Image: Nadeem Ahmed receiving the NSW Government Community Service Award (Source: LinkedIn)
Nadeem Ahmed, founder of the vibrant Facebook community group Indians in Sydney, has been awarded the prestigious NSW Government Community Service Award in recognition of his tireless efforts to uplift and unify the Indian-Australian diaspora in the city.
Nadeem, who is an experienced IT professional, expressed his deep gratitude, stating, “I am truly humbled and deeply grateful to receive this award. This recognition is not just mine, but belongs to every single person who has been part of this incredible journey with Indians in Sydney.”
Image: Nadeem Ahmed receiving the NSW Government Community Service Award (Source: LinkedIn)
Since its inception in 2007, Indians in Sydney Facebook page has grown from a small network to a thriving community of over 135,000 members.
“As the Founder of Indians in Sydney, I am dedicated to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for the Indian diaspora in Sydney. My role involves spearheading initiatives that foster cultural exchange, provide networking opportunities, and offer essential resources for newcomers and residents alike,” says Nadeem.
With a passion for connecting people and promoting Indian culture, Nadeem started organising events and activities that celebrate heritage and address the unique needs of the diaspora community. Nadeem says his vision was to create a space where people could support one another, share their stories, and find a sense of belonging in a new land. “Little did I know it would grow into something so much bigger than myself,” he reflected.
Image: Nadeem Ahmed at Indians in Sydney Gala Event (Source: The Australia Today)
The group has spearheaded numerous impactful initiatives, including the Winter Drive, Meal for Everyone, Samvaad, and Journey, all of which have been possible due to the generosity and support of the community.
Nadeem highlighted the collaborative spirit that fuels these efforts, saying, “The success of the recent Indians in Sydney Gala Event was a collective effort, and I am so thankful to my team and all the support we continue to receive from our well-wishers.”
In receiving the award, Nadeem was endorsed by Nathan Hagarty MP, whose ongoing support has been instrumental in recognising the community’s efforts.
Reflecting on the journey ahead, Nadeem shared, “This award reminds me that the work is far from over. There are still so many lives to touch, and I feel blessed to be a small part of this journey.”
Image: Nadeem Ahmed with Andrew Charlton MP at Indians in Sydney Gala Event (Source: The Australia Today)
For Nadeem, it has never been about seeking recognition. He told The Australia Today, “It isn’t about the award, it’s about the quiet moments where we uplift others, one act of kindness at a time. Together, we create the change we wish to see.”
“Indians in Sydney has never been just about me or just about Indians living in Sydney. It’s about all of us coming together to build a stronger, more inclusive community,” added Nadeem.
As Indians in Sydney continues to thrive, Nadeem remains focused on fostering compassion and unity in the city’s multicultural landscape, reminding the community that every small act of kindness brings the world closer to a more connected and caring future.
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The take-home message from federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, was:
We need more people to use AI and to do that we need to build trust.
But why exactly do people need to trust this technology? And why exactly do more people need to use it?
AI systems are trained on incomprehensibly large data sets using advanced mathematics most people don’t understand. They produce results we have no way of verifying. Even flagship, state-of-the-art systems produce output riddled with errors.
Technology adoption still falls into this familiar trope. AI is not always the best tool for the job. But when faced with an exciting new technology, we often use it without considering if we should.
Instead of encouraging more people to use AI, we should all learn what is a good, and not good, use of AI.
Is it the technology we need to trust – or the government?
Just what does the Australian government get from more people using AI?
One of the largest risks is the leaking of private data. These tools are collecting our private information, our intellectual property and our thoughts on a scale we have never before seen.
Much of this data, in the case of ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Otter.ai and other AI models, is not processed onshore in Australia.
These companies preach transparency, privacy and security. But it is often hard to uncover if your data is used for training their newer models, how they secure it, or what other organisations or governments have access to that data. https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Cp2gvciomU?wmode=transparent&start=0
Recently, federal Minister for Government Services, Bill Shorten, presented the government’s proposed Trust Exchange program, which raised concerns about the collection of even more data about Australian citizens. In his speech to the National Press Club, Shorten openly noted the support from large technology companies, including Google.
If data about Australians was to be collated across different technology platforms, including AI, we could see widespread mass surveillance.
But even more worryingly, we have observed the power of technology to influence politics and behaviour.
Automation bias is the terminology we use for the tendency for users to believe the technology is “smarter” then they are. Too much trust in AI poses even more risk to Australians – by encouraging more use of technology without adequate education, we could be subjecting our population to a comprehensive system of automated surveillance and control.
And although you might be able to escape this system, it would undermine social trust and cohesion and influence people without them knowing.
These factors are even more reason to regulate the use of AI, as the Australian government is now looking to do. But doing so does not have to be accompanied by a forceful encouragement to also use it.
Let’s dial down the blind hype
The topic of AI regulation is important.
The International Organisation for Standardisation has established a standard on the use and management of AI systems. Its implementation in Australia would lead to better, more well-reasoned and regulated use of AI.
This standard and others are the foundation of the government’s proposed Voluntary AI Safety standard.
What was problematic in this week’s announcement from the federal government was not the call for greater regulation, but the blind hyping of AI use.
Let’s focus on protecting Australians – not on mandating their need to use, and trust, AI.
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Among the finalists was Restify, a Melbourne-based startup founded by Indian-origin couple Devipriya Selvaraj and Karthikeyan Viswanathan, with the mission of destigmatising death and supporting families during challenging times through a grief management platform.
Image: Restify co-founders Devipriya Selvaraj and Karthikeyan Viswanathan (Source: LinkedIn)
Restify was born from Selvaraj’s personal experience following the sudden loss of her father-in-law. “We faced immense difficulties during that time,” Selvaraj explained.
This experience inspired the creation of Restify, which aims to provide a comprehensive human centric end-of-life management platform for first-generation immigrants.
Restify was one of five startups competing in front of a panel of esteemed judges, including Maxine Lee, COO of Skalata VC; Mark Newman, startup programs manager at LaunchVic; Sarah Green, co-founder of Protagonist Capital; and William Hasko, director of small business marketing at Dell Technologies for Australia, India, and Japan.
Selvaraj and Viswanathan’s platform offers resources for will planning, funeral arrangements, family communication, and emotional support, all designed to reduce stress and save time and money for grieving families.
Image: Devipriya Selvaraj and Karthikeyan Viswanathan after winning the WYNnovation 2024 Pitch Grand Finale (Source: LinkedIn)
With over 250 families already on the waiting list for Restify’s beta version, expected to launch in November 2024, the startup is gaining significant traction.
Selvaraj says that the potential market, noting that “more than 50% of Australia’s population consists of immigrants, representing a market of about 3.5 million families.”
Restify, which is backed by a research team at the University of Melbourne, has already secured accolades, winning the WYNnovation 2024 Pitch Grand Finale, taking home $10,000, and building momentum towards its launch.
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Sadistic sextortion is a rising online crime type that involves extreme online groups targeting children as young as twelve years old on social media and messaging platforms to coerce them to self-produce explicit material to gain acceptance into extreme online communities.
AFP Commander of Human Exploitation and the AFP-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) Helen Schneider said intelligence received by the ACCCE suggested most offenders in extreme online groups were not motivated by money, but were instead focused on obtaining status or notoriety within the group.
“Unlike sextortion, these offenders are not motivated by financial gain. Instead, they are driven by exploiting vulnerable victims into producing abhorrent content for their deranged amusement,” Commander Schneider said.
“Unfortunately, some victims in these groups, do not see themselves as victims. They do not believe they are being coerced into performing these extremely horrific acts and therefore are unlikely to report it to the authorities. Without information or assistance from victims and members of the public, it can be extremely difficult for police to identify offenders and shutdown these dangerous groups.”
These online communities use different names and monikers to operate on social media or messaging platforms, and consist of members from all around the world. To gain access to a majority of these groups, prospective members are coerced by group members to produce or live-stream explicit content online.
In some cases, the offenders are the same age as the victims being targeted.
AFP intelligence has identified that sadistic sextortion offenders will initiate an online relationship with a victim on social media or messaging platform before encouraging them to produce an image or video performing an explicit sexual or violent act.
The offender will then share the content with other members in the online group, who will attempt to extort the victim by threatening to share the material with their family or friends, unless the victim produces more videos and extreme content.
The offender will relentlessly demand more content from victims that often continues to escalate in its seriousness including specific live sex acts, animal cruelty, serious self-harm, and live online suicide.
Commander Schneider said the AFP urged parents and guardians to be aware of the warning signs of young people being groomed by coercive groups online.
‘If parents believe their child is engaging in harmful activity online, it’s important to have a conversation with them to understand the situation and provide appropriate support,” Commander Schneider said.
“Warning signs children may be engaging in harmful activity online may include increased screen-time on computers or phones, isolating themselves from friends and family or being secretive about who they are interacting with online. Whether a child is or has been a victim of sextortion online, please reassure them it’s not their fault and report it to the ACCCE.”
The Western Australia Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (WA JACET) commenced an investigation into reports of an alleged serious sadistic sextortion offender in WA, 14, accused of targeting victims around the world in 2022.
Police seized the offender’s phone and later identified child abuse material (CAM) and videos of animal cruelty.
The offender was charged and received a juvenile caution in relation to the matter.
If you think you are a victim or know of someone who is a victim of sadistic extortion:
DO stop the chat
DO take screen shots of the text and profile
DO block the account and report it to the platform
DO get support from a trusted friend or family member, or professional support services and seek mental health support if required. Kids Helpline offers free and confidential sessions with counsellors.
DON’T send more images or pay as this will lead to more demands
DON’T respond to demands
DON’T enter into further communication
DON’T think you are alone
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Image: PM Albanese meeting TWU delegates at Parliament in Canberra (Source: X)
By Adrian Beaumont
A national Newspoll, conducted August 26–30 from a sample of 1,263, had a 50–50 two-party tie between Labor and the Coalition, unchanged from the previous Newspoll three weeks ago. This is the first time this term there have been two successive ties in Newspoll.
Primary votes were 38% Coalition (down one), 32% Labor (steady), 12% Greens (steady), 7% One Nation (up one) and 11% for all Others (steady).
Anthony Albanese’s net approval slumped five points to -13, with 54% dissatisfied (up three) and 41% satisfied (down two). This is Albanese’s worst net approval in Newspoll since November 2023, after the failure of the Voice referendum.
The graph below shows Albanese’s net approval in Newspoll this term. The plus signs are Newspoll results and a smoothed line has been fitted.
Peter Dutton’s net approval was down three points to -13, and this is the first time Albanese and Dutton have been equal on net approval in Newspoll since November 2023. Albanese led Dutton by 45–37 as better PM (46–39 previously).
When asked about inflation if Dutton and the Coalition were in government, 24% said inflation would be lower than it is now, 18% higher, 41% about the same and 17% were undecided.
While the government has had other problems in the past few weeks, I believe inflation is still its main problem with voters. Last week’s Morgan consumer confidence reading of 82.6 was the highest six-week average since February, but consumer confidence has been below 85 for a record 82 successive weeks.
YouGov poll tied at 50–50
A national YouGov poll, conducted August 23–28 from a sample of 1,543, had a 50–50 tie, a one-point gain for the Coalition since the mid-July YouGov poll. Primary votes were 37% Coalition (down one), 32% Labor (up one), 13% Greens (steady), 8% One Nation (up one) and 10% for all Others (down one).
It’s strange that the two-party vote improved for the Coalition despite the drop in the Coalition’s primary vote and gain for Labor. Rounding probably explains this.
Albanese’s net approval was down one point to -11, with 52% dissatisfied and 41% satisfied. Dutton’s net approval was also down one to -5. Albanese led Dutton by 43–38 as preferred PM (45–37 in July).
In a forced choice question, 67% of Australian voters would vote for Democrat Kamala Harris for US president, while 33% would vote for Republican Donald Trump. The only group voting for Trump was One Nation voters (80–20 for Trump).
Essential poll: Labor gains to lead by 48–46
A national Essential poll, conducted August 21–25 from a sample of 1,129, gave Labor a 48–46 lead including undecided, after a 47–47 tie in the early August Essential poll. Primary votes were 33% Coalition (down one), 29% Labor (up one), 13% Greens (down one), 7% One Nation (steady), 1% UAP (steady), 11% for all Others (up two) and 6% undecided (steady).
Despite Labor’s improvement on voting intentions, Albanese’s net approval dropped seven points since late July to -10, with 50% disapproving and 40% approving. This is Albanese’s worst rating in Essential this term. Dutton’s net approval was steady at +1.
By 44–30, voters supported Dutton’s call to pause arrivals of Palestinian refugees. There was a 42–42 tie on whether immigration to Australia is generally positive or negative (46–34 positive in November 2023).
While voters were narrowly positive on immigration’s impact on the economy (42–41), they were negative on its impact on jobs (51–35), the environment (43–24) and strongly negative on house prices (69–15).
On the government’s response to the Israel-Gaza war, 32% said it was too supportive of Israel, 16% too harsh on Israel and 52% were satisfied. These figures are unchanged from June. On Israel’s military action in Gaza, 39% (up one since June) said Israel should permanently withdraw, 21% (steady) agree to a temporary ceasefire and 17% (up two) said Israel’s military action was justified.
Redbridge and Morgan polls
A national Redbridge poll, conducted from a sample of 2,000, gave Labor a 50.5–49.5 lead, a two-point gain for Labor since the mid-July Redbridge poll. Primary votes were 38% Coalition (down three) and 33% Labor (up one). No other primary votes or fieldwork dates have been released yet.
A national Morgan poll, conducted August 19–25 from a sample of 1,701, gave the Coalition a 50.5–49.5 lead, a one-point gain for the Coalition since the August 12–18 Morgan poll.
Primary votes were 39.5% Coalition (up one), 29.5% Labor (down one), 13% Greens (down 0.5), 4% One Nation (steady), 9% independents (up 0.5) and 5% others (steady).
The headline figure is based on respondent preferences. By 2022 election preferences flows, there was a 50–50 tie, a one-point gain for the Coalition.
EMRS Tasmanian poll: little change since May
An EMRS Tasmanian state poll, conducted August 14–21 from a sample of 1,000, gave the Liberals 36% of the vote (up one since May), Labor 27% (down one), the Greens 14% (down one), the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN) 8% (up one), independents 14% (steady) and others 3% (steady).
Liberal incumbent Jeremy Rockliff held a 45–30 lead over Labor’s Dean Winter as preferred premier (40–32 in May).
So the current standings of the Tasmanian lower house are 14 Liberals out of 35, ten Labor, five Greens, five independents and one JLN. The Liberals need four of the six crossbenchers to pass legislation opposed by Labor and the Greens. The EMRS poll was done before the JLN blew up.
NT likely election result
For the August 24 Northern Territory election, the ABC is giving the Country Liberal Party (CLP) 17 of the 25 seats, Labor four, independents three and one seat (Nightcliff) is undecided, but Labor is expected to beat the Greens after distribution of preferences.
The Greens were initially seen as likely to beat the CLP in Fannie Bay on Labor preferences, but the flow of Labor preferences to the Greens was weaker than expected, and the CLP will gain Fannie Bay from Labor.
Contributing Author:Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need 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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The Australian government’s decision to impose an age restriction on post-study work visas has raised significant concerns, particularly for individuals like myself who fall outside the 35-year limit. This policy, while perhaps well-intentioned, has the unintended consequence of shutting out a diverse group of highly skilled and experienced professionals from contributing to Australia’s economy. It’s time to reconsider this blanket restriction.
The government’s rationale for this age limit seems to centre on creating job opportunities for younger graduates. While the employment of younger professionals is crucial for Australia’s future, the exclusion of older graduates fails to recognise the wealth of skills and experience that mature individuals bring to the workforce.
I am a 42-year-old MBA student, and coming to Australia was not an easy decision. I invested my entire life savings into this journey, believing in the opportunities and international exposure this course would provide. Now, as we near the completion of our studies and stand on the brink of gaining that invaluable global experience, I am being told to pack my bags and leave.
I came to Australia with my family, and my son is currently attending school here. Uprooting everything at this stage feels unfair, especially after the significant personal and financial investment we’ve made to be part of this educational experience.
In fact, many of us came to Australia with the promise of pursuing higher education and filling skill shortages in areas critical to the nation’s growth. At the time of our enrolment, the pathway to a temporary graduate visa was not restricted by age.
The sudden imposition of a 35-year cut-off has upended those plans. It leaves individuals and families who invested in education, moved their lives, and committed to contributing to Australia’s workforce feeling abandoned by the system. For those of us already here, a grandfather clause should be considered to provide relief for those caught in this policy shift.
It is worth reflecting on why many pursue higher education later in life. Life circumstances—whether personal, financial, or professional—often delay the opportunity for further study. Yet these individuals, with years of experience behind them, are often well-placed to provide immediate value to their adopted country. Denying them the chance to stay and work solely based on age is counterproductive to Australia’s goals of nurturing talent and fostering economic growth.
Australia has long prided itself on being a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive nation. But this new age-based restriction undermines that principle. Age should not be the sole determinant of one’s ability to contribute meaningfully to the workforce. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand do not impose age limits on post-study work visas, allowing them to tap into a larger pool of skilled talent. By maintaining this restriction, Australia risks losing its competitive edge in attracting international students.
The decision to study abroad is not taken lightly. It often involves considerable personal and financial sacrifice, not just for the individual but for their families as well. Many older graduates come to Australia with their spouses and children, further integrating themselves into the community and economy. The contribution they make—through tuition fees, living expenses, and eventually their professional work—is substantial. To now close the door on their future prospects seems unjust and dismissive of their commitment to the country.
While I understand that policy changes can be difficult to reverse, there needs to be a more nuanced approach to the age limit on post-study work visas. The current policy has left many, like myself, feeling not only betrayed but also disillusioned by the abrupt shift. We came to Australia with the best of intentions, eager to contribute to its workforce, yet now find ourselves excluded because of an arbitrary age cut-off.
Australia’s commitment to diversity and opportunity should extend to all international students, regardless of age. At the very least, those who have already arrived and invested their time and resources should be granted the opportunity to stay and contribute. By doing so, Australia will reaffirm its standing as a global leader in inclusiveness, opportunity, and fair treatment for all.
Contributing Author: Vertika is a 42-year-old MBA candidate currently pursuing her studies in Melbourne.
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This commitment aims to bridge a looming “funding cliff” that would leave many services without financial backing as early as July next year.
“We’ve agreed on the need to continue this funding, and even extend it beyond five years,” Mr Albanese stated. “Legal services will now have the certainty of knowing what’s ahead.”
Working together, we can make the change that is so desperately needed. We must. pic.twitter.com/PPeDIGeNag
Approximately $800 million of the funding will be directed towards legal aid services, particularly those addressing gender-based violence, with the goal of improving pay and boosting resources.
In addition, the package will fund innovative methods to identify and respond to high-risk perpetrators, focusing on preventing violence escalation and tackling the harmful influence of industries like alcohol and gambling, which contribute to the problem.
Mr Albanese highlighted the need for cultural change to stop the cycle of violence, stating, “Often, these tragedies involve perpetrators who were exposed to violence in their own families. We must intervene to change that culture and make it unacceptable.”
However, tensions arose during the press conference when Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth expressed frustration with state delays in increasing family violence support staff. Queensland Premier Steven Miles responded by calling her comments “unhelpful,” emphasising that finding workers isn’t easy, saying states “can’t magic these workers up.”
This funding announcement follows the release of a rapid review by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Commissioner, which identified industries such as alcohol, gambling, and pornography as significant contributors to family violence. The federal government is continuing discussions on banning gambling advertising, while states and territories are reviewing existing alcohol laws.
Social media’s role in exacerbating violence was also discussed, with Mr Albanese hinting at imminent actions coordinated between states and territories.
The new deal builds upon the nearly $1 billion allocated in the federal budget for the Leaving Violence Program, which offers support packages up to $5,000 to assist victim-survivors in leaving dangerous situations.
This meeting in Canberra marked the second special session of National Cabinet focused on family violence, driven by several high-profile incidents that have shocked the nation. First Ministers reaffirmed that tackling the national crisis of gender-based violence will remain a priority for all governments.
First Ministers also signed a new Heads of Agreement for a National Access to Justice Partnership, ensuring a crucial $800 million increase in legal aid over five years, with ongoing funding from 1 July 2025.
A renewed five-year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic, and Sexual Violence Responses, totalling over $700 million, will begin on 1 July 2025. This agreement will allow states and territories greater flexibility to allocate funding according to local needs and will be accompanied by stronger transparency and accountability measures.
The package will fund:
Specialist services for women and children exposed to family, domestic, and sexual violence.
Men’s behaviour change programs aimed at preventing gendered violence.
Innovative strategies to better identify high-risk perpetrators, share information across systems, and intervene early to stop violence from escalating.
First Ministers also agreed to develop best practice family and domestic violence risk assessment principles and strengthen information sharing between family law courts, child protection agencies, police, and other entities to better track high-risk perpetrators.
State and territory leaders committed to reviewing alcohol laws to mitigate their impact on family violence, building on earlier federal commitments to address violent online pornography.
The Commonwealth will provide an additional $80 million to expand trauma-informed support for children and young people who have witnessed or experienced family violence, with a specific focus on First Nations children through culturally safe consultation.
Additionally, the government will commence an audit of key Commonwealth systems to ensure they are not being exploited by perpetrators of family violence.
This $4.7 billion package marks a significant step in the government’s effort to end gender-based violence in a generation, with a coordinated national approach required to address the complex factors contributing to the crisis.
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Dussehra is just around the corner and shoppers are busy buying a variety of items for their families and loved ones. Although the festival is in October, the sale of festive products has already begun. The Dussehra Exhibition in Granville, Sydney, on 28th September 2024, offers a unique experience where you can visit multiple stores, select your outfits and do your Puja shopping for the family. The exhibition will have clothes (from sarees to lehengas), shoes and jewellery all under one roof.
There will also be a collection of designer blouses. With a diverse and colourful collection of jewellery and ethnic wear, jutties and traditional footwear, souvenirs, wall hangings, and traditional arts, shoppers will find colourful options for adults as well as kids. According to the organiser of the exhibition, Urmi Talukdar, pocket-friendly prices make it a must-visit with friends.
“The shoes available here are both affordable and of good quality. So, don’t forget to visit the Dussehra Exhibition before Puja. Additionally, colourful and comfortable outfits for children and traditional Punjabi and dhoti for men are available. You can also enjoy delicious Puja foods like fuchka, chaat, sweets, traditional foods, fish chop, kachori alur dom, tea, Aam panna, and many more. Everything is available under one roof at the Dussehra Exhibition,” said Urmi.
The exhibition will also have a fashion show and live music by Ashutosh Jain and Tamal Chakraborty. The festival-themed fashion show will have local talented artists do a ramp walk to showcase the vendors’ products. Shoppers can see the products and buy them on the spot if they like them. Special attractions include face painting, outdoor play area, and a toy shop for kids. The entry is free for the event.
Ethnic Bazaar Australia is also launching its digital platform “e-Bazaar”. This online platform aims not only to sell ethnic products but also engage with consumers directly, build relationships and enable vendors’ businesses to reach more people 24/7 through online marketplaces.
If you are attending, you can register as a visitor to win a surprise gift.
For more information visit their website www.Ebazaar.au
Partnering with Untapped Talent, the AFP’s Genius Armory Program will provide hands-on experience and mentorship to four neurodivergent individuals over a six-month period. From a pool of 16 highly capable applicants, four were selected to join the program, including two who relocated from interstate to Canberra for this unique opportunity.
Participants, aged between 19 and 41, have diverse educational backgrounds ranging from high school graduates to those pursuing tertiary education. Having begun their pre-training in June 2024, they are now set to commence their work experience on 2 September 2024, embedded within the AFP’s Cyber Security and Risk Branch.
The Genius Armory trainees will gain vital exposure to the AFP’s cybersecurity efforts, including monitoring critical systems, responding to incidents, conducting threat intelligence, and assessing risks for both new and existing systems.
Image: AFP Genius Armory Program trainees (Source: AFP)
Mentorship is a cornerstone of the program. The trainees have been supported by members of the AFP’s Dandelion Program Team, a recruitment initiative tailored to neurodivergent individuals. Marcus Gellel, a Dandelion Program mentor, expressed gratitude for the chance to guide others through the same process he once experienced.
“It’s rewarding to help others navigate this journey, knowing that having a mentor can make the experience much smoother,” Gellel said.
Maggie O’Connell, another Dandelion Program mentor, reflected on the importance of support when she first started at the AFP. “Having someone guide me made a huge impact on my life. I’m honoured to now be able to offer that same support to others,” she shared.
Fellow mentor Ryan Gasnier echoed the sentiment, highlighting the significance of helping trainees acclimate to their new teams. “They are eager to begin formal training, and as their mentor, I’ll ensure they understand the AFP culture, giving them the confidence to thrive in the workforce,” Gasnier said.
AFP Chief Information Security Officer Jamie King emphasised the organisation’s commitment to diversifying its cyber talent pool and nurturing future cybersecurity professionals.
“The Genius Armory program provides neurodivergent individuals with the support and resources they need to explore careers with the AFP,” King said. “Many in the neurodivergent community have an excellent memory, attention to detail, and a natural curiosity – all attributes that are highly valued in the cybersecurity industry.”
King added that the AFP aims to help trainees enhance their cyber skills and knowledge, setting them up for future success in the field.
The Genius Armoury Training Platform is a collaborative project led by Untapped Talent, with support from AustCyber and the Department of Industry. The program is funded through the Australian Government’s Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund, underscoring a national effort to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in cybersecurity.
This initiative offers a unique pathway for neurodivergent individuals to develop their technical expertise and consider long-term careers in both cybersecurity and law enforcement.
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Each of these documents offer ten mutually reinforcing guardrails that set clear expectations for organisations across the AI supply chain. They are relevant for all organisations using AI, including internal systems aimed at boosting employee efficiency and externally-facing systems such as chatbots.
Most of the guardrails relate to things like accountability, transparency, record-keeping and making sure humans are overseeing AI systems in a meaningful way. They are aligned with emerging international standards such as the ISO standard for AI management and the European Union’s AI Act.
The proposals for mandatory requirements for high-risk AI – which are open to public submissions for the next month – recognise that AI systems are special in ways that limit the ability of existing laws to effectively prevent or mitigate a wide range of harms to Australians. While defining precisely what constitutes a high-risk setting is a core part of the consultation, the proposed principle-based approach would likely capture any systems that have a legal effect. Examples might include AI recruitment systems, systems that may limit human rights (including some facial recognition systems), and any systems that can cause physical harm, such as autonomous vehicles.
Well-designed guardrails will improve technology and make us all better off. On this front, the government should accelerate law reform efforts to clarify existing rules and improve both transparency and accountability in the market. At the same time, we don’t need to – nor should we – wait for the government to act.
The AI market is a mess
As it stands, the market for AI products and services is a mess. The central problem is that people don’t know how AI systems work, when they’re using them, and whether the output helps or hurts them.
Take, for example, a company that recently asked my advice on a generative AI service projected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. It was worried about falling behind competitors and having difficulty choosing between vendors.
Yet, in the first 15 minutes of discussion, the company revealed it had no reliable information around the potential benefit for the business, and no knowledge of existing generative AI use by its teams.
It’s important we get this right. If you believe even a fraction of the hype, AI represents a huge opportunity for Australia. Estimates referenced by the federal government suggest the economic boost from AI and automation could be up to A$600 billion every year by 2030. This would lift our GDP to 25% above 2023 levels.
But all of this is at risk. The evidence is in the alarmingly high failure rates of AI projects (above 80% by some estimates), an array of reckless rollouts, low levels of citizen trust and the prospect of thousands of Robodebt-esque crises across both industry and government.
The information asymmetry problem
A lack of skills and experience among decision-makers is undoubtedly part of the problem. But the rapid pace of innovation in AI is supercharging another challenge: information asymmetry.
Information asymmetry is a simple, Nobel prize-winning economic concept with serious implications for everyone. And it’s a particularly pernicious challenge when it comes to AI.
When buyers and sellers have uneven knowledge about a product or service, it doesn’t just mean one party gains at the other’s expense. It can lead to poor-quality goods dominating the market, and even the market failing entirely.
AI creates information asymmetries in spades. AI models are technical and complex, they are often embedded and hidden inside other systems, and they are increasingly being used to make important choices.
Balancing out these asymmetries should deeply concern all of us. Boards, executives and shareholders want AI investments to pay off. Consumers want systems that work in their interests. And we all want to enjoy the benefits of economic expansion while avoiding the very real harms AI systems can inflict if they fail, or if they are used maliciously or deployed inappropriately.
In the short term, at least, companies selling AI gain a real benefit from restricting information so they can do deals with naïve counterparties. Solving this problem will require more than upskilling. It means using a range of tools and incentives to gather and share accurate, timely and important information about AI systems.
This will help in two ways. First, it will help businesses to take a structured approach to understanding and governing their own use of AI systems, to ask useful questions to (and demand answers from) their technology partners, and to signal to the market that their AI use is trustworthy.
Second, as more and more businesses adopt the standard, Australian and international vendors and deployers will feel market pressure to ensure their products and services are fit for purpose. In turn, it will become cheaper and easier for all of us to know whether the AI system we’re buying, relying on or being judged by actually serves our needs.
Clearing a path
Australian consumers and businesses both want AI to be safe and responsible. But we urgently need to close the huge gap that exists between aspiration and practice.
The National AI Centre’s Responsible AI index shows that while 78% of organisations believed they were developing and deploying AI systems responsibly, only 29% of organisations were applying actual practices towards this end.
Safe and responsible AI is where good governance meets good business practice and human-centred technology. In the bigger picture, it’s also about ensuring that innovation thrives in a well-functioning market. On both these fronts, standards can help us clear a path through the clutter.
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In both individual and collective life, there come moments that demand reflection, reassessment, and the re-evaluation of past actions, traditions, and philosophies, opening new avenues for civilisational progress. This moment of ‘natality’ or ‘newness’ requires a visionary blueprint that is inclusive and progressive, benefiting society and the nation.
Unlike the Western notion of modernity, the Indian tradition of ‘newness’ embraces the idea of renewal and rejuvenation. This tradition values continuity rather than rupture, advocating for the reinvention of civilisational ethos and cultural practices. This ongoing re-visioning of values, laws, philosophies, and other aspects of life is essential to ensure that societal structures align with the material development and progress of the times. This alignment paves the way for the seamless progress of both individuals and communities, minimising friction and attrition.
The role of philosophers becomes particularly significant in this context. The etymological root of the word ‘philosophy’ means ‘love of wisdom.’ Wisdom, rather than mere knowledge acquisition, has been the cornerstone of our great Indian civilisation. Where knowledge may falter, wisdom prevails. This article explores one such philosopher of our times, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who connected education with the cultivation of wisdom. For Dr Radhakrishnan, the purpose of education was to teach that life has meaning and to awaken the innate ability to live a soulful life through the development of wisdom.
Image: Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Born on 5 September 1888 in Tiruttani (now Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh), Madras Presidency, during British colonial rule, Dr Radhakrishnan passed away on 17 April 1975 in Madras (now Chennai), leaving behind a rich legacy. He etched his profound wisdom into the hearts and minds of countless Indians.
It is no surprise that Dr Radhakrishnan’s academic rise is closely linked to his philosophical roots. He was deeply inspired by the teachings of ancient Indian philosophers and drew inspiration from great thinkers like Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He was also well-versed in Western traditions and thoughts, which enabled him to build a bridge between these seemingly opposing traditions.
Dr Radhakrishnan’s philosophical convictions aligned well with his administrative abilities, helping him expand the reach of Indian culture abroad. As Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and later as Ambassador to the Soviet Union, Dr Radhakrishnan demonstrated deep allegiance to India’s cultural ethos, using these opportunities to promote its values and civilisational frameworks.
During the height of the Cold War, Dr Radhakrishnan served as India’s ambassador to the Soviet Union, yet he maintained friendships with American statesmen. Widely popular in the West, Dr Radhakrishnan was viewed as an authority on Indian ideas and a persuasive interpreter of the role of Eastern institutions in contemporary society. He was arguably the first to bring India closer to both the Soviets and Americans simultaneously.
In terms of religion, Dr Radhakrishnan highlighted how Hinduism reformed itself in response to the religions introduced by foreign rulers. He advocated that Hinduism should abandon imperfect conceptions and democratise its institutions to eliminate prejudice and inequality. Dr Radhakrishnan played a key role in transforming Indian education, with subsequent education models and policies built on the foundation he laid.
Dr Radhakrishnan believed that education should be both ‘men-making’ and ‘society-making.’ He argued that education should not be limited to acquiring facts and knowledge but should aim to achieve wisdom and truth. Critics who label him a traditionalist must recognise that Dr Radhakrishnan was ahead of his time.
In his report to the University Education Commission (1948-1949), Dr Radhakrishnan recommended teaching through discussion and learning by doing as complements to textbook education. He also noted in the same report,
“No society can progress satisfactorily with the backwardness of women. If women are uneducated, the society will remain uneducated.”
For Dr Radhakrishnan, education was a tool to strengthen the cultural structures of society and to introduce new ideas and pathways for the material and spiritual progress of all its members. His writings, when revisited today, align closely with the current National Education Policy (2020).
Image: Madapati with Dr S. Radhakrishnan 9Source: Wikipedia)
In 1962, when Dr Radhakrishnan was elected President of India, a group of students requested to celebrate his birthday. He advised them to observe it as Teachers’ Day instead. Thus, 5 September began to be observed as Teachers’ Day, recognising the invaluable contributions of teachers to society.
Moreover, Dr Radhakrishnan’s idea of blending Western and Eastern methods, particularly his advancement of the Socratic method in education, was based on the belief that such an approach would foster a vast pool of critical thinkers. He insisted on strengthening national philosophy by empowering students to grasp the spirit of the country, thereby enabling them to empower society.
Dr Radhakrishnan’s ideas on education are arguably what the country needs today, and the fact that they resonate with key aspects of the National Education Policy underscores the vitality of his philosophical thought. It is fitting that he was awarded the Bharat Ratna for his invaluable and immeasurable contribution to Indian culture and education.
While there has been criticism against Dr Radhakrishnan—regarding his views on social institutions, his educational philosophy, and his interpretations of India’s spiritual canons—no one can deny that he was a unifier, not a divider. Dr Radhakrishnan’s writings champion unity, peace, democracy, and learning for all. It is heartening to see that India continues to commemorate his birthday as Teachers’ Day every year.
Contributing Author: K. Sreenivasarao is Secretary of Sahitya Akademi, National Academy of Letters, India.
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Image: Australian Volunteers Program (Source: AusAid website)
By Anthony Fee
Attitudes towards the Australian government’s foreign aid spending have always fluctuated. Yet most Australians support the idea of aid, especially within the Asia-Pacific region, and this support is fortified by a genuine commitment to Australia’s being a good humanitarian neighbour, not just to aid that serves Australia’s national interests. At the same time, the cost-effectiveness of aid spending relative to other priorities remains important to both taxpayers and policymakers.
Given this, it seems important to be able to recognise the full gamut of contributions that our aid funding makes, including in situations where benefits may fall outside the narrow window of pre-defined program goals or might manifest in unexpected ways.
This might be the case for the Australian Volunteers Program, funded from Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. The program supports highly skilled Australian volunteers to work in development-focused positions in partner organisations in 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Over the past five years, I’ve led a longitudinal research project, funded by the Australian Volunteers Program, tracking a cohort of 50 Australian volunteers. While the study’s main focus is the personal and professional impacts on the volunteers themselves (one of the three objectives of the volunteers program), our regular interviews with volunteers about their experiences during and after volunteering have unearthed surprising evidence of hidden development contributions that volunteers make. I say “hidden” because these contributions accrue outside volunteers’ formal roles and assignment objectives, and so are not fully captured by the regular monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities that programs like this typically undertake.
Image: Australian Volunteers Program (Source: AusAid website)
The study identified three common types of contribution.
First, there is evidence of discretionary in-country volunteering during the volunteer assignment.
Although all the volunteers have position descriptions defining their volunteering roles, our study unveiled the vast, informal “discretionary” contributions that volunteers make during their assignments that go well beyond their formal volunteer roles. These include:
through their networks and other sources, helping partner organisations to access equipment, broadband or mobile data access, reference materials, subscriptions and other resources (including funding and supplies during crises)
connecting partner organisations with professionals, associations and organisations in Australia and elsewhere that provide access to information, projects, funding or knowledge exchanges
applying their expertise to “after hours” voluntary activities for the partner organisation or for other community groups, such as schools, libraries and local NGOs, or for individuals and families they meet (examples include conducting evening lessons, coaching weekend sports teams, mentoring managers and board members, offering pro-bono counselling or consulting, developing business plans, and creating or managing websites)
facilitating opportunities for their accompanying partners to volunteer with local community groups that can take advantage of the partners’ interests and skills (examples include helping to run a stray dog shelter, instigating and leading a women’s community sewing group, and overseeing the installation and operation of an upgraded IT system for a local school).
Second, volunteers provide ongoing informal support for partner organisations after the assignment.
