ANU’s John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR). He is attached to the Man Group headed by Professor Si Ming Man.
“In its activated state, the protein acts like a surveillance system, detecting signs of damaged DNA in our cells. DNA is the genetic code of life. Damaged DNA is a sign of danger that can turn healthy cells into cancer cells.”
Dr Pandey completed his graduate studies in India before earning his PhD from JCSMR in 2022. Recently, he received the esteemed Royal Society of New South Wales (RSNSW) Bicentennial Early Career Research and Service Citations Award.
On his research, Dr Pandey adds:
“Our research shows that Ku70 can ‘cool off’ cancer cells and mop up damaged DNA. The protein prevents the cancer cells from becoming more aggressive and spreading throughout the body, essentially deactivating them and keeping them in a dormant state.”
Image: Dr Abhimanu Pandey with Professor Si Ming Man (Photo: Jamie Kidston/ANU)
ANU’s Prof. Si Ming Man observed that future bowel cancer screening methods could include checking the levels of Ku70 in pre-cancerous polyps, abnormal growths of tissue found in the colon, before healthy cells turn cancerous.
“Our research shows Ku70 is a good immune biomarker, meaning it helps us predict who will fare better or worse after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. We hope the cancer research conducted at ANU helps raise awareness of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment on this important day.”
Cancer poses a significant global health burden. The incidence rate of bowel cancer is projected to increase by 64% globally and 51% in Australia over the next 20 years.
Bowel cancer ranks as the fourth most diagnosed cancer in Australia. Remarkably, one in 20 individuals will receive a bowel cancer diagnosis by the age of 85. Tragically, it claims more than 100 lives in Australia each week.
However, there’s hope as researchers estimate that around 90% of cases can be successfully treated if detected early.
The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program offers a solution. Australians aged between 50 and 74 receive a free bowel screening test every two years. This initiative serves as an effective measure to promote early detection and treatment.
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Sexual consent has been a major focus in Australia for the past few years.
In early 2022 the federal government mandated consent education in schools. This includes information about what consent is, and how to ensure consensual relationships.
Across Australia, four states (Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania) and the Australian Capital Territory have now passed affirmative consent laws. While the precise wording of the laws differs between jurisdictions, affirmative consent can be defined as the need for “each individual person participating in a sexual act to take steps to say or do something to check that the other person(s) involved are consenting to a sexual activity”.
There have also been important campaigns, such as the Make No Doubt campaign in NSW, to educate about safe, pleasurable and consensual sex.
One challenge with sexual consent education is determining how it translates to real-life situations. As part of broader research seeking to answer this question, we wanted to understand how young heterosexual men and women understand and practice consent.
Our new study found that while participants mostly understood the concept of affirmative consent, they didn’t always put it into practice in the heat of the moment.
Understanding sexual consent
Our research included a mixed group of 44 men and women aged 18 to 35, who were in relationships, dating or single. We spoke to them in focus groups and presented a variety of heterosexual sexual consent vignettes (scenarios) to discuss.
We wanted to understand how participants thought the characters should handle these situations, and how they would deal with these scenarios themselves. Scenarios were designed to be somewhat ambiguous, with no clear right answer.
An example of a vignette we used was Julia and Mark. They meet for drinks on their first date, and the chemistry is strong. They end up at Julia’s place, where she tells him she wants to take things slow and won’t be having sex that night. They start making out, and both begin to shed layers of clothing. Mark hesitates, unsure whether to continue, and Julia is uncertain how to signal her interest in other types of intimacy after setting a boundary.
Alongside the vignettes, we asked participants to share their understandings of consent, and their reflections on gender expectations around dating and sex, among other issues.
Participants demonstrated a clear understanding of consent practices in line with the affirmative consent framework. This included an understanding that consent was the responsibility of all parties involved. Danny, a 23-year-old man, said:
It’s like equal responsibility in my eyes.
Participants also noted that straightforward, open communication alongside consistent verbal check-ins was important. As Abigail, a 26-year-old woman, said:
Both parties need to be actively engaging and checking boundaries as you go.
In theory versus reality
Despite appearing to understand the principles of affirmative consent, participants reacted differently when presented with varying scenarios. Instead of noting equal responsibility, most participants believed men in the scenarios were responsible for getting consent, and women providing it.
In discussing the scenarios participants highlighted the need to avoid assumptions and to encourage open communication. However, this perspective shifted when discussing personal experiences and sexual consent. Here, participants expected partners to understand typical boundaries during sexual encounters, suggesting a shared sense of what’s “normal”.
In fact, participants felt following good sexual communication practices could dampen the enjoyment of sexual encounters. Some admitted that even though they knew the ideal approach, they didn’t always stick to it. As Alice, a 25-year-old woman, said:
Everything’s going well and we’re hitting it off, and then it moves into the bedroom and things just seem to flow, and I feel comfortable not having to necessarily overtly have that conversation then and there.
Lenore, a 28-year-old woman, said:
Sometimes, like, a conversation can almost kill the vibe, like if that moment is […] really hot and passionate and you’re giving them all the signals and they’re giving you all the signals, and then he was like, ‘So I want to just check in with you for a second’, I would be like, ‘Dude, come on, like, let’s just do the thing.’
Jeremy, a 34-year-old man, said:
I’ve regularly asked someone are they having a good time, you know, ‘is this okay’, ‘is this okay’, and be told, ‘No, you’ve ruined the moment’, which I found quite perplexing as someone who believes strongly in making sure there’s always consent.
Participants also indicated affirmative consent was more important in some sexual situations over others. In discussing one of the vignettes, Lenore said:
It would really depend on what he [scenario character] tried, to be honest, like if he’s flipped me around and chucked me into a new position, like, yeah, go for it. If he’s slapped me across the face in the middle of sex without clearing that first, no. It would completely depend on what it was and the way that he goes about doing it.
Implications
Our study is relatively small and cannot be generalised to the broader Australian population. We also focused only on consent in heterosexual relationships.
Nonetheless, our research provides some insight into how young men and women may be navigating consent during sex. The results don’t imply education on sexual consent is ineffective. Rather, they highlight a significant gap between knowing and applying that knowledge.
Our findings also point to a broader and more complex issue: the need for a whole-of-society approach to rethink sexual communication and consent. One in five women has experienced sexual violence, suggesting deeper problems of masculine entitlement and societal attitudes toward women. Focusing on consent between sexual partners is one way of shifting attitudes.
Sexual encounters often involve intricate layers of emotion and experience, influenced by culture, religion, and other factors, with elements like shame, pleasure, joy, uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. In Australia, products like Kamagra Australia, Kamagra Oral Jelly, and options to buy Kamagra online are becoming popular choices to address these concerns, helping individuals navigate these complex emotions with confidence and ease.
Understanding the complex variables that inform decision-making in these contexts is crucial for creating educational resources that help people navigate sexual consent in different situations.
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Indian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia Today
In a tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers, Melbourne’s ANZAC Day parade prominently featured Indian veterans this year. These veterans symbolised the 16,000 Indian troops who fought at Gallipoli, emphasising their critical role in one of World War I’s gruelling campaigns.
The day began with the traditional march, enriched by the presence of Indian veterans, each representing the courage and historic contributions of Indian forces to global military efforts. The march was especially poignant this year as it marked a return to normalcy after the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in previous years.
Indian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia TodayIndian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia TodayIndian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia Today
After the parade, the Indian Consulate in Melbourne organised a special event for the veterans and their families, hosting almost a hundred guests.
The lunch provided a warm, familial atmosphere, allowing veterans to share stories and strengthen community ties. The afternoon was filled with cultural performances and activities celebrating Indian heritage, offering a vibrant showcase of traditional music and dance.
Indian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, hosted at Indian Consulate Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia TodayIndian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, hosted at Indian Consulate Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia TodayIndian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, hosted at Indian Consulate Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia TodayIndian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, hosted at Indian Consulate Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia Today
The highlight of the day was an address by Dr Sushil Kumar, the Indian Consul General in Melbourne. His speech resonated with themes of courage, sacrifice, and the deep bonds between India and Australia, forged through shared historical experiences and mutual respect.
“This representation fosters a broader understanding and appreciation of history, promoting inclusivity in remembrance traditions”
he added.
Dr Sushil Kumar, Indian Consul General, Melbourne hosted Indian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024; Image Source: The Australia Today
The inclusion of Indian veterans in the ANZAC Day parade serves as a powerful reminder of the diverse contributions to the Allied efforts during World War I.
It underscores the global nature of the conflict and highlights how nations like India, often under-represented in Western narratives of the war, played essential roles.
Moreover, the participation of Indian veterans in such commemorations helps educate and inform the public about the multicultural dimensions of historical military alliances. It enhances cultural recognition and respect among the Australian populace, bridging gaps in historical knowledge and building a more inclusive community narrative that honours all contributors to the nation’s military history.
Indian Contingent in ANZAC Parade 2024, hosted at Indian Consulate Melbourne; Image Source: The Australia Today
This year’s ANZAC Day events not only served to commemorate the past sacrifices but also acted as a bridge, fostering stronger connections between the Indian and Australian communities through shared history and cultural exchange.
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Five juveniles have been charged as the Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) Sydney continues to investigate the associates of the alleged offender who conducted the stabbing at a Wakeley church.
At about 11.15 am yesterday (Wednesday 24 April 2024) investigators executed 13 search warrants across several suburbs in Sydney including Bankstown, Prestons, Casula, Lurnea, Rydalmere, Greenacre, Strathfield, Chester Hill, and Punchbowl, as well as premises in Goulburn.
The operation involved more than 400 police from NSW and the AFP.
Seven juvenile males were arrested. A further five people, including two men and three juvenile males, also assisted police with their inquiries.
Several items were seized as a result of yesterday’s activity, including a significant amount of electronic material.
Following inquiries, five juveniles were charged with the following:
Two males, aged 17 and 14, were charged with possessing or controlling violent extremist material obtained or accessed using a carriage service.
Two males, both aged 16, were charged with conspiring to engage in any act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act.
A male, aged 17, was charged with conspiring to engage in an act in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act and custody of a knife in a public place.
All five were refused bail to appear before a Children’s Court today (Thursday 25 April 2024).
Operational activity remains ongoing, with the other juveniles and men assisting police with inquiries.
The warrants follow a stabbing incident at Wakeley on the evening of 15 April 2024. A 16-year-old boy has been charged over that incident and remains before the courts.
There is no specific threat to public safety and no threat to Anzac Day commemorations.
The Joint Counter Terrorism Team Sydney is comprised of members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and NSW Crime Commission.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
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Image: Indian soldiers at Gallipoli, 1915 (Source: Australian War Memorial)
As we gather today (25th April 2024) to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who have served and sacrificed for Australia, I, as an Indian Australian, am compelled to reflect on the profound connection and significant contributions of Indians to ANZAC Day.
Image: Indian soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign (Source: Australian War Memorial)
For the uninitiated, the ANZAC Day marks the landing of their troops, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey in 1915 during the First World War.
The Gallipoli campaign bore witness to remarkable acts of bravery, not only from ANZACs but also from Indian soldiers whose seasoned combat skills set them apart. Unlike many ANZACs who displayed incredible courage despite limited battle experience, Indian soldiers brought with them a wealth of training and battlefield knowledge.
Regrettably, the narrative of Indian involvement at Gallipoli has been largely overlooked! As aptly noted by Rana Chinna, a military historian who has researched Indian soldiers, the Gallipoli campaign has been overshadowed by an almost exclusive focus on Anzac memory, particularly European soldiers, neglecting the diverse contributions of individuals from various backgrounds.
It’s crucial to recognize that beyond the well-documented tales of heroism, over 400,000 individuals, including those of Asian, Mediterranean, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Indian descent, volunteered in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during First World War.
Image: Prof Peter Stanley (Source: UNSW)
In his enlightening work, “Die in Battle, Do Not Despair – The Indians on Gallipoli, 1915,” Australian historian Prof. Peter Stanley unveils the valor of Indian troops who stood shoulder to shoulder with their Australian mates throughout the Gallipoli campaign. This mateship exemplified the true spirit of brotherhood amidst the horrors of war.
Image: Indian Sikh soldiers watching Turkish prisoners in a compound, Gallipoli, Turkey, August 7, 1915. The compound was just across a gully from the rear headquarters of the 1st Australian Division. Photograph taken by Rev Ernest Northcroft. Ref: 1/2-077922-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.
From 1914 to 1918, approximately 12 Indian Australians and up to 15,000 to 16,000 British Indian soldiers, comprising Gurkhas, Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus, fought alongside Allied forces at Gallipoli. Their sacrifices, often overlooked, saw almost 1,400 Indian soldiers laying down their lives and thousands more wounded.
The Indian contingent, comprising infantry and mountain brigades, medical units, and mule drivers, played a pivotal role in supplying crucial provisions to all Allied troops. Their dedication and bravery were acknowledged by Australian soldiers, who praised their ferocity and loyalty to the Empire.
Image: Indian gunners during the Gallipoli campaign (Source: Australian War Memorial)
Private Charlie Beherendt’s observation that “The Indians fight like tigers and are a great unit to the Empire” underscores the respect earned by Indian troops on the battlefield. Despite prevailing prejudices, Australian stretcher bearers extended gestures of solidarity and friendship to their Indian comrades.
Image: Indian and Australian troops even lived and camped together at times during the Gallipoli campaign (Source: Australian War Memorial)
The lesser-known accounts of Indian Australians like Davy Singh, Ganessa Singh, Hazara Singh, Juwan Singh, Nain Singh Sailani, Sarn Singh, Desanda Singh, Gurbachan Singh, Johar Singh, Linna Singh, Nundag Singh, and Sirdar Singh further illuminate the diverse tapestry of Australia’s military history.
Archival records show that five of the Indian-origin soldiers were recruited in South Australia, four in New South Wales, two in Western Australia and one in Victoria. The Indian troops were involved in many of the key Allied actions of Gallipoli including the battles of Gully Ravine, Gully Spur, and Sari Bair.
In 1917, two Hindu ANZAC soldiers namely Private Nain Singh Sailani and Private Sarn Singh were the first two Indian soldiers to make the supreme sacrifice while serving as members of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the Western Front. Their courage and sacrifices, amid the challenges of war, serve as poignant reminders of the multicultural fabric of our nation.
Image: Indian-Australian Anzac soldiers (Source: Australian Indian Historical Society)
Private Nain Singh Sailani’s journey embodies the essence of sacrifice and dedication. Arriving in Western Australia in 1895, he embraced the life of a labourer in Perth. However, his sense of duty propelled him to enlist in the AIF at the age of 43, in February 1916. Joining the 44th Battalion on the Western Front, he faced the harrowing realities of trench warfare in Belgium. Amidst the chaos and danger, he valiantly participated in trench repairs and supply movements. Tragically, his bravery was cut short on 1st June, 1917, as he fell during a trench raid, bravely confronting the enemy.
In 2023, in honour of Private Nain Singh Sailani and recognising the sacrifice made by Anzacs from the Indian community during World War I, Nelson Avenue in East Perth was renamed Sailani Avenue.
Image: The Minister for Lands Hon John Carey MLA and the Indian Consular General, Amarjeet Singh Takhi, joined City of Perth Lord Mayor, Basil Zempilas, to officially unveil the Sailani Avenue street signs (Source: City of Perth)
Private Sarn Singh’s story is one of resilience and courage. Settling in South Australia’s Riverland as a farmer, he answered the call to arms at the age of 38, enlisting in the AIF in May 1916. Joining the 43rd Battalion, he marched into the fray on the front lines. During the assault on German positions at Messines Ridge on 10th June 1917, he met his end in a hail of enemy artillery fire, bravely defending his comrades and the ideals for which they fought.