Image: Australian Volunteers Program (Source: AusAid website)
For the 50 participants in the longitudinal study, this amounted to a total of approximately 70 months of additional, continuous informal support and advice in the first 12 months following their assignments – equivalent to about six weeks for each partner organisation. The type and extent of support varied greatly. Some was relatively minor, like ad-hoc assistance writing grant applications, while other support was much more comprehensive – for instance, regular online mentoring for managers and specialists involving several hours per week. With a few notable exceptions, this support has dissipated in intensity over time as partner organisations shift to new projects and volunteers continue their careers elsewhere. Nonetheless, even several years after the assignment ends, most partner organisations that reach out to former volunteers for support continue to receive assistance, and so continue to benefit from the volunteer’s expertise beyond the assignment’s duration.
Third, volunteers make the transition to subsequent “prosocial” jobs. This hidden impact comes from the professional decisions volunteers make after their assignment – decisions that build on the contacts, experiences and inspirations that grew out of their time as volunteers.
Within three years of finishing their assignments, one in four of the volunteers in our study had changed their careers to work in roles, organisations or sectors that were tangibly more prosocial – that is, providing better opportunities to use their expertise to help people, society or the environment. These included some volunteers who entered the program hoping their assignment would be a stepping-stone to a career change, as well as others whose assignments inspired these changes quite unexpectedly. One volunteer, for instance, made the shift from corporate consulting (pre-volunteering) to advising large-scale government projects on sustainability issues. A former business owner and engineer now sits on the board of an international NGO. Another volunteer who was dissatisfied with their previous job as a project coordinator now conducts field work in disease control with an intergovernmental agency. A former government program administrator now manages international human rights programs.
Not all these career changes are international or development-focused. Not all have been smooth (or well remunerated) transitions. Importantly, however, the positive social and environmental impacts of these new roles – like the ongoing support given to partner organisations – continue well after volunteers leave the host country. Common to all these activities is that, even though they may be largely invisible to policy makers, their impacts are indirect manifestations of Australia’s ODA. Being nurtured, as most of these activities are, through genuine goodwill between volunteers and colleagues and friends in host countries, they might represent some of the strongest “long-tail” impacts that Australia’s ODA funding makes and that are not often accounted for. Collectively, they point to more wide-ranging and residual benefits than might currently be recognised, and that might only be picked up through exploratory research processes like our study, which focuses on a variety of volunteer experiences and on unplanned, not just planned, outcomes.
While some might argue that such hidden benefits are likely to confined to volunteer programs, it seems feasible that similar hidden contributions exist throughout a range of ODA programs connecting Australians with host communities in the region. Pertinently, these findings highlight the incomplete picture presented when aid impact evaluations are confined to predetermined objectives and fixed project lifespans. They suggest that efforts to identify, monitor, and nurture these largely below-the-radar contributions can broaden how programs conceptualise the range of contributions they make within a wider development ecosystem.
Contributing Author: Dr Anthony Fee is a Senior Lecturer in the Business School at University of Technology Sydney.
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A Bhagavad Gita – Subhashitam chanting competition was organised recently by the Sydney Sanskrit School.
Organised a day before Janmashtami (Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Bhagwan Krishna), Sydney Sanskrit school students welcomed Sri Krishna with verses from His own Divine Song, the Bhagavad Gita.
Shlokas 1-15 from Chapter 3 as well as a few subhashitams were chosen for this year’s competition. A total of 148 children registered to participate and they were divided into groups based on their age.
The programme received Janmashtami blessings from Sri Srinivasan Varanasi from the Australian Chapter of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha Seva Samiti. The event began with prayers by the teachers and lighting of the lamp followed by a welcome to several eminent guests including Founder President, Association of Haryanvis in Australia, Sewa Singh, Director, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre Sydney, Niyati Mehta, President, Hindu Council of Australia, Sai Paravastu and Vijay Singhal from Hindu Council of Australia.
The participants were divided into separate groups and the competition was held in 0- 4 stages. Stage 0 and 1 had the youngest ones paricipating with Sudha Prasad and Mangala Kumsi as the judges.
Stage 2 had the maximum number of participants with Bhanu Chotera, Gayatri Madali and Nikhila Kiran as judges. Stages 3 and 4 included children aged 11 and over and had to chant as well as explain the Gita shlokas. The judges for these stages were Amita Bhatt, Lakshmi Alavandi and Shobhanjali. As always, the children performed beautifully, making the judges’ job all the more gruelling.
Congregating back for the valedictory function, the crowd witnessed a melodious Ganesha Vandana and sang along a bhajan as the Krishna pooja was being performed.
The visit, which took place from 18 to 29 August, was timed to coincide with National Child Protection Week 2024. The AFP highlighted the visit to underscore the importance of its international partnerships in tackling online child predators.
Image: NCPW 2024 – Sri Lankan visit (Source: AFP)
SLP Women and Children’s Bureau Deputy Inspector General Renuka Jayasundara and Officer-in-Charge Kandeepan Sirivaraj, both key figures in Sri Lanka’s newly-formed child exploitation team, participated in the program. Their visit was funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Australia Awards in South Asia and Mongolia program.
During their time at the AFP-led ACCCE, the SLP officers met with investigators, intelligence specialists from the Intelligence Fusion Cell, victim identification experts, and members of the Operations Development and Disruption Unit. These interactions provided valuable insights into how Australia combats online child exploitation and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in these efforts.
The delegation also engaged with members of QLD JACET to understand the critical role of peer-to-peer databases in tracking and disrupting the spread of child abuse material in the region.
Image: NCPW 2024 – Sri Lankan visit (Source: AFP)
AFP Commander Helen Schneider emphasised the significance of global partnerships in addressing online child abuse. “Online child abuse is a borderless crime with offenders and victims in countries around the world. It is vital for the AFP to collaborate with international partners to tackle this issue,” she said.
“The AFP-led ACCCE is a centre of excellence, bringing together specialist expertise from across the globe. Any assistance or knowledge we can share with partners like the SLP enhances the safety of children not just in Sri Lanka but also in Australia and globally.”
SLP Deputy Inspector General Renuka Jayasundara described the visit as invaluable, offering a broad exposure to global strategies for combatting child exploitation. “The experience has underscored the importance of collaboration among key stakeholders. As police, we cannot do it alone. Observing the work of JACET in an operational setting has provided us with critical insights to further develop our capabilities in protecting children,” she said.
AFP Senior Officer for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Matthew Innes, highlighted the visit as a testament to the strong relationship between the AFP and the SLP. “Our involvement with the development of the Women and Children’s Command is a reflection of the ongoing and productive partnership we have with the SLP,” he said.
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Image: Treasurer Jim Chalmers addressing global investors at an event organised by Citi Group (Source: X)
By Stephen Bartos
The latest national accounts show the Australian economy is struggling. It’s what you would expect after the sharpest series of interest rate rises on record, and is more or less what the Reserve Bank was trying to achieve to bring down inflation.
Australia’s gross domestic product grew just 0.2% in the three months to June, after growing 0.2% in the previous three months (upgraded from an earlier estimate of 0.1%) and 0.2% the three months before that.
So low is the run of low growth that the economy grew just 1% over the year to June. That’s the lowest annual growth outside of a recession since the mid-1980s.
We are not in recession as commonly defined: two consecutive quarters of negative growth. Nor are we in the broader definition of a recession favoured by the Reserve Bank, one accompanied by a significant increase in unemployment.
That is actually one of the positives at present – unemployment remains low. Nevertheless, it feels like a recession for many Australians.
GDP per capita has been falling for six consecutive quarters. This means this measure of living standards has been falling for 18 months – a record since the Bureau of Statistics began publishing GDP per capita in the early 1970s.
Were it not for population growth, GDP would be going backwards. Population growth has been keeping the economy afloat.
Australians who oppose immigration might want to reflect on whether they would prefer a recession.
Public sector spending has also been shoring up the economy. It contributed 0.4 percentage points to the quarterly economic growth figure of 0.2%, meaning that without it the economy would have also gone backwards.
In the words of Treasurer Jim Chalmers at the national accounts press conference:
Without growth in government spending, there would have been no growth in the economy at all.
Chalmers said the weak growth figure
vindicates the approach we took in the budget and frankly torpedoes a lot of the free advice we got at budget time to cut harder and harsher.
Chalmers conceded that cutting government spending rather than expanding spending in the May budget would have brought inflation down faster, but said he wanted to do it in a way that didn’t “smash people or weaken an economy which is already very soft and subdued”.
Inflation is coming down, although the Reserve Bank says it is not yet confident it is moving sustainably towards its target range.
My assessment is that to make much of a difference to that trajectory the government would need to cut spending by billions of dollars, enough to bring on a recession. For obvious reasons, the government does not want that.
Consumer spending is very weak. Household spending per capita has declined for five out of the past six quarters.
In part, this is because of mortgage rate increases and also because wage growth has been unusually weak relative to price growth, cutting the amount households have to spend.
Australia is hostage to overseas events. Weakness in the Chinese building industry is reducing demand for Australian iron ore and other exports, which has a flow-on effect on how our economy performs.
These are things about which we can do precisely nothing.
China’s population has been shrinking for two years now. It’s a good thing for the global environment, but means we are less likely to see the sustained and very high rates of Chinese housing construction that buoyed demand for Australian iron ore and other commodities in previous decades.
The terms-of-trade figures in the national accounts show the price Australia receives for what it sells overseas has been shrinking relative to the price it pays for what it buys from overseas for the past two quarters.
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You head to the register at the cafe to pay for your lunch, swipe your card and suddenly realise you’ve been hit with an extra small but unexpected charge.
It might be listed on your receipt as a service or merchant fee, but either way it’s because you’ve used a credit or debit card.
With the pandemic accelerating the use of cards instead of cash – only 13% of Australians use cash, dropping from 27% in the last five years – these extra charges have become mainstream.
However, as was highlighted by National Australia Bank chief executive Andrew Irvine during a parliamentary inquiry into bank charges last week, they are often applied, in varying amounts, by businesses for reasons not always in line with their original purpose.
Irvine slammed as “outrageous” a 10% surcharge he was forced to pay when he recently bought a cup of coffee at a Sydney cafe. “I don’t like the lack of transparency and lack of consistency,” he said.
But most Australians are making these extra payments every day, without question. So how did this end up happening – and what can you do about it?
Card surcharges in Australia
At the start of this century, payments for goods and services were mainly made by cash, paper cheques, credit and debit cards.
The first two of these options would eventually be deposited into a bank account by the merchant who ran the business. The latter two would be processed by the bank or financial institution which would charge the business a merchant service fee.
For debit cards this might be a fixed fee. But for credit cards it would be proportionate with the value of the goods or services.
The Reserve Bank of Australia became concerned the use of credit cards was greater than that of debit cards and introduced surcharging in January 2003. The intention was to lower the cost to the merchant of accepting debit cards and change customer behaviour.
This has been achieved, as both the volume and value of paying by debit cards now exceed the volume and value of paying by credit cards.
However, the reality in 2024 is that card surcharges have become commonplace and in a wide variety of payment situations.
MARCHANT FEE OR SURCHARGE; Image Source- CANVA
It’s estimated to cost us billions
It is difficult to calculate the total cost of surcharging to Australian consumers since they became legal more than 20 years ago because the rates charged vary widely.
But at last week’s inquiry, Labor MP Jeremy Laxale suggested it added up to A$4 billion in the last year.
Surcharges can be imposed by small to medium enterprises such as your local cafe, doctor’s surgery, your energy supplier, or when you use a card to pay your council rates.
As an example, my rates are payable by card, with a surcharge of 1.10% for Mastercard and Visa credit, and 0.55% for eftpos and Mastercard and Visa debit cards.
When surcharges can be applied
Many merchants charge the same rate for all their card payments and some fail to alert customers to the extra fee before accepting the payment at their terminal, which they are required to do.
Indeed, even on a receipt for payment, the surcharge can be described by the merchant as a “handling” or “merchant” fee.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regulates surcharging and demands the merchant prove a surcharge is justified.
Furthermore, the ACCC says if there is no way for a consumer to pay without paying a surcharge – that is, they can’t pay by cash or cheque – then the business must include the surcharge in the displayed price.
Penalties for misuse
The ACCC can take merchants to court to enforce these regulations and there have been some examples of this in recent history.
The ACCC specifies that the surcharge must not be more than it costs the merchant to use that payment type.
As guidance to the merchants, it also offers the average costs for different payment types: eftpos less than 0.5%, Mastercard and Visa Debit 0.5%–1% and Mastercard and Visa credit 1%–1.5%.
However, despite the ACCC setting guidelines for the amounts that can be charged, many surcharges are above this guidance and in some cases more than 2.0% for all cards.
Some merchants do charge different surcharging rates, depending on the cards they accept, be it eftpos, Mastercard or Visa. In theory, the surcharge rate is meant to be determined by the merchant service fee, which is negotiated between the merchant and their bank.
Larger merchants, such as the supermarkets, department stores and energy companies, can negotiate low rates (reportedly as low as one cent a transaction). But smaller merchants with less negotiating clout will have higher service fees.
The arrival of new payment players, such as Square and Stripe, has offered businesses an alternative banker of card payments, which can then use surcharging as part of their merchant service fees.
Surcharging overseas
The European Union already has a long-standing ban on surcharging, while in the United States, surcharging is illegal in some states.
Other countries, including the United Kingdom, have tried surcharging on card payments, only to abandon them as it was rorted by some merchants and became an unnecessary expense for consumers.
A statement released by the UK Treasury when it banned the practice in 2018 described surcharges as
Hidden charges for paying with a debit or credit card, which will help millions of UK consumers to avoid rip-off fees when spending their hard earned money.
What can you do about it?
Before surcharging was allowed by the Reserve Bank in January 2003, acceptance by merchants of payments was just another cost of doing business. And it seems many consumers have just accepted surcharges as part of their transactions.
There are ways to avoid them, the most obvious being to use cash. Using eftpos involves charges, but they are less than those imposed on credit and debit cards.
The Reserve Bank is working on implementing a so-called “least-cost routing” system that defaults to the lowest cost network when processing payments. Unfortunately, this is yet to be widely adopted by businesses.
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It is reported that Ranjit, along with his nephew Baljinder Singh alias Gulli, allegedly killed the 78-year-old man in the Dakha area of Ludhiana district in India’s Punjab state, and then dumped his body in roadside bushes.
The woman, Ms Kaur (name withheld to protect her identity), who lives in Melbourne, revealed that she met Ranjit through TikTok earlier this year, and they became friends.
Ranjit came to Australia in March 2024 to meet Ms Kaur and they started to catch up frequently, claimed Punjab Police. However soon he began pressuring her to divorce her husband and marry him. According to Ms Kaur, Ranjit allegedly threatened to kill her and her family in Punjab if she did not do so, reported Indian media.
After causing a scene outside her home in a Western suburb of Melbourne while intoxicated, Ms Kaur filed a complaint with the Victoria Police, leading to Ranjit’s deportation in June 2024.
He allegedly flew back to Australia in August 2024 but was deported from the Melbourne airport itself.
The incident came to light after Ms Kaur’s brother, Vikram Saggar, lodged a missing person report at the Dugri police station when his father, Ravinder Singh Paul, did not return home.
Image: Ravinder Singh Paul, the deceased (Source: IE)
The victim’s body was later found on the morning of August 29 and identified at Civil Hospital. The FIR was registered at Mullanpur Dakha police station based on Vikram’s statement.
According to the FIR, on the night of August 25, Ranjit and Gulli went to the victim’s home in Dugri, where they strangled him and inflicted other injuries before disposing of his body in the bushes along GT Road at Pandori village.
Ranjit then allegedly sent a WhatsApp message to Ms Kaur, confessing to the crime and providing the location of the body.
Inspector Kulwinder Singh, SHO at Mullanpur Dakha police station, confirmed to the local media that Gulli has been arrested and has confessed to the murder. However, Ranjit remains at large, and a manhunt is underway to apprehend him.
The police have registered an FIR under sections 103 (1) (murder) and 3(5) (conspiracy to commit murder) of the BNS Act.
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The script of human life is written in time. Each passing moment is the crude telling of our loss or gain. It is also the story of our speed of progress, in which only transactions matter. The starting point of this inquiry is the way we seem to have forgotten that what matters, in this thing called life, are interactions and engagements; to see life only through the lens of growth and pleasure may jeopardize others’ life stories, even one’s own self.
For if life may teach us anything, it is the profound understanding that life is a cycle of probation; that we strive for permanence in it is another matter. The irony is that this now is hardly lived, because the future haunts and tempts us, while the past is mostly buried.
One may add that the past shapes the present and the future borrows from it, and in this continuum, the liveability of the present is lost or erased. So, where is this lost moment of our present? How one lives this moment, this now, this life defines our entire life of probation!
Just like a puddle of water that flows onto the ground only to be absorbed by it, in the same way, the moments of our probationary life are absorbed by that unlived certainty or permanence we aspire to, just for ourselves. That unarrived moment remains a myth; in our pedantic search for it, we also lose the sense of our present moment and, in so doing, imperil others’ lives as well.
Permanence is a hoax, an impending moment that never arrives, yet we all crave it, try to rationalize it, and be optimistic about it. In fact, our degree of optimism can reach that level where one can rationalize numbers and data about growth by making everything and anything disposable. The rhetoric of optimism knows well how to maintain the balance sheet of life and disposability; it calculates every single moment in terms of loss and profit, oblivious of the fact that this life is like an aperture that may close at any time.
If our experiences keep changing our forms, even our appearances, then how can the aperture remain a single point of absorption and endless growth? After all, even the way we appear, think, and behave may never have any converging point, so much to expose the prolonged condescending voices of optimism. Macbeth realized this long back when he said,
“Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player.”
Isn’t it true that the illusion of a bright tomorrow has and continues to fool many of us, so that, as Macbeth would put it,
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day?”
Tomorrow is a scale, and its acme tip keeps moving upwards, leaving the past and present in a feeble state.
In other words, the strength of the present keeps nourishing the prospects of that unsecular future. It is unsecular because it is always already foreclosed, safeguarded as it is by institutional mechanisms. Also, it is unsecular because the present moment of many is borrowed to build a future castle for a select few.
Proponents may argue that no loss is permanent, but then one may also counter-argue that nothing is permanent in this life, and, therefore, one needs the present moment to be nourished and cherished for as many as possible. As Gabrielle Zevin’s character Alabaster avers,
“And what is love, in the end? [. . .] Except the irrational desire to put evolutionary competitiveness aside in order to ease someone else’s journey through life?”
In the tapestry of this probationary life, the only pervasive thing to be desired and encouraged is love. While growth is based on scarcity and betterment and hence future-oriented, in this present moment love is the only available thing that one can have. In this limited time that we have, love is the singular source of fulfilment of that sublime joy, which cannot be experienced in economic transactions and iterations.
For many of us, there may not be enough future, but certainly, there is this present moment that can be invested with love and care to make our lives more secular. The purpose of our life can hardly be found in that celebrated future because there is no future; it keeps evading and shifting like a mirage, or, like that momentary ripple in water when someone throws a stone at it. There is only this now, this present moment, which we can live and feel. This fact is convincingly demonstrated by the intellectual fortitude of the great Sanskrit poet, Kalidas, who summed up human agony thus:
Look to this day: For it is life the very life of life…
… And today well-lived, makes Yesterday a dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day.
It is in this moment, therefore, that one has to live, because it is in this very moment that one breathes. The question of growth is equally a question of how one breathes. Just as growth without any pattern or rhythm is detrimental, in the same way, breathing also requires a rhythmic pattern.
Contributing Author: OM PRAKASH DWIVEDI is Dean, School of Liberal Arts, Bennett University, India.
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Image Souce; Publicity Handout and Historical Images
By Kanchan Gupta
Mr Gupta says in an X post, I was in the (Indian) Prime Minister’s Office as OSD to PM AB Vajpayee and member of the National Security Advisory Board (working closely with NSA Brajesh Mishra) when the hijacking of IC814 happened. I had a front-row view of the events linked to the hijacking and its resolution. Here is what happened. Anything else is fiction. Certain details that impact national security have not been mentioned.”
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There have been innumerable communal riots in India, nearly all of them in States ruled by the Congress at the time of the violence, yet everybody loves to pretend that blood was shed in the name of religion for the first time in Gujarat in 2002 and that the BJP Government headed by Mr Narendra Modi must bear the burden of the cross.
Similarly, nobody remembers the various incidents of Indian Airlines aircraft being hijacked when the Congress was in power at the Centre, the deals that were struck to rescue the hostages, and the compromises that were made at the expense of India’s dignity and honour. But everybody remembers the hijacking of IC 814 and nearly a decade after the incident, many people still hold the BJP-led NDA Government responsible for the ‘shameful’ denouement.
The Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to New Delhi, designated IC 814, with 178 passengers and 11 crew members on board, was hijacked on Christmas Eve, 1999, a short while after it took off from Tribhuvan International Airport; by then, the aircraft had entered Indian airspace. Nine years later to the day, with an entire generation coming of age, it would be in order to recall some facts and place others on record.
In 1999 I was serving as an aide to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the PMO, and I still have vivid memories of the tumultuous week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Mr Vajpayee had gone out of Delhi on an official tour; I had accompanied him along with other officials of the PMO. The hijacking of IC 814 occurred while we were returning to Delhi in one of the two Indian Air Force Boeings which, in those days, were used by the Prime Minister for travel within the country.
Curiously, the initial information about IC 814 being hijacked, of which the IAF was believed to have been aware, was not communicated to the pilot of the Prime Minister’s aircraft. As a result, Mr Vajpayee and his aides remained unaware of the hijacking till reaching Delhi. This caused some amount of controversy later.
It was not possible for anybody else to have contacted us while we were in midair. It’s strange but true that the Prime Minister of India would be incommunicado while on a flight because neither the ageing IAF Boeings nor the Air India Jumbos, used for official travel abroad (in those days), had satellite phone facilities.
By the time our aircraft landed in Delhi, it was around 7:00 pm, a full hour and 40 minutes since the hijacking of IC 814. After disembarking from the aircraft in the VIP bay of Palam Technical Area, we were surprised to find National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra waiting at the foot of the ladder. He led Mr Vajpayee aside and gave him the news. They got into the Prime Minister’s car and it sped out of the Technical Area. Some of us followed Mr. Vajpayee to Race Course Road, as was the normal routine.
On our way to the Prime Minister’s residence, colleagues in the PMO provided us with the basic details. The Kathmandu-Delhi flight had been commandeered by five hijackers (later identified as Ibrahim Athar, resident of Bahawalpur, Shahid Akhtar Sayed, Gulshan Iqbal, resident of Karachi, Sunny Ahmed Qazi, resident of Defence Area, Karachi, Mistri Zahoor Ibrahim, resident of Akhtar Colony, Karachi, and Shakir, resident of Sukkur City) at 5:20 pm; there were 189 passengers and crew members on board; and that the aircraft was heading towards Lahore.
At the Prime Minister’s residence, senior Ministers and Secretaries had already been summoned for an emergency meeting. Mr Mishra left for the crisis control room that had been set up at Rajiv Bhavan. In between meetings, Mr Vajpayee instructed his personal staff to cancel all celebrations planned for December 25, his birthday. The Cabinet Committee on Security met late into the night as our long vigil began.
Meanwhile, we were informed that the pilot of IC 814 had been denied permission to land at Lahore airport. With fuel running low, he was heading for Amritsar. Officials at Raja Sansi Airport were immediately alerted and told to prevent the plane from taking off after it had landed there.
The hijacked plane landed at Amritsar and remained parked on the tarmac for nearly 45 minutes. The hijackers demanded that the aircraft be refuelled. The airport officials ran around like so many headless chickens, totally clueless about what was to be done in a crisis situation.
Desperate calls were made to the officials at Raja Sansi Airport to somehow stall the refuelling and prevent the plane from taking off. The officials just failed to respond with alacrity. At one point, an exasperated Jaswant Singh, if memory serves me right, grabbed the phone and pleaded with an official, “Just drive a heavy vehicle, a fuel truck or a road roller or whatever you have, onto the runway and park it there.” But all this was to no avail.
The National Security Guards, whose job it is to deal with hostage situations, were alerted immediately after news first came in of IC 814 being hijacked; they were reportedly asked to stand by for any emergency. The Home Ministry was again alerted when it became obvious that after being denied permission to land at Lahore, the pilot was heading towards Amritsar.
Yet, despite IC 814 remaining parked at Amritsar for three-quarters of an hour, the NSG commandos failed to reach the aircraft. There are two versions as to why the NSG didn’t show up: First, they were waiting for an aircraft to ferry them from Delhi to Amritsar; second, they were caught in a traffic jam between Manesar and Delhi airport. The real story was never known!
The hijackers, anticipating commando action, first stabbed a passenger, Rupin Katyal (he had gone to Kathmandu with his newly wedded wife for their honeymoon; had they not extended their stay by a couple of days, they wouldn’t have been on the ill-fated flight) to show that they meant business, and then forced the pilot to take off from Amritsar. With almost empty fuel tanks, the pilot had no other option but to make another attempt to land at Lahore airport. Once again he was denied permission and all the lights, including those on the runway, were switched off. He nonetheless went ahead and landed at Lahore airport, showing remarkable skill and courage.
Mr Jaswant Singh spoke to the Pakistani Foreign Minister and pleaded with him to prevent the aircraft from taking off again. But the Pakistanis would have nothing of it (they wanted to distance themselves from the hijacking so that they could claim later that there was no Pakistan connection) and wanted IC 814 off their soil and out of their airspace as soon as possible. So, they refuelled the aircraft after which the hijackers forced the pilot to head for Dubai.
At Dubai, too, officials were reluctant to allow the aircraft to land. It required all the persuasive skills of Mr Jaswant Singh and our then Ambassador to UAE, Mr KC Singh, to secure landing permission. There was some negotiation with the hijackers through UAE officials and they allowed 13 women and 11 children to disembark. Rupin Katyal had by then bled to death. His body was offloaded. His widow remained a hostage till the end.
On the morning of December 25, the aircraft left Dubai and headed towards Afghanistan. It landed at Kandahar Airport, which had one serviceable runway, a sort of ATC and a couple of shanties. The rest of the airport was in a shambles, without power and water supply, a trophy commemorating the Taliban’s rule.
On Christmas Eve, after news of the hijacking broke, there was stunned all-round silence. But by noon on December 25, orchestrated protests outside the Prime Minister’s residence began, with women beating their chests and tearing their clothes. The crowd swelled by the hour as the day progressed.
Ms Brinda Karat came to commiserate with the relatives of the hostages who were camping outside the main gate of 7, Race Course Road. In fact, she became a regular visitor over the next few days. There was a steady clamour that the Government should pay any price to bring the hostages back home, safe and sound. This continued till December 30.
One evening, the Prime Minister asked his staff to let the families come in so that they could be told about the Government’s efforts to secure the hostages’ release. By then negotiations had begun and Mullah Omar had got into the act through his ‘Foreign Minister’, Muttavakil. The hijackers wanted 36 terrorists, held in various Indian jails, to be freed or else they would blow up the aircraft with the hostages.
No senior Minister in the CCS was willing to meet the families. Mr Jaswant Singh volunteered to do so. He asked me to accompany him to the canopy under which the families had gathered. Once there, we were literally mobbed. He tried to explain the situation but was shouted down.
“We want our relatives back. What difference does it make to us what you have to give the hijackers?” a man shouted. “We don’t care if you have to give away Kashmir,” a woman screamed and others took up the refrain, chanting: “Kashmir de do, kuchh bhi de do, hamare logon ko ghar wapas lao.” Another woman sobbed, “Mera beta… hai mera beta…” and made a great show of fainting of grief.
To his credit, Mr Jaswant Singh made bold to suggest that the Government had to keep the nation’s interest in mind, that we could not be seen to be giving in to the hijackers, or words to that effect, in chaste Hindi. That fetched him abuse and rebuke. “Bhaand me jaaye desh aur bhaand me jaaye desh ka hit. (To hell with the country and national interest),” many in the crowd shouted back. Stumped by the response, Mr Jaswant Singh could merely promise that the Government would do everything possible.
I do not remember the exact date, but sometime during the crisis, Mr Jaswant Singh was asked to hold a Press conference to brief the media. While the briefing was on at the Press Information Bureau hall in Shastri Bhavan, some families of the hostages barged in and started shouting slogans. They were led by one Sanjiv Chibber, who, I was later told, was a ‘noted surgeon’: He claimed six of his relatives were among the hostages.
Dr Chibber wanted all 36 terrorists named by the hijackers to be released immediately. He reminded everybody in the hall that in the past terrorists had been released from prison to secure the freedom of Ms Rubayya Sayeed, daughter of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, while he was Home Minister in VP Singh’s Government.
“Why can’t you release the terrorists now when our relatives are being held hostage?” he demanded.
And then we heard the familiar refrain: “Give away Kashmir, give them anything they want, we don’t give a damn.”
On another evening, there was a surprise visitor at the PMO: The widow of Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, whose plane was shot down during the Kargil war. She insisted that she should be taken to meet the relatives of the hostages. At Race Course Road, she spoke to media persons and the hostages’ relatives, explaining why India must not be seen giving in to the hijackers, that it was a question of national honour, and gave her own example of fortitude in the face of adversity.
“She has become a widow, now she wants others to become widows. Who is she to lecture us? Yeh kahan se aayi?” someone shouted from the crowd. Others heckled her. The young widow stood her ground, displaying great dignity and courage. As the mood turned increasingly ugly, she had to be led away. Similar appeals were made by others who had lost their sons, husbands and fathers in the Kargil war that summer. Col Virendra Thapar, whose son Lt Vijayant Thapar was martyred in the war, made a fervent appeal for people to stand united against the hijackers. It fell on deaf ears.
The media made out that the overwhelming majority of Indians were with the relatives of the hostages and shared their view that no price was too big to secure the hostages’ freedom. The Congress kept on slyly insisting, “We are with the Government and will support whatever it does for a resolution of the crisis and to ensure the safety of the hostages. But the Government must explain its failure.” Harkishen Singh Surjeet and other Opposition politicians issued similar ambiguous statements.
By December 28, the Government’s negotiators had struck a deal with the hijackers: They would free the hostages in exchange of three dreaded terrorists — Maulana Masood Azhar, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Sheikh — facing various charges of terrorism.
The CCS met frequently, several times a day, and discussed the entire process threadbare. The Home Minister, the Defence Minister and the Foreign Minister, apart from the National Security Adviser and the Prime Minister, were present at every meeting. The deal was further fine-tuned, the Home Ministry completed the necessary paperwork, and two Indian Airlines aircraft were placed on standby to ferry the terrorists to Kandahar and fetch the hostages.
On December 31, the two aircraft left Delhi airport early in the morning. Mr Jaswant Singh was on board one of them. Did his ministerial colleagues know that he would travel to Kandahar? More important, was the Prime Minister aware of it? The answer is both yes and no.
Mr Jaswant Singh had mentioned his decision to go to Kandahar to personally oversee the release of hostages and to ensure there was no last-minute problem. He was honour-bound to do so, he is believed to have said, since he had promised the relatives of the hostages that no harm would come their way. It is possible that nobody thought he was serious about his plan. It is equally possible that others turned on him when the ‘popular mood’ and the Congress turned against the Government for its ‘abject surrender’.
On New Year’s eve, the hostages were flown back to Delhi. By New Year’s day, the Government was under attack for giving in to the hijackers’ demand! Since then, this ‘shameful surrender’ is held against the NDA and Mr Jaswant Singh is painted as the villain of the piece.
Could the Kandahar episode have ended any other way? Were an Indian aircraft to be hijacked again, would we respond any differently? Not really. As a nation, we do not have the guts to stand up to terrorism. We cannot take hits and suffer casualties. We start counting our dead even before a battle has been won or lost. We make a great show of honouring those who die on the battlefield and lionise brave hearts of history, but we do not want our children to follow in their footsteps.
We are if truth be told, a nation of cowards who don’t have the courage to admit their weakness but are happy to blame a well-meaning politician who, perhaps, takes his regimental motto of ‘Izzat aur Iqbal’ rather too seriously.
Author:Kanchan Gupta, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. (This article was originally published in the Indian daily The Pioneer on December 24, 2008. We have republished it under Creative Commons. It can also be accessed at the blog post by Mr Kanchan Gupta)
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These grants are awarded in anticipation of the upcoming launch of the Melbourne Global Centre in Delhi, slated for September 2024.
This new Centre marks a major milestone for the University, serving as a hub for academic, community, and industry collaborations in India.
These grants will fund a range of initiatives at the Centre, with a strong focus on education. Planned activities include seminars, roundtables, research symposia, and community engagement events, all designed to strengthen ties between the University and its Indian partners.
Image source: the University of Melbourne
Assoc. Prof. Kate Coleman and Dr Sarah Healy will spearhead the “Hacking the Anthropocene” initiative, engaging young people and educators in New Delhi through hackathons at the Global Centre.
In collaboration with partners such as the Science Gallery Network, Socratus, and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), their Speculative Wanderings in Space and Place (SWISP) Lab will conduct hackathons for over 60 youth aged 14-25 from northern communities, along with a full-day event for 30+ teachers and alumni.
Prof. Jan van Driel’s project will tackle global challenges in STEM education for primary and secondary schools, emphasising real-world problems and 21st-century skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. The initiative includes a roundtable with 20-25 participants from government, industry, schools, and universities, focusing on opportunities for collaboration in curriculum design, pedagogy, and teacher training.
Dr Donnie Adams will lead the Australia-India Leadership Roundtable (AILEAD 2024), bringing together 25 top academics from Australia and India to discuss “Leadership for Sustainable Educational Development.” This event will feature representatives from prestigious Indian institutions such as NCERT and Mahindra University. It aims to address key challenges in educational leadership through research sharing, skill development, and networking among scholars dedicated to sustainable education.
In a statement the University of Melbourne said that the academics involved are eager to lead innovative and collaborative teaching and learning programs, fostering mutual learning and cultural exchange.
Deputy Dean, Prof. Lindsay Oades, highlighted the importance of expanding research and teaching efforts in India, calling it “exciting” and “hugely important to anyone who cares about education equity.” He noted that India, with its rich intellectual history and large diaspora in Australia, presents a “huge opportunity to contribute to education,” particularly with the recent addition of three years of formal education under India’s National Education Policy.
Prof. Oades emphasised that the Melbourne Global Centre Delhi would be a crucial gateway for the Faculty, enabling staff and students to consolidate existing partnerships and maintain a continuous presence in India.
Image source: the University of Melbourne
While the University of Melbourne, part of Australia’s Group of Eight leading research-intensive universities, will not be establishing a campus in India, Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell has last year confirmed that the University will maintain a physical presence through this Delhi-based global hub.
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For the first time, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed combat aircraft to India as part of a multinational military exercise, highlighting the growing strategic partnership between the two Indo-Pacific nations.
Exercise Tarang Shakti 24, held at Air Force Station Jodhpur from August 30 to September 13, 2024, marks a significant milestone in Australia-India defence cooperation.
The RAAF has sent three EA-18G Growler aircraft from No. 6 Squadron, along with a contingent of up to 120 personnel, to participate in the exercise. This deployment reflects Australia’s commitment to enhancing regional security and fostering international collaboration in response to shared security challenges.
Coimbatore, Aug 09 (ANI): Indian Air Force fighter jets in action on Day 2 of India’s multilateral ‘Tarang Shakti’, at Sulur in Coimbatore on Thursday. (ANI Photo)
A First for India and Australia
Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 is the inaugural edition of this multinational exercise hosted by India, bringing together 11 participating nations and 18 observer nations. The exercise aims to enhance tactical interoperability, mutual understanding of military operations, and international defence relations among the participating forces.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell emphasised the importance of Australia’s participation in the exercise, stating that it
“demonstrated a commitment to supporting regional partners and fostering international cooperation to address shared security challenges.”
Image Source: Still from @IAF Video
Building Interoperability and International Relations
The deployment of the EA-18G Growler aircraft, which specialises in electronic warfare and suppressing enemy air defences, showcases Australia’s advanced military capabilities.
Air Marshal Chappell noted that
“participation in international exercises such as Tarang Shakti 24 showcases our advanced capabilities that ensure rapid response and adaptability to emerging threats and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.”
He further highlighted the exercise’s role in enhancing international relations: “Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 will provide our aviators with the opportunity to develop interoperability with foreign militaries, develop a mutual understanding of tactical operations, and foster international relations.”
Image Source: Still from @IAF Video
Strengthening the Australia-India Partnership
The Australia-India defence relationship has seen significant growth in recent years, with both nations recognising the importance of cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Air Marshal Chappell remarked,
“India is a top-tier security partner for Australia, and through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Australia and India, the Government is continuing to prioritise practical and tangible cooperation that directly contributes to Indo-Pacific stability.”
The RAAF has previously hosted Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI Flankers at Exercise Pitch Black in 2018, 2022, and 2024, demonstrating a continued commitment to joint training and operations. These exercises have allowed both air forces to engage in complex air combat scenarios, share best practices, and enhance their ability to operate together in various mission environments.
Image Source: Still from @IAF Video
Looking Ahead
As the Indo-Pacific region continues to evolve, the Australia-India defence partnership is expected to play a crucial role in addressing security challenges and promoting regional stability. Air Marshal Chappell indicated that Australia will continue to support India’s key role in the region by “increasing the depth and complexity of our defence cooperation.”
Exercise Tarang Shakti 24 not only serves as a demonstration of military prowess but also as a testament to the enduring partnership between Australia and India, built on mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
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Reports of sextortion to the Australian Federal Police (AFP)-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) have seen a significant decrease for the first time since the crime emerged in 2022. However, there are ongoing concerns that too many victims are still being blackmailed.
In the first half of 2024, the ACCCE received 560 reports of sextortion, averaging 93 reports per month, a sharp decline from the 300 monthly reports seen throughout 2023.
The AFP is releasing these new figures during National Child Protection Week to underscore the effectiveness of combined efforts by law enforcement and the community in raising awareness about sextortion and combating online predators.
Since 2022, the AFP and AUSTRAC, in collaboration with the financial sector, have been instrumental in closing down Australian bank accounts linked to international organised crime syndicates involved in sextortion. Operation Huntsman has successfully shut down over 1,800 Australian bank, financial services, and digital currency accounts connected to offshore criminals exploiting Australian teenagers.
AFP Commander of Human Exploitation, Helen Schneider, noted that the decrease in reports is likely due to a combination of increased public awareness, particularly among parents and young people, and the AFP’s close work with partners like AUSTRAC.
“Increased public awareness, especially among parents and young people, combined with our work with partners like AUSTRAC, is likely making it harder for criminals to exploit children online,” Commander Schneider said.
“Our collaboration with AUSTRAC and financial institutions has made Australia a hostile environment for organised criminals attempting to profit from the sextortion of our young people. Our intelligence suggests we have been effective, as organised criminals are frequently complaining to each other online about the difficulty of extracting money from young Australians.”
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where offenders trick or coerce individuals into sending sexual images, then threaten to share the images unless their demands are met. These demands often involve money, gift cards, or more explicit content.
Despite the positive trend, Commander Schneider stressed that the AFP-led ACCCE remains committed to fighting this crime.
“Although reports have dropped, sextortion is still an underreported crime, and the sad reality is that we continue to receive almost 100 reports of children in Australia being targeted by criminals every month,” she said. “The AFP will continue to make Australia a hostile environment for those who seek to exploit our children, not just during National Child Protection Week, but every week.”
AUSTRAC Acting National Manager, Law Enforcement & Industry, Anthony Helmond, echoed these concerns, highlighting the disturbing nature of the crime.
“Access to the internet and the ease of online financial transactions have made vulnerable groups worldwide easy targets for criminals,” Mr. Helmond said. “As Australia’s financial intelligence unit, AUSTRAC is uniquely positioned to identify suspicious financial transactions and share that critical data with our law enforcement partners.”
“By pooling our intelligence and capabilities, we can identify and combat criminals targeting young Australians through sextortion. Our collaboration with industry has resulted in the closure of numerous accounts linked to offshore criminals seeking to sexually extort Australians. Government and industry are working closely together to keep the community safe from this insidious crime.”
Parents and carers are urged to watch for warning signs that a child might be a victim of sextortion. These signs include unsolicited friend requests, sudden sexualised conversations, and requests to continue chatting on different apps.
For those who suspect they are victims or know someone who is, the AFP advises stopping communication, taking screenshots, blocking the account, and reporting the crime to the ACCCE. Victims are also encouraged to seek support from trusted individuals or professional services.
If there are immediate safety concerns, individuals are urged to dial 000 or contact their local police station.
The AFP-led ThinkUKnow program has developed resources to help the community identify and respond to sextortion. The online blackmail and sexual extortion response kit, aimed at young people aged 13-17, is available on the ThinkUKnow and ACCCE websites.
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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australians with disability. For the first time, many can get the help they need to live more independently and be part of society.
And yet, the NDIS is failing people with the most severe disability: people who need housing and intensive living support.
Overwhelmingly, people in this part of the scheme live in group homes, with little choice over where they live, who they live with and who provides their support. Worse still, they face high rates of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Intensive housing and living support is one of the most costly parts of the NDIS, coming in at around A$15 billion in 2023–24. Although this is a small group – about 7% of all NDIS participants – total support packages for these participants make up about 37% of the total scheme spend.
For this price tag, Australians with disability deserve, and taxpayers expect quality services.
New analysis in the Grattan Institute’s latest report shows how the government can create innovative alternatives to group homes that cost the same or less money.
Create alternatives for housing and living support
There are better alternatives to group homes: these are known as individualised living arrangements. The United Kingdom, Canada, and, closer to home, Western Australia, have reformed disability housing and introduced new living arrangements which offer people greater choice and a more individualised approach.
Disabled Child and Carer- Image Source; CANVA
Individualised living arrangements are integrated into the community as much as possible. They draw on a mix of supports, from formal (paid-by-the-hour support workers), to semi-formal (hosts or flatmates who receive a subsidy for their expenses), to informal (family and friends).
A host arrangement is where an adult with disability on the NDIS lives with a “host family” or “host flatmate”, who is not related to them, in the host’s home, becoming part of the household. A host might be a couple or an individual, and they provide semi-formal support while going about their everyday activities.
A home-share arrangement is similar: an adult with a disability on the NDIS lives in their own home (owned or rented) with a flatmate who provides support. Hosts and flatmates might help with emotional support, companionship, cooking, cleaning, overnight help and other household tasks, and they receive a subsidy for their expenses.
Based on our estimates, individualised living arrangements can be cheaper than group homes set at a one-to-three benchmark (one support worker for every three disabled residents), as recommended by last year’s Independent Review of the NDIS.
Individualised living arrangements cost the same or less than group homes than the review’s proposed 1:3 benchmark
NDIS Review (2023); Grattan analysis of unpublished provider data (2024)
Individualised living arrangements are not only cost effective, they give people with disability a choice about where they live, who they live with, and who provides their support.
Share houses, not group homes
Rather than group homes, which are run more like service facilities than people’s homes, we recommend reforms to establish shared houses. So when people with disability decide to live with other people with disability and share support, they can choose the rhythms of their daily life and who looks after them.
Moving to a system where paid support workers’ time can be shared can dramatically reduce the cost of support, as this chart shows. This is critical in a scheme facing enormous cost pressures.
We recommend system changes too, including:
separating housing and living supports in shared accommodation settings, as the Independent Review of the NDIS recommended
enforceable service agreements (similar to contracts) between people with disability and providers
support from housing and living “navigators” to establish individualised living arrangements.
mandatory registration for providers of housing and living support, and unannounced inspections.
To give people with disability options about where they live, the government should introduce a rental payment to help people move out of their group homes and into the private rental market.
A growing feature of share houses could be sharing both formal and semi-formal support. Combining the economy of scale from sharing support workers, with semi-formal support from a housemate, would be a cost-effective way to run share houses in the future.
Time for the NDIS to get on board
Right now, people with disability have to provide copious evidence about the support they need and are then told what they can have and how much – often without having met the decision-maker.
So people are locked into options before they’ve had a chance to try out alternatives that might be better, safer and cheaper.
Our proposal is for people with disability to get a flexible budget upfront. Then planning can start.
People should have access to independent advice to plan their best life within their budget. The National Disability Insurance Agency should commission housing and living navigators to give people with disability this vital help.
All of us try out different living arrangements and gradually work out what is best for us. We need information and options to choose from to get the best result – this is the same for people with disability.
Getting services right for people with the most severe disability, who need 24/7 living support should be the litmus test for any government seeking to get the NDIS back on track. Our research shows genuine choice and higher-quality services are within reach for Australians with disability – and governments don’t have to spend buckets more to get it done.
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The NSW Government is investing in community harmony and social cohesion through the Stronger Together program, which aims to empower cross-cultural collaboration. Community organisations are encouraged to apply for the $400,000 Stronger Together Project Grant program.
Non-profit groups right across NSW are encouraged to apply for a share in the funding pool to help deliver projects that break down language barriers, boost skills across diverse communities, support cross-cultural collaboration, help new arrivals thrive and build community resilience.
The project grants funding ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 for delivery during 2025. The Stronger Together Project Grant program opened on 27 August 2024 and supports projects that can make a lasting positive impact on social cohesion and meet community needs. Multicultural NSW will hold an online information session about the program on Wednesday 4 September and the grant program closes on Friday 20 September 2024.
NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said,
“Grassroots organisations are best placed to deliver projects in their communities that help strengthen community resilience and social cohesion.”
“From Bourke to Albury, the Tweed and right across Sydney, there are organisations that have projects that impact their local communities and I’m proud to be able to support them as they work together to embrace the ideals of multiculturalism.”
For further information on the Project Grants or to register for the information session, please visit: multicultural.nsw.gov.au/project-grants/
“Where I live if someone gives you a hug, it’s from the heart,” said famous wildlife lover Steve Irwin. This sentiment resonates deeply with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to international diplomacy.
In the meticulous world of global politics, where every gesture is analysed, Modi has introduced a distinctive element: the hug. This seemingly straightforward act has become a hallmark of his diplomatic style, stirring both admiration and debate across the global arena. To truly grasp the significance of Modi’s “hug diplomacy,” it is essential to explore the cultural, historical, and diplomatic contexts that frame this gesture.
On July 9, 2024, when Modi embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin, it provoked concern from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Indian Foreign Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in response, defended his Prime Minister by stating,
“In our part of the world, when people meet, they embrace. It may not be a part of your culture, but I assure you, it is part of ours.”
BBC Reporter to Dr. S. Jaishankar: Lot of people were very upset to see that embrace🤗 between Modi🇮🇳 and Putin in Russia🇷🇺?
This statement encapsulates the cultural bridge that Modi’s hugs aim to build, while also highlighting the occasional misunderstandings they provoke.
In India, the act of embracing, known as ‘Aalingan’, is deeply ingrained in cultural and spiritual traditions. It is not merely a form of greeting but a profound expression of trust, respect, and connection that transcends verbal communication. This practice is rooted in ancient Indian epics and spiritual texts.
In the Ramayana, one of India’s most revered epics, the embrace between Lord Rama and Hanuman signifies not just friendship but a deep spiritual bond. Similarly, in the Mahabharata, the god Krishna’s embraces with his friends and devotees are depicted as acts of divine love, emphasising the spiritual depth of physical connection.
‘Aalingan’ extends beyond religious texts into daily Indian life, where it is a common form of greeting among family members and close friends, symbolising affection, comfort, and the strengthening of bonds.
While Modi’s hugs are rooted in Indian tradition, the act of embracing as a form of greeting or expressing kindness is not unique to India. Throughout history and across various cultures, this action has played significant roles in social and diplomatic interactions.
In ancient Greece, the concept of aspasmós referred to a greeting that often included an embrace. The Greeks, known for their emphasis on personal relationships and philosophical discourse, understood the power of physical connection in fostering mutual understanding. In Greek literature, this contact often signifies an emotional reunion or reconciliation between former enemies, such as the embrace between Odysseus and Penelope in the *Odyssey*.
The Romans also recognised the importance of physical gestures in both personal and diplomatic contexts. The Latin terms amplexus (embrace) and complexus (entwining) were used to describe close physical contact that conveyed sincerity and built trust. The celebrated “Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs,” depicting the four Roman co-emperors in a mutual embrace, is a testament to this custom.
In the Middle Ages, the “kiss of peace” or Pax was a common greeting among European nobility and clergy, often accompanied by an embrace. Rooted in early Christian traditions, this practice expressed unity and reconciliation within the community.
Even in cultures where physical contact is generally more reserved, there are historical instances of embraces being used in diplomatic contexts. A notable example is the “socialist fraternal kiss” between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and East German leader Erich Honecker in 1979, an iconic image of Cold War diplomacy.
US president Joe Biden walks to greet & hug Indian PM Narendra Modi at G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan.pic.twitter.com/S2hFm55u6A
Against this rich historical backdrop, Modi’s embraces take on a deeper significance. They are not merely spontaneous displays of affection but calculated diplomatic moves that merge ancient traditions with modern international relations.
In the often cold and formal world of geopolitics, where interactions are guided by strict protocols, touch serves as a disruptive force. It humanises interactions, breaks down barriers, and creates a sense of intimacy that few other diplomatic gestures can achieve.
When Modi embraces a world leader, he sends a clear message: India values personal connections, and relationships are built on more than just agreements and treaties. This approach aligns with India’s broader diplomatic strategy, which emphasises soft power and cultural diplomacy as key tools in its international relations.
To dismiss these hugs as mere quirks or cultural misunderstandings would be to underestimate their strategic significance. In a world where geopolitical tensions often dominate headlines, these embraces symbolise unity and shared humanity.
Modi’s embraces have become a unique form of non-verbal communication in his diplomatic toolkit. They convey warmth where words might fail, break the ice in tense situations, and reinforce the strength of existing relationships. In some instances, they have even become newsworthy events, drawing attention to India’s diplomatic engagements and the Prime Minister’s brand of leadership.
Moreover, these hugs reflect India’s aspirations on the global stage. As India seeks to position itself as a bridge between East and West, North and South, Modi’s hugs symbolise the country’s ability to connect diverse cultures and political systems.
Despite the criticisms, the enduring popularity and discussion surrounding Modi’s hugs underscore a fundamental truth about human interaction: physical connection matters. A simple embrace can carry profound meaning in a world increasingly dominated by digital communication and remote interactions.
As the ancient Greeks and Romans understood, and as Indian tradition has long emphasised, physical gestures can convey what words often cannot. They can build trust, foster goodwill, and create lasting impressions in ways that formal speeches or written agreements cannot.
After all, as Charles Caleb Colton once said, “A hug is worth a thousand words.”
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ContributingAuthor:Anurag Punetha is a senior journalist and Media Head of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Based in New Delhi, India.
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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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Nadine Roberts, a professional singer, commercial dancer, and property manager, was incorrectly announced as the runner-up.
Miss Universe Fiji said in a media release that the alleged error, which resulted from a rushed announcement and procedural oversight, caused significant confusion and heartbreak for both contestants.
Interestingly, this marks the second time Roberts has faced such a situation, having previously been wrongly announced as a runner-up.
Image: Miss Universe finalists at Navua Hospital (Source: Supplied)
Roberts, who is passionate about empowering young girls and women in Fiji, will now represent the country at the Miss Universe competition later this year in Mexico.
Image: Miss Universe Fiji’s seven judges with finalists (Source: Supplied)
According to Miss Universe Fiji, the alleged error occurred due to a tie in the votes, with the seven judges and the licensee holder’s vote resulting in four votes each for Prasad and Roberts.
Further, according to the Miss Universe Fiji organisation, the contracted organiser failed to count the licensee vote and did not consult with the licensee holder, who should have had the final say in the event of a tie.
The Miss Universe Fiji licensee representative expressed disappointment over the alleged error, stating that it tainted an otherwise successful event. However, they noted that the close competition and calibre of the contestants would only strengthen the pageant in the coming years.
However, in another media statement on Monday, Grant Dwyer, who is the contracted organiser of the event, doubled down that Prasad is the “official winner”. Dwyer said Prasad “was judged fairly, amongst the 9 finalists, at the live crowing event on Friday”.
“The 7 x official winners voted Manshika Prasad winner of the title. One of the 7 judges was a Lux Property Bali (Miss Universe Fiji licence holder) representative while the other 6 judges were all independent, confirmed and presented on the official website originally,” Dwyer noted.
Image: Miss Universe Fiji finalists at the luxurious Pearl Resort & Spa (Source: Supplied)
The Miss Universe Fiji event, held at the luxurious Pearl Resort & Spa, brought together Fiji’s elite from the hospitality, business, and fashion sectors. This year’s pageant marked Fiji’s long-awaited return to the Miss Universe global stage, 43 years after its last participation.
The story will be updated once we have received a statement from the judges.
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iMAGE: AFP and Vanuatu Police Force working together (Source: CANVA)
The AFP is shining a spotlight on its International Posts, with officers based offshore collaborating and sharing intelligence with foreign law enforcement partners to tackle global threats and safeguard the Australian community from afar.
AFP Assistant Commissioner David McLean said criminals were not constrained by international borders and a global police network was required to deter and disrupt their activity.
“To target borderless crimes such as child exploitation, drug trafficking and people smuggling, we need to work together – no one agency can do it alone,” he said.
“Criminals cause harm to our national security, financial systems, our busy hospitals in our suburbs. They have a negative impact in every community in which they operate, which is why it is so important for law enforcement agencies to work together to combat them.”
Assistant Commissioner McLean added:
“The AFP’s first international post was Kuala Lumpur, opened in 1973 by the then-Federal Bureau of Narcotics, and since then we have built strong relationships with foreign partners across the world. Criminals who prey on Australians from overseas should know they are not out of arm’s length from the AFP.”
More than 200 members are deployed across the world, at Posts in every continent except Antarctica, to combat crimes such as drug trafficking, human exploitation, people smuggling, money laundering and terrorism.
Assistant Commissioner McLean praised the efforts of investigators who worked offshore to protect the Australian community.
“We send some of our best investigators overseas to work alongside and assist law enforcement partners. Many of these AFP members are deployed without their families and spend long periods away from loved ones to undertake this vital work.”
In total, the AFP has a presence in 35 countries, through 36 separate bases from Bogota to Beijing, as well as eight police development partnerships in the Pacific region.
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The Albanese government faces a likely High Court challenge to its installation of an administrator into the construction division of the CFMEU.
As thousands of the union’s members held rallies in cities across the country, its former Queensland secretary Michael Ravbar – who’s been dismissed together with almost all other officials – said he would launch a challenge against the legislation passed last week to put the union into administration. An administrator was immediately installed.
Ravbar told the Brisbane rally:
“This is going to be the biggest challenge and the biggest fight that we’ve ever had, but we’re all up for it. You’ve got to get control of our union back.”
Ravbar urged members to vote against Labor at the October state election and next year’s federal election, and attacked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who he said had “always been anti-union”.
The High Court action is likely to argue the Commonwealth lacked the authority to take over a democratically organised union and sack nearly 300 officials, who had not been convicted of any offence. No court was involved in the action. Earlier court proceedings that were underway, brought by the Fair Work Commission’s general manager, are set to be discontinued after the government’s action.
The government said late Tuesday it was not aware of any CFMEU challenge.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the claim by the union’s former Victorian secretary John Setka that the government had made “a deal” with the union that there would be no move for an administrator if he resigned his position.
Setka claimed on Channel 7 at the weekend that after Nine sent allegations of malfeasance to the union, he had offered to “pull the pin today” so the union would avoid administrators being sent into the Victorian branch. He had conveyed this to the union’s national secretary Zach Smith.
He claimed there had been talks between Smith, then Workplace Relations minister Tony Burke and ACTU national secretary Sally McManus.
“At twenty to six the call came through, [saying] yes, there’s a deal. Now when you do a deal with the government you expect them to honour it,”
Setka said.
“I think Tony Burke has betrayed construction workers in Australia.”
Nine published a series of devastating allegations of criminal infiltration of the union, bullying and bribery. The government immediately made it clear publicly that Setka’s resignation and other actions by the union to try to ward off intervention were not enough.
Albanese told a news conference: “Obviously we didn’t make a deal. The evidence is in what’s happened”. The PM said he was “not quite sure why people gave [Setka] some more oxygen. But John Setka is someone who will always look for publicity.”
Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather, addressing the Brisbane rally, said: “Labor has used these untested allegations to attack an entire union”.
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Image: Manshika Prasad wins Miss Universe Fiji 2024 (Source: Supplied)
The Miss Universe Fiji 2024 crown was proudly claimed by 24-year-old Manshika Prasad, a native of Lakena Nausori currently pursuing an MBA in Australia.
Image: Manshika Prasad wins Miss Universe Fiji 2024 (Source: Supplied)
On being crowned Miss Universe Fiji 2024, Manshika Prasad said:
“My passion is advocating against domestic violence, a cause deeply personal to me. I aim to use the Miss Universe platform to amplify the voices of those silenced by fear and violence, raising awareness and inspiring change.”
Sharing the spotlight as co-runners up were 23-year-old Susana Ranadi, from the island of Ekubu and raised in Lautoka, and 30-year-old Nadine Roberts.
Image: Nadine Roberts, Co-Runner Up Miss Universe Fiji 2024 (Source: Supplied)
Nadine Roberts, Co-Runner Up Miss Universe Fiji 2024, said:
“I am a professional singer, dancer, and property manager, dedicated to empowering young girls and women in Fiji. My mission is to inspire the future generation to shine and reach their full potential.”
Image: Susana Ranadi, Co-Runner Up Miss Universe Fiji 2024 (Source: Supplied)
Susana Ranadi, Co-Runner Up Miss Universe Fiji 2024, added:
“With six years of experience as a fashion model, I’m now focusing on becoming a model agent in Fiji, using my industry knowledge to mentor aspiring models. Empowering women means lifting each other up and breaking barriers.”
Hosted at the opulent Pearl Resort & Spa, the Miss Universe Fiji 2024 Gala Crowning Event marked a spectacular return to the global stage for Fiji, ending a 43-year hiatus.
The evening brought together the nation’s elite from the hospitality, business, and fashion sectors, making it a night to remember.
The evening began with a red carpet event, where the Top 9 finalists dazzled in evening and cocktail dresses by designer Tracey Ann Farrington. The pre-event cocktail reception, hosted by Natalie Marletta, General Manager of The Pearl Resort, set the tone for the night, as VIPs and guests mingled and enjoyed drinks.
Big Congratulations to Natalie Marletta the General Manager The Pearl Resort, Spa & Golf Course. For hosting and executing Miss Universe 2024 . The crowning of Miss Universe Fiji 2024 event marks a significant moment in our nation's history as we witness the crowning of Fiji's… pic.twitter.com/QyMkxpeqe6
The gala itself was a feast for the senses, with a lavish buffet dinner followed by electrifying performances from the award-winning Vou Dance Group and Bitz n Pieces Band.
The finalists showcased their beauty and poise in three fashion parades, featuring swimwear, resort wear designed by Tracey Ann Farrington, and formal gowns of their own creation.
Throughout the evening, Raj Suri, a host and judge, guided the event with his voice-over and presentations, while Tracey Ann Farrington served as the official MC. The pinnacle of the night was the crowning ceremony, with Grant Dwyer, Miss Universe Fiji’s Marketing, Events & Sponsorship Director, bestowing the coveted crown upon the winner.
Image: Raj Suri, a host and judge interacting with contestants (Source: Supplied)
The contestants were recognised in various categories for their outstanding performances. Susana Ranadi was awarded Best Catwalk, while Nadine Roberts and Manshika Prasad were honoured as Fashion Ambassadors. Nadine also took home the Best Evening Gown award for her stunning Minh Tuan Couture creation.
The gala concluded with a breathtaking fireworks display, a fitting end to a night that celebrated Fiji’s triumphant return to the Miss Universe platform.
Category Awards included:
Miss Swimwear – Manshika Prasad
Miss Congeniality – Kathleen Mason
Best Smile – Salanieta Galo
Best Catwalk – Susana Ranadi
Miss Fitness – Nicole Matavesi
Best Evening Gown – Nadine Roberts
Miss Social Media – Nadine Roberts
Miss Rising Star – Narishma Sharma
Miss Photogenic – Prashantika Prasad
Fashion Ambassador – Nadine Roberts and Manshika Prasad
Cultural Ambassador – Salanieta Galo and Susana Ranadi
Ocean Ambassador – Nicole Matavesi
Miss Environment – Ashlin Alveena Prasad (received by Judge Jennifer Chan due to Ashlin’s health-related withdrawal)
Miss Charity – Prashantika Prasad and Mumta Nandani
Image: Panel of judges with contestants 9Source: Supplied)
The panel of judges included:
Paris Jade, Miss Universe Fiji National Director
Grant Dwyer, Miss Universe Fiji Marketing, Events & Sponsorship Director
Natalie Marletta, General Manager of The Pearl Resort & Spa, Fiji
Riri Febriani, Lux Projects Fiji
Raj Suri, Photographer, Bollywood Co-Producer, Actor, and Talent Mentor
Jennifer Chan, USA On-Air TV Host, Style, and Beauty Expert
Melissa White, Seakeepers.org South Pacific Director
Over the past three days, the Miss Universe Fiji 2024 finalists experienced an unforgettable journey at The Pearl Resort. Fashion photo shoots with renowned photographer Raj Suri, exclusive dinners, and vibrant Fijian performances, including the thrilling Walking on Fire shows, created lasting memories for the contestants.
Image: Tracey Farrington and Raj Suri with finalists (Source: Supplied)
Miss Universe Fiji 2024 is officially licensed by LUX Projects Fiji, a prominent international property development company. The event was graciously hosted by The Pearl Resort & Spa, with Natalie Marletta providing exceptional support.
Manshika Prasad, as the newly crowned Miss Universe Fiji 2024, will now represent Fiji at the Miss Universe International Final in Mexico City this November.
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AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Peter Brindal said there was zero tolerance for violent or abusive behaviour, especially towards staff at our airports.
“Airline staff and other travellers should not be subjected to violence or other bad behaviour when at the airport,” Detective Acting Superintendent Brindal said.
“The AFP is committed to working closely with the airline industry to intervene if anyone’s behaviour interferes with the safety of the public in or around an airport.
“Everyone has the right to travel safely, and airline staff do not need to deal with abusive or violent behaviour. The AFP will not hesitate to charge those who commit criminal offences through their poor behaviour at airports.”
The man, 45, was arrested at Perth domestic airport last night (30 August, 2024) after airline staff notified the AFP of the alleged actions of a passenger. Staff alleged the man become aggressive after a decision was made to remove him from a flight bound for Brisbane because he was intoxicated.
The man allegedly lunged toward an airline staff member when being removed from the flight, contacting him in the groin area with his hand.
AFP officers spoke to the man, and it will be allegedly he was swearing near other passengers, including families with children. The man was warned about his behaviour, but allegedly continued acting in a disorderly manner.
The man was later charged with:
One count of common assault, contrary to section 313(1)(b) of the Western Australian Criminal Code (WA); and
One count of disorderly behaviour in a public place, contrary to section 74A(2)(a) of the Western Australian Criminal Code (WA).
The maximum penalty for each of these offences is 18 months imprisonment and an $18,000 fine.
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Modifying work after becoming a parent is positioned as being for women with children – rather than for dads.
When men do adopt flexibility for caring, some experience a backlash in the form of stigmatisation or discrimination, especially in relation to parental leave and returning to work – even when they take short periods of leave.
In fact, the Australian Human Rights Commission found men were twice as likely to have their leave requests rejected than women.
This issue is driven by deep-seated gender norms and stereotypes about work and care and it results in men often being left out of the flexibility conversation.
2. There is an expectation for men to focus on their career
Men’s caring responsibilities are largely invisible in the workplace and dads often get the message to prioritise career development and financial provision over being actively involved in their children’s daily care.
In relation to this, men report a lack of workplace acceptance for flexible working arrangements and a concern regarding the career penalties that could follow.
While the benefits of dads being more hands-on as a parent are clear – including positive outcomes for child development, for father-child bonding, and for men’s wellbeing – negative career implications are often cited as a prominent downside associated with some forms of flexibility.
Underpinning the expectation for men to be dedicated to their careers are masculine norms and the work devotion schema (a moral obligation to dedicate oneself to work).
However, Australian research shows men want more flexibility and some are even willing to change their job to achieve this. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ms_BozKKzs?wmode=transparent&start=0 Many fathers are trying to work more flexibly to benefit their family lives.
3. Men don’t know what they are entitled to
There is sometimes a lack of awareness from men and a lack of resources from employers surrounding what men are entitled to.
Many dads aren’t fully aware of the work-family policies available to them or where to look. They are sometimes reluctant to ask employers directly due to a perceived lack of entitlement or fears around negative judgement.
As a result, when it comes to finding out about flexibility, men often have to dig around on their own to figure out what they are actually able to use.
The lack of readily available information for men reinforces the message that flexibility for parenting is not really designed for dads.
To help overcome this issue, organisations should ensure they have conversations with fathers, and not just with mothers, about adjusting their work schedules when they have children.
4. Occupational barriers
Men in different positions within organisations face distinct challenges when attempting to adopt flexible caregiving arrangements.
Those in high-status roles such as senior workers or managers have a lot of control over their work hours but they are often reluctant to adopt formal flexibility for caring due to concerns it may signify a lack of commitment to work.
In contrast, men working in lower-status roles report a lack of power to request flexibility and some report having requests denied or being pressured to not access flexibility options.
5. A lack of male role models
There is a lack of role-modelling from other men and a lack of spaces for men to learn from each other about working flexibly.
Men also report being hesitant about using flexible work arrangements because they don’t see their leaders embracing or setting an example themselves. This leads to concerns it could result in negative outcomes, leading to missed promotions or career opportunities.
Having more male leaders working flexibly for family reasons would set an example for other men but barriers exist due to expectations from some leaders to be present at work.
Where to from here?
In order for things to change, men’s caregiving roles must become more visible at work and organisations must better support dads in adopting flexibility for caring purposes.
Some effective ways to improve the situation include having male leaders model flexibility, organisations promoting the idea that flexibility is for dads too and telling men about their work-family entitlements when they become, or are about to become, a father.
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Representative image: LGBTIQ+ community (Source: CANVA)
In a significant move towards equality, India’s Finance Ministry has confirmed that there are no restrictions for individuals belonging to the LGBTQ community to open joint bank accounts or nominate a person in a queer relationship as a beneficiary.
The ministry issued an advisory on 28 August, clarifying that queer individuals can now open joint accounts and nominate their partners to receive the account balance in the event of the account holder’s death.
This clarification follows the Supreme Court’s October 2023 ruling in the case of Supriyo Chakraborty and another vs Union of India, which directed the government to consider equal entitlements for queer partners.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also issued a similar clarification to all commercial banks on 21 August, reinforcing the message. The RBI has been proactive in this regard since 2015 when it mandated banks to include a ‘third gender’ option in forms and applications, enabling transgender individuals to access banking services.
This initiative has spurred many banks to introduce products tailored to the LGBTQ community, such as ESAF Small Finance Bank Ltd’s ‘Rainbow Savings Account’ scheme, launched in 2022, which offered enhanced savings rates and other benefits to the transgender community.
Before Obergefell, even banks that did have provisions for American gay couples could still encounter snags – like family members contesting the gay partners beneficiary status in a state with a gay marriage ban.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, India’s Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed a six-member committee in April 2024, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, to explore ways to ensure the LGBTQ+ community is not discriminated against and has equal access to services. The committee’s mandate includes identifying measures to protect the community from violence and harassment.
This latest clarification from the Finance Ministry is seen as a step forward in ensuring equal rights and access to financial services for the LGBTQ community.
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It is reported that Rasheed, who operated from his bedroom in his family home, targeted 286 young girls across 20 countries, using deception and blackmail to force them into performing sexual acts on camera.
Over the course of two days, the District Court of Western Australia heard how Rasheed posed as a 15-year-old YouTube star to lure his victims, who were mostly teenagers, some as young as 10 years old.
Rasheed’s crimes, spanned an 11-month period from late 2018, were described by Judge Amanda Burrows as “abhorrent,” “cruel,” “humiliating,” and “no comparable case … I can find in Australia.”
“The victims will forever live with the fear that the recordings you made of them will be [further] disseminated,” Judge Burrows said.
Rasheed’s modus operandi involved gaining the trust of his victims before escalating to sexually explicit demands. If they resisted, he would blackmail them by threatening to share doctored images and videos with their friends and family.
It was reported that in some cases, Rasheed broadcasted the abuse to other paedophiles, amplifying the trauma inflicted on his victims. The scale of his crimes required almost three days for sentencing, a reflection of the unprecedented nature of his offences in Australia.
Assistant Commissioner David McLean of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) labelled the case as “one of the worst sextortion cases in history,” emphasising the global reach of Rasheed’s predatory behaviour.
The AFP, in coordination with the United States’ Homeland Security Investigations, Interpol, and law enforcement agencies from several other countries, uncovered the full extent of Rasheed’s crimes.
Rasheed is already serving a five-year jail term for a separate crime in which he sexually abused a 14-year-old child in his car on two separate occasions at a Perth park, which the judge noted was during the same period he was committing the online offences.
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Two Romanian nationals living in Sydney have been sentenced for their roles in a $36,000 ATM card ‘shimming’ scam as a result of an investigation by the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3).
The man, 34, and the woman, 33, were sentenced to four years and two years respectively by the Campbelltown District Court today (30 August, 2024).
The offenders stole funds by installing ATM shimmers on ATMs across Sydney and Melbourne to clone victims’ financial data, which was later used to obtain a financial benefit.
Image: JPC3 card shimming (Source: AFP)
ATM shimmers are thin, card-sized metal devices that act like a spacer when inserted into the card slot of an ATM.
The devices are designed to record the data on the card magnetic stripe and chip, which can then be accessed later by the offender when the shimmer is retrieved.
AFP Detective Superintendent Tim Stainton said this investigation demonstrated the value of ongoing collaboration between the AFP and its domestic and international partners in cybercrime matters.
“This investigation is a great example of the work the JPC3 does. The intelligence sharing and joint investigation between the USSS, banks and state and territory police partners has helped us identify and prosecute cyber criminals scamming, stealing and defrauding innocent Australians,” D/Supt Stainton said.
“Criminals will unashamedly use any tools they have available to exploit people for their own greedy profit, at the expense of Australians who are already doing it tough.
“This should serve as a reminder that no matter where you are, your criminal actions can always be traced, and the AFP will not hesitate to bring you before the courts.”
The JPC3 began an investigation in June 2023 after receiving a report from the United States Secret Service (USSS) about a consignment of ATM shimmers sent to Australia.
Image: JPC3 card shimming (Source: AFP)
Investigators identified individuals in Australia which had allegedly received a number of suspicious packages believed to contain ATM shimmers sent from the United Kingdom, China and the United States.
As part of the investigation, the AFP witnessed the Romanian nationals install shimming devices in ATMs in Melbourne and Sydney and attend banks to withdraw or transfer money to bank accounts using stolen card data.
Image: JPC3 card shimming (Source: AFP)
The AFP executed a search warrant on a residence in the Sydney suburb of Rhodes and a vehicle rented by the pair in August 2023, seizing $12,935 in cash, multiple shimming devices, false identity documents, electronic devices, card readers, and SIM cards. The pair were arrested shortly after.
The man pleaded guilty on 1 May 2024 to the following offences:
One count of possessing identification information with intent to commit fraud, contrary to section 372.2(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of dealing with money, $10,000 or more, believed to be proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of possessing a thing used to obtain/deal in financial information, contrary to section 480.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of dishonestly dealing in personal financial information, contrary to section 480.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of attempting to dishonestly obtain personal financial information, contrary to sections 11.1(1) and 480.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of providing a false foreign travel documents to another person with intent to be used or acted upon, contrary to section 22(1) of the Foreign Passports Act 2005 (Cth); and
One count of giving false or misleading information to specified persons or entities, contrary to section 136(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth).
He was sentenced to four years and two months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of two years and six months’.
Image: JPC3 card shimming (Source: AFP)
The woman pleaded guilty on 1 May 2024 to:
One count of possessing a thing used to obtain/deal in financial information, contrary to section 480.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of dealing with money, $10,000 or more, believed to be proceeds of crime, contrary to section 400.6(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth);
One count of dishonestly dealing in personal financial information, contrary to section 480.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and
One count of attempting to dishonestly obtain personal financial information, contrary to sections 11.1(1) and 480.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
The woman was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of one year and six months’. She will be eligible for parole from 3 February 2025.
The $12,935 in cash, multiple shimming devices, false identity documents, electronic devices, card readers and SIM cards have been forfeited to the Crown. Both the man and the woman are expected to be deported once released from jail.
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Since 1971, this forum has been the top diplomatic meeting for Pacific nations, including Australia and New Zealand. Security was on the agenda this year, against a backdrop of geopolitical manoeuvring and unrest in New Caledonia. But one issue made its presence felt above all else: climate change.
At the forum’s opening, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres made that clear:
There is an enormous injustice in relation to the Pacific and it’s the reason I am here […] The small islands don’t contribute to climate change but everything that happens because of climate change is multiplied here.
Australia is walking a difficult line at the summit. Pointing to our domestic green energy progress isn’t enough. Our neighbours are focused on Australia’s emergence as the world’s second largest exporter of fossil fuel emissions and steady opening of more gas and coal fields. Even as Australia’s climate and migration pact with Tuvalu came into effect, Tuvalu’s climate change minister, Maina Talia, called for an end to the “immoral and unacceptable” acts of opening new mines, continuing fossil fuel subsidies and exporting fossil fuels.
Australian leaders hope to co-host the world’s top climate talks in 2026 in partnership with Pacific Island nations. While some Pacific leaders are opposed to co-hosting without an Australian pledge to end new goal and gas projects, others see it as a way Australia can show it is truly part of the “Pacific family”.
Here at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tonga I’ve had the opportunity to meet face to face with Pacific leaders to work on our shared challenges. pic.twitter.com/w90VM4Ilhe
A big-ticket item at this year’s forum was the Falepili Union, a pact between Australia and Tuvalu signed last year and coming into effect at the forum. Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, claimed it was the
most significant agreement between Australia and one of its Pacific partners since the agreements for Papua New Guinea’s independence in 1975.
The pact allows 280 Tuvaluans a year to move to Australia, whilst committing Australia to funding climate adaptation work and disaster response efforts on the islands. Significantly, the treaty also states Australia will recognise the statehood of Tuvalu — even if it were to be submerged due to climate change.
In return, Tuvalu and Australia will agree “together” on any arrangements involving Tuvalu’s security or defence. Effectively, this gives Australia the extraordinary ability to block any actions of Tuvalu it feels do not serve its regional interests. This is significant, as China seeks to expand its influence in the Pacific.
At the leaders forum on Thursday, the joint bid to host the 31st United Nations climate conference is expected to be discussed. It’s not guaranteed, as Türkiye has also put in a bid. Pacific leaders have made it clear they will push hard for Australia to go beyond efforts to cut local emissions.