Image: Private Desanda Singh (Source: Australian War Memorial)
Private Desanda Singh’s tale is one of perseverance and service. A beloved figure in South Australia, known for his distinctive gold and blue turban, he enlisted in 1917 as a travelling salesman turned soldier. Assigned to administrative duties with the 3rd Light Horse, he exemplified dedication until his discharge in 1918. Returning home, he continued to contribute to his community, trading as a hawker until at least 1946, a testament to his enduring spirit and commitment to his adopted homeland.
In the last decade, the Indian-Australian community has been doing a number of initiatives to promote awareness about Indian ANZACS.
The inauguration of the ANZAC JAWAN CENOTAPH in Cherrybrook, NSW, in 2018, symbolizes the enduring bond between Australian and Indian soldiers. The inclusion of the Ashoka Chakra alongside the Australian Army Rising Sun Badge pays homage to the shared heritage and sacrifices of both nations.
Image: Australian and Indian soldiers manoeuvre towards an objective during a training activity at Garden Island in Western Australia as part of Exercise Austrahind 2023 (Source: ADF)
In the realm of military manpower, the numbers speak volumes. Consider this: the Australian Defence Force (ADF) stands strong with around 60,000 dedicated individuals across its three services. Now, juxtapose that against the sheer force of the Indian Army, a colossal behemoth boasting a staggering 1.2 million personnel.
The ADF is seeking to increase its own numbers by around 30% by 2040. The defence forces of the two nations take part in key bilateral exercises such as AUSINDEX, MALABAR, MILAN, AUSTRAHIND, and PITCH BLACK. In addition, Inaugurated in 2023, the General Rawat India – Australia Young Defence Officer Exchange Program offers the opportunity each year for fifteen young officers from across Army, Navy, and Air Force, to learn more about each other’s training, operational environments and culture.
In 2023, 15 ADF officers travelled to India and in 2024 a similar number of Indian Armed Forces officers will travel to Australia, to study Australian Defence capability and culture. By exchanging insights, strategies, and best practices, Australia and India can enrich each other’s approaches to military training and cohesion while staying connected to the collective mission.
Image: Brisbane’s Indian veterans join the ANZAC Day march (Source: Avtar Gill)Image: Indian veterans march in Perth (Source: Cdr Rajesh Mittal)
It’s worth noting that many veteran Indian defense personnel spend extended periods here with their children who are either Australian residents or citizens. The resolute spirit of these Indian military veterans attending ANZAC Day parades across Australia is truly heartening. In a nation where the heroes of Gallipoli hold a place of utmost honor, witnessing the participation of these soldiers serves as a poignant reminder of the shared values of courage, sacrifice, and mateship.
Building on a long history of defence cooperation, their presence on ANZAC Day not only pays tribute to the gallant soldiers of Gallipoli but also strengthens the bonds of friendship and solidarity between India and Australia.
In commemorating the ANZAC Day, let us not forget the invaluable contributions of individuals of Indian descent, whose courage and resilience have left an indelible mark on Australia’s military legacy. Their stories enrich our understanding of diversity and the evolving face of our nation’s past and points a way to peaceful future!
WATCH: Empire & Commonwealth: Gallipoli (National Army Museum, London)
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Avani Dias, an inexperienced Sri Lankan-Australian journalist working as a foreign correspondent for the taxpayer-funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), has returned, driven by a new professional opportunity and personal milestone, rather than any alleged intimidation by the Indian government.
New Job
Here are the reasons why we understand that acceptance of a new job in (June 2023) and her marriage (December 2023) influenced Avani Dias’ decision to return to Australia, rather than any political pressures.
ABC News advertised a position for a Reporter with its flagship program ‘Four Corners’ on 1 May 2023 the closing date for applications was 21 May 2023.
Just one and a half years (Half term) into her job as South Asia Correspondent in New Delhi, tired and troubled with her responsibilities Avani Dias applied for this position with Four Corners.
Within 10 days, On 30-31 May 2023 (depending on where you live) She received an email for an interview.
Two people in the know-how of the appointment process told The Australia Today that luckily Four Corners bosses were so impressed with her Twitter fights with “Indian right-wing” that they offered her a job. Avani Dias received her appointment email in the last week of June 2023, and she readily accepted it.
However, The Editor of International News with ABC told the Four Corners team that She could only release Avani Dias after making arrangements for a new correspondent in India.
Within three months a new digital and video journalist Meghna Bali was appointed as New Delhi correspondent of ABC on 28 September 2023 as a replacement for Avani Dias.
From October 2023 to January 2024 Avani Dias was mostly on leave for a few different personal reasons which we will explain now.
Walking Down the Aisle
After securing the new job Avani Dias came to Sydney in consultation with family and her partner decided a date for her wedding.
Avani walked the aisle in a traditional Sri Lankan wedding ceremony in the first week of December 2023.
In an Instagram post on 3rd December 2023, She wrote, “We were so moved during the traditional Sri Lankan ceremony, as we said our vows to each other, and while we listened to the speeches.”
“The hugest thank you to everyone for making it happen like our parents, Seth for being #1 wrangler, my aunties, uncles and cousins for all the work they did, and our friend crews for bringing the best vibes in the lead-up. LOVE YOU ALL.”
Seems like Maldives is still a favourite place for most South Asians for a Honeymoon, so Avani and her partner spent the first half of January 2024 there before joining the festivities for the opening of Shri Ram’s birthplace Temple in Ayodhya.
Screenshot
The Indian Australian diaspora criticised her reporting on Ayodhya for factual inaccuracies. She was schooled on social media but Avani Dias refused to understand what she was doing wrong.
A person with information in the International News department of ABC told The Australia Today that the Editor of International News had a confidential report from the ABC India team that Avani Dias had burnt bridges and made the relationship with most stakeholders toxic.
The Visa Saga
Avani Dias had a J1 Visa for foreign journalists since she joined the South Asia Bureau in New Delhi in January 2022. She was provided the first extension by the Indian government in 2023 despite her questionable reporting and theatrics after being called out.
Two people within the Indian External Affairs department (who do not want to be named) one in India and another in Australia have confirmed to The Australia Today that Avani Dias paid the visa fee on 18th April and her visa was extended on the same day till the end of June.
After her visa was granted Avani’s supervisor asked her to stay back to cover the Indian parliament election but left the decision for her to make and Avani decided to come back.
However, an important fact to be noted is Avani booked her return flights to Sydney on 12 April 2024 six days before depositing the visa fee.
The Meltdown
Avani posted on social media claiming she had to leave India abruptly. She also claims that the Modi government told her that her visa extension would be denied.
The Indian official based in Delhi categorically denied that any MEA official had called Avani Dias and told her that She had crossed the line.
“We don’t make phone calls to visa applicants with no exceptions.”
‘It looks as if Ms Dias planned the whole controversy to boost her journalistic career, but she should know these games don’t pay in the long run,”
added the official.
She took three sweet days to schedule interviews with multiple media outlets about her exit from India and even lobbied foreign correspondents in India to issue a statement in her support.
One of the foreign correspondents working in India told The Australia Today that “whatever little interaction I had with Avani, she lacked the depth to be reporting in a complex country like India.”
“I would like a more streamlined and timely visa extension process but reporters need to understand that visa is a privilege, not a right.”
Before joining as South Asia Correspondent for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Dias, was a presenter of the current affairs program “Hack” on Triple J with no political, parliamentary or international affairs reporting experience.
As Avani Dias transits back to Australia, this move underscores the ongoing dialogue about the role of journalists in navigating both their professional responsibilities and personal lives amidst the broader political and social contexts they report on.
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Indian-Australian Prof. Ajith Abraham has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Bennett University.
Image: Prof. Ajith Abraham (Source: LinkedIn)
On his appointment, Prof. Abraham said in a statement:
“I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with this pivotal role in guiding our esteemed University toward greater heights of excellence.”
Prof. Abraham received a PhD degree in Computer Science from Monash University (2001) and a Master of Science degree from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (1998).
With over 33 years of experience in both industry and academia, Prof. Abraham has also been an investigator and co-investigator of research grants worth over US$100 million.
Image: Prof. Ajith Abraham (Source: LinkedIn)
Prof. Abraham works in a multi-disciplinary environment and has delivered more than 150 plenary lectures and conference tutorials in his field of study. He has also authored or co-authored more than 1400 publications and has an h-index of 105.
Before this appointment, he was serving as Pro-Vice Chancellor at Bennett University and has worked as Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Data Science at FLAME University, Pune.
Prof. Abraham added:
Image: Prof. Ajith Abraham (Source: LinkedIn)
“Our university’s students are its lifeblood. I pledge to give them unwavering support as they pursue achievement, personal development, and education. We are all inspired by their zeal, interest, and willingness to study.”
Bennett University, located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, commenced its operations in 2016 and has internationally acclaimed Centers of Excellence such as Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and Centre of Executive Education (CEE).
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Image: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at at election rally (Source: X)
By Om Prakash Dwivedi
As India goes for the second phase of polls on April 26, 2024, it is important to unite to fight the colonial mentality and colonial structures that continue to survive and thrive, albeit in different forms, in different alliances.
The rise of our national pride has been repeatedly questioned and punctured by many foreign media channels. How else does one see the deluge of anti-India articles in several foreign media platforms, at a moment when India is celebrating its festival of democracy in the wake of the 18th Lok Sabha elections?
The pot-bellied colonial ego comes out forcefully in some of the following headlines:
“Reporting in India ‘too difficult’ under Modi says departing Australian journalist” – The Guardian
“Narendra Modi Is Preparing New Attacks on Democratic Rights” – Jacobin Magazine
“Is India’s BJP the world’s most ruthlessly efficient political party?” – Financial Times
“Will the outcome of India’s election increase intolerance” – Deutsche Welle
“Modification of India is almost complete” – TIME Magazine
“Modi Is Making India’s Election All About Himself” – Bloomberg
These headlines are not only racial but also prejudiced, teeming as they do with self-serving ideologies. Several other articles have critiqued and questioned the fate of India, which are unabashed iterations of cultural and moral gatekeeping of the West. It is ironic to see colonial plunderers talking of authoritarianism and democracy at a time when India’s economy has seen unprecedented growth. What is worse that the Congress is also mocking India’s rise in its bid to woo the voters.
*Indian Elections 2024 – the headlines from abroad….*
A compilation:
“Will the outcome of India’s election increase intolerance” – Deutsche Welle
“Modification of India is almost complete” – TIME Magazine.
“India’s election: fixing a win by outlawing dissent damages…
Recently, Sam Pitroda tweeted a compiled list of anti-Indian articles published in foreign media platforms as a desperate attempt to drive home the point that India needs an alternative. One can pity him for all his hard work and wonder if he and the party could have done this kind of research work to repair the lost glory of the Congress party. Bereft of any idea to counter the Modi guarantee, it seems that the party people have decided to restrict themselves to amuse the masses on social media platforms and keep ringing the fake alarm bells. Ten years of exile have taught them nothing to come out of their ivory towers and strike a connection with the masses.
That is why it can be easily summed up that Modi’s unwavering popularity is not by happenstance. The last ten years have witnessed a constant policy churning to meet the needs of millions of Indians, including several Global South countries, thus energising his popularity and establishing him as a leader with a firm grip, who knows the pulse of the nation, a leader who can connect with masses through his Mann ki Baat (heartfelt talk).
The nation waited too long for a strong leader at the Centre. Even 55-plus years of the Congress rule in India failed to learn this art of conversation. Impaired by (pseudo)secularism and rooted in nepotism, the nation was sacrificed for the sake of one family’s well-being. What so many parties could not achieve, Modi did that single-handedly.
It is heartening to see so many global leaders recognising India’s rise to power during his regime. For example, the Brazilian President, during the Covid period, Jair Bolsonaro, acknowledged India’s help, referring to its two million vaccine doses as “Sanjivani”. That sums up India’s firm position on the global map, which has started sending out ‘sanjivani’ to its neighbours and other countries.
India’s relationship with the Arab nation has reached the acme of political rectitude with the result that PM Modi was awarded the highest honour from five Arab nations. One can add to this that India has comfortably aligned itself with both the QUAD (with the United States and its allies) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (with China, Russia, and their allies). These are just glimpses of the fairy tale of our aatmanirbharta, that Modi weaved in the last ten years, and which the Western media define as ‘authoritarianism’ and the ‘death of democracy’ since they can no longer impede India’s meteoric rise.
The foreign funding that was pumped into India through unidentified sources to keep the nation in a perennial state of chaos and communal violence has been blocked by the Modi government. It is for no strange reason that the nation has started identifying itself with the “Modi hai to mumkin hai (If it is Modi, it is possible)” slogan. Who could have ever dreamed of the Article 370 abrogation of Jammu & Kashmir, the imposition of which resulted in the killings of innocent people from both sides, eventually forcing many of them to leave their homes?
Apparently, the nation has found its lost narrative of self-confidence. While the Congress and its alliance parties continue to parrot the colonial masters, the new India refuses to pledge its allegiance to them, and rightly so. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall, the same old colonial divisive policy that is operational nowadays. The choices we make will determine not just our future, but the future of a new India, including the diaspora community.
Let us remember that it is not about one family but the nation as a family. It is a moment that we must utilise to invest in India’s future and, therefore, it is also a moment to invest in the guaranteed return of India’s growth. We are the future!
Contributing Author: Om Prakash Dwivedi tweets @opdwivedi82. His interests lie in the field of postcolonial theory.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry policy announcement.
“There is a role for government sometimes in just providing […] support to get over the hump”, Albanese said, for otherwise sustainable companies facing rough patches in the quest to diversify Australia’s manufacturing base.
If it’s a good idea for companies, why not for responsible and otherwise financially viable Australians who risk losing their homes in a cost-of-living crisis?
HomeKeeper is modelled on the pandemic-era JobSeeker program but applies key lessons from flaws in JobKeeper’s design.
Crucially, it’s not a handout. Nor is it a contingent loan, the shortcomings of which Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) debts have made painfully clear.
Rather, it’s government help through a small equity stake with positive returns for taxpayers when HomeKeeper help is no longer needed.
Mortgage-stressed owner-occupiers could get some breathing space to recapitalise, with the government making their mortgage payments direct to the homeowner’s bank up to a modest (say $25,000 overall) ceiling.
In exchange, the government would own a small equity stake in the property, equal to the value of the mortgage aid as a proportion of the property’s market value at the time. The government would get its proportionate share back at market value later when ownership of the property next turned over – or sooner if the homeowner chose.
Good for the homeowner. Good for taxpayers. Good in the way it stops already way-too-long rental queues and homelessness from worsening.
People need help now
HomeKeeper would be of most help to lower-income families who often don’t have a “Bank of Mum and Dad” to help them “over the hump”, as Albanese puts it, during temporary difficulties.
With a relatively low ceiling on the overall assistance, it would make a real difference to families of modest means but be of no real help, and therefore of little interest, to McMansion owners needing large-scale assistance to avoid forced sales.
Crossbenchers see the benefits. Independent MP for Goldstein, Zoe Daniel, canvassed HomeKeeper in parliament in December noting, “the assistance would go straight from the government to the bank, ensuring it didn’t add to consumption and inflation”.
Given expectations that house prices will generally continue to rise for the foreseeable future, the taxpayer would typically benefit to that extent from the repayment; that is, reflecting the size of the government’s equity stake acquired via temporary mortgage payment support.
Pocock wants the government’s Help To Buy mechanism amended to enable low- and middle-income earners “facing mortgage repossession and possible homelessness to remain in home ownership” via a HomeKeeper-style program.
Establishing HomeKeeper is more important than ever because the monetary policy script isn’t following the arc politicians and policymakers planned.
Internationally and nationally, inflation is easing, but more slowly and fitfully than hoped.
Predictions that cuts would come sooner rather than later have been dashed more than once when reported United States economic data was stronger than expected, or when markets were affected by upticks in international conflict.