What else might we see?
Analysts have been closely watching how New Zealand leaders approach the forum. While New Zealand has very strong connections to the Pacific and has been actively supporting climate adaptation work in many Pacific nations, the new right wing government is showing signs of backing away from domestic climate efforts.
At the forum, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, drew attention for downplaying the human role in changing the climate and claiming some Pacific islands are actually growing.
Are island nations united? Not on everything. But on climate, they have learned the power of speaking with a united voice. In recent years, Pacific nations have become the new face of climate diplomacy. At the 2022 Sharm el-Sheikh climate talks in Egypt, Pacific nations were visible and effective in their push to secure better promises of funding to cover loss and damage done by climate change.
Pacific expert George Carter this week described the effective Pacific approach: inviting Australia to be more active as a member of the Pacific family while at the same time pressing us to cut reliance on fossil fuels.
Pacific leaders have consistently said they are willing to take their allegiances elsewhere if high-level rhetoric does not turn into action. In 2019, former Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama claimed climate reluctance by Australia’s Morrison government would push Pacific nations closer to China.
This is because adapting to sea level rise is expensive, and Pacific nations are small.
Vanuatu, for instance, was the first nation to figure out how much climate adaption would cost them. The answer: A$260 million by 2030 just to respond to loss and damage. To phase out fossil fuels and decarbonise the nation in addition to adaptation projects would cost $1.75 billion — a staggering amount for a small country.
Vanuatu is already the world’s most disaster-prone nation. Rising to the challenge of protecting shorelines and relocating villages comes on top of that.
Fiji has completed six climate-related community relocations to date. According to the government, 42 more need immediate help and another 800 will need assistance soon. Without external funding, the need will soon dwarf what the government can offer.
It’s unlikely Australia can keep the Pacific onside with bilateral pacts, regional policing initiatives or by pointing to domestic efforts to go green and achieve net-zero later. For the Pacific, the future is now. Climate change is lapping at their shores, and future promises are worth very little.
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Image: Miss Universe Fiji contestants at Navua Maternity Unit of Navua Hospital (Photo: Raj Suri / Source: Supplied)
The anticipation is building as Fijians edge closer to the crowning of Miss Universe Fiji 2024. This year Miss Universe Fiji has partnered with The Pearl Resort & Spa as the official host for the finals set to take place on Friday, August 30, 2024.
Image: [Left to right] Susana Ranadi, Nicole Matavesi, Prashantika Prasad, Ashlin Prasad, Narishma Sharma, Mumta Nandani, Manshika Prasad, Kathleen Mason, Salanieta Galo, Nadine Roberts at The Pearl Resort, Fiji (Photo credit: Raj Suri / Source: Supplied)
The top 10 national finalists arrived at The Pearl Resort & Spa, Pacific Harbour, where they were warmly welcomed in a ceremony hosted by General Manager Natalie Marletta.
The finalists posed for photos and videos with the resort staff, setting the tone for an exciting journey ahead.
Image: Miss Universe Fiji contestants with staff at The Pearl Resort & Spa (Photo: Raj Suri / Source: Supplied)
In a touching gesture, the finalists also visited the maternity ward at Navua Hospital, bringing gifts for new mothers and their babies.
Image: Miss Universe Fiji contestants with staff of Navua Hospital (Photo: Raj Suri / Source: Supplied)
The gifts were received with great warmth, and the visit provided an opportunity for the contestants to engage with healthcare professionals, including Dr Kapil Swamy, SDMO Serua/Namosi, midwife Samantha Banner of the Navua Maternity Unit, and Salote Matanayawa, Commander of the Navua Command Centre.
Image: Miss Universe Fiji contestants at Navua Maternity Unit of Navua Hospital (Photo: Raj Suri / Source: Supplied)
The discussions focused on the current challenges facing young mothers in Fiji, allowing the finalists to gain a deeper understanding of the community they represent.
Image: ‘Swim Wear’ shoot wrap – the MU Fiji Finalists 2024, Tracey Farrington, crew and MU Fiji Official photographer/judge Raj Suri (Source: Supplied)
After their hospital visit, the finalists returned to The Pearl Resort for lunch, followed by an educational session led by Melissa White, Director of the South Pacific chapter of the International Seakeepers Society.
Image: Miss Universe Fiji contestants with Melissa White, Director of the South Pacific chapter of the International Seakeepers Society (Photo: Raj Suri / Source: Supplied)
This session highlighted the society’s mission to promote oceanographic research, conservation, and education, particularly through the yachting community.
The finalists also engaged in discussions, seeking to enhance their awareness of global ocean issues and the role they can play in environmental conservation.
Image: ‘Swim Wear’ shoot – MU Fiji Official photographer/judge Raj Suri (Source: Supplied)
The excitement continues to build as Fiji eagerly awaits the crowning of its representative who will fly to Mexico City via Los Angeles to compete in the Miss Universe International Final in mid-November 2024.
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Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan has announced an ambitious initiative to celebrate the state’s rich multicultural heritage by renaming over 6,000 roads, parks, and buildings after multicultural leaders.
A new state-wide campaign and website will give multicultural communities the chance to nominate their local heroes.
And it will send a strong message to every young Victorian:
That the history of our state is their history – it’s diverse and it’s multicultural.
Premier Allan emphasised that less than 1% of Victoria’s roads, parks, and buildings currently bear the names of multicultural leaders, a statistic the government aims to change through a new state-wide campaign.
This new campaign will invite communities across Victoria to nominate local multicultural heroes, ensuring that the state’s diverse history is visibly honoured in the places Victorians use every day.
During the Gala, Premier Allan highlighted the importance of recognising the contributions of migrants, from the Chinese miners of the Gold Rush era to more recent arrivals from Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Afghanistan.
“Whether you were born here or travelled here, you are just as much a part of our story as any other Victorian.”
Premier Allan said on X:
“And it will send a strong message to every young Victorian: That the history of our state is their history – it’s diverse and it’s multicultural. Whether you were born here or whether you travelled here… You are just as much a part of our story as any other Victorian.”
The renaming initiative is part of Victoria’s broader efforts to acknowledge and celebrate its multicultural heritage. This move, coupled with the launch of Victoria’s first anti-racism strategy, sends a powerful message to all Victorians, particularly the younger generation, that the state’s history is diverse, multicultural, and belongs to everyone.
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Image: Teghbir Singh becomes the youngest Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro (Source: X)
Five-year-old Teghbir Singh from Ropar, Punjab, has made history by becoming the youngest Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.
Standing at an elevation of 5,895 metres, the Tanzanian mountain poses significant challenges, but Teghbir’s determination saw him reach Uhuru Peak, the summit, on August 23, 2024.
“Whenever the climb got tough, I chanted ‘Wahe Guru,’ which gave me strength to keep going.”
Image: Teghbir Singh becomes the youngest Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro (Source: X)Image: Teghbir Singh becomes the youngest Asian to scale Mount Kilimanjaro (Source: X)
Teghbir, a first standard student of Shiwalik Public School, began his trek on August 18, embarking on a journey that would test his physical and mental endurance. He successfully reached the top on August 23, equalling the world record set by Serbia’s Ognjen Živković, who also conquered Kilimanjaro at the age of five on August 6, 2023.
Proud of Teghbir Singh, 5-yr-old from #Ropar, #Punjab for becoming the youngest #Asian to conquer Mount #Kilimanjaro! His determination & resilience are an inspiration to us all. May his achievements motivate others to push beyond their limits & strive for greatness! #Inspirationpic.twitter.com/dxB4Gj8OKu
Teghbir’s mother, Dr Manpreet Kaur, a gynaecologist, highlighted the role of diet in her son’s achievement.
“He followed a strict diet plan as advised by his coach, which was essential for maintaining his energy and endurance during the climb.”
The young climber credits his success to his coach, retired handball coach Bikramjit Singh Ghuman, and the unwavering support of his family. His father, Sukhinderdeep Singh, who accompanied him on the climb, shared insights into the rigorous preparation that preceded the expedition.
“Teghbir started training nearly a year ago. Coach Ghuman focused on improving his cardiovascular health and lung capacity, crucial for coping with the challenges of high-altitude trekking. We also went on weekly treks to various hilly locations to build his stamina.”
The young adventurer and his family will return to India on August 30, carrying with them the pride of an extraordinary accomplishment.
Kudos to Teghbir Singh (5 years) from Ropar in Punjab on becoming the youngest ever from Asia to scale the 5,895-metre Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa located in Tanzania.
With this, he equals the world record of conquering Mt Kilimanjaro at the age of five.… pic.twitter.com/RvQwRNcg2l
The legal minimum age to climb Mount Kilimanjaro is generally 10 years old. However, younger children can obtain special permits to climb if they have the support of their parents or legal guardians. These permits must be applied for in advance from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authorities.
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Image: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined other Pacific leaders to endorse the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI) (Source: X)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined other Pacific leaders to endorse the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a major regional initiative to strengthen collective peace and security throughout the Pacific.
Pacific leaders endorsed the Pacific Policing Initiative today in Tonga.
Australia will provide substantial, long-term support to ensure this initiative succeeds.
Prime Minister Albanese pointed that the policing initiative continues a long history of Pacific police forces working together to strengthen regional peace and security, and to support each other in times of need.
“This is a Pacific-led, Australia-backed initiative, harnessing our collective strengths. We are stronger together. The security of the Pacific is the shared responsibility of the Pacific region and this initiative benefits each of our nations.”
The PPI will boost the capability of Pacific nations to meet law and order and internal security requirements, and to support each other in times of need.
The PPI has three pillars:
Up to four regional police training Centres of Excellence, located in the Pacific, to enhance policing capabilities through specialist training and operational support for Pacific police personnel.
The Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) – a multi-country police capability, with a ready pool of trained Pacific police to deploy in response to Pacific country requirements, such as for major event management or additional capacity in times of crisis.
A PPI Policing Development and Coordination Hub to be hosted in Brisbane – including access to state of the art AFP facilities for training and to prepare for any PPSG deployments.
Australia will commit approximately $400 million over five years to ensure the PPI delivers on the aspirations of Pacific countries. Australia’s contribution will include infrastructure costs associated with new policing Centres of Excellence in the region.
Prime Minister Albanese was caught out in an unfiltered hot mic incident when during a private conversation with the US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell he was filmed without consent by New Zealand journalist Lydia Lewis.
In the exchange, SkyNews reports, Campbell appeared to suggest that Washington had held off on a major announcement in order to give Australia the spotlight at the forum. To which, Albanese responded: “We had a cracker today getting the Pacific policing Initiative through; it’s so important”.
The US Deputy Secretary of State then revealed he had agreed with Australian Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd to hold off on announcing “something”: “I talked with Kevin about it and we were going to do something and he asked us not to, so we did not – we’ve given you the lane, so take the lane.”
The video then captured Albanese jokingly suggest the US might consider sharing the cost of the $400 million Pacific Policing Initiative: “You can go us halvies on the cost if you like.”
Malo e lelei!!! Mornings in Tonga this week look like this.
We are into Day 3 for the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting here in the Kingdom of Tonga.
Today, we head into the PIF Leaders plenary before the Leaders head into retreat session tomorrow!
The PPI is a practical contribution to the Pacific Islands Forum’s peace and security vision outlined in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and it builds on the recent experience of the Solomons International Assistance Force.
Discussions on an integrated regional policing capability were first held at the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meeting in 2023. Pacific police are finalising a PPI design process that ensures this initiative will be by the Pacific and for the Pacific.
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A former Australian bank employee has been sentenced for illegally accessing bank customers’ accounts and personal information to allegedly swindle more than $53,000 from another financial organisation.
The man, 26, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court on 27 August 2024 to an intensive correction order for two years and eight months and 500 hours of community service after pleading guilty in September 2023 to four offences relating to identity theft and fraud.
The man pleaded guilty to one count each of:
Dishonestly obtain/deal in personal financial information, contrary to section 480.4 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
Access data by carriage service with intent to commit a serious offence, contrary to section 477.1(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
Possession of identification information, contrary to section 372.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
Dishonestly obtain financial advantage or cause disadvantage by deception, contrary to section 192E(1)(b) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
The man used the personal identification information of bank customers to facilitate fraudulent activities, resulting in obtaining more than $53,000 in criminal proceeds from the financial organisation. The man utilised bank customer details to open falsely registered accounts and obtain numerous debit cards.
Eastern Command Cybercrime launched an investigation in June 2022 after an Australian financial institution reported that the employee suspected he had unlawfully accessed several customers’ accounts in June 2022.
Police executed a search warrant at the man’s Balmain East home on 10 August 2022, where they located and seized six phones, four laptops, between 50-60 debit cards in his name, six debit cards in the names of multiple victims, a large amount of SIM cards and bank documents.
AFP Commander Kate Ferry said the AFP would continue to work with domestic law enforcement and other partners to identify and disrupt the criminal activities of people who attempt to defraud Australians.
“The consequences of identity theft can have devastating impacts on victims, and we encourage any Australian who notices anomalies in their banking accounts to contact their bank immediately and report the matter to Report Cyber at cyber.gov.au,” Cmdr Ferry said.
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The advocacy group Muslim Votes Matter has put together a high-profile speakers list to launch its national campaign in Melbourne on Sunday, which is aimed at leveraging its influence for the federal election.
The group, formed earlier this year, is committed “to promoting political engagement and amplifying the voice of Australian Muslims”.
It does not intend to run candidates itself but will support those that align with its values and priorities.
Group spokesman Naser Alziyadat, a former lecturer and research fellow at Murdoch University, claimed that across Australia, there were more than 20 seats where Muslims could have the deciding vote.
“In the last 25 years, no federal government has been elected by more than a 15-seat margin. This positions us strategically to support candidates who prioritise our issues and challenge those who neglect our community,”
he said.
At the Broadmeadows Town Hall launch, speakers will cover subjects ranging from conditions in Gaza to the recent wins by Muslim candidates in the United Kingdom election, and the prospects of a hung parliament.
Wajid Akhter, a medical doctor working in the UK and a former assistant secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, representing The Muslim Vote UK, will “share the British election learnings with the Australian Muslim community to inform strategy and success”.
Bushra Othman, a surgeon from the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association (PANZMA) who did a three-week medical mission in Gaza, will give her first-hand account of the situation there.
Nail Aykan, a former head of the Islamic Council of Victoria, from Muslim Voices of Calwell, will talk on the topic “Towards a Hung Parliament – there are no more safe seats”.
Among other speakers are Maha Abdo, CEO of Muslim Women Australia, Muhammad Jalal, host of The Thinking Muslim podcast, and Umber Rind, a community health and anti-racism advocate who is a Yamatji Badimaya woman of Balouch cameleer ancestry.
Alziyadat said Muslim Votes Matter was “a beacon of cultural, linguistic, and professional diversity”. Its volunteers represented more than 20 different ethnic and cultural groups.
“Many of our volunteers are not Muslim, showcasing the inclusive and broad vision of our movement,” he said.
“As an independent, grass-roots organisation, unaffiliated with any political party, our movement is dedicated to empowering the Australian Muslim and minority community to amplify our political voice.”
The Muslim community was the largest and one of the fastest-growing minority groups in Australia.
Muhammad Wajid Akhter is a medical doctor working in the UK and a former Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain and will be representing The Muslim Vote UK at the MVM launch. Muslim Votes Matter Press Release
“Our collective voting bloc holds significant potential,” he said.
“MVM’s primary objective is to build strong partnerships with diverse community stakeholders to enhance political engagement and share resources.
“This effort will involve engaging the community through forums, workshops, campaigns, and digital platforms to encourage greater political participation and ensure representation at all levels of government.”
MVM national representative Ghaith Krayem said what had happened in Palestine in the last 10 months was “beyond reprehensible and we will not stop until the victims and all Palestinians receive the justice they so truly deserve.
“Part of that justice means holding our leaders accountable for their role in the plausible genocide unfolding in Gaza.”
Scott Morrison questions ASIO chief’s Hamas comment
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has questioned the comment by ASIO chief Mike Burgess that “rhetorical” support for Hamas would not be a problem for the security organisation.
Asked recently on ABC if it was a problem for ASIO if a person had expressed any support or sympathy for Hamas, Burgess said: “If it’s just rhetorical support, and they don’t have an ideology or support for a violent extremism ideology, then that’s not a problem. If they have support for that ideology, that will be a problem.”
In a Sky interview on Monday Morrison, who praised Burgess as an “outstanding” public servant, said he found the comment inexplicable.
He had worked with Burgess over a long period and many in different roles. He found the comment “completely inconsistent with what I would hear regularly from him over a long period of time.”
“The idea that any sympathy with Hamas, rhetorical or otherwise, somehow could be overlooked and you could get a leave pass to live long term in Australia – I can’t imagine that,” Morrison said, drawing a comparison with support for Stalinist purges or sympathy with Nazism.
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the country’s continued strong performance in economic growth as it is expected to top the ranking of the ten fastest-growing major economies in 2024.
According to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) July 2024 World Economic Outlook update, India’s real GDP growth is projected to reach 7 per cent this year, ensuring it remains the fastest-growing major economy worldwide.
The IMF report, a key indicator of global economic trends, indicates that India will outpace both the United States and China in real GDP growth this year. The U.S. is projected to grow at 2.6 per cent, while China is expected to expand by 5 per cent. This marks the third consecutive year that India has outperformed these two major economies, having achieved similar success in 2022 and 2023.
Despite a projected slowdown in growth, India is expected to maintain its position as the world’s fastest-growing large economy.
Top 10 Fastest Growing Major Economies In The World 2024: India Beats US, China In This Ranking!https://t.co/8rlV7oXAA2
The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report predicts that India’s economy will expand by 6.6 per cent in 2024, down from 8.2 per cent in 2023, driven by robust domestic demand and increased investment. This growth is also propelling South Asia to become the fastest-growing region globally.
The World Bank report also suggests that global economic growth will stabilise at 2.6 per cent in 2024 after three years of decline, though risks to the global economy remain predominantly negative.
The East Asia and Pacific region, which includes China, South Korea, ASEAN nations, and Pacific island countries, is forecasted to slow to 4 per cent growth this year, down from 4.2 per cent. China’s economic growth is expected to decrease to 4.8 per cent from 5.2 per cent, affected by ongoing challenges in the property sector, weak retail sales, and declining business sentiment.
Indonesia and Vietnam are predicted to be standout performers in the region, with growth projections of 5 per cent and 5.5 per cent, respectively.
India once again beats U.S. & China to become the fastest growing major economy in the World (2024) pic.twitter.com/NBrlCqo8Wg
Among advanced economies, Japan’s growth is projected to slow to 0.7 per cent in 2024, down from 1.9 per cent the previous year, as consumption growth weakens, exports decline, and tourism stabilises. The U.S., however, is expected to maintain steady growth at 2.5 per cent for the second consecutive year in 2024, with potential for even stronger performance.
The World Bank notes that global inflation is expected to average 3.5 per cent this year, with interest rates likely to remain high worldwide, posing challenges for developing economies.
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Victoria Police are appealing for public assistance to locate 55-year-old Sarabjit, who has been reported missing. Sarabjit was last seen at 2:45 pm on Tuesday, 27 August, leaving an address on Legrange Crescent in Fraser Rise.
She was wearing a black and white Puma hoodie, dark-coloured jeans, and black Puma slides at the time of her disappearance. Sarabjit, who is Indian in appearance, is approximately 160cm tall, of medium build, with shoulder-length black hair.
It is believed that Sarabjit may be travelling in a white 2018 Range Rover, registration SKU. She is known to frequent the Caroline Springs, Taylors Lakes, and Fraser Rise areas.
Both the police and her family are deeply concerned for Sarabjit’s welfare, as her disappearance is highly out of character.
Anyone with information is urgently requested to contact Melton Police Station at 9747 7999 or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
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The selection of Abigail Bradshaw as the new head of Australia’s cyber spy agency, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), sends a strong message.
It confirms the government’s increasing intelligence focus on domestic cybersecurity, both to disrupt foreign influence operations and to promote better protection of our national cyber systems.
The ASD is so far succeeding in its monitoring of foreign influence operations, but struggling when it comes to domestic cybersecurity.
ASD’s evolving mission
The initial remit of the ASD’s predecessor agencies was to operate as an arm of the Department of Defence by collecting intelligence through the interception of international communications (or “signals” in traditional military parlance).
The aim was to collect information relevant to the national defence of Australia, its diplomacy and foreign military activities.
As early as 2010, however, the distinction between the agency’s foreign and domestic operations started to blur.
Today, foreign intelligence collection and support of the armed forces are only two of ASD’s five missions. Domestic cybersecurity is now a chief priority – and a starkly ambitious one at that. As the agency frames it in its strategic objectives:
Make Australia the safest place to connect to the online world. Foster national cybersecurity resilience.
This is a substantial mission for the ASD, and in large part justifies the massive new spending for the agency announced by the Coalition government in March 2022 under Project Redspice – an additional A$10 billion over ten years. The government described it as the biggest investment plan for the agency in its history.
The agency also has two other domestic missions oriented towards threats inside Australia – countering cyber-enabled crime (including terrorist use of the internet) and supporting law enforcement.
Then Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil made clear this new focus on domestic threats during a speech in parliament in June 2023:
About a year before our election, our national security agencies informed the Australian people that, for the first time, the biggest national security challenges that we face as a country are espionage and foreign interference.
It is largely for this reason that when Labor came into power in 2022, O’Neil, the new home affairs minister, was given a secondary role as a sworn minister for defence. This practice has continued with the ministerial reshuffle last month when Tony Burke was named the new minister for home affairs and cybersecurity – and sworn in as a minister for defence.
“Ransomware is malicious software that makes data or computer systems unusable until the victim makes a payment, often in the form of cryptocurrencies.” In case you are ever impacted by #ransomware, listen to Abigail Bradshaw, Head ACSC explain the resources we have available. pic.twitter.com/YSSwI2J1ND
— Australian Signals Directorate (@ASDGovAu) August 16, 2022
Bradshaw’s domestic security background
Like her predecessors, Rachel Noble and Mike Burgess, Bradshaw brings a more diverse range of domestic security experience outside the defence world than would have been the case for a leader of the ASD a decade or two ago.
She previously served as the deputy commander of the Maritime Border Command, deputy coordinator of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, and head of the ASD’s domestically focused Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). She held the role as deputy director of the ASD itself beginning in 2020.
Bradshaw’s fellow deputy director appointed to ASD at the time was the government’s former counter-terrorism coordinator, Linda Geddes. These two appointments confirmed the direction the agency was moving, with a very strong emphasis on domestic security.
Challenges ahead
Recent speeches by Burgess, now director-general of ASIO, confirm that both ASIO and ASD have largely succeeded in their domestic and international monitoring of foreign influence operations in recent years.
However, improving our domestic cybersecurity presents a much bigger challenge.
Australia is arguably one of the ten safest countries when it comes to cybersecurity. And as a cyber power, the International Institute for Strategic Studies assessed that Australia sits in the same tier as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Israel, China and Russia – behind the United States, and ahead of Japan and India.
Australia is only gradually expanding its cybersecurity workforce and bringing private sector firms and even its own government departments into conformity with modest, mid-level indicators of security readiness. The new investments under Project Redspice will improve this.
But Bradshaw will have to be even more enterprising than her predecessors to bring Australia close to being the most cyber-secure country in the world – and the most resilient.
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Hundreds of Uber drivers across Australia’s capital cities went offline and took to the streets on Monday in protest against recent fare reductions by the rideshare giant.
The strike, which has seen large gatherings of drivers at key locations such as Brisbane and Adelaide airports, is in response to Uber’s decision to reduce fares by an average of 3% nationwide.
However, some drivers claim that the changes to the fare calculation method have resulted in a fare reduction of up to 30% in certain areas. This has led to significant disruptions, with passengers at Adelaide and Brisbane airports being warned of potential delays when ordering cars through Uber.
As a result of the strike, passengers have reported a sharp increase in Uber fares due to the reduced availability of cars.
Rideshare Network Secretary and Uber driver, Shane Millsom, told 7NEWS that Uber is making it nearly impossible for drivers to earn a living wage.
“They haven’t just reduced passenger fares; they’ve reduced driver pay as well. Uber is fully aware that many drivers have no other choice. Rideshare drivers are not faceless businesses; they are human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
The protest comes ahead of the implementation of the Closing Loopholes Bill in November, which is expected to grant Uber drivers a pay rise of up to $5.39 per hour, or up to $95 a week. The bill, supported by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, sets minimum standards for workers on digital labour platforms. However, with Uber reducing fares, the anticipated benefits for drivers may be significantly diminished.
The fare changes, which came into effect on August 21, impact multiple locations across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Newcastle, Geelong, Hobart, Darwin, Toowoomba, Wollongong, and Wagga Wagga. According to an email sent to drivers, the new price calculation will take into account the trip’s origin and time of day. Uber assured that there would be no change to minimum fare rates or how surge pricing is calculated.
In response, Uber stated that the decision was made to “match riders with the best ride at the best price.” A spokesperson for the company added, “This new approach will enable Uber to best balance both sides of our marketplace – making sure there are enough drivers in the right places to provide a seamless experience for riders.”
Meanwhile, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) announced that, starting Monday, gig workers have access to the Fair Work Commission as part of the Closing Loopholes Bill, allowing the union and workers to apply for minimum wages. The TWU is encouraging Uber drivers to join consultation groups to discuss proposed changes to the bill.
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PM Anthony Albanese and Indian PM Narendra Modi; Image Source- Supplied
To further bolster ties between Australia and India, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. The discussion focused on taking stock of the ongoing progress in bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in various multilateral forums, including the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
Deepening Bilateral Relations
The conversation between the two leaders highlights the growing partnership between India and Australia, which has seen considerable advancement in recent years. Both nations have been working closely on various fronts, including trade, security, education, and regional stability.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed his satisfaction with the discussion, stating, “Delighted to speak to my friend Anthony Albanese. We took stock of progress in our bilateral relations and cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the Quad.”
Delighted to speak to my friend @AlboMP. We took stock of progress in our bilateral relations and cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the Quad.
This statement underscores the mutual respect and shared vision that both leaders have for the future of India-Australia relations.
Australia and India have been steadily strengthening their ties, with an emphasis on enhancing economic cooperation and addressing shared security concerns. The relationship has been particularly important given the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region, where both nations play crucial roles.
PM Albanese has responded on X (formerly Twitter) saying,
“Great to speak to you yesterday @narendramodi, to wish you Happy Krishna Janmashtami, and to talk about all the work Australia and India are doing as partners bilaterally and regionally, including through the Quad.”
Great to speak to you yesterday @narendramodi, to wish you Happy Krishna Janmashtami, and to talk about all the work Australia and India are doing as partners bilaterally and regionally, including through the Quad. https://t.co/6UdPoKt6hd
The Quad, comprising India, Australia, the United States, and Japan, has been a focal point of the discussions between PM Modi and PM Albanese. The dialogue underlines the commitment of both nations to work together with their Quad partners to ensure a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The Quad has gained prominence as a key platform for addressing regional security challenges, particularly in light of increasing tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The member countries have been collaborating on various initiatives, including maritime security, cyber security, and infrastructure development, all of which are critical to maintaining stability in the region.
Engagement on Multiple Fronts
The conversation between the two prime ministers comes on the heels of a meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, which took place on July 29 in Tokyo.
During their meeting, Jaishankar and Wong discussed further intensifying bilateral ties, with a particular focus on security, trade, and education.
Jaishankar, in a post on X, mentioned, “A great start this morning meeting Australian FM Penny Wong in Tokyo. Spoke about further steps to intensify our bilateral ties including in security, trade, and education. Also discussed deepening our practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.”
The reference to the Indo-Pacific highlights the shared interest of both nations in ensuring a stable and secure region.
Minster Wong echoed these sentiments, emphasising Australia’s commitment to deepening ties with India and enhancing cooperation across the Indo-Pacific. She also announced Australia’s launch of a new Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre aimed at strengthening undersea cable networks in the Indo-Pacific, a crucial infrastructure for global communication and economic growth.
Australia’s Investment in Indo-Pacific Resilience
The new Cable Connectivity and Resilience Centre, announced by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring that undersea cable networks in the Indo-Pacific remain resilient and secure. These cables carry over 95% of international data traffic, making them essential to the functioning of the global economy.
In a statement from her office, Wong noted the strategic importance of these networks, saying,
“We rely on a vast network of undersea cables, which carry over 95 per cent of international data traffic from emails to e-commerce, accessing news, social media, and streaming content.”
Australia’s investment of more than USD 18 million over the next four years in this Centre underscores the nation’s commitment to the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. The Centre will draw on the region’s extensive expertise in undersea telecommunications cables to ensure reliable connectivity, which is integral to the growth of the digital economy.
The ongoing engagement between India and Australia is a testament to the strong and evolving partnership between the two countries. The discussions between PM Modi and PM Albanese, along with the initiatives announced by Foreign Minister Wong, reflect the shared vision of both nations to collaborate on key regional and global issues.
As the world navigates complex geopolitical challenges, the partnership between India and Australia is likely to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region. The continued dialogue and cooperation between the two nations signal a robust commitment to a stable, secure, and prosperous region.
With both countries committed to furthering their bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation in multilateral forums, the future of India-Australia ties looks promising.
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An “aviation industry ombuds scheme” and improved assistance for passengers with a disability will be among the measures the federal government will announce on Monday to force airlines to address the extensive public discontent with their services.
A new aviation customer rights charter will set out “fair and reasonable” conduct by airlines and airports, including when flights are delayed or cancelled.
It will cover customers’ entitlements to refunds, and when these must be provided in cash rather than with travel vouchers.
This follows class actions against both Qantas and Jetstar that allege they have failed to provide timely cash refunds for cancelled flights, despite being legally obliged to do so.
Both airlines issued vouchers instead of cash refunds, initially with expiry dates.
The class action against Qantas has entered mediation. That against Jetstar was launched last week.
The customer rights charter will also address “unreasonable” lengths of delays and timely communication with passengers.
Transport Minister Catherine King will release the government’s white paper on aviation, with legislation planned for next year, after further consultations. In the meantime, an interim ombudsperson will be appointed from her department.
King said too many people had been “left out to dry when flights are cancelled or disrupted and it’s impossibly complex to get a refund or even contact a company representative.
“Customers deserve to get their money back if they are owed. Full stop,” she said.
The ombuds scheme will have an external dispute resolution service, and direct airlines and airports to provide remedies to consumers. It will provide reports on conduct, and refer instances of misconduct for investigation.
Barriers presently faced by people with a disability include unreasonable wait times for checking in, refusals to carry assistance animals, and limits on wheelchairs and other access.
The government will create specific disability standards for the industry and review compliance with them.
It will improve remedies for damage to wheelchairs and other equipment, and require airport development plans to set out how they will enable access for people with a disability.
“Through our consultations, we have heard clearly that the treatment of people with disability by the airlines and airports is not good enough,” King said.
“People have been left stranded on planes, forced to return to their departure port or had to put up with poor treatment due to a lack of access to appropriate facilities at their destination.”
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India’s Narendra Modi, during his visit to Ukraine, described the country as a valued friend of India, marking a significant moment as he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Ukraine after it became an independent nation on 24th August 1991. Both Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky termed the visit historic, underscoring the importance of the occasion and Washington described it ‘helpful’.
Modi’s arrival in war-torn Kyiv, followed by a rewarding two-day visit to Poland, added a strategic layer to the trip. The visit was being closely watched, particularly by Western capitals, given its timing and geopolitical implications. The meeting between the leaders of New Delhi and Kyiv came just a month after Modi’s widely discussed meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow which was criticised by some quarters of Western establishment including Zelensky himself.
The trip coincided with Ukraine’s National Day, further amplifying its significance. Notably, it also occurred shortly after Ukraine made a bold advance by capturing approximately 1,150 km of Russian territory in the Kursk region which at the backdrop added layers of complexity.
The Indian leader said India was ‘never neutral’ and has always taken a side—the side of peace in this conflict. This visit can be seen as opening the doors for a long-overdue enhancement of India-Ukraine bilateral relations. Modi made the visit at President Zelensky’s invitation, and in reciprocation, Zelensky’s visit to India is expected soon.
Image: @narendramodi / X
Zelensky, in response to media questions, expressed that there should be no delay in meeting again and urged the Indian side to host a second peace summit in Delhi later this year — though this seems unlikely. This visit can largely be seen as productive and constructive in terms of affirming bilateral relations with Ukraine against the backdrop of the ongoing war.
Although, India has been providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since the early days of the conflict, sending 17 consignments so far, but has never condemned Russia, nor has it signed the Switzerland peace communiqué. India has also maintained a balanced stance in UN resolutions, with a tilt towards Russia, consistently advocating for dialogue and diplomacy.
Unlike China, India has not presented a formal peace plan to Ukraine. Instead, India has shown full support and willingness to facilitate peace talks if both parties agree. India has vehemently expressed that solutions cannot be found on the battlefield; for peace to be achieved, both parties must sit and work towards a peace plan.
The Indian leader emphasised his respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the international charter. India’s Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar hinted at exploring alternatives, and referred to trilateral beyond the Global Peace Summit, indicating two key points: first, back-channel diplomacy with Russia is already underway; second, India might limit its role in formal peace talks, opting instead to focus on providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Modi’s visit to Kyiv, with high fleet top officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, corroborates the former.
Zelensky stated that he freely expressed his views with the Indian delegation, and it is believed that messages from Moscow’s perspective would have also been shared with him. President Zelensky also viewed India’s presence in Kyiv as representative of Global South countries, where Ukraine’s influence is limited.
India surpassed China in July to become Russia’s top oil importer, largely due to strict operational sanctions on big suppliers like Iran and Venezuela, which make the oil market tight for India, said Dr Jaishankar in interaction with Western media. Despite a reduced yet critical defence partnership, India and Russia share a longstanding and time-tested historical friendship. The personal rapport between the leaders of both countries makes the bilateral relationship more significant and mature.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Image Source: PIB
Unlike Zelensky’s criticism of Modi’s bear hug to Putin, maturity has been observed from the Russian counterpart during Modi’s Ukraine visit, with a respectful silence being maintained in acknowledgement of India’s ‘strategic autonomy’ — something Putin has praised India for earlier as well. The Russian media described Modi’s visit as a message bearer, sharing perspectives on the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict.
However, after Ukraine’s U.S.-supported invasion in Kursk, Putin has, for now, refused to engage in any peace talks with Ukraine, and it is expected that the situation may escalate further in the near future, contrary to Zelensky’s expectation that the invaded territory could be a negotiation point for setting a peace deal in return for Russian-occupied Ukrainian land.
There have been many speculations about this visit, including it being seen as a calculated move by India given US pressure and Ukrainian criticism over Modi’s recent Moscow visit coincided with an attack on a Ukrainian children’s hospital, allegedly hit by a Russian rocket, which Russia denies.
However, Indian diplomats have rejected this, stating that both capitals are independent of each other and that the trip is in adherence to President Zelensky’s invitation to his Indian counterpart and to enhance Delhi-Kyiv’s engagement in various sectors.
During this visit, significant MOUs have been signed between the two nations on agriculture, community cooperation, defence, medicine, education and science. The war in Ukraine has impacted all three services of the Indian military that have sizeable inventories both from Russia and Ukraine. The delay has halted the modernisation of the IAF’s AN-32 transport fleet, particularly the role of Ukrainian engines in over 30 frontline warships.
Image: @narendramodi / X
Sources suggest that Indian companies are of the view of the joint venture in defence manufacturing with Kyiv considering its cutting-edge battle-tested system and technologies – which may raise a concern in Moscow. Moreover, India, with its proactive interest in Europe, aims to diversify and strengthen relations with Western allies beyond France, Germany, the UK and Italy securing the ultimate fruition of IMEC (India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor) for India alongside its growing interest in Central Europe. Additionally, India seeks to secure its interests amid China’s increasing influence in Europe.
India is among the very few countries with the unique ability to engage diplomatically with both Putin and the West, which can potentially facilitate dialogue and bridge the gap between Russia and the West. However, the outcome of the U.S. elections will significantly impact the war’s trajectory.
If Trump wins, Ukraine may receive limited support, and NATO might not be a priority. In this case, Russia could choose to extend the conflict to further its aims of redrawing borders. Alternatively, the conflict could come to an end with a potentially less hostile US administration willing to engage with Putin to secure a peace deal with Ukraine.
PM Modi on Ukraine’s visit strongly condemned the killings, mourned and paid homage to the children’s memorials with Kyiv’s counterpart. During his Moscow visit, he expressed deep sorrow over the children’s hospital attack, calling it deeply painful in his meeting with President Putin.
Whether India will play a proactive role in pursuing peace remains to be seen. If it does, it is likely to be through back-channel diplomacy. On the other hand, Zelensky is securing strategic interests through Modi’s visit, demonstrating this visit as a diplomatic win against Russia, with one of its closest allies.
However, India’s relations with Russia will remain largely unaffected, driven by both political and energy strategies as well as defence ties. The longstanding friendship between the two nations is now further reinforced by the emerging China factor, which plays a crucial role in India’s approach to maintaining strong ties with Russia. Despite the imposition of new sanctions on Russia, India has refused to honour any sanctions that are not UN-imposed, asserting its independent stance on the matter.
Interestingly, Chinese commentators have shown a surprising alignment with India’s position, particularly in the context of global economic stability with its oil strategy. This alignment may suggest a strategic convergence between Beijing and New Delhi on supporting Russia or possibly in response to India’s recent easing of restrictions on Chinese investments and business visa policies.