Throughout, Australia has been expected to begin cutting rates last among the world’s industrialised economies, since it was last to begin ramping rates up and the economy kept pumping along strongly.
Tightening the budget screws, the Albanese government is counting on multiple rate cuts in the run-up to the next federal election, due to be called by next April, to put voters in a better mood.
At 31%, Labor’s support risks sliding into the 20s according to RedBridge Group pollster Kos Samaras.
Albanese’s net approval rating is barely ahead of Peter Dutton’s. Both are negative, suggesting a “pox on both your houses” sentiment among voters.
Relying on interest rate relief to arrive isn’t enough
Fiscal policy is doing its bit to help turn the tide on interest rates. Sustained effort by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Senator Katy Gallagher has turned around the dire budget balance and debt mountain inherited from the Morrison government.
What’s more, even without further rate increases by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) this year, the average mortgage rate is set to rise anyway according to research by the RBA’s Domestic Markets Department’s Benjamin Ung.
Little wonder then that mortgage stress is extensive and worsening. Nearly a third (31.4%) of mortgaged owner-occupiers are “at risk” of mortgage stress according to the latest Roy Morgan survey. Nearly one in five (19.7%) are “extremely at risk”.
Many mortgaged owner-occupiers are at and beyond the end of their tether as more and more of them face voluntary self-initiated house sales or, worse, forced sales by their banks.
Monetary policy pinch points don’t need to, and shouldn’t, throw financially responsible and otherwise viable mortgage-stressed owner-occupiers onto the rental queue or into homelessness.
Monetary policy in Australia should be reformed by supplementary humane, modest and economically effective policy to stave off collateral damage in the housing market during the worst part of the cycle.
Next month’s budget is an opportunity for the government to move beyond its “I feel your pain” rhetoric to a HomeKeeper-style policy for this particular group of temporarily squeezed Australians.
It will be too late for those who have already lost their homes.
But it could prove decisive at the margin to save a lot of others currently weighing up whether tents or cars are their best bet for shelter as the banks move in on their homes. These Australians don’t deserve to be incidental victims in the government’s pursuit of the worthy goal of low inflation.
HomeKeeper isn’t meant to be a total solution to our hydra-headed housing woes. Rather, it’s a way to keep key elements of it from getting worse.
It can save real people whose foothold in society is temporarily, and often unexpectedly, precarious from tipping into a social security system that can’t cope with the challenges it already has.
Losing that foothold happens quickly. Regaining it takes a long time, if ever. The longer it takes, the more damaging to individuals and families, and the more costly it is to governments.
Albanese is right – sometimes there’s a role for the government in providing help to get over that hump.
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
Whether you live in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States of America, or India you can take a paid subscription by clicking Patreon Buy an annual ‘The Australia Today Membership’ to support independent journalism and get special benefits
Indian PM Narendra Modi with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (File - Narendra Modi / X)
ByOmer Ghazi
The recent escalation between Israel and Iran has drawn international concern, with the Indian government closely monitoring the situation. Following Israel’s retaliatory strike on Iran, Indian officials are evaluating the need for further action, including the possibility of evacuating Indian nationals in both countries. While Israel’s response has been limited in scope, there remains a palpable sense of tension in the region.
India finds itself in a delicate position, balancing its diplomatic relationships with both Israel and Iran while prioritizing the safety of its citizens. The government had previously issued advisories urging Indian nationals to refrain from traveling to either country and to exercise caution if already residing there. However, as the conflict unfolds, the need for a more decisive course of action may arise, particularly if tensions escalate further.
The Ministry of External Affairs has emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the crisis, urging both Israel and Iran to exercise restraint. India, with its longstanding commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, stands ready to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation. As the world watches the unfolding events in the Middle East with apprehension, India remains committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens while advocating for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Iran conflict.
India’s position in the Israel-Iran conflict is not only challenging due to concerns over the safety of its citizens but also because of significant trade and economic implications. With longstanding diplomatic ties with both Israel and Iran, India must carefully navigate its relationships while safeguarding its interests.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval (Image: Prime Minister of Israel / X)
Recent events in the Middle East, such as attacks on the Red Sea shipping route by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, have highlighted the vulnerability of key trade routes crucial for India’s energy imports. India, a major importer of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), relies heavily on the Hormuz shipping route for two-thirds of its oil and half of its LNG imports.
Concerns over the security of the Hormuz route have prompted India to explore alternative sources of energy, such as increasing reliance on countries like Iraq. However, even oil from Iraq, as well as other major exporters like Saudi Arabia, Iran, the UAE, and Kuwait, is exported through the Hormuz strait, which now faces heightened risk due to the conflict.
This leaves India in a precarious position, as any disruption to the Hormuz shipping route could have severe consequences for its energy security and economy.
President of Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Ebrahim Raisi with Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar (Dr. S Jaishankar / X )
Despite forging closer ties with Israel, India has remained committed to the Palestinian cause, advocating for a negotiated settlement based on mutual recognition and a two-state solution. India’s engagement with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority underscores its nuanced approach to the Israel-Palestine issue, balancing its own national interests with its historical support for Palestinian aspirations.
In recent years, collaborations between India and Israel have expanded beyond traditional areas of cooperation. Defense collaboration remains a cornerstone of the relationship, with India being one of the largest buyers of Israeli defense equipment. Additionally, bilateral trade and investments have grown substantially, with both countries exploring opportunities for further economic cooperation. Cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties have also strengthened, contributing to the deepening of bilateral relations between India and Israel.
Overall, India’s approach to the Israel-Palestine issue reflects a pragmatic balancing act, driven by its evolving national interests, principles of international law, and commitment to peace and stability in the region.
However, India is not the only nation navigating a complex geopolitical landscape amidst the Iran-Israel conflict; Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan also find themselves delicately balancing their interests and alliances in the region. With escalating hostilities, these countries’ interests do not uniformly align with either Iran or Israel.
UAE, in particular, has adopted a relatively neutral stance, seeking to maintain a multifaceted and non-aligned approach to geopolitics. This approach is evidenced by its restoration of full diplomatic relations with Iran just two years after normalizing relations with Israel in 2020.
Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are focused on economic diversification and long-term prosperity, aiming to serve as trade and commercial hubs in a post-oil future. This emphasis on stability within their borders and throughout the neighborhood underscores their desire to mitigate the risks of regional conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in a regional military coalition, alongside Israel, the United States, and other allies, highlights its strategic interests in countering threats posed by Iran. The recent interception of Iranian drones and missiles, with the assistance of Saudi Arabia and Jordan, underscores the shared concern about Iran’s activities in the region.
While the motivations behind Saudi Arabia and Jordan’s involvement in thwarting the attack may be varied and complex, they suggest a common concern about the threat posed by Iran and a desire to prevent a widespread regional conflict.
Apart from recognizing the Iranian threat, another reason could be their energy dependence on Israel or the possibility of economic collaboration. Israel has emerged as a vital economic power in the region, possibly contributing to their reluctance to take concrete actions against Israel despite ongoing tensions in the region.
Jordan, in particular, relies significantly on Israel for essential water and energy resources. Despite negligible cross-border trade and investment, Jordan’s dependence on Israeli water has grown substantially over the years. Under the 1994 peace agreement, Jordan was entitled to purchase water from Israel, a lifeline for one of the world’s most water-scarce countries. This dependence is likely to increase further, with plans to swap more Israeli water for Jordanian solar energy, potentially leading to additional imports from Israel.
Similarly, the UAE’s economic interests in maintaining ties with Israel are multifaceted and far-reaching. Beyond trade and investment, the UAE seeks to leverage Israel’s technological expertise to bolster its own tech industry and address regional challenges such as climate change. Since the 2020 Abraham Accords, the UAE has also become a significant buyer of Israeli arms, signaling a deeper strategic alignment between the two countries.
While the economic relationship between Israel and these Arab nations may still be relatively small in dollar terms, it represents a broader aspiration to reshape the Middle East’s economic landscape. Countries like the UAE and Bahrain prioritize economic development over traditional geopolitical rivalries, envisioning a future where the region is characterized by prosperity rather than conflict. Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan, is also pursuing a similar path of economic diversification, albeit with a more cautious approach towards Israel.
Despite varying degrees of conviction among Arab states about Israel’s role in the region, the normalization talks and growing economic collaborations underscore a significant shift in attitudes towards Israel. Riyadh’s willingness to engage in normalization talks with Israel, previously unimaginable, reflects a broader recognition of Israel’s presence in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.
As moderate Arab powers navigate their relationships with Israel amidst escalating tensions, pragmatic considerations increasingly outweigh traditional emotional ties. The growing economic collaborations between Israel and countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE highlight a broader shift towards prioritizing mutual interests over historical grievances.
India’s emergence as a strong mediator in the region demonstrates the importance of leveraging diplomatic relationships and fostering dialogue to address tensions and prevent further escalation.
Iranian Ambassador Iraj Elahi’s acknowledgment of India’s potential to mitigate tensions and prevent Israeli aggression underscores the significance of India’s diplomatic influence in the region. By emphasizing mutual interests and pursuing dialogue-driven approaches, India can contribute to fostering stability and de-escalating conflicts in the volatile West Asian region. As countries navigate the complexities of regional dynamics, pragmatic diplomacy and collaboration remain essential tools in ensuring peace and stability in the Middle East.
Contributing Author: Omer Ghazi is a proponent of religious reform and identifies himself as “an Indic Muslim exploring Vedic knowledge and cultural heritage through music”. He extensively writes on geo-politics, history and culture and his book “The Cosmic Dance” is a collection of his poems. When he is not writing columns, he enjoys playing drums and performing raps.
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A local man’s attempt to sell a washing machine on Facebook Marketplace has sparked a community backlash after he made racist remarks in response to a potential buyer’s inquiry.
The incident occurred when a Melbourne resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed interest in purchasing the washing machine advertised on the popular social media platform. In a shocking turn, the seller responded, “We charge extra to Indians…because they are mostly scammers” a comment that was quickly screenshot and shared widely across social media, igniting widespread condemnation.
This post not only contained discriminatory language but also highlighted a deeper issue of casual racism that exists within some segments of online buying and selling platforms.
Community members and anti-racism advocates have rallied on social media, demanding accountability and calling for Facebook to take more stringent actions against users who engage in discriminatory practices.
Anti-discrimination organisations have condemned the remarks, emphasising that such behaviour fuels racial stereotypes and discrimination.
“Racism has no place in our community, whether online or offline,” stated a spokesperson from the Melbourne-based Hindu Anti-Discrimination Coalition.
“It is imperative that we stand together to challenge and report racist behaviours whenever they surface.”
The incident has prompted calls for more robust policies on Facebook Marketplace, including better detection of discriminatory language and quicker response times to complaints about such content.
Indian Australian community representatives have responded to the incident, stating,
“There should be zero tolerance for discrimination on social media platforms and we are working continuously to keep our community safe, including improving tools to prevent hate speech and promoting educational resources that encourage respectful interactions.”
The seller involved in the incident has not publicly commented on the matter. Meanwhile, the community continues to support the victim of the racist remark, using the incident as a rallying point to advocate for greater inclusivity and respect in online spaces.
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While 20 out of the 334 registered candidates for the Solomon Islands 2024 national election (held on 17 April 2024) are females, how many of them will win and enter Parliament remains to be seen.
The Solomon Islands Electoral Commission revealed the number of women candidates running at the 2024 national election was just 6 per cent of the total number of candidates contesting, lower than the previous election in 2019.
In 2019, 26 women candidates were running.
Since independence in 1978, only six women have won seats in Parliament, and 15 women have won seats in provincial assemblies.
Image: There are 400,000 registered voters who are expected to cast their votes in the Solomon Islands today (Picture: SILVANA KENIKEREMIA)
Senior lawyer, Irene Vaukei is running for the Ngella constituency in the 2024 joint election, aiming to bring revolutionary change to the Central Islands. She focuses on fair Constituency Development Fund (CDF) distribution, shipping infrastructure, and empowering women and youth through economic assistance.
Anne Nanette Tutua, a female candidate, is running for North Georgia Constituency’s parliamentary seat in the 2024 joint election with the aim to combat poverty through economic initiatives and promote inclusive leadership.
Florence Kealau Alalo, a pro-environment candidate from Ontong Java Atoll, launched her 2024 campaign to end the discriminatory treatment of Malaita Outer Islands (MOI) people as second-class citizens, raising awareness about climate change, food security and other pressing issues in MOI’s low-lying atolls.
A market vendor in Honiara, Wendy Ki’ini said: “Women contesting for a seat in Parliament gives me a sense of empowerment, for it can help break stereotypes. It lets people know that women can rise despite being seen as vulnerable. Having courageous and smart women as leaders are qualities we need to consider when choosing a candidate.”
According to the International Women’s Development Agency, Solomon Islands, while there have been achievements and progress made with respect to women, there are still continuous and unresolved challenges experienced by young women and mothers in the Solomon Islands.
The organisation highlighted that with the high rate of school fees across the country, more women and girls are left out of the education system making it an issue that needs continuous improvement. The health sector of the Solomon Islands has pointed out another issue of concern for women as the leading cause of cancer death for women is cervical.
A 2023 report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlighted that gender-based violence was still currently high in the Solomon Islands where women have experienced physical and or sexual violence from their intimate partner in their lifetime. As a result of such gender-related incidents, women are severely affected both physically and mentally which further impacts their well-being.
There are 400,000 registered voters out of a population of more than 700,000. The minimum voting age is 18 years and above.
More than half of the country’s population is made up of youths while 354,370 are women, whose votes will have a deciding say about the future government.
Abraham Kwaimae, a student undertaking a Bachelor of Law at The University of the South Pacific’s Solomon Islands Honiara Campus said: “I desire clever leaders with educational qualifications, who will become effective legislatures and good policymakers. This is what this country needs.
“I hope the Solomon Islands will be economically stable so that our generation will have good infrastructures and more entrepreneurship,” he said.
The Solomon Islands is ranked 155 out of 191 in its Human Development Index (HDI) according to the 2024 United Nations Development Programme’s Regional Human Development Pacific Snapshot.
Numerous issues need attention such as the lack of health facilities, high unemployment, especially among youth, political stability, lack of education opportunities, environmental issues, social issues, and fast population growth.
The report indicates that only 8 per cent of the population is employed and 4 per cent are degree holders.
According to the report, since 1990 Solomon Islands has ranked between 40-54 per cent in its human development index.
James Dima, who is expected to cast his vote tomorrow, said, “I think the Solomon Islands will still be underdeveloped if there are issues like unemployment and the creation of new policies are not initiated.”
Mr Dima said it was important to educate voters not to be misled by money but to vote for those who are well-versed in different fields to stimulate the country’s economy. He said the political setting of a country depended entirely on the kind of leaders that would be elected.
Image: More than half of the country’s population is made up of youths while 354,370 are women (Picture: SILVANA KENIKEREMIA)
Parties contesting 2024 national election
A total of 13 political parties are contesting this election.
Opposition parties include the Solomon Islands Democratic Party offering candidates in 36 of the 50 electorates. There are also the Democratic Alliance Party with 12 candidates and the United Party with 18 candidates. New parties have emerged, raising the chances of electoral upsets. They notably include the People’s Liberal Democratic Party with 44 candidates and the Iumi for Change Party with eight candidates.
The strongest parties include the Ownership Unity Responsibility Party (OUR), which the caretaker Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare is leading.
Since taking office Sogavare has reshaped internal and external politics, with some new directions leading to social unrest by those feeling excluded from decision-making.
Based on a report by The Lowy Institute, in 2019, Sogavare severed 36 years of relations with Taiwan in favour of China with concerns raised, but the government was unresponsive.
Meanwhile, strong competition is expected from the Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) which is led by Mattew Wale and the Solomon Islands United Party (UP) run by Junior Peter Kenilorea.
Another front-runner is former prime minister, Gordan Darcy Lilo from the Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement. He will be contesting for the Central Honiara seat against the former MP, Alfred Efona, and eight other candidates.
One of the major issues is corruption and the role of money in elections.
Social media users also questioned the deteriorating infrastructure. Some believed that public officers are paid less than they deserve, which could be an incentive for corruption.
Another issue is the establishment of ties with other major countries, such as China, the United States and Australia. Sogavare is seen to be close to China. There is speculation about Chinese influence in the elections. This has caused social unrest in recent years, including riots in Chinatown.
Defence personnel from New Zealand, Fiji and Australia are providing security, including Chinese security personnel who are also in the country for the election.
This article was first published in Wansolwara and has been republished here with the kind permission of the editor(s).
Contributing Author: Silvana Kenikeremia is a second-year Journalism student at The University of the South Pacific (USP).
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Image: Sydney International Airport operation (Source: AFP)
The Australian Border Force (ABF) and other airport regulatory agencies put trusted insiders on notice this month, as they undertook a high-visibility disruption operation at Sydney International Airport.
Operation AMBROSIA was conducted between Monday 8 April and Friday 12 April 2024, with the aim to conduct a range of overt and covert operational activities in response to potential vulnerabilities at Sydney International Airport, gathering intelligence and securing the supply chain against the threat of trusted insiders.
ABF Superintendent Aviation Traveller, Mal Nimmo, said the execution of this high-visibility operation acted as a disruptor and deterrent to those who may attempt to exploit their positions as trusted employees.
“Hundreds of people from a wide variety of businesses and government agencies are employed in trusted positions at Sydney International Airport. The ABF and its partners carry out a key role in ensuring these people are upholding their responsibilities in operating in these privileged positions, and do not exploit their access in the airport for criminal purposes,” Superintendent Nimmo said.
“Our message is simple: the safety of international travelling passengers and the Australian community is the ABF’s priority and any crew engaging in this type of activity will face harsh consequences.
“These highly co-ordinated operations can happen on any day, any time and we are committed to working with our partner agencies to disrupt and dismantle organised criminal networks trying to infiltrate our borders.”
Superintendent Nimmo also praised the efforts of all law enforcement and intelligence partners who continue to fight against individuals who seek to test the integrity of Australia’s border.
“The ABF’s capabilities extend beyond what the passenger sees on their way into or out of Australia, we protect the integrity of our border at entry and exit points to our country, with the vast majority of this work not visible to the general public.”
AFP Acting Sydney Airport Police Commander Dom Stephenson said the AFP was committed to targeting and disrupting organised crime syndicates undermining Australia’s national security.
“Crime groups actively try to corrupt people working at our airports because their access to airside operations is an active and efficient way to facilitate the importation of illicit drugs.
“People with trusted access in an airport precinct are critical to the successful operation of Australia’s tourism and trade sectors, but the AFP will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who abuse this trust by assisting and profiting from organised crime.”
The ABF-led operation was supported by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) – Aviation Sydney Airport.
Throughout the course of the operation, Border Force officers attended and inspected 37 flights, examined 25 aircraft boot holds and x-rayed 164 pieces of cargo.
More than 200 crew members from various airlines were subject to a baggage examination, with many more subject to Detector Dog Unit (DDU) screening and additional baggage x-rays.
ABF officers checked more than 450 Aviation Security Identification Cards (ASIC) and 54 bags belonging to additional airport employees were examined.
Further assessments were conducted across the footprint of Sydney International Airport, including aircraft and Terminal Duty Free store checks.
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When Foodstuffs North Island announced its intention to trial this technology in February, as part of a strategy to combat retail crime, technology and privacy experts immediately raised concerns.
In particular, the risk of Māori women and women of colour being discriminated against was raised, and has now been borne out by what happened in early April to Te Ani Solomon.
Speaking to media this week, Solomon said she thought ethnicity was a “huge factor” in her wrongful identification. “Unfortunately, it will be the experience of many Kiwis if we don’t have some rules and regulations around this.”
The supermarket company’s response that this was a “genuine case of human error” fails to address the deeper questions about such use of AI and automated systems.
Automated decisions and human actions
Automated facial recognition is often discussed in the abstract – as pure algorithmic pattern matching, with emphasis on assessing correctness and accuracy.
These are rightfully important priorities for systems that deal with biometric data and security. But with such crucial focus on the results of automated decisions, it’s easy to overlook concerns about how these decisions are applied.
Designers use the term “context of use” to describe the everyday working conditions, tasks and goals of a product. With facial recognition technology in supermarkets, the context of use goes far beyond traditional design concerns such as ergonomics or usability.
It requires consideration of how automated trespass notifications trigger in-store responses, protocols for managing those responses, and what happens when things go wrong. These are more than just pure technology or data problems.
This perspective helps us understand and balance the impact of engineering and design interventions at different levels of a system.
Investing in improving prediction accuracy seems an obvious priority for facial recognition systems. But this has to be seen in a broader context of use where the harm done by a small number of wrong predictions outweighs marginal performance improvements elsewhere.
A Rotorua mother was recently wrongly identified as a thief at a supermarket trialing facial recognition technology.https://t.co/PuDox9SFLE
New Zealand is not alone in reported increases in shoplifting and violent behaviour in stores. In the UK, it has been described as a “crisis”, with assaulting a retail worker now a standalone criminal offence.
While these problems have been linked to the rising cost of living, industry group Retail NZ has pointed to profit-seeking organised crime as the major factor.
Sensationalised coverage using security footage of brazen thefts and assaults in stores is undoubtedly influencing public perception. But a trend is difficult to measure due to a lack of consistent, impartial data on shoplifting and offenders.
It is estimated that 15-20% of people in New Zealand are affected by food insecurity, a problem found to be strongly associated with ethnicity and socioeconomic position. The links between cost of living, food insecurity and black market distribution of stolen groceries are likely to be complex and nuanced.
Caution is therefore needed when assessing cause and effect, given the risks of harm and implications for civil society of a shift towards constant surveillance in retail spaces.
AI and human bias
Commendably, Foodstuffs has engaged with the Privacy Commissioner, and has been transparent about safeguards in biometric data collection and deletion protocols. What’s missing is more clarity around protocols for the security response in stores.
This is more than about customers consenting to facial recognition cameras. Customers also need to know what happens when a trespass notification is issued, and the dispute resolution process should a misidentification occur.
Research suggests human decision makers can inherit biases from AI decisions. In situations of heightened stress and risk of violence, combining automated facial recognition with ad-hoc human judgement is potentially dangerous.
Rather than isolating and blaming individual workers or technology components as single points of failure, there needs to be more emphasis on resilience and tolerance for error across the whole system.
AI errors and human errors cannot be avoided entirely. AI security protocols with “humans in the loop” need more careful safeguards that respect customer rights and protect against stereotyping.
Shopping and surveillance
Australian supermarkets have responded to retail crime with overt technological surveillance: body cameras issued to staff (also now adopted by Woolworths in New Zealand), digitally tracking customer movement through stores, automated trolley locks and exit gates to prevent people leaving without paying.
Excerpt from a 1979 IBM training manual. MIT-CSAIL
Supermarkets may now be at the forefront of a technological shift in the shopping experience. Moving towards a surveillance culture where every customer is monitored as a potential thief is reminiscent of the ways global airport security changed after 9/11.
New Zealand product designers, software engineers and data scientists will be paying close attention to the outcome of the Privacy Commissioner’s review of the Foodstuffs facial recognition trial.
Theft and violence is an urgent problem for supermarkets to address. But they now need to show that digital surveillance systems are a more responsible, ethical and effective solution than possible alternative approaches.
This means acknowledging technology requires human-centered design to avoid misuse, bias and harm. In turn, this can help guide regulatory frameworks and standards, inform public debate on the acceptable use of AI, and support development of safer automated systems.
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Swara Sadhana School Marks 20 Years with Celebratory Carnatic Concert; Image Source: Supplied
By Samhita Manjunath
The Chandler Community Centre was abuzz with anticipation and cultural fervour as the Swara Sadhana School of Music marked its 20th anniversary with a grand Carnatic music concert. Themed ‘Sri Rama Bhakti Samrajyam’, the event paid homage to the inauguration of the Sri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and coincided with the Sri Rama Navami celebrations, bringing a slice of Indian tradition to Melbourne.
The evening’s performances were structured around the theme of Navavidha bhakti, the nine forms of devotion, ensuring a spiritual narrative that echoed through the compositions of the revered Saint Thyagaraja. This thematic choice highlighted the timeless connection between devotional music and spiritual storytelling, resonating deeply with both the performers and the audience.
Swara Sadhana School Marks 20 Years with Celebratory Carnatic Concert; Image Source: Supplied
Under the expert guidance of Guru Smt. Sundari Saripalle, the young talents from the Swara Sadhana School of Music took to the stage, showcasing their mastery over the complex art form of Carnatic music. The students, adorned in traditional attire, delivered performances that were both technically proficient and emotionally stirring.
Accompanied by equally talented musicians from the Raga Sudha School of Music and Laya Vidhya School of Music on instruments like the Mridangam, Veena, and Violin, the vocalists navigated through challenging compositions.
Swara Sadhana School Marks 20 Years with Celebratory Carnatic Concert; Image Source: Supplied
Highlights of the evening included renditions of ‘PariPalaya Raghunatha’, ‘Jagadanandakaraka’, and ‘Kalaharanamela’, each piece a testament to the rich cultural heritage and the rigorous training regimen followed at the school.
The concert culminated in a group performance of the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’, composed by Saint Tulsidas, which served as a fitting finale to an evening dedicated to divine adoration and musical excellence. The audience, comprising music lovers and community members, was left captivated by the powerful renditions and the sheer energy of the young artists.
This annual event not only provides a platform for budding artists to hone their skills in a professional setting but also acts as a cultural bridge, connecting the diverse population of Melbourne with the rich traditions of Indian music.
As the Swara Sadhana School of Music continues to nurture young talent, it also reinforces the vibrant presence of South Indian music in Australia, contributing to the cultural tapestry of the nation.
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When the people of Solomon Islands go to the polls on Wednesday, they will be voting for more than just a new prime minister. The election will also be a referendum on whether the country continues with incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s growing strategic alliance with China.
Sogavare has remained secretive about the details of the security pact his government recently signed with China and is deeply sensitive to critique, particularly from the Australian media. In 2022, for example, he threatened to ban ABC journalists investigating the country’s links with China. https://www.youtube.com/embed/o_8ak4tIOLQ?wmode=transparent&start=0 US Admiral John Aquilino on why a security deal between Solomon Islands and China is so concerning.
The security pact is just one small part of China’s sprawling Belt and Road Initiative, which has resulted in an expansion of Chinese influence across the region. This includes a focus on media. China has funded the training of Pacific journalists and their travel to China, and provided local media with syndicated content and financial support for infrastructure and vehicles.
There are allegations this funding has come with strings attached. The ABC reported last year that Solomon Islands’ oldest newspaper had received money from China in exchange for favourable coverage. (The Solomon Star’s editor said the newspaper maintained its independence – and had tried for years to obtain funding from Australia.)
The influence of Beijing is now so significant, the longtime journalist and Pacific specialist Sue Ahearn has said China is winning the information war in the Pacific.
Yet, according to research conducted by the ABC last year, Pacific islanders still overwhelmingly rely on – and trust – Australian media more than any other country’s media. In fact, five of six islands polled said ABC was the most valued and preferred international broadcaster.
Australia can’t rest on its laurels. It needs to build on this trust.
ABC rebooting Pacific services
The concern about China’s influence on Pacific media comes as the international broadcasting section at the ABC is trying to reboot. This comes after it made redundancies and cuts to services as part of efficiencies forced on it by the former Coalition government. Although the ABC maintained some broadcasting to the Pacific under the Coalition government, its international division had become a shadow of its former self.
The Albanese government has refocused efforts on the Pacific more broadly, pledging A$2 billion in the last budget to boost Australia’s security efforts in the region. It also boosted funding to the ABC’s international division with a $32 million grant, and invested another $8.5 million through 2027–28 to increase the reach of the ABC and other Australian media content across the region.
The funding boost has sent the ABC into a local recruitment drive to hire broadcast staff, particularly those who come from the region. It is also commissioning more “bespoke” lifestyle and sport content for the region.
The ABC and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding in March 2023. It formalised their “commitment to collaboration and support, with an emphasis on content sharing and media development programs”.
However, this funding has not yet allowed the ABC to provide a basic, reliable news service specifically for the Pacific to complement local services.
Solomon Islands media challenges
However, news outlets in Solomon Islands and, indeed, the wider Pacific still face entrenched challenges.
Some of these challenges are due to the small population base in many countries, limited advertising revenue and marginal profits. Research from the University of the South Pacific has found the Pacific has among the highest journalist attrition rates in the world. News outlets are mostly staffed by young, inexperienced and underqualified journalists, who are tasked with reporting on extremely complex issues.
Another challenge is the cultural system of wantok – broadly meaning “one talk” in the Pijin language of Solomon Islands, which means a network of kin and connection. Because of wantok, many stories remain untold due to conflicts of interest involving journalists writing critical stories on their own families.
However, that hasn’t stopped all fearless reporting. A year-long investigation involving Solomon Islands journalists working for an international organisation, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, reported last week that Sogavare has built at least eight new houses in and around the capital, Honiara, despite earning a modest salary. Sogavare did not respond to questions for the report, but has defended his land purchases in the past, saying he received loans from banks.
But this story, which is clearly of significance to voters heading to the polls, is not widely known outside the country’s major urban centres and has mostly been distributed via Facebook on a volunteer-run news site, The Pacific Newsroom, and the Island Sun newspaper.
In such an environment, there is a clear need for a greater Australian media presence, not only to provide unbiased information to Solomon Islands voters and support the local media, but also to report on elections and other domestic issues for regional audiences.
This is why the ABC needs guaranteed funding for its international services – free from further government or managerial interference – to ensure this role in supporting Pacific media isn’t lost again.
Correction: This story has been amended to say the OCCRP report on Sogavare was also published in the Island Sun newspaper, in addition to the Pacific Newsroom.
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Image: Supporters at India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally (Source: X)
By Om Prakash Dwivedi
“Modi tightens his grip: An intolerant Hindu-first majoritarianism is the order of the day”, claims the Irish Times editorial published on April 11, 2024. While predicting a third sweep by the BJP in the upcoming elections, the Irish Times’s editorial otherwise reeks of prejudices and suffers from a domineering attitude as it frames India as one of the “illiberal democracies.” The editorial suggests that the victory of the Modi-led BJP would culminate in the strengthening of illiberal democracies across the world.
While 970 million Indians freely exercise their franchise in the General Elections over the next two months, this is the extent to which an array of elements across Global Media Outlets, Global Think-Tanks, Activists and NGOs have worked overtime to undermine the legitimacy and…
— Shashi Shekhar Vempati शशि शेखर (@shashidigital) April 20, 2024
Apparently, the editorial is bereft of ideas and fails to see the richness of the Indian democracy, not to mention the rich plurality that the nation has always promoted and engendered. How can a strong leader become synonymous with illiberalism? Or is it the fear of the rising India that has qualified it as an illiberal nation?
It is very fashionable for foreign newspapers to create such negative categories to serve their own agenda. In a bid to use such an accusatory tone, the media often forgets that they are not addressing any fictional story. This is the resurgence of India’s cultural revival which binds the entire nation. Neither, PM Modi’s popularity is by happenstance, nor it is rooted in the (il)liberal nepotism.