Amid significant speculation and diplomatic balancing, Prime Minister Modi successfully underscored India’s strong positioning in global affairs. He demonstrated how India has become a key player in global geopolitics, capable of engaging opposing sides while affirming its national interest.
Contributing Author: Sagina Walyat is an International Relations analyst, an AsiaGlobal Fellow at The University of Hongkong and a delegate of Australia-India Youth Dialogue (AIYD). She is also a lawyer and policymaker and is known for her work in social justice and human rights.
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.
A Hamilton-based dairy company, Milkio Foods Limited, has been fined $420,000 after admitting to making false claims about the origin of its products, which were marketed as “100% Pure New Zealand” despite ingredients being imported from India.
The Commerce Commission, which brought the case against Milkio Foods, revealed that the company used deceptive practices to retain approval for the use of the prestigious FernMark logo and licence number. The FernMark, an internationally recognised symbol, is used to identify products genuinely made in New Zealand. However, Milkio Foods allegedly misrepresented the origin of the butter used in its ghee products, misleading consumers and damaging the integrity of the New Zealand brand.
In court, Milkio Foods admitted to making false representations about the country of origin of its products. The company had promoted its ghee as being “from the clean green pasture-based dairy farms in New Zealand” and “produced and manufactured in pristine New Zealand.” Despite these claims, it was revealed that the butter used in some of their products was sourced from India.
Vanessa Horne, the Commerce Commission’s general manager for fair trading, emphasised the seriousness of the breach, highlighting New Zealand’s global reputation for producing high-quality dairy products. She stated that Milkio Foods had taken unfair advantage of this reputation to promote its products.
“New Zealand has built a strong reputation for high-quality dairy products, which helps underpin the value of the dairy industry and exports,” Ms Horne said.
“Milkio took advantage of this reputation to promote their own products through the use of descriptions like ‘from the clean green pasture-based dairy farms in New Zealand’ and ‘produced and manufactured in pristine New Zealand,’ despite some of their products using imported butter from India.”
Ms Horne added that the conviction should serve as a stark warning to other companies that might consider falsely claiming the New Zealand brand to boost their products.
“This conviction should serve as a warning to others who may be looking to falsely claim the New Zealand brand. Such actions not only deceive consumers but also harm the trust that has been built around the integrity of New Zealand-made products,”
She said.
The case was brought to the attention of the Commerce Commission by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), which had initially raised concerns about Milkio Foods’ use of the FernMark logo and the accuracy of its product labelling.
In response to the ruling, industry observers have noted that the case underscores the importance of maintaining transparency and honesty in product labelling, particularly for products associated with New Zealand’s strong reputation in the global dairy market.
The FernMark logo, a symbol of New Zealand’s quality and authenticity, is only granted to products that meet strict criteria set by the New Zealand government. The misuse of this logo by Milkio Foods not only misled consumers but also posed a risk to the credibility of other genuine New Zealand products.
The $420,000 fine is one of the largest penalties imposed for breaches of the Fair Trading Act in recent years and reflects the seriousness with which the courts and regulatory bodies treat such violations. The ruling is expected to have a significant impact on other businesses in the industry, serving as a deterrent to those who might consider similar practices.
Milkio Foods has yet to comment on the ruling, and it remains unclear how the company plans to address the damage to its reputation following the court’s decision.
The Commerce Commission has urged consumers to remain vigilant and report any concerns about potentially misleading product claims to ensure that the high standards associated with New Zealand-made products are upheld.
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A consortium led by India’s Eraaya Lifespaces has successfully acquired US-based Ebix Inc., including all its worldwide subsidiaries, in a deal worth $US145 million ($216 million). The acquisition follows Ebix Inc.’s filing for protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code last December.
The consortium, which includes Vikras Lifecare and Vitasta Software India alongside Eraaya Lifespaces, is set to complete the transaction by August 31. The law firm Sidley Austin acted as counsel for Ebix during the proceedings.
Ebix Australia Managing Director Leon d’Apice has welcomed the acquisition, emphasising that the move signifies a positive step forward for the company’s operations Down Under.
“The Australian operation remains profitable and strong,”Mr. d’Apice told insuranceNEWS.com.au,
“We have a very successful business model here. Management remains the same, and there will be no change to the local business, which has continued as usual throughout this process.”
Acquisition Details and Process
Ebix Inc. initially filed for Chapter 11 protection on December 17, aiming to restructure its debts and operations. Earlier this year, the company sold its North American life and annuity assets to Zinnia Corporate Holdings in a deal that closed on April 1.
The Eraaya-led consortium’s bid for the remaining Ebix assets was accepted at the end of June following an auction overseen by the US Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. The acquisition terms received support from Ebix’s senior management team, led by the CEO, signalling confidence in the consortium’s ability to steer the company toward renewed growth.
On August 2, the Texas bankruptcy court confirmed the finalized acquisition plan. Following the court’s approval, Eraaya Lifespaces announced the successful agreement in a release to India’s BSE stock exchange.
“Eraaya Lifespaces Limited is thrilled to announce that the agreement to acquire Ebix Inc. has successfully gone through the process of final approval at the bankruptcy courts,” the company stated, highlighting the strategic significance of the acquisition.
Last week, Delhi-based Eraaya completed a qualified institutional placement to fund the final payments for Ebix, which has an ascribed enterprise value of $US361 million ($538 million). The move underscores Eraaya’s commitment to expanding its portfolio beyond lifestyle and hospitality into sectors that promise “growth, diversification, and sustained relevance in an ever-evolving market.”
Impact on Ebix’s Global Operations
Ebix Inc. is renowned for providing software and e-commerce services to the insurance, financial, and healthcare industries. With over 50 offices across Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, the US, and the UK, the company has established a significant global footprint. Its principal US executive offices are located in Johns Creek, Georgia.
Despite the Chapter 11 filing, Ebix’s global subsidiaries were not initially included in the bankruptcy proceedings but are now part of the equity transaction with the Eraaya consortium. The acquisition aims to stabilize and strengthen Ebix’s operations worldwide, leveraging Eraaya’s resources and strategic direction.
Continued Strength in Australian Market
Ebix Australia, which celebrated three decades of operation last year, has maintained a strong focus on its core businesses throughout the restructuring process. Recognised as “one of the original insurtechs,”the company has been at the forefront of technology solutions for the insurance industry since its establishment. Its product suite includes Ebix Evolution, OneOffice, Sunrise Exchange, and WinBEAT, all of which continue to serve a robust client base.
Mr. d’Apice reaffirmed the company’s stability and ongoing commitment to innovation in the Australian market.
“Our focus has always been on delivering exceptional value and cutting-edge solutions to our clients,” he said. “This acquisition provides us with additional support and resources to continue our growth trajectory and enhance our service offerings.”
Future Outlook
The successful acquisition by the Eraaya-led consortium is expected to provide Ebix Inc. with the necessary support to emerge stronger from its financial restructuring. With the backing of new ownership committed to diversification and growth, Ebix is poised to reinforce its position as a leading provider of technology solutions across various industries globally.
The deal’s completion on August 31 will mark a new chapter for Ebix, as it leverages Eraaya’s strategic vision to navigate the competitive landscape and explore new opportunities for expansion and innovation.
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Top on the list were health care, open and honest government, economic stability, and housing affordability. The 2022 federal election then saw a change in government.
The survey asked Australians the same question in May 2024. While Australians still consider health services, economic stability, housing affordability, and open and honest government as the top four issues facing Australia, the magnitude of concern and the ranking of these issues have changed. Other issues have emerged as needing more attention.
Here’s what Australians told us about their priorities and what that says about how the country is changing.
Shifting priorities
Across both years, 3,772 respondents were shown a list of 17 potential issues facing Australians and asked to indicate which they thought were important.
In 2022, 77.5% identified health services and hospitals and 64.3% thought housing affordability was important.
Two years later, the top four issues remained the most important, but their relative order has changed.
Health services remains at the top of the list, but with only 69.4% indicating it is an important issue. Economic stability (68.9%) and housing affordability (64%) rose in importance when compared to their rankings in 2022. Although now ranked fourth, open and honest government fell from 75.3% to 54.5% between 2022 and 2024.
Across the board, there is less agreement among Australians as to which issues are important. At the same time, there have been changes in the perceived prominence of other problems, such as declines in the proportion of Australians who think climate change or supporting the elderly should be addressed.
Do political colours matter?
Do the top issues vary based on political party affiliation? It’s a mixed bag.
Health services and hospitals were in the top three issues for supporters of Labor and Greens parties and the Coalition in 2024. Economic stability is important for all party affiliations except the Greens. Coalition voters did not identify housing as a top three issue.
Instead, reducing crime is one of the top three issues for Coalition supporters. Perhaps unsurprisingly, addressing global warming and climate change is a top issue for those affiliated with the Greens.
How much has it changed in two years?
Two years isn’t a long time, so what changed?
The matters with the largest fall in perceived importance were open and honest government (down 20.8 percentage points), support for the elderly (down 17.2 percentage points) and addressing global warming and climate change (down 16.4 percentage points).
By far the issue that increased the most in importance among Australians was an interest in reducing migration from other countries. Compared to 2022, the share reporting this matter as an important issue increased by 17.6 percentage points.
Are the changes in importance of these issues the same across political party preference?
We found a decline in the importance of open and honest government for all party types but most significantly for the Labor Party, followed by the Greens.
Similarly, voters from all parties stated that addressing support for the elderly is a less important issue in 2024 than in 2022. Across the three major parties, the importance of this issue dropped between 15 and 20 percentage points.
Lower proportions of voters from all parties believed addressing global warming and climate change was an important issue. Support for addressing climate change declined most among Labor voters, from 79.2% in 2022 to 58.6% in 2024.
Notably, among Greens voters, 79% believed in 2024 that fighting climate change was important for Australia, down from 90.4% in 2022.
Finally, as alluded to earlier, significantly more Australians believe reducing immigration was important. This sentiment has more than doubled among voters of most parties.
From 2022 to 2024, support for reduced immigration increased from 25% to 50.3% among Coalition voters, from 11.8% to 22.4% among Labor voters, from 5.2% to 15.7% among Greens voters. Support increased from 28.3% to 50.7% among voters from other parties (which include, for example, independents, One Nation and the United Australia Party).
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On a crisp spring-like morning in Wyndham City, Rishi Prabhakar a candidate for the ‘Brinbeal Ward’ in the upcoming Wyndham City Council elections came to meet the wider community and answer questions about his campaign.
To everyone’s surprise, the event held at the Feronia Avenue Park in Tarneit attracted a large gathering of local community leaders, supporters, and residents who came to hear the inspirational story of a man who has dedicated his time to community service.
Screenshot
A Journey of Resilience and Commitment
Rishi Prabhakar’s story is a remarkable one, highlighting the resilience and determination of a multicultural community member who has risen to the challenge of building a successful life in Australia.
Arriving in 2003 as an international student, Rishi faced the typical struggles of a newcomer, working long hours in minimal-wage jobs, including stints in a restaurant and as a security guard. Despite the hardships, he remained focused on his goals and, in 2005, became a Permanent Resident of Australia.
“From the very beginning, it was always my passion to assist others so they don’t have to go through the same challenges I faced,” Rishi shared with the crowd, his voice filled with sincerity.
“I wanted to create a path where everyone, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the community.”
Rishi’s journey from an international student to a respected community leader is a testament to his unwavering commitment to giving back. Now a married man with two young children, he juggles his family responsibilities, professional work, and extensive community service seven days a week.
His professional background in accounting has been instrumental in his work, but Rishi decided to shift his focus entirely toward community service in 2016, believing that true change comes from active involvement rather than mere complaints.
“In 2016 and again in 2020, I gained invaluable experience and learned important lessons about the power of grassroots involvement,”Rishi said.
“Instead of complaining, I realised it was time to take action and be the change I wanted to see in my community.”
A Leader During the Pandemic
Rishi’s leadership and dedication to the community became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognising the struggles faced by international students, newly arrived migrants, and residents, he established an international helpline and a student support line to assist those in need.
His efforts extended further when he became part of the initiative called the “Wyn Bus Service” for residents of a new estate in Wyndham, addressing the lack of local transportation options.
“The pandemic was a challenging time for all of us,” Rishi reflected.
“But it was also a time when we saw the importance of community and the impact that one person can make by stepping up and offering help. I’m proud of what we accomplished together during those difficult months, and it solidified my belief in the power of community-led initiatives.”
Campaign Message: “Let’s Get Together to Build a Better Wyndham”
The central theme of Rishi’s campaign is encapsulated in his message: “Let’s get together to build a better Wyndham.” This message resonates with many in the community who have seen the positive changes that inclusive and collaborative leadership can bring.
Rishi’s vision for Wyndham is one where every resident, regardless of their background, has a voice and can contribute to the city’s growth and development
Community leaders and supporters took to the stage to share their thoughts on the importance of multicultural representation in local government.
Community Leaders Voice Their Support
Biren Joshi one of the most prominent names working within the Wyndham community said, “Today’s event was more than just a community meet and suggestions session”
“It was a celebration of the diverse and vibrant community that makes up Wyndham City.
A notable aspect of the event was the inclusion of support messages delivered in various languages, reflecting the multicultural fabric of Wyndham City. Leaders spoke in Telugu, Gujarati, Rajasthani, and Haryanavi languages ensuring that the message of inclusivity reached as many community members as possible.
Vibrant Gujarati community leaders Champaksinh Ravalji, Chiketan Patel, Chetan Patel, Pragnesh Shah, Jaydipsinh Vachhani and Jayrajsinh Jadeja extended their support to Rishi’s campaign.
“Rishi Prabhakar is not just a candidate; he is one of us,” said Pragnesh Shah, a local community leader who addressed the gathering in Gujarati.
“He understands our struggles, our dreams, and our hopes. His leadership during the pandemic proved that he is a man of action, not just words. We need someone like him who can represent our voices in the council.”
Speaking in Telugu, Laxmi and Venkat Nookala, echoed similar sentiments: “Rishi’s journey from an international student to a community leader is something we all admire.”
“He is committed to making Wyndham a place where everyone can thrive, no matter where they come from.”
Vara Ammina giving the message in Telugu
In Rajasthani (Marwari), Jitendra Sharma, emphasised the need for inclusive representation: “For too long, our communities have been under-represented. With Rishi, we have someone who understands our needs and is ready to fight for them.”
He has my full support, and I urge all of you to stand with him.”
Finally, From the Haryanavi Australian Community Pardeep Redhu, Raj Sahu, Dinesh Sahu, Parmod Tomor, Rishi Manna and Dr Sachin Dahiya were present.
Pradeep Radu highlighted Rishi’s dedication to education and youth: “Rishi knows the importance of education and the challenges our youth face. He has been a mentor to many, and his vision for a better Wyndham includes better opportunities for our children.”
A Strong Vision for Wyndham’s Future
As the event drew to a close, Rishi Prabhakar addressed the crowd with a heartfelt message of unity and hope.
“Wyndham is a city of diverse cultures, ideas, and dreams,” he said.
“Together, we can build a community where everyone has a place, where every voice is heard, and where we all work together for the common good.”
“My commitment is to ensure that our council reflects the diversity of our city and that our policies and decisions are made with the input of all residents,” he added.
Rishi’s campaign promises to focus on key issues such as improving local infrastructure, increasing access to essential services, supporting small businesses, and enhancing educational opportunities for youth. He also plans to continue his work in community outreach, ensuring that the needs of all residents are addressed, particularly those in marginalised and under-represented groups.
The Road Ahead
As Rishi Prabhakar embarks on his campaign for the Brinbeal Ward, the support he has garnered from the community is a clear indication of his impact as a leader and his potential to bring about positive change in Wyndham City. His story of resilience, commitment, and service resonates with many, making him a strong contender in the upcoming council elections.
In his closing remarks, Rishi urged the community to join him in his mission to build a better Wyndham.
“This is not just my campaign; it’s our campaign,”he said.
“Together, we can make Wyndham a place where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to make a difference. Let’s get together to build a better Wyndham, for ourselves and future generations.”
With the campaign officially underway, all eyes are on Rishi Prabhakar as he continues to inspire and mobilise the community toward a brighter future for Wyndham City.
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The Northern Territory is a different place. On the day prior to this election, Speckles the Adelaide River crocodile was asked to predict the result of the election. He had replaced the previous crocodile, a spiv who got the 2016 and 2020 elections wrong.
Speckles decided Eva Lawler, the Labor Chief Minister, would win the election. Speckles was not the only prognosticator to get it wrong. I fear for his future.
The Country Liberal Party (CLP) has won majority government, returning to power after eight years in opposition. Double-digit swings against Labor have been recorded in some electorates. Lawler lost government and her own seat.
Instead, CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro will become the Territory’s next Chief Minister and govern in majority.
A screenshot of the Northern Territory election results as recorded by the ABC. Screenshot taken 9AM on Sunday August 25. ABC News
A tale of two elections
Yesterday, effectively, there were two elections conducted for the NT Legislative Assembly. The first was in the bush electorates.
These are dominated by Aboriginal communities, often blighted by poverty, poor housing, inadequate medical services, failing educational services and the absence of employment opportunities: all the elements the Closing the Gap targets seek to address.
As is customary in Territory elections, these Indigenous communities voted Labor. Only once since self government in 1978 (in 2012) have they not done so.
However, Indigenous issues were hardly mentioned by politicians or the media in this election campaign.
This election was essentially an urban election played out mainly in Darwin-Palmerston and, to an extent, Alice Springs. It only paid some attention to Indigenous issues as a covert subtext to the broader community angst about crime.
Twice the expected swing
I predicted the CLP would get uneven swings, bigger in some instances (like in electorates that had suburbs where there were high levels of property crime, violence and public drunkenness).
Overall, I assumed the CLP Opposition would get a Territory-wide swing of about 4%–6%. I was wrong.
The overall swing to the CLP in the suburbs of Darwin was over twice that estimate. Several ministers, including Lawler, have lost their seats.
Lawler conceded defeat at 8:30pm, a full hour before losers in NT elections usually do so. That indicated the extent of the loss for Labor.
Counting will resume today but, on the trends, I expect at least four (possibly six) Labor Ministers will lose their seats.
As I predicted, independents have been elected in two seats: Yingiya Mark Guyula in Mulka (in northeast Arnhem Land) and Robyn Lambley in Araluen (in Alice Springs).
Other independents have done well, as in Johnston where a Teal-like (she actually wore purple) independent out-polled the Labor incumbent (although still behind the CLP).
Labor’s vote collapse
My interpretation of the collapse of the Labor vote is that it involves two elements.
One is the defection of weakly-aligned voters. These voters usually make up the swing in an election.
The other is that a fair proportion of Labor voters switched to the Greens. I have lauded Chief Minister Lawler for her tough campaign, but it’s possible some Labor voters were alienated by her right-ish switch and decided to vote Green, to remind Labor that it is supposed to be a progressive party.
However you interpret this election, it is definitely a landslide to the CLP. Comparatively, it’s not as bad for Labor as the anti-CLP landslide in 2016. Back then, Finocchiaro was the only CLP member reelected in the Greater Darwin area.
That 2016 election was consequential. Because Finocchiaro was the only CLP parliamentarian left in the Greater Darwin area, she eventually became CLP leader. The twists of fate mean that she is now Chief Minister.
The most interesting new development of this election was the rise of the Greens. They will feel greatly buoyed by this election, where in some seats they finally broke the 20% primary vote barrier to become serious players in Territory politics.
In my pre-poll analysis, I said this would be a good election to win because the NT economy will pick up next year.
In addition, Commonwealth expenditure in the NT is set to dramatically escalate. The billions of dollars worth of spending as part of remote housing and education deals struck with the Commonwealth, plus other large-scale spending programs, will start to come into play.
The Commonwealth is becoming invested in reversing Indigenous disadvantage in the Territory because the NT is the worst performer on the Closing The Gap targets.
This means continuing money for the NT and all but ensures the new CLP government will be re-elected in 2028.
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Image: Aftermath of crash and suspected stabbing in Sydney's south (Source: ABC News screenshot)
Four people, including a police officer, have been injured following a car crash and suspected stabbing in Engadine, southern Sydney, on Sunday morning.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. at the intersection of Princes Highway and Old Bush Road. Emergency services were alerted after multiple calls were made to Triple Zero (000) reporting a two-vehicle collision.
Upon arrival, officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command found a man who appeared to have been stabbed, allegedly fleeing the scene.
NSW Police apprehended the man using a Taser and took him into custody.
Emergency services are responding to an incident at Engadine where four people – including a police officer – have been injured following a crash and suspected stabbing a short time ago.
During the arrest, a male police officer sustained a serious laceration to his left wrist. A woman, believed to be a passenger in one of the crashed vehicles, was also discovered with multiple injuries.
A fourth individual was also found injured at the scene, though their involvement in the incident remains unclear at this time. All four individuals are currently receiving treatment from NSW Ambulance paramedics.
The Princes Highway has been closed in both directions, and authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area.
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley confirmed to media that an investigation is underway. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. All reports will be treated with strict confidentiality. The public is reminded not to share information via NSW Police social media pages.
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At a ceremony held in Port Vila on Tuesday, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw handed over 13 new police vehicles, two boats, and a range of high-grade policing equipment to VPF Commissioner Robson Iavro. This modern equipment is set to strengthen policing capabilities across Vanuatu’s diverse communities.
Image: AFP Commissioner’s visit to Vanuatu (Source: AFP)
In addition to the new equipment, several infrastructure projects supported by the AFP were officially unveiled. These include a refurbished Forensic Laboratory, upgraded facilities at the Police Training College, a newly constructed Fare (ni-Vanuatu gathering place) at the Freshwota police post, and the first of five police houses being renovated at Independence Park.
Commissioner Kershaw emphasized the importance of this initiative in reinforcing the partnership between the two nations. “It was an honour to be welcomed to Vanuatu by my friend Commissioner Iavro and to witness firsthand the close working partnership our two forces share,” said Kershaw.
“We are proud to provide this new equipment and support the infrastructure projects and look forward to the continued collaboration between Australia and Vanuatu. The AFP is committed to working together with our colleagues in the VPF to continue to protect our communities from criminal threats and maintain safety within the region.”
During his visit, Commissioner Kershaw also engaged in high-level discussions with Commissioner Iavro and the newly appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon Andrew Napuat. These talks aimed to further strengthen the enduring partnership between the AFP and VPF, with Minister Napuat warmly referring to the AFP as “family.”
Image: AFP Commissioner’s visit to Vanuatu (Source: AFP)
In a further commitment to Vanuatu’s policing efforts, the AFP has pledged an additional $32.7 million, funded through the Australian Pacific Police Partnership Program (AP4). This investment will support the construction of a new Port Vila Central Police Station, the provision of eight police motorcycles, and the delivery of a Naiad Rigid Hull Patrol Vessel to enhance the VPF’s maritime operations across Vanuatu’s 83 islands.
This collaboration marks another milestone in the AFP’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safer and more prosperous region in the Pacific.
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Archana Sukumar was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) at the beginning of 2023. After undergoing chemotherapy and achieving remission, her leukemia has unfortunately relapsed. The young mother of two lives in North West Sydney and is an IT professional.
She urgently needs a Blood Stem Cell Transplant.
Ozindcare in association with Strength To Give are organising a testing drive to identify suitable donors, where a team of experts will be present to collect cheek swabs and provide detailed advice.
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You can register via the link : https://strengthtogive.org.au/ozindcare/
You can click on the following link for more information on Stem Cell donation: https://strengthtogive.org.au/faqs/
To know more about the process you can also watch this video.
Foreign hackers from Iran, Russia, and China are escalating their attempts to interfere in the US Presidential election’s outcome.
This week, the US intelligence community specifically accused Iranian actors of hacking into Donald Trump’s presidential campaign as well as Vice-President Kamala Harris’s campaign being targeted by foreign hackers.
Image: Official portrait of President Donald J. Trump, Friday, October 6, 2017. (Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead / Source: Wikipedia)Image: Vice-President Kamala Harris 9Source: X)
Multiple agencies, including Meta and Microsoft’s threat intelligence division, have sounded the alarm over the increasing interference as election day approaches. However, the motives and methods behind these cyberattacks differ across the nations involved.
The statement added that these methods are not new, as Iran and Russia have employed similar tactics in past US elections and other countries worldwide. Despite these accusations, Iran has denied any involvement, dismissing the intelligence report as “unsubstantiated”.
“We will not tolerate foreign efforts to influence or interfere with our elections, including the targeting of American political campaigns.”
According to a recent report by Microsoft Threat Intelligence, Iranian activities have contributed to a rise in “foreign malign influence,” with cyber-enabled operations being a consistent feature in the last three US election cycles. The report also noted that Iranian operations often emerge later in the election season and are more focused on disrupting the election process rather than directly influencing voter decisions.
With the upcoming election in November, deepfakes are a growing threat. Protect yourself from misleading and harmful content by staying informed and following these steps. 🧵
Recent months have also seen Russian actors accused of attempting to sway the election. Meta’s latest threat report identified a “deceptive campaign from Russia” involving fake news stories and AI-generated content on YouTube.
Russia has been the leading source of coordinated inauthentic behaviour (CIB) networks disrupted since 2017, with Meta reporting 39 covert influence operations from Russia, 30 from Iran, and 11 from China. Russia’s interference is often aimed at supporting candidates opposing aid to Ukraine and criticising those advocating for it. The goal is to exploit economic hardships in the US and undermine support for Ukraine.
US intelligence agencies have also warned of Russian operatives covertly using social media to influence public opinion, often employing deep fake technology and inflammatory content to spread disinformation.
China, labelled by Meta as the third-highest source of CIB operations, has also been active in influencing American discourse. Microsoft’s report noted that CCP-linked actors have been expanding their activities to new platforms and audiences in the lead-up to the election. For example, these actors have been stoking outrage around pro-Palestinian protests at US universities and attempting to manipulate both left-leaning and right-wing groups to further agitate conflicts.
A US intelligence report from March highlighted China’s growing sophistication in influence operations, particularly through the use of generative AI and targeting candidates as early as the 2022 midterm elections. The report suggested that China’s primary aim is to sideline critics of Beijing and magnify societal divisions within the US.
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A new collection of Australian writing and image commissions responding to the landscape, communities and histories surrounding the Parramatta River has been released by Powerhouse Parramatta in a new series titled ‘The River’.
Eight Australian writers with connections to Western Sydney were commissioned to develop stories that bring to life experiences and imaginings central to the river – a place of conflict, rebirth, joy, possibility and of coming together across time and culture.
Award-winning writer Felicity Castagna is the commissioning editor, bringing together contributors Lachlan Brown, Fiona Murphy, Vivian Pham, Willem Brussen, Jiva Parthipan, Maarama Kāmira and Anwen Crawford to contribute to the series. Each writer was selected for their unique literary style, responding to the river in their own way, from personal essays exploring cultural connections and rituals, to conversations with Dharug Elders and a poet’s impression.
Felicity Castanga (Image by Jacquie Manning)
Conor O’Brien was commissioned by Powerhouse Artistic Associate Zan Wimberley to create a series of new images and Joseph Mayers has contributed images that capture the cultural landscapes of the river. The River is part of the museum’s new initiative, Powerhouse Writing, a project that embeds writing across the museum through storytelling. It brings new perspectives to the Powerhouse Collection and the applied arts and sciences, while shining a light on the communities and landscapes surrounding Powerhouse Parramatta. It is an ongoing project encompassing digital stories, publications and program commissions.
Powerhouse Head of Writing, Jemma Birrell, says that like the Parramatta River, this collection is both local and specific yet also universal, connecting to other parts of the world. These stories are rich and varied, and the notion of Country is central. It’s an incredible range of perspectives on the river which, as Maarama Kāmira says ‘watches and gathers our fleeting stories’.
Maarama Kāmir (Image by Conor O’Brien)
Speaking to the The Australia Today, Jeema added that stories around the river were one way of exploring notions of Country central to opening Powerhouse Parramatta.
“When I started at Powerhouse one of the first projects I started working on was a series of writing commissions around the Parramatta River.
I asked writer and artist Felicity Castagna (who has lived close to the river for many years), to be the commissioning editor. She’s brought together 7 other established and emerging writers connected to Western Sydney. Their essays (and poetry in one case) are rich and varied, bringing a kaleidoscopic impression of the river, as well as new histories and perspectives
Powerhouse also commissioned images of the landscape surrounding the river, which are published alongside the writing and bring their own interpretation.”
(Image by Conor O’Brien)
Speaking about the project, Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said,
“Powerhouse Writing continues our support of Australian writers through commissions, collaborations, residencies and events, helping develop and grow our arts ecosystem while enabling national and international connections. ‘The River’ is one of the first projects in this initiative and I’m proud of the writers and image makers we can showcase through this series and the stories so closely connected to Powerhouse Parramatta.”
Commissioning Editor Felicity Castagna mentions that she walks the river every day and thinks about the layers of history that are underneath her feet.
(Image by Conor O’Brien)
“In editing ‘The River’ I’ve been given the impossible task of trying to gather together all those layers of story which extend 60,000 years back in time to when First Nations people traded here to the present, where it is still, first and foremost, a gathering space for the local communities around it. ‘Through this dynamic and diverse collection of writers that have all gathered here in their own ways, I hope I’ve managed to capture what it means to be here and why the river is such an important part of our local and national story.”
Felicity told The Australia Today that it’s been such a privilege to be able to help bring all those stories of a place that she feels so connected with to the general public.
“I walk the river every day and I think about all the many layers of story that are held there in both the natural and man made environment. There are still chemicals in the soil from the many factories that have lined the river over time. Underneath the ground, there are still the bodies of people who were held there in asylums and orphanages and religious and state institutions. It has this huge history which spans back many thousands of years and which I’m a small part of now.”
(Image by Conor O’Brien)
“I’m really interested in the way that I’ve watched the landscape develop over the years as a local. There’s this incredibly striking contrast between the 15,000 year old mangrove forests on the river’s edge and all these hyper new, incredibly tall and shiny apartment blocks going up around them. In my essay, I wanted to capture that sense of a city in flux – one that exists simultaneously in the past and the present.
Firstly, the river always was and always will be Burramattagal country. Secondly, it’s important to explore how the many generations of migrants use the river now in their own ways – from promenading up and down the river like they may have in their home country, to fishing, engaging in religious rituals and bringing different communities together around the river through eating and cooking there”, added Felicity.
(Image by Conor O’Brien)
Fiona Murphy is one of the contributors to the series. Fiona told The Australia Today that she was immediately drawn to the concept.
“While the river is a specific location it is inherently ever changing as it moves through the landscape. As a writer it is a pleasure to write about something that is charged with momentum and lifeforce.”
Fiona Murphy (Image by Ebony Kate Dennis)
“I was keen to show readers what it is like to move through the world as a deaf person, especially moving through a well known location. While most people assume deafness is a state of sensory deprivation, it really is one of alertness — watching, feeling, tasting, and responding to the world.”
Willem Brussen, who was also among the contributors to the series told The Australia Today, what was the inspiration behind his piece.
“The inspiration was to talk to three Elders who I respect deeply and to understand their connection to the river and the area. Through having these yarns and sharing stories this made me reflect further on my own connections to the area. I felt particular resonance to Aunty Julie Christian’s connection to a tree nearby to the river. The imagery of the tree growing through the fence underpinned the resilience of stories that were shared throughout. Whether they be the stories of frontier warriors shared by Uncle Chris Tobin or reflections shared through the work that Aunty Karen Maber does now in Parramatta with The Dharug Keeping Place.”
Will Brussen (Image by Joseph Mayers)
“When I started writing the piece I didn’t really know where it would go, I knew I wanted to have conversations with my Elders and let that guide the direction. I felt fortunate to be able to have yarns with my Elders that I might not necessarily have had the opportunity without the means of writing this piece for the Powerhouse.”
Willem also mentioned how important it is to have diverse voices while weaving histories of ancient lands and cultures.
“Both Aunty Karen and Uncle Chris spoke about how Parramatta is a meeting place, and it always has been. As such it is a place where people from all walks of life can come together. I think it’s really important to capture those voices and the varied as well as shared histories of those voices.”
(Image by Conor O’Brien)
Jiva Parthipan, another contributor to the series, reflects upon the role of rivers in cultural continuity across continents. Jiva told The Australia Today that he thinks of the river’s functions in both physical and emotional spaces, and how we ascribe our personal, political, environmental and cultural histories to landscapes.
“With over eighty percent of our bodies compromising water, it’s only apt we come and end our lives with water”, added Jiva.
Image: Brand Finance 2024 ranking (Source: X - Amul)
In a recent update from the Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024 report, two Indian brands have made a remarkable impact in the list of most valuable and strongest food, dairy & non-alcoholic drinks brands.
The Brand Finance #Dairy 25 2024 ranking sees @Yili_global leading the way as the sector’s most valuable #brand despite a slight 6% decrease in brand value to USD11.6 billion this year.
Amul, a renowned dairy brand from India, has secured the top position as the world’s strongest food brand. With a Brand Value of USD 3.3 billion, Amul boasts a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 91.0 out of 100 and an impressive AAA+ rating.
The report highlights Amul’s exceptional performance in metrics such as familiarity, consideration, and recommendation, underscoring its dominance in the global food market.
We are pleased to inform Amul is ranked as the strongest food brand and strongest dairy brand in the world as per Food & Drink 2024, the annual report on the most valuable and strongest food, dairy & non-alcoholic drinks brands by @BrandFinance, world's leading brand consultancy pic.twitter.com/C67ja6bll9
Britannia, another notable Indian brand, has also made the list, coming in fourth. Known for its diverse product range including biscuits, dairy items, cakes, rusk, breads, and nutrition bars, Britannia continues to make a significant mark globally.
— Britannia Industries Limited (@BritanniaIndLtd) April 19, 2024
The list also features other prominent brands such as Doritos, a US-based flavoured tortilla chip brand (ranked 5th), and Cheetos, a crunchy corn-cheese puff snack from Frito-Lay (ranked 8th).
In addition to the top brand rankings, the Brand Finance Food & Drink 2024 report reveals other key insights:
World’s Most Valuable Food Brand: Nestlé retains its position as the most valuable food brand globally with a valuation of $20.8 billion. Lay’s has risen to second place, valued at $12 billion.
Fastest-Growing Food Brand: Viterra, a Canadian grain handling business, has seen the highest percentage growth in brand value, increasing by 37% to USD 1.1 billion.
The report also highlights trends affecting brand value, noting that convenience foods are gaining prominence due to the demands of busy consumer lifestyles. Additionally, dairy brands are thriving, buoyed by the rising popularity of plant-based options and health-conscious trends.
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The AFP has charged three foreign nationals for allegedly conspiring to collect and conceal a group of unlawful maritime arrivals who arrived in Western Australia in April 2024.
A man, 26, and two women, aged 54 and 32, were arrested in Sydney yesterday (Thursday 22 August, 2024).
They are expected to appear before Dowing Centre Local Court today (Friday 23 August, 2024) to each face one count of conspiracy to conceal non-citizens, contrary to section 233E(2) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) by virtue of section 11.5 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
AFP Commander Counter People Smuggling Melinda Phelan, who heads the Disruption and Deterrence Task Group within the Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB), said an all-agency approach and coordination was necessary to stop people smugglers.
“The Task Force is part of a whole-of-government approach to tackling the unlawful activities of people smugglers who willingly place the lives of others at risk, for their own financial gain,” Commander Phelan said.
“The AFP is warning members of the community to not encourage, or facilitate, unlawful ventures to Australia. There are serious penalties for these offences, including significant jail time.”
The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years’ imprisonment.
It will be alleged the trio were linked to an attempted people smuggling venture in early April 2024.
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The 78th Indian Independence Day was celebrated with grand enthusiasm at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, marking the 77th anniversary of India’s freedom.
The event, hosted by the Consul General of India in Melbourne, Dr Sushil Kumar, was a vibrant display of cultural unity and the strong ties between India and Victoria.
In his opening remarks, Dr Sushil Kumar warmly welcomed the distinguished guests and members of the Indian diaspora, emphasising the importance of the Indian community in enhancing the cultural diversity of Melbourne.
He stated, “The heart of our relationship lies in the vibrant Indian diaspora that calls Melbourne home. The Indian community here has been instrumental in enhancing the cultural diversity of this great city.”
“The success stories of Indian Australians serve as a testament to their hard work, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact on their adopted homeland.”
The event was graced by several high-profile guests, including the Deputy Premier of Victoria, Ben Carroll; Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto; Former Premier, Ted Baillieu; and other key political figures.
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, in his address, spoke about the deep values shared between Victoria and India and how these bonds are set to grow stronger.
He mentioned, “Did you see Melbourne’s iconic monuments light up in hues of green, orange, and white last night? It is in celebration of India’s 77th anniversary of Independence.”
“The values shared between Victoria and India run deep, and our relationship will continue to grow,”
he added
Carroll also highlighted the significance of education in the shared values of both regions, stating, “I’m a little biased, but I believe the most important one is how much we value education. It’s in our DNA, and we know it’s the most important investment we can make in our children’s future.
“Proud of the work of the Allan Labor Government in delivering a number of Indian languages in our schools and community language centres.”
Dr Kumar further elaborated on the strong and ever-growing relationship between India and Victoria, highlighting how shared values and mutual respect have fostered a meaningful partnership between the two regions.
“The relationship between India and Victoria is a shining example of how shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to achieving growth and development can foster lasting and meaningful partnerships,” he added.
The Leader of the Opposition, John Pesutto, also expressed his admiration for the event and the strong ties between the two regions, thanking the Consulate General of India for their efforts in coordinating such a successful celebration.
“As India celebrates Independence Day, it was great to speak at the celebrations. A very big thank you to the Consulate General of India in Melbourne for their efforts in coordinating such successful events,”
Pesutto stated.
A special highlight of the evening was the presence of Prof. Arnold Dix, who played a crucial role in rescuing Indian labourers from a tunnel. His attendance underscored the spirit of unity and cooperation between India and Australia, adding a poignant touch to the celebrations.
The event featured an array of music and dance performances that brought the energy and spirit of India to life. Indian music and dance performances set a serene tone for the evening, with melodious tunes that resonated with the audience, creating an atmosphere of cultural reverence.
One of the most enthralling performances of the night was delivered by the Jana Garjana Dhol Pathak, a group renowned for their traditional Indian drumming. The group’s powerful and rhythmic beats reverberated through the iconic venue, capturing the essence of Indian festivity.
The dhol, a traditional drum used in various Indian celebrations, was played with such precision and enthusiasm that it drew the attention and admiration of nearly 450 guests present. The beats of the dhol not only energised the audience but also symbolised the strength and unity of the Indian community in Australia.
The culinary offerings at the reception were nothing short of a gastronomic adventure, leaving guests raving about the evening’s delicious spread. The menu was a vibrant showcase of India’s rich culinary traditions, featuring an enticing array of dishes that delighted the taste buds.
Each dish was a celebration of flavour. The dessert table, laden with sweets like gulab jamun added a perfect finishing touch, making the food a true highlight of the evening’s festivities.
The event celebrated the vibrant Indian community in Melbourne and highlighted the shared values that continue to strengthen the bonds between the two regions. The presence of distinguished guests and the cultural performances made it an unforgettable evening, reinforcing the deep ties that bind India and Australia.
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Why has this bill been so controversial? And now that amended reforms have passed, what will happen next?
A long and winding path
When the legislation to reform the NDIS Act was tabled there had been no exposure draft released beforehand. This meant there had not been public discussion and although some Disability Representative Organisations had been given details, they had been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent them from talking about it. This was at odds with NDIS review recommendations that rules and changes should be co-designed with people with disability and adhere to the principle of “nothing about us, without us”.
When the bill was introduced to parliament there were also two major processes – the NDIS review and the disability royal commission – that had delivered recommendations about disability services and supports and had not yet been responded to by the government.
Since then, there has been a response to the disability royal commission widely panned as “lacklustre and disappointing”. But we still haven’t seen a government response to the NDIS review recommendations released at the end of last year. This means the government is legislating before outlining what changes it will make in response to the review.
We asked five experts for their take on the government's response to the Disability Royal Commission recommendations. https://t.co/uqbQlbF3pD
— The Conversation – Australia + New Zealand (@ConversationEDU) July 31, 2024
Further investigation
The bill was referred to a senate committee for further investigation. In what would become an ongoing theme, submission deadlines were tight with hearings held in late May and a final report due mid-June. Yet hundreds of submissions were received from the disability community.
A staggering number of amendments to the legislation followed including how NDIS supports are defined and how human rights are considered.
The bill passed the House of Representatives in early June but the government did not have enough support to pass it in the Senate and it was referred for a second committee hearing.
Again, hundreds of submissions were received with people and groups pointing out the limitations of the bill and urging it should not be passed. The committee recommended the bill should pass promptly, despite renewed pushback from the Greens.
Today, that has happened.
Concerns over cost-shifting
Given the government’s goal of containing the scheme’s costs and growth, the disability community is worried this will result in cuts to services and support.
Some in the community have accused the government of whipping up public outrage about the scheme with talk about significant fraud and money being spent on things like sex services, which only a small number of people are approved to receive under the scheme.
One solution to reducing the costs of the scheme suggested by the NDIS review was that a foundational support strategy should be developed that would take some of the pressure off. In December of last year, the National Cabinet agreed to share the costs of these supports equally between the Commonwealth and states and territories and in January the Commonwealth committed $11.6 million over two years to support the development and implementation of the foundational supports strategy.
Meanwhile, the states and territories have spoken out against the bill from the start. This is likely due to concerns changes to the scheme would shift aspects of services and supports from the NDIS to states and territories.
The disability community also shares concerns about foundational supports. Given these are not in place and have five years to transition in, NDIS changes could leave service and support gaps and disabled people going without.
Minister Shorten has dismissed fears and said he was ready to force states to take on extra responsibilities. This process has caused a significant rift with important partners in this and other policies and programs.
This week the government admitted participants might have to pay for the required NDIS needs assessment. This would amount to significant costs for participants and might mean some go without access to the NDIS, creating a significant equity issue.
States agreed to share foundational support costs – why are they baulking now?
"Debates over which parts of government should fund which services are not new. But focusing on who pays for what misses the bigger picture," writes @drhdickinson (@UNSW). https://t.co/tUnloVq7no
— The Conversation – Australia + New Zealand (@ConversationEDU) March 27, 2024
What’s next?
The government has lost a lot of political currency with the disability community. It is likely any future legislation or changes to scheme rules will encounter significant opposition.
And now the legislation has passed there will need to be significant action to work out what these reforms look like in practice. The government has said it will co-design these with the community, but many remain doubtful given the journey so far.
These fears have been realised with the current consultation on how eligible supports should be defined in the NDIS. While these details have significant implications for how the scheme operates, the consultation period was initially set for a mere fortnight. It has since been extended by a week. This brief window for consultation on such an important issue could lead to changes that significantly limit the innovation and independence of participants.
Unless the government really starts listening to people with disability we will see the NDIS go backwards and some of the gains made for the disability community in recent years will be significantly eroded.
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need 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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Image: Paada Yatra started from Murugan temple, Mays Hill to Saibaba temple, Strathfield (Source: HCA - X)
Recently, a debate surrounding the role of Hindu nationalism in dividing the Hindu diaspora has intensified on social media, but the truth lies elsewhere. The real division, as has been pointed out by experts and Hindu activists, is being driven by organisations that wear the mask of Hindu identity and whose leaders time and again claim to represent the Hindu community. Yet, their impact on the Indian diaspora is anything but unifying.
"Hindu Nationalism" is not dividing the diaspora. Organizations like @Hindus4HR are. Sunita, @Raju4Equality et al. have nothing to offer in terms of insight or leadership. What they do have is an identity that they've successfully leveraged to weasel their way into elite… https://t.co/PFtIBkHPTz
Vishal Ganesan, an attorney by profession and a vocal critic of Indian diaspora culture and politics, makes it clear that the issue is not Hindu nationalism but rather the actions of these organisations. According to Ganesan, their influence is built on a “facade of ‘representation.'” He argues that some vested organisations are responsible for creating rifts within the Indian diaspora. He asserts that their leaders, despite having “nothing to offer in terms of insight or leadership,” have managed to carve out a niche in elite democratic circles by leveraging their identities.
The key issue, as Ganesan sees it, is that these organisations do not represent the Hindu American diaspora in any meaningful way. This disconnection is why, according to Ganesan, these organisations are so quick to “weaponize the jaundiced and prejudicial ‘hindutva’ label” against the very community they claim to represent.
@Hindus4HR is not a Hindu Organization nor represent or speak for Hindus in the diaspora. They haven't at any point, that I have seen, done anything to advocate or support Hindus in the diaspora, they seem to be constantly advocating for their own political bias and views, not… https://t.co/FSfNrjyg0n
Mukunda Raghavan, a Fin-tech executive interested in Hindu philosophy and Sanskrit language, echoes Ganesan’s concerns, emphasising that many such organisations are neither “Hindu Organization” nor “represent[s] or speak[s] for Hindus in the diaspora.”
Raghavan argues that instead of advocating for the rights and needs of Hindus, these organisations promote their own political biases. He criticises them as “bad actors” who exploit the veneer of being Hindu to position themselves as the “good Hindu” in contrast to others labelled as “bad, fascist, nationalists.”
The critique goes further, with Raghavan highlighting how such vested groups view Hinduism through a “Western colonial Marxist lens” that ignores the genuine concerns of the Hindu diaspora. He points out their failure to address issues affecting Hindus in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, where religious minorities face severe persecution. Moreover, these organisations are accused of shutting down dialogue by resorting to “ad hominem and name-calling,” instead of engaging with differing viewpoints within the Hindu community.
Image: Rajen Prasad, a Fijian academic (Source: Facebook)
The impact of these organisations is not insignificant. They may not represent a large constituency, but they wield enough influence to damage the nascent efforts of Hindus organising both in the old and new Indian diaspora.
According to Rajen Prasad, a Fijian academic, “The concept of Hindu identity in the old diaspora is a powerful unifying force. Fiji Hindus view their identity as essential in preserving their culture, language, and overall sense of self.”
First leg of the Paada Yatra started from Murugan temple, Mays Hill to Saibaba temple, Strathfield pic.twitter.com/R5giJgGcBx
— Hindu Council of Australia (@HinduCouncilAu) March 28, 2024
Sai Paravastu, the National Secretary and Director for Community Services at Hindu Council of Australia (HCA), agrees with Prasad. He points that Hinduism plays a vital role in uniting the Indian diaspora, fostering a strong sense of identity and community. It achieves this through cultural and religious celebrations that highlight Hindu values of tolerance and inclusivity help bridge gaps between different cultural groups, contributing positively to Australia’s multicultural society. Additionally, for Paravastu, Hinduism encourages political and social engagement, further integrating the diaspora into civic life.
In fact in the Indian diaspora, Hindus are diverse and integral members of the host society and inspired by Hindu teachings contribute positively to their new home or communities. Yet, when organisations with vested political interests are given platforms with devious agendas amplified by pseudo-intellectuals, they can inflict serious harm on the community’s efforts to organise and represent themselves.
I don’t want to give attention seeking fringe groups a free ride on my TL, but I’m making an exception because, well it’s @vjgtweets.
You need not represent anyone and have almost no constituency to speak of, to still inflict serious damage on nascent Hindu American… https://t.co/0oQSsBIOp4
As Suhag Shukla, the Executive Director of Hindu American Foundation, aptly puts it, “You need not represent anyone and have almost no constituency to speak of, to still inflict serious damage on nascent Hindu American organising — especially when you’re promoted/coddled as a useful idiot by groups with a seriously malign agenda. Once in a while, you gotta just call out the BS.”
Well-known columnist Avatans Kumar highlights that the Indic Nationalism is neither theocentric (theocratic) nor anthropocentric (borderless laissez faire), “Indic Nationalism is Dharma with freedom of mind, body, and spirit as well as Self realization as its core principle. It is a divine power that does not strive to hurt or subjugate others.”
The time has come to recognise that the real threat to the unity of the Hindu diaspora is not the so-called rise of Hindu nationalism, but the divisive actions of those who are ideologically motivated and falsely claim to represent the Indian community.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the policy as “a modern policy for modern families,” emphasising that it provides choice, security, and rewards aspiration. He added, “My Government is boosting Paid Parental Leave by extending it to a full six months. This strengthens that further by adding superannuation on it as well.”
BREAKING: We’ve just introduced legislation to pay super on paid parental leave.
The new legislation, titled the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill 2024, was presented to the House of Representatives today. This initiative builds on recent reforms aimed at making Paid Parental Leave more flexible, accessible, and equitable, while also extending the duration of the scheme.
If passed, the legislation will benefit eligible parents with babies born or adopted on or after 1 July 2025. They will receive an additional payment equivalent to 12 per cent of their Paid Parental Leave payment, which will be contributed to their nominated superannuation fund.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers highlighted the reform’s importance in ensuring that women earn more and retire with greater financial security. “Paying super on Paid Parental Leave is part of our efforts to ensure women earn more, keep more of what they earn, and retire with more,” he said.
Big week coming up in Parliament.
Even bigger week for the 180,000 families every year who will soon earn super on their Paid Parental Leave. pic.twitter.com/Wm8YdXmPw2
This reform is expected to bolster the economic security of approximately 180,000 Australian families each year by improving retirement savings. The Paid Parental Leave scheme currently offers financial support to eligible working parents, allowing them to take time off work following the birth or adoption of a child.
Minister for Women, Katy Gallagher, noted that the changes would help reduce the financial penalties women face when raising a family, particularly in terms of their retirement savings. “These long-overdue changes will help ease those penalties and lessen the impact on women’s retirement savings,” Gallagher stated.
Good news for families!
Labor is introducing legislation today to pay superannuation on Govt-funded Paid Parental Leave.
The legislation aligns with broader changes to the Paid Parental Leave scheme, which is set to expand to 26 weeks by 2026. As of 1 July 2024, parents have been able to access 22 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, an increase from the previous 20 weeks, offering more support as they care for their newborns.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth, added that the move signals the Government’s commitment to valuing parental care and promoting gender equality. “By investing in these reforms, we are ensuring families can get the most out of Paid Parental Leave and exercise more choice and flexibility, especially now that we are adding superannuation for a more secure retirement,” she said.
Subject to legislative approval, a lump sum superannuation payment will be made after the end of each financial year, including an interest component, to those who have received Paid Parental Leave. The contribution will be automatically deposited into the superannuation accounts of eligible parents.
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Like so many avid readers around the world, I was fascinated by the recent New York Times list of the Best Books of the 21st century, as voted by 503 authors, critics and book lovers.
But like many Australians, I was disappointed to see no Australian books on the list. Even those authors who’ve made a splash in the US literary scene this century – Helen Garner, Gerald Murnane, Maria Tumarkin – didn’t get a guernsey.
That’s where we come in. The Conversation’s Books & Ideas team, seeking to right a wrong (and just very curious), asked 50 Australian literary experts to each share their favourite Australian books of this century.
I’m pleased to say the aforementioned authors are all represented here – along with a host of others, ranging from household names and local literary darlings to excellent (we’re told) books and authors you might not have heard of until now.
We were unsurprised to see Waanyi author Alexis Wright, who made history by winning both the Miles Franklin and the Stella Prize for her epic Praiseworthy, topping our most-picked list.
Melbourne bookseller Readings recently asked members of the Australian literary community to nominate their best Australian books of the 21st century, creating a ranked top 30. Our approach is a little different: we’ve included all 50 nominations, with a few words from our experts – and we’ve allowed two honourable mentions each.
What are our personal picks? Books & Ideas editor Suzy Freeman-Greene’s number one book is Extinctions by Josephine Wilson. Her honourable mentions are Burial Rites by Hannah Kent and Joe Cinque’s Consolation by Garner.
Fellow deputy editor James Ley, our resident 2024 Miles Franklin judge (doesn’t every books section have one of those?), chose Brian Castro’s Shanghai Dancing, closely followed by Wright’s Carpentaria (narrowly edging out Praiseworthy, if only because it came first) and J.M. Coetzee’s Elizabeth Costello.
If you’d like to play this game too, scroll to the end of the article to vote in our poll or leave a comment. We’ll share selected results in our next Books & Ideas newsletter. (You can subscribe here if you don’t get it already.)
And look out for New Zealand’s Best Books, which we’ll publish soon.
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need 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 and support honest and fearless journalism.
Image: Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force removed unexploded ordnance at St Nicholas School in the capital Honiara, on Aug. 20 2024 (Source: RSIPF)
By Stefan Armbruster
A stockpile of more than 200 U.S. artillery shells from the Second World War discovered at a school in the Solomon Islands capital has been safely removed.
Honiara is estimated to be littered with thousands of bombs and shells left behind on the battlefield after the six-month Battle of Guadalcanal ended in 1943.
Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in a statement said the unexploded ordnance was uncovered at St. Nicholas School, near the National Referral Hospital, while a hole was being dug for sewage at a staff house.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force move unexploded ordnance found at St. Nicholas School in the capital Honiara, on Aug. 20 2024. [RSIPF]
“A total of 200 plus U.S. projectiles has been removed to a safe location at Hell’s Point with the support of the Australian Defense Force and now waiting for safe destruction,” said RSIPF Inspector Clifford Tunuki said in the statement.
The school was used to house athletes during the Pacific Games in Honiara last year.
Tunuki, the acting director of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department, declared “the vicinity’s safe for the school to do its business” and warned people to be vigilant and report any further finds.
The stockpile of unexploded ordnance removed by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force in the capital Honiara, on Aug. 20 2024. [RSIP]
Honiara was the battlefield where U.S. Marines halted the Japanese advance on land in the Pacific for the first time. An estimated 26,000 Japanese and allied soldiers died, along with an unknown number of Solomon Islanders.
Deaths still regularly occur in the country 80 years later, when UXOs detonate.
The detonation failure rate for munitions used during the Second World War was up to one-in-three, leaving explosives scattered across former Pacific battlefields.
Australia has led the disposal efforts and trained RSIPF officers, with support from the U.S. and Japan, during more than a decade of clearance operations in the country.
In March, 700 UXOs were uncovered and destroyed in a 12-day operation in Western Province.
The first full UXO clearance operation in Solomon Islands since the COVID 19 pandemic began is due next month again in Western Province, the Australian High Commission said in a statement in July.
Disclaimer: This news article was originally published in Benar News and is re-published here with the editor(s)’ kind permission. The views expressed in this article are those of the original author and do not necessarily reflect the views of our publication. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content.
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Australia recently danced to the beats of Punjab with an ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) empanelled troupe coming coming all the way from India to partake in Indian Independence Day celebrations.
Punjab Cultural Society, led by Ravinder Singh Ranguwal, enthralled audiences with their dances, songs and music as they toured Sydney and Adelaide. They Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Sydney (SVCC) hosted the ICCR emapnelled troupe and organised their programmes.
Punjab Cultural Society at CGI, Sydney (Image credit: ICCR in Australia Facebook)Punjab Cultural Society at CGI, Sydney (Image credit: ICCR in Australia Facebook)
On 15th August, in celebration of Indian Independence Day, Punjab Cultural Society performed at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Consulate General of India, Sydney in the morning and then proceeded to electrify the atmosphere at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the evening. This was the very first time that a dance troupe from India had performed inside the iconic cricket stadium on a stage as part of a cultural programme. The fabulous dances left the audiences mesmerised.
Watch Video: Punjab Cultural Society performing at Sydney Cricket during India’s 78th Independence Day Celebrations (Courtesy: ICCR in Australia)
Speaking exclusively to The Australia Today Mr Ranguwal said that he was enjoying his time in Australia and was really happy to have performed Bhangra and Giddha at the SCG.
Besides the vibrant performances, the troupe had a folk dance workshop for the children and teachers at the Sydney Sanskrit School.
Punjabi workshop at Sydney Sanskrit School (Image credit: ICCR in Australia Facebook)
The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre and the Indo-Aust Bal Bharathi Vidyalaya also organised a Punjabi workshop at Plumpton High School in Adelaide. The students had a wonderful time learning different dances with the Punjab Cultual Society.
Punjabi workshop at Plumpton High School (Image credit: ICCR in Australia Facebook)
They did a variety of performances across the two cities with traditional musical instruments as well as Bhangra, Giddha, Sammie, Jhumar and others.
Punjabi workshop at Plumpton High School (Image credit: ICCR in Australia Facebook)
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The Federal Government has announced a significant crackdown on dormant vocational education and training (VET) providers, shutting down over 150 “ghost colleges” as part of an effort to restore integrity in Australia’s VET sector.
This action follows the findings of the Braithwaite Review (2018), the Nixon Review (2023), and the Interim Report into International Education (2023), which highlighted severe integrity issues that were ignored under the previous Liberal and National Governments.
Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, emphasised that the government’s action is aimed at eliminating rorts and loopholes that have plagued the VET sector for too long.
Minister Andrew Giles at Parliament of Australia; Image Source @Screenshot
He stated, “The Albanese Government is calling time on the rorts and loopholes that have plagued the VET sector for far too long under the former Liberal and National Government.”
“We’ve weeded out and shut down over 150 dormant operators, and 140 more have been given a yellow card.”
The government has also put an additional 140 registered training organizations (RTOs) on notice, requiring them to resume quality training by the end of 2024 or face deregistration.
The initiative is part of broader efforts by the Albanese Government to restore the integrity and quality of the VET sector, backed by more than $37 million in investments in VET integrity initiatives.
The National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment, passed earlier this year, has strengthened measures to improve the quality of education in Australia.
These actions are designed to ensure students receive training from reputable providers and that businesses can trust the qualifications being awarded, ultimately saving time and money in the hiring process and preventing student exploitation.
Minister Giles further added,
“Under our Government, there is no place for anyone who seeks to undermine the sector and exploit students.”
He says this decisive action demonstrates the government’s commitment to cleaning up a sector that has been marred by issues for over a decade, ensuring that Australia’s VET system remains robust, trustworthy, and effective in delivering quality education to students.
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Image: (L) An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine departs for El-Arish airport in Egypt (Source: MEA - X) and (R) A social media post claiming India has been charged with committing war crimes in Gaza (Source: Screenshot - AAP).
By Amit Sarwal and Jai Bharadwaj
Islamist propaganda reports circulating on social media claiming that India has been charged with committing war crimes in Gaza, Palestine, have been debunked as entirely false through a fact-check conducted by AAP.
Image: A social media post claiming India has been charged with committing war crimes in Gaza (Source: Screenshot – AAP).
According to AAP Factcheck, the misleading claim seems to have originated from a YouTube video titled “India charged for war crimes in Gaza” by CJ Werleman.
In the video, the speaker CJ Werleman suggests that Israel’s acquisition of drones from India could “further implicate India in war crimes.” However, the video content does not substantiate the title’s claim that India has been charged with such crimes.
He also claims, “Israel hiring Indian Hindu workers to rebuild Gaza for illegal Jewish settlements, which constitutes a war crime.” Meanwhile, YouTube has restricted his show to limited advertisements because it claims the content is too “controversial”
India has consistently supported Palestine and Palestinian refugees through contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
🇮🇳 sends Humanitarian aid to the people of 🇵🇸!
An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine departs for El-Arish airport in Egypt.
Last year, India sent nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief supplies to support the people of Palestine. The aid was transported by an Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft, which delivered the consignment to El-Arish airport in Egypt.
India’s shipment included essential life-saving medicines, surgical supplies, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, water purification tablets, and other critical items.
Spoke to the President of the Palestinian Authority H.E. Mahmoud Abbas. Conveyed my condolences at the loss of civilian lives at the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza. We will continue to send humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. Shared our deep concern at the terrorism,…
This aid was dispatched three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas following the deaths of civilians at a hospital in Gaza.
During this phone conversation, PM Modi reiterated India’s long-standing “principled position” on the Israel-Palestine issue and assured continued humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, in a statement at the UN General Assembly in March this year said that this conflict had resulted in an alarming humanitarian crisis that was simply unacceptable.
India’s Statement at the United Nations General Assembly today on the Gaza crisis
A former Indian Army Officer, Col Waibhav Kale (Retd), who was working with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as a security service coordinator, also lost his life in May this year when the UN vehicle he was travelling in came under attack in Gaza’s Rafah region.
A big salute to Col Waibhav Anil Kale a Veteran of my Regiment #IndianArmy who died in shelling in #Rafah in #Gaza#Palestine while serving with #UnitedNations as a Security Coordination Officer.
— Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi,Shaurya Chakra (R) (@Hardisohi) May 14, 2024
In 2018, PM Modi created history by becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Palestine. He travelled to Ramallah in a chopper provided by the Jordanian government, with an escort from the Israeli Air Force.
History in the making. In a first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Palestine, PM @narendramodi on the way to Ramallah in a chopper provided by Jordan government and escorted by choppers from Israel Air Force. pic.twitter.com/Nx7AtyLS8W
PM Modi was awarded the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine,’ the highest honour given to foreign dignitaries, by President Mahmoud Abbas. The award recognised PM Modi’s significant role in strengthening India-Palestine relations.
Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas met Prime Minister Narendra Modi & conferred him with the Grand Collar of the state of Palestine pic.twitter.com/AgjFin8Vje
During their joint press statement, President Abbas praised Modi’s leadership in promoting peace and stability in the region and globally. PM Modi added that bestowing the honour on him was a matter of proud moment for India and was reflective of the friendship between India and Palestine.
Experts and international prosecutors have emphasised that states cannot be charged with war crimes; only individuals are subject to such charges.
Emily Crawford, an international law expert at the University of Sydney, explained to AAP FactCheck, “The International Criminal Court (ICC) is only authorised to investigate and prosecute individuals, not states, under the Rome Statute.”
Melanie O’Brien, president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, said that disputes between states over breaches of international law are handled by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), not through criminal prosecution.
“States exist outside the criminal legal system; their disputes are adjudicated based on obligations under treaties or conventions,” she told AAP FactCheck.
This distinction highlights the difference between individual accountability in the ICC and state disputes resolved in the ICJ.
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Since the start of this school year, we have been surveying teachers in South Australia about sexist views among students. This is part of our research into how online worlds are shaping Australian schooling.
In May, we reported the first round of our research. We found South Australian teachers were experiencing a rise in sexist and other anti-social views among students, similar to those reported interstate and overseas.
Teachers in our as yet unpublished study spoke of an alarming increase in misogynistic, homophobic, racist, and sexist language and behaviours, mostly by boys and young men targeting girls and young female teachers. This is prompting some women to leave the profession.
A new theme to emerge from our research is bystander inaction. This is when school leaders, other teachers, or parents downplay what is happening or do nothing or little in response.
Female School Teacher- Image Source- CANVA
Our study
Between February and May this year, we advertised an anonymous survey on the Teachers of Adelaide Facebook group. This involves teachers from public, private co-ed and single-sex schools.
The survey called for short-answer responses to questions about sexism, racism, homophobia or other anti-social behaviours and language.
We received 160 responses. Almost 80% of the responses were from female teachers, who were mostly from high schools. On top of this, we did ten interviews with teachers who responded and were willing to talk at further length.
Teachers are not prepared to help
Some female teachers in our study experienced abuse and harassment by students when they were on their own. But it sometimes occurred around other female staff or teachers.
One female teacher who has been in the profession for 14 years told us how a Year 11 boy backed her into a corner of the staff room.
And the other staff members, they didn’t know what to do because he was stronger than all of us.
Other teachers spoke about how they had no training or preparation to deal with this kind of behaviour.
School Student- Image Source- CANVA
One female teacher said:
I don’t think my teaching degree prepared me for any of this […]. It was a bit of a culture shock going into a school.
Another female teacher said teacher education and professional development did not acknowledge “you could possibly be the victim of sexual harassment as a teacher”. She added, “that really pisses me off, to be honest”.
It’s different for male teachers
A male interviewee described stepping into a senior high school classroom after the female teacher for that class had resigned due to the behaviour of male students.
She was having sexually suggestive things said to her by her students and it was not really dealt with appropriately. And she got to the point where she felt sick even thinking about coming to work […].
Male School Teacher- Image Source- CANVA
But as this male teacher explained, male students did not treat him the same way.
So, I just walk into the room, and they’re like, yeah, that’s the […] authority figure. It’s a man.
Other male teachers said gender-based harassment and abuse was too big an issue for them to tackle as part of their already busy and complex jobs.
As one told us:
the scale of the problem is too big, and it’s really tangential as far as our duties go.
School leaders are not helping
Female teachers are telling us some school leaders (which include principals and deputy principals) are not treating these issues seriously.
School Student- Image Source- CANVA
In one school, a female teacher left after being told by students as young as Year 7 she “looked like a porn star”.
A female colleague told us how
she told the principal that she was being sexually harassed, the principal just said, ‘Well, just because you said it’s harassment, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is’.
Other respondents talked about a “hush-hush” response from schools when teachers left due to student behaviour.
anything that’s challenging, [the principal is] like, ‘No, we’re not discussing that. I’ll have a discussion in private with you’.
In other industries – where the harassment of women has been ignored or covered up – this has been referred to as “institutional gaslighting”.
Parents are ignoring warnings
When there is a behavioural issue with a student, one of the first steps a teacher can take is to talk to the parents. But teachers in our study said parents often did not believe their sons could behave this way.
As one female teacher described it, there is
a lot of eye rolling like, I can’t believe you’re treating this as an issue.
Another female teacher told us:
usually I get the response from the parent, ‘Not my boy. My boy would not do that. My boy would not have those values’.
The same teacher continued:
I’m just wondering how many parents really know their sons and have been prepared to sit down and talk about consent with their children, have been prepared to sit down and talk about respect with their children?
What can we do?
Bystander inaction to harassment and abuse of women and girls is not new. Research shows it thrives within cultures and systems where there is a poor understanding of gender equity and little recognition we are all responsible for preventing or responding to this behaviour.
In Australia, we have a decades-long policy vacuum around gender equity in schooling. So our systems are ill-equipped and reluctant to deal with this issue, despite warnings schools are becoming breeding grounds for gender-based violence and teachers are leaving.
We now have mandatory consent education, but as our research indicates, this is not being delivered consistently or effectively across schools.
Education around gender must be part of teaching degrees and a central component of the Australian Curriculum. And all of us in the community – including parents – need to take responsibility for the way men and boys treat women and girls.
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need 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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Chirag Patel, a young student from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is facing an unimaginable tragedy. His wife, Hina, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on August 9, 2024, and has been in the ICU at The Royal Melbourne Hospital ever since.
Despite the best efforts of the medical team, Hina’s condition has deteriorated, and she has been declared brain dead, leaving Chirag in a challenging situation.
Chirag and Hina moved to Australia just a year ago with dreams of building a better future together. Both had recently secured jobs, marking the beginning of what they hoped would be a prosperous journey in a new country. However, the sudden and severe nature of Hina’s illness has shattered those dreams, leaving Chirag not only emotionally devastated but also facing significant financial challenges.
With limited savings and the unexpected burden of medical and funeral expenses, Chirag is struggling to find the means to perform Hina’s last rites and give her a dignified farewell.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Shreyas Patel, a close friend and housemate of the couple, has stepped in to help. He has initiated a fundraising campaign to support Chirag during this difficult time.
Shreyas describes Chirag as a kind and hardworking individual who has always been there for others. Now, he is hoping that the community can come together to support Chirag in his time of need. The funds raised will go directly towards covering the costs of Hina’s medical bills, funeral expenses, and any other immediate needs that Chirag may have as he navigates this heartbreaking period.
“Hina and Chirag are both wonderful people who came here with so much hope,” Shreyas shared.
“It’s devastating to see them go through this. Every bit of help can make a huge difference in ensuring that Hina can rest in peace and that Chirag can find some solace during this incredibly tough time.”
The outpouring of support from the community has already begun, with friends, acquaintances, and even strangers contributing to the fund. Each donation, no matter the size, is a testament to the power of community and the importance of standing together in times of crisis.
As Chirag faces the painful task of saying goodbye to his beloved wife, the support he receives from those around him will undoubtedly provide some comfort. The community’s generosity will not only help with immediate financial needs but will also serve as a reminder to Chirag that he is not alone in this journey.
For those who wish to contribute, Shreyas has made it easy to donate through the online fundraising platform. He encourages everyone who can give, emphasising that every cent will go towards helping Chirag and honouring Hina’s memory.
In moments like these, the strength of the community is truly felt. The hope is that through collective efforts, Chirag will be able to navigate this tragedy with the support he needs, and Hina will be remembered with the dignity and respect she deserves.
Global Indian Diaspora and Australia’s multicultural communities need 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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The man, 48, appeared before Southport Magistrates Court on 19 August, 2024, charged with possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty said no amount of 1,4 butanediol was safe for human consumption.
“This substance depresses and slows down the functions of a person’s nervous system. Overdose can result in hallucinations, breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness and even death,” Detective Superintendent Fogarty said.
The AFP investigation, codenamed Operation Buteful, started in May 2024, after the Australian Border Force (ABF) detected five air mail consignments sent from China to Sydney that contained 1,4 butanediol concealed inside shower gel bottles. The ABF seized 120 bottles, amounting to a combined 60 litres of 1,4 Butanediol.
ABF Acting Commander Jim Ley praised the detection work of ABF officers at the border.
“Thanks to the excellent work of our well-trained officers, this sizeable quantity of illicit substance has been kept off Australian streets, where it could have resulted in immense community harm,” Acting Commander Ley said.
The AFP allegedly linked the man to the shipment and executed a search warrant at his Surfers Paradise property on Thursday (15 August, 2024). Investigators allegedly found about 200ml of bute contained in beauty product containers.
The man was arrested and charged with:
One count of possessing a marketable quantity of a border-controlled drug, contrary to section 307.9 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
One count of failing to comply with a 3LA order, contrary to section 3LA(6) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
The maximum penalties for these offences are 25 years’ imprisonment and 10 years’ imprisonment respectively.
Inquiries are ongoing into six other alleged importations of 1,4 butenediol, weighing a combined 264 litres, and the source of money sent to China to purchase the shipments.
Australian law enforcement has reported escalating harm resulting from bute, which can be used as a substitute for the illegal drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
Bute is an industrial solvent the body naturally converts into GHB once ingested, depressing and slowing down the functions of a person’s nervous system.
From March 2024, bute was defined as a border-controlled drug (Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.2) Act 2023). This change means those convicted of illegally importing bute face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
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The new law empowers the Fair Work Commission to set minimum standards for a new category of workers known as “employee-like workers” – workers who get work through digital platforms used for things such as food delivery, ride share and personal care.
Until now, the law has recognised only two categories of workers: employees and independent contractors.
The law creating the new category of employee-like workers also creates a new category for the companies operating the platforms through which the workers obtain work: “digital labour platform operators”.
Gig Worker; Image Source- CANVA
Many (but not all) of the rights of employees
The new law allows employee-like workers and their representatives to apply to the Fair Work Commission for minimum standards orders tailored to their work.
Among the things that can be included in the orders are payment terms, record-keeping and insurance.
But, significantly, the Commission will not be able to set minimum standards for things such as overtime rates and rostering arrangements.
What employee-like workers will also get is protection from “unfair deactivation” and unfair contract terms, and the rights to seek collective agreements and to ask the Fair Work Commission to resolve disputes.
Gig Worker; Image Source- CANVA
The Commission won’t treat claims of unfair deactivation or unfair contract terms in quite the same way as it treats unfair dismissal cases.
The procedures are to be “quick, flexible and informal”, allowing the Commission to order reactivation, but not compensation, which is explicitly prohibited.
There’s much that’s unclear
There is an awful lot that won’t become clear for some time, including the extent to which platform operators will become liable for the things done by and that happen to their employee-like workers.
Would, for example, Uber be liable for an assault on a passenger perpetrated by one of its drivers? Would Uber Eats be liable for a “workplace accident” that injured one of its delivery riders?
They are questions the Fair Work Commission will have to work through, and the answers aren’t obvious.
While the Commission is ideally set up to adjudicate disputes between workers and employers, it might not be the optimal body to adjudicate disputes involving platforms where the traditional employee-employer relationship doesn’t fit.
Nevertheless, the new rules starting on Monday are a step forward.
Gig Worker; Image Source- CANVA
Gig workers are often drawn from vulnerable populations, such as international students and culturally diverse communities, who deserve protection.
The success of the new law is in the hands of the Commission. It will have to treat both gig workers and the platforms that engage them without bias, ensuring a “fair go all round” for both.
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The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), has launched a unique opportunity for startups and MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in the agriculture technology sector through the Climate Smart Agritech cohort under the Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) Accelerator program.
This initiative seeks to foster the development and international expansion of agritech solutions that are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience in the face of global environmental challenges.
Focus on India-Australia Collaboration
The RISE Accelerator program is an exemplary platform designed to support the agricultural sectors of India and Australia, two nations with distinct yet complementary agricultural challenges. By focusing on startups and MSMEs from both countries, the program aims to create solutions that are adaptable to diverse agricultural environments and can be scaled globally.
Tamara Ogilvie, Program Director at CSIRO, highlighted the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, “India and Australia share common agricultural challenges, but the scale and diversity of our farming operations are unique.”
“This cohort will enable participants to achieve product-market fit in diverse markets, and rapidly scale their solutions to meet global demands.”
Tamara Ogilvie, Program Director at CSIRO
Structure and Support
The Climate Smart Agritech cohort is a comprehensive nine-month program, providing a blend of self-paced online learning and in-person sessions, including immersive weeks in both India and Australia. These sessions will offer participants deep market insights, one-on-one coaching, and mentorship from industry experts. The program is designed to facilitate connections with potential partners, customers, and investors, thereby boosting the chances of success in new and challenging markets.
In the latter half of the program, selected startups and MSMEs will also have the opportunity to participate in field trials and technology pilots. This hands-on experience is crucial for validating and adapting their technologies for real-world applications.
Furthermore, these businesses may be eligible for non-equity grants of up to A$85,000 (Rs 45 lakh), providing significant financial support to help them scale their innovations.
Eligibility and Application Process
Startups and MSMEs from both India and Australia that are working on technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience are encouraged to apply.
The program is open to businesses that can provide solutions to pressing agricultural needs, focusing on improving on-farm practices and addressing the priorities of farmers in both countries.
Applications for the Climate Smart Agritech cohort close on September 15, 2024. There is no charge for participating in the program, making it an accessible opportunity for innovative businesses looking to expand their reach.