Image: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally (Source: X)
In fact, the story of Modi’s rise to power is the story of the consolidation of the nation on a scale unprecedented and its subsequent rise to global power. Let us also not forget that it took India almost 65 years post-independence to pulverize the illiberal nepotism and rampant corruption that pervaded it. It was only possible because of that tightened grip. It seems as if a certain section has become the custodian of the term ‘illiberal’, which they can apply conveniently, according to their whims and fancies, and of course their self-serving interests.
Image: Supporters at India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally (Source: X)
Talking about the upcoming election, the nation needs a ‘tightened grip’ lest it will be controlled and exploited by more than one driver, each having his/her own destination and inclination. If anything mankind’s history tells us, it is that corruption never enjoys the presence of a strict master/statesman.
The very tyranny of compulsory corruption and selective development seeks the presence of a weak head and hand and, when denied that space, the definition of liberalism and development changes. As brilliantly put forth by Bibek Debroy, “‘Developed’ has no precise definition, unless one means membership of the OECD.” The present national fervour continues to negate such myopic viewpoints.
Image: Supporters at India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally (Source: X)
One can easily claim that post-independent India offered more opportunities for the already privileged class through which the ideological interests of the colonial masters continued to operate and dominate under the guise of secularism and liberalism. That, however, has been encumbered in the present regime, leading to many upset bellies and distorted pockets.
The same editorial claims “Modi’s embrace of Hindu nationalism in this 80 per cent Hindu nation has stoked anti-Muslim tensions and violence and seriously eroded the traditional Nehru-inspired secularism of its politics. An intolerant Hindu-first majoritarianism is the order of the day, sustained by a BJP populist welfarism that has a strong appeal among the country’s poor.” It needs to be reminded that a clarion call of development drove Modi’s journey of becoming the Indian PM in 2014. Regional heterogeneity and cultural plurality are the hallmarks of the Indian nation. It would be naïve to see this journey as the rise of Hindu nationalism.
Rightly, Akhilesh Mishra underlines, “Hindus of India possess incredible diversity of thought, ways of life, and political beliefs, covering the entire spectrum from extreme left to extreme right.”
Contributing Author: Om Prakash Dwivedi tweets @opdwivedi82. His interests lie in the field of postcolonial theory.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The Australia Today is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts, or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of The Australia Today and The Australia Today News does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
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Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without their consent. They said it had caused her loved ones extreme distress.
Their appeal is immediately understandable – many people would be upset by seeing photos of a loved one everywhere after such a traumatic event.
The media had evidently not received permission to use these photos in their news stories. Nor had they afforded the family any ethical sense of privacy when they circulated and displayed the photos across multiple platforms.
There has been valuable commentary about the issues surrounding the common journalistic practice of mining social media after a “newsworthy” death.
My PhD research offers further insight into a perspective that is rarely shared: the view of families bereaved through homicide.
While I cannot and do not presume to speak for Good’s family, I have interviewed families bereaved through homicide and they have shared their experience of photos of their loved one being in the media.
Private photos in the public domain
To the bereaved, photos of loved ones are deeply meaningful. They are more than mere objects, more than random captured moments.
They are wrapped up in specific memories and treated as keepsakes. They are representations of and tangible connections to the person who was taken from them.
When these photos enter the public domain following homicide, they become photos of a victim.
In this new domain, private photos serve altogether different purposes. They furnish media stories now and into the future. Their original context and personal meaning are typically overridden or removed, often along with families’ consent.
My research indicates this is an issue that persists long into the aftermath of homicide, well after media and public interest has dissipated.
In other words, it has the capacity to traumatise families for years.
Judging victims
While the mining of photos is one matter, how they are then used by the media and interpreted by the public is another.
My research uncovers how details in a photo can be highlighted and twisted at the expense of others. For example, bereaved families told me how hurtful it was when the media republished unflattering and inappropriate photos of their loved ones that were just meant for friends and family.
One mother recalled how her son would do a silly pose and ruin their family photos. He was being a typical teenager, but that was not how he was perceived when the media reproduced those photos alongside their chosen narrative. Instead, the mother read comments made by the public underneath the article that said her son deserved to be murdered. The public judged her son based on those photos.
Similarly, a sister was distraught when the media pulled a photo from her social media of her and her brother where he did not look his best. They were at a party and there is a heart-warming story of the moment before the photo was taken. She explained she loves the photo; it is a happy memory for her, but she said it is for his family to love, not for the public to make assumptions about her brother.
These examples highlight how significant it is for families when the media take a photo out of context, without permission, and curate it to suit specific narratives.
Certainly, it is a practice that exacerbates trauma. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JWrxrxSr19E?wmode=transparent&start=0 The horrific stabbings in Sydney caused an outpouring of grief across Australia.
The right to control
I also spoke to families about how they decided which photographs they wanted in the public domain.
One family, whose daughter was murdered before social media was used as a journalistic tool, told me that when they were asked for photos, they were reflective and careful about the ones they shared, choosing to keep their favourite photos to themselves.
Another mother explained her reasoning behind the two photos that she handed over – one because it depicted her daughter as she was at the time of her murder, and the other where she was dressed up, because it showed what she would have been like if she had had the chance to get married.
Bereaved families want photos to be an accurate, presentable, and appropriate portrayal of their loved one.
The photos might be tied to a specific memory or feeling, they might maintain their privacy, they might be chosen because they do not require context, or they might be the one they believe their loved one would have wanted.
The bereaved deserve to be in control of that decision. Allowing them to make that choice themselves gives the bereaved agency at a time when they feel most powerless.
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Mr Gill was charged with one count each of being in charge of a motor vehicle while under the influence of liquor and obstructing police.
It was reported that Mr Gill was seen driving on Dreamworld Parkway on December 12, 2023 and then found by the side of the road with his engine still running.
Image: Stills taken from police cam footage of the arrest of a truckie at Coomera (Source: Queensland Police)
He then briefly struggled with police during his arrest which was captured in the police cameras.
Image: Stills taken from police cam footage of the arrest of a truckie at Coomera (Source: Queensland Police)
Police alleged that Mr Gill recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.311 after being taken to the Southport watchhouse.
Earlier this year, speaking to reporters outside the Southport courthouse, Mr Gill said he planned to fight the allegations because he “needed justice” and claimed he was sleeping in the truck while on his break and had drunk about “half a bottle” of alcohol.
“I’m not driving, I was sleeping. If I’m driving then I would say yes, I would plead guilty, but I was not driving.”
However, when his case was brought up in the Southport Magistrates Court, Mr Gill pleaded guilty to one count each of being in charge of a vehicle while under the influence of liquor and obstructing police.
Image: Stills taken from police cam footage of the arrest of a truckie at Coomera (Source: Queensland Police)
The court was also told that Mr Gill is the father-of-two and had a history of depression. It was also reported that he had turned to alcohol to cope with his own father’s death two months prior to the incident.
Image: Stills taken from police cam footage of the arrest of a truckie at Coomera (Source: Queensland Police)
No criminal conviction was recorded and speaking to the media outside the courthouse Mr Gill observed that learning from his mistake he had quit drinking.
Mr Gill has been fined $600, ordered to complete 40 hours of community service, and disqualified from driving for six months.
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Around 170 members from RSIPF, Australian Federal Police, Australian Defence Force and Fiji Police Force attended the exercise held at Hells Point, Honiara.
Image: Public order management exercise (Source: AFP)
All participants involved in the exercise are trained in public order management.
More than 100 role players, AFP tactical response and a helicopter were used as part of the mock exercise requiring participants to quickly, efficiently and safely respond to an evolving security incident.
Image: Public order management exercise (Source: AFP)
For the first time in Solomon Islands, national and provincial elections, as well as for Honiara City Council, will run simultaneously. The AFP will be supporting the RSIPF as the lead security agency with planning, coordinating and executing the security operation for the elections.
Additional AFP personnel have been deployed to the island nation as part of the Solomons’ International Assistance Force (SIAF).
Image: Public order management exercise (Source: AFP)
AFP Commander Heath Davies said the joint exercise was essential for an agile police force.
“The priority for the RSIPF and AFP is to ensure the Joint Elections are carried out peacefully and community safety is maintained. There has been significant community engagement undertaken by the RSIPF aimed at preventing the need to use public order management tactics.”
AFP Commander Heath Davies added:
“The skills on display during this exercise show we are prepared and ready in the event we do have to manage any instance of public disorder. The AFP is proud to stand alongside our partners and support the RSIPF in keeping their communities safe and secure.”
Image: Public order management exercise (Source: AFP)
Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said it was good to see the forces team up for the safety and security of the Joint Elections.
“We have strong support from our security partners and will respond appropriately to anyone who intends to disturb the Joint Elections. Officers are trained and well prepared to handle any situation that arises.”
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During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone away.
What are online schools doing now? What does the research say? And how do you know if they might be a good fit for your child?
Online learning in Australia
Online learning for school students has been around in basic form since the 1990s with the School of the Air and other government-run distance education schools for students who are geographically isolated or can’t attend regular school.
But until the pandemic, online schooling was largely considered a special-case scenario. For example, for students who are in hospital or training as an elite athlete.
While learning in COVID lockdowns was extremely tough, it also showed schools, students and parents the potential benefits of online learning for a wider range of students. This can include greater accessibility (learning from any location) and flexibility (personalised, self-paced learning).
Students who have mental health challenges or who are neurodiverse particularly found learning from home suited them better. There is also less hassle with transport and uniforms.
Some schools have been developing online subjects and options to sit alongside in-person classes. For example, in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, some Catholic schools are using online classes to widen subject choices.
Some private schools have also begun fully online or blended online/in-person programs in the recognition some students prefer to learn largely from home.
There are also specialist courses. For example, Monash University has a free virtual school with revision sessions for Year 12 students.
What about academic outcomes?
Research on the academic outcomes of distance education students is inconclusive.
For example, a 2019 US study of around 200,000 full-time online primary and secondary students showed they had less learning growth in maths and reading compared to their face-to-face peers.
A 2017 study of primary and high school students in Ohio found reduced academic progress in reading, maths, history and science. Another 2017 US study also found online students had lower graduation rates than their in-person peers.
Research has also found it is difficult to authentically teach practical subjects online such as visual arts, design and technology and physical education.
But a lot of research has been limited to a specific context or has not captured whether online learning principles have been followed. Online teaching approaches need to be different from traditional face-to-face methods.
These include ensuring there is an adequate number of teachers allocated and personalised attention for students, and ways to ensure collaboration between students and parental engagement with the school.
What about wellbeing?
Online schooling approaches are still catching up with the support services provided by in-person schools. This includes access to specialists such as psychologists, nurses and social workers.
But COVID showed schools could address these by starting the school day with wellbeing check-ins or supporting mental health through meditation, deep listening journals and taking nature photos.
Online approaches now also include having mentor teachers or summer programs to meet in-person as well as online clubs for students to socialise with each other.
Is online learning a good fit for your child?
Traditional schooling might still be the best option for families who do not have good internet access, or the flexibility or financial freedom to work from home and support your child.
However, if certain subjects are unavailable, or health, elite sport and distance to school make in-person learning difficult, learning online could be a viable option to consider.
Because online learning tends to be a mix of live lessons and self-paced learning, online students need to be independent, motivated and organised to succeed.
The best online learning programs to look out for are those that provide a lot of opportunities for students to learn from each other.
Online learning should also include an active teacher presence, wellbeing support, and quality, interactive digital resources. There should also be flexible approaches to learning and assessment.
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Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner, Michael Outram APM, and India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Chairman, Sanjay Kumar Agarwal; Image Source: Australian Border Force
The Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram APM and Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, have signed the Australia-India Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA). This is a significant step towards enhancing bilateral trade and supply chain security.
This agreement marks Australia’s tenth MRA and is designed to provide reciprocal trade facilitation benefits to businesses in both countries. As this agreement comes into force Australia gains faster and more efficient access to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
Image: Indian-Australians at Melbourne Airport (Source: The Australia Today)
ABF Commissioner Michael Outram emphasized the importance of Australia continuing to enhance its relationships with other Customs administrations in the Asia Pacific region.
“I am honoured to be part of the signing of the Australia-India MRA, which not only recognizes but also deepens our customs connections with one of our most significant regional allies and our sixth largest trading partner,” stated Commissioner Outram.
“By fostering collaboration and engagement, we can sustain our regional prosperity and extend our relationships throughout the Asia Pacific and globally,”
He further added.
The MRA is part of a broader effort under the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade. It aims to streamline border processing for accredited exporters, thus providing them with increased predictability, certainty, and speed to market.
Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner, Michael Outram APM, and India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Chairman, Sanjay Kumar Agarwal; Image Source: Australian Border Force
This initiative is expected to drive substantial economic growth, with an estimated $588 million boost in trade into the Australian market over the next ten years
The arrangement underscores the strategic partnership between the two nations, highlighting their commitment to enhancing economic ties and supply chain efficiencies.
MRAs are integral to the ATT program, enabling Customs administrations to enhance border processing efficiency.
This MRA complements Australia’s existing agreements with Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. and is pivotal in strengthening Australia’s trade relationships within the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
This development comes at a crucial time when both nations want to reduce trade barriers and enhance economic cooperation. The MRA not only benefits the business communities but also plays a crucial role in strengthening bilateral relations, showcasing the potential for further collaborations in other areas of mutual interest.
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“I am incredibly grateful for the support and opportunities provided to me by M3M Foundation. This victory is not just mine but belongs to all those who have believed in me and supported me throughout my journey.”
Image: Aradhana Singh wins the Australian Junior Open Under 11 category Squash championship (Source: M3M Foundation)
Aradhana secured victory by defeating Sashana Istritharan of Malaysia with a score of 3-0 (11-4, 11-5, 11-2).
In completed a near faultless tournament for Aradhana who never dropped a game on her way to the title.
She has become one of the youngest Indians to claim the prestigious title at the Australian Junior Open.
M3M Foundation’s support has enabled Aradhana to pursue her dreams with unwavering focus and dedication, ultimately leading to her remarkable victory on the international stage.
Image: Dr Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation (Source: Facebook)
Dr Payal Kanodia, Chairperson & Trustee, M3M Foundation said:
“We are very happy to share that today players from every corner of India are benefiting from our Lakshya program and are making their name proud in sports. Aradhana has made the entire Nation proud by winning Australian Junior Open Under 11 Category. I congratulate on her victory.”
Aradhana’s achievement at the Australian Junior Open underscores the immense potential within the Indian sporting community and highlights the importance of nurturing talent from a young age.
🏆 How good were the Oceania Junior Championships at Melbourne Sports Centres?
Record entries and an amazing standard of competition culminated on Super Sunday when our 🔟 champions were crowned.
The Australian Junior Open (AJO) is the pinnacle event on the Australian Junior Squash Tour open to domestic and international junior players. This event is registered with the World Squash Federation (WSF) on the world junior circuit.
The event offers U11-U19 age groups for both junior men and women who are registered members of a state or territory squash association or WSF-recognised International Squash Association.
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Five individuals have been arrested across Australia, and 32 overseas, following an international police takedown of a cybercrime platform used by cybercriminals to steal personal credentials from victims around the world, including more than 94,000 people in Australia.
Australian offenders are allegedly among 10,000 cybercriminals globally who have used the platform, known as LabHost, to trick victims into providing their personal information, such as online banking logins, credit card details and passwords, through persistent phishing attacks sent via texts and emails.
As a result of the Australian arm of the investigation, led by the AFP’s Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JCP3), more than 200 officers from the AFP and state and territory police were yesterday (17 April, 2024) involved in executing 22 search warrants across five states. This included 14 in Victoria, two in Queensland, three in NSW, one in South Australia and two in Western Australia.
Image: Op Nebulae (Source: AFP)
A Melbourne man and an Adelaide man, who police will allege were LabHost users, were arrested during the warrants and charged with cybercrime-related offences. Three Melbourne men were also arrested by Victoria Police and charged with drug-related offences.
In addition to the takedown of the LabHost’s domain, the JPC3 took down 207 criminal servers. These servers were used to host fraudulent phishing websites created by LabHost, established with the sole intention of facilitating criminal offences against ordinary, hardworking Australians.
Phishing is a technique used by criminals to trick victims into providing personal information, such as their banking logins, credit card details and passwords, often through fraudulent links sent to them via texts and emails, in order to commit criminal offences or steal their money.
The AFP alleges LabHost was marketed as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for phishing, enabling cybercriminals to replicate more than 170 fraudulent websites of reputable banks, government entities and other major organisations, to trick unsuspecting victims into believing they were the legitimate websites.
Image: Op Nebulae (Source: AFP)
Once cybercriminals had replicated a website, they would use LabHost to send texts and emails to victims, prompting them to login to their accounts via the fraudulent link.
When victims followed the link, cybercriminals could obtain a range of sensitive information, such as one-time pins, usernames and passwords, security questions and passphrases.
Cybercriminals could then use victims’ personal information to access legitimate enterprises, such as financial institutions, where they could steal funds from victims’ bank accounts.
LabHost originated in Canada in 2021, targeting North America, and expanded to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, before going global. Australian criminals are believed to be among its top three user countries.
At the time of the global police takedown, LabHost had more than 40,000 phishing domains and more than 10,000 global active cybercriminals using its technology to exploit victims.
Cybercriminals could sign up to LabHost for as little as $270 per month. In exchange, cybercriminals were provided with complete ‘phishing kits’, including the infrastructure to host phishing websites, email and text content generation and campaign overview services, enabling them to effectively exploit their victims.
The Australian arm of the investigation, codenamed Operation Nebulae, has allegedly identified more than 100 suspects in Australia who use LabHost to target Australian victims.
Globally, the Europol-coordinated investigation resulted in 70 simultaneous search warrants executed in multiple countries, to take down the platform’s alleged administrators, users and infrastructure. This included the arrest of 37 offenders, including four individuals based in the UK linked to the running of the site, including the original developer of the platform.
Image: Op Nebulae (Source: AFP)
Global activity will continue over the coming weeks and further arrests and website domain takedowns are anticipated in Australia and overseas.
A number of devices were seized during the warrants in Australia and will undergo forensic examination.
AFP Acting Assistant Commissioner Cyber Command Chris Goldsmid said phishing had become a serious threat, with Scamwatch last year receiving more than 108,000 reports of phishing attacks, totaling nearly $26 million in losses.
“LabHost alone had the potential to cause $28 million in harm to the Australians through the sale of stolen Australian credentials,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Goldsmid.
“In addition to financial losses, victims of phishing attacks are subject to ongoing security risks and criminal offending, including identity takeovers, extortion and blackmail.
“LabHost is yet another example of the borderless nature of cybercrime and the takedown reinforces the powerful outcomes that can be achieved through a united, global law enforcement front.
“Australians who have used LabHost to steal data should not expect to remain anonymous. Authorities have obtained a vast amount of evidence during this investigation and we are working to identify anyone who has used this platform to target innocent victims.”
Image: Op Nebulae (Source: AFP)
Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Tim McKinney said that although cybercrimes were increasing in both scale and frequency, those who committed offences such as these in the belief they can do so anonymously are mistaken.
“Cybercrimes such as phishing may be borderless and virtual in nature, but their impact on victims is real and can be devastating.”
“If you have used this platform to claim to be a legitimate trusted website for the purpose of conducting fraudulent activity and are under the impression that police will not thoroughly investigate, you are mistaken.
“If you commit cybercrime with the sole intent of scamming everyday Australians, know that alongside our national and international law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue cybercriminals for their reckless actions wherever they may be located in the world.”
Image: Op Nebulae (Source: AFP)Image: Op Nebulae (Source: AFP)
Queensland Police Service Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath said as cybercrimes continued to rise, the impact on the Australian community was undeniable, so we must work together to meet the challenge.
“The Queensland police service is committed to working with our partners to ensure community safety.”
NSW Police Force State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad Commander, Acting Detective Superintendent Gillian Lister, said cybercrime was a borderless issue that we must come together to tackle.
“The NSWPF works not only with the AFP, but multi-jurisdictional policing units across the world, to actively target cybercrime offenders and destroy their criminal networks and prevent further victimisation – and that’s what we’ve done through this operation,” Acting Det Supt Lister said.
WA Police Force Detective Superintendent Peter Foley said the message was clear; Western Australia was not a safe place for cybercriminals to operate out of.
“If you think you’re operating anonymously, think again. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure anyone bringing harm to the community is brought to justice.”
The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement and key industry and international partners to fight cybercrime and prevent harm and financial loss to the Australian community.
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When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference.
“In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed terrorism as Australia’s principal security concern,” he said.
But ASIO also remained concerned about “lone actors” – individuals or small groups under the radar of authorities with the potential to “use readily available weapons to carry out an act of terrorism”.
It was a concern “across the spectrum of motivations – religious and ideological”.
Sydney’s Wakeley Assyrian Orthodox Church on Monday night; Image Source: Screen Shot
With minor variations, Burgess might have been describing what allegedly happened at Sydney’s Wakeley Assyrian Orthodox Church on Monday night, where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was attacked with a very “readily available weapon” – a knife.
Monday’s incident would have set off shock waves in ordinary times, especially given it was followed by an ugly riot as angry locals converged on the scene, trying to get at the alleged perpetrator, a 16-year-old boy.
In this case, the fear the attack triggered was dramatically heightened by context.
Sydney’s Wakeley Assyrian Orthodox Church on Monday night; Image Source: Screen Shot
Tensions, especially in western Sydney, are much elevated because of the Middle East conflict. The Wakeley attack came just two days after the Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbings, which killed six people. While that atrocity did not fall under the definition of “terrorism”, inevitably the two incidents were conflated by an alarmed public.
The mix, further stirred by incendiary social media, increases the difficulty of keeping a sense of proportion about the church incident, which isn’t the first instance of a terrorist act in Australia and presumably won’t be the last.
We don’t know the background of the attack on the bishop. We do know that the wider pressures on our social cohesion – including dramatic rises in antisemitism and Islamophobia – are deeply troubling. Australia’s multiculturalism is enduring unprecedented strains, with all the difficulties that brings for political and community leaders.
When there are security crises, terror-related or not, the default call is, not surprisingly, for authorities to DO SOMETHING. More police (or security guards). Greater law enforcement powers. Tougher penalties. New controls on social media. (After the church incident, the eSafety commissioner ordered tech companies to take down images of the attack. These were widely available because the church service had been live-streamed.)
Sometimes calls for action may be warranted, but often they’re little more than a knee-jerk response – and can open other debates (for example, over the justification for censoring certain images but not others).
The challenge for political leaders is not just dealing with the immediate increasing threats to cohesion but with longer-term policy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese recently flagged, when he met a Jewish youth group, that the government planned to appoint an envoy against antisemitism (a post existing in other countries) and a matching envoy against Islamophobia. There’s no timetable for these appointments.
Looking to the future, what’s unclear, given the present tensions, is the likely trajectory of Australia’s multiculturalism.
Will the strains worsen, seriously fracturing society? Or will they ameliorate in the years to come? Multiculturalism is likely in transition, but what will be its pathway? And what are the political implications?
Labor is particularly worried about the erosion of its support among Muslim voters in western Sydney seats.
The cat was belled on the suburban multicultural vote in 2022, ironically not by a Muslim candidate but a Christian of Vietnamese heritage. Dai Le, whose family fled the Vietnam war, seized the previously safe Labor seat of Fowler in Sydney’s outer south-west.
It remains to be seen whether this is a one-off, or if more strong independent candidates will start to emerge as people from multicultural communities fight for a bigger direct presence in politics, or to exert more influence through strategic voting.
A recently registered group called Muslim Votes Matter styles itself as “shaping our future through informed voting and collective influence”. It says on its website, “There are over 20 seats where the Muslim community collectively has the potential deciding vote”.
Kos Samaras, from the RedBridge Group, a political consultancy, says “the fire” has been raging for some years in multicultural communities in areas such as north-western Melbourne and western Sydney. The Israel-Hamas war has obviously fuelled it.
Samaras says the Muslim political alienation from the major parties has been strongest among members of those communities who were born in Australia – people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
This week, after the church attack, NSW Premier Chris Minns called in faith leaders. But it is a moot point whether this consultation with predominantly older people reaches the younger, more alienated generation.
Young Australian Muslims grew up in a post-September 11 world, Samaras says, with a sense of being outsiders in the country. We saw this feeling during the pandemic, in the complaints about the different treatment of people in Sydney’s eastern and western suburbs.
Notably, Muslim community leader Jamal Rifi, speaking this week to Sky on behalf of the 16-year-old’s family, referenced the fact the Bondi Junction killings were not labelled “terrorism” by the authorities while the church incident was. “I understand there is a difference between the two but unfortunately the overwhelming feeling in the community [is] that it is, you know, Tale of Two Cities,” he said.
Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Technology Sydney, highlights the three separate elements of multiculturalism. These are
“Settlement policy, which deals with arrival, survival and orientation, and the emergence of bonding within the group and finding employment, housing and education
“Multicultural policy, which ensures that institutions in society identify and respond to needs over the life course and in changing life circumstances, and
“Community Relations policy, which includes building skills in intercultural relations, engagement with the power hierarchies of society and the inclusion of diversity into the fabric of decision-making in society – from politics to education to health to the arts.”
Australia has been fairly good at the first, not so good on the second and “very poor” on the third, he says.
The Albanese government last year commissioned an independent review of the present multicultural framework. The report has recommendations for the short, medium and long terms. It envisages changes to institutions as well as policies at federal and state levels.
Although the review is not due for release until mid-year, the May budget is likely to see some initiatives.
However, there are differences between ministers about how far and how fast reform should go. A febrile combination of local and international factors is making crafting a multicultural policy for the next decade a much more sensitive operation than might have been envisaged when the review was launched.
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Front row: Keerti Vatul (w-k), Megan Chinniah (v-c), Ron Woods (Head Coach), Aanya Siingh (Captain), Bruce Wood OAM (Manager), Phoebe Laws, Emma Rippon. Back row: Yanee Bhatia, Arika Singh, Audrey Kirk, Hannah Rose, Shree Swarup, Aimee Ravot, Nandha Sajish, Jaaniya Shah, Kuhu Nanda.
Bringing two cultures’ love of cricket together, the Australia-India Women’s Cricket Association’s Under 17 team is currently touring India.
This AIWCA’s U/17 female cricket team includes Aanya Siingh (Captain), Megan Chinniah (v-c),Keerti Vatul (w-k), Yanee Bhatia, Arika Singh, Audrey Kirk, Hannah Rose, Shree Swarup, Aimee Ravot, Nandha Sajish, Jaaniya Shah, Kuhu Nanda, Phoebe Laws and Emma Rippon.
Ron Woods is Head Coach while Bruce Wood OAM is Tour Manager. Sue Gregory is the Girls Co-ordinator and Umpire.
Ron (Tiger) Woods became an ICC Global High Performance (Level 3) accredited coach in Dubai in 2019 and has coached Women’s Cricket for over 20 years.
Bruce Wood OAM received an Order of Australia Medal in 2022 for his extensive service to cricket.
Sue Gregory is a NSWCUSA Panel 1 Women’s umpire who has regularly umpired NSW Premier Cricket Men’s Second Grade and rep. matches.
This cricket tour to India has been organised by the Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai & Hills District Cricket Coaches’ Association (HKHDCCA), in partnership with the Australia–India Women’s Cricket Association (AIWCA), and Northern District CC (NDCC) in Sydney.
Speaking about the tour Head Coach Ron Woods told The Australia Today that touring India will be a good opportunity for the players to play outside Australia. He also mentioned the players to watch out for.
The girls are aged from 14-17 and are touring India from 13-25 April 2024.
The Captain of the team is 15 year old Aanya Siingh. Tour Manager Bruce Wood believes that she is a star for the future.
Aanya Siingh
The touring team also has Indigenous Australian cricketer Aimee Ravot.
The team is playing two T20 matches and five 40 over fixtures in Delhi and Jaipur, as well as visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Their itinerary is as follows,
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Australian Jewish Woman arrested in India for opposing pro-Palestinian propaganda
In an incident that has sparked considerable debate and attention, a Jewish Australian woman was arrested in the communist-ruled Indian state of Kerala’s Fort Kochi, for taking down pro-Palestinian propaganda posters. This incident underscores the complex interplay of international sentiments and local responses to global issues.
The woman on a tourist visa in India can be seen on camera tearing down posters in the Jangar area of Fort Kochi. The footage quickly spread across social media platforms, leading to a widespread outcry by the local Muslim community and subsequent police action.
According to local media reports, the posters were set up by the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), a prominent student body known for its agitations on global Islamic issues.
Screenshot
The arrest was made on a Monday, following the video’s virality over the weekend. Fort Kochi police have charged the woman with acts intended to spread hatred between different groups, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the case.
Initial hesitance by police to take immediate action sparked further controversy and led to a protest organised by SIO members in front of the Fort Kochi Police Station.
This incident highlights the sensitive nature of international conflicts and their repercussions in distant locales. The posters, advocating Palestinian solidarity, represent a global issue that resonates with various international communities, including those in India.
Australian Jewish Woman arrested in India for opposing pro-Palestinian propaganda
The woman’s actions, perceived as an attack on this solidarity, brought to light the tensions that can arise when local support for international causes intersects with individual actions fuelled by conflicting viewpoints.
Furthermore, the reaction from both the public and the authorities illustrates the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing freedom of expression with the need to maintain public order and harmony. The event also raises questions about the impact of international tourists on local political and social issues.
The broader implications of such incidents are significant, as they reflect the interconnectedness of global political sentiments and the influence of international events on local communities. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects, influencing diplomatic relations and public perceptions across borders.
Australian Jewish Woman arrested in India for opposing pro-Palestinian propaganda
The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings will likely provide further insights into the ramifications of this incident, both for the individual involved and for the broader community in Kochi. Meanwhile, the response to this incident continues to be a topic of intense discussion among those concerned with issues of international solidarity, freedom of expression, and the responsibilities of tourists when visiting foreign nations.
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Melbourne Dawoodi Bohra community has extended generosity by contributing to OzHarvest: Image Source: Supplied
In a display of community spirit and social responsibility, Melbourne’s Dawoodi Bohra community has made significant contributions to local food security efforts during the holy month of Ramadan. Their actions, driven by the community’s core values of compassion and stewardship, underscore a commitment to both societal welfare and environmental sustainability.
As part of their charitable efforts, the community has partnered with OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation. By donating vital resources, the Dawoodi Bohras have helped provide meals to those in need, thus playing a direct role in alleviating hunger in the greater Melbourne area.
According to OzHarvest, every dollar donated allows them to deliver two meals to Australians facing food insecurity.
Moreover, embracing the principles of sustainability, the community has initiated a project to combat food waste through their ProjectRise initiative. This project involves donating surplus food to Outer East Foodshare, a move that supports both the needy and the environment.
This initiative is particularly poignant as food wastage remains a pressing issue in Australia, with Australians discarding about 7.6 million tonnes of food annually, as per the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study.
The Dawoodi Bohras have also extended their Ramadan activities beyond mere food donations. In a bid to foster community relations and promote inclusivity, they have been sharing iftar meals with neighbours on Forest Road in Forest Hill. This gesture of goodwill extends beyond nourishment to offer a moment of community bonding and cultural exchange, reflecting the spirit of Ramadan which emphasises reflection, inclusivity, and sharing.
These communal iftar gatherings not only bring diverse groups together but also serve as a platform to raise awareness about sustainable practices like zero food waste. Photos and details of these communal activities have been shared on the community’s Twitter feed, which captures the essence of these interactions and their positive impact on local neighbourhoods.