The RISE Accelerator’s Legacy and Impact
The RISE Accelerator program, launched in 2023, has already made significant strides in supporting startups and MSMEs. By providing a structured environment for businesses to validate, adapt, and pilot their technologies, the program has paved the way for numerous success stories. The introduction of the Climate Smart Agritech cohort marks a focused effort to address the growing environmental challenges faced by the agricultural sectors in India and Australia.
NITI Aayog’s statement emphasised the program’s potential impact, noting that it aligns with the broader goals of sustainable development and innovation. The program not only seeks to foster technological advancements but also to strengthen the economic ties between India and Australia, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to collaborative growth.
The partnership between CSIRO and NITI Aayog through the RISE Accelerator program represents a significant step towards fostering innovation in the agritech sector. By supporting startups and MSMEs with the tools, resources, and networks they need to succeed, the program is set to make a lasting impact on agricultural practices in both India and Australia. The Climate Smart Agritech cohort, in particular, is poised to play a critical role in addressing the environmental challenges that threaten global food security, ensuring that agriculture remains a viable and sustainable industry for future generations.
As applications for the cohort open, anticipation builds for the innovative solutions that will emerge, potentially transforming the agricultural landscapes of both nations.
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Members of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish communities in Brisbane came together today at King George Square to protest against the ongoing brutal atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
Organised by the Bangladeshi Puja and Cultural Society (BPCS), the event drew a large crowd, all united in their call for global action to protect minority communities in Bangladesh.
Image Source: Supplied
The protest was supported by several prominent organisations, including Sewa Australia, Hindu Council of Australia (HCA), the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), and the Australian Jewish Association, among others.
The atmosphere was charged with emotion as impassioned speeches were delivered, highlighting the urgency of addressing the human rights violations in Bangladesh.
Image Source: Supplied
“We cannot remain silent while innocent lives are being destroyed,” declared Mr Umang Rajani, head of the Brisbane chapter of Sewa Australia.
Video Source: Supplied
His words resonated with the crowd, emphasising the moral imperative to act against injustice. Mr. Bipin Sumanth, General Secretary of HSS Australia, echoed these sentiments, stating,
Image Source: Supplied
“It is time for us to unite globally and send a clear message that bigotry and hatred have no place in modern society. Dharma shall prevail.”
Image Source: Supplied
Mr Jogindra Modi, president of HCA in Brisbane, underscored the drastic decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh since its formation in 1971, a stark reminder of the ongoing persecution.
Mr. Bikash Sikder, president of BPCS, voiced his deep concern for the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, urging the Bangladeshi government to take swift action.
Image Source: Supplied
“We are extremely worried about the safety and well-being of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The Australian government must take action, bring the culprits to justice, and ensure the safety of these communities,” he said.
Image Source: Supplied
The protest, though peaceful, was a potent call for justice, with participants holding placards and chanting slogans in solidarity with the victims.
Video Source: Supplied
The gathering served as a reminder that the communities in Brisbane, and around the world, will not stand by silently in the face of injustice.
Image Source: Supplied
The event concluded with a unified message: the international community must respond to these urgent human rights concerns to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
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Families have been receiving individual student results since the beginning of Term 3. Here are a few things to help your digest the results.
What is NAPLAN for?
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual test for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It was established in 2008 and the results have been used for a range of purposes, including comparing the performance of schools and making decisions about school funding.
Over time, NAPLAN has provided us with some very clear messages about inequalities in outcomes based on students’ social, economic and cultural backgrounds. Unfortunately, this hasn’t changed this year.
Indeed, as education researcher Sally Larsen has noted, this year’s national results didn’t tell us very much that is different from last year.
School Student; Image Source- @CANVA
How should NAPLAN be used?
While NAPLAN has provided population-level insights, traditionally, it has not been particularly useful for teachers and families because results were provided late in the school year, without much time to respond.
A number of changes were made last year, including moving the test from May to March, so teachers and parents can respond within the same school year.
Results are now being reported against four new proficiency standards: “exceeding”, “strong”, “developing” and “needs additional support”, rather than the ten numbered bands used previously.
These changes were designed to make it clearer for schools and parents to understand and use the results.
What does it mean for families and schools?
NAPLAN is just one test among many that schools use to assess student learning. Teachers regularly use other standardised assessments to measure progression in reading, maths and other areas.
Research has shown teachers’ assessments of student performance are similar to NAPLAN results, which suggests NAPLAN data doesn’t offer much of an advance on the information already provided in school report cards. Some researchers argue NAPLAN is not a good tool for comparing individual performance over time.
There is also evidence students do not try as hard as they might in NAPLAN testing.
We know NAPLAN only provides a snapshot of student performance on a given day in March each year. It is just one element in broader and more in-depth assessments teachers and schools provide throughout the year.
So, teachers can use the results to inform their decisions about which students need additional support and which students might benefit from additional challenges (but that may not come as much of a surprise).
Parents can use the individual results to talk to teachers about their child’s progress and what support they might need – knowing this is simply one test among many.
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The 15th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024, a grand celebration of Indian cinema, has honoured a host of cinematic talents. The festival, running from August 15 to 25, has recognised outstanding contributions across various categories, underscoring the evolving and vibrant landscape of Indian cinema.
Among the celebrated was filmmaker Kabir Khan, who won Best Director for Chandu Champion.
Khan expressed his gratitude, saying,
“To get recognition from an international jury just feels special. It validates the heartfelt efforts behind Chandu Champion.”
Kartik Aaryan, who took home the Best Actor award for his role in Chandu Champion, shared his excitement, stating,
“This is a big honour. This is my first award for Chandu Champion and I hope this journey continues.”
He reflected on the role’s challenges, calling it the most intense portrayal of his career.
Parvathy Thiruvothu was awarded Best Actress for her performance in Ullozhukku (Undercurrent). “I’m going to go home to my mom and dad and give them this award,” she said, adding,
“This one has been a rebirth for me because it required me to unlearn every notion of what craft meant to me.”
Imtiaz Ali was honoured with the Breakout Film of the Year award for Amar Singh Chamkila. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “It’s just recognition for what Amar Singh Chamkila stood for and what he went through in his life.”
Rasika Dugal received the Diversity Champion award and reflected on her future choices, stating,
“This is really special because it makes you feel like the brief choices that you made were meaningful.”
Adarsh Gourav, awarded Disruptor of the Year for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, celebrated the recognition, noting, “It’s such a special feeling to be awarded for a film that’s very, very dear to me.”
Arjun Mathur, who won Best Performance in a Series (Male) for Made In Heaven S2, expressed his appreciation for the global love the show has received, stating,
“It means a lot. The show has been loved all over the world, and it’s actually amazing.”
The festival also honoured the legendary AR Rahman with the Excellence in Cinema award, while Ram Charan was recognised as the Ambassador for Indian Art and Culture.
Shoojit Sircar, a prominent director, praised the festival for its role in bridging global audiences with Indian cinema, stating,
“It definitely gives us a lot more eyeballs and also the kind of cinema that we are doing.”
The list of the winners is given below:
Best Performance (Male): Kartik Aaryan for Chandu Champion
Best Performance (Female): Parvathy Thiruvothu for Ullozhukku
Best Film: 12th Fail
Best Director: Kabir Khan for Chandu Champion and Nithilan Swaminathan for Maharaja
Best Performer Critics Choice: Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail
Ambassador for Indian Art and Culture: Ram Charan
Best Film Critics Choice: Laapataa Ladies
Best Series: Kohhra
Equality in Cinema: Dunki
Best Film from the Subcontinent: The Red Suitcase
People’s Choice: Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
Excellence in Cinema: AR Rahman
Breakout Film Of The Year: Amar Singh Chamkila
Disruptor of the Year: Adarsh Gourav
Diversity Champion: Rasika Dugal
Best Performance Female Series: Nimisha Sajayan for Poacher
Best Performance Male Series: Arjun Mathur for Made in Heaven Season 2
Best Director Critics Choice: Dominic Sangma for Rapture
Short Film Competition: Robbie Fatt for The Vegemite Sandwich
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 continues to be a beacon of cultural exchange, showcasing the rich diversity and creativity of Indian cinema on a global platform. The list of winners reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of Indian cinema, celebrating excellence across a wide spectrum of genres and styles.
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Image: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing leaders at the third India-hosted Voice of the Global South Summit (Source: X)
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a “Global Development Compact” centred on human development to enhance trade, technology sharing, and concessional financing among Global South nations.
This proposal, announced at the third India-hosted Voice of the Global South Summit, aims to provide development finance without burdening countries with debt, a concern in light of the growing number of nations falling into the Chinese ‘debt trap’.
Addressing the virtual summit, which saw participation from 123 countries, including 21 heads of state or government, Modi emphasised the importance of a unified approach to confronting global challenges such as food and energy security, terrorism, and extremism.
Modi highlighted that the proposed Compact would be informed by India’s own development journey and designed to support balanced, sustainable growth in partner countries.
The summit, held in line with India’s commitment to the priorities of the Global South, featured discussions on a range of critical issues, including climate change, debt burden, and the need for reform in global governance structures.
Addressed the first Foreign Ministers’ Session of the 3rd #VoiceOfGlobalSouth Summit on the theme ‘Charting a Unique Paradigm for Global South’.
Highlighted the need for:
➡️ Strengthening economic resilience to de-risk international economy from disruptions caused by… pic.twitter.com/Gyj7GAkNzC
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar noted that concerns related to sovereignty and strategic autonomy were also raised by several participants, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza being a particular point of focus.
In his closing remarks, PM Modi stressed the need for just and inclusive global governance to address the world’s tensions and conflicts. He called for steps to reduce the gap between the Global North and South, pointing to the upcoming UN Summit of the Future as a potential milestone for these efforts.
Modi announced India’s plans to contribute $3.5 million to fund the new Compact, including $2.5 million for trade promotion activities and $1 million for training in trade policy and negotiation. He also reiterated India’s commitment to supporting the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the Global South, with an initial contribution of $25 million to a Social Impact Fund aimed at this purpose.
This summit follows India’s two previous Voice of the Global South Summits in 2023, which were instrumental in shaping the G20 agenda. Modi underlined the significance of the African Union’s recent admission as a permanent member of the G20, marking the first expansion of the group since its inception in 1999, and a key moment in India’s G20 presidency.
The summit saw participation from leaders across the Global South, including those from Fiji, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Vietnam, and Chile, among others. Notably, China and Pakistan were not invited to the summit, reflecting the strategic and diplomatic contours of the event.
Modi’s address underscored India’s role as a leading voice for the Global South, advocating for inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. As the world navigates a challenging global environment, Modi’s call for unity and collaboration among developing nations resonates with India’s ongoing efforts to elevate the concerns and aspirations of the Global South on the global stage.
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The program’s closing ceremony, held in Manly yesterday, was attended by notable dignitaries, including Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus, PNG Minister for Police Peter Tsiamalili Junior, AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw, and RPNGC Commissioner David Manning, who extended their congratulations to the cadets.
Image: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus addressing PNG cadets (Source: AFP)
Launched in May, the program saw over 60 RPNGC cadets undergo rigorous training across north Queensland and Sydney, aimed at enhancing their policing and leadership capabilities.
This initiative represents the first collaboration of its kind between the AFP, QPS, and RPNGC since 2019, when specialist officers from PNG participated in the PNG-Australia Policing Program (PNG-APP) in Cairns. It also marked the inaugural delivery of such a comprehensive training program in Australia for Pacific police, with some cadets travelling overseas for the first time.
The cadets were given opportunities to hone their leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and adaptability in various operational settings. Their training included a two-week placement with the QPS, where they were deployed to stations in Cairns and Townsville to shadow senior officers and gain firsthand experience of the Australian policing environment.
The program concluded in Sydney with a Policing Leadership Program at the Australian Institute of Police Management in Manly.
AFP Commissioner Kershaw praised the program as a testament to the strong partnership between the AFP and its domestic and international counterparts.
“Programs like this further enhance the AFP’s strong relationships across the Pacific and allow us to continue working together to combat regional transnational crime,” said Commissioner Kershaw. “These cadets will be the future leaders of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, and the skills they have acquired will help keep their communities safe when they return to PNG. We are proud of this program and hope to continue it in the future.”
Queensland Police Service Assistant Commissioner Kevin Guteridge expressed his pride in hosting the cadets in Cairns and Townsville, noting that the experience provided valuable insights into modern policing in Queensland.
“These cadets have worked alongside senior police in various units, learning about the latest technology and policing strategies,” Assistant Commissioner Guteridge said. “This program has not only strengthened our ties with the RPNGC but also provided our officers with an understanding of policing in the Pacific.”
RPNGC Commissioner David Manning highlighted the program’s success as a reflection of the shared commitment between the RPNGC and AFP to develop a professional and responsive policing service.
“These cadets are the future leaders of policing in PNG and the Pacific region. This investment in skills, knowledge, and professional experience will ensure that our young Officer Cadets become the leaders of a professional and responsive police force,” said Commissioner Manning. “The success of this program demonstrates the strength of the RPNGC’s relationship with our longest-standing policing partner and underscores the importance of police-to-police cooperation in improving policing outcomes for all communities in our region.”
Cadet Levinah Sila from Madang/East Sepik Province expressed her gratitude for the experience, noting the importance of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, which she intends to bring back to the RPNGC.
The training program is part of a three-year course that RPNGC cadets must complete to be sworn in as Inspectors. These cadets began their training in Port Moresby in September 2023.
The AFP continues to support the RPNGC’s training and development through the PNG-APP, which has been in place since 2008. The program now involves 51 AFP members dedicated to mentoring and building capability within the RPNGC.
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Image: Rangers work working across the desert (Source: Indigenous Desert Alliance - X)
By Tristan Kennedy and Melissa Miles
Australia has committed to elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge as one of five national priorities in science and research.
This comes as part of the National Science Statement released on Monday by the Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic. The statement signals the national priorities that will shape investment and policy across research and development over the next decade.
Australian research already punches above its weight. The statement notes we produce 3.4% of the world’s research with just 0.33% of the world’s population. So how can we accelerate our impact?
Indigenous knowledge systems are a national strength. The history of science on this continent is extraordinary, yet we often fail to recognise the sophisticated knowledges held by our First Nations peoples. Indigenous voices must be at the table.
This year's #NationalScienceWeek theme is Species Survival – More than just sustainability. Rangers work hard to look after significant species across the desert, protecting them from wildfire, feral animals, and the impacts of climate change, informing Indigenous-led… (1/3) pic.twitter.com/WM4rWUnutI
— Indigenous Desert Alliance (@IDA_Australia) August 12, 2024
The first peoples, the first scientists
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were the first astronomers, physicists, biologists and pharmacists on this continent. From as far back as 65,000 years Indigenous people have been integrating knowledge systems with and for people and Country.
Indigenous-led approaches to urban water are pointing towards more sustainable water management practices that also regenerate ecological and cultural environments.
Beyond this, Indigenous approaches to research can challenge Western science models in important ways that can bring about new leaps of innovation.
The stakes are high
The new national statement comes at a time when we face existential threats in climate change, artificial intelligence, new pandemics, social unrest and beyond. Research remains crucial to finding solutions for our survival.
But we must approach the task of elevating these knowledge systems in the right way and be mindful of the ongoing legacies of colonisation.
Eminent Māori scholar Linda Tuhiwai Smith has noted: Indigenous people are considered the most researched in the world, and yet have seen the least amount of benefit. The legacy of these past practices continues to foster uncertainty and distrust of research (and researchers) by many in Indigenous communities.
This observation, based on engagement and conversations with communities, highlights an imbalance in research benefit between those who are studied and those who do the research. It is tied to centuries of colonisation.
Science has long adhered to the principle of “do no harm”. However, Western science has sometimes done harm. This was recently highlighted in Melbourne University’s book Dhoombak Goobgoowana, or truth-telling in the Woi Wurrung language, which described some of the terrible outcomes of colonial biases in science.
Dhoombak Goobgoowana means ‘truth-telling’ in the Woi Wurrung language of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people on whose unceded lands several University of Melbourne campuses are located.
At the same time Western institutions and industries have extracted an extraordinary amount of knowledge from Indigenous peoples. According to the World Health Organization
around 40% of pharmaceutical products today draw from nature and traditional knowledge, including landmark drugs: aspirin, artemisinin [an ancient Chinese herbal malaria treatment], and childhood cancer treatments.
This has benefited humanity, and fattened the profits of many pharmaceutical companies. Yet Indigenous people have seen very little financial benefit – or even credit.
This is one of the many reasons we need to foster Indigenous-led research and engage communities in research.
A seat at the table – and more
Bringing more people to the table – both in research and at universities in general – will help us ask better questions. It will ensure people, especially Indigenous peoples, can lead or guide the research, see benefit and help build capacity in communities.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies code of ethics points the way forward. It centres Indigenous self-determination, Indigenous leadership, sustainability and accountability, and demonstrating impact and value. It all starts with listening, and ensuring that research addresses priorities determined and supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The National Science Statement calls for teamwork. It calls for research collaborations between universities, civil society, governments and international partners to solve some of our biggest societal, geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges.
This task also demands new approaches to what responsibility means in research. To create futures in which people can thrive, responsible research must go beyond compliance to formal rules of ethics and integrity.
It must ask much bigger questions about the place of research within local communities and much larger geopolitical environments. And it must reconsider how we partner well with the governments, industries and the communities with which we are embedded.
This takes us right back to the question of why we do research. Is it to publish more papers, or find a drug that makes a lot of money? Or are we here to make the world a better place?
It’s a question the National Statement on Science is asking. It is up to us to put it into practice.
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Image: PM Albanese at IABCA and IFFM events in canberra (Source: X)
This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated the vibrant Indian community and cinema’s role in the strengthening ties between Australia and India.
Image: PM Albanese at the IABCA event in canberra (Source: X)
On 16th August, he attended the India Australia Business and Community Alliance (IABCA) dinner, held in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra. This event highlighted the flourishing relationship between the two nations.
Albanese, who became the first Australian Prime Minister to attend the IABCA event, expressed his pride on social media platform X, writing, “Honoured to be the first PM to attend the event, which gets bigger each year.”
Wonderful celebration of the growing relationship between Australia and India at tonight’s India Australia Business and Community Alliance dinner in the Great Hall of Parliament House 🇦🇺🇮🇳
The IABCA, founded a decade ago by Sydney’s Sonia Sadiq Gandhi, the largest platform dedicated to enhancing the Australia-India relationship, has been instrumental over the past decade in promoting cultural diplomacy, bilateral trade, and business investment.
By honouring the bilateral success stories of organisations and individuals, IABCA has gained international recognition as a crucial tool for strengthening ties between the two countries.
Image: PM Albanese at the IFFM event in canberra (Source: X)
Earlier in the week, on 14th August, Albanese joined Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Founder of Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR) Chair Swati Dave, Bollywood star Rani Mukerji, and renowned director Karan Johar in the celebration of Indian cinema and partnership opportunities with Bollywood.
🇦🇺 and 🇮🇳 stories are increasingly interwoven
Our Chair Swati Dave joined Board member @mitublange at a celebration of Indian cinema & partnership opportunities with Bollywood star Rani Mukerji and director Karan Johar, hosted by @IFFMelb and Parliamentary Friends of India pic.twitter.com/GcEahM3gVA
— Centre for Australia-India Relations (@AusIndiaCentre) August 13, 2024
This event was hosted by IFFM and Parliamentary Friends of India and the highlight of the 15th anniversary celebration was the unveiling of a commemorative stamp honouring legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra by actress Rani Mukerji and director Karan Johar. The stamp was then presented to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Australian Parliament House.
Indian Cinema- a wonderful cultural bridge that connects India and the world and brings India and Australia closer together. pic.twitter.com/P44312191g
The IFFM, established in 2010, is a prominent global celebration of Indian cinema and the longest-running private film festival outside India. It highlights the rich diversity and creativity of Indian filmmaking, connecting the Indian diaspora and cinephiles with filmmakers who bring captivating Indian stories to the screen.
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Fair Work Inspectors investigated 35 businesses in Cairns’ fast food, restaurants and cafés sector – mostly ‘cheap eats’ venues in Cairns City, Cairns North, Palm Cove and Trinity Beach. Businesses were targeted for investigation based on FWO intelligence from a range of sources, including anonymous reports.
Of 31 investigations finalised, the FWO found 23 businesses (74 per cent) had breached workplace laws. The most common breaches were a failure to pay various penalty rates (21 businesses), underpaying minimum wages (11 businesses), and not paying the right allowances (9 businesses).
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said improving compliance in the fast food, restaurants and cafés sector was an ongoing priority for the regulator.
“These disappointing Cairns findings are part of a national food precincts program where we’ve often found that low-cost dining comes at the expense of workers’ lawful wages,” Ms Booth said.
“Employers must follow all wage laws, including penalty rates which generally serve as compensation for those working at times when most people are not. Those doing the wrong thing are being found out and held to account.
“Employers should access our wide range of free online tools and resources to ensure they’re meeting their obligations, or contact the FWO directly for free advice. We want to help businesses in the food sector get it right in the first place.
“We also urge workers with concerns about wages and entitlements to reach out to us – including anonymously if preferred.”
The largest amount recovered from any one business was $46,576 for six restaurant employees, variously cooks, kitchen hands and bar attendants. These workers were underpaid penalty rates, had outdated rates of pay resulting in underpaid minimum rates, and missed out on overtime pay.
Following investigations, the FWO issued 23 Compliance Notices, recovering the $217,806 for the 209 workers.
Eleven Infringement Notices for pay slip and record-keeping breaches also resulted in $12,895 in fines paid.
Investigations into four businesses are ongoing.
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The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is unusual in the world of finance.
It is the operator of Australia’s largest stock exchange, and as such is “required to ensure that each of its licensed markets is fair, orderly and transparent”.
At the same time, it is itself a public company listed on that very exchange. It’s as if we’ve enlisted a flock’s shepherd by picking out one of its sheep.
That doesn’t mean the ASX does – or has done – anything wrong. But this has been a known potential conflict of interest since the 1990s.
That was when the ASX listed itself as a public company on its own exchange, the first time this had ever happened in the world.
That saw a wide range of regulatory functions handed to Australia’s corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
So for ASIC to file a lawsuit on Wednesday, alleging the ASX misled markets, was significant.
But what exactly does ASIC allege happened? And why do a company’s announcements matter so much in the first place?
What are ASIC’s allegations?
The issue in question is the exchange’s stated progress replacing a key piece of software – “CHESS” – that is used to settle transactions. ASIC alleges the ASX told markets this project was on track and on schedule, despite knowing it wasn’t.
ASX’s statements go to the heart of trust in the integrity of our markets. We believe this was a collective failure by the ASX Board and senior executives at the time.
ASX chief executive Helen Lofthouse said the company acknowledges the “significance and serious nature of these proceedings”.
Lofthouse said the ASX is now “carefully reviewing and considering the allegations”, having “cooperated fully” with the investigation.
What is CHESS? And why does it need replacing?
One of the most important functions of the ASX is to provide a system for recording and settling share transactions. The current system is the Clearing House Electronic Subregister System, or CHESS for short, which we’ve had since 1994.
But for the past decade or so, it has been known that the technology underpinning CHESS is outdated and needs replacing.
According to ASIC’s filing in the Federal Court this week, the ASX determined it would replace CHESS in early 2016. By December 2017, it had engaged a company called Digital Asset to build the technology.
This new system was to be based on blockchain technology, an innovation that excited global markets and would have made Australia a world leader.
By March 2020, the ASX had announced that the CHESS replacement project’s initial go-live date in April 2021 would have to be delayed. By October, it had announced a new date: April 2023.
In mid-2021, it published an implementation timetable, and indicated it was still “on-track” to go live in April 2023. But ASIC alleges that in November 2021, the ASX opened an “industry test environment” despite a lack of “full functionality”.
The regulator alleges that about 100 defects in the application “were not addressed”.
According to the filing, the ASX’s own audit and risk committee was informed the CHESS replacement project had a “red” status on February 3 2022 – that is, there was a high risk it wouldn’t be completed on time.
ASIC alleges that despite this, when the ASX published its half-yearly results about a week later, it misleadingly indicated the project was “progressing well” – and still on track for its planned date to go live.
In September 2022, consulting firm Accenture was engaged to review the project. By November, ASX had paused it.
Pre-tax, it had already cost about A$250 million. The use of blockchain technology to replace CHESS has now been abandoned altogether.
Why does this all matter?
Both the ASX and the corporate regulator ASIC need a fully informed securities market to function. There are a number of laws that relate to this need.
Under the ASIC Act, the corporate regulator is explicitly required to “maintain, facilitate and improve the performance of the financial system”.
Under the Corporations Act – which is enforced by ASIC – companies must continuously disclose material information that could impact on their share price to the market.
More generally, this principle aims to prevent market manipulation and insider trading by companies listed on the stock exchange by preventing misleading or false statements.
With this lawsuit, ASIC has shone a spotlight on what is expected more broadly in terms of disclosures and accuracy, from all publicly listed companies.
The matter will now be decided under usual court processes and future hearings, unless it is settled earlier. Investors and regulators will be watching closely.
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Image: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises, Manoa Kamikamica (Source: X)
Google is set to build a $200 million data centre in Fiji, a move expected to create significant business opportunities and establish the nation as a key player in the Pacific’s information and communications technology (ICT) industry.
Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka celebrated the announcement on X, sharing, “Big news! 🇫🇯 @Google is investing $200M to build a Data Centre in Fiji, shared by DPM Hon. @KamikamicaM. With 4 new subsea cable connections to the US, Hawaii, Australia & Japan, Fiji is set to become a key player in the Pacific ICT industry. A stronger future awaits! #Fiji”
Big news! 🇫🇯 @Google is investing $200M to build a Data Centre in Fiji, shared by DPM Hon. @KamikamicaM. With 4 new Subsea cable connections to the US, Hawaii, Australia & Japan, Fiji is set to become a key player in the Pacific ICT industry. A stronger future awaits! #Fijipic.twitter.com/UmbBa6XwDA
— Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka (@slrabuka) August 16, 2024
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives and Small Medium Enterprises, Manoa Kamikamica, announced the investment during an interview on Fijivillage Straight Talkwith Vijay Narayan.
Minister Kamikamica emphasised that this development represents a major opportunity for Fiji to enhance its status as a regional ICT hub. He also highlighted that Google’s investment will not only bring the data centre but will also include the installation of four new subsea cable connections, further strengthening Fiji’s telecommunications infrastructure.
“Before Google approached us late last year, Fiji only had one subsea cable connection. Now, with Google’s investment, we will see an estimated $200 million injection into the economy and the creation of 3,600 jobs through the Google Pacific Connect Initiative.”
Addressing the Members of Parliament, Kamikamica expressed the Government’s excitement about the initiative, noting that the improved digital connectivity and enhanced network infrastructure will support key areas such as healthcare, education, and disaster management. He also emphasised that the new subsea cables would provide reliable and resilient connectivity between the Pacific and the rest of the world.
Google plans to lay the “Tabua Cable,” connecting the United States, Australia, and Fiji, and a second subsea cable, the “Honomoana Cable,” which will connect the United States to French Polynesia, with further links to Australia, Japan, and potentially Chile in South America. This investment is expected to act as a catalyst for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector in Fiji by offering enhanced network infrastructure.
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Image: International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on #mpox (Source: X - WHO)
By C Raina MacIntyre
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern, after rising cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the potential for further spread.
This now triggers a coordinated international response to an extraordinary event and the mobilisation of resources, such as vaccines and diagnostic testing, to curb the spread of this infectious disease.
But WHO has not declared mpox a pandemic. Rather, the measures it has triggered are designed to prevent it from becoming one.
World Health Organization (WHO) declares #mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). pic.twitter.com/pAlOx9Bq13
Mpox, once known as monkeypox, is a viral infection closely related to smallpox. Initial symptoms include a fever, headache, swelling of the lymph nodes and muscle ache. A typical rash follows, mainly on the face, hands and feet.
The spread of mpox through certain African countries led the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to declare earlier this week mpox a public health emergency of continental security. This is the first time the organisation has issued such an alert since it was established in 2017.
The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa has been particularly worrying for more than a year.
There are two types or clades of mpox. Clade II, which originates in west Africa, is less severe. It has a fatality rate of up to 1% (in other words, roughly one in 100 are expected to die from it). But clade I, from central Africa, has a fatality rate of up to 10% (up to one in ten die). This compares to a 0.7% fatality rate for the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is seeing large epidemics of the more deadly clade I mpox.
Mpox is endemic in some parts of central and west Africa, where the virus exists in animals and can spread to humans. Outbreaks have been increasing, with more human-to-human spread, since 2017.
This is partly due to very low levels of immunity to the mpox virus, which is related to the virus that causes smallpox. Mass vaccination against smallpox ceased more than 40 years ago globally, resulting in minimal immunity in populations today against mpox.
The WHO designation announced this week relates to the clade I. Not only does this have a higher fatality rate, it has new mutations that enhance spread between people. These changes, and the global lack of immunity to mpox, makes the world’s population vulnerable to the virus.
There are two different epidemics
In 2022, an epidemic of mpox swept through non-endemic countries, including beyond Africa. This was a variant of clade II originating from Nigeria, called clade IIb. This was sexually transmitted, predominantly affecting men who have sex with men, and had a low fatality rate.
That epidemic peaked in 2022, with vaccines made available to people at risk in high-income countries, but there has been an uptick in 2024.
At the same time, large clade I epidemics were occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but with far less attention.
Vaccines were not available there, even in 2023, when there were 14,626 cases and 654 deaths. Mortality was 4.5%, and higher in children.
In fact, most cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been children. This means most transmission there is non-sexual and is likely to have occurred through close contact or respiratory aerosols.
However, in 2023 an outbreak in a non-endemic part of the country, South Kivu in the east, appeared to be by sexual transmission, indicating more than one epidemic and different transmission modes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
By mid-2024, there were already more cases in the country than all of 2023 – more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.
Testing capacity is low in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, most cases are not confirmed by lab testing, and the data we have are from a small sample of genomic sequences from the Kamituga region of South Kivu.
This show mutations to the clade I virus around September 2023, to a variant termed clade Ib, which is more readily transmissible between people. We do not have much data to compare these viruses with the viruses causing cases in the rest of the country.
Mpox is spreading internationally
In the past month, the virus has spread to countries that share a border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo – Rwanda and Burundi. It has also spread to other east African countries, such as Kenya and Uganda. None of these countries have had mpox cases previously.
In an interconnected, mobile world, cases may spread to other continents, as mpox did in 2018 from Nigeria to the United Kingdom and other countries.
A few travel-related cases between 2018 and 2019 may have led to the large multi-country 2022 clade IIb epidemic.
We have vaccines, but not where they are needed
As the mpox virus and smallpox viruses are related (they are both orthopoxviruses), smallpox vaccines offer protection against mpox. These vaccines were used to control the 2022 clade IIb epidemic.
However, most of the world has never been vaccinated, and has no immunity to mpox.
The newer vaccine (called Jynneos in some countries and Imvamune or Imvanex in others) is effective. However, supplies are limited, and vaccine is scarce in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
WHO’s declaration of mpox as a public health emergency of international concern will help mobilise vaccines to where they are needed. The Africa Centres for Disease Control had already begun negotiations to secure 200,000 doses of vaccine, which is a fraction of what is required to control the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What happens now?
Ultimately, a serious epidemic anywhere in the world is a concern for all of us, as it can spread globally through travel, as we saw with the COVID pandemic.
Controlling it at the source is the best measure, and WHO’s latest declaration will help mobilise the required resources.
Surveillance for spread of this more serious version of mpox is also essential, bearing in mind that many countries do not have the capacity for widespread testing. So we’ll have to rely on “suspected cases”, based on a clinical definition, to keep track of the epidemic.
Open-source epidemic intelligence – such as using AI to monitor trends in rash and fever illness – can also be used as an early warning system in countries with weak health systems or delayed reporting of cases.
A further complication is that 20-30% of people with mpox may simultaneously have chickenpox, an unrelated infection that also causes a rash. So an initial diagnosis of chickenpox (which is easier to test for) does not rule out mpox.
Effective communication and tackling push-back against public health measures and disinformation is also key. We saw how important this was during the COVID pandemic.
Now, WHO will coordinate the global mpox response, focusing on equity in disease prevention and access to diagnostics and vaccines. It is up to individual countries to do their best to comply with the International Health Regulations, and the protocols for how such a global emergency are managed.
The World Health Organization has more information about mpox, including symptoms and treatment. For information about vaccine access and availability, contact your local health department or doctor, as this varies from country to country.
C Raina MacIntyre, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC L3 Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
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Image: Productive discussions this week between Australia's Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism
and India's Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism at MEA
on current global challenges (Source: X)
K.D. Dewal, Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Richard Feakes, Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, led their respective delegations.
Reflecting on the meeting, the Australian High Commissioner to India posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Counter-Terrorism cooperation is an important part of the 🇦🇺🇮🇳 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Productive discussions this week between 🇦🇺’s Amb for Counter-Terrorism @AusAmbCT and 🇮🇳’s Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism @MEAIndia on current global challenges @dfat.”
Counter-Terrorism cooperation is an important part of the 🇦🇺🇮🇳 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Productive discussions this week between 🇦🇺's Amb for Counter-Terrorism @AusAmbCT and 🇮🇳's Joint Secretary for Counter-Terrorism @MEAIndia on current global challenges @dfatpic.twitter.com/BtLuskV8MT
During the meeting, both India and Australia strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and stressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation to combat the menace in a comprehensive and sustained manner.
The two sides also jointly denounced the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, highlighting the need for a united global front against such practices.
The discussions extended to a wide range of issues, including domestic, regional, and global terrorism threat assessments.
Key topics included countering the use of new and emerging technologies by terrorists, preventing the misuse of the internet for terrorist purposes, combating radicalisation and terror financing, and addressing the nexus between organised crime and terrorism.
The two sides also explored avenues for enhanced collaboration within regional, global, and multilateral fora such as the United Nations, Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), Financial Action Task Force (FATF), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and with QUAD partners.
Counter-terrorism cooperation remains a crucial pillar of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and this meeting further underscored the shared commitment of both nations to tackle the evolving challenges of global terrorism.
In a positive conclusion to the discussions, both sides agreed to convene the 15th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in Canberra at a mutually convenient date.
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Image: L to R: Fiji's Finance Minister Biman Prasad, Tonga's Finance Minister and FEMM Chair Tiofilusi Tuieti and new PIF Secretary General Baron Waqa address Pacific media (Source: Facebook/ForumSec)
By Sadhana Sen and Stephen Howes
The annual Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting (FEMM) always has a wide-ranging agenda. This year the FEMM, which was held at the start of August in Suva, endorsed the now-finalised but yet-to-be-released Pacific Roadmap for Economic Development, advanced the new Pacific Resilience Facility (to be headquartered in Tonga), and worked on a plan to reverse the exit of banks from the region.
The most interesting development from this year’s FEMM, though, was the endorsement by the new Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa of the ambition to free up the movement of people within the region. As he put it in his opening address, “We must advocate for freer movement of our people within the islands including Australia and New Zealand, to facilitate greater regional economic cooperation and integration.”
Despite the emphasis on the Blue Pacific, there has, until recently, been very little focus within the Forum on the aspirations of Pacific nationals to move across that Blue Pacific in search of a better life. The 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent released in 2022 runs to some 31 pages while hardly mentioning labour mobility or migration, let alone the free movement of people, even as a goal to be achieved by that far-away date.
The Forum started embracing the issue of freedom of movement within the Pacific as recently as May when the outgoing Secretary General, Henry Puna, and the outgoing Chair, Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown, backed the idea one of us had put forward of a Pacific Business Travel Card to free up business travel.
But now the new Secretary General has gone much further to embrace the vision of free movement for all people within the Pacific. In making this call, he has joined, and no doubt been influenced by, the leaders of Samoa, Fiji and Solomon Islands who have all recently voiced similar aspirations.
With his opening statement, Waqa not only brought the Forum into line with regional sentiment but, choosing his words carefully, called for not free but freer movement: free movement might be the ultimate vision, but it is not a practical, short-term aspiration. Note also how Waqa singled out Australia and New Zealand for attention, as these are the two major countries within the region that so many in the Pacific want easier access to.
The FEMM communique is yet to be released, but from the closing press conference, it seems that there is still a gap between advocacy and results.
Tonga is chairing the Pacific Islands Forum, and according to Tongan Finance Minister Tiofilusi Tuieti who spoke at that press conference, there was agreement that there should be “an assessment of the social and economic impact of … labour mobility programs and also from human migration in the Pacific.” So perhaps more studies rather than action?
Biman Prasad, Fiji’s Finance Minister and a leading advocate on integration and free movement, also speaking at the press conference, said that a key element of the discussion was “was the ability of the Pacific Island countries, including Australia and New Zealand, to work towards a much better, deeper, meaningful regional integration”. On free movement specifically, Prasad said “we are hoping that this will remain on the agenda”. He talked about the relaxation of business visas, but also cautioned that “within the Pacific we need to free ourselves quicker than what we expect Australia and New Zealand and others to do”.
So, it seems that there is still a fair way to go. To gauge regional sentiment on this key issue, we asked a few ministers during the FEMM what they thought on the issue of free – or freer – movement.
Cook Islands Assistant Finance Minister Tukaka Ama said that his country supported free movement for PIF citizens, but added it was an area “that needs to be looked at carefully” as free movement might result “in a huge influx of people to a certain destination”.
Tonga’s Tuieti told us that his country has been advocating for free travel as part of wider regional integration but said that it may have to be introduced in phases.