Melbourne Dawoodi Bohra community has extended generosity by contributing to OzHarvest: Image Source: SuppliedMelbourne Dawoodi Bohra community has extended generosity by contributing to OzHarvest: Image Source: SuppliedMelbourne Dawoodi Bohra community has extended generosity by contributing to OzHarvest: Image Source: Supplied
As Ramadan ends, the Melbourne Dawoodi Bohra community remains committed to these and other initiatives aimed at reinforcing the social fabric and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. Their ongoing efforts reflect a deep-rooted belief in service and communal harmony, principles that resonate deeply during the holy month and beyond.
For more detailed insights into these initiatives, interested readers can view the full article here and follow the community’s activities on their social media page.
The dedication of the Melbourne Dawoodi Bohra community serves as an inspiring example of how faith-driven actions can positively influence both people and the planet, echoing the wider Islamic call to care for one’s neighbour and the environment alike.
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In a significant advancement in the fight against colorectal cancer, a team of researchers led by Indian Australian scientist Dr Ashwini Chand at La Trobe University’s Cancer Medicine department has uncovered the anti-cancer potential of Bazedoxifene.
Published in the esteemed journal Cell Death & Disease, the study introduces a promising new avenue for treating one of the most common and lethal forms of cancer worldwide.
Bazedoxifene, initially developed as a modulator of estrogen signalling, was found to inhibit the action of two major pro-inflammatory signalling molecules, IL-6 and IL-11. This discovery marks a pivotal shift in the drug’s potential applications. It highlights its capability as a formidable anti-cancer agent against colorectal cancer through a mechanism distinct from its original purpose.
Dr Chand, the study’s lead researcher, shared insights into the groundbreaking research, “This study expands on that knowledge by demonstrating Bazedoxifene’s efficacy in suppressing the growth of human colorectal cancer models.”
“Our findings are rooted in the previously unearthed potential of Bazedoxifene to block critical pro-inflammatory signalling pathways.”
Dr. Rhynelle Dmello, a former PhD student under Dr. Chand and the first author of the study, elaborated on the research’s implications, stating, Our research defines potential drug combinations that could further enhance Bazedoxifene’s effectiveness as an anti-cancer agent.”
“The suppression of cancer growth we observed with Bazedoxifene alone was compelling.”
The study not only sheds light on the novel anti-cancer properties of Bazedoxifene but also opens the door to developing more effective treatment strategies through combination therapies. The researchers are optimistic about the drug’s future in oncology, especially with further research and the prospect of clinical trials.
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This groundbreaking research was made possible through a multi-institutional collaboration, involving prestigious institutions such as The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, the University of Melbourne, Bio21 Institute, St. Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research, and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology.
The discovery of Bazedoxifene’s potential as an anti-cancer agent represents a beacon of hope for patients battling colorectal cancer. With ongoing research and eventual clinical trials, this could signify a major leap forward in the quest for more effective cancer treatments.
The scientific community and patients alike await the next phases of research with bated breath, hopeful for a future where colorectal cancer can be combated more effectively.
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Bondi Junction, Flowers to pay respect-I amge Source: X @ChrisMinnsMP
By Amanda Cole
In the aftermath of the tragic Bondi knife attack, Joel Cauchi’s parents have spoken about their son’s long history of mental illness, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17.
They said they were “devastated and horrified” by their son’s actions. “To you, he’s a monster,” said his father.
Mental illness and distress affect not only the person living with the condition but also family members and communities. As the prevalence of mental health problems grows, the flow-on effect on family members, including caregivers, and the impact on families as a unit, is also rising.
While every family is different, the words of the Cauchis draw attention to how families can experience distress, stress, fear, powerlessness, and still love, despite the challenges and trauma. How can they help a loved one? And who can they turn to for support?
The role of caregivers
Informal caregivers help others within the context of an existing relationship, such as a family member. The care they provide goes beyond the usual expectations or demands of such relationships.
Around 2.7 million Australians provide informal care. For almost a third of these, the person’s primary medical diagnosis is psychological or psychiatric.
It has long been acknowledged that those supporting a family member with ongoing mental illness need support themselves.
In the 1980s, interest grew in caregiving dynamics within families of people grappling with mental health issues. Subsequent research recognised chronic health conditions not only affect the quality of life and wellbeing of the people experiencing them, but also impose burdens that reverberate within relationships, caregiving roles, and family dynamics over time.
Conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia can severely impact daily functioning, relationships, and overall quality of life. Living with mental illness is often accompanied by a myriad of challenges. From stigma and discrimination to difficulty accessing adequate health care and support services. Patients and their families navigate a complex and often isolating journey.
The family is a system
The concept of family health acknowledges the physical and psychological well-being of a person is significantly affected by the family.
Amid these challenges, family support emerges as a beacon of hope. Research consistently demonstrates strong familial relationships and support systems play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse effects of mental illness. Families provide emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging that are vital for people struggling with mental illness.
My recent research highlights the profound impact of mental illness on family dynamics, emphasising the resilience and endurance shown by participants. Families struggling with mental illness often experience heightened emotional fluctuations, with extreme highs and lows. The enduring nature of family caregiving entails both stress and adaptation over an extended period. Stress associated with caregiving and the demands on personal resources and coping mechanisms builds and builds.
Yet families I’ve interviewed find ways to live “a good life”. They prepare for the peaks and troughs and show endurance and persistence. They make space for mental illness in their daily lives, describing how it spurs adaptation, acceptance and inner strength within the family unit.
When treating a person with mental illness, health practitioners need to consider the entire family’s needs and engage with family members. By fostering open and early dialogue and providing comprehensive support, healthcare professionals can empower families to navigate the complexities of mental illness while fostering resilience and hope for the future. Family members express stories of an inner struggle, isolation and exhaustion.
Shifting the focus
There is a pressing need for a shift in research priorities, from illness-centered perspectives to a strengths-based focus when considering families “managing” mental illness.
There is transformative potential in harnessing strengths to respond to challenges posed by mental illnesses, while also supporting family members.
For people facing mental health challenges, having loved ones who listen without judgement and offer empathy can alleviate feelings of despair. Beyond emotional support, families often serve as crucial caregivers, assisting with daily tasks, medication management and navigating the healthcare system.
As the Cauchi family so painfully articulated, providing support for a family member with mental illness is intensely challenging. Research shows caregiver burnout, financial strain and strained relationships are common.
Health-care professionals should prioritise support for family members at an early stage. In Australia, there are various support options available for families living with mental illness. Carer Gateway provides information, support and access to services. Headspace offers mental health services and support to young people and their families.
Beyond these national services, GPs, nurses, nurse practitioners and local community health centres are key to early conversations. Mental health clinics and hospitals often target family involvement in treatment plans.
While Australia has made strides in recognising the importance of family support, challenges persist. Access to services can vary based on geographic location and demand, leaving some families under-served or facing long wait times. And the level of funding and resources allocated to family-oriented mental health support often does not align with the demand or complexity of need.
In the realm of mental illness, family support serves as a lifeline for people navigating the complexities of their conditions.
If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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The Melton Community Hall was alight with spiritual fervour and cultural heritage as the Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan (DJJS) celebrated Shri Ram Navami and the Indian New Year in an event that drew attention from all corners of the community.
The event featured a variety of activities, including devotional singing, spiritual discourses, and a dramatic re-enactment of scenes from the Ramayana, Shri Ram’s epic narrative.
A Confluence of Devotion and Cultural Richness
The highlight of the evening was the enactment of key episodes from the Ramayana, which brought to life the virtues of courage, devotion, and righteousness that Lord Ram embodies.
The performances, executed by local artists and volunteers, captivated the audience with their authenticity and emotional depth, providing a tangible connection to the ancient texts.
Spiritual leaders and scholars present at the event delivered enlightening talks on the significance of Ram Navami and its relevance in contemporary times. They emphasised the importance of adhering to the path of dharma (righteousness) and the role of spirituality in fostering a harmonious society.
Engaging the Youth and Broader Community
A noteworthy aspect of the programme was its focus on engaging the younger generation, with various activities designed to educate and inspire children about the values and stories of the Ramayana. From interactive storytelling sessions to art and craft workshops themed around the epic, the event offered a platform for children to learn about their cultural heritage in a fun and engaging manner.
The young disciples of His Holiness Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, the esteemed founder and head of DJJS, captivated everyone with their dance ballets portraying significant episodes from the life of Shri Ram. Their performance not only showcased their dedication and talent but also highlighted the rich tapestry of Hindu religious history and the eternal relevance of its teachings.
The event, marked by the presence of revered Swamis brought to life the timeless values and teachings of Shri Ram, resonating deeply with the audience.
Swami Sajjananand Ji and Swami Dr Sarveshwar Ji, both distinguished disciples of Shri Ashutosh Maharaj Ji, graced the occasion with their presence, having travelled from India to Melbourne, especially for the event.
They addressed the gathering, shedding light on the universal inspiration Lord Shri Ram has been since the Treta Yuga. They pointed out that the widespread reverence for Shri Ram, evidenced by over 300 versions of the Ramayana across the world—from the Tibetan Ramayana in Tibet to the Ramkar in Cambodia, underscores the deep-seated values and ideals he represents.
However, Swami Ji lamented the erosion of these very ideals in today’s society, where virtues like love, kindness, sacrifice, and harmony have become mere words, and familial bonds are often sacrificed at the altar of material gain. This decline underscores the pressing need to revive Lord Shri Ram’s values in the contemporary world.
Swami Ji emphasised the role of attaining Brahmagyan, or divine knowledge, through the guidance of a perfect spiritual master. This path, as advocated by Divya Jyoti Jagrati Sansthan, is seen as the key to rekindling the essence of Shri Ram’s teachings in the hearts of individuals today.
The organisers also made concerted efforts to involve the broader Australian community, extending invitations to people of all backgrounds to experience the richness of Indian culture and spirituality. The inclusive nature of the event was reflected in the diverse makeup of the attendees, showcasing the universal messages of love, compassion, and righteousness that Ram Navami celebrates.
The event was honoured by the presence of notable guests including Sam Rae, Federal Labor Member for Hawke, Steve McGhie, Mathew Hilakari, and Joe McCracken, Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly and Council respectively, Dr. Sushil Kumar, the Council General of India, and Bob Turner, Councillor of Melton Council. Their participation underscored the significance of the celebration and the widespread support for cultural and spiritual enrichment within the Australian community.
A Unifying Force
The celebration of Shri Ram Navami and the Indian New Year at Melton Community Hall stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action, urging society to rediscover and embrace the ideals of Lord Rama. Through such communal gatherings and the dissemination of divine knowledge, DJJS aims to foster a world where spiritual awakening and moral values pave the way for a harmonious and enlightened society.
The success of the Ram Navami programme is a testament to the multicultural spirit and the Indian community’s commitment to preserving and sharing their rich cultural and spiritual traditions. By bringing together people from various walks of life to celebrate a common heritage, the event served as a powerful reminder of the unifying force of faith and tradition.
As Melbourne continues to embrace and celebrate the diversity of its residents, events like the Ram Navami programme play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding, respect, and cohesion among its multicultural population. In doing so, the city sets a shining example of how cultural and spiritual celebrations can bridge communities and inspire individuals towards greater harmony and understanding.
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Many Australians have in recent years been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, but what about sports participation?
While many Australians, and their children, enjoy participating in sports, it can be a costly passion, hitting the hip pocket with costs such as equipment, registration, coaching and accident insurance.
Which sports are most popular in Australia?
The activities with the highest participation by Australians of different age groups are shown in the table below.
These findings show some obvious differences between age groups – school-aged students participate in more team-based activities that require speed and agility, whereas Australians aged 55 and over prefer to participate in less intense aerobic activities.
Many of these sports are popular across genders and have been for decades. Examples of activities more popular with women and girls include netball and yoga, whereas cycling and Australian football are more popular with men and boys.
Cost of Sports participation; Image Source: @CANVA
The popularity of online/virtual-based physical activities such as Zwift or Nintendo Wii have increased dramatically in the past decade, with nearly 1.5 million Australians estimated to have participated in 2023.
Studies from countries such as Australia, Japan and the United States have also reported sports participation can improve academic performance and educational outcomes.
What does it cost to play sport in Australia?
The Australian Sports Commission estimates Australians spent A$18.7 billion on sport and physical pursuits in the 2022-2023 financial year, up from $10.7 billion five years earlier.
While the population of Australia has increased by nearly two million during this time, this spending raises questions about the rising cost of participation.
Cost of Sports participation; Image Source: @CANVA
So, what does it cost to participate in sport in Australia?
Many sports can be played for free but the majority of children engage in organised sport, which incurs costs. A number of sports that require expensive equipment (such as golf, surfing or sailing) or are undertaken indoors (such as swimming, gymnastics, and dancing) are already too costly for some lower-income families to engage with.
Injuries can also involve substantial rehabilitation and treatment funds.
The Australian Sports Commission estimates Australian adults spend an average of $1,304 annually for their sporting endeavours, up from the $796 five years ago.
They are also responsible for the costs incurred by their children’s sport participation – an average cost of $1,369 per child, nearly doubling from the average cost five years ago.
Cost of Sports participation; Image Source: @CANVA
These figures don’t include indirect costs such as new training outfits and footwear, transportation and parking fees.
A similar report of 696 Australians found they were paying an average of around $1,500 to play a sport each season, with major costs including transport, uniforms, footwear, coaching, lessons and equipment. More than one-third of respondents in this study said they had larger credit card debts because of sporting fees.
The table below indicates expenditure on some popular activities in Australia.
Have cost-of-living pressures impacted participation rates?
The cost-of-living pressures in recent years have contributed to the increasing cost of sports participation and the ability of families to pay them.
A recent report by UNICEF Australia stated that more than half of Australian families are making sacrifices in their household budget to pay for children’s sport, or having to take their children out of sports due to rising costs.
A similar report from the United Kingdom stated that while overall activity levels remained relatively stable after lockdown restrictions eased, the majority of people had adapted their behaviour by substituting paid activities with free alternatives, such as walking or cycling instead of driving, and cancelling gym and sports memberships and doing home-based activities instead.
The report stated people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds were most likely to have to change to lower-cost behaviours.
It’s not just individuals and families who are struggling, either. Recent “Your Sport Your Say” research shows one in four small Australian sporting clubs were on the brink of collapse from cost-of-living impacts such as declining registrations, increased operating costs (such as power bills) and reduced volunteer numbers.
Some clubs described participation plummeting to almost zero during the pandemic, and now the rising cost of living has made it even more difficult to recover.
There are concerns that community sporting club closures, and families having to prioritise sports based on affordability, could have a big impact on Australia’s talent pool ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. https://www.youtube.com/embed/VSOHl8peGSY?wmode=transparent&start=0 Has the cost-of-living crunch impacted children’s sport?
Cost of Sports participation; Image Source: @CANVA
What can be done to help?
As we approach these home Olympics, the demand for sporting facilities and opportunities is likely to surge.
Governments need to find sustainable solutions to ensure all Australians can continue to participate in the sports they love, regardless of financial barriers.
Subsidising sport-related costs such as coaching sessions and equipment through increased funding of grassroots clubs, resourcing of informal sport (self-organised, outside of formal participation structures), tax benefits, and vouchers have been suggested as potential strategies for reducing inequities concerning sporting opportunities.
The expansion of grant schemes such as Sporting Schools may also help schools increase sports participation among their students and connect them with local community sport clubs.
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Austrade, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration; Image Source: Austrade
In an initiative that underscores the strengthening ties between Australia and India, the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration in the realm of vocational education and training.
This initiative is set to foster unparalleled partnerships, opening new avenues for skills development between the two nations.
Austrade, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration; Image Source: Austrade
Bridging Skills and Futures Across Continents
A 33-member delegation, brimming with experts from the digital technologies, energy, and infrastructure sectors, is poised to embark on a transformative journey to India. Their mission is clear: to engage with key stakeholders, including universities and corporate entities, to deepen collaboration in future skills training.
This visit marks a significant step in enhancing the bilateral relationship between Australia and India, promising to pave the way for a future where skills and knowledge flow freely across borders.
Austrade, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration; Image Source: Austrade
Scheduled from April 8 to April 11, the delegation’s visit will culminate in the Australia-India Industry Skills Partnership Summit in New Delhi. This event is not just a meeting of minds but a beacon of potential for vocational education and training linkages between the two countries.
It is a reflection of Australia’s commitment, as outlined in its ‘Update to an India Economic Strategy to 2035,’ to build and strengthen these vital educational and industrial connections.
Catherine Gallagher, Head of Austrade South Asia remarked on the timeliness and significance of this delegation, highlighting the role it will play in addressing India’s labour force requirements and fostering meaningful partnerships for the future.
Austrade, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration; Image Source: Austrade
She added, “I am sure the Australia-India Industry Skills Partnership Summit and Business Program will support our skills ecosystems to forge meaningful partnerships and programs for the future.”
A Strategic Endeavour for Mutual Growth
This initiative is more than just an exchange; it is a concerted effort to address the critical and emerging labour force requirements in India.
The Australian delegation, with its dual objective of enhancing market literacy and catalysing skills partnership momentum, seeks to establish robust business ties that will benefit both Australian and Indian entities. This endeavour aligns with the Australian Government’s Australia-India Future Skills Initiative (FSI), aiming to facilitate collaboration between Australian skills providers and Indian institutions and corporates.
Parallel to the summit, 2-day Business Programs in Pune and Chennai offer an invaluable opportunity for direct engagement between Australian and Indian counterparts. These sessions are designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and explore potential partnerships, setting a precedent for future collaborations.
Austrade, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration; Image Source: Austrade
Australia’s global reputation for delivering world-class skills training is well established, with education and training providers operating across nearly 50 locations worldwide. This initiative is driven by industry expertise and is designed to meet evolving workforce needs, backed by robust quality assurance mechanisms.
Economic Ties and Trade Potentials
The bilateral trade relationship between India and Australia has shown impressive growth, with India emerging as Australia’s 9th largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2022-23. The bilateral trade between the two countries stood at an impressive USD 25.9 billion, maintaining the momentum from the previous fiscal year.
This vibrant trading relationship is underpinned by significant exports and imports, ranging from petroleum products and engineering goods to textiles and gems.
The strategic and economic alignment between Australia and India has never been stronger, and this delegation is a testament to the commitment of both nations to leverage this synergy.
Austrade, in collaboration with the Australian Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has announced a groundbreaking effort to bolster collaboration; Image Source: Austrade
A Future Built on Skills and Partnership
The initiatives and agreements between India and Australia, including the inaugural India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and the signing of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA), signal a deep commitment to bolster cooperation across various domains. With the FTA now in effect, both nations are set on a path to enhance collaboration, aiming to reach over USD 70 billion in bilateral trade in the next five years.
As the Australia-India Industry Skills Partnership Summit and subsequent business programs unfold, they represent a step towards a future where skills, education, and mutual respect for knowledge create a foundation for lasting partnership and growth.
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Image: (Right) Convicted murder mastermind Gurinderpal Brar and (Left) Victim Radio host Harnek Singh (Source: NZ Herald screenshot)
Gurinderpal Brar (aka “Baba Ji”), the mastermind behind a failed plot to murder an Indian-origin radio host in South Auckland, has his jail term extended after pleading guilty to beating three of his own Sikh temple parishioners nearly a decade ago.
All three assaults happened in April 2015, and as per the New Zealand Herald report the Court documents state Brar beat the congregation members with tree branches, leaving each man with facial bruising. One of the men was also attacked with a metal utensil used to stir food resulting in a bloody nose and swollen eye.
49-year-old Brar is currently serving a 13-and-a-half-year prison sentence for the attempted murder of local popular media personality Harnek Singh.
Image: (Centre) Harnek Singh, the victim of brutal attempted murder by Khalistan supporters- (Left) Jobanpreet Singh (Source: Instagram) and (Right) Sukhpreet Singh, two of the perpetrators sentenced by NZ Court (Source: NZ Herald screenshot)
In November 2023, High Court Justice Mark Woolford described it as having “all the hallmarks of religious fanaticism”.
The maximum sentence for attempted murder is 14 years imprisonment. However, Brar received a six-month credit for the time he spent on electronically monitored bail awaiting trial.
Justice Woolford noted that while ordering a nine-year non-parole period:
“Sentencing in this context requires a different approach. The emphasis must be placed on protecting the community from further violence and it is essential to send a strong message of deterrence to others.”
Brar moved to New Zealand in 2002 and started his own transport business. He soon started holding prayer groups in his living room and within a few years generated enough interest to build his own two Sikh Gurudwara’s in Rotorua and East Tāmaki.
Image: Attack victim Radio Virsa Host Harnek Singh (Source: Instagram)
In this week’s sentencing, Judge Sanjay Patel allowed discounts for Brar’s guilty pleas, good behaviour, and contribution to the community. However, it is reported, that Judge Patel declined a discount for remorse because Brar told a pre-sentence report writer that he wasn’t responsible for the beatings of three men.
A promotional shot for the Radio Virsa NZ station to the Auckland Sikh community. Host Harnek Singh is pictured centre. Photo / nzherald.co.nz
All of the victims have left New Zealand and now live overseas. None provided victim impact statements.
The judge said he would have ordered a stand-alone sentence of 13 months for the assaults. But as Brar is already serving a lengthy sentence, Judge Patel instead ordered a six-month prison sentence that will be cumulative to his current prison term thus bringing Brar’s total combined sentences to 14 years.
Brar was escorted by security into a Manukau District Court dock thus bringing to a close a year-long legal process.
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In the 2022-2023 financial year, the AFP and its foreign law enforcement partners seized more than 23.6 tonnes of North American-produced methamphetamine bound for the Australian market, including 4.36 tonnes of methamphetamine seized in Australia and 19.33 tonnes seized offshore.
Image: North American produced meth seizures (Source: CANVA)
AFP Commander Jared Taggart said methamphetamine was the second most consumed drug in Australia, with Australians consuming an estimated 10.5 tonnes per year.*
“Australia is an enticing market for organised crime groups who exploit our people to derive large profits. The AFP estimates that since 2021, our seizures of Southeast Asian-produced methamphetamine in Australia has decreased notably, accounting for less than 15 per cent of total methamphetamine seized in 2023.”
Commander Taggart added that factors which may have contributed to Australia being a target country for North American-produced methamphetamine include cheaper wholesale prices, a preference by transnational serious and organised crime (TSOC) for Mexican cartels’ complex concealment capabilities, and Operation Ironside’s degradation of key TSOC syndicates’ domestic and global operations.
Commander Taggart said:
“Additionally, the AFP and our global partners have arrested and prosecuted key members of a significant Asian organised crime syndicates in October 2020 and January 2021. The AFP has a presence in 33 countries and works closely and collaboratively with our Southeast Asian and North American law enforcement partners to disrupt methamphetamine trafficking at the source. We will continue to disrupt the criminal environment both onshore and offshore to ensure life-threatening drugs are not entering the Australian community.”
North American-produced meth, from countries such as Mexico, United States and Canada, made up 16.7 tonnes of the meth seized.
Image: North American produced meth seizures (Source: CANVA)
The AFP estimates at least 70 per cent of Australia’s methamphetamine market is now supplied by North American production sources.
New AFP intelligence indicates wholesale methamphetamine is sold for as low as $1000 AUD per kilogram in Mexico City, Mexico compared to an average $3-5000 AUD per kilogram in Yangon, Myanmar, making it a cheaper alternative for organised crime groups.
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Headlines declaring a “Black Nor’easter” appeared this week as New South Wales and Queensland copped heavy rain – and residents have been warned to brace for more.
The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a 75% chance of Sydney receiving at least 50mm of rain, and a 25% chance of at least 100mm of rain on Friday (the average rainfall for the entire month of April in Sydney is 121.5mm).
Parts of Sydney were drenched in more than 100mm of rain overnight and the main dam that supplies the city’s drinking water is expected to spill in coming days. At least one man has died in Queensland floodwaters after torrential rain.
You might be wondering: what is a Black Nor’easter, what’s causing all this rain and does it have anything to do with climate change? I’m an atmospheric scientist who researches atmospheric rivers, extreme rainfall and climate change. Here’s what you need to know.
A wavy atmosphere leads to wild weather
Nor’easter simply means the wind comes from the northeast and black refers to the thunderstorm clouds likely to darken the sky.
Pirate-esque poetry aside, this type of weather system is not that unusual for this time of year, and technically the weather system started in the south.
But to understand the bigger question of why the east coast is copping all this rain, you need to remember the atmosphere is a fluid.
That means the same laws of physics that apply to water in the ocean also apply to air in the atmosphere. Like the ocean, the atmosphere has waves that break.
The jet stream is a current of fast winds about 10km high that blows from west to east and steers high and low pressure systems around the planet.
High pressure systems tend to bring clear skies and sunny weather, while low pressure systems are associated with clouds and rain.
But when the jet stream becomes wavy or even breaks, the high and low pressure systems can veer off course.
Like sea spray blowing off an ocean wave as it breaks, a low pressure system can blow off an atmospheric wave, as seen in the video below: https://www.youtube.com/embed/u807KLt7Q9c?wmode=transparent&start=0 Video showing the development of the cut-off low (pink circle) that is impacting eastern Australia as a result of a breaking atmospheric wave.
What causes a long stretch of intense weather?
When a high or low breaks away from the jet stream, it can become “stuck”, leading to a stretch of wet weather or a stretch of hot weather.
The worst heatwaves are caused by high pressure systems stalling.
Conversely, some of the worst floods in the world are caused by low pressure systems being cut off from the jet stream and dumping rain in one place for multiple days.
The map below shows the cut-off low and blocked high over eastern Australia.
Like toothpaste in a tube, the air between the high and low is being squeezed along a narrow path (the purple arrow in the map above).
Since the air is coming from the Coral Sea, the air is warm and humid. This narrow region of enhanced moisture in the air is called an “atmospheric river”.
This atmospheric river acts like a hose, feeding moist air into the low. There, the atmospheric moisture is converted to rainfall.
We have seen this before
This is the exact weather set up that caused the devastating floods in Lismore and other places in February to March 2022.
In fact, a recent study showed 72% of all heavy rainfall events over the eastern seaboard are caused by this same weather set up.
That said, we are unlikely to see the same devastating impacts we did in 2022.
The stalled systems causing the current wild weather are forecast to move away after two days. By contrast, the set up that caused the torrential rain in 2022 persisted for three and a half days. It may not sound like a big difference but to atmospheric scientists, it is.
The atmospheric river associated with the current event is also weaker, so there is less moisture in the air to turn into rainfall.
How will climate change affect these weather events?
Recent research found an increase in the intensity of rain from short (less than an hour long) downpours over Sydney.
Another study has shown the atmospheric moisture over Sydney is projected to increase by the end of the century.
However, the representation of certain weather systems in climate models isn’t good enough yet.
Since we are missing this key part of the puzzle, it’s still uncertain how heavy rainfall over eastern Australia may change in the future.
Recent funding to research on this topic and developments in powerful, high definition models should improve our understanding of how these weather events may change in the future.
In the meantime, for those about to face the current deluge, heed warnings from the SES and the Bureau.
Never drive through flood waters and if the sky does turn black, put your headlights on.
Global Indian Diaspora needs fair, non-hyphenated, and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. The Australia Today – with exceptional reporters, columnists, and editors – is doing just that. Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.
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Every six weeks, the Reserve Bank of Australia sets the “cash rate”, affecting the interest rates paid on every Australian mortgage and savings account.
Like any price mechanism, the cost of borrowing money is determined by supply and demand – how much cash is in the banking system, and how much has been borrowed at any one time.
With powers to manipulate this supply, the Reserve Bank can set and precisely achieve its target cash rate.
But during the pandemic, an abundance of cash forced the Reserve Bank to quickly change its method for doing so. Now, that method is set to change again.
The traditional method – ‘scarce reserves’
When you make a purchase, pay a bill or send money to a friend, it’s quite likely the transaction involves transmitting money between different banks. Around the country, these transactions add up to a colossal amount of money – more than A$200 billion daily – and banks need to hold enough money in reserve to settle their books at the end of each day.
Banks hold these reserves in large “exchange settlement accounts” with our central bank – the Reserve Bank.
But managing these accounts gives the Reserve Bank a powerful lever for setting and adjusting interest rates.
Reserve Bank Of Australia; Picture Source: @CANVA
Before the pandemic, the Reserve Bank operated under a “scarce reserves” system. Cash reserves held by banks to enable interbank transactions were kept relatively small.
Because these funds were in short supply, banks would have to actively lend them to each other to ensure they all had enough money to settle transactions at the end of each day. The interest rate on these loans was Australia’s effective cash rate.
To maintain a set cash rate under a scarce reserves system, the Reserve Bank had to conduct “open market operations” to continuously fine-tune the supply of money.
If it wanted to raise the cash rate, it would sell securities (such as bonds) to commercial banks. This drew money out of the banking system and reduced the level of cash reserves.
Conversely, to lower the cash rate, it would buy securities from commercial banks, adding money back into the system and increasing total cash reserves.
This could be a tricky process, as it required the Reserve Bank to continuously and accurately estimate the demand for cash reserves. But the central bank managed it rather well, in part because commercial banks would almost always follow their lead and lend at the target cash rate.
The main downside of this approach was that the limited supply of funds available to the banking sector increased the risk that individual banks could face liquidity problems – not having enough cash to maintain their operations.
The pandemic saw banks flush with cash
During the pandemic, however, the Reserve Bank flooded the financial system with additional funds to support the Australian economy in a downturn.
The banks suddenly had plenty of cash, so there was no need for them to lend between themselves. In central banking, this is known as a system of “abundant reserves”.
Image source: Big Four OZ banks – Wikipedia.
In this environment, the only way the Reserve Bank could later get the banks to lift interest rates was by offering to pay them a positive interest rate themselves. The Reserve Bank would simply increase the interest rate paid to the banks on their exchange settlement accounts, who would in turn pass that rate on to Australian households.
This is a much simpler method of lifting interest rates than continuous open-market operations, but it’s expensive. Interest rate increases over the past two years have cost the Reserve Bank more than A$40 billion.
A third option – ‘ample reserves’
With the crisis now over and many bonds sold during the pandemic falling due, the total amount of cash in exchange settlement accounts has begun to fall.
In light of this, the Reserve Bank could have chosen to continue with its current (costly) abundant reserves system or to revert to scarce reserves.
Cash reserves held by commercial banks are projected to fall back toward pre-pandemic levels. RBA
But its board has chosen to embrace a third option that mixes the two: “ample reserves”.
Under this approach, the Reserve Bank will continue to supply plenty of funds that banks can freely borrow at the target cash rate, which will ensure it still controls interest rates. But it will now also focus on limiting excess cash reserves in the financial system, to keep the cost of those interest payments down.
As the Reserve Bank navigates from a system of excess to ample reserves, careful monitoring and adjustments will be crucial, especially as it responds to market conditions and liquidity needs. The plan announced by the Reserve Bank didn’t contain any specific numbers about the size of the balance sheet, which will have to be worked out over time as the demand for reserves evolves.
The ultimate goal is to achieve a more efficient, stable, and flexible system for monetary policy implementation that supports the Australian economy while minimising central bank intervention in markets.
Reworking the plumbing of the monetary system won’t garner much mainstream attention, but plays a vital role in stabilising the economy without breaking the bank.
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