Nauru Deputy Finance Minister and Special Envoy Maverick Eoe said that Nauru supported free movement “absolutely”. Commenting on reservations that Australia and NZ might hold, he said, “If we are part of a family in the region, families don’t close doors, simple as that. We’re in the Pacific, and the Pacific is family, open your doors to everyone.”
As noted, Fiji’s Prasad has been a leading advocate for the free movement of people. On the question of freer vs free movement, he said: “Ideally, it has to be free movement. As part of a much deeper, meaningful integration, we will be pushing for this. We need to take some decisive actions, there might be some that need time to discuss and are done later. But there are low-hanging actions that we can work on immediately. So it has to be a phased, free Pacific.”
On Australia and New Zealand’s position, Prasad said:
“There is much more dialogue and acceptance of the idea. I’m very pleased that since I talked about it last year it has gained traction. Almost all the Pacific countries support the idea. The benefits of integration may be differentiated but everyone benefits. Australia and New Zealand understand this. There might be some domestic imperatives in those countries but there is much more understanding and receptiveness to the idea than some years back.”
Overall, there is strong support in the Pacific for free movement of people, but more work is needed to move the idea from vision to implementation (see this blog for some ideas on how to do that). The popularity of the Pacific labour mobility schemes is a preoccupation causing some concern to island nations. It is still early days and, as Prasad said, now that the idea is on the agenda, the key thing is to keep it there. Having the region’s top bureaucrat, the Forum Secretary General, on board will surely help make that happen. The next test will be to see whether free – or freer – movement of people makes it onto the agenda at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Tonga at the end of August.
Disclosure: Sadhana Sen’s attendance at the Pacific Islands Forum Economic Ministers Meeting was endorsed by the Fiji Times, Marshall Islands Journal, Samoa Observer, Business Advantage PNG, and the Guam-based Pacific Islands Times.
Contributing Author(s): Sadhana Sen is the Regional Communications Adviser at the Development Policy Centre. Stephen Howes is Director of the Development Policy Centre and Professor of Economics at the Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University.
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The man, 57, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court yesterday (12 August, 2024) for two child abuse-related offences, including trying to arrange sexual activity with children in the Philippines.
AFP Detective Acting Inspector Emmanuel Tsardoulias said the investigation showed the commitment of police around the world to work together to combat the exploitation and abuse of children.
“Our common goal is to protect children, wherever they live, and to ensure anyone who tries to harm them is identified and brought before the courts. This is not a victimless crime. Children are not commodities to be used for the abhorrent gratification of sexual predators.”
Det A/Inspector Tsardoulias added:
“The AFP is working hand-in-glove with its partners here in Australia and abroad to find these offenders and bring them to justice.”
AFP Eastern Command Child Protection investigators arrested the Mackay man at Sydney International Airport in January 2023, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found child abuse material on his phone.
ABF officers inspected the man’s phone and located messages detailing his intent to pay a facilitator to enable him to sexually abuse children in the Philippines.
The AFP was alerted and began an investigation into his activities and subsequently charged him.
ABF Acting Superintendent Andrew Snook said Border Force officers had a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse material: “There is no place for child abuse material within our community.”
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief of the Women and Children Protection Centre Police Brigadier General Portia Manalad said the PNP and the AFP worked collaboratively to enable the success of this investigation.
“The sharing of intelligence is vital in arresting perpetrators in both Philippines and Australia,” she said.
The AFP also shared intelligence gathered during the investigation with the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Centre (PICACC).
This resulted in further inquiries by the Philippine National Police (PNP), with the support of the AFP and other PICACC members, which led to 16 children being removed from harm in the Philippines.
The man pleaded guilty in February, 2024 to:
One count of intentionally importing tier 2 goods, being child abuse material, without approval, contrary to section 233BAB(5) of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth);
One count of preparing/planning to engage in sexual activity with a child outside of Australia, contrary to section 272.20(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a $2500 fine. The man has been remanded in custody since 30 July, 2023, and will be released on 30 September, 2024, to serve the rest of his sentence in the community under the supervision of a parole officer.
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Representative image: School examination (Source: CANVA)
By Sally Larsen
On Wednesday, Australia woke up to a barrage of reports about the latest NAPLAN results. Media coverage described an “epic fail”, “plummeting” performances and a “bleak picture”.
Education experts spoke of “grim reading”, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the results “alarming”.
But many of these analyses are misguided and unhelpful.
What were the results?
NAPLAN tests Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students each year in literacy and numeracy. There are four possible achievement bands: “needs additional support,” “developing,” “strong” and “exceeding”.
In 2024 about one in three school students were into the bottom two proficiency bands, with the remaining two thirds were in the top two. About one in ten students were rated as needing additional support.
These are very similar to last year’s results. The number of students identified as needing additional support also mirrors the proportions of students falling into the bottom band in the previous NAPLAN reporting system used from 2008 to 2022. Around 10% of students (or fewer) were categorised as below the national minimum standard in every NAPLAN test year to 2022.
If we look at average results, some 2024 results in some year groups are slightly above those reported in 2023, and others are slightly below. As the national report notes, differences from 2023 are “either not statistically significant or negligible in size”.
None of the differences were more than four points (on a 1,000-point scale), with the exception of Year 7 and Year 9 writing which both improved in 2024 (by 6.5 and 7.3 scale scores respectively).
These results reflect normal population variability and are what you would expect if you administered the same test to different groups of children from year to year, as NAPLAN does.
There’s no long-term decline
As I have written previously, we need to be cautious about narratives that Australian students’ performances in NAPLAN and other standardised tests are getting worse.
My study published earlier this year clearly shows no long-term decline in NAPLAN results from 2008 through to 2022. It even shows some considerable gains. In particular, Year 3 and Year 5 reading showed good progress at the population level over the 14 years of NAPLAN to 2022.
Because there are fewer categories in the new reporting of proficiency, there are now higher percentages of students in each category. As is clearly evident from the news reporting, categorising students into fewer proficiency levels can be misinterpreted.
What does this mean?
Do the 2024 results mean Australian students’ literacy and numeracy proficiency have precipitously declined in since 2022?
The answer is no – it means the test developers changed the way students are categorised. Importantly, in 2024 the proportions of students falling into the four proficiency levels for each test was no different from those reported for 2023.
There are, of course, enduring differences between different groups of the Australian population, for example students from Indigenous backgrounds and remote areas are much more likely to be in the lower categories on NAPLAN. These, unfortunately, are not new problems.
Fixation on NAPLAN, with the relentless annual reports of crises and catastrophes in our schools, and accompanying criticisms about teacher quality, is not healthy or helpful for our schools.
Of course, improvements can be made to students’ literacy and numeracy achievement and progression. However, this is unlikely to happen in a school system that is inequitably funded and struggling to retain experienced professionals.
If state and federal governments are serious about resolving the problems in Australian schooling, a first step will be to accurately interpret the evidence about students’ literacy and numeracy.
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The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024 hosted a special event celebrating Indian cinema in collaboration with The Parliamentary Friends of India at the Australian Federal Parliament.
IFFM welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, along with the two iconic figures of Indian cinema, Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar.
Rani Mukerji launched a commemorative postage stamp honouring the legendary filmmaker Yash Chopra as part of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024. The stamp pays tribute to Yash Chopra and commemorates 50 years of Yash Raj Films’ monumental contributions to Indian cinema and his role in making Hindi films a global cultural phenomenon.
Image Source: Supplied
Rani Mukerji expressed her pride and gratitude, stating, “I’m truly honoured and humbled to be a part of this momentous occasion…”
“This is not only a celebration of Yash Chopra and YRF’s rich and impactful 50-year-old legacy but also of the Indian film industry that has entertained countless people through the power of cinema.”
Image Source: Supplied
IFFM Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange expressed her enthusiasm about the event, stating, “We are thrilled to announce this unique celebration of Indian cinema at the Australian Federal Parliament.”
“Having iconic figures like Rani Mukerji and Karan Johar share their insights and experiences will undoubtedly make it an unforgettable evening.”
The evening also featured a keynote from Bollywood diva Rani Mukerji and one of the most famous movie directors Karan Johar at the Mural Hall of the Australian Federal Parliament, marking a significant celebration of Indian cinematic excellence on foreign soil.
Rani Mukerji, one of India’s most beloved actresses, is renowned for her versatility and has received numerous accolades both domestically and internationally. Married to Aditya Chopra, Chairman of Yash Raj Films, Mukerji’s connection with Australia runs deep, with several blockbuster Bollywood films being shot here. She is also an advocate for various humanitarian causes, including children’s education and women’s rights.
In her keynote, Ms Mukerji said, “I am honoured to be a part of this celebration. Indian cinema has a special place in my heart, and to share this joy with the Australian audience is truly special.”
“I look forward to discussing the profound impact of Indian films globally and the unique bond shared between India and Australia.”
Andrew Charlton, Chair of The Parliamentary Friends of India, highlighted the importance of such cultural events in strengthening bilateral ties.
“We are delighted to host this evening at the Australian Federal Parliament and look forward to an inspiring exchange of ideas at IFFM2024.”
“Indian cinema has a rich history of storytelling that resonates across borders. This event is not just a celebration of films but also a celebration of the deep-rooted friendship between India and Australia,” Charlton said.
Karan Johar, a prominent film producer, director, writer, and TV show host, has significantly influenced Indian cinema through his company, Dharma Productions. He has been instrumental in launching many successful careers in the film industry and was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2020.
“Indian cinema has always been a bridge connecting cultures and hearts. Celebrating this at the Australian Federal Parliament is a testament to the power of films in fostering international relations,” Johar remarked.
“I am excited to be part of this event and share the stage with Rani to highlight the cultural ties between our nations.”
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024, running from August 15 to 25, promises a vibrant celebration of Indian cinema, featuring film screenings, panel discussions, and cultural events. The festival, now in its 15th edition, aims to promote cultural exchange and celebrate the diversity of Indian storytelling on an international platform.
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Jatinder Singh, 39, who embarked on a lavish spending spree after more than $10.5 million was mistakenly transferred into his bank account has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Singh received the funds in May 2021 when a refund on a cryptocurrency investment went awry due to a significant accounting error.
Singh had initially placed a $100 deposit into his then-partner Thevamangari Manivel’s account on the Crypto.com platform. He was notified that the investment would be refunded due to a discrepancy in account names. However, instead of returning $100, an employee mistakenly entered a bank account number into the funds box, resulting in a transfer of over $10.4 million into Manivel’s account.
Upon realising the error, Singh directed Manivel to transfer the funds from her Commonwealth Bank account into their shared account, anticipating the transaction might be reversed.
The court was told that over the course of 10 months, Singh spent $6 million of the erroneously transferred funds across 160 transactions. The spree included the purchase of two properties and a $1 million gift to a friend. Manivel also transferred $2 million to a Malaysian bank account.
It took seven months for Crypto.com and the Commonwealth Bank to detect the error during an audit. Attempts to recover the funds were ignored by the couple, who believed the communications were part of a scam.
Singh was arrested in March 2022 and later charged with theft. During his police interview, he claimed to have believed the money was a windfall from the Crypto.com website.
In sentencing, County Court Judge Martine Marich highlighted Singh’s cognitive challenges, including a notably low IQ, which impaired his ability to understand the consequences of his actions. The judge noted that Singh’s offences were “entirely situationally motivated” and that he had a good prospect of rehabilitation, pointing to his lack of prior offences and pro-social behaviour outside of this incident.
Judge Marich also acknowledged the impact of Singh’s time on remand, which included racial bullying and the worsening of his mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. She remarked that media coverage of the case had left Singh fearful of being ostracised by his community and anxious about his parents discovering his crime.
Singh, who has already served 361 days in custody, will be eligible for parole after two years. His former partner, Manivel, was previously jailed for 209 days after being arrested while attempting to board a flight to Malaysia.
Crypto.com has initiated civil proceedings against Singh to recover the lost funds but has not disclosed how much has been retrieved. The judge also noted that the conviction may impact Singh’s future visa applications as he is an Indian citizen.
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Images from Tristan Russell/Raja Ampat Archaeological Project (Source: Author provided)
By Dylan Gaffney and Daud Aris Tanudirjo
In the deep human past, highly skilled seafarers made daring crossings from Asia to the Pacific Islands. It was a migration of global importance that shaped the distribution of our species – Homo sapiens – across the planet.
These mariners became the ancestors of people who live in the region today, from West Papua to Aotearoa New Zealand.
For archaeologists, however, the precise timing, location and nature of these maritime dispersals have been unclear.
For the first time, our new research provides direct evidence that seafarers travelled along the equator to reach islands off the coast of West Papua more than 50 millennia ago.
Our archaeological fieldwork on Waigeo Island in the Raja Ampat archipelago of West Papua represents the first major international collaboration of its kind, involving academics from New Zealand, West Papua, Indonesia and beyond.
We focused our excavations at Mololo Cave, a colossal limestone chamber surrounded by tropical rainforest. It stretches a hundred metres deep and is home to bat colonies, monitor lizards and the occasional snake.
In the local Ambel language, Mololo means the place where the currents come together, fittingly named for the choppy waters and large whirlpools in the nearby straits.
Archaeologists Daud Tanudirjo and Moses Dailom excavating at Mololo Cave. Tristan Russell, CC BY-SA
Excavation uncovered several layers of human occupation associated with stone artefacts, animal bones, shells and charcoal – all physical remains discarded by ancient humans living at the cave.
These archaeological findings were rare in the deepest layers, but radiocarbon dating at the University of Oxford and the University of Waikato demonstrated humans were living at Mololo by at least 55,000 years before the present day.
Foraging in the rainforest
A key finding of the excavation was a tree resin artefact that was made at this time. This is the earliest example of resin being used by people outside of Africa. It points to the complex skills humans developed to live in rainforests.
Scanning-electron microscope analysis indicated the artefact was produced in multiple stages. First the bark of a resin-producing tree was cut and the resin was allowed to drip down the trunk and harden. Then the hardened resin was snapped into shape.
The function of the artefact is unknown, but it may have been used as a fuel source for fires inside the cave. Similar resin was collected during the 20th century around West Papua and used for fires before gas and electric lighting was introduced.
The tree resin artefact found at Mololo Cave dates back to 55,000 to 50,000 years ago. The chart shows how it may have been made and used. Dylan Gaffney, CC BY-SA
Our study of animal bones from Mololo indicates people hunted ground-dwelling birds, marsupials and possibly megabats. Despite Waigeo Island being home to small animals that are difficult to capture, people were adapting to using rainforest resources alongside the coastal foods islands readily offer. This is an important example of human adaptation and flexibility in challenging conditions.
A modern example of tree resin from the Raja Ampat Islands being used for starting a fire. Dylan Gaffney, CC BY-SA
Seafaring pathways to the Pacific
The Mololo excavation helps us to clarify the precise time humans moved into the Pacific. This timing is hotly debated because it has major implications for how rapidly our species dispersed out of Africa to Asia and Oceania.
It also has implications for whether people drove Oceanic megafauna like giant kangaroos (Protemnodon) and giant wombats (Diprotodontids) to extinction, and how they interacted with other species of hominins like the “hobbit” (Homo floresiensis) that lived on the islands of Indonesia until about 50,000 years ago.
Archaeologists have proposed two hypothetical seafaring corridors leading into the Pacific: a southern route into Australia and a northern route into West Papua.
In what is today northern Australia, excavations indicate humans may have settled the ancient continent of Sahul, which connected West Papua to Australia, by 65,000 years ago.
However, findings from Timor suggest people were moving along the southern route only 44,000 years ago. Our work supports the idea that the earliest seafarers crossed instead along the northern route into West Papua, later moving down into Australia.
Two possible seafaring pathways from Asia to the Pacific region: a northern route along the equator to Raja Ampat and a southern route via Timor to Australia. Dylan Gaffney, CC BY-SA
West Papua: an archaeological enigma
Despite our research, we still know very little about the deep human past in West Papua. Research has been limited primarily because of the political and social crisis in the region.
Importantly, our research shows early West Papuans were sophisticated, highly mobile and able to devise creative solutions to living on small tropical islands. Ongoing excavations by our project aim to provide further information about how people adapted to climatic and environmental changes in the region.
Hand stencils of unknown age from the Raja Ampat Islands. Tristan Russell, CC BY-SA
We know from other archaeological sites in the independent country of Papua New Guinea that once humans arrived in the Pacific region, they kept venturing as far as the New Guinea Highlands, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands by 30,000 years ago.
It was not until about 3,000 years ago that seafarers pushed out beyond the Solomon Islands to settle the smaller islands of Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Their descendants later voyaged as far as Hawaii, Rapa Nui and Aotearoa.
Charting the archaeology of West Papua is vital because it helps us understand where the ancestors of the wider Pacific came from and how they adapted to living in this new and unfamiliar sea of islands.
The authors acknowledge the contribution of Abdul Razak Macap, a social anthropologist at the Regional Cultural Heritage Center in Manokwari.
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Pannu Video Screenshot; Image Source: The Australia Today
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, chief of the banned separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has incited his supporters to stage violent protests at Indian diplomatic missions across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
Scheduled to coincide with the 77th anniversary of India’s Independence Day, Pannu’s call includes urging demonstrators to burn the Indian national flag, the Tiranga, offering monetary rewards totalling $500,000 for participation in these actions.
This provocation is not only a serious violation of the laws governing democratic nations but also a direct attack on the principles of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. The Indian national flag, a symbol of unity and pride, is respected worldwide, and its desecration on such a significant day is a grave insult to the Indian community and the democratic values that these nations uphold.
Pannu’s incitement to violence undermines the legitimate right to peaceful protest, a cornerstone of a democratic society, by replacing it with unlawful and destructive behaviour.
Melbourne-based Ravi Nagar Singh is the director of Hindus for Peace and Prosperity a not-for-profit organisation working for social cohesion.
He told The Australia Today,
“Law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Europe need to take immediate action to prevent these planned attacks and ensure the safety of all individuals and diplomatic personnel.”
Encouraging violence against diplomatic missions, which are protected spaces under international law, endangers lives and disrupts diplomatic relations. Such acts of aggression can potentially inflame tensions, provoke hatred, and damage the fabric of multicultural societies that thrive on diversity and mutual respect.
The broader community, including members of the Indian diaspora and local populations, are coming together to reject these calls for violence and standing firm in support of peaceful dialogue and lawful expression. By doing so, they uphold the values of democracy and social harmony that extremists like Pannu seek to disrupt.
As the world commemorates India’s 77th Independence Day, it is a time to celebrate the achievements and progress of a nation, not to foster division and hatred. Democratic societies must work together to counter such extremist ideologies, ensuring that the spirit of freedom and unity prevails over violence and discord.
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Image: Presentation of a custom-made creator button to T-Series from Lyor Cohen and YouTube CEO, Neal Mohan (Source: Facebook - T-Series)
India’s music giant T-Series was honoured at YouTube’s prestigious Brandcast event, a leading gathering in the video advertising industry.
A custom-made creator button from YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, and Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen was presented to T-Series’ Bhushan Kumar.
T-Series said in a statement on Facebook:
“YouTube has been an exceptional partner, and we couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate being the first account in the world to surpass 200M subscribers than surrounded by fellow creators, partners, YouTubers, and advertisers.”
Further reflecting on the partnership, T-Series expressed their gratitude to YouTube for providing a platform that has allowed them to showcase the richness of Indian music culture to a global audience.
“YouTube has given us a platform to showcase the best of Indian music culture, and empowered our belief that music can change the world.”
“When I joined YouTube, there were only 11 channels with over 1 million subscribers…With 271 million subscribers, T-series is the largest YouTube Channel in the world.”
India is YouTube’s largest market today and has over 11000 Indian channels with over a million subscribers. The global influence of Indian music on YouTube is undeniable, with seven of the top ten musicians on YouTube’s weekly artists chart hailing from India. This includes Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, and Arijit Singh, who dominate the top positions with hundreds of millions of weekly views.
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Cricket Australia has named Vishwa Ramkumar, a talented leg-spinner of Indian heritage, to the Australian squad for the upcoming Under-19 Men’s Tour of India.
Ramkumar continues the legacy of Harjas Singh and Harkirat Bajwa, who both represented Australia in the 2024 ICC Men’s Under 19 World Cup in February.
The 16-player squad, selected by the Youth Selection Panel in collaboration with State Talent Managers, will embark on a multi-format series in India beginning in September.
The tour includes three 50-over matches and two four-day games, marking the start of a new World Cup cycle for Australia, as per a release by Cricket Australia.
The Australian team enters the series with confidence after their undefeated run in the 2024 ICC Men’s Under 19 World Cup, where they defeated India by 79 runs in the final.
Australian U19 Men’s Squad:
Thomas Brown (South Australia/Adelaide University CC)
Simon Budge (Western Australia/Melville District CC)
Zac Curtain (Tasmania/Kingborough CC)
Riley Kingsell (New South Wales/Bankstown District CC)
Alex Lee-Young (New South Wales/Mosman CC)
Steven Hogan (Queensland/Sandgate-Redcliffe CC)
Lincoln Hobbs (Western Australia/Fremantle District CC)
Harry Hoekstra (Victoria/Casey South Melbourne CC)
Ollie Patterson (New South Wales/Eastern Suburbs CC)
Ollie Peake (Victoria/Geelong CC)
Vishwa Ramkumar (Victoria/Dandenong CC)
Lachlan Ranaldo (South Australia/Sturt District CC)
Hayden Schiller (South Australia/Northern Districts CC)
Addison Sheriff (New South Wales/Sydney Cricket Club).
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Image: National Science Week: Questacon (Source: AFP)
The AFP is set to declare the National Science and Technology Centre, also known as Questacon, a crime scene in celebration of National Science Week 2024.
The AFP’s world-class forensic capabilities is set to be deployed with the assistance of the community during a sanctioned takeover of the centre on Saturday, 17 August, 2024.
AFP Chief Scientist Dr Simon Walsh and the AFP Forensics Team will deploy to the National Science and Technology Centre to educate, encourage and inspire young children to embrace their inner ‘forensic scientist’.
“The deployment to the National Science and Technology Centre will allow the AFP to highlight some of our unique capabilities in the hope of inspiring a new generation of forensic and technology experts,” Dr Simon Walsh said.
“Together, with Questacon, we will provide aspiring scientists a hands-on experience and opportunity to see how law enforcement uses science and technology to investigate and combat crime, including a sneak peek at how AI can potentially assist to solve crimes.”
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. The week aims to encourage an interest in science pursuits and encourage younger people to be fascinated by the world we live in.
The crime scene will replicate the daily deployment of forensic experts who undertake complex work to keep Australians safe, thanks to their specialised knowledge and capabilities.
The AFP is calling on all Junior Forensic Investigators and aspiring scientists to investigate the Questacon crime scene from 9am on Saturday, 17 August, 2024.
Forensics specialists will include, Facial Identification and Forensic Artists, Crime Scene Examiners, Forensic Chemists, Fingerprint Experts, Digital Forensic Examiners and more!
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A leading group of authors, academics, and eminent members of civil society have written an open letter voicing their profound concern about the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and urged the Indian parliament to pass a unanimous resolution condemning “this wave of communal violence”.
The signatories, who include authors Amish Tripathi, Ashwin Sanghi, Abhishek Banerjee, Rajeev Mantri, Smita Barooah and SC Advocate J Sai Deepak, said that they are deeply concerned about reports of escalating violence against the Hindu Community in Bangladesh.
“In recent days we have observed deeply troubling events, including the burning of an ISKCON centre in Meherpur, the vandalism of multiple Hindu temples across the country, and the dissemination of videos showing rioters celebrating the lynching of Hindus. Tragically, these acts of violence are neither isolated nor are they without precedent,” the letter said
“The Hindu population in Bangladesh has historically endured repeated waves of persecution, which often intensify during periods of political instability. Since 1971, when 2.5 million Hindus were murdered by the Pakistani regime before the formation of Bangladesh, there has been an ongoing and systematic pogrom against Hindus”.
“Reports indicate that there have been over 3,600 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh since 2013,”
it added.
The letter said the current developments in Bangladesh have further destabilised the situation, “resulting in increased attacks on minority”.
It called on the people to bring the matter to the attention of their elected representatives.
“We respectfully request your immediate intervention to bring this matter to the attention of your elected representatives, urging them to address this issue at the highest levels of government,” the letter said.
“We, the undersigned, urge the Indian Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution recognizing the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and condemning this wave of communal violence. Collaborate with international bodies, such as the United Nations, to press the Bangladeshi authorities to take concrete steps to protect their Hindu minority and hold the perpetrators accountable. Advocate for the provision of humanitarian assistance and asylum options for Hindus fleeing persecution in Bangladesh” it added.
Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation after Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation from the position of Prime Minister on August 5 in the wake of mounting protests. An interim government, headed by Professor Mohd. Younus, has since taken charge in Dhaka.
The letter said it is imperative that immediate action is taken to prevent further atrocities and to uphold the fundamental human rights of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Earlier on Sunday as per reports large groups of the Hindu community in Bangladesh had staged protests in certain cities demanding safety for their lives and places of worship. Hindu groups also staged protests against violence against their community members in Bangladesh in cities like London and Toronto.
On August 8, while conveying his best wishes to Prof Muhammad Yunus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called for the “safety and protection” of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
“My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
Hindus make up about 8 per cent of Bangladesh’s 170 million population and thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have been trying to flee to neighbouring India to escape the violence.
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Updated figures show Australia has witnessed a significant surge in disability prevalence, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s understanding and measurement of disability.
This is a striking increase from 17.7% in 2018, a figure that had remained relatively consistent for two decades (15% in 1998). The rise was seen across genders, with a notable uptick in the number of people reporting profound or severe disability. The proportion of primary carers with disability also dramatically increased from 32.1% to 43.8%.
So what is driving the increase? Are these numbers truly reflective of reality, or influenced by changes in how data is collected?
About the survey
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts the survey every three years, providing detailed insights into the lives of people with disability, those aged 65 and over, and primary carers.
Released last month, the 2022 survey collected data from over 13,700 households and 1,100 care accommodations and group dwellings between June and the following February.
Although the criteria for defining disability have remained consistent over the years, the latest survey introduced some methodological changes that could have influenced the reported rates.
One of the most significant changes was the introduction of an online participation option, which 41% of households used. This shift to a more private and comfortable mode of data collection may have encouraged disclosure of disability and discussion of sensitive needs.
Nevertheless, this increase likely reflects a more accurate representation of the population. Some argue greater willingness to disclose disability could lead to greater increase than the rates collected over the years. Disability disclosure often limits collection of accurate data, particularly in employment, where up to 56.9% of employed people with disability did not disclose to their employer.
A real increase
Several factors might contribute to the upward trend, including heightened public awareness, better diagnostic criteria, and an increase in long-term health conditions with disabling impacts.
Notably, this survey was the first conducted in the “post-COVID” era. COVID was the leading cause of disease burden globally in 2021, and has lasting health impacts that may contribute to the rising disability rates.
Australia’s ageing population is often cited as a key driver of increasing disability rates.
Older Australians (who made up 17.1% of the population in 2022, up from 15.9% in 2018) have higher disability rates than younger people, with 52.3% of older Australians reporting a disability in 2022, compared to 49.6% in 2018.
Despite the rising number of older Australians with disability, their proportion within the total disabled population actually decreased from 44.5% in 2018 to 41.7% in 2022. So although ageing contributes to the trend, other factors are at play.
Younger people
The most striking increases in disability prevalence were observed among children aged 0–4 years and young people aged 15–24 years. In these groups, prevalence rates jumped from 3.7% and 9.3% in 2018 to 5.7% and 13.9% in 2022, respectively.
One significant contributor to this rise is the increase in autism spectrum disorder diagnoses, which climbed by 41.8%, from 205,200 people in 2018 to 290,900 people in 2022.
The growing prevalence of disability also signals a broader societal shift. Our research shows community attitudes and education about disability are slowly improving. Most Australians have reasonably positive attitudes about disability, although that varies between types of disability.
The gradual shift towards greater inclusion and reduced stigma may lead to more people recognising and reporting disability in surveys like this one.
And this brings with it an obligation for Australia to provide better services, more inclusive public spaces, responsive health-care systems, and greater economic opportunities for people with disability.
Defining disability
Statistics are crucial for understanding trends, but they don’t always capture the full picture. The Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers defines disability as any “long-term limitation or restriction resulting from an impairment lasting at least six months that impacts daily activities”.
Although widely accepted, this definition has been criticised for perpetuating a deficit-based view of disability.
Many in the disability sector advocate for a strengths-based approach, emphasising the mismatch between impairments and the environments in which people live and interact.
The language and categories used in surveys can impact response rates and, consequently, prevalence figures. It is important to recognise people with disability have diverse experiences that do not always fit neatly into predefined boxes.
Two people with the same diagnosis may experience vastly different impacts on their lives, shaped by personal, social and environmental influences. Acknowledging this diversity is crucial for developing more nuanced information and shaping policies and services that truly cater to the needs of people with disability.
The trends in this latest survey highlight the complexity of disability and the need for more inclusive and comprehensive approaches to defining and assessing it.
As these trends continue to evolve, exploration and adaptation will be essential to ensure the rights and needs of all people with disability are fully realised.
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Image: Australian breakdancing champion Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun (Source: X and Instagram)
The Paris Olympics might be over, but in a stunning turn of events on the last weekend Australian breakdancing champion Rachael Gunn, known as B-girl Raygun, scored a zero in her debut.
The 36-year-old university lecturer with a PhD in cultural studies failed to earn a single point across her three bouts when breaking made its Olympic debut, sparking widespread criticism both online and in some mainstream media outlets.
Australia break dance athlete Raygun (Rachel Gunn) absolute best moments at Paris 2024 Olympics pic.twitter.com/VY7FbxnuCy
Amidst the backlash, MGbility, a breaking judge, offered an explanation for Gunn’s poor performance.
MGbility expressed empathy for the Australian performer, attributing her lack of points to the high level of competition rather than a lack of effort. “I feel personally very sorry,” MGbility told News Corp.
“The breaking and hip hop community definitely stands behind her. She was just trying to bring something new, something original, something that represents her country.”
MGbility further elaborated on the judging process, explaining that Gunn’s performance, while creative, fell short when compared to her rivals.
“We have five criteria in the comparative judging system. Just her level was maybe not as high as the other competitors. Her competitors were just better, but it doesn’t mean that she did really bad. She did her best.”
Primarily, breaking is judged on creativity, personality, technique, variety, musicality and vocabulary, which is the variation and quantity of moves. In her routine, Raygun incorporated elements she felt were uniquely Australian, including hopping like a kangaroo, yawning at an opponent, and performing the sprinkler.
The Paris closing ceremony is unfolding with the Aussie athletes basking in the glory of Raygun’s heroics in the lead in. Got to love the way they have got around her https://t.co/tNh4Kn3UsEpic.twitter.com/BiKNoVrXtu
MGbility noted that originality and innovation are key in breaking, and Gunn’s interpretation, though spirited, did not resonate with the judges. “She was representing Australia and Oceania and did her best,” MGbility said.
“Unfortunately for her, the other b-girls were better. That’s why she didn’t score any votes in her rounds. Breaking is all about originality and bringing something new to the table from your country or region, and this is exactly what Raygun was doing.”
“I love Rachael, and I think what has occurred on social media with trolls and keyboard warriors has been really disappointing,” Meares stated.
She highlighted Gunn’s perseverance, recalling her struggles in 2008 as the only woman in a male-dominated sport, which led to her qualifying for the Olympics in Paris.
“She is the best female breakdancer we have for Australia,” Meares asserted.
“Raygun is an absolutely loved member of this Olympic team. She has represented the Olympic spirit with great enthusiasm, and I absolutely love her courage and character. I feel very disappointed for her that she has come under attack.”
Following her exit from the competition, Raygun criticised the decision to drop breaking from the Los Angeles 2028 programme, calling it “disappointing.”
She also responded to critiques of her choice to wear the Australian Olympic tracksuit during her performance, a point of pride for the athlete.
Reflecting on the experience, Gunn said, “I know how rare this opportunity is, and I wanted to take the chance to wear the green and gold. It was a real moment of pride for me to wear the Australian uniform, especially with the Indigenous print on the arms.”
No matter what the judges say or what the trolls write, it’s undeniable that 36-year-old B-girl Raygun unintentionally stole the spotlight and is now poised to become an Australian cult icon.
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A high-level Indian delegation led by Mr. K Rajaraman, Chairperson, the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) recently visited Sydney and Melbourne in Australia. The visit was aimed at strengthening the ongoing partnership between Australian financial services industry & Universities and the maiden International Financial Services Centre in GIFT City, Gujarat, India. During the visit, the delegation held several engagements with Australian firms, Associations and Financial Sector Regulators.
Government of India implemented a major financial sector reform by establishing and operationalizing India’s maiden International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat International Financial Tech City (GIFT City). The vision of the Government is to develop GIFT IFSC as a leading internationally recognized financial centre with best-in-class business regulations, competitive tax regime and ease of doing business. The IFSC is a special international financial jurisdiction, which has been designated as a non-resident zone under Foreign Exchange Management (FEM) Regulations. This status enables transactions to be carried out in notified eleven foreign currencies including AUD.
The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during his visit to GIFT IFSC in July 2022 articulated his vision for GIFT City and stated that “the vision of India’s future is associated with GIFT City, which is an important gateway to connect India with global opportunities”. He further stated that “if one integrates with GIFT City, one will integrate with whole world”.
To promote ease of doing business and provide for dedicated regulatory intervention, Government of India through an Act of Parliament (2019) set up the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) as a unified regulator for development and regulation of financial markets in the IFSCs in India. From 1st October 2020, IFSCA assumed powers of four domestic sectoral regulators namely Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) & Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), in so far as development and regulation of financial products, financial institutions and financial services within the IFSCs in concerned.
In the last three years, GIFT IFSC has witnessed substantial growth across entire spectrum of financial services activities including Banking, Capital Markets, Insurance, Funds Industry, Aircraft Leasing, Ship leasing, FinTech, Foreign Universities, etc. With internationally aligned regulatory regime, competitive tax structure and beneficial cost of operations, GIFT IFSC is fast emerging as a prominent international jurisdiction for availing wide array of international financial Services. As of July 2024, more than 600 + entities across Banks, Capital Markets, Insurance, FinTech, Aircraft Leasing, Ship Leasing, Bullion Exchange, etc have been registered1 with the IFSCA. Including all entities registered, licenced, authorized and notified by IFSCA. The financial services market is gaining momentum with healthy and growing participation of global and domestic financial services institutions.
According to International Financial Services Centre at GIFT City its key advantages are as follows: a) IFSC is a separate financial jurisdiction within India, which is treated as a non-resident zone under Foreign Exchange Regulations. b) The IFSC enables global investors and financial services firms to access India’s large hinterland economy in a more efficient manner. c) IFSCA has been set up as an agile, unified and dedicated authority for development and regulation of financial markets in GIFT IFSC (ease of doing business). d) IFSC offers globally aligned regulatory architecture across banking, capital markets, insurance, fintech, aircraft leasing and financing, ship leasing and financing, etc. e) Access to large talent pool of skilled human resource both in financial and IT sector. f) The IFSC offers globally competitive tax regime with special tax incentives. g) IFSC offers beneficial cost of operation viz-a-viz other global financial centres h) Geo-strategic location of GIFT IFSC allows IFSC to serve different time zones from Japan to the United States of America
Key achievement of phase one according to IFSCA are: a) Comprehensive regulations (29 Regulations,16+ Frameworks) aligned to international best practices, have been brought out which for banking, capital markets, insurance, funds industry, foreign universities, fintech, aircraft & ship leasing, global in-house centres, etc.
b) A well-developed financial sector ecosystem comprising world-class market infrastructure institutions, fund administration, custodial services, trusteeship services, consultancy services, legal advisory services, wealth advisory services, audit services, international trade finance services platform etc.
c) A growing banking sector comprising of 28 banks (12 foreign banks and 16 Indian banks). ANZ bank has received approval from IFSCA to set up its IFSC Banking Unit. The total banking asset size in IFSC has grown to USD 62 Bn. (June 2024) and the cumulative bank transactions have crossed USD 884 Bn. (June 2024).
d) IFSCA has recently notified (Bookkeeping, Accounting, Taxation, and Financial Crime Compliance Services) Regulations, 2024 which provides a unique opportunity for global firms including Australian firms to offer book-keeping, accounting, taxation, and financial crime compliance services to non-resident clients in an efficient and seamless manner from GIFT IFSC.
e) Gaining recognition as a preferred destination for India centric funds. Till June 2024, 130 Fund Management Entities have been registered by IFSCA. The FMEs have launched 148 funds (Private Equity funds, Venture Capital Funds and Hedge Funds) with targeted corpus to the tune of USD 38 Bn
f) The insurance and re-insurance ecosystem are gradually picking up pace with 12 Insurance offices and 23 intermediaries now having presence in IFSC.
g) Several measures have been taken to position IFSC as a ‘Global FinTech Hub’. IFSCA FinTech Entity (FE) Framework 2022 and FinTech Incentive Scheme have been notified.
h) Deakin University and University of Wollongong became the first two foreign universities to set up International Branch Campuses in GIFT IFSC. Deakin University has started its academic operations from GIFT IFSC with launch of two master’s Courses.
i) Steps have been taken to development of GIFT IFSC as a Sustinable Finance Hub. Cumulative ESG listing to the tune of USD 12.60 Bn have been listing on IFSC Exchanges.
